bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural basis of inhibition of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
DprE1 by benzothiazinone inhibitors
Authors: Batt Sarah M. , Jabeen Talat , Bhowruth Veemal , Quill Lee , Lund Peter A. , Eggeling Lothar , Alderwick Luke J. , Fütterer Klaus , Besra Gurdyal S.
Published: June 2012

Resistance against currently used antitubercular therapeutics increasingly undermines efforts to contain the worldwide tuberculosis (TB) epidemic. Recently, benzothiazinone (BTZ) inhibitors have shown nanomolar potency against both drug-susceptible and multidrug-resistant strains of the tubercle bacillus. However, their proposed mode of action is lacking structural evidence. We report here the crystal structure of the BTZ target, FAD-containing oxidoreductase
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
DprE1, which is essential for viability. Different crystal forms of ligand-free DprE1 reveal considerable levels of structural flexibility of two surface loops that seem to govern accessibility of the active site. Structures of complexes with the BTZ-derived nitroso derivative CT325 reveal the mode of inhibitor binding, which includes a covalent link to conserved Cys387, and reveal a trifluoromethyl group as a second key determinant of interaction with the enzyme. Surprisingly, we find that a noncovalent complex was formed between DprE1 and CT319, which is structurally identical to CT325 except for an inert nitro group replacing the reactive nitroso group. This demonstrates that binding of BTZ-class inhibitors to DprE1 is not strictly dependent on formation of the covalent link to Cys387. On the basis of the structural and activity data, we propose that the complex of DrpE1 bound to CT325 is a representative of the BTZ-target complex. These results mark a significant step forward in the characterization of a key TB drug target.
Psychological correlates of early onset of ischemic heart disease in a sample drawn from a Pakistani population
Authors: Rafique Rafia , Amjad Naumana
Published: June 2012

Even in the presence of substantial empirical evidence which proves that psychological risk factors play a significant role in onset of ischemic heart disease (IHD), in Pakistan researchers have not paid much attention to exploring these factors. This research was mainly undertaken to investigate whether psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, anger, and hostility in their intense states are prevalent within the indigenous patients with IHD. It was hypothesized that: High levels of perceived stress will significantly increase risk for IHD versus lower levels of perceived stress; high levels of anxiety will significantly increase the risk for IHD versus lower levels of anxiety; high levels of depression will increase the chances of IHD versus lower levels. Likewise, it was proposed that elevated trait anger will significantly increase risk for IHD versus lower levels of trait anger and that higher levels of hostility significantly increase risk for IHD versus lower levels. A case–control research design was employed to conduct this study. To investigate the association of the abovementioned factors with IHD and to find whether these factors differ between cases and controls, we solicited a sample of 190 patients with confirmed diagnosis of IHD and 380 age‐ and gender‐matched community controls, who were free of IHD, aged 35 to 55 years. Standardized tools to measure psychological factors were translated and semistandardized into the national language and their psychometric properties were predetermined before use in this study. To infer the proposed hypotheses, multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was carried out. Results highlight significant association between stress, depression, anxiety, anger, and IHD. Implications for the implementation of routine screening for psychological factors, particularly stress, depression and anger, are proposed.
Book Reviews
Authors: UFNALSKA Sylwia B.
Published: June 2012

Berkshire Manual of Style for International Publishing Karen Christensen and Mary Bagg (eds) Great Barrington, MA, Berkshire Publishing, 2011, 152pp. ISBN: 978‐1‐61472‐993‐8, US$22.95 (pbk), Kindle $13.74
Sleep perception and the multiple sleep latency test in patients with primary insomnia
Authors: HUANG LILI , ZHOU JUNYING , LI ZHE , LEI FEI , TANG XIANGDONG
Published: June 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between overnight sleep perception and the daytime multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) among individuals who were primary insomnia patients (PIPs) or good sleeper controls (GSCs). We collected overnight sleep data via polysomnography (PSG), subjective sleep data via a morning questionnaire (self‐evaluated) and MSLT data via four 20‐min naps over 8 h. Subjects included 122 PIPs and 48 GSCs. Sleep perception was calculated as subjective sleep time/objective sleep time × 100%. PIPs showed a significant difference (P < 0.001) between sleep time, as determined by PSG (387.8 ± 100 min) and self‐report (226.3 ± 160 min), but no difference was obtained for GSCs (440.6 ± 53 versus 435.4 ± 65 min). The means for sleep perception were 56.4 ± 38.8% for the PIPs and 99.3 ± 13.6% for the GSCs (P < 0.001). In the PIPs group, weak but statistically significant negative correlations (r: −0.20 to −0.25) were found for MSLT versus sleep perception and versus self‐ and PSG‐evaluated sleep time. Compared to PIPs with low scores on the MSLT, those with high scores had less sleep perception (%), less self‐ and PSG‐evaluated sleep time and greater sleep misperception time. GSCs did not show significant correlations between MSLT and sleep measures or differences in comparisons between individuals with high and low scores on the MSLT. These results add novel data to the literature by suggesting that 24‐h hyperarousal potentially plays a key role in the pathophysiological issues of insomnia.
Triploid bumblebees indicate a direct cost of inbreeding in fragmented populations
Authors: DARVILL B. , LEPAIS O. , WOODALL L. C. , GOULSON D.
Published: June 2012

Hymenopteran species with single‐locus complimentary sex‐determination (sl‐CSD) face an additional cost of inbreeding because of a loss of diversity at the sex‐determining locus. Laboratory studies of a range of Hymenoptera have found that a small percentage of diploid males produce viable diploid sperm, and that if these males mate, then the resultant females produce triploid offspring that are sterile. Here, we use microsatellite markers to determine the frequency of triploid individuals ofBombus muscorumandB. jonellusin a model island system. Triploids were found in populations of both species. Observed triploid frequencies of up to 8% were detected, and estimated total frequencies peaked at 20% with respect to normal diploid workers. For both species, triploid frequency was negatively correlated with surrogates of population size, providing direct evidence for inbreeding in small populations. Populations limited to <∼15 km2of suitable habitat were particularly likely to harbour triploids. Estimated total triploid frequencies were higher inB. muscorumthan inB. jonellus, perhaps due to the greater dispersal range of the latter species. Implications for the conservation of rare social hymenopterans are discussed.
Susceptibility to ethanol withdrawal seizures is produced by BK channel gene expression
Authors: Ghezzi Alfredo , Krishnan Harish R. , Atkinson Nigel S.
Published: June 2012

Alcohol withdrawal seizures are part of the symptomatology of severe alcohol dependence and are believed to originate from long‐term neural adaptations that counter the central nervous system depressant effects of alcohol. Upon alcohol withdrawal, however, the increased neural excitability that was adaptive in the presence of alcohol becomes counter‐adaptive and produces an imbalanced hyperactive nervous system. For some individuals, the uncovering of this imbalance by alcohol abstention can be sufficient to generate a seizure. Using the Drosophila model organism, we demonstrate a central role for the BK‐type Ca2+‐activated K+ channel gene slo in the production of alcohol withdrawal seizures.
Efficient Association between PGF2α and Methyl 4‐hydroxybenzoate Sex Pheromone Prior to Electroejaculation in Dogs
Authors: Santos IP , Ramos CLFG , Ramos JLG , Oliveira RF , Cunha ICN
Published: June 2012

Contents

Electroejaculation is a technique that can be used to collect semen from canines, but its use with this group of animals is restricted by low success rate and low semen quality. Here, we evaluated whether pharmacological and sexual sensory stimuli, which may affect ejaculation, can increase electroejaculation efficiency and improve ejaculate quality. We worked with 20 dogs of mixed breed weighing between 5.3 and 22.2 kg, divided into two groups. Both groups were exposed to a spayed female for 10 min, but in the second group, the same spayed female had her vagina impregnated with methyl 4‐hydroxybenzoate synthetic pheromone for 10 min and after receiving dinoprost tromethamine IM, 0.1 mg /kg. After stimulation, all dogs were chemically restrained with ketamine, 8 mg/kg, IM; and xylazine, 1 mg /kg, IM, and subjected to electroejaculation protocol. We obtained 100% of antegrade ejaculate in treatments when the spayed female had her vagina impregnated with pheromone and 80% when she did not. Sperm motility was significantly different (p < 0.05) between controls and the test group (10.1 ± 4.5 and 43.0 ± 8.3, respectively). We concluded that the adopted electroejaculation protocol was efficient and that the PGF2α associated with sexual sensory stimulation can improve semen quality in dogs undergoing the procedure.
Requirement for postoperative imaging in an enhanced recovery programme
Authors: Lane J. C. , Burch J. , Burling D. , Kennedy R. H. , Jenkins J. T.
Published: June 2012

Aim  Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) produces benefits to patients by reducing the length of hospital stay and morbidity. Its effect on nursing and physiotherapy workload has been studied, but the demand upon radiology is unclear. We aimed to determine radiology use to understand possible hidden expenditure not included in existing ERAS cost‐effectiveness analyses.

Method  Two‐hundred and sixty‐five patients from a prospective multidimensional ERAS database were retrospectively assessed for postoperative radiology use. All had undergone colorectal surgery within an established ERAS programme from 2008 to 2009, with all data prospectively recorded. Laparoscopy was offered for all primary colon and rectal resections. All adverse events, including gut dysfunction, surgical site infection and reoperation, were assessed. All radiology within 30 days of surgery was recorded.

Results  Radiology data were absent in 12 patients, leaving 253 for analysis. Postoperative radiology was used in 71 (28%) patients, and 41 (16%) had CT of the abdomen and pelvis (A/P) within 30 days of surgery. In 33 (13%) patients this was required during the primary admission, including 30% of patients with any postoperative adverse event. Nine (27%; 3.6% of the whole cohort) of the 33 patients required reoperation. No patient required interventional radiology. The median time to CT (A/P) during primary admission was 5 (interquartile range, 3–8) days. Eight (3%) patients had CT (A/P) after readmission with one reoperation. Forty (16%) patients underwent plain radiology (chest or abdominal) and six (2%) had abdominal ultrasound. Using general estimates of CT and plain radiology total costs, these data suggest an overall radiology cost of over £22 000, amounting to a radiology cost of £90 per ERAS patient.

Conclusion  Postoperative radiology is required in a significant proportion of ERAS patients, potentially reflecting a low threshold to investigate in the presence of an adverse event. Very few require subsequent intervention. Radiology costs incurred with ERAS should be considered in future economic analyses.
Investigating the use and effectiveness of diverse types of materials in the delivery and support of lab sessions for multimedia subjects and students
Authors: Tsekleves Emmanuel , Aggoun Amar , Cosmas John
Published: June 2012

This research study explores the use of different lab material, investigating which types of materials contribute the most to the delivery and support of laboratory (lab) sessions to design, skill‐based and technical courses in higher education in the UK. A qualitative research methodology was employed for this investigation and included both key stakeholders in academia, including 75 students and 12 tutors. An investigation was also conducted tracking student activity on the university's e‐learning facility (U‐link). Our key findings indicate that overall electronic material is considered the most effective type of material for the delivery of a lab session. This is followed by print, video and lastly audio material according to student responses and video, print and audio material according to tutor responses. Student and tutor responses varied per individual module/subject area. Video material was regarded by students and tutors as the most effective type for the delivery of skill‐based lab sessions and generally for independent learning, and electronic material was regarded as the most effective type for the delivery of technical and design lab sessions. Lastly, student tracking revealed that the introduction of video lab material in two modules increased the average time spent by students on U‐link by 58% for the technical module and 97% for the skill‐based module respectively.
Andrew, Michael D & Jelmberg, James R ed (2010) How teachers learnPeter Lang (New York & Bern) isbn978‐1‐4331‐0842‐6 220 pp $35.95http://www.peterlang.com/download/datasheet/54201/datasheet_310842.pdf
Authors: Alsawaie Othman N
Published: June 2012

The book describes a five‐year teacher education programme at US's University of New Hampshire (unh). It includes several research articles about what supports the programme, especially the internship (teaching practice) component, which is a full year long. The book is useful for educators especially those involved in teacher training and preparation.

If the content of this book is likely to be relevant to you, I recommend that you arrange to borrow a copy for a while.

Othman N Alsawaie
Fautley, Martin et al (2011) Remaking the curriculumTrentham (Stoke‐on‐Trent & Sterling VA) isbn 978‐1‐85856‐471‐5 116 pp £20.99http://trentham‐books.co.uk/acatalog/Remaking_the_Curriculum.html
Authors: Dettori Giuliana
Published: June 2012

This interesting book addressed to teachers and researchers committed to improve secondary education gives an account of how two schools in England successfully engaged in the development of a new curriculum apt to favour creative teaching, i.e. the use of imaginative approaches to make learning more interesting, effective, supportive of students’ growth and fostering their capacity to be creative.

If the content of this book is likely to be relevant to you, I recommend that you borrow a copy.

Giuliana Dettori
Ford, Nigel (2012) Using the web for researchSage (London & Thousand Oaks CA) isbn 978‐0‐85702‐365‐0 246 pp £25 (boards £60)http://www.sagepub.com/books/Book235327?siteId=sage‐us&prodTypes=Books&q=The+essential+guide+to+using+the+Web+for+research.+&fs=1
Authors: Smyth Robyn
Published: June 2012

Ford's very readable book will suit students and staff from late high school through to higher degrees. It is full of sound strategies, advice, and clear instructions about searching the web to locate scholarly information for assignments and then properly use it.

If the content of this book is likely to be relevant to you, I recommend that you buy a copy for your own use.

Robyn Smyth
Gruba, Paul & Hinkelman, Don (2012) Blended technologies in second language classroomsPalgrave (Macmillan, Basingstoke & St Martin's, New York) isbn978‐0‐230‐23261‐7 181 pp £50http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=361538
Authors: Oddone Cristina
Published: June 2012

This book targets language teachers, teacher educators and all people interested in gaining a full grasp of what blended learning means while getting helpful insights into how to integrate it into language teaching. I also find this book a useful source of pedagogical models that integrate content and language learning (such as clil) in interactive, online‐based environments.

If the content of this book is likely to be relevant to you, I recommend you buy your own copy.

Cristina Oddone
Haw, Kaye & Hadfield, Mark (2011) Video in social science researchRoutledge (New York & London) isbn978‐0‐415‐46786‐5 196 pp £21.99http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415467865/
Authors: Thomas Michael
Published: June 2012

The book focuses on the use of video in social science research, integrating a range of perspectives on the topic including research design, data collection and analysis. The book aims at postgraduates (including, in particular, doctoral students) as well as academics and researchers.

If the content of this book is likely to be relevant to you, I recommend you buy a copy for your own use.

Michael Thomas
AGGREGATE CERTAINTY ESTIMATORS
Authors: Monteith Kristine , Martinez Tony
Published: June 2012

Selecting an effective method for combining the votes of base inducers in a multiclassifier system can have a significant impact on the system’s overall classification accuracy. Some methods cannot even achieve as high a classification accuracy as the most accurate base classifier. To address this issue, we present the strategy of aggregate certainty estimators, which uses multiple measures to estimate a classifier’s certainty in its predictions on an instance‐by‐instance basis. Use of these certainty estimators for vote‐weighting allows the system to achieve a higher overall average in classification accuracy than the most accurate base classifier. Weighting with these aggregate measures also results in higher average classification accuracy than weighting with single certainty estimates. Aggregate certainty estimators outperform three baseline strategies, as well as the methods of modified stacking and arbitration, in terms of average accuracy over 36 data sets.
SUBTOPIC‐BASED MULTIMODALITY RANKING FOR TOPIC‐FOCUSED MULTIDOCUMENT SUMMARIZATION
Authors: Wan Xiaojun
Published: June 2012

Topic‐focused multidocument summarization has been a challenging task because the created summary is required to be biased to the given topic or query. Existing methods consider the given topic as a single coarse unit, and then directly incorporate the relevance between each sentence and the single topic into the sentence evaluation process. However, the given topic is usually not well defined and it consists of a few explicit or implicit subtopics. In this study, the related subtopics are discovered from the topic's narrative text or document set through topic analysis techniques. Then, the sentence relationships against each subtopic are considered as an individual modality and the multimodality manifold‐ranking method is proposed to evaluate and rank sentences by fusing the multiple modalities. Experimental results on the DUC benchmark data sets show the promising results of our proposed methods.
AN OPTIMIZATION APPROACH TO AUTOMATIC GENERIC DOCUMENT SUMMARIZATION
Authors: Alguliev Rasim M. , Aliguliyev Ramiz M. , Mehdiyev Chingiz A.
Published: June 2012

In this paper, we have presented an optimization approach to document summarization. The potential of optimization based document summarization models has not been well explored to date. This is partially the difficulty to formulate the criteria used for objective assessment. We modeled document summarization as the linear and nonlinear optimization problems. These models generally attempt simultaneously to balance coverage and diversity in the summary. To solve the optimization problem we developed a novel particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Experiments showed our linear and nonlinear models produce very competitive results, which significantly outperform the NIST baselines in both years. More important, although linear and nonlinear models are comparable to the top three systems S24, S15, and S12 in the DUC2006, they are even superior to the best participating system in the DUC2005.
Devolatilization‐induced pressure build‐up: Implications for reaction front movement and breccia pipe formation
Authors: AARNES I. , PODLADCHIKOV Y. , SVENSEN H.
Published: June 2012

Generation of fluids during metamorphism can significantly influence the fluid overpressure, and thus the fluid flow in metamorphic terrains. There is currently a large focus on developing numerical reactive transport models, and with it follows the need for analytical solutions to ensure correct numerical implementation. In this study, we derive both analytical and numerical solutions to reaction‐induced fluid overpressure, coupled to temperature and fluid flow out of the reacting front. All equations are derived from basic principles of conservation of mass, energy and momentum. We focus on contact metamorphism, where devolatilization reactions are particularly important owing to high thermal fluxes allowing large volumes of fluids to be rapidly generated. The analytical solutions reveal three key factors involved in the pressure build‐up: (i) The efficiency of the devolatilizing reaction front (pressure build‐up) relative to fluid flow (pressure relaxation), (ii) the reaction temperature relative to the available heat in the system and (iii) the feedback of overpressure on the reaction temperature as a function of the Clapeyron slope. Finally, we apply the model to two geological case scenarios. In the first case, we investigate the influence of fluid overpressure on the movement of the reaction front and show that it can slow down significantly and may even be terminated owing to increased effective reaction temperature. In the second case, the model is applied to constrain the conditions for fracturing and inferred breccia pipe formation in organic‐rich shales owing to methane generation in the contact aureole.
Women's Experience of Discrimination in Australian Perinatal Care: The Double Disadvantage of Social Adversity and Unequal Care
Authors: Yelland Jane Susanne , Sutherland Georgina Ann , Brown Stephanie Janne
Published: June 2012

Background

Discrimination in women's health care, particularly perinatal care, has received minimal attention. The aim of this study is to describe women's experience of discrimination in different models of maternity care and to examine the relationship between maternal social characteristics and perceived discrimination in perinatal care.

Methods

A population‐based postal survey was mailed 6 months postpartum to all women who gave birth in two Australian states in September and October 2007. Perceived discrimination was assessed using a five‐item measure designed to elicit information about experiences of unequal treatment by health professionals.

Results

A total of 4,366 eligible women completed the survey. Women attending public models of maternity care were significantly more likely to report perceived discrimination compared with women attending a private obstetrician (30.7% vs 19.7%, OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.5–2.1). Compared with women reporting no stressful life events or social health issues in pregnancy, those reporting three or more stressful life events or social health issues had a twofold increase in adjusted odds of perceived discrimination (41.1% vs 20.4%, adj OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.8–2.8). Young women (< 25 yr) and women who were smoking in pregnancy were also at increased risk of experiencing perceived discrimination.

Conclusions

Discrimination is an unexplored factor in how women experience perinatal care. Developing approaches to perinatal care that incorporate the capacity to respond to the needs of vulnerable women and families requires far‐reaching changes to the organization and provision of care. (BIRTH 39:3 September 2012)
Predictors and course of medically intractable epilepsy in young children presenting before 36 months of age: A retrospective, population‐based study
Authors: Wirrell Elaine , Wong‐Kisiel Lily , Mandrekar Jay , Nickels Katherine
Published: June 2012

Purpose:  To determine the prevalence and identify predictors of medical intractability in children presenting with epilepsy before 36 months of age, and to assess the effect of medical intractability on long‐term mortality and intellectual function.

Methods:  Children with newly diagnosed epilepsy before 36 months between 1980 and 2009 while resident in Olmsted County, MN, were identified. Medical records were reviewed to collect epilepsy‐specific variables and long‐term outcome data. Medically intractable epilepsy was defined as either (1) seizure frequency greater than every 6 months at final follow‐up and failure of two or more antiepileptic drugs for lack of efficacy, or (2) having undergone epilepsy surgery after failure to respond to two or more antiepileptic drugs.

Key Findings:  One hundred twenty‐seven children with new‐onset epilepsy were identified and followed for a median of 78 months. Medically intractable seizures occurred in 35%, and significant predictors on multivariate analysis were age ≤12 months at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 6.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.00, 22.84, p = 0.002), developmental delay at initial diagnosis of epilepsy (OR 20.03, 95% CI 3.49, 114.83, p = 0.0008), neuroimaging abnormality (OR 6.48, 95% CI 1.96, 21.40, p = 0.002), and focal slowing on initial EEG (OR 5.33, 95% CI 1.14, 24.88, p = 0.03). Medical intractability occurred early in the course in most children, being seen in 61% by 1 year, and 93% by 5 years after initial diagnosis. Mortality was higher (20% vs. 0%, p < 0.001) and intellectual outcome poorer (p < 0.001) if epilepsy was medically intractable.

Significance:  One third of children presenting with epilepsy before 36 months will be medically intractable, and significant predictors are identified. Medically intractable epilepsy is associated with increased mortality risk and significant intellectual disability.
The ECG in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Influence of Left and Right Ventricular Preactivation and Relation to Acute Response
Authors: BOGAARD MARGOT D. , HESSELINK TIM , MEINE MATHIAS , LOH PETER , HAUER RICHARD N. , CRAMER MAARTEN J. , DOEVENDANS PIETER A. , TUINENBURG ANTON E.
Published: June 2012

Influence of Preactivation on the ECG in CRT. Introduction: The aims of this study were to compare ECG signs of biventricular electrical resynchronization during cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with various interventricular (VV) delays and to correlate these and other ECG characteristics with the acute hemodynamic benefit of CRT.

Methods and Results:
Thirty‐four patients with heart failure and a left bundle branch block (LBBB) pattern were prospectively enrolled. A 12‐lead surface ECG and the relative improvement in left ventricular (LV) dP/dtmax (the maximum rate of pressure rise) were recorded at baseline and during CRT with VV delays varying from 80 ms LV preactivation to 40 ms right ventricular (RV) preactivation. Rightward QRS‐axis shift occurred in 71–80% among all VV delays. Activation reversal to dominant negative in leads I/aVL was progressively observed at increasing LV preactivation (53–65%) and less (18–22%) during RV preactivation. Activation reversal to dominant positive in leads V1/V2 was observed in 21–27% during LV preactivation and in 6–15% during RV preactivation. Higher acute response to CRT was independently predicted by a complete LBBB at baseline (regression coefficient B = 7.7 [0.3–15.0], P = 0.042), later timing of LV depolarization within the QRS at baseline (Q‐LVsense: B = 0.2 [0.1–0.3], P = 0.002), and biventricular electrical resynchronization during CRT as evidenced by activation reversal in leads I/aVL (B = 9.9 [3.2–16.6], P = 0.005).

Conclusion:
ECG signs of biventricular electrical resynchronization are present over a wide range of LV preactivated VV delays but to a lesser extent during RV preactivation. The presence of complete LBBB and longer Q‐LVsense at baseline and signs of biventricular electrical resynchronization during CRT predict higher acute hemodynamic response. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 1237–1245, November 2012)
Frailty Models in Survival Analysis by WIENKE, A.
Authors: Oakes David
Published: June 2012

Frailty Models in Survival Analysis

(A. Wienke)

David Oakes

Logistic Regression Models

(J. M. Hilbe)

Annette J. Dobson

Design of Experiments: An Introduction Based on Linear Models

(M. D. Morris)

Gary W. Oehlert

Models and Judgment for Valid Comparisons

(H. I. Weisberg, Bias and Causation,)

Judea Pearl
Use of baby carriers to increase breastfeeding duration among term infants: the effects of an educational intervention in Italy
Authors: Pisacane Alfredo , Continisio Paola , Filosa Cristina , Tagliamonte Valeria , Continisio Grazia Isabella
Published: June 2012

Aim:  To investigate whether the use of baby carriers by term infants during the first month of life is associated with increased rates of breastfeeding.

Methods:  Prospective cohort study. Two hundred mothers with healthy term infants were assigned to receive either a baby carrier and some accurate information and training about the use thereof or only information about breastfeeding. Study groups were followed by phone interviews.

Results:  Of the 100 mothers to whom baby carriers were provided, 69 utilized it for at least 1 h per day during the first month of life, while 31 did not use it at all. While breastfeeding rates were similar in both intervention and control groups at discharge from the maternity ward, mothers in the intervention group scored significantly higher with their infants at two (72% vs 51%) and at 5 months of age (48% vs 24%), respectively. The intervention group infants were breastfed significantly more frequently than those of the control group.

Conclusions:  Our finding seems to suggest that the use of baby carriers in healthy term infants during their first month is associated with increased breastfeeding duration.
Analysis of deaths among children in the period 1996–2008 from closed claims registered by the Danish Patient Insurance Association
Authors: Hove Lars Dahlgaard , Bock Johannes , Christoffersen Jens Krogh
Published: June 2012

Aim:  We investigated the death circumstances among children in the Danish healthcare system by analysing closed claims.

Methods:  This retrospective study investigated closed claims with regard to medically related deaths registered by the Danish Patient Insurance Association.

Results:  From 1996 to 2008, 45 953 claims were made to the Danish Patient Insurance Association (DPIA) covering all medical specialties. Among these claims, a total of 3531 submitted claims were for children younger than 18 years old, and 74 of these children were registered as having died. Forty‐one of the 74 deaths were caused by peripartum asphyxia or other birth‐related reasons, and 33 children died of causes not related to their birth. Twenty‐three of the 33 children died as a result of substandard treatment. This was the ruling of the DPIA or the courts of law on the claim. In these cases, the DPIA, the appeal board or the courts of law settled that an experienced specialist would have acted differently such that the injury could have been avoided.

Conclusion:  Twenty‐three of the 33 deaths after the perinatal period could potentially have been avoided if experienced specialists had handled the cases.
Changing trend of persistent diarrhoea in young children over two decades: observations from a large diarrhoeal disease hospital in Bangladesh
Authors: Das Sumon Kumar , Faruque Abu Syed Golam , Chisti Mohammod Jobayer , Malek Mohammad Abdul , Salam Mohammed Abdus , Sack David A.
Published: June 2012

Aim:  We studied the changing trend and factors associated with persistent diarrhoea (PD) in under‐five children presenting to a large diarrhoeal disease hospital in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh, over the last two decades.

Methods:  We used an unmatched case–control design, with a case (persistent diarrhoea; n = 944) to control (acute diarrhoea; n = 2832) ratio of 1:3 attending the Dhaka Hospital of icddr,b between 1991 and 2010.

Results:  The proportion of children with PD decreased significantly from 8% in 1991 to 1% in 2010. The proportion of breastfeeding practices, measles vaccination coverage and vitamin A supplementation among 12–59 months old improved from 79% to 85%, 69% to 85% and 26% to 74%, respectively, which were significant. Although the isolation of rotavirus from stool in children with PD and acute diarrhoea increased, the isolation of Shigella spp., and Vibrio cholerae O1 decreased significantly. In a logistic regression analysis, wasting (OR = 1.62), use of antibiotic before attending hospital (OR = 5.94), absent clinical dehydration (OR = 1.53) and bloody/mucoid stool (OR = 3.33) were significantly associated with persistent diarrhoea.

Conclusion:  There, thus, is a need to integrate an appropriate and sustainable deterrent strategy to take the benefit of the significant reduction in prevalence as well as risks of PD in such population.
Migration as Social Movement: Voluntary Group Migration and the Crimean Tatar Repatriation
Authors: Zaloznaya Marina , Gerber Theodore P.
Published: June 2012

Voluntary group migration occurs when a collectivity reaches a group‐level decision to migrate and does so as a community without external compulsion. Typical examples include collective settler movements and voluntary repatriations of refugee communities. We demonstrate the distinctive characteristics of voluntary group migration that make it hard to analyze with current migration theories, and we develop an initial theoretical framework identifying the conditions that typically produce this type of population flow. Recognizing the collective nature of the mobilization that leads to voluntary group migration, we turn to social movement theory as a source of analytical tools that, in combination with concepts offered by prior migration theories, help us build an initial theory. To illustrate our ideas, we discuss an especially revealing contemporary case: the resettlement of Crimean Tatars to their original homeland.
Family Location and Caregiving Patterns from an International Perspective
Authors: Rainer Helmut , Siedler Thomas
Published: June 2012

We conduct a cross‐national econometric analysis of intra‐family location and caregiving patterns. Using European data, we first assess, from an international perspective, the relationship between family structure and the geographic proximity between adult children and their parents. We then examine whether differences in family structure are related to the amount of informal care adult children provide to their elderly parents. Lastly, we look for cross‐country differences in family location and caregiving patterns, and interpret observed differences in terms of heterogeneous institutional solutions to elderly care. Our results not only provide a new empirical perspective on the geography of the family, but also provide insights into how family‐related and institutional factors shape patterns of time transfers from adult children to elderly parents.
Brazilian Residents’ Attitude and Practice Toward Sexual Health Issues in Pregnant Patients
Authors: Vieira Teresa C.S.B. , de Souza Eduardo , Abdo Carmita H.N. , Torloni Maria Regina , Santana Tania G.M. , Leite Alessandra P.L. , Nakamura Mary U.
Published: June 2012

Introduction

Sexual difficulties and questions regarding sexual function are frequent in pregnancy, yet they are infrequently discussed in academic communities, medical schools, and residency programs. Embarrassment, lack of experience, inadequate communication skills and insufficient knowledge on how to deal with sexual complaints, and questions in pregnancy are common, especially among young health professionals.

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess and compare the attitude and behavior of Brazilian residents in three different medical programs (obstetrics gynecology, internal medicine, and psychiatry) toward sexual health issues of pregnant patients.

Methods

Survey conducted in a single Brazilian university using anonymous self responsive questionnaires on how residents deal with sexual health issues of obstetric patients. A total of 154 residents from the three different programs (47 obstetrics gynecology, 33 psychiatry, 74 internal medicine) participated.

Main Outcome Measures

Attitude and practice of medical residents regarding sexual health issues of pregnant patients.

Results

Less than 20% of the residents reported that they routinely asked obstetric patients about their sexual health, although almost 70% stated this should be part of every history. Psychiatry residents were significantly more likely to actively seek information about the sexual health of obstetric patients than others (57.6%, 17%, 4.1%, psychiatry, obstetrics gynecology, internal medicine, respectively, P < 0.001). Although over 80% answered that most obstetric patients react well or indifferently to questions about sexual function, less than 25% of the residents reported being completely confident answering these questions, and 71% of them admitted that they lacked specific knowledge in the area of sexual dysfunctions. The two main obstacles in evaluating patients’ sexuality were lack of specific knowledge and not enough time to explore these aspects in medical consultations, reported by 71% and 20% of all participants, respectively.

Conclusions

Most residents do not feel comfortable or confident and lack specific knowledge and skills to deal with questions related to sexual problems during pregnancy.
Effect of MgO and PVA on the Synthesis and Properties of Negative Thermal Expansion Ceramics of Zr2(WO4)(PO4)2
Authors: Shang Rui , Hu Qinglun , Liu Xiansheng , Liang Erjun , Yuan Bin , Chao Mingju
Published: June 2012

A green synthesis of Zr2(WO4)(PO4)2 ceramics from ZrO2, WO3 and P2O5 is presented. It is shown that the ceramics can be synthesized by one‐step sintering within 60 min. The relative density of the ceramics can be enhanced from about 75% without sintering additives to 99.8% of the theoretical value with 1.0 wt% MgO and 2.0 wt% polyvinyl alcohol. The grain sizes of the ceramics are smaller and more uniform with MgO added in the raw materials than with MgO added in the Zr2(WO4)(PO4)2 powder. The coefficients of thermal expansion are about −2.325 × 10−6, −1.406 × 10−6, −1.509 × 10−6 and −1.384 × 10−6°C−1 for the samples without MgO, with MgO added in the raw materials, with MgO added in the Zr2(WO4)(PO4)2 powder and with MgO and PVA added in the raw materials, respectively.
Hedysarum kalatense sp. nov. (Fabaceae) from Iran
Authors: Dehshiri M. M.
Published: June 2012

Hedysarum kalatense Dehshiri sp. nov. (Fabaceae) is described and illustrated from Khorassan, Iran. It belongs to sect. Crinifera and is distinct among Iranian species. This species appears to be closely related to H. macranthum (Freyn & Sint.) B. Fedtschenko. The diagnostic characters, as well as a full description and a detailed illustration are provided. Hedysarum kalatense is evaluated as ‘Vulnerable’ (VU) according to IUCN red list criteria.
The Thermal Stability of Molten Lithium–Sodium–Potassium Carbonate and the Influence of Additives on the Melting Point
Authors: Olivares Rene I. , Chen Chunlin , Wright Steven
Published: June 2012

The thermal stability of a molten LiNaK carbonate salt, potentially suitable for thermal energy storage, was studied up to a temperature of 1000 °C. The salt investigated was the eutectic Li2CO3–Na2CO3–K2CO3 in the proportions 32.1–33.4–34.5 wt. % and the study was done by simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)/thermogravimetric–mass spectrometric (TG–MS) analysis in gas atmospheres of argon, air, and CO2. It was found that (i) under a blanket gas atmosphere of CO2 the LiNaK carbonate salt is stable up to at least 1000 °C. (ii) In an inert atmosphere of argon, the salt evolves gaseous CO2 soon after melting and begins to decompose at between 710 °C and 715 °C with acceleration in the CO2 evolution rate from the melt. An increase in the rate of weight loss is also observed after 707 °C. (iii) Under a blanket atmosphere of air, the gaseous CO2 evolution from the salt is observed to commence at 530 °C, the onset of decomposition detected by DSC analysis at 601 °C and the rapid rate of weight loss determined by TG analysis at 673 °C. The melting point of the LiNaK carbonate studied was between 400 °C and 405 °C. Thermodynamic modeling with Multi-Phase-Equilibrium (MPE) software developed in CSIRO Process Science and Engineering indicated that additives such as NaNO3, KCl, and NaOH lower the melting point of the LiNaK carbonate eutectic, and this was experimentally verified.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 26 June 2012
Authors: Boussiotis Vassiliki A. , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: June 2012

An inhibitory receptor blocks proliferation of autoreactive T cells to promote tolerance in the periphery.
Grb2: Adapting to Basal Activity
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: June 2012

By binding to two receptor tyrosine kinase subunits, dimeric Grb2 may enable basal receptor phosphorylation, while limiting downstream signaling.
Fresh Approaches to Anti-Infective Therapies
Authors: Nathan Carl
Published: June 2012

Characterization of resistant pathogens, new government policies, and creative discovery efforts are needed to maintain an effective antibacterial arsenal.
Stimulation of the Hexose Monophosphate Shunt in Human Neutrophils by Ascorbic Acid: Mechanism of Action
Authors: DeChatelet Lawrence R. , Cooper M. Robert , McCall Charles E.
Published: June 2012

The addition of either ascorbic acid or dehydroascorbic acid to a suspension of polymorphonuclear leukocytes caused a dramatic increase in the resting hexose monophosphate shunt activity. A sequence of reactions involving dehydroascorbate, reduced glutathione, and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate is described to explain this stimulation. This sequence could provide an alternate method of producing H
2
O
2
and a bactericidal mechanism which is independent of myeloperoxidase.
Evaluation of a New Cephalosporin Antibiotic, Cephapirin
Authors: Wiesner P. , MacGregor R. , Bear D. , Berman S. , Holmes K. , Turck M.
Published: June 2012

Cephapirin sodium, a parenterally administered derivative of cephalosporanic acid, was tested in vitro against 150 stock cultures of
Enterobacteriaceae
and 30 stock cultures each of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and
Staphylococcus aureus
. Both broth- and agar-dilution techniques were employed with two sizes of inocula of organisms. At a concentration of 7.5 μg or less/ml, cephapirin inhibited and killed 100% of strains of
Escherichia coli
and
Proteus mirabilis
and more than 80% of
Klebsiella
species when tested against an inoculum of 10
5
bacterial cells/ml. However, even at 100 μg/ml, only a few isolates of other
Enterobacteriaceae
and
Pseudomonas
were inhibited. A 100-fold increase in the inoculum resulted in decreased susceptibility of organisms. All penicillin-susceptible as well as penicillin-resistant
S. aureus
isolates were inhibited and killed by 5 μg or less of cephapirin/ml when tested with an inoculum of either 10
4
or 10
6
organisms/ml. The drug also was studied in various doses in the treatment of 77 patients with diverse infections. Cephapirin was effective in the treatment of 27 of 32 patients with pulmonary infection, as well as in 6 of 7 patients with staphylococcal or streptococcal soft tissue infection. Of 25 patients with urinary-tract infections, 19 developed a negative culture during therapy. A single 4-g intramuscular dose of cephapirin was effective in only 2 of 11 patients with gonococcal urethritis or endocervicitis. Two patients with gonococcal urethritis treated with multiple injections were cured. The drug was well tolerated except for pain at the site of injection in 14 patients and phlebitis in 4 patients. No abnormalities in renal or hepatic function could be attributed to cephapirin. In addition, no abnormalities were found in the renal tubules of rabbits challenged with 500 mg of cephapirin/kg. If further studies document that cephapirin is well tolerated by the parenteral route, it may have advantages over cephalothin or cephaloridine.
Susceptibility of Herpesviruses to Cytosine Arabinoside: Standardization of Susceptibility Test Procedure and Relative Resistance of Herpes Simplex Type 2 Strains
Authors: Fiala Milan , Chow Anthony , Guze Lucien B.
Published: June 2012

Susceptibility testing of herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) viruses to cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) has been standardized under conditions of optimal reproducibility, susceptibility, and simplicity. Standard conditions were defined as virus inoculum of 10
1.5
to 10
2.5
TCID
50
, WI-38 strain of lung fibroblasts, 2-day incubation, and observation of virus cytopathic effect after staining by the May-Greenwald-Giemsa method. The variability of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of cytopathic effect was fourfold within each test and sixfold in successive assays. MIC values of all seven tested HSV-1 strains were in the range of 0.25 to 0.75 μg per ml, whereas four of nine HSV-2 strains had MIC values of 0.9 μg per ml and greater. A similar method can be used for assay of virus inhibitory titers of body fluids.
Method for Preclinical Evaluation of Antiplaque Agents
Authors: Tanzer J. M. , Reid Y. , Reid W.
Published: June 2012

A preclinical method for the evaluation of antibacterial agents for use against dental plaques associated with caries and periodontal disease is proposed. The method is applicable to screening agents and to defining, in vitro, the minimal conditions required for maximal antiplaque effect. As a model of antiplaque agents, chlorhexidine was assessed in vitro against preformed plaques of microorganisms conducive to dental caries and periodontal disease. The agent was bactericidal to plaques of nine strains of
Streptococcus mutans
and one strain of
Actinomyces viscosus
when used in a single treatment for 20 min at 2 × 10
−1
%, in two 2-min treatments on the same day, or in daily 2-min treatments at this same concentration. Using the last of these experimental conditions, we then tested chlorhexidine in vivo by topical application to the maxillary teeth of infected hamsters and found it to be effective in controlling plaques of
S. mutans
and
A. viscosus
.
Minocycline in the Chemoprophylaxis of Meningococcal Disease
Authors: Guttler Richard B. , Beaty Harry N.
Published: June 2012

An outbreak of meningococcal disease occurred among basic combat trainees at Fort Lewis, Wash., in the first 3 months of 1971. After five recruits developed meningitis within a 2-week period, 8,721 recruits were given 100 mg of minocycline every 12 hr for 5 days. No new cases of meningococcal disease occurred for almost 5 weeks. Then six additional cases occurred among recruits who had entered training after the initial course of minocycline and who had not received the drug. Minocycline was given to all 6,130 of these men, and again occurrence of new cases was halted abruptly. One week later, group C polysaccharide vaccine was administered to all recruits in the first 6 weeks of training and subsequently to all new entering trainees. No new cases of meningitis occurred in the next 3 months. Surveys showed that minocycline significantly lowered the meningococcal carrier rate for 4 to 5 weeks. No strains of
Neisseria meningitidis
, among 341 isolated after minocycline treatment, were resistant to the drug. Prophylaxis with minocycline clearly interrupted the course of this outbreak due to sulfa-resistant meningococci. Although immunization is the preferred method of prophylaxis, minocycline may be useful until a suitable polyvalent vaccine is available.