bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Participants' experiences of care during a randomized controlled trial comparing a lay‐facilitated angina management programme with usual care: a qualitative study using focus groups
Authors: Nelson Pauline , Cox Helen , Furze Gill , Lewin Robert J.P. , Morton Veronica , Norris Heather , Patel Nicky , Elton Peter , Carty Richard 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAimThis paper is a report of a qualitative study conducted as part of a randomized controlled trial comparing a lay‐facilitated angina management programme with usual care. Its aim was to explore participants' beliefs, experiences, and attitudes to the care they had received during the trial, particularly those who had received the angina management intervention.BackgroundAngina affects over 50 million people worldwide. Over half of these people have symptoms that restrict their daily life and would benefit from knowing how to manage their condition.DesignA nested qualitative study within a randomized controlled trial of lay‐facilitated angina management.MethodWe conducted four participant focus groups during 2008; three were with people randomized to the intervention and one with those randomized to control. We recruited a total of 14 participants to the focus groups, 10 intervention, and 4 control.FindingsAlthough recruitment to the focus groups was relatively low by comparison to conventional standards, each generated lively discussions and a rich data set. Data analysis demonstrated both similarities and differences between control and intervention groups. Similarities included low levels of prior knowledge about angina, whereas differences included a perception among intervention participants that lifestyle changes were more easily facilitated with the help and support of a lay‐worker.ConclusionLay facilitation with the Angina Plan is perceived by the participants to be beneficial in supporting self‐management. However, clinical expertise is still required to meet the more complex information and care needs of people with stable angina.
Chinese version of Daily Record of Severity of Problems: reliability and validity
Authors: Wu Liping , He Zhong , Zhao Hong , Ma Di , Zhang Sijia , Deng Hanyu , Liang Tao 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAimTo report a study of the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Daily Record of Severity of Problems form.BackgroundIn China, the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome is not confirmed due to lack of prospective daily tools. Daily Record of Severity of Problems was a validated daily symptom chart widely used for the diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome. There is no such an instrument for Chinese women.MethodsThe convenience sample included 126 female students in a school of nursing from September 2010–March 2011 in China. All of them completed daily ratings for two menstrual cycles, Premenstrual Tension Syndrome Self‐Rating scale and Zung Self‐Rating Depression scale at the first day of menses in two cycles.ResultsThe internal consistency coefficients of reliability for total score and the correlations of each item with the total score in two cycles were all high. The majority of the cycle to cycle test–retest reliability for total scores and the individual items for the two phases of the cycle were high. Factor analysis yielded four factors describing mood, behaviour, pain, and physical symptoms. There were moderate correlations of the total Daily Record of Severity of Problems during the late‐luteal phase of both cycles with Premenstrual Tension Syndrome Self‐Rating scale and Zung Self‐Rating Depression scale.ConclusionsThe Daily Record of Severity of Problems Chinese version provides reliable and valid measures of premenstrual symptoms in Chinese women. It has satisfactory psychometric properties and is suitable for nursing implication.
Origin and in situ diversification in Hemidactylus geckos of the Socotra Archipelago
Authors: GÓMEZ‐DÍAZ ELENA , SINDACO ROBERTO , PUPIN FABIO , FASOLA MAURO , CARRANZA SALVADOR 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe Socotra Archipelago is an ancient continental fragment of Gondwanan origin and one of the most isolated landforms on Earth and a biodiversity hot spot. Yet, the biogeography and evolutionary history of its endemic fauna still remain largely overlooked. We investigate the origin, tempo and mode of diversification in the Hemidactylus geckos of the Socotra Archipelago. Concatenated and multilocus species coalescent analyses of Hemidactylus from Arabia and North Africa indicate that the Hemidactylus from Socotra do not form a monophyletic group and branch as three independent and well‐supported clades instead. Both the chronogram inferred using the gene tree approach of BEAST and the age‐calibrated multilocus species tree obtained using *BEAST suggest that the origin of Hemidactylus from Socotra may have involved a first vicariance event that occurred in the Early Miocene, followed by two independent transoceanic dispersal events that occurred more recently, during the Pliocene. Within Socotra, we analysed patterns of genetic diversity, the phylogeography and the demographic history in all seven nonintroduced species of Hemidactylus. Results based on two mitochondrial and two nuclear loci from 144 individuals revealed complex patterns of within‐island diversification and high levels of intra‐species genetic divergence. The interplay of both historical and ecological factors seems to have a role in the speciation process of this group of geckos. Interestingly, the case of H. forbesii and H. oxyrhinus, which inhabit the island of Abd al Kuri with an area of 133 km2, may represent one of the most extreme cases of intra‐island speciation in reptiles ever reported.
A complex LuxR–LuxI type quorum sensing network in a roseobacterial marine sponge symbiont activates flagellar motility and inhibits biofilm formation
Authors: Zan Jindong , Cicirelli Elisha M. , Mohamed Naglaa M. , Sibhatu Hiruy , Kroll Stephanie , Choi Okhee , Uhlson Charis L. , Wysoczynski Christina L. , Murphy Robert C. , Churchill Mair E. A. , Hill Russell T. , Fuqua Clay 
Published: June 2012

SummaryBacteria isolated from marine sponges, including the Silicibacter–Ruegeria (SR) subgroup of the Roseobacter clade, produce N‐acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) quorum sensing signal molecules. This study is the first detailed analysis of AHL quorum sensing in sponge‐associated bacteria, specifically Ruegeria sp. KLH11, from the sponge Mycale laxissima. Two pairs of luxR and luxI homologues and one solo luxI homologue were identified and designated ssaRI, ssbRI and sscI (sponge‐associated symbiont locus A, B and C, luxR or luxI homologue). SsaI produced predominantly long‐chain 3‐oxo‐AHLs and both SsbI and SscI specified 3‐OH‐AHLs. Addition of exogenous AHLs to KLH11 increased the expression of ssaI but not ssaR, ssbI or ssbR, and genetic analyses revealed a complex interconnected arrangement between SsaRI and SsbRI systems. Interestingly, flagellar motility was abolished in the ssaI and ssaR mutants, with the flagellar biosynthesis genes under strict SsaRI control, and active motility only at high culture density. Conversely, ssaI and ssaR mutants formed more robust biofilms than wild‐type KLH11. AHLs and the ssaI transcript were detected in M. laxissima extracts, suggesting that AHL signalling contributes to the decision between motility and sessility and that it may also facilitate acclimation to different environments that include the sponge host.
Molecular dissection of TatC defines critical regions essential for protein transport and a TatB–TatC contact site
Authors: Kneuper Holger , Maldonado Barbara , Jäger Franziska , Krehenbrink Martin , Buchanan Grant , Keller Rebecca , Müller Matthias , Berks Ben C. , Palmer Tracy 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThe twin arginine transport (Tat) system transports folded proteins across the prokaryotic cytoplasmic membrane and the plant thylakoid membrane. TatC is the largest and most conserved component of the Tat machinery. It forms a multisubunit complex with TatB and binds the signal peptides of Tat substrates. Here we have taken a random mutagenesis approach to identify substitutions in Escherichia coli TatC that inactivate protein transport. We identify 32 individual amino acid substitutions that abolish or severely compromise TatC activity. The majority of the inactivating substitutions fall within the first two periplasmic loops of TatC. These regions are predicted to have conserved secondary structure and results of extensive amino acid insertion and deletion mutagenesis are consistent with these conserved elements being essential for TatC function. Three inactivating substitutions were identified in the fifth transmembrane helix of TatC. The inactive M205R variant could be suppressed by mutations affecting amino acids in the transmembrane helix of TatB. A physical interaction between TatC helix 5 and the TatB transmembrane helix was confirmed by the formation of a site‐specific disulphide bond between TatC M205C and TatB L9C variants. This is the first molecular contact site mapped to single amino acid level between these two proteins.
Nutrition Education and Counselling Provided during Pregnancy: Effects on Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Outcomes
Authors: Girard Amy Webb , Olude Oluwafunke 
Published: June 2012

AbstractNutrition education and counselling (NEC) is a commonly applied strategy to improve maternal nutrition during pregnancy. However, with the exception special populations and specific diets, the effect of NEC on maternal, neonatal and child health outcomes has not been systematically reviewed. Using a modified Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group method we systematically reviewed the literature and identified and abstracted 37 articles. We conducted meta‐analyses for the effect of NEC on maternal, neonatal and infant health outcomes including gestational weight gain, maternal anaemia, birthweight, low birthweight and preterm delivery. NEC significantly improved gestational weight gain by 0.45 kg, reduced the risk of anaemia in late pregnancy by 30%, increased birthweight by 105 g and lowered the risk of preterm delivery by 19%. The effect of NEC on risk of low birthweight was not significant. The effect of NEC was greater when provided with nutrition support, for example, food or micronutrient supplements or nutrition safety nets. The overall quality of the body of evidence was deemed low for all outcomes due to high heterogeneity, poor study designs and other biases. Additional well‐designed research that is grounded in appropriate theories of behaviour change is needed to improve confidence in the effect of NEC. Further, cost‐effectiveness research is needed to clarify the added benefit and sustainability of providing NEC with nutritional support and/or safety nets, especially in areas where food insecurity and gender bias may limit women's capacity to adhere to NEC messages.
The Effects of Household Food Production Strategies on the Health and Nutrition Outcomes of Women and Young Children: A Systematic Review
Authors: Girard Amy Webb , Self Julie L. , McAuliffe Corey , Olude Olafunke 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe objective of this review is to systematically examine and summarise the effects of agricultural interventions to increase household food production on the nutrition and health outcomes of women and young children and provide recommendations for future research and programming. Data from all studies meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria were abstracted into a standardised form. The quality of the evidence was assessed and graded using a modified version of the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group adaptation of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation technique. Thirty‐six articles, representing 27 unique projects were identified. Of these 32 and 17 reported on the health and nutrition outcomes of children and women, respectively. Although studies were too heterogeneous to conduct meta‐analysis, agricultural strategies consistently reported significantly improved diet patterns and vitamin A intakes for both women and children. Although some individual studies reported significant reductions in child malnutrition, summary estimates for effects on stunting [relative risk (RR) 0.93 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84, 1.04]], underweight (RR 0.80 [95% CI 0.60, 1.07]) and wasting (RR 0.91 [95% CI 0.60, 1.38]) were not significant. Findings for an effect on vitamin A status, anaemia and morbidity were inconsistent. Overall the evidence base for the potential of agricultural strategies to improve the nutrition and health of women and young children is largely grounded in a limited number of highly heterogeneous, quasi‐experimental studies, most of which have significant methodological limitations. While household food production strategies hold promise for improving the nutrition of women and children, the evidence base would be strengthened by additional research that is methodologically robust and adequately powered for biological and dietary indicators of nutrition.
Vitamin D During Pregnancy and Maternal, Neonatal and Infant Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Thorne‐Lyman Andrew , Fawzi Wafaie W. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractVitamin D has well‐defined classical functions related to calcium metabolism and bone health but also has non‐classical effects that may influence other aspects of health. There has been considerable recent interest in the role of vitamin D on outcomes related to pregnancy and young child health but few efforts have been made to systematically consolidate this evidence to inform the research and policy agenda for low‐income countries. A systematic review was undertaken to identify intervention and observational studies of vitamin D supplementation, intake or status (25‐hydroxy‐vitamin D) during pregnancy on perinatal and infant health outcomes. Data from trials and observational studies isolating the effect of vitamin D supplementation and intake were extracted and study quality was evaluated. Meta‐analysis was used to pool effect estimates. We identified five randomised trials with outcomes of relevance to our review. All had small sample size and dosage amount, duration and frequency varied as did the ability to correct deficiency. Pooled analysis of trials using fixed‐effects models suggested protective effects of supplementation on low birthweight (three trials, risk ratio (RR) = 0.40 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23, 0.71]) and non‐significant but suggestive effects of daily supplementation on small‐for‐gestational age (two trials, RR = 0.67 [0.40, 1.11]). No effect on preterm delivery (<37 weeks) was evident (two trials, RR = 0.77 [0.35, 1.66]). Little evidence from trials exists to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on maternal, perinatal or infant health outcomes. Based on both trials and observational studies, we recommend that future research explore small‐for‐gestational age, preterm delivery, pre‐eclampsia, and maternal and childhood infections, as outcomes of interest. Trials should focus on populations with a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, explore the relevance of timing of supplementation, and the dosage used in such trials should be sufficient to correct deficiency.
Is it Time to Replace Iron Folate Supplements in Pregnancy with Multiple Micronutrients?
Authors: Bhutta Zulfiqar A. , Imdad Aamer , Ramakrishnan Usha , Martorell Reynaldo 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAnaemia is one of the most resilient global public health problems and affects a staggering 1.62 billion of the world's population, largely concentrated in Asia and Africa. Anaemia contributes to almost 120 000 maternal deaths globally and indirectly to almost a fifth (18%) of the burden of maternal mortality. Given the widespread prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries, supplementation with multiple micronutrients rather than iron folate alone, could be of potential benefit to the mother and the fetus. This review evaluates the evidence of the impact of multiple micronutrient supplements during pregnancy, in comparison with standard iron folate supplements, on maternal anaemia. A systematic review of randomised controlled trials was conducted using search engines like PubMed, the Cochrane Library and World Health Organization Regional Databases. Primary outcomes were ‘maternal anaemia’ and ‘haemoglobin level’. We included seven studies for detailed data abstraction. There was no differential benefit of multiple micronutrients as compared with iron folate on maternal anaemia in the third trimester (relative risk = 1.03 [95% confidence interval 0.94, 1.12]). Results were similar for haemoglobin levels. In summary, multiple micronutrients have a similar effect on maternal anaemia compared with iron folate supplementation. These findings have to be interpreted in the context of other benefits of multiple micronutrient supplementation such as promoting better fetal growth and the possible increased risk of neonatal and perinatal mortality that are best resolved through large‐scale effectiveness trials.
Severe thrombocytopenia and patterns of bleeding in neonates: results from a prospective observational study and implications for use of platelet transfusions
Authors: Muthukumar P. , Venkatesh V. , Curley A. , Kahan B. C. , Choo L. , Ballard S. , Clarke P. , Watts T. , Roberts I. , Stanworth S. ,   for the Platelets Neonatal Transfusion Study Group
Published: June 2012

SUMMARYObjectiveTo describe patterns of clinical bleeding in neonates with severe thrombocytopenia (ST and platelet count <60 × 109 L−1), and to investigate the factors related to bleeding.Study designSeven tertiary‐level neonatal units enrolled neonates (n = 169) with ST. Data were collected prospectively on all clinically apparent haemorrhages. Relationships between bleeding, platelet count and baseline characteristics were explored through regression analysis.ResultsBleeding was recorded in most neonates with ST (138/169; 82%), including 123 neonates with minor bleeding and 15 neonates with major bleeding. The most common sites of minor bleeding were from the renal tract (haematuria 40%), endotracheal tube (21%), nasogastric tube (10%) and skin (15%). Gestational age <34 weeks, development of ST within 10 days of birth and necrotizing enterocolitis were the strongest predictors for an increased number of bleeding events. For neonates with ST, a lower platelet count was not a strong predictor of increased bleeding.ConclusionsThe majority of neonates with ST bleed, although most episodes are minor. These findings establish the importance of clinical factors for bleeding risk, rather than minimum platelet count. Further studies should assess the clinical significance of different types of minor bleed for neonatal outcomes, the predictive value of minor bleeding for major bleeding and the role of platelet transfusions in preventing bleeding.
Reassessment of HLA‐G isoform specificity of MEM‐G/9 and 4H84 monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Zhao L. , Teklemariam T. , Hantash B. M. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractHuman leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐G is a non‐classical HLA class I molecule thought to play a key role in maternal‐fetal tolerance. Although initial studies suggested that HLA‐G expression is restricted to extravillous cytotrophoblasts, expression was subsequently reported in a wide variety of other human tissues and tumor cells. However, consensus as to the validity of these collective findings has proven difficult because the antibodies used to define the temporal and spatial expression patterns of HLA‐G remain incompletely characterized. The aim of our study was to reassess two of the most widely used HLA‐G antibodies (MEM‐G/9 and 4H84) in HLA‐G‐positive (JEG‐3 and HLA‐G transduced) and ‐negative (dermal fibroblast, mesenchymal stem cell, K562, and Jurkat) lines using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and western blotting. We found that MEM‐G/9 recognized HLA‐G3 by flow cytometry, indicating that its epitope is present on the α1 domain of HLA‐G. Although 4H84 preferably recognized unfolded HLA‐G‐free chains, it showed strong non‐specificity under certain methodological conditions.
Maize Hybrid Variability for Transpiration Decrease with Progressive Soil Drying
Authors: Gholipoor M. , Sinclair T. R. , Raza M. A. S. , Löffler C. , Cooper M. , Messina C. D. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractDrought is ubiquitous in rainfed cropping systems and often limits maize yields. The sensitivity of transpiration response early in progressive soil drying is a trait with potential to improve crop drought resistance. Simulation studies demonstrated that increased sensitivity to drying soil leading to restricted transpiration rates results in conservation of soil water during vegetative stages for possible use during grain filling. In contrast to other crops, there have been no studies characterizing genotypic variability for this trait in maize. Experiments in controlled environments were conducted to characterize the fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW) threshold on drying soil for 36 hybrids selected for variation in the field for drought resistance, regions of adaptation and stay green. While FTSW thresholds varied among hybrids from 0.60 to 0.33, these thresholds were not uniformly associated with level of drought resistance in the field. Nevertheless, this study demonstrated a high FTSW threshold corresponded with drought resistance observed in some modern maize germplasm (hybrids #7, 17, 24, 27 and 32). This knowledge can enable breeding work seeking to exploit this adaptive trait to improved drought tolerance in low threshold FTSW germplasm.
Assessment of in vitro digestibility and fermentation parameters of alfalfa hay‐based diet following direct incorporation of fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum) and asparagus root (Asparagus officinalis)
Authors: Naseri V. , Hozhabri F. , Kafilzadeh F. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThis study was completed to evaluate the effect of fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum; FS) and asparagus root (Asparagus officinalis; AR) on in vitro nutrient digestibility and fermentation patterns. Different levels [0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of dry matter (DM)] of the medicinal plants were included using alfalfa hay (AH) as a basal substrate at different incubation times (12, 18, 24 and 48 h). Total phenolic components of AH, FS and AR were 5.9, 10 and 8.3 g/kg DM, whereas total tannins were 0.4, 3.8 and 1.5 g/kg DM, respectively. Corresponding values for saponins were 10.4, 27.3 and 40.3 g/kg DM. Fenugreek seed increased (p < 0.05) in vitro organic matter (OM) digestibility at different incubation times and decreased (p < 0.05) crude protein (CP) digestibility at 18 and 24 h of incubation. Asparagus root also increased (p < 0.05) in vitro OM digestibility and decreased (p < 0.05) CP digestibility at different incubation times. Neutral detergent fibre digestibility was increased (p < 0.05) by the addition of AR or FS at low levels, but decreased (p < 0.05) noticeably by increasing level of two plants in the basal substrate. Ammonia‐N concentration was markedly reduced (p < 0.05) by the addition of AR at different incubation times, and this reduction was accompanied by the decrease in CP digestibility. True DM degradability and partitioning factor (ratio of substrate DM truly degraded to gas volume produced at different times of incubation) were increased, and total volatile fatty acid concentration and total gas production were decreased (p < 0.05) with the addition of FS (at 10% and 15% DM levels) or AR (at 5%, 10% and 15% DM levels) at different incubation times. Results suggest that FS and AR may have potential as feed additives to increase the efficiency of nutrients’ utilization, particularly of nitrogen in ruminant diets.