bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Precise mid‐trimester placenta localisation: Does it predict adverse outcomes?
Authors: Robinson Alice J. , Muller Peter R. , Allan Richard , Ross Richard , Baghurst Peter A. , Keirse Marc J.N.C. 
Published: February 2012

BackgroundA low‐lying placenta detected at the mid‐pregnancy ultrasound is commonly reported to warn against potential morbidity associated with placenta praevia. There is no information on what distance away from the internal cervical os is safe.AimsWe examined whether a low‐lying placenta not overlapping the cervical os in the second trimester increases the risk of obstetric complications and whether there is a cut‐off point at which that increase occurs.MethodsAdverse perinatal outcomes were examined prospectively in a cohort of women with a placenta 0–30 mm from the internal cervical os (‘low‐lying’) at the routine mid‐trimester ultrasound and compared to those with a placenta further away. Two composite outcomes of ‘major’ and ‘minor’ adverse events were predefined as primary outcome measures, requiring a sample size of 480 women with a low‐lying placenta. Chi‐square and Fisher's exact tests were used for statistical analysis.ResultsIn 1662 pregnancies (‘low‐lying’: n = 484; ‘normal’: n = 1178), there was no increase in composite adverse outcomes with a low‐lying placenta and no cut‐off distance within 30 mm from the cervical os at which risks increased. Postpartum haemorrhage ≥1000 mL was more frequent with a low‐lying placenta (7.6% vs 4.7%, P < 0.05).ConclusionsWomen with a low‐lying placenta, not overlapping the cervical os, in mid‐pregnancy are at no higher risk of adverse outcomes than those with a normally located placenta, except postpartum haemorrhage. This suggests that the high‐risk label can be removed from pregnancies with a low‐lying placenta not overlapping the cervical os in mid‐pregnancy, reducing anxiety and resource utilisation.
Cytocompatibility of Porous Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Granules With Human Mesenchymal Cells by a Multiparametric Assay
Authors: Mitri Fabio , Alves Gutemberg , Fernandes Gustavo , König Bruno , Rossi Alexandre Jr , Granjeiro Jose 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis work aims to evaluate the cytocompatibility of injectable and moldable restorative biomaterials based on granules of dense or porous biphasic calcium phosphates (BCPs) with human primary mesenchymal cells, in order to validate them as tools for stem cell‐induced bone regeneration. Porous hydroxyapatite (HA) and HA/beta‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) (60:40) granules were obtained by the addition of wax spheres and pressing at 20 MPa, while dense materials were compacted by pressing at 100 MPa, followed by thermal treatment (1100°C), grinding, and sieving. Extracts were prepared by 24‐h incubation of granules on culture media, with subsequent exposition of human primary mesenchymal cells. Three different cell viability parameters were evaluated on the same samples. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the granules revealed distinct dense and porous surfaces. After cell exposition to extracts, no significant differences on mitochondrial activity (2,3‐bis(2‐methoxy‐4‐nitro‐5‐sulfophenly)‐5‐[(phenylamino) carbonyl]‐2H‐tetrazolium hydroxide) or cell density (Crystal Violet Dye Elution) were observed among groups. However, Neutral Red assay revealed that dense materials extracts induced lower levels of total viable cells to porous HA/β‐TCP (P < 0.01). Calcium ion content was also significantly lower on the extracts of dense samples. Porogenic treatments on BCP composites do not affect cytocompatibility, as measured by three different parameters, indicating that these ceramics are well suited for further studies on future bioengineering applications.
Evaluation of the permeability and P‐glycoprotein efflux of carbamazepine and several derivatives across mouse small intestine by the Ussing chamber technique
Authors: Fortuna Ana , Alves Gilberto , Falcão Amílcar , Soares‐da‐Silva Patrício 
Published: February 2012

SummaryPurpose:  The rational discovery and development of new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) with safer therapeutic index and better pharmacokinetic properties is still warranted nowadays. Because the long‐term management of epilepsy is attained by means of orally administered AEDs, investigation of their potential to be well absorbed at the intestinal level is mandatory. Moreover, involvement of the efflux transport mediated by P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) may compromise the systemic and central nervous system disposition of AEDs. Therefore, this study aimed at characterizing mouse jejunal passive transport and the possible active efflux mediated by P‐gp of a series of dibenz[b,f]azepine‐5‐carboxamide derivatives (carbamazepine [CBZ], oxcarbazepine [OXC], S‐licarbazepine [S‐Lic], R‐licarbazepine [R‐Lic], carbamazepine‐10,11‐epoxide [CBZ‐E], 10,11‐trans‐dihydroxy‐10,11‐dihydro‐carbamazepine [trans‐diol], and BIA 2‐024), which comprise some AEDs and metabolites.Methods:  Permeation studies were performed with freshly excised mouse jejunum segments mounted in Ussing chambers. Absorptive (M‐S) and secretive (S‐M) transports were analyzed with and without verapamil, which is a P‐gp inhibitor widely recognized. Apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) in both directions and in absence or presence of verapamil were determined for each test compound. The in vitro method was validated using five controls that included high and low permeable markers with known absorption fraction (Fa) and also well‐known P‐gp substrates. The integrity of intestinal membrane was guaranteed during the assay by measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance.Key Findings:  The correlation obtained between Papp(M‐S) and Fa of references was high (r2 = 0.9945), and could be used to classify the derivatives according to Biopharmaceutical Classification System: CBZ and OXC were the only classified as highly permeable. The Papp(S‐M) of OXC, CBZ‐E, R‐Lic, and BIA 2‐024 were significantly higher than their Papp(M‐S). After verapamil addition, their Papp(S‐M) lowered while Papp(S‐M) increased, suggesting the involvement of P‐gp on the transport of those compounds across mouse jejunum segments. In opposition, CBZ, S‐Lic, and trans‐diol presented no statistical differences between the Papp values reported in both directions, with or without verapamil. The results reported herein suggest that differences in biodisposition of S‐Lic and R‐Lic might result from their distinct interaction with P‐gp.Significance:  The Ussing chamber model used herein showed to be useful for predicting Fa of AEDs and the involvement of efflux transport, namely P‐gp, on their absorption. This is an important achievement as compounds that are not transported by P‐gp may offer advantages when used in patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy.
Living the “revolution” in an Egyptian village: Moral action in a national space
Authors: ABU‐LUGHOD LILA 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTMedia coverage of the uprising in Egypt in 2011 focused almost exclusively on Tahrir Square in Cairo. How was the revolution lived in other parts of Egypt, including the countryside? I offer a glimpse of what happened in one village in Upper Egypt where, as elsewhere, daily lives were deeply shaped by devastating national economic and social policies, the arbitrary power of police and security forces, and a sense of profound marginalization and disadvantage. Youth were galvanized to solve local problems in their own community, feeling themselves to be in a national space despite a history of marginalization. They also used a particular language for their activism: a strong language of social morality, not the media‐friendly political language of “rights” and “democracy.”[Egyptian revolution, countryside, youth activism, moral language]
Reflections on secularism, democracy, and politics in Egypt
Authors: Agrama Hussein Ali 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTI reassess dominant understandings of the relations between secularism, democracy, and politics by comparing the Egyptian protests that began on January 25, 2011, and lasted until the fall of Mubarak with some of the events that occurred in their aftermath. The events that occurred after these protests demonstrated the obliging power of what I call the “problem‐space of secularism,” anchored by the question of where to draw a line between religion and politics and the stakes of tolerance and religious freedom typically attached to it. By contrast, the protests themselves displayed a marked indifference to this question. Thus, they stood outside the problem‐space of secularism, representing what I call an “asecular” moment. I suggest that such moments of asecularity merit greater attention. [Egypt, Islam, secularism, sovereignty, asecularity]
“Dividing the poor”: State governance of differential impoverishment in northeast China
Authors: CHO MUN YOUNG 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTHow is poverty being managed in China when pauperization of some has become an unavoidable condition of the market economy and when the poor, nevertheless, attempt to make legitimate claims that cannot be overlooked by the developmental and officially socialist state? In this article, I examine “dividing the poor” as a project of governing urban laid‐off workers and rural migrants in postreform China. This project has been made possible through a porous array of governmental intersections that include the temporality of state policies, disjunctive layers of state actions, and the positionality of state agents. [state governance, dividing the poor, poverty, migration, China]
Deposition of Micro‐Porous Hydroxyapatite/Tri‐Calcium Phosphate Coating on Zirconia‐Based Substrate
Authors: Sultana Rumana , Yang Jingzhou , Hu Xiaozhi 
Published: March 2012

Scaffold‐like hydroxyapatite/tri‐calcium‐phosphate (HA/TCP) coatings have been deposited on strong zirconia‐substrates using a unique HA‐slip coating‐deposition and coating‐substrate co‐sintering process. Bending strength of such layered composites is over 300 MPa, higher than the upper strength limit of natural bones. Thick scaffold‐like HA‐coatings with open pores larger than 100 μm can be deposited onto the micro‐porous HA/TCP surface using the same technique. Such load‐bearing “HA‐scaffolds” with adequate bending strength and large open pore structures provide useful options as load‐bearing bone implants.
Fabrication and Properties of 3‐D Cf/SiC–ZrC Composites, Using ZrC Precursor and Polycarbosilane
Authors: Li Qinggang , Dong Shaoming , Wang Zhen , He Ping , Zhou Haijun , Yang Jinshan , Wu Bin , Hu Jianbao 
Published: March 2012

Three‐dimensional (3‐D) needled Cf/ZrC–SiC composites were successfully fabricated by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis combined with ZrC precursor impregnation. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were studied using XRD, SEM and three‐point bending test. The composite with PyC interphase between fiber and matrix had a bulk density of 2.20 g/cm3, an open porosity of 13%, and a bending force of 356 N, and exhibited a nonbrittle failure behavior due to propagation and deflection of cracks, and fracture and pullout of fibers. The mass lose and linear recession rate of the 3‐D needled Cf/SiC–ZrC composite during oxy‐propane torch test were 0.010 g/s and 0.001 mm/s, respectively. The formation of ZrSiO4 melt on the surface of the composite contributed mainly the excellent high‐temperature property.
Processing and Morphology of (111) BaTiO3 Crystal Platelets by a Two‐Step Molten Salt Method
Authors: Lv Danya , Zuo Ruzhong , Su Shi 
Published: March 2012

The (111) oriented plate‐like BaTiO3 (BT) particles with a tetragonal perovskite structure and a stoichiometric composition were successfully synthesized by a two‐step molten‐salt synthesis method (MSS). The as‐synthesized BT particles preserved the plate‐like shape of precursor Ba6Ti17O40 (B6T17) particles with (001) major crystalline face, and, however, had a preferred pseudo‐cubic (111) orientation. BT particle with a high aspect ratio (10–20 μm in diameter and <1.5 μm in thickness) was achieved as the soaking temperature and time were optimized to be 1170°C and 5 h, respectively. Oriented particulate layer X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that the crystallographic (001) plane of B6T17 has a topotactic relation with the (111) plane of BT particles.
Five‐year change of periodontal diseases in the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP)
Authors: Gätke Daniela , Holtfreter Birte , Biffar Reiner , Kocher Thomas 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAimTo assess the extent of remission and progression of periodontal diseases among adults in a Northeast German Region.Materials and MethodsThe Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) is a population‐based cohort study with baseline examinations conducted in 1997–2001 and 5‐year‐follow‐up in 2002–2006. The study comprised 2558 subjects aged 20–81 years. Periodontal status was assessed by probing depth (PD) and attachment level (AL), measured at four surfaces per tooth, half‐mouth. An event was defined as AL progression or remission of ≥3 mm on ≥2 sites.ResultsAverage change in mean AL (mean PD) was 0.10 mm (−0.05 mm) during follow‐up, equalling 0.02 mm/year (−0.01 mm/year). Adjusted for gender and follow‐up time, change in mean AL was significantly higher in 20–29‐ and 60–69‐year‐old patients compared with 50–59‐year‐old patients (p < 0.05). 6.5 (7.5) events of progression (remission) in AL per 100 person‐years were observed. In multivariate models, risk factors for progression comprised current smoking, middle or low education, being single or divorced and diabetes (p < 0.05). Enhanced progressive attachment loss seen in 20–29‐ and 60–81‐year‐old patients was explained through unfavourable risk factors distributions.ConclusionsPeriodontal progression was moderate. Periodontal prophylaxis and motivation to reduce risk factors should especially be addressed to patients having unfavourable risk factor distributions.
The impact of hyaluronan on monocyte Toll‐like receptor expression in term infant cord blood
Authors: Østerholt Helene CD , Lundeland Bård , Sonerud Tonje , Saugstad Ola D , Nakstad Britt 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAim:  To explore the possible effects of hyaluronan, an endogenous mediator of inflammation, on monocyte surface expression of Toll‐like receptors 2 and 4 in human umbilical cord blood ex vivo, and in a model mimicking Gram‐negative neonatal sepsis.Methods:  Term infant cord blood was obtained after elective caesarean sections, n = 15. Both unstimulated and lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated (10 ng/mL) blood was incubated with 500 μg/mL high‐ or low‐molecular‐weight hyaluronan for 6 h. Expression of Toll‐like receptors 2 and 4 on monocytes was measured using flow cytometry, and plasma concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase 9 were analysed.Results (mean ± SEM):  We found a significant decrease in Toll‐like receptor 4 expression in the presence of high‐molecular‐weight hyaluronan (HMW HA) in unstimulated blood (median fluorescence intensity 141 ± 7.3 vs. 163 ± 9.8, p = 0.019). There were no significant changes in Toll‐like receptor 2 expression. Levels of cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase 9 increased in the presence of both forms of hyaluronan.Conclusions:  Our results confirm that hyaluronan affects the neonatal immune response. The biological significance of these findings requires further clarification. More studies are needed to validate the possible down‐modulation of Toll‐like receptor 4 exerted by HMW HA.
An Analysis of Community Use Policies in Missouri School Districts*
Authors: Eyler Amy A. , Swaller Erin M. 
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND: Joint use or community use policies are state‐, district‐, or school‐level policies that allow for shared use of space or facilities between a school and a city or private organization. For this study, we (1) created an inventory of community use policies within Missouri school districts; (2) analyzed the policies for content, and (3) identified district characteristics that predict the presence of a community use policy.METHODS: A coding tool was developed to assess the content of collected policies. Descriptors of 515 districts was gathered from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website. The policies were collected via district website or phone/e‐mail contact and coded. Frequency of variables and a logistic regression to predict district presence of policy were computed.RESULTS: Of the 515 districts in Missouri, 375 had a community use policy. Most (216) came from a policy template from the Missouri School Boards' Association or Missouri Consultants for Education (115). Only 42 districts had unique community use policies. Large or medium‐sized districts were more likely to have a policy than small districts. Districts with higher percentage of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch were less likely to have a policy.CONCLUSION: Making changes to the 2 main resource templates have the potential to improve many district community use policies. Future efforts should focus on increasing policies and implementation in low resource and small districts. More research is needed on implementation and evaluation of community use policies.
Is There a “Middle‐income Trap”? Theories, Experiences and Relevance to China
Authors: Cai Fang 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThrough review of relevant studies and analysis, this article indicates that the “middle‐income trap” is in line with the framework of the mainstream economic growth theories, and, therefore, it is a useful concept through which we can analyze economic growth phenomena in specific economic growth phases. The empirical experiences of many countries also indicate that at specific middle‐income stages, economies with high rates of growth tend to encounter economic slowdown or even stagnation. The article shows that China is facing the challenge of determining how to move smoothly beyond the middle‐income stage of economic development, while taking into account the shifting population structure, changing resource endowment and growth patterns. The article, drawing on international experiences, puts forward several policy suggestions relating to improvement in total factor productivity, expansion of human capital accumulation and deepening of system and government function reforms.
Geographies of International Education: Mobilities and the Reproduction of Social (Dis)advantage
Authors: Waters Johanna L. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis paper provides a critical perspective on emergent geographies of international education, suggesting what these might mean for the reproduction of social (dis)advantage. The assertion that formal education may have regressive consequences for social mobility is hardly new – work on the sociology and geography of education has for a long time shown uncontrovertibly that the opportunities and rewards associated with formal education are unevenly distributed across space, as well as being differentiated by social class. Until relatively recently, however, work focussing on the remarkable transformation of formal education through internationalisation, and its implications for social inequalities, has been limited. This paper provides a critical review of a now burgeoning area of geographical scholarship around international education and student mobilities. It argues that the evidence, to date, suggests that international education entrenches (and in some cases, within emerging economies, actively creates) social inequalities.
Coerced, Forced and Unfree Labour: Geographies of Exploitation in Contemporary Labour Markets
Authors: Strauss Kendra 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis paper examines approaches, both within geography and more broadly, to the issue of forced labour in contemporary labour markets. Far from a vestige of pre‐capitalist social relations, unfree labour is part of the continuum of exploitation that is intrinsically related the contradictory nature of commodification and to capital as a social relation. The paper focuses on the UK, but draws attention to the ways in which relations of unfreedom in the new global division of labour dissolve clear‐cut distinctions between ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ nations. The first section focuses on definitions and approaches, including those related to migration and trafficking, from supra‐national organisations such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The second section looks at geographical approaches to forced labour and examines what a spatially grounded framework can bring to analyses of unfreedom. The conclusion suggests future directions for geographical research on unfree labour, especially relating to the undertheorised relations between unfreedom, domestic labour and social reproduction.
Purification of a Novel Pepsin Inhibitor from Coriolus versicolor and its Biochemical Properties
Authors: Zhang Guo‐Qiang , Zhang Qiu‐Ping , Sun Ying , Tian Ya‐Ping , Zhou Nan‐Di 
Published: March 2012

Abstract:  A novel pepsin inhibitor was isolated from Coriolus versicolor. The purification was carried out by a 2‐step ultrafiltration followed by DEAE‐52 and Mono Q ion‐exchange chromatography. SDS‐PAGE and gel filtration chromatography analysis showed that the isolated inhibitor was a 22.3 kDa protein with a single subunit. Heat stability of this inhibitor was estimated and only 7% of its inhibitory activity lost after treatment at 98 °C. The inhibitor was more specific against pepsin than several other proteases. The dissociation constant (Ki) and concentration required for 50% pepsin inhibition (IC50) were 5.84 × 10−5 M and 26.26 μg/mL, respectively. Apparent decrease of α‐helix and increase of random coil were observed in the circular dichroism spectra of pepsin when an equimolar amount of the inhibitor was added. The inhibition mechanism of this inhibitor differs from the reported aspartic protease inhibitors, according to the secondary structure and the kinetic studies of this inhibitor.Practical Application:  Specific inhibitors of aspartic protease have a wide range of applications in therapeutics (Coates and others 2002). Meanwhile, aspartic protease inhibitors can also be applied in agriculture and food industry, for example, to increase the stability of wheat gluten, beer foam.
Effects of L‐Ascorbic Acid on Physicochemical Characteristics of Wheat Starch
Authors: Majzoobi Mahsa , Radi Mohsen , Farahnaky Asgar , Tongdang Tawee 
Published: March 2012

Abstract:  The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of l‐ascorbic acid, as a permitted additive in bakery products, on characteristics of wheat starch. Suspensions of wheat starch (30%, w/w) in water containing 140 mg/kg ascorbic acid before and after gelatinization were prepared and studied using different techniques. The results of scanning electron microscopy showed that some spots appeared on the surface of the starch granules as a result of the addition of ascorbic acid. However, no changes in the starch crystalline pattern and its degree of crystallinity were observed by X‐ray diffraction technique. For ungelatinized samples, no difference in the pasting properties of the samples was determined by the rapid visco analyzer, whereas for the gelatinized samples, peak and final viscosities decreased for the samples contained ascorbic acid. Determination of the intrinsic viscosities of the samples showed that addition of ascorbic acid to the gelatinized samples reduced the intrinsic viscosity. In general, it was found that ascorbic acid had some degradation effects on wheat starch molecules particularly after gelatinization.Practical Application:  Understating the effects of ascorbic acid on wheat starch functionality is important in food industry. Ascorbic acid is more effective on wheat starch after gelatinization. Ascorbic acid may have degrading effect on wheat starch reducing the consistency of the medium.