bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating the burden of disease attributable to a diet low in fruit and vegetables in South Africa for 2000, 2006 and 2012
Authors: Cois A , Abdelatief N , Steyn N , Turawa E B , Awotiwon O F , Roomaney R A , Neethling I , Joubert J D , Pacella R , Bradshaw D , Pillay van-Wyk V 
Published: October 2022

Background. Low intake of fruit and vegetables is associated with an increased risk of various non-communicable diseases, including major causes of death and disability such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and cancers. Diets low in fruit and vegetables are prevalent in the South African (SA) population, and average intake is well below the internationally recommended threshold.
Objectives. To estimate the burden of disease attributable to a diet low in fruit and vegetables by sex and age group in SA for the years 2000, 2006 and 2012.
Methods. We followed World Health Organization and Global Burden of Disease Study comparative risk assessment methodology. Population attributable fractions – calculated from fruit and vegetable intake estimated from national and local surveys and relative risks for health outcomes based on the current literature – were applied to the burden estimates from the second South African National Burden of Disease Study (SANBD2). Outcome measures included deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost from ischaemic heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and five categories of cancers.
Results. Between 2000 and 2012, the average intake of fruit of the SA adult population (≥25 years) declined by 7%, from 48.5 g/d (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 46.6 - 50.5) to 45.2 g/d (95% UI 42.7 - 47.6). Vegetable intake declined by 25%, from 146.9 g/d (95% UI 142.3 - 151.8) to 110.5 g/d (95% UI 105.9 - 115.0). In 2012, these consumption patterns are estimated to have caused 26 423 deaths (95% UI 24 368 - 28 006), amounting to 5.0% (95% UI 4.6 - 5.3%) of all deaths in SA, and the loss of 514 823 (95% UI 473 508 - 544 803) healthy life years or 2.5% (95% UI 2.3 - 2.6%) of all DALYs. Cardiovascular disease comprised the largest proportion of the attributable burden, with 83% of deaths and 84% of DALYs. Age-standardised death rates were higher for males (145.1 deaths per 100 000; 95% UI 127.9 - 156.2) than for females (108.0 deaths per 100 000; 95% UI 96.2 - 118.1); in both sexes, rates were lower than those observed in 2000 (–9% and –12%, respectively).
Conclusion. Despite the overall reduction in standardised death rates observed since 2000, the absolute burden of disease attributable to inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables in SA remains of significant concern. Effective interventions supported by legislation and policy are needed to reverse the declining trends in consumption observed in most age categories and to curb the associated burden.
Estimating the changing burden of disease attributable to high body mass index in South Africa for 2000, 2006 and 2012
Authors: Bradshaw D , Joubert J D , Abdelatief N , Cois A , Turawa E B , Awotiwon O F , Roomaney R A , Neethling I , Pacella R , Pillay van-Wyk V 
Published: October 2022

Background. A high body mass index (BMI) is associated with several cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic kidney disease, cancers, and other selected health conditions.
Objectives. To quantify the deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributed to high BMI in persons aged ≥20 years in South Africa (SA) for 2000, 2006 and 2012.
Methods. The comparative risk assessment (CRA) methodology was followed. Meta-regressions of the BMI mean and standard deviation from nine national surveys spanning 1998 - 2017 were conducted to provide estimates by age and sex for adults aged ≥20 years. Population attributable fractions were calculated for selected health outcomes using relative risks identified by the Global Burden of Disease Study (2017), and applied to deaths and DALY estimates from the second South African National Burden of Disease Study to estimate the burden attributed to high BMI in a customised Microsoft Excel workbook. Monte Carlo simulation-modelling techniques were used for the uncertainty analysis. BMI was assumed to follow a log-normal distribution, and the theoretical minimum value of BMI below which no risk was estimated was assumed to follow a uniform distribution from 20 kg/m2 to 25 kg/m2.
Results. Between 2000 and 2012, mean BMI increased by 6% from 27.7 kg/m2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 27.6 - 27.9) to 29.4 kg/m2 (95% CI 29.3 - 29.5) for females, and by 3% from 23.9 kg/m2 (95% CI 23.7 - 24.1) to 24.6 kg/m2 (95% CI 24.5 - 24.8) for males. In 2012, high BMI caused 58 757 deaths (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 46 740 - 67 590) or 11.1% (95% UI 8.8 - 12.8) of all deaths, and 1.42 million DALYs (95% UI 1.15 - 1.61) or 6.9% (95% UI 5.6 - 7.8) of all DALYs. Over the study period, the burden in females was ~1.5 - 1.8 times higher than that in males. Type 2 diabetes mellitus became the leading cause of death attributable to high BMI in 2012 (n=12 382 deaths), followed by hypertensive heart disease (n=12 146), haemorrhagic stroke (n=9 141), ischaemic heart disease (n=7 499) and ischaemic stroke (n=4 044). The age-standardised attributable DALY rate per 100 000 population for males increased by 6.6% from 3 777 (95% UI 2 639 - 4 869) in 2000 to 4 026 (95% UI 2 831 - 5 115) in 2012, while it increased by 7.8% for females from 6 042 (95% UI 5 064 - 6 702) to 6 513 (95% UI 5 597 - 7 033).
Conclusion. Average BMI increased between 2000 and 2012 and accounted for a growing proportion of total deaths and DALYs. There is a need to develop, implement and evaluate comprehensive interventions to achieve lasting change in the determinants and impact of overweight and obesity, particularly among women.
Estimating the changing disease burden attributable to raised low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in South Africa for 2000, 2006 and 2012
Authors: Neethling I , Peer N , Cois A , Nojilana B , Pacella R , Bradshaw D , Pillay van-Wyk V 
Published: October 2022

Background. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the most important contributor to atherosclerosis, a causal factor for ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and ischaemic stroke. Although raised LDL-C is a key contributor to cardiovascular disease (CVD), the exact attributable disease risk in South Africa (SA) is unknown. The the first SA comparative risk assessment (SACRA1) study assessed the attributable burden of raised total cholesterol, and not specifically LDL-C.
Objectives. To estimate the national mean serum LDL-C by age, year and sex and to quantify the burden of disease attributable to LDL-C in SA for 2000, 2006 and 2012.
Methods. The comparative risk assessment (CRA) method was used. Estimates of the national mean of LDL-C, representing the 3 different years, were derived from 14 small observational studies using a meta-regression model. A theoretical minimum risk exposure level (TMREL) of 0.7 - 1.3 mmol/L was used. LDL-C estimates together with the relative risks from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 were used to calculate a potential impact fraction (PIF). This was applied to IHD and ischaemic stroke estimates sourced from the Second National Burden of Disease Study. Attributable deaths, years of life lost, years lived with disability and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated. Uncertainty analysis was performed using Monte Carlo simulation.
Results. LDL-C declined from 2.74 mmol/L in 2000 to 2.58 mmol/L in 2012 for males, while in females it declined from 3.05 mmol/L in 2000 to 2.91 mmol/L in 2012. The PIFs for LDL-C showed a slight decline over time, owing to the slight decrease in LDL-C levels. Attributable DALYs increased between 2000 (n=286 712) and 2006 (n=315 125), but decreased thereafter in 2012 (n=270 829). Attributable age-standardised death rates declined between 2000 and 2012 in both sexes: in males from 98 per 100 000 members of the population in 2000 to 78 per 100 000 in 2012, and in females from 81 per 100 000 in 2000 to 58 per 100 000 in 2012.
Conclusions. Mean LDL-C levels were close to 3 mmol/L, which is the recommended level at which cholesterol-lowering treatment should be initiated for people at low and moderate risk for cardiovascular outcomes. The decreasing trend in the age-standardised attributable burden due to LDL-C is encouraging, but it can be lowered further with the introduction of additional population-based CVD prevention strategies. This study highlights the fact that high LDL-C concentration in relation to the TMREL in SA is responsible for a large proportion of the emerging CVD, and should be targeted by health planners to reduce disease burden.
Desafíos territoriales en áreas rurales: desempeño y potencial del cooperativismo oleícola innovador en Andalucía (España) / / / \ \ \ Territorial challenges in rural areas: performance and potential of innovative olive cooperatives in Andalusia (Spain)
Authors: Sánchez-Martínez José Domingo , Rodríguez-Cohard Juan Carlos , Garrido-Almonacid Antonio , Gallego-Simón Vicente José 
Published: October 2022

Resumen: En la lógica de la especialización regional productiva, el olivar se ha conformado como la principal ocupación del suelo agrícola en Andalucía. En los municipios más rurales, de hecho, las opciones para el mantenimiento de la población están muy condicionadas por la evolución de este sector productivo. Una de las características más interesantes del mismo es el fuerte peso que la economía social tiene en la fase de molturación de la aceituna, de forma que las cooperativas son responsables del setenta por ciento del aceite obtenido. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar los procesos de innovación que se están desarrollando en estas empresas aceiteras para hacer frente a los desafíos de la competencia y para operar como palanca de desarrollo rural. A partir de entrevistas en profundidad con responsables de cooperativas se presenta un balance de la situación actual, concluyendo que una profundización, mejora y generalización de las transformaciones que están en marcha pueden ser claves para mejorar la capacidad competitiva de los territorios en los que operan.

Palabras clave: aceites de oliva, desarrollo rural, economía social, innovación, globalización.

Abstract: In the logic of regional productive specialization, the olive grove has become the main occupation of agricultural land in Andalusia. In the most rural municipalities, in fact, the options for the maintenance of the population are highly conditioned by the evolution of this productive sector. One of the most interesting characteristics of this sector is the strong weight that the social economy has in the olive milling phase, so that the cooperatives are responsible for seventy percent of the oil obtained. The aim of this work is to analyze the innovation processes that are being developed in these olive oil companies to face the challenges of competition and to operate as a lever for rural development. Based on in-depth interviews with cooperative managers, a balance of the current situation is presented, concluding that a deepening, improvement and generalization of the transformations that are underway can be key to improve the competitive capacity of the territories in which they operate.

Key words: olive oils, rural development, social economy, innovation, globalization.
Developmental maturation of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartic acid receptor channel complex in postnatal rat brain
Authors: Sircar Ratna 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor plays an important role in developmental plasticity. Previous studies have reported differences between the NMDA receptor‐channel complex in the rat pup brain and the adult brain. In the present study, modulation of the NMDA channel complex as a function of age was measured to determine when the temporal switching of the NMDA receptor from the immature form to the adult mature form takes place. [3H]MK‐801 binding was measured in the rat forebrain from postnatal day 1 to day 21. Our data suggest the presence of two types of NMDA receptors — an immature type and a mature type. The immature NMDA receptor, seen during the early postnatal period (day 1–day 14) is highly sensitive to spermidine, l‐glutamate alone potentiates [3H]MK‐801 binding, and glycine failed to potentiate an l‐glutamate‐induced increase in [3H]MK‐801 binding. During the late postnatal period (after day 14) spermidine alone did not increase [3H]MK‐801 binding as potently as it did during the early postnatal period, high‐affinity [3H]MK‐801 binding was not seen in the presence of l‐glutamate alone, and l‐glutamate and glycine or l‐glutamate and spermidine or l‐glutamate, glycine and spermidine together, significantly increased [3H]MK‐801 binding in a manner similar to that reported in the adult brain. Together, the pharmacology of the NMDA receptor during the early postnatal period differs from the adult‐like receptor seen during the late postnatal period, and that in rats the apparent switching of the NMDA receptor from the immature type to the mature type takes place after the second postnatal week.
Sugar Metabolic Analysis of Suspensions of Plant Cells Using an FT‐IR/ATR Method
Authors: Hashimoto Atsushi , Nakanishi Kenichi , Motonaga Yoshitaka , Kameoka Takaharu 
Published: July 2002

AbstractA simple, rapid and accurate evaluation of the sugar uptake rate of suspended plant cells from culture media was developed with the predicted sugar contents measured by mid‐infrared spectroscopy using a Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectrometer equipped with an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory. We performed plant cell cultivation with Nicotiana tabacum cv. Bright Yellow No.2 (TBY‐2) in culture media, which had various combinations of glucose, fructose and sucrose concentrations at the initial stage, and measured simultaneously each sugar content in the medium by the FT‐IR/ATR method. By applying a logistic function to the predicted sugar contents and cell density in the medium during cultivation, the specific sugar uptake rates by the suspended TBY‐2 cells were easily and continuously obtained. Thus the kinetic sugar uptake phenomena by the TBY‐2 cells were well confirmed overall using the developed method. Additionally it was found that the fraction of sucrose of the initial total sugar content might kinetically affect the sugar uptake process and cell growth. Also, the relationship between the nondimensional cell density and sucrose content could be classified into three groups on the basis of the initial fraction of sucrose.
Palisading and Verocay body‐prominent dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a report of three cases
Authors: Llatjós R , Fernández‐Figueras M T , Díaz‐Cascajo C , Ribera M , Ariza A 
Published: July 2002

The aim of this report is to draw attention to nuclear palisading and Verocay body formation as peculiar, previously undescribed histological findings in rare instances of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP).Methods and results: Three indurated, nodular or plaque skin lesions were diagnosed as DFSP on the basis of their storiform proliferation of spindle‐shaped cells diffusely infiltrating the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Sclerosing and giant cell areas were also identified. Unexpectedly, conspicuous nuclear palisading was also noted in all cases and Verocay body formation was present in two. Immunostains were positive for CD34 and negative for S100 protein in every instance. Proliferating cells were seen to display fibroblast‐like features by ultrastructural study of one case.Conclusions:DFSP may rarely show a schwannoid histological appearance as the result of nuclear palisading and even Verocay body formation. In this setting, both the search for DFSP characteristic morphologic features and the performance of CD34 and S100 protein immunohistochemistry will facilitate the correct diagnosis.
Communicating the value of ecology
Authors: Ormerod S.J. , Pienkowski M.W. , Watkinson A.R. 
Published: July 2002

Summary 1. Environmental change and impact continue to create a major need for the application of ecology. We attempted to ascertain whether authors in the Journal of Applied Ecology made relevant contributions at appropriate spatio‐temporal scales to the problems that result. 2. A review of 84 papers published in the Journal during 1999 indicated that all carried information of direct value in environmental management, and 46% made explicit management recommendations. 3. The techniques used most frequently by applied ecologists were correlational (48% of all papers; including ordination) or anova‐style comparisons between replicated locations that were either purposely manipulated or contrasted on a priori criteria (38%). Models (13%), laboratory experiments, mark–recapture studies and observational work – involving for example stable isotopes – also figured. This breadth reveals how classical and novel approaches in ecology are brought to bear on real environmental problems. The journal continues to publicise innovative new techniques with applied relevance. 4. In keeping with the widespread use of correlation and a priori contrasts, 34% of published studies in 1999 involved time scales exceeding >5–10 years. Similarly, 40% of studies approached problems in large, regional contexts. Applied ecologists are clearly providing leadership in developing methods to tackle challenging questions at spatio‐temporal scales beyond the capabilities of manipulative ecological experiments. We will augment this area of the Journal's work with a special issue on large‐scale processes in 2000. 5. Only 20% of the papers published explicitly state clearly testable hypotheses, but nearly all state clear aims or questions being addressed. 6. Overwhelmingly, papers approach applied ecology by seeking to assess the effects of anthropogenic factors on ecological systems, and a minority assess the effects of organisms on human activity. Few studies, by contrast, use anthropogenic impacts to test or develop ecological theory. We suggest this is an area ripe for development. 7. Points 2, 3 and 4 above demonstrate how the Journal of Applied Ecology communicates the value and utility of ecology to society at large. We prompt leading ecologists to maintain their involvement with the application of ecology to problem solving. We urge authors to emphasize further the generic value in their work. We predict that applied ecology will continue as a vital tool in detecting ecological problems and informing environmental management. It will emerge also as an arena for advancing the fundamental nature of our discipline.
Seabirds and marine oil incidents: is it possible to predict the spatial distribution of pelagic seabirds?
Authors: Fauchald Per , Erikstad Kjell Einar , Systad Geir Helge 
Published: July 2002

Summary

Data on the spatial distribution of seabirds at sea is commonly used in risk assessments of the possible impact of oil spills. The validity of such assessments depends on the stability of the observed spatial pattern through time. In this study we explored the year‐to‐year predictability in the spatial distribution of guillemots (Uria spp.) from a 9‐year data set covering an area of approximately 1000 × 600 km2 in the Barents Sea from late January to early March.
Spatial correlograms were used to elucidate the strength and scale of the spatial patterns within years, and the concordance of these patterns between years. Broad‐scale oceanographic features were used in linear regressions to model the spatial pattern in guillemot distribution for each year. The ability of these models to predict their spatial distribution in other years was then evaluated.
The analyses revealed two nested levels of patchiness. The large‐scale pattern, with a characteristic scale of 300 km, had a weak (R2 = 0·06) but significant spatial predictability between years. The predictability increased marginally when the data set was divided into two time periods (R2 equal to 0·07 and 0·17, respectively). Nested within the large‐scale pattern, the analyses revealed a small‐scale level of patchiness with no significant spatial year‐to‐year predictability.
The broad‐scale oceanographic variables could explain from 14% to 42% of the variance in the spatial distribution of guillemots within each year. The models were on average significantly better than using a random model when predicting other years. We found no relationships between the fit of the models and the ability to predict guillemot distribution in other years. There was a large variation in the parameter estimates between years, resulting in a large range in predicted values.
This study illustrates some of the difficulties associated with predicting the spatial distribution of mobile and patchy organisms. Our results indicate that the use of restricted survey data in extrapolating and predicting the distribution of seabirds may be misleading. Restricted survey data should mainly be used to identify vulnerable populations on a regional scale. Only when larger data series are available is it possible to evaluate, quantify and model the predictable spatial pattern in more detailed assessment analyses. There is a need to develop methods that quantify how unpredictable patchiness may affect the vulnerability of populations to surface pollutants and other environmental disturbances.
Standing contact fatigue
Authors: Alfredsson B. , Olsson M. 
Published: July 2002

A novel experimental method for testing the resistance of a material to contact fatigue, called standing contact fatigue (SCF), is presented. It comprises a spherical indenter, repeatedly pressed onto a plane specimen in pure normal contact without lubrication, friction or wear. The SCF method is here applied to three case‐hardened steels, and results in ring/cone cracks initiated at the surface. The connection between SCF and spalling is discussed.The experimental results are presented in the form of P–N curves, where P is the normal contact load and N the number of cycles required for fatigue crack initiation. The experimental results are supported by numerical simulations of the tests. The elasto‐plastic properties of case‐hardened materials are graded, i.e. functions of the depth from the carburized surface. The gradation is estimated from independent experiments and is included in the analysis.
Prenatal ultrasonographic fetal rib length measurement: correlation with gestational age
Authors: Abuhamad A. Z. , Sedule‐Murphy S. J. , Kolm P. , Youssef H. , Warsof S. L. , Evans A. T. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe availability of normal data on fetal rib bone length would be of value in a variety of circumstances under which ultrasound examinations are performed. Fetal rib length measurements were obtained in 257 singleton fetuses in a prospective cross‐sectional study. The study population consisted of pregnancies between 14 and 40 weeks with no evidence of growth disturbances, or structural or karyotypic abnormalities. Fetal rib length, as a function of gestational age, was expressed by the regression equation: RL = −0.5834 + 0.2030 (GA), where RL is the rib length in centimeters and GA the gestational age in weeks. The correlation was R = 0.94 (p < 0.0001). The normal limits of fetal rib length are defined, and a high correlation between fetal rib length, gestational age, and other standard determinants of fetal growth is demonstrated. Our results indicate that fetal rib length can be a useful adjunct in determining normal fetal growth and in the management of the pregnancy with fetal skeletal dysplasia. Copyright © 1996 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology