bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a nutrition supplementation programme in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa
Authors: Hendricks MK , le Roux M , Fernandes M , Irlam J 
Published: September 2003

AbstractAim:This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness regarding implementation and impact of a take-home nutrition supplementation programme, the Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) Scheme, that targets malnourished pre-school children and pregnant and lactating women in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.Methodology:In assessing implementation of the PEM Scheme, a cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken over a 6-month period in the six regions of the Northern Cape Province. Interviews were conducted with programme managers and health personnel at clinics who were responsible for implementing the PEM Scheme. In assessing the impact of the PEM Scheme on growth, a retrospective review was done of the clinic records (including anthropometric data) of children enrolled in the PEM Scheme over a 1-year period.Results:About 76% of the budget allocated to the PEM Scheme had been utilised over the 1-year period. The budget for the following financial year was based solely on food supplements purchased in the previous year. Coverage of malnourished pre-school children and eligible pregnant and lactating women for enrolment was estimated to be 50% and 60%, respectively. Eighty-five per cent of health facilities in the province participated in the PEM Scheme. Some of the main problems identified included: lack of training, inappropriate targeting of certain groups, incorrect application especially of discharge criteria for pregnant and lactating women, inadequate assessment for nutrition-related disease, inadequate nutrition counselling and no standardised monitoring. Of the 319 children enrolled over a year, the mean age was 16.2 (standard deviation 16.2) months, 41% had been low-birth-weight and 18% had been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Ten per cent of the children with a weight-for-ageZ-score of <−2 moved into the normalZ-score range after being on the PEM Scheme for a mean duration of 8 months. There was an overall improvement in the weight-for-ageZ-scores of 25% of the sample, with a significant difference between the mean weight-for-ageZ-scores at enrolment and follow-up (t= 4.8,P< 0.001). This was mainly related to significant improvement in the mean weight-for-ageZ-scores of children <2 years.Conclusions:Numerous problems with the PEM Scheme have been identified which could have limited its impact. Recommendations are proposed for improving the effectiveness and impact of the PEM Scheme in the province.
A potentially useful distribution model for dietary intake data
Authors: Myles JP , Price GM , Hunter N , Day M , Duffy SW 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBackground:Conventional mixed models for the analysis of diet diary data have introduced several simplifying assumptions, such as that of a single standard deviation for within-person day-to-day variation which is common to all individuals.Objective:We developed a model in which the within-person standard deviation was allowed to differ from person to person.Design:The model was demonstrated using data on daily retinol intake from the Dietary and Nutritional Survey of British Adults. The data were from 7-day weighed dietary diaries. Estimation was performed by Markov chain Monte Carlo. Reliability of the model was assessed from the accuracy of estimation of the percentage of days on which various intakes were exceeded. For levels above the median retinol intake, estimation of percentages of days with excessive intakes was most accurate using the model with varying within-person standard deviation.Setting:A survey of British adults aged 16–64 years.Subjects:In total 2197 adults living in the UK, 1087 males and 1110 females.Results:Under the traditional model, estimated daily intake ranged from 716.4 to 1421.8 μg depending on age and sex, with a within-person standard deviation of 4298.9 μg. Under the new model, estimated average daily intake ranged from 388.9 to 518.3 μg depending on age and sex, but with a within-person standard deviation varying between subjects with a 95% range of 29 to 8384 μg. The new model was shown to predict the percentage of days of exceeding large intakes more successfully than the traditional model. For example, the percentage of days of exceeding the maximum recommended intake (9000 μg for men and 7500 μg for women) was 2.4%. The traditional model predicted no excessive intakes, whereas the new model predicted 2.9%.Conclusions:This model is potentially useful in dietary research in general and for analysis of data on chemical contaminants in foods, in particular.
Iron status of South African women working in a fruit-packing factory
Authors: Wolmarans P , Dhansay MA , Mansvelt EPG , Laubscher JA , Benadé AJS 
Published: September 2003

AbstractObjective:The aim of this study was to determine the iron status, and the risk factors for iron deficiency (ID) and iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA), of non-pregnant adult women working in a fruit-packing factory.Design:A cross-sectional analytical study was done on 338 women, 18 to 55 years of age. Information on demographic data, risk factors for ID, smoking, and the consumption of red meat, chicken and fish was collected by questionnaire. Height and weight were measured and the body mass index (BMI) calculated. A non-fasting venous blood sample was analysed for haemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), serum iron, serum transferrin and C-reactive protein; transferrin saturation (TFS) was calculated.Setting:Fruit-packing factory in the Western Cape, South Africa.Results:The mean value for Hb was 13.06 (standard deviation (SD) 1.16) g dl−1 and for SF 48.0 (SD 47.8) μgl−1 (geometric mean 26.44 μgl−1). Women (n = 325) were categorised on the basis of iron status: 60% had a normal iron status (NIS); 12.6% had low TFS (<16%) but normal Hb (≥12 g dl−1) and SF (≥12 μgl−1) concentrations (LTS); and 27.4% had low iron status (LIS), defined as combinations of low SF (<12 μgl−1 or <20 μgl−1), low TFS (<16%) and low Hb (<12 gdl−1). More than 30% of the women were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kgm−2). The risk ratio for LIS (LIS vs. NIS) was 3.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9–7.6) if women were still menstruating or 3.2 (95% CI 1.6–6.2) if they were pregnant during the past 12 months. Women with LIS consumed significantly smaller portions of red meat, chicken and fish than did women in the other two groups.Conclusions:IDA (low Hb, SF and TFS) and ID (low SF and TFS) did not seem to be a major problem. Women who were still menstruating or were pregnant during the past 12 months were at greater risk for ID. The consumption of smaller portions of red meat, chicken and fish was related to LIS. A high prevalence of obesity, which demonstrated the coexistence of both under- and overnutrition, was observed.
Salt iodisation and public health campaigns to eradicate iodine deficiency disorders in Armenia
Authors: Rossi Laura , Branca Francesco 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBackground:Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are endemic in the mountain regions of Armenia. Universal salt iodisation has been chosen as the control measure.Objectives:(1) To measure the prevalence of iodine deficiency in the Armenian population; (2) to evaluate household use of iodised salt; and (3) to monitor iodised salt promotion strategies.Design:Cross-sectional study on a nationally representative sample of 2627 households, including 3390 children under five and 2649 women of fertile age. Cluster sampling design on four population strata: residents, refugees, rural and urban.Results:Thyroid was palpable in one-third of the women, 6% of them having a visible goitre. Median of urinary iodine excretion in children was 139.5 μgl−1. One-third of the children showed low urinary iodine concentration. Iodised salt was consumed in 66% of the households. The national IDD control programme included modernisation of the Yerevan Salt Factory, legislative regulation of the iodine content of the salt, and public information by the media.Conclusions:Armenia was still an endemic zone for goitre in 1997. The iodine status of children under five in 1997 was not considered alarming even though 33% of them had low values of urinary iodine. After four years of intervention strategies, the use of iodised salt has increased by 17%. Further efforts should be made to control salt imports and to monitor IDD indicators in vulnerable groups.
An investigation of the association between vending machine confectionery purchase frequency by schoolchildren in the UK and other dietary and lifestyle factors
Authors: New Susan A , Livingstone M Barbara E 
Published: September 2003

AbstractObjective:Availability of confectionery from vending machines in secondary schools provides a convenient point of purchase. There is concern that this may lead to ‘over-indulgence’ and hence an increase in susceptibility to obesity and poor ‘dietary quality’. The study objective was to investigate the association between the frequency of consumption of confectionery purchased from vending machines and other sources and related lifestyle factors in adolescent boys and girls.Design:A secondary school-based, cross-sectional study.Subjects and setting:A total of 504 subjects were investigated (age range 12–15 years), from three schools in southern and northern England. Using a lifestyle questionnaire, frequency of confectionery consumption (CC) from all sources (AS) and vending machines (VM) was recorded for a typical school week. Subjects were categorised into non-consumers, low, medium and high consumers using the following criteria: none, 0 times per week; low, 1–5 times per week; medium, 6–9 times per week; high, 10 times per week or greater.Results:No differences were found in the frequency of CC from AS or VM between those who consumed breakfast and lunch and those who did not. No differences were found in the frequency of fruit and vegetable intake in high VM CC vs. none VM CC groups, or in any of the VM CC groups. Confectionery consumption from AS (but not VM) was found to be higher in subjects who were physically active on the journey to school (P <0.01) but also higher in those who spent more time watching television and playing computer games (P <0.01). No associations were found between smoking habits or alcohol consumption and frequency of CC.Conclusions:These results do not show a link between consumption of confectionery purchased from vending machines and ‘poor’ dietary practice or ‘undesirable’ lifestyle habits. Findings for total confectionery consumption showed some interesting trends, but the results were not consistent, either for a negative or positive effect.
Views of young people using augmentative and alternative communication systems
Authors: Clarke Mike , McConachie Helen , Price Katie , Wood Pam 
Published: September 2003

AbstractChildren with physical impairments who cannot use intelligible speech are often recommended augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. In England and Wales, it is usually the job of speech and language therapists to support development in AAC skills. This paper reports findings from discussion with children and young people who use AAC systems concerning their attitudes and opinions towards the organization of speech and language therapy, the role of the speech and language therapist in school and issues concerned with AAC systems themselves. Six young adults and 17 children from London education authorities were interviewed on a one‐to‐one basis and in focus groups. Children were interviewed who had a communication aid incorporating at least 20 symbols and/or pictures and/or written words, language understanding at the two‐word level and above, i.e. they demonstrated understanding of adult requests with at least two information carrying words. For children using communication aids, it is conceivable that their communication systems do not contain appropriate symbol vocabulary to express complex ideas, opinions and feelings. Consequently, a symbol‐based interview tool was designed to allow children to express complex issues through visual means. Most children interviewed reported that their AAC system was useful to them. Further analysis of opinions revealed that negative attitudes towards AAC systems were primarily associated with operational issues (technical skills required to operate an AAC system) and issues of self‐image/identity, and to some degree, with a lack of perceived benefit in interaction. In apparent contrast to therapists’ preferred models of working, children and young people identified a preference for therapy organized on a one‐to‐one basis targeting linguistic and operational skills. It is suggested that more acceptable and individualized design of AAC systems could have implications for their use in school and other contexts. The value of service users’ views in service planning and evaluation are discussed.
Prevalence and developmental course of ‘secret language’
Authors: Thorpe Karen , Greenwood Rosemary , Eivers Areana , Rutter Michael 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe prevalence and developmental course of supposed ‘secret language’ was examined in a cohort of twins and closely spaced singletons pairs, with systematic assessments at 20 months and again at 36 months. Two forms of apparent ‘secret language’ were examined: (1) shared understanding‐speech directed generally but unintelligible to the parent, although apparently clearly understood within the child pair, and (2) private language directed exclusively to the other twin/sibling‐not intelligible to the parent, but apparently clearly understood and used only within the child pair. Both occurred in singleton pairs, but the rate was much higher in twins. In most cases it seemed to be a developmental phenomenon occurring in the second year of life with the emergence of immature speech, and decreasing considerably over the next 16 months. A small group of children, primarily male twins, was reported to use a private language at 36 months. This group had poorer cognitive and language functioning, and was characterized by highly dependent relationships. Some aspects of the twins’ home environment were less stimulating and less responsive, most probably reflecting the abilities and relationships of the children. A follow‐up of these children when they were ~6 years of age showed that language outcome was poor for the subgroup (n =4) who did not develop normal language alongside the use of a private language.
Thermodynamic and kinetic stability of intermolecular triple helices containing different proportions of C+·GC and T·AT triplets
Authors: James Peter L. , Brown Tom , Fox Keith R. 
Published: September 2003

Abstract
We have used oligonucleotides containing appropriately placed fluorophores and quenchers to measure the stability of 15mer intermolecular triplexes with third strands consisting of repeats of TTT, TTC, TCC and TCTC. In the presence of 200 mM sodium (pH 5.0) triplexes that contain only T·AT triplets are unstable and melt below 30°C. In contrast, triplets with repeats of TTC, TCC and CTCT melt at 67, 72 and 76°C, respectively. The most stable complex is generated by the sequence containing alternating C+·GC and T·AT triplets. All four triplexes are stabilised by increasing the ionic strength or by the addition of magnesium, although triplexes with a higher proportion of C+·GC triplets are much less sensitive to changes in the ionic conditions. The enthalpies of formation of these triplexes were estimated by examining the concentration dependence of the melting profiles and show that, in the presence of 200 mM sodium at pH 5.0, each C+·GC triplet contributes about 30 kJ mol–1, while each T·AT contributes only 11 kJ mol–1. Kinetic experiments with these oligonucleotides show that in 200 mM sodium (pH 5.0) repeats of TCC and TTC have half-lives of ∼20 min, while the triplex with alternating C+·GC and T·AT triplets has a half-life of ∼3 days. In contrast, the dissociation kinetics of the triplex containing only T·AT are too fast to measure.
Sequence of the lid affects activity and specificity of Candida rugosa lipase isoenzymes
Authors: Brocca Stefania , Secundo Francesco , Ossola Mattia , Alberghina Lilia , Carrea Giacomo , Lotti Marina 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe fungus Candida rugosa produces multiple lipase isoenzymes (CRLs) with distinct differences in substrate specificity, in particular with regard to selectivity toward the fatty acyl chain length. Moreover, isoform CRL3 displays high activity towards cholesterol esters. Lipase isoenzymes share over 80% sequence identity but diverge in the sequence of the lid, a mobile loop that modulates access to the active site. In the active enzyme conformation, the open lid participates in the substrate‐binding site and contributes to substrate recognition. To address the role of the lid in CRL activity and specificity, we substituted the lid sequences from isoenzymes CRL3 and CRL4 in recombinant rCRL1, thus obtaining enzymes differing only in this stretch of residues. Swapping the CRL3 lid was sufficient to confer to CRL1 cholesterol esterase activity. On the other hand, a specific shift in the chain‐length specificity was not observed. Chimeric proteins displayed different sensitivity to detergents in the reaction medium.
LumenP—A neural network predictor for protein localization in the thylakoid lumen
Authors: Westerlund Isabelle , von Heijne Gunnar , Emanuelsson Olof 
Published: September 2003

AbstractWe report the development of LumenP, a new neural network‐based predictor for the identification of proteins targeted to the thylakoid lumen of plant chloroplasts and prediction of their cleavage sites. When used together with the previously developed TargetP predictor, LumenP reaches a significantly better performance than what has been recorded for previous attempts at predicting thylakoid lumen location, mostly due to a lower false positive rate. The combination of TargetP and LumenP predicts around 1.5%–3% of all proteins encoded in the genomes of Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa to be located in the lumen of the thylakoid.
A consensus view of fold space: Combining SCOP, CATH, and the Dali Domain Dictionary
Authors: Day Ryan , Beck David A.C. , Armen Roger S. , Daggett Valerie 
Published: September 2003

AbstractWe have determined consensus protein‐fold classifications on the basis of three classification methods, SCOP, CATH, and Dali. These classifications make use of different methods of defining and categorizing protein folds that lead to different views of protein‐fold space. Pairwise comparisons of domains on the basis of their fold classifications show that much of the disagreement between the classification systems is due to differing domain definitions rather than assigning the same domain to different folds. However, there are significant differences in the fold assignments between the three systems. These remaining differences can be explained primarily in terms of the breadth of the fold classifications. Many structures may be defined as having one fold in one system, whereas far fewer are defined as having the analogous fold in another system. By comparing these folds for a nonredundant set of proteins, the consensus method breaks up broad fold classifications and combines restrictive fold classifications into metafolds, creating, in effect, an averaged view of fold space. This averaged view requires that the structural similarities between proteins having the same metafold be recognized by multiple classification systems. Thus, the consensus map is useful for researchers looking for fold similarities that are relatively independent of the method used to compare proteins. The 30 most populated metafolds, representing the folds of about half of a nonredundant subset of the PDB, are presented here. The full list of metafolds is presented on the Web.
Interaction between the antigen and antibody is controlled by the constant domains: Normal mode dynamics of the HEL–HyHEL‐10 complex
Authors: Adachi Masaaki , Kurihara Youji , Nojima Hiroyuki , Takeda‐Shitaka Mayuko , Kamiya Kenshu , Umeyama Hideaki 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe antigen binding fragment (Fab) of a monoclonal antibody (HyHEL‐10) consists of variable domains (Fv) and constant domains (CL–CH1). Normal modes have been calculated from the three‐dimensional structures of hen egg lysozyme (HEL) with Fab, those of HEL with Fv, and so on. Only a small structural change was found between HEL–Fab and HEL–Fv complexes. However, HEL–Fv had a one order of magnitude lower dissociation constant than HEL–Fab. The Cα fluctuations of HEL–Fab differed from those of HEL–Fv with normal mode calculation, and the dynamics can be thought to be related to the protein–protein interactions. CL–CH1 may have influence not only around local interfaces between CL–CH1 and Fv, but also around the interacting regions between HEL and Fv, which are longitudinally distant. Eighteen water molecules were found in HEL–Fv around the interface between HEL and Fv compared with one water molecule in HEL–Fab. These solvent molecules may occupy the holes and channels, which may occur due to imperfect complementarity of the complex. Therefore, the suppression of atomic vibration around the interface between Fv and HEL can be thought to be related to favorable and compact interface formation by complete desolvation. It is suggested that the ability to control the antigen–antibody affinity is obtained from modifying the CL–CH1. The second upper loop in the constant domain of the light chain (UL2–CL), which is a conserved gene in several light chains, showed the most remarkable fluctuation changes. UL2–CL could play an important role and could be attractive for modification in protein engineering.
Amino acid sequence and crystal structure of BaP1, a metalloproteinase from Bothrops asper snake venom that exerts multiple tissue‐damaging activities
Authors: Watanabe Leandra , Shannon John D. , Valente Richard H. , Rucavado Alexandra , Alape‐Girón Alberto , Kamiguti Aura S. , Theakston R. David G. , Fox Jay W. , Gutiérrez José María , Arni Raghuvir K. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBaP1 is a 22.7‐kD P‐I‐type zinc‐dependent metalloproteinase isolated from the venom of the snake Bothrops asper, a medically relevant species in Central America. This enzyme exerts multiple tissue‐damaging activities, including hemorrhage, myonecrosis, dermonecrosis, blistering, and edema. BaP1 is a single chain of 202 amino acids that shows highest sequence identity with metalloproteinases isolated from the venoms of snakes of the subfamily Crotalinae. It has six Cys residues involved in three disulfide bridges (Cys 117–Cys 197, Cys 159–Cys 181, Cys 157–Cys 164). It has the consensus sequence H142E143XXH146XXGXXH152, as well as the sequence C164I165M166, which characterize the “metzincin” superfamily of metalloproteinases. The active‐site cleft separates a major subdomain (residues 1–152), comprising four α‐helices and a five‐stranded β‐sheet, from the minor subdomain, which is formed by a single α‐helix and several loops. The catalytic zinc ion is coordinated by the Nε2 nitrogen atoms of His 142, His 146, and His 152, in addition to a solvent water molecule, which in turn is bound to Glu 143. Several conserved residues contribute to the formation of the hydrophobic pocket, and Met 166 serves as a hydrophobic base for the active‐site groups. Sequence and structural comparisons of hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic P‐I metalloproteinases from snake venoms revealed differences in several regions. In particular, the loop comprising residues 153 to 176 has marked structural differences between metalloproteinases with very different hemorrhagic activities. Because this region lies in close proximity to the active‐site microenvironment, it may influence the interaction of these enzymes with physiologically relevant substrates in the extracellular matrix.