bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Key Factors for Providing Appropriate Medical Care in Secondary School Athletics: Athletic Training Services and Budget
Authors: Wham George S. , Saunders Ruth , Mensch James
Published: January 2010

Context:

Research suggests that appropriate medical care for interscholastic athletes is frequently lacking. However, few investigators have examined factors related to care.

Objective:

To examine medical care provided by interscholastic athletics programs and to identify factors associated with variations in provision of care.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Setting:

Mailed and e-mailed survey.

Patients or Other Participants:

One hundred sixty-six South Carolina high schools.

Intervention(s):

The 132-item Appropriate Medical Care Assessment Tool (AMCAT) was developed and pilot tested. It included 119 items assessing medical care based on the Appropriate Medical Care for Secondary School-Age Athletes (AMCSSAA) Consensus Statement and Monograph (test-retest reliability: r  =  0.89). Also included were items assessing potential influences on medical care. Presence, source, and number of athletic trainers; school size; distance to nearest medical center; public or private status; sports medicine supply budget; and varsity football regional championships served as explanatory variables, whereas the school setting, region of state, and rate of free or reduced lunch qualifiers served as control variables.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

The Appropriate Care Index (ACI) score from the AMCAT provided a quantitative measure of medical care and served as the response variable. The ACI score was determined based on a school's response to items relating to AMCSSAA guidelines.

Results:

Regression analysis revealed associations with ACI score for athletic training services and sports medicine supply budget (both P < .001) when controlling for the setting, region, and rate of free or reduced lunch qualifiers. These 2 variables accounted for 30% of the variance in ACI score (R2  =  0.302). Post hoc analysis showed differences between ACI score based on the source of the athletic trainer and the size of the sports medicine supply budget.

Conclusions:

The AMCAT offers an evaluation of medical care provided by interscholastic athletics programs. In South Carolina schools, athletic training services and the sports medicine supply budget were associated with higher levels of medical care. These results offer guidance for improving the medical care provided for interscholastic athletes.
Quadriceps Activation Following Knee Injuries: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hart Joseph M. , Pietrosimone Brian , Hertel Jay , Ingersoll Christopher D.
Published: January 2010

Context:

Arthrogenic muscle inhibition is an important underlying factor in persistent quadriceps muscle weakness after knee injury or surgery.

Objective:

To determine the magnitude and prevalence of volitional quadriceps activation deficits after knee injury.

Data Sources:

Web of Science database.

Study Selection:

Eligible studies involved human participants and measured quadriceps activation using either twitch interpolation or burst superimposition on patients with knee injuries or surgeries such as anterior cruciate ligament deficiency (ACLd), anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLr), and anterior knee pain (AKP).

Data Extraction:

Means, measures of variability, and prevalence of quadriceps activation (QA) failure (<95%) were recorded for experiments involving ACLd (10), ACLr (5), and AKP (3).

Data Synthesis:

A total of 21 data sets from 18 studies were initially identified. Data from 3 studies (1 paper reporting data for both ACLd and ACLr, 1 on AKP, and the postarthroscopy paper) were excluded from the primary analyses because only graphical data were reported. Of the remaining 17 data sets (from 15 studies), weighted mean QA in 352 ACLd patients was 87.3% on the involved side, 89.1% on the uninvolved side, and 91% in control participants. The QA failure prevalence ranged from 0% to 100%. Weighted mean QA in 99 total ACLr patients was 89.2% on the involved side, 84% on the uninvolved side, and 98.5% for the control group, with prevalence ranging from 0% to 71%. Thirty-eight patients with AKP averaged 78.6% on the involved side and 77.7% on the contralateral side. Bilateral QA failure was commonly reported in patients.

Conclusions:

Quadriceps activation failure is common in patients with ACLd, ACLr, and AKP and is often observed bilaterally.
Study/Experimental/Research Design: Much More Than Statistics
Authors: Knight Kenneth L.
Published: January 2010

Context:

The purpose of study, experimental, or research design in scientific manuscripts has changed significantly over the years. It has evolved from an explanation of the design of the experiment (ie, data gathering or acquisition) to an explanation of the statistical analysis. This practice makes “Methods” sections hard to read and understand.

Objective:

To clarify the difference between study design and statistical analysis, to show the advantages of a properly written study design on article comprehension, and to encourage authors to correctly describe study designs.

Description:

The role of study design is explored from the introduction of the concept by Fisher through modern-day scientists and the AMA Manual of Style. At one time, when experiments were simpler, the study design and statistical design were identical or very similar. With the complex research that is common today, which often includes manipulating variables to create new variables and the multiple (and different) analyses of a single data set, data collection is very different than statistical design. Thus, both a study design and a statistical design are necessary.

Advantages:

Scientific manuscripts will be much easier to read and comprehend. A proper experimental design serves as a road map to the study methods, helping readers to understand more clearly how the data were obtained and, therefore, assisting them in properly analyzing the results.
The Biology of Invasive Alien Plants in Canada. 11. Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb., T. chinensis Lour. and hybrids
Authors: Lindgren C. , Pearce C. , Allison K.
Published: January 2010

These Tamarix species and their hybrids, known collectively as saltcedar, are perennial small trees or shrubs native to Eurasia, and were among the Tamarix species introduced to the United States in 1800s as ornamentals, for plantings in windbreaks, and to stabilize eroding stream banks. They have since escaped and become damaging invasive plants in large areas of the western and Great Plains regions of the United States. They are able to reproduce vigorously by both seed and vegetative propagation, and are persistent and long-lived once established. Ecological problems include hydrologic impacts, displacement of native flora and fauna including endangered species, and excretion of salt, which increases soil salinity. Economic impacts include costs associated with control as well as losses of irrigation and municipal water, flood control costs, and loss of recreational opportunities. Invaded habitats include floodplains, salt flats, marshes, reservoirs, stock watering ponds, and irrigation ditches. Saltcedar is difficult to control and almost impossible to eradicate once established. In 2007, naturalized saltcedar was found near Penticton and at Osoyoos Lake in British Columbia, Canada. It is also currently sold in several Canadian provinces as an ornamental. Ecological niche modelling indicates that large areas of the Canadian Prairies are susceptible to invasion. Hybridization, multiple intentional introductions through garden plantings, natural dispersal from populations in the northern United States, and climate warming will increase the risk and promote the spread of saltcedar in Canada. Key words: Saltcedar, Tamarix ramosissima, Tamarix chinensis, invasive alien plant, weed biology, invasion biology, ecological niche modeling
Impact of production practices on fiber yield of oilseed flax under Canadian prairie conditions
Authors: Irvine R B , McConnell J , Lafond G P , May W E , Hultgreen G , Ulrich A , Stonehouse K , Chalmers S , Stevenson F C
Published: January 2010

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivars commonly grown in western Canada have been developed primarily for seed production. These cultivars tend to be shorter, have lower fibre content, and have lower above-ground biomass than cultivars developed specifically for fibre production. Linseed production is the dominant flax product in western Canada and fibre is a co-product of oilseed production. The objectives of these studies were to evaluate the effects of northern European fibre flax production practices under western Canadian soil and climatic conditions. A number of cultivars in narrow band and solid-seeded planting geometries to determine if they had similar responses. When flax was planted at recommended seeding rates for linseed production, seed and fibre yields were not affected by planting geometry. Increasing the seeding rate from 40 to 120 kg ha-1 did not affect seed yield regardless of location or seeding date. Even though fibre content was not affected by seeding rate, higher seeding rates increased stem numbers, decreased stem size, reduced the variability in stem size and increased fibre yield. Delaying planting until the end of May increased fibre yields by an average of 35% with no corresponding decrease in seed yield. Since the relative seed and fibre yield responses of a wide range of cultivars were similar with solid seed and narrow band planting geometries, plant breeders can effectively select for higher fibre producing lines using narrow band seed openers using row spacings up to 30 cm apart. Key words: Linseed, row spacing, seeding rate, cultivar, fibre, fibre
Gluten index compared with SDS-sedimentation volume for early generation selection for gluten strength in durum wheat
Authors: Clarke F R , Clarke J M , Ames N A , Knox R E , Ross R J
Published: January 2010

Gluten strength is an important end-use quality factor in durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf.) Husn.], affecting pasta manufacture and cooking quality. The objective of this research was to determine the inheritance and heritability of gluten index in comparison with the widely used SDS-sedimentation (sodium dodecyl sulphate) technique for selection for gluten strength. Seven durum populations were grown in replicated, multi-location, multi-year field trials in Saskatchewan, Canada, during the period 1995 to 2002. Gluten index and SDS-sedimentation volume were determined on all plots after harvest. Both traits were affected by genotype, and to a lesser extent by year or location. Genotype environmental interactions were generally minor. The majority of genotypes in each population had similar relative ranking for gluten index and SDS-sedimentation volume in each environment. Both traits were highly heritable, ranging from 0.80 to 0.97, and both were complexly inherited with estimates of effective factors ranging from 3 to 21. Gluten index and SDS-sedimentation volume were highly correlated, indicating that they are measuring similar aspects of gluten strength. SDS-sedimentation volume was positively associated with protein concentration (r2 = 0.52), but gluten index was not. Therefore, gluten index would be more desirable than SDS-sedimentation volume for use in selection where there are within-trial protein concentration trends.Key words: Gluten strength, SDS-sedimentation, gluten index, heritability, inheritance
The potential impact of climate change on the occurrence of winter freeze events in six fruit crops grown in the Okanagan Valley
Authors: Quamme H A , Cannon A J , Neilsen D , Caprio J M , Taylor W G
Published: January 2010

The main limitation to fruit production in the Okanagan Valley is winter injury. Examination of historical records between 1916 and 2006 revealed 16 severe winter-kill events with two occurring in November, eight in December, four in January and two in February. Extreme low minimum temperatures are associated with poor production of grape, peach, apricot, sweet cherry, pear, and apple, and although all are subject to winter injury during most of the 4-mo period, the time when each crop is most at risk differs. Grapes, apples and sweet cherries are more subject to injury in the early stages of acclimation during November to mid-January, whereas pears, peach and apricot are more subject during January and February. During the period 1948-2006, Arctic outflows were associated with all of these winter freeze events. This synoptic weather pattern was an infrequent event but had a great impact on production. A decrease in frequency and increase in minimum temperature of Arctic outflows appeared to be associated with the warming trends of the region during winter and early spring, although a slight increase in frequency of Arctic outflows was observed during late autumn. If this pattern in climate change continues, an extension of the northern range of the grapes, apples and sweet cherries in this region might not be as great as anticipated, whereas the production of pears, peaches and apricots might be expanded. Key words: Climate change, fruit, Okanagan Valley, winter injury, Arctic airflow
Pre-emergence mechanical weed control in field pea (Pisum sativum L.)
Authors: Johnson E N , Holm F A
Published: January 2010

Producers who wish to adopt organic or pesticide-free crop production are seeking alternatives to herbicides. A field experiment was conducted at Scott, SK, from 1999 to 2001 to determine the combination of seeding date (early-May, mid-May, and late-May) and weed management system (shallow-seeded untreated, shallow-seeded with pre-emergence tillage, shallow-seeded herbicide, deep-seeded untreated, deep-seeded with pre-emergence tillage, and deep-seeded herbicide) that would optimize yield of field pea grown without the use of herbicides. The shallow and deep seeded pre-emergence tillage treatments were a 2.5-cm seeding depth followed by two sequential harrow passes and a 7.5-cm seeding depth followed by two sequential rod-weeder passes, respectively. None of the weed management systems had a significant effect on field pea density. The herbicide treatments were the only treatments that had a significant effect on weed density as the application timing was more synchronous with weed emergence than were the tillage treatments. The pre-emergence tillage treatments reduced weed biomass when seeding was delayed until mid-May following weed emergence. Deep seeding followed by pre-emergence rod-weeding was more efficacious in reducing weed fresh weight than shallow seeding followed by pre-emergence harrowing; however, they both provided similar yield responses at the mid-May seeding date. Delayed seeding until late May resulted in a 30 to 35% reduction in field pea yield compared with early or mid-May seeding, respectively. Early-seeded field peas followed by an in-crop herbicide application resulted in the highest field pea yields with the best seeding date by pre-emergence tillage combination achieving 81% of these yields. A strategy for field pea producers who choose not to use herbicides would be to delay seeding until some weeds emerge and seed at a 7.5-cm depth followed by two sequential rod-weeding passes prior to crop emergence. Key words: Field pea, seeding date, seed depth, pre-emergence tillage
Red-fleshed apple as a source for functional beverages
Authors: Rupasinghe H P.V. , Huber G M , Embree C. , Forsline P L
Published: January 2010

The potential of anthocyanin pigments in fruits and vegetables to provide protection against oxidative damage is well known. Cyanidin-3-O-galactoside is a naturally occurring red pigment commonly found in skin of apples but also present in flesh of certain crab apple and apple genotypes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cyanidin-3-O-galactoside concentration and antioxidant capacity of juice made from 14 genotypes of red-fleshed apples in comparison to three white-fleshed apple cultivars and three commercial apple juices. Cyanidin-3-O-galactoside was found only in the juice made from red-fleshed apple genotypes with the highest concentrations (39 mg L-1) in a crab apple Roberts Crab. The antioxidant capacity measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu, the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays were the greatest in juice prepared from the red-fleshed genotypes Babine and Malus pumila Niedzwetzkyana, a red-fleshed crab apple genotype. The antioxidant capacity measures were strongly correlated with each other; however, there was no correlation between the concentration of cyanidin-3-O-galactoside and the antioxidant capacity measures. The juice quality parameters °Brix and titratable acidity values were not significantly different among the juices made from the red-fleshed apples, commercial apples and commercial apple juice products.Key words: Red-fleshed apple, Malus species, antioxidants, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, Folin-Ciocalteu, FRAP, ORAC, functional beverage
Genetic diversity of Canadian elite summer rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivars from the pre- to post-canola quality era
Authors: Fu Y -B. , Gugel R K
Published: January 2010

The development of canola quality Brassica napus oilseed cultivars was a major achievement of Canadian public oilseed breeding programs. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were applied to assess the genetic diversity of 300 plants representing one landrace introduced from Argentina in 1943, seven Canadian elite cultivars developed and released by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada since 1954, and two European cultivars that were the source of the low erucic acid and low glucosinolate traits that define canola quality. Application of 22 SSR primer pairs from eight linkage groups detected 88 polymorphic alleles from 33 likely loci. The allelic frequencies in 300 samples ranged from 0.003 to 0.993 and averaged 0.388. The estimates of mean heterozygosity for these cultivars ranged from 0.055 to 0.203 and averaged 0.139. The most SSR variation was detected in the cultivars Argentine, Golden and Oro. A trend of decline in SSR variation was observed over the years of breeding effort. The proportion of total SSR variation residing among the cultivars was 51.4%; between high vs. low erucic acid cultivars 15% and between high vs. low glucosinolate cultivars 21.2%. Pairwise genetic differentiations among these cultivars ranged from 0.140 to 0.819 and averaged 0.500. Cluster analysis revealed that the genetic relationships of these cultivars were consistent with their known pedigrees. These findings are useful for broadening the genetic base of improved B. napus gene pools, selecting genetically diverse genotypes for hybrid combinations, and conserving summer rape germplasm.Key words: Simple sequence repeat, summer rape, Brassica napus, genetic diversity, genetic relationship, genetic structure
Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate Tablets for Routine Treatment of Household Drinking Water in Periurban Ghana: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Jain Seema , Sahanoon Osman K. , Blanton Elizabeth , Schmitz Ann , Wannemuehler Kathleen A. , Hoekstra Robert M. , Quick Robert E.
Published: January 2010

We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blinded trial to determine the health impact of daily use of sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) tablets for household drinking water treatment in periurban Ghana. We randomized 240 households (3,240 individuals) to receive either NaDCC or placebo tablets. All households received a 20-liter safe water storage vvessel. Over 12 weeks, 446 diarrhea episodes (2.2%) occurred in intervention and 404 (2.0%) in control households (P = 0.38). Residual free chlorine levels indicated appropriate tablet use. Escherichia coli was found in stored water at baseline in 96% of intervention and 88% of control households and at final evaluation in 8% of intervention and 54% of control households (P = 0.002). NaDCC use did not prevent diarrhea but improved water quality. Diarrhea rates were low and water quality improved in both groups. Safe water storage vessels may have been protective. A follow-up health impact study of NaDCC tablets is warranted.
Use of Ultrasonography to Evaluate Schistosoma japonicum-Related Morbidity in Children, Sichuan Province, China, 2000–2007
Authors: Hsiang Michelle S. , Carlton Elizabeth J. , Zhang Yi , Zhong Bo , Dongchuan Qiu , Cohen Pierre-Alain , Stewart Christopher C. , Spear Robert C.
Published: January 2010

Liver ultrasonography is a convenient way to evaluate Schistosoma japonicum-related morbidity; however, no consensus standards exist, and data on use in Chinese children are scant. We describe 7 years of ultrasound findings in a prospective cohort of 151 children from an endemic area in Sichuan Province, China and evaluate technical aspects of the ultrasound methodology. Although prevalence of infection decreased over time, prevalence of hepatomegaly increased, which was likely caused by re-infections. The prevalence of late findings such as parenchymal fibrosis and splenomegaly were rare and did not increase over time; however, when present, they were associated with stunting. The use of adult thresholds versus height-adjusted standards underestimated pathology in children. Reliability of all measures except parenchymal grade was poor to fair. Our findings highlight the importance of early intervention and screening. We also suggest methodological refinements to improve reliability of ultrasonography for large-scale assessment of S. japonicum-related subclinical morbidity in children.
Elevated Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Soluble Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR)-2 in Human Malaria
Authors: Furuta Takahisa , Kimura Mikio , Watanabe Naohiro
Published: January 2010

In cerebral malaria, the binding of parasitized erythrocytes to the cerebral endothelium and the consequent angiogenic dysregulation play a key role in pathogenesis. Because vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is widely regarded as a potent stimulator of angiogenesis, edema, inflammation, and vascular remodeling, the plasma levels of VEGF and the soluble form of the VEGF receptor (sVEGFR)-1 and -2 in uncomplicated malaria patients and healthy adults were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to examine their roles in malaria. The results showed that VEGF and sVEGFR-2 levels were significantly elevated in malaria patients compared with healthy adults. Moreover, it was confirmed that malarial parasite antigens induced VEGF secretion from the human mast cell lines HMC-1 or KU812 cell. This is the first report to suggest that the interaction of VEGF and sVEGFR-2 is involved in the host immune response to malarial infection and that malarial parasites induce VEGF secretion from human mast cells.
Estimation of Under-Reporting of Visceral Leishmaniasis Cases in Bihar, India
Authors: Singh Vijay P. , Ranjan Alok , Topno Roshan K. , Verma Rakesh B. , Siddique Niyamat A. , Ravidas Vidya N. , Kumar Narendra , Pandey Krishna , Das Pradeep
Published: January 2010

We estimated the level of under-reporting of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases by comparing the actual reported cases with those expected as estimated using age- and sex-stratified incidence proportions obtained in a cohort of 31,324 persons. The average incidence proportion of VL cases in study population was 5.7/1,000 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.88–6.54) and 1.09/1,000 persons (95% CI = 0.99–1.20) based on the reported cases in two primary health centers. The overall magnitude of VL cases not reported to the government agencies was higher by a factor 4.17 (95% CI = 3.75–4.63) than for reported cases. The levels of under-reporting were 4.74 (95% CI = 4.11–5.47) in males and 3.51 (95% CI = 2.99–4.11) in females with no significant difference (P > 0.05). It was significantly higher in persons ≥ 30 years of age than in persons 30 years of age (P < 0.05).
Climatic Predictors of the Intra- and Inter-Annual Distributions of Plague Cases in New Mexico Based on 29 Years of Animal-Based Surveillance Data
Authors: Brown Heidi E. , Ettestad Paul , Reynolds Pamela J. , Brown Ted L. , Hatton Elizabeth S. , Holmes Jennifer L. , Glass Gregory E. , Gage Kenneth L. , Eisen Rebecca J.
Published: January 2010

Within the United States, the majority of human plague cases are reported from New Mexico. We describe climatic factors involved in intra- and inter-annual plague dynamics using animal-based surveillance data from that state. Unlike the clear seasonal pattern observed at lower elevations, cases occur randomly throughout the year at higher elevations. Increasing elevation corresponded with delayed mean time in case presentation. Using local meteorological data (previous year mean annual precipitation, total degrees over 27°C 3 years before and maximum winter temperatures 4 years before) we built a time-series model predicting annual case load that explained 75% of the variance in pet cases between years. Moreover, we found a significant correlation with observed annual human cases and predicted pet cases. Because covariates were time-lagged by at least 1 year, intensity of case loads can be predicted in advance of a plague season. Understanding associations between environmental and meteorological factors can be useful for anticipating future disease trends.
A Randomized Trial of Artesunate Mefloquine versus Artemether Lumefantrine for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in Senegalese Children
Authors: Faye Babacar , Ndiaye Jean Louis , Tine Roger , Sylla Khadim , Gueye Ali , Lô Aminata Colle , Gaye Oumar
Published: January 2010

An open randomized clinical trial study was carried out to compare efficacy and tolerability of artesunate mefloquine 25 mg/kg body weight (Artequin paediatric) versus artemether lumefantrine (Coartem) in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children. In each arm, 160 patients were assigned to receive either AS + MQ or AL with 28 days follow-up. The adequate clinical and parasitological response at Day 28 for per protocol analysis was after polymerase chain reaction correction, 100% for AS + MQ and 96.8% for AL. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the respective cure rates were 96.2% for AS + MQ and 93.7% for AL. No serious adverse events (AEs) were reported. The most frequent AE was vomiting, 30% in AS + MQ arm and 36% in AL arm. No biological significant abnormal values related to the study drug have been reported. The new pediatric artesunate mefloquine formulated in granule fixed dose combination is well adapted to children in Africa.
Thermal Contribution to the Inactivation of Cryptosporidium in Plastic Bottles during Solar Water Disinfection Procedures
Authors: Gómez-Couso Hipólito , Fontán-Sainz María , Ares-Mazás Elvira
Published: January 2010

To determine the thermal contribution, independent of ultraviolet radiation, on the inactivation of Cryptosporidium parvum during solar water disinfection procedures (SODIS), oocysts were exposed for 4, 8, and 12 hours to temperatures recorded in polyethylene terephthalate bottles in previous SODIS studies carried out under field conditions. Inclusion/exclusion of the fluorogenic vital dye propidium iodide, spontaneous excystation, and infectivity studies were used to determine the inactivation of oocysts. There was a significant increase in the percentage of oocysts that took up propidium iodide and in the number of oocysts that excysted spontaneously. There was also a significant decrease in the intensity of infection elicited in suckling mice at the end of all exposure times. The results of the study demonstrate the importance of temperature in the inactivation of C. parvum oocysts during application of SODIS under natural conditions.
Comparative Field Trial of Alternative Vector Control Strategies for Non-Domiciliated Triatoma dimidiata
Authors: Ferral Jhibran , Chavez-Nuñez Leysi , Euan-Garcia Maria , Ramirez-Sierra Maria Jesus , Najera-Vazquez M. Rosario , Dumonteil Eric
Published: January 2010

Chagas disease is a major vector-borne disease, and regional initiatives based on insecticide spraying have successfully controlled domiciliated vectors in many regions. Non-domiciliated vectors remain responsible for a significant transmission risk, and their control is a challenge. We performed a proof-of-concept field trial to test alternative strategies in rural Yucatan, Mexico. Follow-up of house infestation for two seasons following the interventions confirmed that insecticide spraying should be performed annually for the effective control of Triatoma dimidiata; however, it also confirmed that insect screens or long-lasting impregnated curtains may represent good alternative strategies for the sustained control of these vectors. Ecosystemic peridomicile management would be an excellent complementary strategy to improve the cost-effectiveness of interventions. Because these strategies would also be effective against other vector-borne diseases, such as malaria or dengue, they could be integrated within a multi-disease control program.
Utility of a Point-of-Care Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test for Excluding Malaria as the Cause of Fever among HIV-Positive Adults in Rural Rakai, Uganda
Authors: Mills Lisa A. , Kagaayi Joseph , Nakigozi Gertrude , Galiwango Ronald M. , Ouma Joseph , Shott Joseph P. , Ssempijja Victor , Gray Ronald H. , Wawer Maria J. , Serwadda David , Quinn Thomas C. , Reynolds Steven J.
Published: January 2010

We compared results of a malaria rapid diagnostic test (Binax Now® Malaria, Binax-M, Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc., Waltham, MA) performed at rural mobile clinics in Uganda by clinicians evaluating febrile adult HIV patients to thick smear evaluated at a central laboratory by trained microscopists. Two hundred forty-six samples were analyzed, including 14 (5.7%) which were thick-smear positive for falciparum malaria. Sensitivity of Binax-M compared with thick smear was 85.7% (95% CI: 57.2–98.2), specificity 97.8% (95% CI: 94.9–99.3), positive and negative predictive values were 70.6% (95% CI: 44.0–89.7) and 99.1% (95% CI: 96.8–99.9), respectively. The rapid diagnostic test accurately ruled malaria “in or out” at the point-of-care, facilitating appropriate clinical management and averting unnecessary anti-malarial therapy.
HIV Protease Inhibitors, Indinavir or Nelfinavir, Augment Antimalarial Action of Artemisinin in vitro
Authors: Mishra Lokesh C. , Bhattacharya Amit , Sharma Manish , Bhasin Virendra K.
Published: January 2010

Most malaria endemic regions are co-infested with HIV infection. Treatment of one may affect outcome of the other in co-infected individuals. HIV protease inhibitors, indinavir or nelfinavir, are important antiretroviral drugs and artemisinin is central to malaria treatment. We show these protease inhibitors augment the antimalarial activity of artemisinin against P. falciparum in vitro.
Autochthonous Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Infected Patient: The First in Thailand and Review of the Literature
Authors: Suankratay Chusana , Suwanpimolkul Gompol , Wilde Henry , Siriyasatien Padet
Published: January 2010

We report a case of visceral leishmaniasis in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected 37-year-old Thai fisherman who presented with nephritonephrotic syndrome, fever, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Bone marrow biopsy revealed many amastigotes within macrophages. Kidney biopsy showed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nucleotide sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 1 of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene in blood and kidney biopsy specimens showed Leishmania species previously described in a Thai patient with visceral leishmaniasis. Only four autochthonous cases of leishmaniasis have been reported in Thailand since 1996. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis in an HIV-infected Thai. With an increasing number of patients with autochthonous leishmaniasis in association with the presence of potential vector, it remains to be determined whether this vector-borne disease will become an emerging infectious disease in Thailand.
Fulminant Hepatitis E in a Woman Taking Oral Contraceptive Medication
Authors: Mateos Lindemann Maria Luisa , Morales Javier Graus , Fernández-Barredo Salceda , Domínguez Mario Rodríguez , García de la Hoz Fernando , Halfon Philippe , Pérez Gracia Maria Teresa
Published: January 2010

We describe a fulminant autochthonous hepatic failure caused by hepatitis E (HEV) in a patient admitted in our hospital for liver-transplant evaluation. The only risk factor recorded for this severe course was the use of oral contraceptives that are known to mimic a hormonal status similar to pregnancy. The diagnosis was based on the presence of IgG and IgM anti-HEV in the serum of the patient and confirmed by the isolation of a strain of HEV genotype 3f from a blood sample obtained the fourth day after hospital admission. HEV genotype 3 is present in human and swine populations in Spain. The patient began to recover while waiting for a liver transplant. To our knowledge, this is the first report of fulminant hepatitis E in a non-pregnant European patient on oral contraceptives.
Activity of Artemether and Mefloquine against Juvenile and Adult Schistosoma mansoni in Athymic and Immunocompetent NMRI Mice
Authors: Keiser Jennifer , Vargas Mireille , Doenhoff Michael J.
Published: January 2010

Immune effector mechanisms can enhance the activity of antischistosomal drugs. We examined the in vivo effect of single oral doses of the antimalarials artemether (400 mg/kg) and mefloquine (200 mg/kg), recently described to have promising antischistosomal properties, against juvenile and adult Schistosoma mansoni in T cell-deficient and in comparably infected age- and sex-matched immunologically intact control mice. Artemether and mefloquine are equally effective in athymic and immunocompetent mice. Artemether treatment resulted in total and female worm burden reductions ranging between 71.1% and 85.3%, whereas mefloquine achieved total and female worm burden reductions of 80.4–97.8%. In conclusion, artemether and mefloquine act T-cell independently and no synergistic interaction with the immune response was involved.
Monitoring Leptospira Strain Collections: The Need for Quality Control
Authors: Cerqueira Gustavo M. , McBride Alan J. A. , Queiroz Adriano , Pinto Luciano S. , Silva Éverton F. , Hartskeerl Rudy A. , Reis Mitermayer G. , Ko Albert I. , Dellagostin Odir A.
Published: January 2010

The purpose of this study was to perform a 16S sequence-based quality control of two Leptospira strain collections. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to verify two Leptospira reference collections provided by the World Health Organization and maintained at a reference laboratory for leptospirosis in Brazil. Among the 89 serovars evaluated, four conflicting strains were identified in one of the collections. Although 16S rRNA gene sequencing cannot identify Leptospira beyond the species level, it is suitable for the identification of contamination and quality control of leptospiral reference collections. This study highlights the importance of the availability of high-quality 16S rRNA sequences in public databases. In addition, it emphasizes the need for periodical verifications and quality control of Leptospira reference collections.
Bioinspired Ribbed Nanoneedles with Robust Superhydrophobicity
Authors: Yao Xi , Chen Qinwen , Xu Liang , Li Qikai , Song Yanlin , Gao Xuefeng , Quéré David , Jiang Lei
Published: January 2010

The robustness of superhydrophobicity is a fundamental issue for the applications of water‐repellent materials. Inspired by the hierarchical structures of water‐strider legs, this work describes a new water‐repellent material decorated with ribbed, conical nanoneedles, successfully achieved on the surface of copper and consisting of copper hydroxide nanoneedle arrays sculptured with nanogrooves. The behavior of water drops on an as‐prepared surface under various external disturbances is investigated. It is shown in particular that squeezing and relaxing drops between two such surfaces leads to a fully reversible exploration of the solid surface by the liquid, which is distinct from other superhydrophobic surfaces. This unique character is attributed to the penetrating Cassie state that occurs at the ribbed, conical nanoneedles. The proprietary lateral nanogrooves can, not only vigorously support the enwrapped liquid‐air interface when a force is applied to the drop, but also provide reliable contact lines for the easy de‐pinning of the deformed interface when the force is released from the drop. The results confirm the exceptional ability of strider legs to repel water, and should help to further the design of robust water‐repellent materials and miniaturized aquatic devices.
Using community‐based participatory research to design and initiate a study on immigrant worker health and safety in San Francisco's Chinatown restaurants
Authors: Minkler Meredith , Lee Pam Tau , Tom Alex , Chang Charlotte , Morales Alvaro , Liu Shaw San , Salvatore Alicia , Baker Robin , Chen Feiyi , Bhatia Rajiv , Krause Niklas
Published: January 2010

Background

Restaurant workers have among the highest rates of work‐related illness and injury in the US, but little is known about the working conditions and occupational health status of Chinese immigrant restaurant workers.

Methods

Community‐based participatory research (CBPR) was employed to study restaurant working conditions and worker health in San Francisco's Chinatown. A community/academic/health department collaborative was formed and 23 restaurant workers trained on research techniques and worker health and safety. A worker survey instrument and a restaurant observational checklist were collaboratively developed. The checklist was piloted in 71 Chinatown restaurants, and the questionnaire administered to 433 restaurant workers.

Results

Restaurant workers, together with other partners, made substantial contributions to construction of the survey and checklist tools and improved their cultural appropriateness. The utility of the checklist tool for restaurant‐level data collection was demonstrated.

Conclusions

CBPR holds promise for both studying worker health and safety among immigrant Chinese restaurant workers and developing culturally appropriate research tools. A new observational checklist also has potential for restaurant‐level data collection on worker health and safety conditions. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:361–371, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Do positive illusions predict overconfidence in judgment? A test using interval production and probability evaluation measures of miscalibration
Authors: Hilton Denis , Régner Isabelle , Cabantous Laure , Charalambides Laetitia , Vautier Stéphane
Published: January 2010

We address the question as to whether judgmental overconfidence, as assessed by probability miscalibration, is related to positive illusions about the self. We first demonstrate that judgmental overconfidence measured with interval production procedures can be considered a trait, due to correlations observed in miscalibration scores in two sets of general‐knowledge questions of varying difficulty administered at different times. In addition, the hard‐easy effect operated in different ways on overprecision and self‐placement of one's performance relative to others: The more difficult the calibration task, the greater the over precision but the greater the under placement of one's performance. Finally, there was no evidence that miscalibration was related to dispositional optimism and self‐efficacy. A second study extended these results by including further measures of disposition to experience positive illusions such as unrealistic optimism, a general tendency to consider oneself “better‐than‐average,” and two indexes of dispositional perception of control. The positive illusion measures showed considerable inter‐correlations, but did not correlate with miscalibration on the interval production task, and correlated negatively with optimism concerning societal risks. A final study replicated this pattern of findings, but showed that disposition to positive illusions did predict miscalibration on the same questions measured with a probability evaluation technique. Our research demonstrates that “overconfidence” is not a unitary construct, but a series of overlapping ones. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Loss aversion in the eye and in the heart: The autonomic nervous system's responses to losses
Authors: Hochman Guy , Yechiam Eldad
Published: January 2010

The common view in psychology and neuroscience is that losses loom larger than gains, leading to a negativity bias in behavioral responses and Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) activation. However, evidence has accumulated that in decisions under risk and uncertainty individuals often impart similar weights to negative and positive outcomes. We examine the role of the ANS in decisions under uncertainty, and its consistency with the behavioral responses. In three studies, we show that losses lead to heightened autonomic responses, compared to equivalent gains (as indicated by pupil dilation and increased heart rate) even in situations where the average decision maker exhibits no loss aversion. Moreover, in the studied tasks autonomic responses were not associated with risk taking propensities. These results are interpreted by the hypothesis that losses signal the subjective importance of global outcome patterns. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensitive and rapid high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for estimation of fulvestrant in rabbit plasma
Authors: Balaram Varanasi Murali , Parmar Dharmesh , Teja Bulusu B , Rathnam Shivprakash , Rao Jangala Venkateswara , Dasandi Bhavesh
Published: January 2010

A rapid and sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for estimation of fulvestrant in rabbit plasma using liquid–liquid extraction. The separation and quantification of fulvestrant were achieved by reverse‐phase chromatography on a Sunfire C18 column (50 × 2.1. i.d., 3.5 μm) with isocratic elution at a flow rate of 300 μL/min using norethistrone as an internal standard from 500 μL plasma sample. The method was validated over the concentration range from 0.092 to 16.937 ng/mL with a lower limit of detection of 0.023 ng/mL. The intra‐day and inter‐day accuracy and precision were within 10%. The recovery was 85 and 90% for fulvestrant and norethistrone respectively. The chromatographic run time was only 2.5 min. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface Modification and Functionalization of Microporous Hybrid Material for Luminescence Sensing
Authors: Li Huanrong , Cheng Wenjing , Wang Yu , Liu Binyuan , Zhang Wenjun , Zhang Hongjie
Published: January 2010

We report here on the preparation of novel luminescent core‐shell material by initial coating with polyelectrolytes and subsequent with a silica shell on the lanthanide complexes loaded zeolite L microcrystals. Lanthanide complexes loaded zeolite L was prepared by insertion of 2‐thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA) into the nanochannels of zeolite crystals by gas diffusion of TTA to Eu3+ exchanged zeolite L, coating a silica shell on the lanthanide complexes loaded zeolite L resulted to the novel luminescent core‐shell material. The luminescent core‐shell material was further functionalized with silylated terbium(III) complex and the obtained material was used as the luminescence sensing of dipicolinic acid (DPA), which is a major constituent of many pathogenic spore‐forming bacteria.
Tetraamine‐Derived Bifunctional Chelators for Technetium‐99m Labelling: Synthesis, Bioconjugation and Evaluation as Targeted SPECT Imaging Probes for GRP‐Receptor‐Positive Tumours
Authors: Abiraj Keelara , Mansi Rosalba , Tamma Maria‐Luisa , Forrer Flavio , Cescato Renzo , Reubi Jean Claude , Akyel Kayhan G. , Maecke Helmut R.
Published: January 2010

Owing to its optimal nuclear properties, ready availability, low cost and favourable dosimetry, 99mTc continues to be the ideal radioisotope for medical‐imaging applications. Bifunctional chelators based on a tetraamine framework exhibit facile complexation with Tc(V)O2 to form monocationic species with high in vivo stability and significant hydrophilicity, which leads to favourable pharmacokinetics. The synthesis of a series of 1,4,8,11‐tetraazaundecane derivatives (01–06) containing different functional groups at the 6‐position for the conjugation of biomolecules and subsequent labelling with 99mTc is described herein. The chelator 01 was used as a starting material for the facile synthesis of chelators functionalised with OH (02), N3 (04) and O‐succinyl ester (05) groups. A straightforward and easy synthesis of carboxyl‐functionalised tetraamine‐based chelator 06 was achieved by using inexpensive and commercially available starting materials. Conjugation of 06 to a potent bombesin‐antagonist peptide and subsequent labelling with 99mTc afforded the radiotracer 99mTc‐N4‐BB‐ANT, with radiolabelling yields of >97 % at a specific activity of 37 GBq μmol−1. An IC50 value of (3.7±1.3) nM was obtained, which confirmed the high affinity of the conjugate to the gastrin‐releasing‐peptide receptor (GRPr). Immunofluorescence and calcium mobilisation assays confirmed the strong antagonist properties of the conjugate. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies of 99mTc‐N4‐BB‐ANT showed high and specific uptake in PC3 xenografts and in other GRPr‐positive organs. The tumour uptake was (22.5±2.6) % injected activity per gram (% IA g−1) at 1 h post injection (p.i.). and increased to (29.9±4.0) % IA g−1 at 4 h p.i. The SPECT/computed tomography (CT) images showed high tumour uptake, clear background and negligible radioactivity in the abdomen. The promising preclinical results of 99mTc‐N4‐BB‐ANT warrant its potential candidature for clinical translation.
Binuclear Uranium(VI) Complexes with a “Pacman” Expanded Porphyrin: Computational Evidence for Highly Unusual Bis‐Actinyl Structures
Authors: Pan Qing‐Jiang , Shamov Grigory A. , Schreckenbach Georg
Published: January 2010

On the basis of uranyl complexes reacting with a polypyrrolic ligand (H4L), we explored structures and reaction energies of a series of new binuclear uranium(VI) complexes using relativistic density functional theory. Full geometry optimizations on [(UO2)2(L)], in which two uranyl groups were initially placed into the pacman ligand cavity, led to two minimum‐energy structures. These complexes with cation–cation interactions (CCI) exhibit unusual coordination modes of uranyls: one is a T‐shaped (T) skeleton formed by two linear uranyls {OexoU2Oendo→U1(Oexo)2}, and another is a butterfly‐like (B) unit with one linear uranyl coordinating side‐by‐side to a second cis‐uranyl. The CCI in T was confirmed by the calculated longest distance and lowest stretching vibrational frequency of U2Oendo among the four UO bonds. Isomer B is more stable than T, for which experimental tetrameric analogues are known. The formation of B and T complexes from the mononuclear [(UO2)(H2L)(thf)] (M) was found to be endothermic. The further protonation and dehydration of B and T are thermodynamically favorable. As a possible product, we have found a trianglelike binuclear uranium(VI) complex having a OUOUO unit.