bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decentralisation and poverty reduction in Africa: the politics of local–central relations
Authors: Crook Richard C.
Published: February 2003

Decentralisation advocates argue that decentralised governments are more responsive to the needs of the poor than central governments and thus are more likely to conceive and implement pro‐poor policies. Recent evidence from a selected group of sub‐Saharan African countries is reviewed in a comparative framework that highlights factors associated with success in poverty reduction. It is argued that the degree of responsiveness to the poor and the extent to which there is an impact on poverty are determined primarily by the politics of local–central relations and the general regime context—particularly the ideological commitment of central political authorities to poverty reduction. In most of the cases, ‘elite capture’ of local power structures has been facilitated by the desire of ruling elites to create and sustain power bases in the countryside. Popular perceptions of the logic of patronage politics, combined with weak accountability mechanisms, have reinforced this outcome. The conclusion from these African cases is that decentralisation has not empowered challenges to local elites who are resistant or indifferent to pro‐poor policies. Thus, decentralisation is unlikely to lead to more pro‐poor outcomes without a serious effort to strengthen and broaden accountability mechanisms at both local and national levels. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of external assistance in supporting decentralisation reform
Authors: Romeo Leonardo G.
Published: February 2003

A paradigm linking public sector decentralisation reforms to poverty reduction via improved local governance and development has provided the rationale for donor support of decentralisation and parallel efforts to build local government capacity. This article briefly considers the paradigm and reviews modalities of external aid to decentralisation, highlighting key limitations and contradictions. In spite of much rhetoric, decentralisation remains marginalised in a donor‐government policy dialogue dominated by macro‐economic and sectoral issues. Compartmentalisation within major aid organisations of the expertise and responsibilities to support administrative reforms, sectoral assistance programmes and community development projects, produces fragmented and competing interventions that do not address and even retard the systemic changes needed to advance decentralisation. New and more effective partnership arrangements between decentralising governments and their external partners are necessary to link ‘downstream’ assistance to local governments to ‘upstream’ development of the national decentralisation reform framework and to help manage a gradual and strategic approach to implementation of the reforms. Donor support to ‘decentralisation policy experiments’ may provide a new model for policy dialogue and the basis for building more effective partnerships. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decentralisation and local governance: experiences from Francophone West africa
Authors: Ouedraogo Hubert M. G.
Published: February 2003

Since the 1980s, decentralisation has become a key development theme in Francophone West Africa for various reasons. Perhaps most significant is the great dissatisfaction with centralised approaches of the past. Despite the heavy interest in decentralisation, however, progress of implementation has been rather slow and problematic. Except in Senegal, decentralisation is a relatively new phenomenon in Francophone West Africa and even there the decentralisation process is far from complete. Other more recently decentralising countries have taken very different paths. Burkina Faso, for example, is gradually phasing in decentralisation in the rural areas, while Mali created local governments across the entire country simultaneously. Such differences in approach can be a justifiable response to variations in the political and social climate across countries. One factor that has been uniformly given inadequate attention in decentralisation efforts is the role of traditional local institutions and how they respond to the introduction of new local institutions. This and other aspects of decentralisation in Francophone West Africa require further careful study if policymakers are to better understand how to design and implement more effective and sustainable decentralised systems. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The challenges of implementing decentralisation: recent experiences in Uganda
Authors: Onyach‐Olaa Martin
Published: February 2003

Decentralisation, which began in Uganda in 1993, has increased opportunities for citizens to democratically determine how they should be governed and to make choices regarding the type and quality of public services they want. Citizens are now empowered to elect on a periodic basis persons whom they think can serve their interests on local councils. These changes have caused a major realignment in central–local relations. Some of the most important reforms have been led by the District Development Programme and the Local Government Development Programme, which are a focus of this article. Since the process began, numerous achievements have been realised in terms of improving governance and service delivery through democratic participation and community involvement. Despite these achievements, Uganda still faces a number of major challenges in deepening and institutionalising decentralisation. These challenges include, among others, technical capacity deficiencies in local governments and tensions among key stakeholders competing to maximise their role in decentralisation. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decentralisation in Zimbabwe: a local perspective
Authors: Conyers Diana
Published: February 2003

Although decentralisation has been on the Government of Zimbabwe's agenda since the early 1980s and there have been several structural reforms, little effective power has been decentralised. This article describes Zimbabwe's various decentralisation efforts and effects including fiscal decentralisation, sectoral decentralisation, local political and institutional structures and local economic development and poverty reduction, and analyses their impact in Binga District, which is one of the poorest parts of the country. A number of conclusions are drawn from this experience. Firstly, decentralisation is part of a wider process of national political and economic change and cannot be planned independently; moreover, decentralisation for the ‘wrong’ reasons can be worse than no decentralisation at all and, if the political environment is not ‘right’, the problems of decentralisation can be exacerbated by external funding agencies. Secondly, decentralisation must be accompanied by capacity building, and the capacity of local institutions depends to a significant extent on the individuals involved. Thirdly, decentralisation must be seen as a ‘learning process’; consequently, despite the relatively little effective decentralisation to date, those involved have learnt valuable lessons. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis of dilated coronary sinus with persistent left superior vena cava in a fetus with trisomy 18
Authors: Kalache Karim D. , Romero Roberto , Conoscenti Giancarlo , Qureshi Faisal , Jacques Suzanne M. , Chaiworapongsa Tinnakorn , Treadwell Marjorie , Johnson Anthony
Published: February 2003

A case of dilated coronary sinus with persistent left superior vena cava diagnosed at 33 weeks in a fetus with trisomy 18 is reported. The features of this cardiac anomaly on prenatal ultrasonography and its association with trisomy 18 are discussed. Published in 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of maternal carbohydrate intake on fetal movements at 14 to 16 weeks of gestation
Authors: Goldstein Israel , Makhoul Imad R. , Nisman Daniel , Tamir Ada , Escalante Gerardo , Itskovitz‐Eldor Joseph
Published: February 2003

Objective

Ultrasonographic assessment of fetal movements at 14 to 16 weeks of gestation before and after maternal oral intake of carbohydrate.

Design

Thirty consecutive healthy pregnant women between 14 and 16 weeks of gestation were scanned transvaginally. Real‐time ultrasound recordings of 20 min duration were performed in the fasting state and after an oral intake of 110 g of glucose. The number of fetal movements, body and limb movements and breathing movements were evaluated. Fetal movements were quantified using a digital chronometer, and the percentage of time spent moving and the rate of movements per minute were then calculated. Data was statistically analyzed using the simple and Wilcoxon paired t‐test.

Results

Absolute number of fetal movements, body movements, rotation movements, time spent moving and rate of movements per minute showed a statistically significant increase after maternal intake of carbohydrate (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Maternal oral intake of 110 g of carbohydrate significantly increases fetal movements at 14 to 16 weeks of gestation, thus allowing better ultrasonographic viewing of the fetus. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intrauterine brain teratoma: a case report of imaging (US, MRI) with neuropathologic correlations
Authors: Mazouni Chafika , Porcu‐Buisson Géraldine , Girard Nadine , Sakr R. , Figarella‐Ballanger Dominique , Guidicelli Béatrice , Bonnier Pascal , Gamerre Marc
Published: February 2003

Fetal brain tumors are rare and teratoma is considered as the most common. Fetal MR Imaging is currently used to evaluate cases of ventricular dilatation. We report a case of cerebral immature teratoma detected by ultrasonography because of ventricular dilatation at 24 gestational weeks. MRI was the more accurate imaging method in depicting the tumor and its consequences on brain development as well as in taking a decision with regard to the management of pregnancy. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal serum marker medians in Aboriginal Canadian women
Authors: Huang Tianhua , Summers Anne M. , Wyatt Philip R. , Meier Chris , Côté Gilbert B.
Published: February 2003

Objectives

The study evaluates the differences between Aboriginal and Caucasian women in the levels of maternal serum markers used in second‐trimester Down syndrome screening (alpha‐fetoprotein, unconjugated estriol, and total human chorionic gonadotrophin).

Methods

A case‐control study compared the levels of serum markers in 401 Aboriginal women and 1565 matched controls selected from 7717 Caucasian women. The cases and controls were screened in a single centre and matched for maternal age, parity, and sample date. Women with multiple pregnancies and pregnancies associated with Down syndrome, open neural tube defects, trisomy 18, and insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus as well as women without weight recorded were excluded from the study.

Results

No differences in the levels of maternal serum alpha‐fetoprotein and total human chorionic gonadotrophin were observed between the two groups. Maternal serum unconjugated estriol was 12% higher in Aboriginal women.

Discussion

Since Aboriginal women make up only a small proportion of women screened, correcting the level of uE3 for this group will have little effect on the overall screening performance. However, if these results are confirmed by further study, individual centres may consider making this correction, so optimal screening performance can be achieved in Aboriginal women. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tetrasomy 12p—unusual presentation in CVS
Authors: Dong L. , Falk R. E. , Williams J. , Kohan M. , Schreck R. R.
Published: February 2003

CVS direct preparations usually achieve limited resolution and are better at detecting numerical rather than structural abnormalities. A CVS direct preparation analyzed using G‐banding revealed a 47,XY,+G karyotype in 5 of 11 cells and was reported as mosaic for trisomy 21. Subsequent analysis of the CVS culture found only normal male cells. Amniocentesis revealed both normal male cells and cells with an extra F‐group chromosome. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) identified this chromosome to be an isochromosome from the short arm of chromosome 12 [i(12)(p10)]. The amniocyte karyotype was reported as 47,XY,+i(12)(p10)[12]/46,XY[8].ish i(12)(p10)(wcp12+), which is associated with Pallister–Killian syndrome. Reexamination of the CVS direct preparation by FISH with a chromosome 12 centromere probe confirmed the karyotype of this tissue to be 47,XY,+mar[5]/46,XY[6].nuc ish 12cen(D12Z3 × 3)/12cen(D12Z3 × 2). Thus, multiple studies, including amniocentesis and fluorescence in situ hybridization, may be required to fully and accurately evaluate abnormalities detected by CVS. This case also indicates that mosaicism for supernumerary isochromosomes may have a complex origin. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Circulating trophoblast in maternal blood
Authors: Oudejans Cees B. M. , Tjoa May Lee , Westerman Bart A. , Mulders Monique A. M. , Van Wijk Inge J. , Van Vugt John M. G.
Published: February 2003

This review describes the status of circulating trophoblast, but is considered in the perspective that only a specific subset of trophoblast cells circulates in the maternal blood. The consequences for isolation, identification and clinical potential are described. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antenatal detection of a single umbilical artery: does it matter?
Authors: Gornall A. S. , Kurinczuk J. J. , Konje J. C.
Published: February 2003

The presence of a single umbilical artery is recognised as a soft marker for congenital anomalies, aneuploidy, earlier delivery and low birthweight. Most of the available data are derived from case series or highly selected populations and are therefore likely to be unrepresentative. In this retrospective case‐comparison study, we firstly aimed to determine the incidence of a single umbilical artery in an unselected population and secondly to examine the clinical significance of this soft marker. Over a 40‐month period, 107 cases were identified from a cohort of 35 066 births giving an incidence of 3.1 per 1000 total births and late pregnancy losses. The antenatal detection rate was only 30%. Compared to fetuses with normal cord vasculature, fetuses with a single umbilical artery were more likely to be delivered at an earlier gestation and to weigh less, were 1.7 times more likely to be delivered by a Caesarean section and 19% of the cases had a congenital anomaly. The perinatal mortality was 49.0 per 1000 total births, which was 6 times higher than the background hospital rate. The presence of a single umbilical artery is associated with a poorer perinatal outcome compared to that in fetuses with three vessels in the cord. Unfortunately, the antenatal detection rate is poor. Recognising the importance of this soft marker in counselling and management of pregnancies should provide the stimulus to improve detection rates. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal supraventricular tachycardia: a role for amiodarone as second‐line therapy?
Authors: Jouannic Jean‐Marie , Delahaye Sophie , Fermont Laurent , Le Bidois Jérôme , Villain Elisabeth , Dumez Yves , Dommergues Marc
Published: February 2003

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of amiodarone for the prenatal treatment of hydropic fetuses with supraventricular tachycardia.

Methods

A group of 26 hydropic fetuses with supraventricular tachycardia was studied retrospectively.

Results

Twenty‐five fetuses received transplacental treatment. The overall prenatal conversion rate was 60%. Nine fetuses were converted to sinus rhythm using either flecainide (n = 7) or amiodarone (n = 2) as first line therapy, whilst digoxin alone or in association with sotalol failed to restore sinus rhythm in all cases. After first‐line therapy, supraventricular tachycardia persisted in 10 fetuses. Nine fetuses received amiodarone alone or in association with digoxin as second‐line therapy, five of whom were converted to sinus rhythm. Among the 11 live neonates treated by amiodarone in utero, 2 (17%) presented an elevated thyroid stimulating hormone at day 3–4. These two infants received thyroid hormone substitution therapy and had a normal outcome.

Conclusion

When first‐line therapy fails to restore sinus rhythm in hydropic fetuses with supraventricular tachycardia, amiodarone therapy should be considered as it allows a substantial number of fetuses to be converted prenatally. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis of occipital encephalocele, mega‐cisterna magna, mesomelic shortening, and clubfeet associated with pure tetrasomy 20p
Authors: Wu Yi‐Cheng , Fang Jye Siung , Lee Kuei‐Fang , Estipona Judy , Yang Man‐Li , Yuan Chiou‐Chung
Published: February 2003

We present the first case of a fetus with pure tetrasomy 20p proven by cord‐blood sampling at 24 weeks of gestation. This case was diagnosed in utero with multiple congenital anomalies including occipital encephalocele, mega‐cisterna magna, mesomelic shortening, and clubfeet. An analysis of GTG‐banded chromosomes of 20 metaphase cells was performed. Female karyotype [47,XX, +i(20)(p10)] was revealed in all cells. Pure tetrasomy 20p was confirmed using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with a telomere probe for chromosome 20p in all seven metaphase cells. The pregnancy was terminated because of associated multiple anomalies and severe oligohydramnios. The postmortem examination confirmed the prenatal diagnosis. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First‐trimester maternal serum PAPP‐A, SP1 and M‐CSF levels in normal and trisomic twin pregnancies
Authors: Bersinger N. A. , Noble P. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: February 2003

Objective

To study PAPP‐A and SP1 for biochemical trisomy screening in twin pregnancies and to investigate the role of maternal and placental compartments in marker production by comparing the levels of the decidual cytokine M‐CSF with the PAPP‐A and SP1 from the placenta.

Methods

Thirteen twin pregnancies with at least one chromosomally abnormal fetus were compared with 68 normal twin pregnancies. Sera were obtained between 11 + 3 and 13 + 6 weeks of gestation, and PAPP‐A, SP1 and M‐CSF levels were determined by immunoassay. These concentrations were also compared with gestation‐matched groups of 18 singleton normal pregnancies and 18 singleton Down syndrome pregnancies.

Results

PAPP‐A and SP1, but not M‐CSF, levels were higher in normal twin pregnancy than in normal singleton pregnancy. SP1 levels, but not PAPP‐A, correlated to M‐CSF. PAPP‐A, but not SP1, levels were reduced in abnormal twin pregnancies, with an increasing effect according to the number of affected fetuses, and were more pronounced in pregnancies with trisomy 18 or 13 than in trisomy 21 fetuses. M‐CSF was inconsistent, with a trend towards increased levels in trisomy 21.

Conclusion

PAPP‐A remains the best biochemical screening marker for fetal trisomies 21, 18 or 13, in singleton as well as in twin pregnancy. In contrast to SP1, its site of production is not likely to be restricted to the placenta. The role of the (maternally produced) M‐CSF remains to be further investigated. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Case report: a prenatal case of Jarcho–Levin syndrome diagnosed during the first trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Kauffmann Edouard , Roman Horatiu , Barau Georges , Dumas Hervé , Laffitte Annick , Fourmaintraux Alain , Bintner Marc , Randrianaivo Hanitra
Published: February 2003

The Jarcho–Levin syndrome is a specific form of spondylocostal/spondylothoracic dysostosis. There have been various classifications of this syndrome. We present the case of a severe prenatal Jarcho–Levin syndrome, diagnosed by ultrasound examination during the first trimester of pregnancy in a family with no previous medical history of an affected child. X‐ray exploration, high‐resolution spiral computed tomography and autopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis of holoprosencephaly in two fetuses with der (7)t(1;7)(q32;q32)pat inherited from the father with double translocations
Authors: Chuang Louise , Kuo Pao‐Lin , Yang Hsiao‐Bai , Chien Chung‐Ho , Chen Pei‐Yi , Chang Chiung‐Hsin , Chang Fong‐Ming
Published: February 2003

The presence of two independent translocations in one person is rare. Herein, we report the prenatal diagnosis of two sibling fetuses with holoprosencephaly, whose father is a carrier of double translocations. The karyotype of the father is 46,XY, t(1;7) (q32;q32), t(14,15) (q32.1;q26.3). The two fetuses had variable facial dysmorphisms and identical cytogenetic abnormality—a derivative (7) t(1;7) (q32;q32) inherited from the father. The proband 1 showed a small mouth, a single median eye and a proboscis above the eye, while the proband 2 showed hypotelorism, a flat nose, cleft lip and cleft palate. Both fetuses also had alobar holoprosencephaly. Haploinsufficiency of the sonic hedgehog gene at 7q36 does account for the occurrence of holoprosencephaly in the two fetuses with a deletion of distal 7q (7q32 → qter). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis of a small supernumerary, XIST‐negative, mosaic ring X chromosome identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization in an abnormal male fetus
Authors: Le Caignec C. , Boceno M. , Joubert M. , Winer N. , Aubron F. , Fallet‐Bianco C. , Rival J. M.
Published: February 2003

Marker or ring X [r(X)] chromosomes of varying size are often found in patients with Turner syndrome. Patients with very small r(X) chromosomes that did not include the X‐inactivation locus (XIST) have been described with a more severe phenotype. Small r(X) chromosomes are rare in males and there are only five previous reports of such cases. We report the identification of a small supernumerary X chromosome in an abnormal male fetus. Cytogenetic analysis from chorionic villus sampling was performed because of fetal nuchal translucency thickness and it showed mosaicism 46,XY/47,XY,+r(X)/48,XY,+r(X),+r(X). Fluorescence in situ hybridizations (FISH) showed the marker to be of X‐chromosome origin and not to contain the XIST locus. Additional specific probes showed that the r(X) included a euchromatic region in proximal Xq. At 20 weeks gestation, a second ultrasound examination revealed cerebral abnormalities. After genetic counselling, the pregnancy was terminated. The fetus we describe is the first male with a mosaic XIST‐negative r(X) chromosome identified at prenatal diagnosis. The phenotype we observed was probably the result of functional disomy of the genes in the r(X) chromosome, secondary to loss of the XIST locus. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatally detected trisomy 4 and 6 mosaicism—cytogenetic results and clinical phenotype
Authors: Wieczorek Dagmar , Prott Eva C. , Robinson Wendy P. , Passarge Eberhard , Gillessen‐Kaesbach Gabriele
Published: February 2003

We report on a live‐born male with 46,XY/47,XY+4/47,XY,+6 mosaicism. Trisomy 4 mosaicism was detected by karyotyping chorionic villus samples (CVS) and was confirmed by the analysis of 16 metaphases obtained from cultured amniotic fluid cells. Eight metaphases were normal (46,XY), two had trisomy 4 (47,XY,+4), and two had trisomy 6 (47,XY,+6). Two postnatal chromosomal analyses of blood lymphocytes at birth and at the age of one week were normal. Chromosomal analysis of cultured skin fibroblasts from the right inguinal region at the age of 12 months revealed trisomy 4 (47,XY,+4) in 49 metaphases, trisomy 6 (47,XY,+6) in 2 metaphases, and a normal karyotype (46,XY) in 49 cells of the 100 analyzed metaphases, respectively. The main clinical findings consist of prenatal growth retardation, hypoplasia of the right side of the face, a dysplastic and posteriorly rotated right ear, a high vaulted palate, retrognathia, aplasia of the right thumb, hypoplasia of the fingernails, a deep sacral dimple, and patchy skin hypopigmentation of the right leg. When last seen at the age of 14 months, his development was nearly normal. Five patients with trisomy 4 mosaicism have been reported previously, but none with an additional trisomy 6 mosaicism. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome using quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization on interphase nuclei
Authors: Truong Khuong , Gibaud Anne , Dupont Jean‐Michel , Guilly Marie‐Nöelle , Soussaline Françoise , Dutrillaux Bernard , Malfoy Bernard
Published: February 2003

Objectives

Presently, conventional cytogenetic analysis of metaphase chromosomes remains the reference approach in prenatal diagnosis. However, this method is labor‐intensive and time‐consuming. The first step toward the rapid identification of aneuploidies is achieved by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with centromeric or locus‐specific probes. Spot counting using this type of probes is a reliable approach, but is very time‐consuming with some technical and biological limitations. In this study, we present a new FISH method using image cytometry for the detection of trisomy 21 within interphase nuclei.

Methods

The method is based on a comparative quantitation of the fluorescence signals emitted by whole chromosome 21 and 22 painting probes cohybridized on interphase nuclei. The chromosomal imbalance was determined with an automated image cytometer by detecting an abnormal ratio of both fluorescence emissions when compared with the ratio obtained in normal cells.

Results

Ten blood samples and twenty amniotic fluids were analyzed. Results from FISH and standard cytogenetics were compared and 100% correlation was achieved.

Conclusions

This method, which enables an easy detection of chromosomal imbalances without a need for metaphase preparations, can be applied to the diagnosis of trisomy 21 and extended to other disorders with chromosomal imbalances. Compared to other interphase FISH techniques, it avoids spot‐scoring difficulties. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First‐trimester diagnosis of Bartsocas–Papas syndrome (BPS) by transvaginal ultrasound: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Dolan Siobhan M. , Shanske Alan L. , Marion Robert W. , Gross Susan J.
Published: February 2003

Initially described in 1972, Bartsocas–Papas syndrome (BPS) is an autosomal recessively inherited disorder combining multiple pterygia, ankyloblepharon, cleft lip and palate, filiform bands between the jaws, syndactyly, and other anomalies. Although described as lethal, review of the literature reveals three individuals who survived into childhood with this condition. We describe a fourth surviving patient and what we believe to be the first prenatal diagnosis of BPS in the first trimester. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal cells in cervical mucus in the first trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Cioni Riccardo , Bussani Cecilia , Scarselli Benedetta , Bucciantini Sandra , Barciulli Francesco , Scarselli Gianfranco
Published: February 2003

Objectives

The aim of this study was to first evaluate the presence of fetal cells in cervical mucus samples collected in the first trimester of pregnancy and then to compare different laboratory methods for the detection of these cells.

Methods

Mucus samples were collected by using a cytobrush before termination of pregnancy (TOP) from 143 pregnant women between 7 and 12 weeks of gestation. None of the women had undergone an invasive diagnostic procedure prior to cervical mucus sampling. Samples of placental tissue were collected from each patient at TOP. Slides from each sample were first observed under an inverted microscope to detect possible sperm contamination.

In the first part of our experiments, 40 mucus samples were treated with a mucolytic solution containing N‐acetylcysteine (AC) and were analysed by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The second series, consisting of 71 mucus samples, was treated with a mucolytic solution containing dithiothreitol (DTT): all 71 samples were analysed by a PCR‐based assay, and an aliquot for fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) analysis was also obtained from 48 out of 71 samples. In the third part of our experiments, performed on 32 mucus samples, mucus trapped on the cytobrush was directly spread on two slides for FISH analysis without any mucolytic treatment. All placental tissue samples obtained at termination were analysed by FISH for fetal sexing.

Results

Overall, the use of PCR‐based or FISH analyses on 143 mucus samples resulted in correct sex prediction in 92/143 (64.3%) samples [20/66 (30.3%) cases from known male pregnancies and 72/77 (93.5%) cases from known female pregnancies]. In the AC group, Y‐derived sequences were found in 7/23 samples (30.4%) from known male pregnancies and in 1/17 cases from known female pregnancies, with an overall correct sex prediction in 23/40 cases (57.5%). In the DTT group, Y‐derived sequences could be amplified in 10/30 samples (33.3%) from known male pregnancies and in 4/41 cases from known female pregnancies, with an overall correct sex prediction in 47/71 cases (66.2%). In the DTT samples analysed by FISH, nuclei bearing XY signals were detected in 5/26 (19.2%) cases from known male pregnancies and in none from female pregnancies, the rate of correct sex prediction being 56.2% (27/48). On untreated mucus samples analysed by FISH, nuclei with XY signals were documented in 3/13 (23%) samples from male conceptuses and in none from known female pregnancies, with an overall correct sex prediction in 22/32 cases (68.7%).

Conclusion

Fetal cells were not detected in a constant and reliable fashion in cervical mucus samples collected in the first trimester of pregnancy. The detection rate was poorly influenced by the use of different laboratory methods. This sampling technique cannot be regarded as a promising tool towards minimally invasive prenatal diagnosis. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Midtrimester triple‐test levels in women with chronic hypertension and altered renal function
Authors: Shenhav Simon , Gemer Ofer , Sherman Dan J. , Peled Ronit , Segal Shmuel
Published: February 2003

Objective

To study the association between midtrimester triple‐test levels and renal function in pregnant women with chronic hypertension.

Methods

Forty‐three patients with chronic hypertension for whom renal function was evaluated by the creatinine clearance test between 14‐ and 20‐weeks gestation were studied. Midtrimester triple‐test values obtained as part of Down screening program were correlated with renal function.

Results

hCG correlated inversely with creatinine clearance (r = −0.345; p = 0.002) and directly with alpha‐fetoprotein (r = 0.499; p = 0.003).

Conclusions

In pregnant women with chronic hypertension, impaired renal function may alter midtrimester maternal serum hCG levels. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Demographic and personality predictors of intelligence: a study using the Neo Personality Inventory and the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator
Authors: Moutafi Joanna , Furnham Adrian , Crump John
Published: February 2003

The aim of the present study was to investigate to what extent personality, gender, and age can predict psychometric intelligence scores. A total of 900 participants completed the Watson–Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Test, the Graduate Managerial Assessment: Abstract, the Revised NEO Personality Inventory, and the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator. Intelligence was found to be most consistently predicted by high Openness and low Neuroticism, which has been repeatedly reported in the past (Ackerman & Heggestad, 1997; Kyllonen, 1997), as well as by low Extraversion and low Conscientiousness, which has also been previously reported (Furnham, Chamorro‐Premuzic, & Moutafi, under review). Of the demographic factors, there were no gender differences with respect to general intelligence (g), but age was found to be a significant negative predictor of g, in line with previous findings (Matthews, Davies, Westerman, & Stammers, 2000). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein fragment clustering and canonical local shapes
Authors: Hunter Cornelius G. , Subramaniam Shankar
Published: February 2003

A novel clustering method is used to cluster protein fragments by shape. The centroids (mean fragments from each cluster) form a basis set of structural motifs. A database of 156,643 seven‐residue fragments is used, and eight different basis sets with varying levels of resolution are generated. Coarse basis sets contain tens of centroids and provide meaningful local shapes, which are more detailed than the traditional secondary structure categories. High‐resolution basis sets contain thousands of centroids and can be used to model tertiary structure of longer segments. The basis sets generated fit nontraining set proteins with the expected accuracy. Proteins 2003;50:580–588. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hydrogenic elliptic orbitals, Coulomb Sturmian sets, and recoupling coefficients among alternative bases
Authors: Aquilanti Vincenzo , Caligiana Andrea , Cavalli Simonetta
Published: February 2003

The nonrelativistic Schrödinger equation for the Coulomb problem is separable in four different coordinate systems in configuration space: Alternative sets of orbitals for the hydrogen‐like atoms correspond to each of them and permit to obtain Sturmian sets, useful as complete orthonormal expansion bases in atomic and molecular calculations. In this article the fundamental properties of the already known hydrogenic orbitals (the familiar polar, the parabolic, and the rarely treated spheroidal sets) are resumed; then, we discuss some properties of the spheroelliptic orbitals, which have been so far practically ignored. We pay particular attention to the symmetries of the different orbital sets and to the relationships between them and order them in a complete scheme that exhibits passages from one to the other through explicitly derived orthogonal transformations. Within this context we insert the study on the conservation of parity in the passage from the polar set to the parabolic one. We also show that—except for the spheroidal set—all alternatives for hydrogenic wave functions induce irreducible representations of the point group D2h, the “quaternion group.” This has relevance for the discussion of connections between these sets and the corresponding ones in momentum space, presented in the following installment of this series. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Phonon forces and cold denaturation
Authors: Bohr Jakob
Published: February 2003

Protein unfolds upon temperature reduction as well as upon an increase in temperature. These phenomena are called cold denaturation and hot denaturation, respectively. The contribution from quantum mode forces to denaturation is estimated using a simple phenomenological model describing the molecule as a continuum. The frequencies of the vibrational modes depend on the molecular dimensionality; hence, the zero‐point energies for the folded and the denatured protein are estimated to differ by several electron volts. For a biomolecule such an energy is significant and may contribute to cold denaturing. This is consistent with the empirical observation that cold denaturation is exothermic and hot denaturation endothermic. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Prediction of secondary protein structure with binary coding patterns of amino acid and nucleotide physicochemical properties
Authors: Štambuk Nikola , Konjevoda Paško
Published: February 2003

We present binary coding algorithm for the α‐ and β‐protein fold prediction. The method links amino acid molecular polarity patterns and physicochemical properties of nucleotide bases coded by means of a binary addresses. Primary sequences that define secondary protein structure were analyzed with respect to the symbolic oligopeptides (SO) obtained by the reduction of the 20 amino acid letter alphabet into a binary alphabet of nonpolar group 0 (W, C, I, F, M, V, L, Y) and polar group 1 (Q, R, H, K, N, E, D, S, G, T, A, P). The groups were extracted from the Grantham polarity scale with the clustering around medoids procedure. The transformation of protein strings into binary coding patterns of the polar and nonpolar amino acid groups reduced analyzed elements within the protein motif of length n by the factor of 10n. SMO learning algorithm for the support vector machines was applied to classify α‐helices and β‐strands. It was shown that the relative frequencies of binary hexapeptides classify all 174 nonhomologous α‐ and β‐protein folds from the Jpred database with 100% accuracy. The results of 10‐fold cross‐validation and leave‐one‐out test were 86.78%. Classification tree confirmed the results of SMO analysis and correctly classified 100% of the folds by means of 9 binary hexapeptides. Linear block triple‐check code was proposed for the description of hexapeptide patterns. The presented method enables simple, quick, and accurate prediction of α‐ and β‐protein folding types from the primary amino acid and nucleotide sequences on a personal computer. Our results imply that few amino acid polarity patterns specified by the nucleotide physicochemical properties describe basic protein folding types with >90% accuracy. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Experimental and calculational consequences of phases in molecules with multiple conical intersections
Authors: Englman R. , Yahalom A. , Baer M. , Mebel A. M.
Published: February 2003

We set up a theoretical model for treating several degeneracies between two adjacent potential energy surfaces in molecular systems, e.g., cases of four (or more) conically intersecting degeneracies, located in a plane formed by two‐fold molecular displacement coordinates, in trigonal (or cubic) symmetry and twin conical intersections (CIs) for molecules with two‐fold symmetries. When the system circles (in a time‐variant manner) entirely inside or entirely outside these CIs, it picks up phases (the geometric phases) that are zero or 2Nπ. Here, N is (to a good approximation) an integer whose value depends on the Hamiltonian for the system, on the distance of circling from the CI, and on the speed of circling. For the adiabatic (slow circling) limit, we develop a simple algebraic‐graphical method that yields the value of N in each case. Even in this limit, the value of N is model dependent and is not uniquely given by the number of CIs that are circled. Further, we suggest an experiment (based on a pump‐probe method) for tracing the time development of a system that is subject to a periodically varying field carrying it around the CI. The experiment leads to relations between the spectroscopic transition strengths and state amplitudes, such that the (open‐path) phases are fully given (including the additive 2Nπ term and excluding the dynamic phase). Finally, we compare geometric phases that differ by integral multiples of 2π and, therefore, cannot be distinguished by phase interference. We show that the different cases have, nevertheless, observational correlates in the number of times that zero or unity occurs in a wave function component amplitude during circling. The rules of correspondence are given. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
BSSE‐free description of intermolecular force constants in hydrogen fluoride and water dimers
Authors: Bende A. , Knapp‐Mohammady M. , Suhai S.
Published: February 2003

Theoretical studies have been performed to calculate the force constants and harmonic vibrational frequencies in the hydrogen fluoride and water dimers. The calculations have been undertaken both at the Hartree–Fock and correlated (second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory) levels of theory using several different basis sets ranging from the weak to the intermediate. The basis set superposition error (BSSE) has been excluded by using the chemical Hamiltonian approach. The results show that the BSSE influence is significant in the force constants and harmonic vibrational frequencies even if electron correlation is accounted for, so removing the BSSE is important. The results are compared with those obtained by the basis independent density‐functional tight‐binding method. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Optimized partitioning in PT: Application for the equation of motion describing ionization processes
Authors: Szabados Ágnes , Surján Péter R.
Published: February 2003

In computing ionization potentials via perturbative solution of the equation of motion for the ionization operator, we apply the technique of “partitioning optimization” elaborated recently for the calculation of correlation energy. Sample calculations indicate that second‐order results may improve if the partitioning is optimized. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Comparison of the imaginary and complex absorbing potentials using multistep potential method
Authors: Halász G. J. , Vibók Á.
Published: February 2003

In this article, the reflection and transmission of plane waves are examined from “negative imaginary” (NIP) and “true complex” absorbing potentials (CAP). Comparisons have been made between these two types of potentials using our multistep potential method. The results showed that, except for a few cases, the CAPs give significantly better values for the absorption than those given by the NIPs. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Interatomic exchange energy components
Authors: Mayer I. , Hamza A.
Published: February 2003

The diatomic energy components obtained in the framework of the recent chemical energy component analysis can be further decomposed into terms of different physical origins, reflecting electrostatic, exchange, overlap, etc., effects. The proper definition of the interatomic exchange energy component represented a nontrivial task, however. Here, we considered two possible definitions of that quantity. The first is introduced following the definition of the intermolecular exchange. This seemingly straightforward analogy has been found misleading—it leads to a quantity that vanishes in the limit of an NDO‐type integral approximation. The correct definition has been found by analyzing the exchange energy components connected with the delocalized bonding orbitals in a diatomics and generalizing the interatomic exchange energy contribution obtained in this simplest case by the analogy to the respective Coulomb energy component. This definition is adequate for all types of theories, has the correct asymptotic behavior, and exhibits the expected connections with the bond order indices. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Density‐dependent effective action for electron systems
Authors: Polonyi J. , Sailer K.
Published: February 2003

The density‐dependent effective action is introduced as the generalization of the density functional. The one‐loop approximation offers an iterative, perturbative solution of the Hartree–Fock equations by turning on the Coulomb interaction gradually. A renormalization group evolution equation for the density‐dependent effective action is proposed, enabling one to systematically improve the description of the nonrelativistic electron system beyond the one‐loop level. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Recent progress in constructing nonlocal energy density functionals
Authors: March N. H. , Howard I. A. , Van Doren V. E.
Published: February 2003

Both model results and some exact relations concerning kinetic, exchange, and correlation energy density functionals will be presented. As to single‐particle kinetic energy, a model of harmonic confinement, motivated by recent experimental activity on Fermion vapors, of an arbitrary number of Fermions will be used to construct exact nonlocal kinetic energy density functionals in both one and three dimensions. Then, some further exact results concerning nuclear cusp conditions for exchange only, and for exchange plus correlation, will be discussed. Finally, in Appendices, the one‐shell harmonic confinement is generalized to include Coulomb repulsion in the two‐electron Hookean atom and some results on the Pauli potentials for many‐Fermion systems are obtained. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Sinc wave packets: New form of wave packet for time‐dependent quantum mechanical reactive scattering calculations
Authors: Hankel Marlies , Balint‐Kurti Gabriel G. , Gray Stephen K.
Published: February 2003

A new form of wave packet, the sinc wave packet, is defined. The wave packet has some advantages for use in time‐dependent quantum mechanical reactive scattering calculations. These advantages consist of the fact that it possesses a reasonable constant amplitude over a range of momenta or energies. Quantum mechanical calculations undertaken using such a wave packet will therefore result in a more even‐handed treatment of all the energies within the range of energies treated by the calculation. Test calculations demonstrate that the new sinc wave packets always yield slightly more accurate results than equivalent Gaussian wave packets. They are also easier to use because the range of energies they effectively cover may be more easily assessed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Hydrogenic orbitals in momentum space and hyperspherical harmonics: Elliptic Sturmian basis sets
Authors: Aquilanti Vincenzo , Caligiana Andrea , Cavalli Simonetta , Coletti Cecilia
Published: February 2003

Momentum space hydrogenic orbitals can be regarded as orthonormal and complete Sturmian basis sets and explicitly given in terms of (hyper)‐spherical harmonics on the 4‐D hypersphere S3. Among the alternative coordinate systems that allow separation of variables, the usual ones involving parameterizations of the sphere S3 by circular functions correspond to canonical subgroup reduction chains; we also investigate harmonic “elliptic” sets (as, e.g., obtained by parameterizations in terms of Jacobi elliptic functions). In this article we list the canonical hydrogenic Sturmian sets and the orthogonal transformations connecting them. The latter enjoy useful three‐term recurrence relationships that allow their efficient calculations even for large strings. We also consider modifications needed when the conservation of the symmetry of Sturmians with respect to parity. Finally, we discuss some properties of elliptic hydrogenic Sturmians and their relations with canonical Sturmians. Because elliptic Sturmians cannot be expressed in closed form, it is important to find expansions in a suitable basis set and calculate the transformation coefficients. We derive three‐term recursion relationships fulfilled by the coefficients of the transformation between elliptic Sturmians and canonical Sturmians. A concluding discussion on the connections between configuration space and momentum space hydrogenic Sturmians completes this article. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Exact expressions for energy functional in the time‐dependent density functional theory
Authors: Nagy Á.
Published: February 2003

Exact equations for correlation energy and kinetic energy correction functionals are derived in the time‐dependent density functional theory. Hierarchies of equations are also obtained and approximate functionals are proposed by truncation of the hierarchies at different orders. Explicit relations for the correlation energy and its kinetic component along the adiabatic path are given in terms of powers of the moments of the electron density. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Study of subspace density functional theory application of LSDA to excited states of atoms
Authors: Tasnádi F. , Nagy Á.
Published: February 2003

Applicability of the subspace density functional theory (SDFT) for calculation of excitation energies of atoms is studied. In the SDFT the subspace construction gives the opportunity to perform calculations with the standard ground‐state potentials or make a distinction between the subspaces with different quantum numbers (L and S), using special potentials depending on the quantum numbers. Theophiliou and Papaconstantinou gave a spin‐indexed version of the local von Barth–Hedin potential to treat singlet and triplet states. In this article we study the same spin‐indexed potential for atoms having multiplet structure and compare the results with the values obtained in calculations using the ground‐state version of the von Barth–Hedin potential. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003