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LAC
Terms modified by LAC Selected AbstractsVISCOUS PROPERTIES OF TARO FLOUR EXTRUDED WITH WHEY PROTEINS TO SIMULATE WEANING FOODS,JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 3 2002C. I. ONWULATA Taro flour, derived from the corm of Colocasia Esculenta cv. Lehua, a root tuber grown in the tropical regions of the world, was extruded with whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI) or lactalbumin (LAC), to derive blends containing 20% protein, simulating the protein content of some weaning foods. Taro flour is unique because of its extremely small particle size (1,5 micron) and high mucilage or gum content, making it a possible replacement for corn or wheat starch in weaning foods. Extrusion processing temperatures were from 100 to 130C and moisture of the feed blends was held constant at 18%. The extrudates were pulverized, made into powders, and rehydrated to make a paste. Viscosities of the feed blends before extrusion and the pastes made from the extrudates were determined using a Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) to determine peak, final, and breakdown viscosities. Water solubility and absorption indices were also determined. Extrudates made from taro containing whey products expanded more than taro alone; were easier to grind into powders; and rehydrated readily in water to form pastes. Before extrusion, the peak viscosities of the blends were 5000, 2600, 1600, 1600 cP for taro flour, taro with WPI, taro with WPC, or taro with LAC, respectively. After extrusion cooking, the viscosities for taro flour, taro with WPI, taro with WPC, or taro with LAC were 110, 65, 70 or 90 cP, respectively. Taro extrudates without protein absorbed the most water, and were more soluble than products containing whey proteins or LAC. The addition of whey proteins reduced peak viscosities, but WPI and taro pastes were characteristic of weaning foods. Both extrusion cooking and the [source] Trade and agroindustrialization in developing countries: trends and policy impactsAGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 3 2000Eugenio Díaz-Bonilla Abstract There have been important changes in the international trade of processed and high-value added food products from developing countries over the past several decades. One of them has been the emergence of oilseeds and fruits and vegetables, replacing traditional products such as sugar, coffee, and cocoa as the main exports from developing countries. Another trend has been the collapse of African agroindustrial exports and the increase of exports from Asia. The paper highlights key trends, and explores possible reasons for the trends, focusing on trade policies in less-developed countries (LDCs) and developed countries (DCs). The paper argues that national trade policies and other economic policies appear to have been relatively supportive of agroindustrial production and exports in Asia. In contrast, policies have had more mixed effects in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and seem to have been just one component in a larger array of forces inhibiting economic development in Africa. The performance of agroindustrial production and exports from LDCs may be now more dependent than ever on the completion of reforms in the agricultural trade policies of DCs. For Africa, however, a more supportive international environment and better macroeconomic and trade policies will not be enough to ensure a thriving agroindustrial sector within a broader process of economic development until military confrontations stop. [source] Poverty among older people in Latin America and the Caribbean,JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2010Leonardo Gasparini Abstract This paper provides evidence on the incidence of poverty among older people in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), based on household survey microdata from 20 countries. The situation of older people is characterised in terms of income, education, health and access to services vis-ŕ-vis the rest of the population. The paper identifies the role played by the current pension systems in LAC, and assesses the efforts needed to achieve substantial improvements towards the reduction of old age poverty. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Foreign exchange pressures in Latin America: Does debt matter?JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2008Alex Mandilaras Abstract Latin American countries have been in the eye of economic and financial storms several times in recent years. Advice from the International Monetary Fund has consistently highlighted the need for sound fiscal policies and lower debt levels. But is public debt relevant? Following a brief discussion of the theoretical issues involved, this paper examines empirically the relationship between public indebtedness and pressures in the foreign exchange market. Alternative measures are used to capture the latter and the analysis controls for a de facto classification of exchange rate regimes. Estimations of static and dynamic panels for 28 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries report substantial fiscal effects. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ,-Hydroxybutyrate binds to the synaptic site recognizing succinate monocarboxylate: A new hypothesis on astrocyte,neuron interaction via the protonation of succinateJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 7 2008Tünde Molnár Abstract Succinate (SUC), a citrate (CIT) cycle intermediate, and carbenoxolone (CBX), a gap junction inhibitor, were shown to displace [3H],-hydroxybutyrate ([3H]GHB), which is specifically bound to sites present in synaptic membrane subcellular fractions of the rat forebrain and the human nucleus accumbens. Elaboration on previous work revealed that acidic pH-induced specific binding of [3H]SUC occurs, and it has been shown to have a biphasic displacement profile distinguishing high-affinity (Ki,SUC = 9.1 ± 1.7 ,M) and low-affinity (Ki,SUC = 15 ± 7 mM) binding. Both high- and low- affinity sites were characterized by the binding of GHB (Ki,GHB = 3.9 ± 0.5 ,M and Ki,GHB = 5.0 ± 2.0 mM) and lactate (LAC; Ki,LAC = 3.9 ± 0.5 ,M and Ki,LAC = 7.7 ± 0.9 mM). Ligands, including the hemiester ethyl-hemi-SUC, and the gap junction inhibitors flufenamate, CBX, and the GHB binding site-selective NCS-382 interacted with the high-affinity site (in ,M: Ki,EHS = 17 ± 5, Ki,FFA = 24 ± 13, Ki,CBX = 28 ± 9, Ki,NCS-382 = 0.8 ± 0.1 ,M). Binding of the Na+,K+ -ATPase inhibitor ouabain, the proton-coupled monocarboxylate transporter (MCT)-specific ,-cyano-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHC), and CIT characterized the low-affinity SUC binding site (in mM: Ki,ouabain = 0.13 ± 0.05, Ki,CHC = 0.32 ± 0.07, Ki,CIT = 0.79 ± 0.20). All tested compounds inhibited [3H]SUC binding in the human nucleus accumbens and had Ki values similar to those observed in the rat forebrain. The binding process can clearly be recognized as different from synaptic and mitochondrial uptake or astrocytic release of SUC, GHB, and/or CIT by its unique GHB selectivity. The transient decrease of extracellular SUC observed during epileptiform activity suggested that the function of the synaptic target recognizing protonated succinate monocarboxylate may vary under different (patho)physiological conditions. Furthermore, we put forward a hypothesis on the synaptic activity-regulated signaling between astrocytes and neurons via SUC protonation. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A study on associations between antiprothrombin antibodies, antiplasminogen antibodies and thrombosisJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 4 2003M. J. A. Simmelink Summary., Anti-prothrombin antibodies are a frequent cause of lupus anticoagulant (LAC), a thrombotic risk factor. Prothrombin shares structural homology with plasminogen, a kringle protein with an important role in fibrinolysis. Cross-reactivity between antiprothrombin antibodies and plasminogen has been described. To study associations between LAC, IgG and IgM class antiprothrombin and antiplasminogen antibodies, plasminogen activity levels and thrombosis in selected patients with systemic autoimmune diseases. Patients included forty-six consecutive LAC-positive patients (29 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); 33 with a thrombotic history), 38 patients without LAC (36 with SLE; seven with a history of thrombosis) and 40 healthy controls. In the total group of 84 patient samples, the prevalence of antiprothrombin and antiplasminogen antibodies was 30 and 38%, respectively. There was no significant relationship between the presence of these antibodies. In contrast to presence of antiplasminogen antibodies, presence of antiprothrombin antibodies was statistically significant related to thrombosis. Thirteen samples had antiprothrombin and antiplasminogen antibodies of similar isotype (IgG, n= 4; IgM, n= 9). Of these, all but one had LAC and 11/13 came from patients with a history of thrombosis. Simultaneous presence of IgM-class antiprothrombin and antiplasminogen antibodies had a significant association with thrombosis. Levels of plasminogen activity were similar in samples from healthy controls and patients (with or without antiplasminogen antibodies or thrombosis). Anti-prothrombin antibodies and antiplasminogen antibodies occur frequently in patients with systemic autoimmune disease. Anti-prothrombin antibodies, but not antiplasminogen antibodies are a risk factor for thrombosis. Anti-plasminogen are in most cases unrelated to antiprothrombin antibodies. [source] A simple method to discriminate between ,2 -glycoprotein I- and prothrombin-dependent lupus anticoagulantsJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 4 2003M. J. A. Simmelink Summary., Lupus anticoagulants (LAC) are a heterogeneous group of autoantibodies that prolong phospholipid-dependent clotting assays. The autoantibodies that cause LAC activity are predominantly directed against ,2 -glycoprotein I (,2GPI) or prothrombin. In the present study, we describe a method to differentiate between LAC caused by antibodies directed against ,2GPI or prothrombin. Monoclonal antibodies, affinity purified patient antibodies, and selected patient samples were used to show that in an aPTT-based clotting assay (PTT-LA; Diagnostica Stago), the use of cardiolipin vesicles in the neutralization procedure discriminates between ,2GPI- or prothrombin-dependent LAC activities. Addition of cardiolipin vesicles shortened the prolonged clotting time caused by anti-,2GPI antibodies with LAC activity, whereas this procedure further prolonged clotting times caused by antiprothrombin antibodies with LAC activity. In contrast, addition of phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylserine vesicles corrected prolonged clotting times caused by either anti-,2GPI or antiprothrombin antibodies with LAC activity. The effects of cardiolipin (CL) on ,2GPI-induced LAC activity were specific for contact activation mediated clotting assays. Possible explanations for these findings are the relatively high affinity of ,2GPI for cardiolipin, as determined by surface plasmon resonance analysis, and inhibition by anti-,2GPI antibodies of the CL-induced prolongation of the PTT-LA. [source] Sequential Plasma Lactate Concentrations as Prognostic Indicators in Adult Equine EmergenciesJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2010B.S. Tennent-Brown Background: Sequential lactate concentration ([LAC]) measurements have prognostic value in that hospitalized humans and neonatal foals that have a delayed return to normolactatemia have greater morbidity and case fatality rate. Hypothesis: Prognosis for survival is decreased in horses with a delayed return to normal [LAC]. Animals: Two hundred and fifty adult horses presented for emergency evaluation excepting horses evaluated because of only ophthalmologic conditions, superficial wounds, and septic synovitis without systemic involvement. Methods: Prospective observational study. [LAC] was measured at admission and then at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after admission. The change in [LAC] over time ([LAC],T) was calculated from changes in [LAC] between sampling points. Results: Median [LAC] was significantly (P < .001) higher at admission in nonsurvivors (4.10 mmol/L [range, 0.60,18.20 mmol/L]) when compared with survivors (1.30 mmol/L [range, 0.30,13.90 mmol/L]) and this difference remained at all subsequent time points. The odds ratio for nonsurvival increased from 1.29 (95% confidence interval 1.17,1.43) at admission to 49.90 (6.47,384) at 72 hours after admission for every 1 mmol/L increase in [LAC]. [LAC],T was initially positive in all horses but became negative and significantly lower in nonsurvivors for the time periods between 24,72 hours (, 0.47, P= .001) and 48,72 hours (, 0.07, P= .032) when compared with survivors (0.00 at both time periods) consistent with lactate accumulation in nonsurvivors. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These results indicate that lactate metabolism is impaired in critically ill horses and [LAC],T can be a useful prognostic indicator in horses. [source] China's Surge in Latin American Markets: Policy Challenges and ResponsesPOLITICS & POLICY, Issue 3 2007Carol Wise Theories of economic development have yet to fully explain the remarkable ascendance of China in the global economy. From the standpoint of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), China's reform trajectory looks nothing like the market-based policies adopted in varying degrees in the early 1990s. Rather, China's transformation has been a lesson in experimentation with various policy combinations. This raises key questions concerning how the LAC region can best contend with China's growing presence in its markets. Whereas Mexico and Central America face stiff competition from China in low and intermediate technology-based industries (textiles, electronics, auto parts), South America has experienced vibrant growth since 2002 led by raw material exports to China, but at the expense of manufacturing exports. This article analyzes new patterns of complementarity and competition in the China,LAC relationship, and it highlights the need for a more targeted competition policy on the part of the latter. [source] Antinuclear Autoantibodies, Complement Level, Hypergammaglobulinemia and Spontaneous Intrauterine Hematoma in Pregnant WomenAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Jaume Alijotas Problem: To examine the associative relationship among autoantibodies, C4 levels and intrauterine hematomas (IUH) in more detail than in the studies published earlier. Method Of Study: We performed a retrospective study of 54 women with poor obstetric outcomes. Sera were screened for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-DNA antibodies, antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), and antithyroid antibodies. C4-complement and gammaglobulin levels were also monitored. We compared the main variables in IUH complicated pregnancy group with the risk pregnancy group without IUH. We also compared these variables in the IUH cases before and during IUH. Results: Eight IUH were detected. The average number of spontaneous losses for these eight women was 3.3 ± 2.1 (range: 1,8). aPL was present in 100% of cases. ANAs and hypergammaglobulinemia were present in 50% of cases and low C4 in 87.5% of cases. After comparing these variables apart from C4 before and during IUH, we found no statistical differences. However, C4 was low in four patients before IUH and in seven patients during IUH (OR: 7.0; 95% CI: 0.57,86.33). When we compared autoantibodies apart from lupus anticoagulant (LAC) between the two groups, no differences were observed. However, seven of the eight (87.5%) patients with IUH were LAC positive whereas only 24 of the 46 patients (52.1%) were positive in the non-IUH group (OR: 6.42; 95% CI: 0.73,56.41). Rapid plasma reagin was present in 8/46 in the non-IUH group (16.7%) and 5/8 in the IUH group (62.5%) P < 0.015). Conclusions: In women with poor obstetric histories, autoantibodies, especially antiphospholid antibodies, may play a role in the IUH development especially if low C4 and/or hypergammaglobulinemia are present. [source] Mapping of quantitative trait loci for clinical,chemical traits in swineANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 1 2009G. Reiner Summary Clinical,chemical traits are diagnostic parameters essential for characterization of health and disease in veterinary practice. The traits show significant variability and are under genetic control, but little is known about the fundamental genetic architecture of this variability, especially in swine. We have identified QTL for alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate (LAC), bilirubin (BIL), creatinine (CRE) and ionized sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and calcium (Ca++) from the serum of 139 F2 pigs from a Meishan/Pietrain family before and after challenge with Sarcocystis miescheriana, a protozoan parasite of muscle. After infection, the pigs passed through three stages representing acute disease, subclinical disease and chronic disease. Forty-two QTL influencing clinical,chemical traits during these different stages were identified on 15 chromosomes. Eleven of the QTL were significant on a genome-wide level; 31 QTL were chromosome-wide significant. QTL showed specific health/disease patterns with respect to the baseline values of the traits as well as the values obtained through the different stages of disease. QTL influencing different traits at different times were found primarily on chromosomes 1, 3, 7 and 14. The most prominent QTL for the investigated clinical,chemical traits mapped to SSC3 and 7. Baseline traits of ALP, LAC, BIL, Ca++ and K+ were influenced by QTL regions on SSC3, 6, 7, 8 and 13. Single QTL explained up to 21.7% of F2 phenotypic variance. Our analysis confirms that variation of clinical,chemical traits is associated with multiple chromosomal regions. [source] Temporal and spatial patterns of ecosystem functioning in protected arid areas in southeastern SpainAPPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 1 2005José M. Paruelo Abstract We characterized the spatial variability and temporal dynamics of the photosynthetic active radiation absorbed (APAR) by the canopy, a descriptor of ecosystem functioning, in Cabo de Gata , Níjar Natural Park (CGNNP) (Spain). Ecosystem functioning was characterized for five landscape classes using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from NOAA/AVHRR LAC (1 km × 1 km) images. We also used a 19-year time series of NDVI PAL data (8 km × 8 km) to analyse the relationship APAR-precipitation inside and outside the park. The vegetation of CGNNP absorbed less than 20% of the incoming radiation. Plains intercepted 37% and hills 14% less photosynthetic active radiation than mountains, the most productive landscape of the park. CGNNP showed a well-defined growing season with a unique peak of APAR. Plains and piedmont, covered by annual vegetation displayed an earlier development of the leaf area index than the shrublands and grasslands typical of the other landscapes. APAR had a significant relationship with the sum of the precipitation of the current and two previous growing seasons, except for the plains. We found that the APAR of the areas more modified by humans (outside the park) showed a lower sensitivity to changes in precipitation than those under protection. The differences were higher if the accumulated precipitation of the previous three growing seasons was considered. The description of such differences in the response of absorbed PAR to water availability are proposed as the base of a monitoring system for semi-arid and arid areas. [source] Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technicians Views on Opportunities and Challenges When Forgoing and Halting Resuscitation in the FieldACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 6 2009Corita R. Grudzen MD Abstract Objectives:, The objective was to assess paramedic and emergency medical technicians (EMT) perspectives and decision-making after a policy change that allows forgoing or halting resuscitation in prehospital atraumatic cardiac arrest. Methods:, Five semistructured focus groups were conducted with 34 paramedics and 2 EMTs from emergency medical services (EMS) agencies within Los Angeles County (LAC), 6 months after a policy change that allowed paramedics to forgo or halt resuscitation in the field under certain circumstances. Results:, Participants had an overwhelmingly positive view of the policy; felt it empowered their decision-making abilities; and thought the benefits to patients, family, EMS, and the public outweighed the risks. Except under certain circumstances, such as when the body was in public view or when family members did not appear emotionally prepared to have the body left on scene, they felt the policy improved care. Assuming that certain patient characteristics were present, decisions by paramedics about implementing the policy in the field involve many factors, including knowledge and comfort with the new policy, family characteristics (e.g., agreement), and logistics regarding the place of arrest (e.g., size of space). Paramedic and EMT experiences with and attitudes toward forgoing resuscitation, as well as group dynamics among EMS leadership, providers, police, and ED staff, also play a role. Conclusions:, Participants view the ability to forgo or halt resuscitation in the field as empowering and do not believe it presents harm to patients or families under most circumstances. Factors other than patient clinical characteristics, such as knowledge and attitudes toward the policy, family emotional preparedness, and location of arrest, affect whether paramedics will implement it. [source] The effects of phosphatidylserine-dependent antiprothrombin antibody on thrombin generationARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 8 2009Yoshie Sakai Objective Antibodies to prothrombin (APTs) and to ,2 -glycoprotein I are the major autoantibodies responsible for lupus anticoagulant (LAC) activity. APTs comprise antibodies against prothrombin alone as well as antibodies against phosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex (anti-PS/PT), the latter being highly associated with the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The effect of anti-PS/PT on thrombin generation has not been elucidated, and the paradoxical effect of LAC (an anticoagulant in vitro, but a procoagulant in vivo) remains an enigma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of anti-PS/PT on thrombin generation and to examine the LAC paradox. Methods We evaluated 36 anti-PS/PT,positive APS patients and 127 healthy subjects. Markers of in vivo thrombin/fibrin generation, including prothrombin fragment F1+2, thrombin,antithrombin III complex, soluble fibrin monomer, D -dimer, and fibrin degradation products, were measured. Mouse monoclonal anti-PS/PT antibody 231D was established, and its effects on in vitro thrombin generation were investigated by chromogenic assay. Results Significantly elevated levels of markers of thrombin/fibrin generation were observed in anti-PS/PT,positive patients, regardless of the presence or absence of anticardiolipin antibodies, as compared with healthy subjects. In the presence of low concentrations of human activated factor V (FVa), monoclonal antibody 231D increased thrombin generation in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, when high concentrations of FVa were added, monoclonal antibody 231D decreased thrombin generation. Under a constant concentration of FVa, a high concentration of human FXa enhanced the effect of 231D. Conclusion The presence of anti-PS/PT greatly correlated with increased thrombin generation in APS patients. The in vitro effects of monoclonal antibody 231D on thrombin generation are "biaxial" according to the FVa/FXa balance. These data may serve as a clue to understanding the LAC paradox and the thrombogenic properties of anti-PS/PT. [source] Autoantibodies and neuropsychiatric events at the time of systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosis: Results from an international inception cohort studyARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 3 2008J. G. Hanly Objective To examine, in an inception cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, the association between neuropsychiatric (NP) events and anti,ribosomal P (anti-P), antiphospholipid (lupus anticoagulant [LAC], anticardiolipin), anti,,2-glycoprotein I, and anti,NR2 glutamate receptor antibodies. Methods NP events were identified using the American College of Rheumatology case definitions and clustered into central/peripheral and diffuse/focal events. Attribution of NP events to SLE was determined using decision rules of differing stringency. Autoantibodies were measured without knowledge of NP events or their attribution. Results Four hundred twelve patients were studied (87.4% female; mean ± SD age 34.9 ± 13.5 years, mean ± SD disease duration 5.0 ± 4.2 months). There were 214 NP events in 133 patients (32.3%). The proportion of NP events attributed to SLE varied from 15% to 36%. There was no association between autoantibodies and NP events overall. However, the frequency of anti-P antibodies in patients with central NP events attributed to SLE was 4 of 20 (20%), versus 3 of 107 (2.8%) in patients with other NP events and 24 of 279 (8.6%) in those with no NP events (P = 0.04). Among patients with diffuse NP events, 3 of 11 had anti-P antibodies (27%), compared with 4 of 111 patients with other NP events (3.6%) and 24 of 279 of those with no NP events (8.6%) (P = 0.02). Specific clinical,serologic associations were found between anti-P and psychosis attributed to SLE (P = 0.02) and between LAC and cerebrovascular disease attributed to SLE (P = 0.038). There was no significant association between other autoantibodies and NP events. Conclusion Clinically distinct NP events attributed to SLE and occurring around the time of diagnosis were found to be associated with anti-P antibodies and LAC. This suggests that there are different autoimmune pathogenetic mechanisms, although low sensitivity limits the clinical application of testing for these antibodies. [source] Local area co-ordination: strengthening support for people with learning disabilities in ScotlandBRITISH JOURNAL OF LEARNING DISABILITIES, Issue 4 2008Kirsten Ogilvie Stalker Accessible summary ,,Local Area Co-ordination is a new, person-centred way of supporting people with learning,,disabilities and their families to have a good life in the community. ,,There are 59 local area co-ordinators in Scotland. ,,There are a lot of differences in the way these local area co-ordinators work; for example,,,who they work for, how many people they support, whether they support children or adults,,and how much money they are paid. ,,People with learning disabilities and their families really like their local area co-ordinators.,,They feel the local area co-ordinator is on their side. ,,Local area co-ordinators have helped people in lots of ways, like finding supports and,,services, getting a paid job and moving house. They help people join new groups and meet,,people. ,,We think the Scottish Government should pay for more local area co-ordinators in Scotland,,and write new guidelines about how to do local area co-ordination. Summary This paper reports the findings of a study commissioned by the Scottish Executive which examined the introduction and implementation of local area co-ordination (LAC) in Scotland. A questionnaire about their posts was completed by 44 local area co-ordinators, interviews were conducted with 35 local area co-ordinators and 14 managers and case studies of LAC practice were carried out in four local authorities. The study found both strengths and weaknesses in the implementation of LAC nationally. There was great unevenness across Scotland in the number of local area co-ordinators employed by local authorities and in their roles and remits. Progress in community capacity building was slow overall and some managers expressed mixed feelings about LAC's usefulness in a climate of scarce resources. Individuals and families, however, were very appreciative of the support received and there was evidence that LAC had made a positive difference to their lives; for example, in relation to increased inclusion, choice and formal and informal supports. Various proposals are made for supporting the future development of LAC. [source] Obesity in looked after children: is foster care protective from the dangers of obesity?CHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2008S. C. Hadfield Abstract Background Obesity in all age groups of children has become an increasing concern in recent years. Children looked after by the Local Authority (LA) should be protected from health problems while being accommodated. These studies assess the effect on weight of looked after children (LAC) in the care of a Midlands County Council. They assess the frequency of obesity or overweight problems in looked after children following receipt into care and review changes in body mass index (BMI) while in the care of the LA. Method The height and weight measurements of all 106 children who had statutory health assessments while in the care of the LA between 1 January 2004 and 30 December 2004 were used to calculate their BMI. The data were plotted onto standard Growth Foundation charts and the International Obesity Task Force Paediatric cut-offs were determined to distinguish overweight and obese children and young people. The date that the child had come into the care system and the number of moves of placement was obtained for each child from the social care. This was related to the total group and the overweight group of looked after children. Result Looked after children are more likely to be overweight and obese compared with standard norms, and there are a number of children (35%) whose BMI increases once in care. Outcome Looked after care did not protect a child from the national problem of increasing weight gain and obesity. [source] An evaluation of a trial of looking after children in the state of Victoria, AustraliaCHILDREN & SOCIETY, Issue 1 2003Sarah Wise The paper details the experience of implementing Looking After Children (LAC) in the out of home care system in the state of Victoria, Australia. Findings from an evaluation of the pilot project are also reported. These include observed changes in child outcomes and improvements in collaboration between different sectors of the child and family support system after implementation of LAC, as well as carer and child perceptions of the Assessment and Action Records. Findings suggest an improvement in the monitoring of children's developmental progress and developmental gains for some children after implementation. Perceptions of the Records were also generally positive. However, very few people in children's personal networks, including members of a child's family of origin took part in the assessment process. Carer reports also suggested difficulty in intersectoral working. [source] Study on Glucose Biofuel Cells Using an Electrochemical Noise DeviceELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 14 2008Yueming Tan Abstract An electrochemical noise (ECN) device was utilized for the first time to study and characterize a glucose/O2 membraneless biofuel cell (BFC) and a monopolar glucose BFC. In the glucose/O2 membraneless BFC, ferrocene (Fc) and glucose oxidase (GOD) were immobilized on a multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/Au electrode with a gelatin film at the anode; and laccase (Lac) and an electron mediator, 2,2,-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) diammonium salt (ABTS), were immobilized on a MWCNTs/Au electrode with polypyrrole at the cathode. This BFC was performed in a stirred acetate buffer solution (pH,5.0) containing 40,mmol/L glucose in air, with a maximum power density of 8,,W/cm2, an open-circuit cell voltage of 0.29,V, and a short-circuit current density of 85,,A/cm2, respectively. The cell current at the load of 100,k, retained 78.9% of the initial value after continuous discharging for 15,h in a stirred acetate buffer solution (pH,5.0) containing 40,mmol/L glucose in air. The performance decrease of the BFC resulted mainly from the leakage of the ABTS mediator immobilized at the cathode, as revealed by the two-channel quartz crystal microbalance technique. In addition, a monopolar glucose BFC was performed with the same anode as that in the glucose/O2 membraneless BFC in a stirred phosphate buffer solution (pH,7.0) containing 40,mmol/L glucose, and a carbon cathode in Nafion-membrane-isolated acidic KMnO4, with a maximum power density of 115,,W/cm2, an open-circuit cell voltage of 1.24,V, and a short-circuit current density of 202,,A/cm2, respectively, which are superior to those of the glucose/O2 membraneless BFC. A modification of the anode with MWCNTs for the monopolar glucose BFC increased the maximum power density by a factor of 1.8. The ECN device is highly recommended as a convenient, real-time and sensitive technique for BFC studies. [source] Structure,activity relationships for gene activation oestrogenicity: Evaluation of a diverse set of aromatic chemicalsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 1 2002T. Wayne Schultz Abstract Structure,activity relationships for oestrogenicity were developed based on 120 aromatic chemicals evaluated in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae -based Lac -Z reporter assay. Relative gene activation was compared to 17,-estradiol and varied over eight orders of magnitude. Analysis of the data compared to 17,-estradiol identified three structural criteria that were related to xenoestrogen activity and potency: (1) the hydrogen-bonding ability of the phenolic ring mimicking the A-ring, (2) a hydrophobic centre similar in size and shape to the B- and C-rings, and (3) a hydrogen-bond donor mimicking the 17,-hydroxyl moiety of the D-ring, especially with an oxygen-to-oxygen distance similar to that between the 3- and 17,-hydroxyl groups of 17,-estradiol. Binding data were segregated into activity clusters including strong, moderate, weak, and detectable gene expression, and those compounds that were inactive. The hydrogen-bonding ability of hydroxy group in the 3-position on 17,-estradiol was observed to be essential for gene activation. Compounds with a 4-hydroxyl substituted benzene ring and a hydrophobic moiety of size and shape equivalent to the B-ring of 17,-estradiol were generally observed to be weakly active compounds. Moderately active compounds have a 4-hydroxyl substituted benzene ring with a hydrophobic moiety equivalent in size and shape to the B- and C-ring of 17,-estradiol, or have a high hydrogen-bond donor capacity owing to the presence of halogens on a nonphenolic ring. Strongly active compounds, similar to 4,4,-diethylethylene bisphenol (DES), possess the same hydrophobic ring structure as described for moderately active compounds and an additional hydroxyl group with an oxygen-to-oxygen distance close to that exhibited by the 3- and 17-hydroxyl groups of 17,-estradiol. © 2002 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 17: 14,23, 2002 [source] Characterization of lactic acid bacteria strains on the basis of neutral volatile compounds produced in wheyJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2001G. Mauriello G. MAURIELLO, L. MOIO, G. MOSCHETTI, P. PIOMBINO, F. ADDEO AND S. COPPOLA. 2001. Aims: Seventy-eight strains of lactic acid bacteria belonging to five genera and showing six different phenotype combinations of Lac (lactose fermentation), Prt (proteolytic activity) and Cit (citrate degradation) characters were investigated for their main flavouring properties with the aim to detect variability among and within the groups. Methods and Results: High resolution gas chromatography,mass spectrometry analysis of neutral volatile compounds produced in whey showed that, considering both neo-formation compounds and substances quantified in the whey cultures at different concentrations in comparison to the extract from sterile whey, the groups of lactococci, enterococci, thermophilic streptococci and mesophilic lactobacilli produced a higher number of volatiles than thermophilic lactobacilli and leuconostocs. Applying principal component analysis (PCA) to the results, enterococci, mesophilic lactobacilli and thermophilic streptococci showed a broad diversity, while lactococci included rather similar strains as well as strains with special flavouring properties. Applying PCA to thermophilic streptococci and enterococci, to lactococci and enterococci, to lactococci and thermophilic streptococci, or to mesophilic and thermophilic lactobacilli, the strains gathered consistently with their systematic position. Conclusions: The study evidenced strains producing some volatile compounds responsible for food flavouring. Flavouring properties were variable among the systematic groups and in some cases different within the same bacterial group. Significance and Impact of the Study: The potential of the findings is discussed with reference to the development of flavouring adjuncts for the dairy industry. [source] Proton spectroscopic metabolite signal relaxation times in preterm infants: A prerequisite for quantitative spectroscopy in infant brainJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 6 2003Harald Kugel PhD Abstract Purpose To determine relaxation times of metabolite signals in proton magnetic resonance (MR) spectra of immature brain, which allow a correction of relaxation that is necessary for a quantitative evaluation of spectra acquired with long TE. Proton MR spectra acquired with long TE allow a better definition of metabolites as N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and lactate especially in children. Materials and Methods Relaxation times were determined in the basal ganglia of 84 prematurely born infants at a postconceptional age of 37.8 ± 2.2 (mean ± SD) weeks. Metabolite resonances were investigated using the double-spin-echo volume selection method (PRESS) at 1.5 T. T1 was determined from intensity ratios of signals obtained with TRs of 1884 and 6000 msec, measured at 3 TEs (25 msec, 136 msec, 272 msec). T2 was determined from signal intensity ratios obtained with TEs of 136 msec and 272 msec, measured at 2 TR. Taking only long TEs reduced baseline distortions by macromolecules and lipids. For myo-inositol (MI), an apparent T2 for short TE was determined from the ratio of signals obtained with TE = 25 msec and 136 msec. Intensities were determined by fitting a Lorentzian to the resonance, and by integration. Results Relaxation times were as follows: trimethylamine-containing compounds (Cho): T1 = 1217 msec/T2 = 273 msec; total creatine (Cr) at 3.9 ppm: 1010 msec/111 msec; Cr at 3.0 ppm: 1388 msec/224 msec; NAA: 1171 msec/499 msec; Lac: 1820 msec/1022 msec; MI: 1336 msec/173 msec; apparent T2 at short TE: 68 msec. Conclusion T1 and T2 in the basal ganglia of premature infants do not differ much from previously published data from basal ganglia of older children and adults. T2 of Cho was lower than previous values. T2 of Cr at 3.9 ppm and Lac have been measured under different conditions before, and present values differ from these data. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2003;17:634,640. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Lactoferrin protects against concanavalin A-induced liver injury in miceLIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2010Hao Yin Abstract Background: Liver diseases, caused by viral infection, autoimmune conditions, alcohol ingestion or the use of certain drugs, are a significant health issue, as many can develop into liver failure. Lactoferrin (Lac) is an iron-binding glycoprotein that belongs to the transferrin family. Owing to its multiple biological functions, Lac has been evaluated in a number of clinical trials to treat infections, inflammation and cancer. Aim: The present study aims to reveal a profound hepatoprotective effect of Lac, using a mouse model of Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis, which mimics the pathophysiology of human viral and autoimmune hepatitis. Method: C57Bl/6J mice were injected with bovine Lac following Con A challenge. The effects of Lac on interferon (IFN)-, and interleukin (IL)-4 expression were determined. The roles of Lac on T-cell apoptosis and activation, and leukocytes infiltration were examined. Result: The data demonstrated that the protective effect of Lac was attributed to its ability to inhibit T-cell activation and production of IFN-,, as well as to suppress IL-4 production by hepatic natural killer T cells. Conclusion: These findings indicate a great therapeutic potential of Lac in treating in treating inflammatory hepatitis and possibly other inflammatory diseases. [source] Simultaneous separation of intracellular and extracellular lactate NMR signals of human erythrocytesMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 2 2007Götz Kohler Abstract Intracellular/extracellular lactate (Lac) distribution has been determined before in human and animal erythrocytes (red blood cells [RBCs]) with various methods. However, all previous methods determine intra- and extracellular Lac separately or indirectly. Now, 13C-NMR spectroscopy has been used to monitor intra- and extracellular Lac simultaneously in intact RBCs. Isolated human RBCs were incubated with [3- 13C]-Lac, [3- 13C]-pyruvate (Pyr), and [1- 13C]-glucose (Gluc). A distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer (DEPT) sequence was used (TR = 3.3 s, N = 128) to monitor the 13C-NMR resonances in both compartments. The intra- and extracellular methyl group resonances of Lac and Pyr were clearly separated by 9.6 Hz and 7.0 Hz, respectively, under normoxic conditions due to the RBC chemical-shift effect. The results show that the chemical-shift effect of RBCs is convenient to monitor intra- and extracellular Lac simultaneously in intact RBCs under normoxic conditions. Magn Reson Med 58:213,217, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Proton transfer ratio, lactate, and intracellular pH in acute cerebral ischemiaMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 4 2007Kimmo T. Jokivarsi Abstract The amide proton transfer ratio (APTR) from the asymmetry of the Z -spectrum was determined in rat brain tissue during and after unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Cerebral lactate (Lac) as determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy, water diffusion, and T1, were quantified as well. Lac concentrations were used to estimate intracellular pH (pHi) in the brain during the MCA occlusion. A decrease in APTR during occlusion indicated acidification from 7.1 to 6.79 ± 0.19 (a drop by 0.3 ± 0.2 pH units), whereas pHi computed from Lac concentration was 6.3 ± 0.2 (a drop by 0.8 ± 0.2 pH units). Despite the disagreement between the two methods in terms of the size of the change in the absolute pHi during ischemia, ,APTR and pHi (and Lac concentration) displayed a strong correlation during the MCAo. Diffusion and T1, indicated cytotoxic edema following MCA occlusion; however, APTR returned slowly toward the values determined in the contralateral hemisphere post-ischemia. These data argue that the APTR during ischemia is affected not only by pHi but by other physicochemical factors as well, and indicates different aspects of pathology in the post-ischemic brain compared to those that influence water diffusion and T1,. Magn Reson Med 57:647,653, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Optimized detection of lactate at high fields using inner volume saturationMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 4 2006Richard A.E. Edden Abstract In localized proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in vivo, the detection of lactate (Lac) is affected by modulation of its resonances due to homonuclear scalar couplings (J). A simple and convenient way to distinguish Lac from lipids is to set the TE to 1/J so that the Lac signal is inverted while other resonances (such as lipid) remain in-phase. However, at high field strengths, such as 3 Tesla or above, the modulation of the Lac signal is complicated by chemical shift effects that cause modulation patterns to vary within different subregions of the localized volume. Under some conditions the Lac signal may even disappear completely. In this note we introduce the concept of inner volume saturation (IVS), which makes use of high bandwidth spatial pulses to remove the signal corresponding to the regions of the localized volume that contribute unwanted modulation patterns. The method is described theoretically and demonstrated experimentally at 3 Tesla in a phantom and a patient with acute stroke. The phantom measurements indicate that virtually 100% of the Lac signal can be recovered using this method. The method should be feasible at magnetic fields above 3 Tesla, and may also be applied to other coupled spin systems in which modulation effects are important. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Proton spectral editing for discrimination of lactate and threonine 1.31 ppm resonances in human brain in vivoMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 3 2006Changho Choi Abstract A single-voxel proton NMR J-difference editing method for discriminating between the 1.31 ppm resonances of lactate (Lac) and threonine (Thr) in human brain in vivo at 3 T is reported. One double-band and two triple-band Gaussian 180° RF pulses, all with a bandwidth of 15 Hz, were employed within an adiabatic-refocused double-echo localization sequence to induce the target signals of Lac and Thr and simultaneously acquire a creatine singlet in each subscan. The optimum echo time and the editing efficiency were obtained by numerical analysis of the filtering performance. The Lac and Thr signals were extracted, without lipid contamination, from three subspectra. Using the calculated yields, the concentrations of Lac and Thr in the human occipital cortex were estimated to be 0.47 ± 0.07 and 0.56 ± 0.06 mM (mean ± SD, N = 7), respectively, with reference to Cr at 8 mM. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Multiple spin-echo spectroscopic imaging for rapid quantitative assessment of N-acetylaspartate and lactate in acute strokeMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 2 2004Astrid Stengel Abstract Monitoring the signal levels of lactate (Lac) and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) by chemical shift imaging can provide additional knowledge about tissue damage in acute stroke. Despite the need for this metabolic information, spectroscopic imaging (SI) has not been used routinely for acute stroke patients, mainly due to the long acquisition time required. The presented data demonstrate that the application of a fast multiple spin-echo (MSE) SI sequence can reduce the measurement time to 6 min (four spin echoes per echo train, 32 × 32 matrix). Quantification of Lac and NAA in terms of absolute concentrations (i.e., mmol/l) can be achieved by means of the phantom replacement approach, with correction terms for the longitudinal and transversal relaxation adapted to the multiple spin-echo sequence. In this pilot study of 10 stroke patients (symptom onset < 24 hr), metabolite concentrations obtained from MSE-SI add important information regarding tissue viability that is not provided by other sequences (e.g., diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI)). Metabolic changes extended beyond the borders of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) lesion in nine of the 10 patients, showing a rise in Lac concentrations up to 18 mmol/l, while NAA levels sometimes dropped below the detection level. Considerable differences among the patients in terms of the Lac concentrations and the size of the SI-ADC mismatch were observed. Magn Reson Med 52:228,238, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Quantitative t1, NMR spectroscopy of rat cerebral metabolites in vivo: Effects of global ischemiaMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 5 2004Mikko I. Kettunen Abstract The NMR relaxation times (T1,, T2, and T1) of water, N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), choline-containing compounds (Cho), and lactate (Lac) were quantified in rat brain at 4.7 T. In control animals, the cerebral T1, figures, as determined with a spin-lock field of 1.0 G, were 575 ± 30 ms, 380 ± 19 ms, 705 ± 53 ms, and 90 ± 1 ms for NAA, Cr, Cho, and water, respectively. The T1, figures were 62,103% longer than their respective T2 values determined by a multiecho method. In global (ischemic) ischemia, T1, of NAA declined by 34%, that of Cr and Cho did not change, and that of water increased by 10%. The T1, of lactate in ischemic brain was 367 ± 44 ms. Similar patterns of changes were observed in the multiecho T2 of these cerebral metabolites. The T1 of water and NAA changed in a fashion similar to that of T1, and T2. These results show differential responses in metabolite and water T1, relaxation times following ischemia, and indicate that metabolite T1, and T2 relaxation times behave similarly in the ischemic brain. The contributions of dipolar and nondipolar effects on T1, relaxation in vivo are discussed in this work. Magn Reson Med 51:875,880, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Early detection of radiation therapy response in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma xenografts by in vivo1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imagingNMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 6 2010Seung-Cheol Lee Abstract The purpose of the study was to investigate the capability of 1H MRS and MRI methods for detecting early response to radiation therapy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Studies were performed on the WSU-DLCL2 xenograft model in nude mice of human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the most common form of NHL. Radiation treatment was applied as a single 15,Gy dose to the tumor. Tumor lactate, lipids, total choline, T2 and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) were measured before treatment and at 24,h and 72,h after radiation. A Hadamard-encoded slice-selective multiple quantum coherence spectroscopy sequence was used for detecting lactate (Lac) while a stimulated echo acquisition mode sequence was used for detection of total choline (tCho) and lipids. T2 - and diffusion-weighted imaging sequences were used for measuring T2 and ADC. Within 24,h after radiation, significant changes were observed in the normalized integrated resonance intensities of Lac and the methylenes of lipids. Lac/H2O decreased by 38,±,15% (p,=,0.03), and lipid (1.3,ppm, CH2)/H2O increased by 57,±,14% (p,=,0.01). At 72,h after radiation, tCho/H2O decreased by 45,±,14% (p,=,0.01), and lipid (2.8,ppm, polyunsaturated fatty acid)/H2O increased by 970,±,36% (p,=,0.001). ADC increased by 14,±,2% (p,=,0.003), and T2 did not change significantly. Tumor growth delay and regression were observed thereafter. This study enabled comparison of the relative sensitivities of various 1H MRS and MRI indices to radiation and suggests that 1H MRS/MRI measurements detect early responses to radiation that precede tumor volume changes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||