bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fungal biotransformation of zinc silicate and sulfide mineral ores
Authors: Wei Zhan , Liang Xinjin , Pendlowski Helen , Hillier Stephen , Suntornvongsagul Kallaya , Sihanonth Prakitsin , Gadd Geoffrey Michael 
Published: January 2013

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

ObjectiveThis study aims to model the impact of preconception care on births with congenital disorders at a national level.DesignMathematical cross‐sectional model based on life‐table methodology.SettingResearch conducted in Cambridge, United Kingdom.PopulationWomen aged 15–45 years in England, 2001.MethodsA mathematical model was constructed based on cross‐sectional data from women aged 15–45 years in England undertaking one of three interventions, so as to reflect different strategies of preconception care: folic acid supplementation and fortification (representing national, universal interventions); alcohol intervention (reflecting primary care strategies); and diabetes management (targeting a population of high‐risk women with a known chronic disease).Main outcome measureReduction in the prevalence of congenital disorders at birth.ResultsBetween 585 (lower estimate) and 1085 (upper estimate) congenital disorders could be prevented with a national preconception programme, based on a single‐year national cohort in England. This represents an 8–15% reduction in annual notifications of congenital disorders in live births annually. According to modelled estimates, folic acid fortification or supplementation, alcohol intervention, and diabetic management may result in a 46, 32–62, 53, and 54% reduction in the live birth prevalence of specific congenital disorders, respectively. In an ideal scenario, the application of this model decreases the total annual number of congenital disorder notifications by approximately one‐sixth.ConclusionA preconception care programme comprising three different strategies potentially can reduce the number of infants born with congenital disorders at a national level. This model provides strong support for preconception care to become a healthcare priority, and has major implications for healthcare planning.
Cost‐effectiveness of tubal patency tests
Authors: Verhoeve HR , Moolenaar LM , Hompes P , van der Veen F , Mol BWJ 
Published: January 2013

ObjectiveGuidelines are not in agreement on the most effective diagnostic scenario for tubal patency testing; therefore, we evaluated the cost‐effectiveness of invasive tubal testing in subfertile couples compared with no testing and treatment.DesignCost‐effectiveness analysis.SettingDecision analytic framework.PopulationComputer‐simulated cohort of subfertile women.MethodsWe evaluated six scenarios: (1) no tests and no treatment; (2) immediate treatment without tubal testing; (3) delayed treatment without tubal testing; (4) hysterosalpingogram (HSG), followed by immediate or delayed treatment, according to diagnosis (tailored treatment); (5) HSG and a diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) in case HSG does not prove tubal patency, followed by tailored treatment; and (6) DL followed by tailored treatment.Main outcome measuresExpected cumulative live births after 3 years. Secondary outcomes were cost per couple and the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio.ResultsFor a 30–year‐old woman with otherwise unexplained subfertility for 12 months, 3–year cumulative live birth rates were 51.8, 78.1, 78.4, 78.4, 78.6 and 78.4%, and costs per couple were €0, €6968, €5063, €5410, €5405 and €6163 for scenarios 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios compared with scenario 1 (reference strategy), were €26,541, €19,046, €20,372, €20,150 and €23,184 for scenarios 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively. Sensitivity analysis showed the model to be robust over a wide range of values for the variables.ConclusionsThe most cost‐effective scenario is to perform no diagnostic tubal tests and to delay in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment for at least 12 months for women younger than 38 years old, and to perform no tubal tests and start immediate IVF treatment from the age of 39 years. If an invasive diagnostic test is planned, HSG followed by tailored treatment, or a DL if HSG shows no tubal patency, is more cost‐effective than DL.
Can changes in angiogenic biomarkers between the first and second trimesters of pregnancy predict development of pre‐eclampsia in a low‐risk nulliparous patient population?
Authors: Myatt L , Clifton RG , Roberts JM , Spong CY , Wapner RJ , Thorp JM , Mercer BM , Peaceman AM , Ramin SM , Carpenter MW , Sciscione A , Tolosa JE , Saade G , Sorokin Y , Anderson GD ,   for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal–Fetal Medicine Units Network
Published: January 2013

ObjectiveTo determine if change in maternal angiogenic biomarkers between the first and second trimesters predicts pre‐eclampsia in low‐risk nulliparous women.DesignA nested case–control study of change in maternal plasma soluble Flt‐1 (sFlt‐1), soluble endoglin (sEng) and placenta growth factor (PlGF). We studied 158 pregnancies complicated by pre‐eclampsia and 468 normotensive nonproteinuric controls.SettingA multicentre study in 16 academic medical centres in the USA.PopulationLow‐risk nulliparous women.MethodsLuminex assays for PlGF, sFlt‐1 and sEng performed on maternal EDTA plasma collected at 9–12, 15–18 and 23–26 weeks of gestation. Rate of change of analyte between first and either early or late second trimester was calculated with and without adjustment for baseline clinical characteristics.Main outcome measuresChange in PlGF, sFlt‐1 and sEng.ResultsRates of change of PlGF, sEng and sFlt‐1 between first and either early or late second trimesters were significantly different in women who developed pre‐eclampsia, severe pre‐eclampsia or early‐onset pre‐eclampsia compared with women who remained normotensive. Inclusion of clinical characteristics (race, body mass index and blood pressure at entry) increased sensitivity for detecting severe and particularly early‐onset pre‐eclampsia but not pre‐eclampsia overall. Receiver operating characteristics curves for change from first to early second trimester in sEng, PlGF and sFlt‐1 with clinical characteristics had areas under the curve of 0.88, 0.84 and 0.86, respectively, and for early‐onset pre‐eclampsia with sensitivities of 88% (95% CI 64–99), 77% (95% CI 50–93) and 77% (95% CI 50–93) for 80% specificity, respectively. Similar results were seen in the change from first to late second trimester.ConclusionChange in angiogenic biomarkers between first and early second trimester combined with clinical characteristics has strong utility for predicting early‐onset pre‐eclampsia.
Meeting the challenge of interpreting high‐resolution single nucleotide polymorphism array data in prenatal diagnosis: does increased diagnostic power outweigh the dilemma of rare variants?
Authors: Ganesamoorthy D , Bruno DL , McGillivray G , Norris F , White SM , Adroub S , Amor DJ , Yeung A , Oertel R , Pertile MD , Ngo C , Arvaj AR , Walker S , Charan P , Palma‐Dias R , Woodrow N , Slater HR 
Published: January 2013

ObjectiveSeveral studies have already shown the superiority of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) compared with conventional karyotyping for prenatal investigation of fetal ultrasound abnormality. This study used very high‐resolution single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays to determine the impact on detection rates of all clinical categories of copy number variations (CNVs), and address the issue of interpreting and communicating findings of uncertain or unknown clinical significance, which are to be expected at higher frequency when using very high‐resolution CMA.DesignProspective validation study.SettingTertiary clinical genetics centre.PopulationWomen referred for further investigation of fetal ultrasound anomaly.MethodsWe prospectively tested 104 prenatal samples using both conventional karyotyping and high‐resolution arrays.Main outcome measuresThe detection rates for each clinical category of CNV.ResultsUnequivocal pathogenic CNVs were found in six cases, including one with uniparental disomy (paternal UPD 14). A further four cases had a ‘likely pathogenic’ finding. Overall, CMA improved the detection of ‘pathogenic’ and ‘likely pathogenic’ abnormalities from 2.9% (3/104) to 9.6% (10/104). CNVs of ‘unknown’ clinical significance that presented interpretational difficulties beyond results from parental investigations were detected in 6.7% (7/104) of samples.ConclusionsIncreased detection sensitivity appears to be the main benefit of high‐resolution CMA. Despite this, in this cohort there was no significant benefit in terms of improving detection of small pathogenic CNVs. A potential disadvantage is the high detection rate of CNVs of ‘unknown’ clinical significance. These findings emphasise the importance of establishing an evidence‐based policy for the interpretation and reporting of CNVs, and the need to provide appropriate pre‐ and post‐test counselling.
Quantifying the Economic Return to Participatory Extension Programmes in Ireland: an Endogenous Switching Regression Analysis
Authors: Läpple Doris , Hennessy Thia , Newman Carol 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis article examines the effectiveness of a government funded extension programme. Farm‐level data are used to assess the economic impact of dairy discussion groups, a common participatory extension method. The evaluation focuses on whether discussion group participants have improved farm profits, which is estimated with an endogenous switching regression model. This method controls for self‐selection bias due to unobserved characteristics, such as the farmer’s ability, that may affect both participation and farm profitability. After controlling for this potential bias, we find that the economic returns to discussion group membership are positive, thus supporting government targets to enrol more farmers in discussion groups.
Capillary Pressure as Related to Water Holding in Polyacrylamide and Chicken Protein Gels
Authors: Stevenson Clinton D. , Dykstra Michael J. , Lanier Tyre C. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract The ability of food gels to hold water affects product yield and organoleptic quality. Most researchers believe that water is held by capillarity such that gels having smaller mean pore diameter and a more hydrophilic surface hold water more tightly. To date, however, only qualitative evidence relating pore size to water holding (WH) properties has been provided. The present study sought to provide quantitative confirmation of this hypothesis. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with image analysis was used to measure pore size, and water contact angle with the gel surface was measured by the captive bubble method, in both model polyacrylamide gels and heat‐induced protein (minced chicken breast) gels. These were related to water lost during cooking of meat pastes to form gels (cooking loss (CL)), as well as water lost upon centrifugation (expressible water (EW)) or by capillary suction (CSL) of all prepared gels, as inverse measures of WH. As predicted by the Young–Laplace equation for calculating capillary pressure, the presumed mechanism of WH, gels with lower water losses exhibited a more hydrophilic surface (smaller contact angle). Yet, both lower CL and CSL correlated with larger mean pore diameter of gels, not smaller as had been expected. Polyacrylamide gels varied more in WH than did prepared meat gels, yet only the capillary suction method was sensitive enough to detect these differences.Practical Application:  The ability of gels to hold water is important for economics of processing, food quality, and food safety. This study investigated the prevailing theory for how gels hold water, capillarity. Both the pore sizes of gel microstructures and the degree of hydrophilicity of the polymers comprising each gel were quantitatively assessed and related to water holding (WH) properties, and this was the first report using such methodologies. It appeared that the degree of hydrophilicity was much more important explaining WH properties than pore size, and that future research of this kind should be carried out.
Intensity‐modulated radiotherapy using simultaneous‐integrated boost for definitive treatment of locally advanced mucosal head and neck cancer: Outcomes from a single‐institution series
Authors: Johnston Meredith , Guo Linxin , Back Michael , Guminski Alex , Lee Adrian , Hanna Catherine , Veivers David , Wignall Andrew , Eade Thomas 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIntroductionThe study aims to report outcomes for patients treated using intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with simultaneous‐integrated boost and weekly cisplatin for American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III/IV mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs).MethodsRecords for 67 patients treated definitively with IMRT for HNSCC were reviewed. By including only those treated with weekly cisplatin, 45 patients were eligible for analysis. Treatment outcomes, effect of patient, tumour and treatment characteristics on disease recurrence were analysed.ResultsAll patients completed IMRT to 7000 cGy in 35 fractions, with concurrent weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m2 (median 6 cycles). Median follow‐up was 28 months for living patients. Two‐year loco‐regional recurrence‐free, metastasis‐free and overall survival were 85.4, 81.0 and 87.4%, respectively. Local recurrence occurred in three patients, and distant recurrence in eight patients.ConclusionsOur results show efficacy of IMRT and weekly cisplatin in the treatment of stage III/IV HNSCC at our institution with respect to loco‐regional control.
Multisource feedback for radiation oncologists
Authors: Vinod Shalini Kavita , Lonergan Denise Margaret 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIntroductionMultisource feedback (MSF) is an assessment of performance through evaluation of an individual's competence from multiple perspectives. It is mandated in many specialist training schemes in medicine. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of implementing MSF for consultant radiation oncologists.MethodsA validated tool consisting of a self‐assessment questionnaire, medical colleague questionnaire, co‐worker questionnaire and patient questionnaire was used for MSF. Statements were rated on a 5‐point Likert scale with 1 being a low rating and 5 a high rating. Seven radiation oncologists volunteered to undergo MSF. They each nominated 10 medical colleagues, 10 co‐workers and 10 patients to be surveyed. Clinician feedback was provided as an individual report with a mean score and range for each data item.ResultsTwo hundred ten surveys were mailed out and seven self‐assessments were completed. The response rate was 87% for medical colleagues, 89% for co‐workers and 79% for patients. The mean feedback scores averaged for the radiation oncologists ranged from 4.4 to 4.9, significantly higher than self‐assessments scores which ranged from 3.2 to 3.7. MSF identified areas for potential improvement including communication and collaboration with co‐workers and accessibility to and adequacy of clinic space for patients. All radiation oncologists found the MSF a positive experience, and five planned to make changes in their practice in response to this.ConclusionsThe high response rate to the surveys has shown that it is feasible to implement MSF for radiation oncologists. This could potentially be used as a method for ongoing revalidation.
Circulating microparticles in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Crookston Kendall P. , Sibbitt Wilmer L. , Chandler Wayne. L. , Qualls Clifford R. , Roldan Carlos A. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimPhosphatidylserine‐rich microparticles derived from endothelial cells, platelets and leukocytes have been implicated as surrogate markers of cellular activation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Because microparticles have also been associated with many primary neurologic diseases, this study investigated whether cellular‐derived microparticles are also implicated in neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE).MethodPlasma microparticles were measured in 51 SLE patients and 22 age‐ and gender‐matched controls. Acute NPSLE was defined as major NPSLE (acute stroke, transient ischemic attack, psychosis, isolated seizures, major cognitive disorder, or acute confusional state) and NPSLE disease activity was measured with the neurologic components of the SLE Disease Activity Index (Neuro‐SLEDAI).ResultsNeuro‐SLEDAI levels varied widely in SLE patients, consistent with variable NPSLE activity. When considering all patients with SLE, there was no difference in total microparticles relative to matched controls, 2158/μL (interquartile range [IQR] 1214–3463) versus 2782/μL (IQR 1586–2990; P = 0.57) nor differences in microparticles derived from either platelets (P = 0.40), monocytes (P = 0.15) or endothelial cells (P = 0.32). However, levels of circulating monocyte‐derived microparticles significantly and independently correlated with NPSLE (r = −0.28; P = 0.045), corticosteroid dosage (r = −0.38; P = 0.006) and levels of circulating C5a (r = 0.54; P < 0.0001). Non‐neurologic SLE disease activity was not associated with microparticles.ConclusionCirculating cell‐derived microparticles are reduced in active NPSLE, although the relative contribution of reduced microparticle production, increased consumption or intravascular sequestration, remain uncertain.
Independent and shared effects of environmental features and space driving avian community beta diversity across a coastal gradient in southern Brazil
Authors: Gianuca Andros Tarouco , Bastazini Vinicius Augusto Galvão , Dias Rafael Antunes , Hernández Malva Isabel Medina 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBeta diversity is defined as the variation in species composition among sites within a region of interest. This variation can be explained by different metacommunity paradigms, which are not mutually exclusive. While species sorting emphasizes the role of habitat features in affecting species composition, the neutral model suggests that constraints on dispersal are key assembly factors. We assessed the role of environmental features and spatial descriptors at multiple scales, in affecting avian beta diversity across a gradient of coastal habitats in southern Brazil. During the winter 2008 and summer 2009, we counted birds in 57 plots on a sandy beach and in coastal dunes and coastal grasslands (19 plots per habitat). We measured the structure of the herbaceous vegetation, the number of individual cactuses and shrubs, and the percentages of sand and water cover on each plot. We generated spatial filters by means of principal coordinates of neighbour matrices. We used variation partitioning based on redundancy analysis to decompose the fraction of beta diversity explained by environmental features and spatial descriptors at the scale of the entire gradient and within each habitat type. In both seasons, environmental variables explained 33% of beta diversity across the entire gradient. A third of this amount could also be explained by space, representing the fraction of species and environmental variables that were spatially structured. Pure environmental processes explained about 22% of beta diversity. Pure spatial control was weak at this larger scale. The opposite pattern was found within each habitat type, as there was no environmental control and neutral processes became dominant at this smaller scale. Our study thus presents a case where the strong environmental gradient filters out different species at the largest scale, whereas stochastic processes and spatial autocorrelation increase with loss of environmental heterogeneity within habitat types.
Analysis of Family‐ and Population‐Based Samples Using Multiple Linkage Disequilibrium Mapping
Authors: Chiu Yen‐Feng , Lee Chun‐Yi , Kao Hui‐Yi , Pan Wen‐Harn , Hsu Fang‐Chi 
Published: January 2013

SummaryWe report two methods for linkage disequilibrium mapping that involve incorporation of covariates through parametric modeling to utilize combined case‐parent trios and unrelated case and/or control data. The proposed two combined methods were used to map the disease locus of hypertension in the angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) gene with incorporation of ACE activity. The efficiencies in estimating the disease locus increased by 351‐ and 100‐fold in the hybrid study with respect to the two proposed methods when compared to the estimates from the trios study; and they changed by 1.4‐ and 0.4‐fold, respectively, when compared to the case‐control study. Efficiency of disease locus estimates was greatly improved in both simulations and hypertension studies based on the hybrid data, compared to case‐parent trio studies only. These newly developed methods preserve the advantages of the previous methods, including flexible modeling and assessment of gene‐gene and gene‐covariate effects, while providing more power by using all the data combined. The computing program for analysis using the separate and hybrid data sets is freely available on the author's website.