bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal near miss and quality of maternal health care in Baghdad, Iraq
Authors: Jabir Maysoon , Abdul-Salam Imad , Suheil Dhikra M , Al-Hilli Wafa , Abul-Hassan Sana , Al-Zuheiri Amal , Al-Ba'aj Rasha , Dekan Abeer , Tunçalp Özge , Souza Joao Paulo 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
The maternal near-miss concept has been developed as an instrument for assisting health systems to evaluate and improve their quality of care. Our study aimed at studying the characteristics and quality of care provided to women with severe complications in Baghdad through the use of the World Health Organization (WHO) near-miss approach for maternal health.

Methods
This is a facility-based, cross-sectional study conducted in 6 public hospitals in Baghdad between March 1, 2010 and the June 30, 2010. WHO near-miss approach was utilized to analyze the data in terms of indicators of maternal near miss and access to and quality of maternal care.

Results
The maternal near-miss rate was low at 5.06 per 1,000 live births, while the overall maternal near miss: mortality ratio was 9:1. One third of the near-miss cases were referred from other facilities and the mortality index was the same for referred women and for in-hospital women (11%). The intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate was 37% for women with severe maternal outcomes (SMO), while the overall admission rate was 0.28%. Anemia (55%) and previous cesarean section (45%) were the most common associated conditions with severe maternal morbidity. The use of magnesium sulfate for treatment of eclampsia, oxytocin for prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage, prophylactic antibiotics during caesarean section, and corticosteroids for inducing fetal lung maturation in preterm birth is suboptimum.

Conclusions
The WHO near-miss approach allowed systematic identification of the roadblocks to improve quality of care and then monitoring the progress. Critical evidence-based practices, relevant to the management of women experiencing life-threatening conditions, are underused. In addition, possible limitations in the referral system result in a very high proportion of women presenting at the hospital already in a severe health condition (i.e. with organ dysfunction). A shortage of ICU beds leading to women taken care of without admission to ICU may also contribute to a high proportion of maternal deaths and organ dysfunction.
Development and validation of a pregnancy symptoms inventory
Authors: Foxcroft Katie F , Callaway Leonie K , Byrne Nuala M , Webster Joan 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Physical symptoms are common in pregnancy and are predominantly associated with normal physiological changes. These symptoms have a social and economic cost, leading to absenteeism from work and additional medical interventions. There is currently no simple method for identifying common pregnancy related problems in the antenatal period. A validated tool, for use by pregnancy care providers would be useful. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory for use by health professionals.

Methods
A list of symptoms was generated via expert consultation with health professionals. Focus groups were conducted with pregnant women. The inventory was tested for face validity and piloted for readability and comprehension. For test-re-test reliability, the tool was administered to the same women 2 to 3 days apart. Finally, midwives trialled the inventory for 1 month and rated its usefulness on a 10cm visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results
A 41-item Likert inventory assessing how often symptoms occurred and what effect they had, was developed. Individual item test re-test reliability was between .51 to 1, the majority (34 items) scoring ≥0.70. The top four “often” reported symptoms were urinary frequency (52.2%), tiredness (45.5%), poor sleep (27.5%) and back pain (19.5%). Among the women surveyed, 16.2% claimed to sometimes or often be incontinent. Referrals to the incontinence nurse increased > 8 fold during the study period.

Conclusions
The PSI provides a comprehensive inventory of pregnancy related symptoms, with a mechanism for assessing their effect on function. It was robustly developed, with good test re-test reliability, face validity, comprehension and readability. This provides a validated tool for assessing the impact of interventions in pregnancy.
Level of awareness of mammography among women attending outpatient clinics in a teaching hospital in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria
Authors: Obajimi Millicent O , Ajayi Ikeoluwapo O , Oluwasola Abideen O , Adedokun Babatunde O , Adeniji-Sofoluwe Adenike T , Mosuro Olushola A , Akingbola Titilola S , Bassey Oku S , Umeh Eric , Soyemi Temitope O , Adegoke Folasade , Ogungbade Idiat , Ukaigwe Chinwe , Olopade Olufunmilayo I 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Mammography has been used in developed countries with considerable success but very little is known about this imaging modality in low resource settings. This study examined the level of awareness of mammography and determined factors influencing the level of awareness.

Methods
We conducted a hospital based cross sectional study to investigate the level of awareness of mammography among 818 randomly selected women attending the General Outpatient clinics (GOP) of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria. Independent predictors of level of awareness of mammography were identified using multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results
The proportion of women who ever heard of mammography was 5%, and they demonstrated poor knowledge of the procedure. Those with primary or secondary levels of education were about three times less likely to be aware of mammography when compared with those with tertiary level of education (OR = 0.3, 95% CI, 0.12 – 0.73). Also, participation in community breast cancer prevention activities (OR = 3.4, 95% CI, 1.39 – 8.36), and previous clinical breast examination (OR = 2.34, 95% CI, 1.10 – 4.96) independently predicted mammography awareness. Newspapers and magazines appeared to be the most important sources of information about mammography screening.

Conclusion
The level of awareness of mammography is poor among women attending outpatient clinics in the studied population. Interventions promoting awareness of this screening procedure should give particular attention to the illiterate and older women while clinicians performing breast examinations should utilize the opportunity to inform women about the mammography procedure. Promotion of educational articles on breast cancer and its screening methods via media remains vital for the literate.
Cloning, overexpression, purification, and characterization of a polyextremophilic β-galactosidase from the Antarctic haloarchaeon Halorubrum lacusprofundi
Authors: Karan Ram , Capes Melinda D , DasSarma Priya , DasSarma Shiladitya 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background

Halorubrum lacusprofundi is a cold-adapted halophilic archaeon isolated from Deep Lake, a perennially cold and hypersaline lake in Antarctica. Its genome sequencing project was recently completed, providing access to many genes predicted to encode polyextremophilic enzymes active in both extremely high salinity and cold temperatures.

Results
Analysis of the genome sequence of H. lacusprofundi showed a gene cluster for carbohydrate utilization containing a glycoside hydrolase family 42 β-galactosidase gene, named bga. In order to study the biochemical properties of the β-galactosidase enzyme, the bga gene was PCR amplified, cloned, and expressed in the genetically tractable haloarchaeon Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 under the control of a cold shock protein (cspD2) gene promoter. The recombinant β-galactosidase protein was produced at 20-fold higher levels compared to H. lacusprofundi, purified using gel filtration and hydrophobic interaction chromatography, and identified by SDS-PAGE, LC-MS/MS, and ONPG hydrolysis activity. The purified enzyme was found to be active over a wide temperature range (−5 to 60°C) with an optimum of 50°C, and 10% of its maximum activity at 4°C. The enzyme also exhibited extremely halophilic character, with maximal activity in either 4 M NaCl or KCl. The polyextremophilic β-galactosidase was also stable and active in 10–20% alcohol-aqueous solutions, containing methanol, ethanol, n-butanol, or isoamyl alcohol.

Conclusion
The H. lacusprofundi β-galactosidase is a polyextremophilic enzyme active in high salt concentrations and low and high temperature. The enzyme is also active in aqueous-organic mixed solvents, with potential applications in synthetic chemistry. H. lacuprofundi proteins represent a significant biotechnology resource and for developing insights into enzyme catalysis under water limiting conditions. This study provides a system for better understanding how H. lacusprofundi is successful in a perennially cold, hypersaline environment, with relevance to astrobiology.
Effectiveness of antiviral prophylaxis coupled with contact tracing in reducing the transmission of the influenza A (H1N1-2009): a systematic review
Authors: Mizumoto Kenji , Nishiura Hiroshi , Yamamoto Taro 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
During the very early stage of the 2009 pandemic, mass chemoprophylaxis was implemented as part of containment measure. The purposes of the present study were to systematically review the retrospective studies that investigated the effectiveness of antiviral prophylaxis during the 2009 pandemic, and to explicitly estimate the effectiveness by employing a mathematical model.

Methods
A systematic review identified 17 articles that clearly defined the cases and identified exposed individuals based on contact tracing. Analysing a specific school-driven outbreak, we estimated the effectiveness of antiviral prophylaxis using a renewal equation model. Other parameters, including the reproduction number and the effectiveness of antiviral treatment and school closure, were jointly estimated.

Results
Based on the systematic review, median secondary infection risks (SIRs) among exposed individuals with and without prophylaxis were estimated at 2.1% (quartile: 0, 12.2) and 16.6% (quartile: 8.4, 32.4), respectively. A very high heterogeneity in the SIR was identified with an estimated I
2 statistic at 71.8%. From the outbreak data in Madagascar, the effectiveness of mass chemoprophylaxis in reducing secondary transmissions was estimated to range from 92.8% to 95.4% according to different model assumptions and likelihood functions, not varying substantially as compared to other parameters.

Conclusions
Only based on the meta-analysis of retrospective studies with different study designs and exposure settings, it was not feasible to estimate the effectiveness of antiviral prophylaxis in reducing transmission. However, modelling analysis of a single outbreak successfully yielded an estimate of the effectiveness that appeared to be robust to model assumptions. Future studies should fill the data gap that has existed in observational studies and allow mathematical models to be used for the analysis of meta-data.
Trisomy 8: a common finding in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell lines
Authors: Kim Young Mi , Lee Ji-Yun , Xia Lijun , Mulvihill John J , Li Shibo 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Obtaining a germ cell line is one of the most important steps in developing a transgenic or knockout mouse with a targeted mutated gene of interest. A common problem with this technology is that embryonic stem (ES) cells often lack, or are extremely inefficient at, germ line transmission.

Results
To determine whether chromosomal anomalies are correlated with inefficient ES cell germ line transmission, we examined 97 constructed ES cell lines using conventional cytogenetic analysis, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Chromosomal abnormalities occurred in 44 (45%) out of the 97 specimens analyzed: 31 specimens had trisomy 8 or mosaic trisomy 8, eight specimens had partial trisomy 8 resulting from unbalanced translocations, and five specimens had other chromosomal anomalies.

Conclusions
Our data suggest that chromosomal analysis is an important tool for improving the yield and quality of gene targeting experiments.
Response of Anopheles gambiae s.l. (Diptera: Culicidae) to larval habitat age in western Kenya highlands
Authors: Munga Stephen , Vulule John , Kweka Eliningaya J 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Larval control is of paramount importance in the reduction of vector populations. Previous observations have suggested that, larvae of Anopheles gambiae s.l occur more often in small temporary habitats while other studies showed that long-lasting stable habitats are more productive than unstable habitats. In addition, the physical and biological conditions and stability of larval habitats can change rapidly in natural conditions. Therefore, we examined the effect of larval habitat age on productivity, larval survival and oviposition preference of Anopheles gambiae.

Methods
We sampled the three different habitat ages (10, 20 and 30 days) on a daily basis for a period of six months to determine mosquito larval abundance. In addition, we tested the effect of age of water (habitat age) on the oviposition choice preference of An. gambiae, larval development time and survivorship, and wing lengths of emerging adults. Additionally, chlorophyll a and abundance of mosquito larval predators in these habitats were monitored.

Results

Anopheles gambiae s.l. larvae were significantly more abundant (P=0.0002) in habitats that were cleared every 10 days compared to the other habitats. In particular, there were 1.7 times more larvae in this habitat age compared to the ones that were cleared every 30 days. There were significantly (P<0.001) more mosquito larval predators in the ‘30 day’ habitats compared to the other habitats. Oviposition experiments revealed that significantly more eggs (P<0.05) were laid in fresh water and water that was 5 days old compared to water that was 10 and 15 days old. However, pupation rate, development times and wing lengths of male and female An. gambiae in the different habitat ages was statistically insignificant (P>0.05).

Conclusion
The current study confirmed that age of the habitat significantly influences the productivity of malaria vectors in western Kenya highlands. Given that malaria vectors were found in all habitats with varying ages of water, simple environmental methods of maintaining the drainage ditches in the valley bottoms can help reduce larval abundance of malaria vectors. Such inexpensive methods of controlling mosquito breeding could be promoted to supplement other vector control methods, especially in areas where scarce resources are available for intensive mosquito control.
Dysregulation of JAK-STAT pathway in hematological malignancies and JAK inhibitors for clinical application
Authors: Furqan Muhammad , Mukhi Nikhil , Lee Byung , Liu Delong 
Published: January 2013

AbstractJAK-STAT (Janus associated kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription) pathway plays a critical role in transduction of extracellular signals from cytokines and growth factors involved in hematopoiesis, immune regulation, fertility, lactation, growth and embryogenesis. JAK family contains four cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases, JAK1-3 and Tyk2. Seven STAT proteins have been identified in human cells, STAT1-6, including STAT5a and STAT5b. Negative regulators of JAK–STAT pathways include tyrosine phosphatases (SHP1 and 2, CD45), protein inhibitors of activated STATs (PIAS), suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins, and cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein (CIS). Dysregulation of JAK-STAT pathway have been found to be key events in a variety of hematological malignancies. JAK inhibitors are among the first successful agents reaching clinical application. Ruxolitinib (Jakafi), a non-selective inhibitor of JAK1 & 2, has been approved by FDA for patients with intermediate to high risk primary or secondary myelofibrosis. This review will also summarize early data on selective JAK inhibitors, including SAR302503 (TG101348), lestaurtinib (CEP701), CYT387, SB1518 (pacritinib), LY2784544, XL019, BMS-911543, NS-018, and AZD1480.
Overexpression of Bcl-2 promotes survival and differentiation of neuroepithelial stem cells after transplantation into rat aganglionic colon
Authors: Liu Wei , Yue Weiming , Wu Rongde 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Neural stem cell transplantation is a promising tool for the restoration of the enteric nervous system in a variety of motility disorders. However, limited cell viability after transplantation has restricted its regenerative capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of transplantation of neuroepithelial stem cell (NESC) overexpressing anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 on the survival, differentiation and function of grafted cells in rat aganglionic colon.

Methods
NESCs were isolated from neural tube of embryonic rat (embryonic day 11.5) and manipulated to overexpress the Bcl-2 gene. After transplantation into the benzalkonium chloride-induced rat aganglionic colon, grafted cells were visualized in colonic sections. Apoptosis and differentiation of the implanted cells were assessed 1, 4 and 8 weeks post transplantation, respectively. Eight weeks post transplantation, neuronal function of the colon was assessed by measuring the response of muscle strips to electrical field stimulation.

Results
Transplantation with Bcl-2-NESCs reduced apoptosis within the transplant at 1 week compared with the vector-NESC grafted group. Our findings also indicated that overexpression of Bcl-2 in the transplanted NESCs enhanced differentiation into PGP9.5-positive and neuronal nitric oxide synthase-positive neurons at 8-week assessment. Moreover, electrical field stimulation-induced relaxation of colonic strips was also significantly increased in the Bcl-2-NESC grafted group.

Conclusion
Transplantation of NESCs genetically modified to overexpress Bcl-2 may have value for enhancing survival and neurogenesis of grafted cells in the adult gut environment and for improving the efficacy of stem cell therapy following a broad range of gastrointestinal motility disorders.
Effects of Estrogen with Micronized Progesterone on Cortical and Trabecular Bone Mass and Microstructure in Recently Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Farr Joshua N. , Khosla Sundeep , Miyabara Yuko , Miller Virginia M. , Kearns Ann E. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractContext:In women, cortical bone mass decreases significantly at menopause. By contrast, loss of trabecular bone begins in the third decade and accelerates after menopause.Objective:The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of estrogen on cortical and trabecular bone.Design:The Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of menopausal hormone treatment (MHT) in women, enrolled within 6–36 months of their final menstrual period.Setting:The study was conducted at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.Intervention:Subjects were treated with placebo (n = 31), or .45 mg/d conjugated equine estrogens (n = 20), or transdermal 50 μg/d 17β-estradiol (n = 25) with pulsed micronized progesterone.Main Outcome Measures:Cortical and trabecular microarchitecture at the distal radius was assessed by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography.Results:At the distal radius, cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) decreased, and cortical porosity increased in the placebo group; MHT prevented these changes. By contrast, MHT did not prevent decreases in trabecular microarchitecture at the radius. However, MHT prevented decreases in trabecular vBMD at the thoracic spine (assessed in a subset of subjects; n = 51). These results indicate that MHT prevents deterioration in radial cortical vBMD and porosity in recently menopausal women.Conclusion:The maintenance of cortical bone in response to estrogen likely has important clinical implications because cortical bone morphology plays an important role in bone strength. However, effects of MHT on trabecular bone at the radius differ from those at the thoracic spine. Underlying mechanisms for these site-specific effects of MHT on cortical vs trabecular bone require further investigation.
FOXO1/3 Depletion in Granulosa Cells Alters Follicle Growth, Death and Regulation of Pituitary FSH
Authors: Liu Zhilin , Castrillon Diego H. , Zhou Wei , Richards JoAnne S. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
The Forkhead boxO (FOXO) transcription factors regulate multiple cellular functions. FOXO1 and FOXO3 are highly expressed in granulosa cells of ovarian follicles. Selective depletion of the Foxo1 and Foxo3 genes in granulosa cells of mice reveals a novel ovarian-pituitary endocrine feedback loop characterized by: 1) undetectable levels of serum FSH but not LH, 2) reduced expression of the pituitary Fshb gene and its transcriptional regulators, and 3) ovarian production of a factor(s) that suppresses pituitary cell Fshb expression. Equally notable, and independent of FSH, microarray analyses and quantitative PCR document that depletion of Foxo1/3 alters the expression of specific genes associated with follicle growth vs. apoptosis by disrupting critical and selective regulatory interactions of FOXO1/3 with the activin or bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) pathways, respectively. As a consequence, both granulosa cell proliferation and apoptosis were decreased. These data provide the first evidence that FOXO1/3 divergently regulate follicle growth or death by interacting with the activin or BMP pathways in granulosa cells and by modulating pituitary FSH production.
Gliotactin and Discs large are co-regulated to maintain epithelial integrity
Authors: Padash-Barmchi Mojgan , Charish Kristi , Que Jammie , Auld Vanessa J. 
Published: January 2013

Summary
Establishment and maintenance of permeability barriers is one of the most important functions of epithelial cells. Tricellular junctions (TCJs) maintain the permeability barriers at the contact site of three epithelial cells. Gliotactin, a member of the Neuroligin family, is the only known Drosophila protein exclusively localized to the TCJ and is necessary for maintenance of the permeability barrier. Overexpression triggers the spread of Gliotactin away from the TCJ and causes epithelial cells to delaminate, migrate and die. Furthermore, excess Gliotactin at the cell membrane results in an extensive downregulation of Discs large (Dlg) at the septate junctions. The intracellular domain of Gliotactin contains two highly conserved tyrosine residues and a PDZ binding motif. We previously found that phosphorylation of the tyrosine residues is necessary to control the level of Gliotactin at the TCJ. In this study we demonstrate that the phenotypes associated with excess Gliotactin are due to a functional interaction between Gliotactin and Dlg that is dependent on both tyrosine phosphorylation as well as the PDZ binding motif. We further show that elevated levels of Dlg strongly enhance Gliotactin overexpression phenotypes to the point where tissue over-growth is observed. The exhibition of these phenotypes require phosphorylation of Dlg on serine 797, a known Par1 phosphorylation target. Blocking this phosphorylation completely suppresses the cell invasiveness and apoptotic phenotypes associated with Gliotactin overexpression. Additionally, we show that Drosophila JNK acts downstream of Gliotactin and Dlg to mediate the overgrowth and apoptosis caused by the functional interaction of Gliotactin and Dlg.