bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolution of Clay Minerals in a Chronosequence of Poldered Sediments Under the Influence of a Natural Pasture Development
Authors: Velde B. , Goffé B. , Hoellard A. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractClay minerals appear to change significantly under the influence of pasture development on poldered sediments in the Baie d'Authie area (Somme, France). Cores 40–90 cm deep from recent salt marsh sediments and poldered sediments developing grass pastures since 1737, 1575 and 1158 indicate that the natural mineral suite of kaolinite, mica, illite, and two disordered mixed-layered illite-smectite (I-S) phases common to the sedimentary input changes gradually but significantly in the materials. In the oldest, best-developed profile, there is a dominance of a disordered, illitic I-S in the humic upper part of the profile and a more abundant, more smectitic I-S mineral below. It appears that grass-derived humic materials tend to stabilize closed (collapsed) or illitic behavior in I-S clays. The natural evolution of the sediment (lower part of the profile) is towards a smectitic clay assemblage. Destruction of organic matter of the smectitic I-S minerals by oxidation indicates that this material can significantly modify the physical behavior of the clays keeping the structure open to polar molecules.
A Simple Sample-Mounting Method for Random Powder X-Ray Diffraction
Authors: Zhang Guoping , Germaine John T. , Martin R. Torrence , Whittle Andrew J. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThis paper describes an improved simple, sample-mounting method for random powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), namely the razor tamped surface (RTS) method, which prepares a powder mount by tamping the loose powder with the sharp edge of a razor blade. Four kaolinites and a quartz powder were used to evaluate the RTS method by quantifying the degree of orientation in the sample mounts using orientation indices. Comparisons between the RTS and other published simple methods, consisting of front loading, back loading and side loading, indicate that the RTS method produces minimum packing density and minimum preferred orientation in the powder mounts of all five samples. The quartz powder used in this study does exhibit a tendency to preferred orientation. The mechanism by which the RTS method reduces preferred orientation is examined by comparing the width of the sharp blade edge with the size of clay particles. The advantages and disadvantages of the RTS method are also discussed.
Television Watching and Other Sedentary Behaviors in Relation to Risk of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Women
Authors: Hu Frank B. , Li Tricia Y. , Colditz Graham A. , Willett Walter C. , Manson JoAnn E. 
Published: April 2003

ContextCurrent public health campaigns to reduce obesity and type 2 diabetes have largely focused on increasing exercise, but have paid little attention to the reduction of sedentary behaviors.ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between various sedentary behaviors, especially prolonged television (TV) watching, and risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in women.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsProspective cohort study conducted from 1992 to 1998 among women from 11 states in the Nurses' Health Study. The obesity analysis included 50 277 women who had a body mass index (BMI) of less than 30 and were free from diagnosed cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or cancer and completed questions on physical activity and sedentary behaviors at baseline. The diabetes analysis included 68 497 women who at baseline were free from diagnosed diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, or cancer.Main Outcome MeasuresOnset of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.ResultsDuring 6 years of follow-up, 3757 (7.5%) of 50 277 women who had a BMI of less than 30 in 1992 became obese (BMI ≥30). Overall, we documented 1515 new cases of type 2 diabetes. Time spent watching TV was positively associated with risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. In the multivariate analyses adjusting for age, smoking, exercise levels, dietary factors, and other covariates, each 2-h/d increment in TV watching was associated with a 23% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17%-30%) increase in obesity and a 14% (95% CI, 5%-23%) increase in risk of diabetes; each 2-h/d increment in sitting at work was associated with a 5% (95% CI, 0%-10%) increase in obesity and a 7% (95% CI, 0%-16%) increase in diabetes. In contrast, standing or walking around at home (2 h/d) was associated with a 9% (95% CI, 6%-12%) reduction in obesity and a 12% (95% CI, 7%-16%) reduction in diabetes. Each 1 hour per day of brisk walking was associated with a 24% (95% CI, 19%-29%) reduction in obesity and a 34% (95% CI, 27%-41%) reduction in diabetes. We estimated that in our cohort, 30% (95% CI, 24%-36%) of new cases of obesity and 43% (95% CI, 32%-52%) of new cases of diabetes could be prevented by adopting a relatively active lifestyle (&amp;lt;10 h/wk of TV watching and ≥30 min/d of brisk walking).ConclusionsIndependent of exercise levels, sedentary behaviors, especially TV watching, were associated with significantly elevated risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, whereas even light to moderate activity was associated with substantially lower risk. This study emphasizes the importance of reducing prolonged TV watching and other sedentary behaviors for preventing obesity and diabetes.
Weight Loss With Self-help Compared With a Structured Commercial Program
Authors: Heshka Stanley , Anderson James W. , Atkinson Richard L. , Greenway Frank L. , Hill James O. , Phinney Stephen D. , Kolotkin Ronette L. , Miller-Kovach Karen , Pi-Sunyer F. Xavier 
Published: April 2003

ContextAlthough commercial weight loss programs provide treatment to millions of clients, their efficacy has not been evaluated in rigorous long-term trials.ObjectiveTo compare weight loss and health benefits achieved and maintained through self-help weight loss vs with a structured commercial program.Design and SettingA 2-year, multicenter randomized clinical trial with clinic visits at 12, 26, 52, 78, and 104 weeks conducted at 6 academic research centers in the United States between January 1998 and January 2001.ParticipantsOverweight and obese men (n = 65) and women (n = 358) (body mass index, 27-40) aged 18 to 65 years.InterventionRandom assignment to either a self-help program (n = 212) consisting of two 20-minute counseling sessions with a nutritionist and provision of self-help resources or to a commercial weight loss program (n = 211) consisting of a food plan, an activity plan, and a cognitive restructuring behavior modification plan, delivered at weekly meetings.Main Outcome MeasuresWeight change was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcomes included waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure, serum lipids, glucose, and insulin levels.ResultsAt 2 years, 150 participants (71%) in the commercial group and 159 (75%) in the self-help group completed the study. In the intent-to-treat analysis, mean (SD) weight loss of participants in the commercial group was greater than in the self-help group at 1 year (−4.3 [6.1] kg vs −1.3 [6.1] kg, respectively; P&amp;lt;.001) and at 2 years (−2.9 [6.5] kg vs −0.2 [6.5] kg, respectively; P&amp;lt;.001). Waist circumference (P = .003) and body mass index (P&amp;lt;.001) decreased more in the commercial group. Changes in blood pressure, lipids, glucose, and insulin levels were related to changes in weight in both groups, but between-group differences in biological parameters were mainly nonsignificant by year 2.ConclusionThe structured commercial weight loss program provided modest weight loss but more than self-help over a 2-year period.
Effect of Weight Loss and Lifestyle Changes on Vascular Inflammatory Markers in Obese Women
Authors: Esposito Katherine , Pontillo Alessandro , Di Palo Carmen , Giugliano Giovanni , Masella Mariangela , Marfella Raffaele , Giugliano Dario 
Published: April 2003

ContextObesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which may be mediated by increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by adipose tissue.ObjectiveTo determine the effect of a program of changes in lifestyle designed to obtain a sustained reduction of body weight on markers of systemic vascular inflammation and insulin resistance.Design and SettingRandomized single-blind trial conducted from February 1999 to February 2002 at a university hospital in Italy.PatientsOne hundred twenty premenopausal obese women (body mass index ≥30) aged 20 to 46 years without diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia.InterventionsThe 60 women randomly assigned to the intervention group received detailed advice about how to achieve a reduction of weight of 10% or more through a low-energy Mediterranean-style diet and increased physical activity. The control group (n = 60) was given general information about healthy food choices and exercise.Main Outcome MeasuresLipid and glucose intake; blood pressure; homeostatic model assessment of insulin sensitivity; and circulating levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 18 (IL-18), C-reactive protein (CRP), and adiponectin.ResultsAfter 2 years, women in the intervention group consumed more foods rich in complex carbohydrates (9% corrected difference; P&amp;lt;.001), monounsaturated fat (2%; P = .009), and fiber (7 g/d; P&amp;lt;.001); had a lower ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (−5; P&amp;lt;.001); and had lower energy (−310 kcal/d; P&amp;lt;.001), saturated fat (−3.5%; P = .007), and cholesterol intake (−92 mg/d; P&amp;lt;.001) than controls. Body mass index decreased more in the intervention group than in controls (−4.2; P&amp;lt;.001), as did serum concentrations of IL-6 (−1.1 pg/mL; P = .009), IL-18 (−57 pg/mL; P = .02), and CRP (−1.6 mg/L; P = .008), while adiponectin levels increased significantly (2.2 µg/mL; P = .01). In multivariate analyses, changes in free fatty acids (P = .008), IL-6 (P = .02), and adiponectin (P = .007) levels were independently associated with changes in insulin sensitivity.ConclusionIn this study, a multidisciplinary program aimed to reduce body weight in obese women through lifestyle changes was associated with a reduction in markers of vascular inflammation and insulin resistance.
Behavior Therapy and Sibutramine for the Treatment of Adolescent Obesity
Authors: Berkowitz Robert I. , Wadden Thomas A. , Tershakovec Andrew M. , Cronquist Joanna L. 
Published: April 2003

ContextAdolescent obesity is becoming a national public health problem. Weight-loss medications including sibutramine facilitate weight control in adults and could be used with obese adolescents in combination with behavior therapy (BT).ObjectiveTo examine whether increased weight loss in obese adolescents is induced when sibutramine is added to a family-based, behavioral weight control program.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial consisting of 82 adolescents aged 13 to 17 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 32 to 44 conducted from March 1999 to August 2002 at a university-based clinic for 6 months, followed by open-label treatment during months 7 to 12.InterventionsFor the first 6 months, participants received either BT and sibutramine or BT and placebo. From months 7 to 12, all participants received sibutramine in open-label treatment.Main Outcome MeasuresPercentage change in BMI; systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse; and hunger.ResultsIn intention-to-treat analysis at month 6, participants in the BT and sibutramine group lost a mean (SD) of 7.8 kg (6.3 kg) and had an 8.5% (6.8%) reduction in BMI, which was significantly more than weight loss of 3.2 kg (6.1 kg) and reduction in BMI of 4.0% (5.4%) in the BT and placebo group. Significantly greater reductions in hunger (P = .002) also were reported by participants who received BT and sibutramine. From months 7 to 12, adolescents initially treated with sibutramine gained 0.8 kg (10.5 kg) with continued use of the medication, whereas those who switched from placebo to sibutramine lost an additional 1.3 kg (5.4 kg). Medication dose was reduced (n = 23) or discontinued (n = 10) to manage increases in blood pressure, pulse rate, or other symptoms.ConclusionsThe addition of sibutramine to a comprehensive behavioral program induced significantly more weight loss than did BT and placebo. Until more extensive safety and efficacy data are available, medications for weight loss should be used only on an experimental basis in adolescents and children.
Health-Related Quality of Life of Severely Obese Children and Adolescents
Authors: Schwimmer Jeffrey B. , Burwinkle Tasha M. , Varni James W. 
Published: April 2003

ContextOne in 7 US children and adolescents is obese, yet little is known about their health-related quality of life (QOL).ObjectiveTo examine the health-related QOL of obese children and adolescents compared with children and adolescents who are healthy or those diagnosed as having cancer.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsCross-sectional study of 106 children and adolescents (57 males) between the ages of 5 and 18 years (mean [SD], 12.1 [3] years), who had been referred to an academic children's hospital for evaluation of obesity between January and June 2002. Children and adolescents had a mean (SD) body mass index (BMI) of 34.7 (9.3) and BMI z score of 2.6 (0.5).Main Outcome MeasuresChild self-report and parent proxy report using a pediatric QOL inventory generic core scale (range, 0-100). The inventory was administered by an interviewer for children aged 5 through 7 years. Scores were compared with previously published scores for healthy children and adolescents and children and adolescents diagnosed as having cancer.ResultsCompared with healthy children and adolescents, obese children and adolescents reported significantly (P&amp;lt;.001) lower health-related QOL in all domains (mean [SD] total score, 67 [16.3] for obese children and adolescents; 83 [14.8] for healthy children and adolescents). Obese children and adolescents were more likely to have impaired health-related QOL than healthy children and adolescents (odds ratio [OR], 5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.4-8.7) and were similar to children and adolescents diagnosed as having cancer (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.8-2.3). Children and adolescents with obstructive sleep apnea reported a significantly lower health-related QOL total score (mean [SD], 53.8 [13.3]) than obese children and adolescents without obstructive sleep apnea (mean [SD], 67.9 [16.2]). For parent proxy report, the child or adolescent's BMI z score was significantly inversely correlated with total score (r = −0.246; P = .01), physical functioning (r = −0.263; P&amp;lt;.01), social functioning (r = −0.347; P&amp;lt;.001), and psychosocial functioning (r = −0.209; P = .03).ConclusionsSeverely obese children and adolescents have lower health-related QOL than children and adolescents who are healthy and similar QOL as those diagnosed as having cancer. Physicians, parents, and teachers need to be informed of the risk for impaired health-related QOL among obese children and adolescents to target interventions that could enhance health outcomes.
Zonisamide for Weight Loss in Obese Adults
Authors: Gadde Kishore M. , Franciscy Deborah M. , Wagner H. Ryan , Krishnan K. Ranga R. 
Published: April 2003

ContextZonisamide is a marketed antiepileptic drug that has serotonergic and dopaminergic activity in addition to blockade of sodium and calcium channels. Weight loss was an adverse effect associated with zonisamide treatment in epilepsy clinical trials.ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of zonisamide for weight loss in obese adults.Design and SettingSixteen-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with an optional single-blind extension of the same treatment for another 16 weeks, conducted at Duke University Medical Center from March 2001 to March 2002.ParticipantsFifty-five (92%) women and 5 (8%) men (mean [SE] body mass index, 36.3 [0.5]; mean age, 37.0 (1.0) years).InterventionsPatients were randomly assigned to receive zonisamide (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30). All participants were prescribed a balanced hypocaloric diet (500 kcal/d deficit) and compliance was monitored with self-rated food diaries. Zonisamide therapy was started at 100 mg/d orally, with gradual increase to 400 mg/d and further increase to 600 mg/d for patients losing less than 5% of body weight at the end of 12 weeks. Placebo dosing was identical.Main Outcome MeasureChange in body weight.ResultsOf the 60 randomized patients, 51 completed the 16-week acute phase. In an intent-to-treat analysis using the available data for all randomized participants with the last observation carried forward, the zonisamide group lost more body weight than the placebo group (mean [SE], 5.9 [0.8] kg [6.0% loss] vs 0.9 [0.4] kg [1.0% loss]; t = 5.5; P&amp;lt;.001) during the 16-week period. A longitudinal mixed-model regression for weight change controlling for age, race, sex, body mass index, and percent body fat estimated that zonisamide treatment over the 16-week study duration was associated with significantly greater weight loss than was placebo (t = 6.4; P&amp;lt;.001). Seventeen (57%) of 30 in the zonisamide group and 3 (10%) of 30 in the placebo group lost at least 5% of body weight (P&amp;lt;.001) by week 16. Of the 37 participants who entered the extension phase, 36 completed week 32. The zonisamide group (n = 19) had a mean weight loss of 9.2 kg (1.7 kg) (9.4% loss) at week 32 compared with 1.5 kg (0.7 kg) (1.8% loss) for the placebo group (n = 17) (t = 4.0; P&amp;lt;.001). Zonisamide was tolerated well, with few adverse effects.ConclusionIn this short-term, preliminary trial, zonisamide and hypocaloric diet resulted in more weight loss than placebo and hypocaloric diet in the treatment of obesity.
Recombinant Variant of Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor for Weight Loss in Obese Adults
Authors: Ettinger Mark P. , Littlejohn Thomas W. , Schwartz Sherwyn L. , Weiss Stuart R. , McIlwain Harris H. , Heymsfield Steven B. , Bray George A. , Roberts William G. , Heyman Eugene R. , Stambler Nancy , Heshka Stanley , Vicary Catherine , Guler Hans-Peter 
Published: April 2003

ContextObese individuals tend to resist the weight-regulating effects of exogenously administered leptin. A genetically engineered recombinant human variant ciliary neurotrophic factor (rhvCNTF) that signals through leptinlike pathways in the hypothalamus has been shown to bypass leptin resistance in animal models of obesity.ObjectiveTo identify a safe and well-tolerated dose of rhvCNTF that causes weight loss in obese adults.Design, Setting, and PatientsTwelve-week, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, dose-ranging, multicenter clinical trial conducted at 2 university obesity clinics and at 5 independent clinical research clinics from March 2000 to August 2001, and including 173 nondiabetic obese adults, 82.6% of whom were women, with a mean (SD) body mass index of 41.1 (4.1).InterventionsPatients were randomly assigned to receive daily for 12 weeks subcutaneous injections of placebo (n = 32) or 0.3 µg/kg (n = 32), 1.0 µg/kg (n = 38), or 2.0 µg/kg (n = 33) of rhvCNTF. Another group received 1.0 µg/kg for 8 weeks and placebo for 4 weeks (n = 38), but they were not included in the primary analysis. All participants received instructions for a reduced-calorie diet (World Health Organization formula minus 500 kcal/d).Main Outcome MeasuresChange in weight during the 12-week double-blind treatment period and proportion of patients who achieved a weight loss of at least 5%.ResultsOf the 173 randomized patients, 123 (71%) completed the double-blind dosing period. Mean (SEM) changes in kilograms from baseline body weights were 0.1 (0.6) for placebo and −1.5 (0.6) for the 0.3, −4.1 (0.6) for the 1.0, and –3.4 (0.7) for the 2.0 µg/kg of rhvCNTF dosage groups (P&amp;lt;.001, test for trend). Two patients (8.7%) in the placebo and 2 (8.3%) in the 0.3-µg/kg, 8 (29.6%) in the 1.0-µg/kg, and 5 (26%) in the 2.0-µg/kg treatment groups achieved a weight loss of at least 5%. Recombinant human variant CNTF was generally well tolerated although adverse events occurred in 75% of patients receiving placebo and 78% to 93% of patients receiving rhvCNTF, in a dose-related fashion, with mild injection site reactions as the most frequently reported adverse event.ConclusionsIn this initial, dose-ranging, 12-week study, treatment with rhvCNTF resulted in more weight loss than placebo. These preliminary findings require confirmation in large prospective clinical trials.
Effects of Internet Behavioral Counseling on Weight Loss in Adults at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Tate Deborah F. , Jackvony Elizabeth H. , Wing Rena R. 
Published: April 2003

ContextWeight loss programs on the Internet appear promising for short-term weight loss but have not been studied for weight loss in individuals at risk of type 2 diabetes; thus, the longer-term efficacy is unknown.ObjectiveTo compare the effects of an Internet weight loss program alone vs with the addition of behavioral counseling via e-mail provided for 1 year to individuals at risk of type 2 diabetes.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA single-center randomized controlled trial conducted from September 2001 to September 2002 in Providence, RI, of 92 overweight adults whose mean (SD) age was 48.5 (9.4) years and body mass index, 33.1 (3.8).InterventionsParticipants were randomized to a basic Internet (n = 46) or to an Internet plus behavioral e-counseling program (n = 46). Both groups received 1 face-to-face counseling session and the same core Internet programs and were instructed to submit weekly weights. Participants in e-counseling submitted calorie and exercise information and received weekly e-mail behavioral counseling and feedback from a counselor.Main Outcome MeasuresMeasured weight and waist circumference at 0 and 12 months.ResultsIntent-to-treat analyses showed the behavioral e-counseling group lost more mean (SD) weight at 12 months than the basic Internet group (−4.4 [6.2] vs −2.0 [5.7] kg; P = .04), and had greater decreases in percentage of initial body weight (4.8% vs 2.2%; P = .03), body mass index (−1.6 [2.2] vs −0.8 [2.1]; P = .03), and waist circumference (−7.2 [7.5] vs −4.4 [5.7] cm; P = .05).ConclusionAdding e-mail counseling to a basic Internet weight loss intervention program significantly improved weight loss in adults at risk of diabetes.