bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychometric assessment of the Behavior and Attitudes Questionnaire for Healthy Habits: measuring parents’ views on food and physical activity
Authors: Henry Beverly W , Smith Thomas J , Ahmad Saadia
Published: January 2013

Objective

To assess parents’ perspectives of their home environments to establish the validity of scores from the Behavior and Attitudes Questionnaire for Healthy Habits (BAQ-HH).

Design

In the present descriptive study, we surveyed a cross-sectional sample of parents of pre-school children. Questionnaire items developed in an iterative process with community-based programming addressed parents’ knowledge/awareness, attitudes/concerns and behaviours about healthy foods and physical activity habits with 6-point rating scales. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to psychometrically evaluate scores from the scales.

Setting

English and Spanish versions of the BAQ-HH were administered at parent–teacher conferences for pre-school children at ten Head Start centres across a five-county agency in autumn 2010.

Subjects

From 672 families with pre-school children, 532 parents provided responses to the BAQ-HH (79 % response rate). The majority was female (83 %), Hispanic (66 %) or white (16 %), and ages ranged from 20 to 39 years (85 %).

Results

Exploratory and confirmatory analyses revealed a knowledge scale (seven items), an attitude scale (four items) and three behaviour subscales (three items each). Correlations were identified between parents’ perceptions of home activities and reports of children's habits. Differences were identified by gender and ethnicity groupings.

Conclusions

As a first step in psychometric testing, the dimensionality of each of the three scales (Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours) was identified and scale scores were related to other indicators of child behaviours and parents’ demographic characteristics. This questionnaire offers a method to measure parents’ views to inform planning and monitoring of obesity-prevention education programmes.
Effects ofMesua ferreaLeaf and Fruit Extracts on Growth and Morphology ofStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Aruldass Claira Arul , Marimuthu Mani Maran , Ramanathan Surash , Mansor Sharif Mahsufi , Murugaiyah Vikneswaran
Published: January 2013

Mesua ferreais traditionally used for treating bleeding piles, fever, and renal diseases. It has been reported to have antimircobial activity. In the present study, antibacterial efficacy of leaf and fruit extracts on the growth and morphology ofStaphylococcus aureusis evaluated. Both extracts display good antibacterial activity againstS. aureuswith a minimum inhibition concentration of 0.048 mg/mL. Both extracts are bacteriostatic at a minimum bacteriostatic concentration of 0.39 mg/mL. The bacteriostatic activity lasts for 24 h, and then cells start to grow as normal as shown in time-kill analysis. Scanning electron microscopy study indicated potential detrimental effect of the extracts of leaf and fruits ofM. ferreaon the morphology ofS. aureus. The treatment with the extracts caused extensive lysis of the cells, leakage of intracellular constituents, and aggregation of cytoplasmic contents forming an open meshwork of the matrix.
Restless legs syndrome induced by quetiapine: report of seven cases and review of the literature
Authors: Rittmannsberger Hans , Werl Regina
Published: January 2013

We report on seven cases of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients treated with quetiapine. Small doses (50–250 mg at bedtime) provoked RLS in a dose-dependent way. Most patients suffered from an affective disorder and all were treated concomitantly with antidepressants. A search of the literature revealed a further nine cases of RLS concerning quetiapine, also afflicting only patients with affective disorders. Quetiapine seems to carry a special risk for RLS in this sort of patient. Possible causes for this concurrence are discussed.
A goal-directed implementation of query answering for hybrid MKNF knowledge bases
Authors: GOMES ANA SOFIA , ALFERES JOSÉ JÚLIO , SWIFT TERRANCE
Published: January 2013

Ontologies and rules are usually loosely coupled in knowledge representation formalisms. In fact, ontologies use open-world reasoning, while the leading semantics for rules use non-monotonic, closed-world reasoning. One exception is the tightly coupled framework of Minimal Knowledge and Negation as Failure (MKNF), which allows statements about individuals to be jointly derived via entailment from ontology and inferences from rules. Nonetheless, the practical usefulness of MKNF has not always been clear, although recent work has formalized a general resolution-based method for querying MKNF when rules are taken to have the well-founded semantics, and the ontology is modeled by a general oracle. That work leaves open what algorithms should be used to relate the entailments of the ontology and the inferences of rules. In this paper we provide such algorithms, and describe the implementation of a query-driven system, CDF-Rules, for hybrid knowledge bases combining both (non-monotonic) rules under the well-founded semantics and a (monotonic) ontology, represented by the Coherent Description Framework Type-1 ($\mathcal{ALCQ}$) theory.
TRANSFORMATIONS OF THĂNG LONG: SPACE AND TIME, POWER AND BELIEF
Authors: Whitmore John K.
Published: January 2013

2010 saw the millennial celebration of Thăng Long/Hà Nội as capital of an independent Vietnam, and archaeology has tended to confirm this strong sense of continuity. Yet study of written texts shows us how political power, administrative style, and religious belief have shaped the city and how a cyclical pattern in this history has appeared twice and may be in its third time. In this pattern, each cycle saw the city begin as the provincial capital of an external power before becoming capital of an independent Vietnamese state. Then a local base draws power to itself and displaces Thăng Long, eventually dismantling it, before a new external power enters and begins the cycle anew. In this way the Tang and Ming dynasties of China and the French made the site their local administrative center. Lý Công Uẩn, Lê Lợi, and Hồ Chí Minh in succession drove them out and established Thăng Long/Hà Nội as their capital, bringing Buddhism, Confucianism, and Socialism to it. But first the Trần and Hồ, then the Mạc, Trịnh, and Nguyễn, shared power with, and eventually displaced, the Royal City. Will it happen again?
EXILED TO THE ANCESTRAL LAND: THE RESETTLEMENT, STRATIFICATION AND ASSIMILATION OF THE REFUGEES FROM VIETNAM IN CHINA
Authors: Han Xiaorong
Published: January 2013

Based on published sources as well as information gathered through observations and interviews, this article intends to provide a general account of the adaptation of the Vietnamese refugees in China since the late 1970s. The description and analysis are focused on three aspects of the social-political life of this community, namely, its initial resettlement, its subsequent division, dispersion and stratification, and the process, problems and prospects of its assimilation. The article argues that whereas Western countries adopted the International Refugee Regime – primarily a European product – in resettling the Vietnamese refugees, China's resettlement policies reflected her experience in handling the returned overseas Chinese from Southeast Asia in the 1950s and 1960s. Although the relocation temporarily reduced all migrants to refugees, the diverse nature of the migrant community, the different local conditions in China, as well as China's official policies contributed to the reemergence of social-economic stratification among the migrants, and this was accompanied by their geographic dispersion. Though assimilation has been going on ever since they entered China, the migrants have managed to maintain their group identity, which, however, is not sustainable.
Reduced urinary corin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Fang Chaodong , Shen Lei , Dong Liang , Liu Meng , Shi Sensen , Dong Ningzheng , Wu Qingyu
Published: January 2013

Corin is a cardiac protease that regulates BP (blood pressure) by activating natriuretic peptides. Recent animal studies identified corin expression in the kidney where it may regulate renal function. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that corin may be present in human urine and that urinary corin levels may be altered in patients with kidney disease. We obtained urine and kidney tissue samples from normal individuals and CKD (chronic kidney disease) patients. Using ELISA, we detected corin protein in human urine. In normal individuals, urinary corin levels did not correlate with that of plasma, indicating that urinary corin is probably of kidney origin. Compared with normal controls, CKD patients had markedly reduced urinary corin levels and this reduction correlated with disease severity. By immunostaining, human corin protein was identified on the epithelial cell surface in renal tubules. The renal corin mRNA and protein levels were significantly lower in CKD patients than non-CKD controls. The results indicate that renal tubular corin may be shed into urine and that urinary and renal corin levels were reduced in CKD patients. These data suggest that reduced corin levels in the kidney may reflect the underlying pathology in CKD.
The Ida Institute Toolbox: Tools To Enhance Collaborative Self-Management of Hearing Problems
Authors: Gregory Melanie
Published: January 2013

Researchers have described a paradigm shift, in which the profession of audiology can move towards a more patient-centered approach (Hickson, 2012). In this article, I will describe a collaborative approach used at the Ida Institute to create patient-centered tools to promote this paradigm shift. I describe three counseling tools—A Possible Patient Journey, the Goal Sharing for Partners Strategy and the Living Well tool—as part of a collaborative self-management toolbox to promote patient-centered care in the clinic.
The Use of a Bioadhesive (BioGlue®) Secured Conchal Graft and Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis to Correct Pediatric Facial Asymmetry as Result of Unilateral Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis
Authors: Muhammad Joseph Kamal , Al Hashimi Bader Abdulla , Al Mansoor Abu Bakr , Ali Iqbal
Published: January 2013

The rehabilitation of children affected by early traumatic facial deformity is a challenge for both the craniofacial team and the child's family. Although the immediate goals of surgery are to restore both form and function, the psychological needs of the growing child must also be addressed. Early surgery may be required to assist integration of the child into the community and thereby avert both social isolation and stigmatization of the child. Timed correctly, such surgery has the potential to harness the patient's own growth to assist in correction of the deformity and to maintain some of the surgical gains. The use of autogenous tissue rather than nondegradable implants to facilitate craniofacial reconstruction in the growing child avoids some of the concerns associated with permanent implants. These include both their potential to adversely affect growth and to migrate. The purpose of this article is to illustrate how advances in tissue adhesion using protein polymers (BioGlue®; CryoLife, Inc., Kennesaw, GA) and bone regeneration techniques (distraction osteogenesis) have been used to correct the disfiguring and functional problems associated with unilateral temporomandibular joint ankylosis acquired in early childhood.
EPR-kinetic isotope effect study of the mechanism of radical-mediated dehydrogenation of an alcohol by the radical SAM enzyme DesII
Authors: Ruszczycky Mark W. , Choi Sei-hyun , Liu Hung-wen
Published: January 2013

The radical
S
-adenosyl-
L
-methionine enzyme DesII from
Streptomyces venezuelae
is able to oxidize the C3 hydroxyl group of TDP-
D
-quinovose to the corresponding ketone via an
α
-hydroxyalkyl radical intermediate. It is unknown whether electron transfer from the radical intermediate precedes or follows its deprotonation, and answering this question would offer considerable insight into the mechanism by which the small but important class of radical-mediated alcohol dehydrogenases operate. This question can be addressed by measuring steady-state kinetic isotope effects (KIEs); however, their interpretation is obfuscated by the degree to which the steps of interest limit catalysis. To circumvent this problem, we measured the solvent deuterium KIE on the saturating steady-state concentration of the radical intermediate using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The resulting value,

, when combined with the solvent deuterium KIE on the maximum rate of turnover (
V
) of

, yielded a KIE of

on the net rate constant specifically associated with the
α
-hydroxyalkyl radical intermediate. This result implies that electron transfer from the radical intermediate does not precede deprotonation. Further analysis of these isotope effects, along with the pH dependence of the steady-state kinetic parameters, likewise suggests that DesII must be in the correct protonation state for initial generation of the
α
-hydroxyalkyl radical. In addition to providing unique mechanistic insights, this work introduces a unique approach to investigating enzymatic reactions using KIEs.
Slow hydrogen-bond switching dynamics at the water surface revealed by theoretical two-dimensional sum-frequency spectroscopy
Authors: Ni Yicun , Gruenbaum Scott M. , Skinner James L.
Published: January 2013

Using our newly developed explicit three-body (E3B) water model, we simulate the surface of liquid water. We find that the timescale for hydrogen-bond switching dynamics at the surface is about three times slower than that in the bulk. In contrast, with this model rotational dynamics are slightly faster at the surface than in the bulk. We consider vibrational two-dimensional (2D) sum-frequency generation (2DSFG) spectroscopy as a technique for observing hydrogen-bond rearrangement dynamics at the water surface. We calculate the nonlinear susceptibility for this spectroscopy for two different polarization conditions, and in each case we see the appearance of cross-peaks on the timescale of a few picoseconds, signaling hydrogen-bond rearrangement on this timescale. We thus conclude that this 2D spectroscopy will be an excellent experimental technique for observing slow hydrogen-bond switching dynamics at the water surface.
Reproductive Behavior and Success of Captive-Reared Chinook Salmon Spawning under Natural Conditions
Authors: Venditti David A. , James Chris A. , Kline Paul
Published: January 2013

In response to declining returns of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp., captive-rearing programs have emerged as one approach to maintain natural-origin stocks while mechanisms responsible for their decline are addressed. However, it remains unclear if observed differences in reproductive behavior between captive-origin (captive) and natural-origin (natural) Chinook Salmon O. tshawytscha in laboratory experiments accurately predict reproductive success of captive salmon in the natural environment. Over a 4-year period, 859 natural Chinook Salmon juveniles were collected for full-term rearing in captivity. From these, we returned 247 maturing adults to their natal stream over 2 years, assessed trends in habitat use, monitored their courtship and spawning behaviors, and sampled their redds to determine if fertilized eggs were present. Habitat use followed a logical trend toward spawning areas as the season progressed. Captive fish were smaller and spawned later than did natural fish, but their size did not prevent females from constructing redds or prevent males from courting and fertilizing eggs. Captive fish were observed participating in 16 spawning events over two seasons. Captive and natural males displayed the same courtship behaviors, but natural males were more aggressive. Captive females selected redd sites similar to those of natural females and displayed digging behavior consistent with published observations. Eggs were collected from 22 of the 26 redds sampled, and survival to organogenesis was 68.3% in 2001 and 34.6% in 2002. The decline in 2002 was at least partially due to an apparent failure of females from brood year 1997 to produce viable eggs. We estimated captive fish contributed 19,000 eyed eggs to the population. If the 859 juveniles reared in captivity had been left in the stream, fewer than one adult would be expected to have returned. Growth, timing of spawning, and egg survival issues remain in captive fish, which illustrates a need to focus future research on improved culture techniques.

Received July 21, 2011; accepted October 26, 2012
An exploration of the experience of Christian counsellors in their work with both Christian and non‐Christian clients, with particular reference to aspects of cultural transition
Authors: Scott Ann
Published: January 2013

Aim: This study explores the experience of Christian counsellors working in both Christian and secular settings, paying particular attention to the possibility of regarding their development as a form of cultural transition. Method: Heuristic methodology was used, interviewing 22 counsellors with varying churchmanship (i.e. Christian tradition/denomination) and counselling training. Findings/Discussion: A spectrum of experiences with both Christian and non‐Christian clients emerged. The level of overtness of the counsellors’ faith with these clients varied considerably. Parallels with the experience of these counsellors and that of immigrants in terms of cultural transition are discussed. Conclusions: The experience of Christian counsellors differs with respect to the level of Christian influence (i.e. Christian or secular input) in training, supervision and work context. Those with higher secular influence have less difficulty working with clients with different belief systems and values. Implications: Christian counsellors need to be more reflexive with respect to the effect of their own value systems when working with clients, particularly if they work mostly in a Christian context. Trainers need to be aware of cultural transition aspects in the development of counsellors who have a Christian faith.
Spatial Analysis of Community-OnsetStaphylococcus aureusBacteremia in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Marquess John , Hu Wenbiao , Nimmo Graeme R. , Clements Archie C. A.
Published: January 2013

Objectives.

TO investigate and describe the relationship between indigenous Australian populations, residential aged care services, and community-onsetStaphylococcus aureusbacteremia (SAB) among patients admitted to public hospitals in Queensland, Australia.

Design.

Ecological study.

Methods.

We used administrative healthcare data linked to microbiology results from patients with SAB admitted to Queensland public hospitals from 2005 through 2010 to identify community-onset infections. Data about indigenous Australian population and residential aged care services at the local government area level were obtained from the Queensland Office of Economic and Statistical Research. Associations between community-onset SAB and indigenous Australian population and residential aged care services were calculated using Poisson regression models in a Bayesian framework. Choropleth maps were used to describe the spatial patterns of SAB risk.

Results.

We observed a 21% increase in relative risk (RR) of bacteremia with methicillin-susceptibleS. aureus(MSSA; RR, 1.21 [95% credible interval, 1.15–1.26]) and a 24% increase in RR with nonmultiresistant methicillin-resistantS. aureus(nmMRSA; RR, 1.24 [95% credible interval, 1.13–1.34]) with a 10% increase in the indigenous Australian population proportion. There was no significant association between RR of SAB and the number of residential aged care services. Areas with the highest RR for nmMRSA and MSSA bacteremia were identified in the northern and western regions of Queensland.

Conclusions.

The RR of community-onset SAB varied spatially across Queensland. There was increased RR of community-onset SAB with nmMRSA and MSSA in areas of Queensland with increased indigenous population proportions. Additional research should be undertaken to understand other factors that increase the risk of infection due to this organism.
Modified World Health Organization Hand Rub Formulations Comply with European Efficacy Requirements for Preoperative Surgical Hand Preparations
Authors: Suchomel Miranda , Kundi Michael , Pittet Didier , Rotter Manfred L.
Published: January 2013

Background.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published “Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care” recommending 2 hand rub formulations based on 80% vol/vol ethanol or 75% vol/vol isopropanol for local production in healthcare settings where commercial products are not available or are too expensive. Previous investigations have shown that neither formulation meets the efficacy requirements of European norm (EN) 12791, which is the most stringent available norm for surgical hand rub preparations. Even when modified with approximately 5% higher alcohol content, the formulations proved to be inferior to the reference of the norm when measured after 3 hours.

Objective.

Because the high glycerol content of the formulations was suspected to negatively influence their efficacy, additional investigations were performed with varying glycerol content.

Methods.

Modified formulations with higher alcohol concentration (mass instead of volume percentage) and lower glycerol concentration (0.725% instead of 1.45%) or without the addition of glycerol were evaluated for their conformity with the efficacy requirements of EN 12791, which demands noninferiority in comparison with a reference hand antisepsis procedure immediately and 3 hours after treatment on volunteers’ hands.

Design.

Randomized Latin-square design.

Setting.

Microbiology laboratory of the Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Participants.

Twenty-five healthy volunteers.

Results.

Reducing the concentration of glycerol or omitting it completely rendered both WHO formulations noninferior to the reference, both immediately and 3 hours after surgical hand antisepsis.

Conclusions.

Both WHO-recommended formulations meet the efficacy requirements of EN 12791 by increasing their alcohol concentrations by 5%, prolonging their application to 5 minutes and reducing the glycerol concentration to 0.725%.
Impact of a Two‐Rate Property Tax on Residential Densities
Authors: Cho Seong-Hoon , Kim Seung Gyu , Lambert Dayton M. , Roberts Roland K.
Published: January 2013

Municipalities sometimes reform property tax schedules in an effort to increase suboptimal residential densities. One such approach is to reduce the tax rate applied to building values and increase the tax rate applied to land, known as a two‐rate property tax (TPT). This paper evaluates the impact of a TPT on residential density in Nashville‐Davidson County, Tennessee where a conventional property tax schedule prevails during 2006–2007. When land taxes are proportionally higher than taxes on structures, 1.07 to 1 and 1.25 to 1 for general and urban service districts, respectively, ex ante simulations suggest that housing density increases by 18% in general services districts and 83% in urban services districts.
Prophylactic and Antinociceptive Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on Diabetic Neuropathic Pain in a Mouse Model of Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Zhang Yan Ping , Eber Ariel , Yuan Yue , Yang Zhe , Rodriguez Yiliam , Levitt Roy C. , Takacs Peter , Candiotti Keith A.
Published: January 2013

Background:

Oxidative stress is a key factor implicated in the development of diabetic neuropathy. This study evaluates the prophylactic and antinociceptive effects of the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on diabetes-induced neuropathic pain in a diabetic mouse model.

Methods:

Total 56 mice with type 1 diabetes induced by streptozotocin were used, 20 normal mice were used as control. Mechanical and thermal nociceptive behavioral assays were applied to evaluate diabetic neuropathic pain. Tissue lipid peroxidation, immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription, and polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of CoQ10. Data are presented as mean ± SEM.

Results:

CoQ10 administration was associated with reduced loss of body weight compared with nontreated diabetic mice, without affecting blood glucose levels. Low dose and long-term administration of CoQ10 prevented the development of neuropathic pain. Treatment with CoQ10 produced a significant dose-dependent inhibition of mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in diabetic mice. Dorsal root ganglia, sciatic nerve, and spinal cord tissues from diabetic mice demonstrated increased lipid peroxidation that was reduced by CoQ10 treatment. CoQ10 administration was also noted to reduce the proinflammatory factors in the peripheral and central nervous system.

Conclusions:

The results of this study support the hypothesis that hyperglycemia induced neuronal oxidative damage and reactive inflammation may be pathogenic in diabetic neuropathic pain. CoQ10 may be protective by inhibiting oxidative stress and reducing inflammation by down-regulating proinflammatory factors. These results suggest that CoQ10 administration may represent a low-risk, high-reward strategy for preventing or treating diabetic neuropathy.
Pulmonary Shunt Is Independent of Decrease in Cardiac Output during Unsupported Spontaneous Breathing in the Pig
Authors: Vimlati Laszlo , Larsson Anders , Hedenstierna Goran , Lichtwarck-Aschoff Michael
Published: January 2013

Background:

During mechanical ventilation (MV), pulmonary shunt is cardiac output (CO) dependent; however, whether this relationship is valid during unsupported spontaneous breathing (SB) is unknown. The CO dependency of the calculated venous admixture was investigated, with both minor and major shunt, during unsupported SB, MV, and SB with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Methods:

In seven anesthetized supine piglets breathing 100% oxygen, unsupported SB, MV (with tidal volume and respiratory rate corresponding to SB), and 8 cm H2O CPAP (airway pressure corresponding to MV) were applied at random. Venous return and CO were reduced by partial balloon occlusion of the inferior vena cava. Measurements were repeated with the left main bronchus blocked, creating a nonrecruitable pulmonary shunt.

Results:

CO decreased from 4.2 l/min (95% CI, 3.9–4.5) to 2.5 l/min (95% CI, 2.2–2.7) with partially occluded venous return. Irrespective of whether shunt was minor or major, during unsupported SB, venous admixture was independent of CO (slope: minor shunt, 0.5; major shunt, 1.1%·min−1·l−1) and mixed venous oxygen tension. During both MV and CPAP, venous admixture was dependent on CO (slope MV: minor shunt, 1.9; major shunt, 3.5; CPAP: minor shunt, 1.3; major shunt, 2.9%·min−1·l−1) and mixed-venous oxygen tension (coefficient of determination 0.61–0.86 for all regressions).

Conclusions:

In contrast to MV and CPAP, venous admixture was independent of CO during unsupported SB, and was unaffected by mixed-venous oxygen tension, casting doubt on the role of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in pulmonary blood flow redistribution during unsupported SB.
A simple blood-culture bacterial pellet preparation for faster accurate direct bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing with the VITEK 2 system
Authors: Prod’hom Guy , Durussel Christian , Greub Gilbert
Published: January 2013

An ammonium chloride procedure was used to prepare a bacterial pellet from positive blood cultures, which was used for direct inoculation of VITEK 2 cards. Correct identification reached 99 % for Enterobacteriaceae and 74 % for staphylococci. For antibiotic susceptibility testing, very major and major errors were 0.1 and 0.3 % for Enterobacteriaceae, and 0.7 and 0.1 % for staphylococci, respectively. Thus, bacterial pellets prepared with ammonium chloride allow direct inoculation of VITEK cards with excellent accuracy for Enterobacteriaceae and a lower accuracy for staphylococci.
Antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of iron chelators against Prevotella intermedia
Authors: Moon Ji-Hoi , Kim Cheul , Lee Hee-Su , Kim Sung-Woon , Lee Jin-Yong
Published: January 2013

Prevotella intermedia, a major periodontopathogen, has been shown to be resistant to many antibiotics. In the present study, we examined the effect of the FDA-approved iron chelators deferoxamine (DFO) and deferasirox (DFRA) against planktonic and biofilm cells ofP. intermediain order to evaluate the possibility of using these iron chelators as alternative control agents againstP. intermedia. DFRA showed strong antimicrobial activity (MIC and MBC values of 0.16 mg ml−1) against planktonicP. intermedia. At subMICs, DFRA partially inhibited the bacterial growth and considerably prolonged the bacterial doubling time. DFO was unable to completely inhibit the bacterial growth in the concentration range tested and was not bactericidal. Crystal violet binding assay for the assessment of biofilm formation byP. intermediashowed that DFRA significantly decreased the biofilm-forming activity as well as the biofilm formation, while DFO was less effective. DFRA was chosen for further study. In the ATP-bioluminescent assay, which reflects viable cell counts, subMICs of DFRA significantly decreased the bioactivity of biofilms in a concentration-dependent manner. Under the scanning electron microscope,P. intermediacells in DFRA-treated biofilm were significantly elongated compared to those in untreated biofilm. Further experiments are necessary to show that iron chelators may be used as a therapeutic agent for periodontal disease.
Natural Variation of Arabidopsis Root Architecture Reveals Complementing Adaptive Strategies to Potassium Starvation
Authors: Kellermeier Fabian , Chardon Fabien , Amtmann Anna
Published: January 2013

Root architecture is a highly plastic and environmentally responsive trait that enables plants to counteract nutrient scarcities with different foraging strategies. In potassium (K) deficiency (low K), seedlings of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) reference accession Columbia (Col-0) show a strong reduction of lateral root elongation. To date, it is not clear whether this is a direct consequence of the lack of K as an osmoticum or a triggered response to maintain the growth of other organs under limiting conditions. In this study, we made use of natural variation within Arabidopsis to look for novel root architectural responses to low K. A comprehensive set of 14 differentially responding root parameters were quantified in K-starved and K-replete plants. We identified a phenotypic gradient that links two extreme strategies of morphological adaptation to low K arising from a major tradeoff between main root (MR) and lateral root elongation. Accessions adopting strategy I (e.g. Col-0) maintained MR growth but compromised lateral root elongation, whereas strategy II genotypes (e.g. Catania-1) arrested MR elongation in favor of lateral branching. K resupply and histochemical staining resolved the temporal and spatial patterns of these responses. Quantitative trait locus analysis of K-dependent root architectures within a Col-0 × Catania-1 recombinant inbred line population identified several loci each of which determined a particular subset of root architectural parameters. Our results indicate the existence of genomic hubs in the coordinated control of root growth in stress conditions and provide resources to facilitate the identification of the underlying genes.
4-(1-Methylethyl)-N-((E)-4-{[1-(prop-2-en-1-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]methoxy}benzylidene)aniline
Authors: Akkurt Mehmet , Jarrahpour Aliasghar , Chermahini Mehdi Mohammadi , Shiri Pezhman , Tahir Muhammad Nawaz
Published: January 2013

In the title compound, C22H24N4O, the terminal and central benzene rings make dihedral angles of 52.7 (3) and 43.8 (2)°, respectively, with the triazole ring. The dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 8.9 (2)°. The crystal structure features C—H...π interactions. The atoms of the terminal propenyl group are disordered over two sets of sites, with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.714 (14):0.286 (14).
3-[2-(5-tert-Butyl-1,2-oxazol-3-yl)hydrazinylidene]chroman-2,4-dione
Authors: Jashari Ahmed , Popovski Emil , Mikhova Bozhana , Nikolova Rositsa P. , Shivachev Boris L.
Published: January 2013

In the title compound, C16H15N3O4, the dihedral angle between the chromane and isoxazole rings [r.m.s. deviations = 0.042 and 0.007 Å, respectively] is 20.33 (12)°. The molecular geometry is stabilized by an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond. In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds generate chains along thec-axis direction. The crystal studied was a non-morohedral twin.
2-Chloro-8,8-dimethyl-8,9-dihydro-7H-chromeno[2,3-b]quinoline-10,12-dione
Authors: Srinivasan Thothadri , Yuvaraj Panneerselvam , Reddy Boreddy S. R. , Velmurugan Devadasan
Published: January 2013

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C18H14ClNO3, contains two independent molecules (AandB). In both molecules, the cyclohexanone ring has a chair conformation. The dihedral angles between the pyran ring and the pyridine and chlorophenyl rings are 2.13 (9) and 2.19 (9)°, respectively, inA, and 0.82 (9) and 1.93 (9)°, respectively, inB. The carbonyl O atoms deviate from the pyran and benzene rings to which they are attached by −0.092 (2) and 0.064 (2) Å, respectively, inA, and by −0.080 (2) and −0.063 (2) Å, respectively, inB. In the crystal, theAmolecules are linkedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming double-stranded chains along [100]. They lie parallel to the double-stranded chains formed by theBmolecules, which are also linkedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds. The chains stack up thecaxis in an –A–A–B–B–A–A– manner, with a number of π–π interactions involvingAandBmolecules; the centroid–centroid distances vary from 3.4862 (11) to 3.6848 (11) Å
Dichlorido(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline-κ2N,N′)mercury(II)
Authors: Warad Ismail , Al-Noaimi Mousa , Haddad Salim F. , Othman Rema
Published: January 2013

The title compound, [HgCl2(C14H12N2)], consists of one 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmphen) ligand chelating the HgIIion and two chloride ligands coordinating to the HgIIion, forming a distorted tetrahedral environment. The dmphen ligand is nearly planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0225 Å). The dihedral angle between the normal to the plane defined by the HgIIatom and the two Cl atoms and the normal to the plane of the dmphen ring is 81.8 (1)°.
(6bS*,14R*,14aR*)-Methyl 14-(4-methylphenyl)-7-oxo-6b,6c,7,12b,14,14a-hexahydro-1H-pyrano[3,2-c:5,4-c′]dichromene-14a-carboxylate
Authors: Ponnusamy R. , Sabari V. , Sivakumar G. , Bakthadoss M. , Aravindhan S.
Published: January 2013

In the title compound, C28H22O6, the chromeno ring system is almost planar, with a dihedral angle between the mean planes of the pyran and benzene rings of 1.87 (8)°. The pyran ring bearing the methylphenyl substituent has a half-chair conformation while the other pyran ring has an envelope conformation with the tetrasubstituted C atom as the flap. The benzene ring of the chromeno ring system is inclined to the benzene ring fused to the latter pyran ring by 74.66 (9)°. These aromatic rings are inclined to the 4-methylphenyl ring by 52.67 (9) and 66.63 (10)°, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to thebcplane.
Dichlorido{N′-[phenyl(pyridin-2-yl-κN)methylidene]isonicotinohydrazide-κ2N′,O}zinc
Authors: Sy Adama , Dieng Moussa , Thiam Ibrahima Elhadj , Gaye Mohamed , Retailleau Pascal
Published: January 2013

The title compound, [ZnCl2(C18H14N4O)], crystallizes with two molecules in the asymmetric unit, which differ in the tautomeric (neutral and zwitterionic) forms of the coordinating organic ligand. In both molecules, the ZnIIatom adopts a distorted square–pyramidal geometry by two N and one O atoms of the Schiff base ligand and two Cl atoms acting as monodentate chloride anions. The crystal packing is stabilized by N—H...N and N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to theacplane.
Fungal biotransformation of zinc silicate and sulfide mineral ores
Authors: Wei Zhan , Liang Xinjin , Pendlowski Helen , Hillier Stephen , Suntornvongsagul Kallaya , Sihanonth Prakitsin , Gadd Geoffrey Michael
Published: January 2013

In this work, several fungi with geoactive properties, including Aspergillus niger, Beauveria caledonica and Serpula himantioides, were used to investigate their potential bioweathering effects on zinc silicate and zinc sulfide ores used in zinc extraction and smelting, to gain understanding of the roles that fungi may play in transformations of such minerals in the soil, and effects on metal mobility. Despite the recalcitrance of these minerals, new biominerals resulted from fungal interactions with both the silicate and the sulfide, largely resulting from organic acid excretion. Zinc oxalate dihydrate was formed through oxalate excretion by the test fungi and the mineral surfaces showed varying patterns of bioweathering and biomineral formation. In addition, calcium oxalate was formed from the calcium present in the mineral ore fractions, as well as calcite. Such metal immobilization may indicate that the significance of fungi in effecting metal mobilization from mineral ores such as zinc silicate and zinc sulfide is rather limited, especially if compared with bacterial sulfide leaching. Nevertheless, important bioweathering activities of fungi are confirmed which could be of local significance in soils polluted by such materials, as well as in the mycorrhizosphere.
Preconception health care and congenital disorders: mathematical modelling of the impact of a preconception care programme on congenital disorders
Authors: Shannon GD , Alberg C , Nacul L , Pashayan N
Published: January 2013

Objective

This study aims to model the impact of preconception care on births with congenital disorders at a national level.

Design

Mathematical cross‐sectional model based on life‐table methodology.

Setting

Research conducted in Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Population

Women aged 15–45 years in England, 2001.

Methods

A mathematical model was constructed based on cross‐sectional data from women aged 15–45 years in England undertaking one of three interventions, so as to reflect different strategies of preconception care: folic acid supplementation and fortification (representing national, universal interventions); alcohol intervention (reflecting primary care strategies); and diabetes management (targeting a population of high‐risk women with a known chronic disease).

Main outcome measure

Reduction in the prevalence of congenital disorders at birth.

Results

Between 585 (lower estimate) and 1085 (upper estimate) congenital disorders could be prevented with a national preconception programme, based on a single‐year national cohort in England. This represents an 8–15% reduction in annual notifications of congenital disorders in live births annually. According to modelled estimates, folic acid fortification or supplementation, alcohol intervention, and diabetic management may result in a 46, 32–62, 53, and 54% reduction in the live birth prevalence of specific congenital disorders, respectively. In an ideal scenario, the application of this model decreases the total annual number of congenital disorder notifications by approximately one‐sixth.

Conclusion

A preconception care programme comprising three different strategies potentially can reduce the number of infants born with congenital disorders at a national level. This model provides strong support for preconception care to become a healthcare priority, and has major implications for healthcare planning.
Cost‐effectiveness of tubal patency tests
Authors: Verhoeve HR , Moolenaar LM , Hompes P , van der Veen F , Mol BWJ
Published: January 2013

Objective

Guidelines are not in agreement on the most effective diagnostic scenario for tubal patency testing; therefore, we evaluated the cost‐effectiveness of invasive tubal testing in subfertile couples compared with no testing and treatment.

Design

Cost‐effectiveness analysis.

Setting

Decision analytic framework.

Population

Computer‐simulated cohort of subfertile women.

Methods

We evaluated six scenarios: (1) no tests and no treatment; (2) immediate treatment without tubal testing; (3) delayed treatment without tubal testing; (4) hysterosalpingogram (HSG), followed by immediate or delayed treatment, according to diagnosis (tailored treatment); (5) HSG and a diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) in case HSG does not prove tubal patency, followed by tailored treatment; and (6) DL followed by tailored treatment.

Main outcome measures

Expected cumulative live births after 3 years. Secondary outcomes were cost per couple and the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio.

Results

For a 30–year‐old woman with otherwise unexplained subfertility for 12 months, 3–year cumulative live birth rates were 51.8, 78.1, 78.4, 78.4, 78.6 and 78.4%, and costs per couple were €0, €6968, €5063, €5410, €5405 and €6163 for scenarios 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios compared with scenario 1 (reference strategy), were €26,541, €19,046, €20,372, €20,150 and €23,184 for scenarios 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively. Sensitivity analysis showed the model to be robust over a wide range of values for the variables.

Conclusions

The most cost‐effective scenario is to perform no diagnostic tubal tests and to delay in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment for at least 12 months for women younger than 38 years old, and to perform no tubal tests and start immediate IVF treatment from the age of 39 years. If an invasive diagnostic test is planned, HSG followed by tailored treatment, or a DL if HSG shows no tubal patency, is more cost‐effective than DL.
Can changes in angiogenic biomarkers between the first and second trimesters of pregnancy predict development of pre‐eclampsia in a low‐risk nulliparous patient population?
Authors: Myatt L , Clifton RG , Roberts JM , Spong CY , Wapner RJ , Thorp JM , Mercer BM , Peaceman AM , Ramin SM , Carpenter MW , Sciscione A , Tolosa JE , Saade G , Sorokin Y , Anderson GD ,   for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal–Fetal Medicine Units Network
Published: January 2013

Objective

To determine if change in maternal angiogenic biomarkers between the first and second trimesters predicts pre‐eclampsia in low‐risk nulliparous women.

Design

A nested case–control study of change in maternal plasma soluble Flt‐1 (sFlt‐1), soluble endoglin (sEng) and placenta growth factor (PlGF). We studied 158 pregnancies complicated by pre‐eclampsia and 468 normotensive nonproteinuric controls.

Setting

A multicentre study in 16 academic medical centres in the USA.

Population

Low‐risk nulliparous women.

Methods

Luminex assays for PlGF, sFlt‐1 and sEng performed on maternal EDTA plasma collected at 9–12, 15–18 and 23–26 weeks of gestation. Rate of change of analyte between first and either early or late second trimester was calculated with and without adjustment for baseline clinical characteristics.

Main outcome measures

Change in PlGF, sFlt‐1 and sEng.

Results

Rates of change of PlGF, sEng and sFlt‐1 between first and either early or late second trimesters were significantly different in women who developed pre‐eclampsia, severe pre‐eclampsia or early‐onset pre‐eclampsia compared with women who remained normotensive. Inclusion of clinical characteristics (race, body mass index and blood pressure at entry) increased sensitivity for detecting severe and particularly early‐onset pre‐eclampsia but not pre‐eclampsia overall. Receiver operating characteristics curves for change from first to early second trimester in sEng, PlGF and sFlt‐1 with clinical characteristics had areas under the curve of 0.88, 0.84 and 0.86, respectively, and for early‐onset pre‐eclampsia with sensitivities of 88% (95% CI 64–99), 77% (95% CI 50–93) and 77% (95% CI 50–93) for 80% specificity, respectively. Similar results were seen in the change from first to late second trimester.

Conclusion

Change in angiogenic biomarkers between first and early second trimester combined with clinical characteristics has strong utility for predicting early‐onset pre‐eclampsia.
Meeting the challenge of interpreting high‐resolution single nucleotide polymorphism array data in prenatal diagnosis: does increased diagnostic power outweigh the dilemma of rare variants?
Authors: Ganesamoorthy D , Bruno DL , McGillivray G , Norris F , White SM , Adroub S , Amor DJ , Yeung A , Oertel R , Pertile MD , Ngo C , Arvaj AR , Walker S , Charan P , Palma‐Dias R , Woodrow N , Slater HR
Published: January 2013

Objective

Several studies have already shown the superiority of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) compared with conventional karyotyping for prenatal investigation of fetal ultrasound abnormality. This study used very high‐resolution single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays to determine the impact on detection rates of all clinical categories of copy number variations (CNVs), and address the issue of interpreting and communicating findings of uncertain or unknown clinical significance, which are to be expected at higher frequency when using very high‐resolution CMA.

Design

Prospective validation study.

Setting

Tertiary clinical genetics centre.

Population

Women referred for further investigation of fetal ultrasound anomaly.

Methods

We prospectively tested 104 prenatal samples using both conventional karyotyping and high‐resolution arrays.

Main outcome measures

The detection rates for each clinical category of CNV.

Results

Unequivocal pathogenic CNVs were found in six cases, including one with uniparental disomy (paternal UPD 14). A further four cases had a ‘likely pathogenic’ finding. Overall, CMA improved the detection of ‘pathogenic’ and ‘likely pathogenic’ abnormalities from 2.9% (3/104) to 9.6% (10/104). CNVs of ‘unknown’ clinical significance that presented interpretational difficulties beyond results from parental investigations were detected in 6.7% (7/104) of samples.

Conclusions

Increased detection sensitivity appears to be the main benefit of high‐resolution CMA. Despite this, in this cohort there was no significant benefit in terms of improving detection of small pathogenic CNVs. A potential disadvantage is the high detection rate of CNVs of ‘unknown’ clinical significance. These findings emphasise the importance of establishing an evidence‐based policy for the interpretation and reporting of CNVs, and the need to provide appropriate pre‐ and post‐test counselling.
Quantifying the Economic Return to Participatory Extension Programmes in Ireland: an Endogenous Switching Regression Analysis
Authors: Läpple Doris , Hennessy Thia , Newman Carol
Published: January 2013

This article examines the effectiveness of a government funded extension programme. Farm‐level data are used to assess the economic impact of dairy discussion groups, a common participatory extension method. The evaluation focuses on whether discussion group participants have improved farm profits, which is estimated with an endogenous switching regression model. This method controls for self‐selection bias due to unobserved characteristics, such as the farmer’s ability, that may affect both participation and farm profitability. After controlling for this potential bias, we find that the economic returns to discussion group membership are positive, thus supporting government targets to enrol more farmers in discussion groups.