bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel Plant Transformation Vectors Containing the Superpromoter
Authors: Lee Lan-Ying , Kononov Maria E. , Bassuner Burgund , Frame Bronwyn R. , Wang Kan , Gelvin Stanton B. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
We developed novel plasmids and T-DNA binary vectors that incorporate a modified and more useful form of the superpromoter. The superpromoter consists of a trimer of the octopine synthase transcriptional activating element affixed to the mannopine synthase2′ (mas2′) transcriptional activating element plus minimal promoter. We tested a superpromoter-β-glucuronidaseA fusion gene in stably transformed tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and maize (Zea mays) plants and in transiently transformed maize Black Mexican Sweet protoplasts. In both tobacco and maize, superpromoter activity was much greater in roots than in leaves. In tobacco, superpromoter activity was greater in mature leaves than in young leaves, whereas in maize activity differed little among the tested aerial portions of the plant. When compared with other commonly used promoters (cauliflower mosaic virus 35S, mas2′, and maize ubiquitin), superpromoter activity was approximately equivalent to those of the other promoters in both maize Black Mexican Sweet suspension cells and in stably transformed maize plants. The addition of a maize ubiquitin intron downstream of the superpromoter did not enhance activity in stably transformed maize.
The sea and archaeology
Authors: McGrail Seán 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Man has been a seafarer for at least 40,000 years, and must have used raft or boat on lakes and rivers at an even earlier date. Maritime archaeologists seek evidence for such activities from earliest times until written records predominate. Direct evidence for water transport is not available before 8,000 B.C. and is biased towards Egypt and Europe. Much archaeological, environmental, ethnographic and experimental research is required to fill the great temporal and spatial gaps in our knowledge of the prehistoric maritime past. For later centuries, archaeologists can complement the work of historians: in this article examples of such work are given and assessed.
Edward Sexby, John Reynolds and Edmund Chillenden: Agitators, ‘sectarian grandees’ and the relations of the New Model Army with London in the spring of 1647
Authors: Norris Michael A. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
This article seeks to revise our view of the connections between the New Model Army and London at the time of its so-called revolt in the spring of 1647. Specifically, it is concerned with identifying the author(s) responsible for a series of important documents that have been traditionally attributed to Trooper Edward Sexby. A re-reading of key sources suggests that a group of high-ranking officers channelled soldierly concerns for the payment of arrears and indemnity into principled resistance of parliamentary orders for their disbandment. Working through the agency of Captain John Reynolds and Lieutenant Edmund Chillenden, these officers appear to have sponsored the activities of the emerging Agitator movement.
United Kingdom government aid
Authors: Tyson S. , Gordon M. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe Department for International Development (DFID) is the UK government department with responsibility for managing Britain's aid to poor countries, with an overall budget of £5.3 billion in 2007–8. Our health strategy is to strengthen healthcare systems by working in partnership with governments and other stakeholders in public health in assisted countries. DFID also supports a substantial research programme, principally in health and education.
Anaesthesia and hospital links: strengthening healthcare through South‐North hospital partnerships
Authors: Parry E. H. O. , Percy D. B. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryHealth services can respond to the needs of the poorest people in developing countries if those who work in the front line of health care are supported and motivated and if development needs in services and training programmes can be filled. This can be achieved when a Health Link between a southern hospital and/or training school and its northern counterpart is designed to build a disciplined and long‐term programme of staff development including the needs of anaesthetic services, which meets the needs identified by the southern partner. Development of anaesthetic practice is best carried out in the context of an institution‐wide Health Link where not only the staff and systems involved in anaesthesia but all the essential ‘back office’ or support services are also supported and developed.
Intensive care in the developing world
Authors: Towey R. M. , Ojara S. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryAppropriate and sustainable intensive care practice is possible even in the resource‐limited locations of sub‐Saharan Africa. Data from seven sub‐Saharan African countries indicates that the majority of patients served are surgical. Comparison between intensive care units is difficult due to lack of laboratory support, which precludes the severity sickness scores used internationally. Hospital mortality can be reduced by increasing nurse/patient ratios, adequate monitoring and initiating postoperative intermittent positive pressure ventilation when required. Equipment should include appropriate technology, for instance using oxygen concentrators and a ventilator not dependent on compressed gases or disposable circuits. The clinical officer anaesthetist has a major role to play in the intensive care team.
Ketamine
Authors: Craven R. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryKetamine is a very versatile inexpensive drug and plays an invaluable role in the developing world. In regions where access and funding for a wider range of drugs is problematic, its broad range of clinical applications is ideal. Its good safety profile and ease of storage makes it ideal for use in areas where refrigerators, complex monitoring, electricity and oxygen may all be in short supply or unreliable. Ketamine is also finding increasing use in both the acute and chronic pain settings and research is still ongoing into a potential neuroprotective effect for ketamine in brain injury.
The International Relations Committee of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland
Authors: Aitken H. , O'Sullivan E. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe International Relations Committee of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland was established over 30 years ago to assist anaesthetists working in developing countries. The committee has attempted to make an impact through distribution of educational materials, supporting training courses and investing in a number of small equipment projects. In 2005, the Overseas Anaesthesia Fund was set up to allow members to donate directly to support our work.
The Global Oximetry Initiative
Authors: Thoms G. M. M. , McHugh G. A. , O'Sullivan E. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryGlobal Oximetry (GO) is an initiative launched recently in Uganda, India, the Philippines and Vietnam. The overall aims are to promote oximetry utilisation and reduce oximetry costs in lower income countries. Research objectives include studying the feasibility of cost reduction; overcoming non‐cost barriers to global oximetry including issues of prioritisation; education and guidelines; servicing and access to parts. Promotional objectives include creating new policy, influencing oximetry design, and setting new global standards for safer monitoring.
Employment opportunities with international agencies, mission organisations and government hospitals
Authors: Frossard J. , Bojarska A. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThis article describes work with aid agencies in different developing countries. In addition to providing anaesthesia, the aim should be to increase resources and sustainability of local practice, irrespective of the duration of the visit. This article describes the background to some of the international aid agencies and our experience working with the International Committee of the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, and Response International, as well as various other mission organisations.
Specialist surgery in the developing world: luxury or necessity?
Authors: Wright I. G. , Walker I. A. , Yacoub M. H. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryPatients suffering from conditions requiring specialist intervention cannot obtain treatment when facilities do not exist locally. Specialist visiting teams in a number of surgical disciplines have attempted to address these issues in collaboration with local clinicians. These interventions require careful planning and communication to achieve optimum results. Several teams have been successful in building long‐term relationships that have lead to important clinical developments in the local country.
A review of the efficacy of dexamethasone in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting
Authors: Warren Amii , King Lindy 
Published: October 2007

Aims of the review.  To consider the efficacy of dexamethasone in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting following general anaesthesia and a range of surgical procedures, compared with a placebo of sodium chloride (normal saline). To inform nurses’ pharmacological knowledge of the effects of this medication during peri‐operative care.Background.  Dexamethasone was serendipitously discovered to have an effect on reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting for patients receiving various chemotherapeutic regimes. Experience suggests many nurses remain unaware of the anti‐emetic effect of this medication.Methods.  Multiple databases were searched and selected articles were restricted to experiments published within the past 10 years. Participants of each study had received dexamethasone or sodium chloride (not administered in combination with any other anti‐emetics) preoperatively, undergone general anaesthesia and received a common surgical procedure. Thirteen research articles met these criteria and were reviewed.Results.  The surgical procedures represented have shown high incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting associated with them. Importantly, 12 of the 13 trials reported significant reductions suggesting dexamethasone has a significant preventative effect in reducing the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting when given during induction. However, as a preventative of postoperative nausea alone, dexamethasone does not appear to have a significant effect.Conclusions.  The findings clearly support the notion that dexamethasone does have anti‐emetic properties. Research examining dexamethasone in combination with other drugs as a cocktail of anti‐emetics is welcomed. Future research into the usefulness of dexamethasone given beyond the induction period as an anti‐emetic to inform postoperative protocols of care is needed.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses in the peri‐operative arena can administer this medication, when ordered, with the knowledge based on research evidence as to why it has been included in preoperative protocols. However, dexamethasone has been noted in postanaesthesia recovery care units as a clinical pathway option for the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting and no retrieved articles discuss this option.
Effectiveness of a prenatal education programme on breastfeeding outcomes in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Shu‐Shan , Chien Li‐Yin , Tai Chen‐Jei , Lee Ching‐Fang 
Published: October 2007

Aims.  The objectives of this study were to design a structured prenatal education programme on breastfeeding and to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme. Indicators of effectiveness were selected based on Kirkpatrick's Training Evaluation Model, including satisfaction with the programme, breastfeeding knowledge, breastfeeding attitude, breastfeeding satisfaction, breastfeeding problems and rate of exclusive breastfeeding.Methods.  This study applied a quasi‐experimental design. The experimental group included 46 women who received a 90‐minute group educational programme on breastfeeding during their 20th–36th week of pregnancy. Each experimental subject was matched by a control subject according to age, educational level, work status and pregnancy gestational age. Control subjects did not receive any intervention. Data were collected through self‐administered questionnaires at preintervention, postintervention, three days postpartum and one month postpartum.Results.  Satisfaction with the programme was high. The experimental group had higher scores in breastfeeding knowledge and breastfeeding attitude at three days postpartum. The experimental group showed higher breastfeeding satisfaction at three days and one month postpartum. There were no significant differences in experiencing breastfeeding problems. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding was higher for the experimental group at three days and one month postpartum, but the differences were not statistically significant.Conclusion.  This study demonstrated the effectiveness of a prenatal education programme on maternal knowledge, attitude and satisfaction toward breastfeeding.Relevance to clinical practice.  Other hospitals could apply this model to plan and evaluate their prenatal education programme on breastfeeding.
Birthweight and the risk of childhood sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Engdahl Bo , Eskild Anne 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe aim of this study was to estimate the impact of birthweight on the risk of sensorineural hearing loss in children. The study was a nested case–control study. Cases (n = 327) were identified through the Norwegian county registers of children with hearing loss, and controls (n = 391 992) were all children without hearing loss born in the same counties, identified through the Norwegian Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Case definition was mean sensorineural hearing loss (MHL) ≥35 decibel (dB) hearing level (HL) in the better‐hearing ear averaged over the pure‐tone hearing thresholds at 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz, diagnosed before the age of 5 years. Birthweight <1500 g, as compared with 3500–3999 g, gave an adjusted odds ratio for sensorineural hearing loss of 6.3 [95% CI 2.4, 16.4], controlled for gestational age, gender, parity, maternal age and concurrent birth defects. The risk of hearing loss decreased with increasing birthweights, with adjusted odds ratios of 4.4, 3.8, 1.7 and 1.4 for the birthweights 1500–1999, 2000–2499, 2500–2999 and 3000–3499 g respectively. The risk of both mild to moderate (MHL 35–70 dBHL) and severe/profound hearing losses (MHL >70 dBHL) were influenced by birthweight.
Type 1 diabetes risk analysis on dried blood spot samples from population‐based newborns: design and feasibility of an unselected case–control study
Authors: Eising Stefanie , Svensson Jannet , Skogstrand Kristin , Nilsson Anita , Lynch Kristian , Andersen Paal Skytt , Lernmark Åke , Hougaard David M. , Pociot Flemming , Nørgaard‐Pedersen Bent , Nerup Jørn 
Published: October 2007

SummaryDevelopment of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) may be triggered pre‐ or perinatally by multiple factors. Identifying new predisposing T1D markers or combinations of markers in a large, well‐characterised case–control collection may be important for future T1D prevention. The present work describes the design and feasibility of a large and unselected case–control study, which will define and evaluate prediction criteria for T1D at the time of birth.Danish registries (Biological Specimen Bank for Neonatal Screening, and the National Discharge Registry) made it possible to identify and collect dried blood spots (DBS) from newborns who later developed T1D (cases) born 1981–2002. DBS samples from 2086 cases and two matching control subjects per case were analysed for genetic and immune factors that are associated with T1D: (a) candidate genes (HLA, INS and CTLA4), (b) cytokines and inflammatory markers, (c) islet auto‐antibodies (GAD65A, IA‐2A).The objective of the study was to define reliable prediction tools for T1D using samples available at the time of birth. In a unique approach, the study linked a large unselected and population‐based sample resource to well‐ascertained clinical databases and advanced technology. It combined genetic, immunological and demographic data to develop prediction algorithms. It also provided a resource for future studies in which new genetic markers can be included as they are identified.
Changing risks of stillbirth and neonatal mortality associated with maternal age in Western Australia 1984–2003
Authors: O'Leary Colleen M. , Bower Carol , Knuiman Matthew , Stanley Fiona J. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThere has been a trend over the past two decades in some Western countries for women to delay childbearing, a factor associated with an increased risk of perinatal mortality (stillbirth and neonatal death). While the rates of stillbirth and neonatal mortality have improved in some countries, it has not been established whether maternal age remains a risk factor for perinatal mortality in Australia. The Western Australian Maternal and Child Health Research Database (MCHRDB) was used to examine the effect of maternal age on perinatal death in the periods 1984–93 and 1994–2003 after adjustment for parity and sociodemographic factors. Stillbirths and neonatal deaths were analysed separately.The crude rate of stillbirth has shown little change over the 20 years examined remaining at around 7.5 per 1000 total births, while the rate of neonatal death has decreased steadily from 5.4 per 1000 livebirths in 1984 to 2.0 in 2003. Older maternal age remains a risk factor for stillbirth but the relative risk has declined. After adjustment for parity and sociodemographic factors the relative risk of stillbirth for a woman aged over 40 years (compared with a woman aged 25–29 years) decreased from 2.6 in the period 1984–93, to 1.9 in the period 1994–2003. The increased risk of stillbirth associated with teenage mothers was fully explained by sociodemographic factors in both time periods. No increased risk of neonatal death was evident in the recent period 1994–2003 for teenage or older mothers after adjustment for parity and sociodemographic factors. In spite of some improvements over the past 20 years, women 30 years of age and older continue to be at increased risk of stillbirth. The risk of neonatal death is no longer associated with increased maternal age; however, the small number of cases in the older maternal age groups may be a result of the increased prevalence of antenatal screening and terminations for birth defects.
Congenital toxoplasmosis: late pregnancy infections detected by neonatal screening and maternal serological testing at delivery
Authors: Lago Eleonor G. , Neto Eurico C. , Melamed Jacobo , Rucks Ana P. , Presotto Carolina , Coelho Jaqueline C. , Parise Cassiana , Vargas Paula R. , Goldbeck Ana S. , Fiori Renato M. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe first aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis in newborn infants treated by the public health system in Porto Alegre, a city in southern Brazil, using neonatal screening for Toxoplasma gondii‐specific IgM. The second aim was to investigate whether the cases detected by this approach could have been identified by the prenatal screening for antibodies to T. gondii that was performed in the same population. A fluorometric assay was used to analyse T. gondii‐specific IgM in filter paper specimens obtained from newborn infants for routine screening for metabolic diseases. When the specific IgM was positive, serum samples from the infant and the mother were requested for confirmatory serological testing, and the infant underwent clinical examination.Among 10 000 infants screened for T. gondii‐specific IgM, seven filter paper samples were positive, and congenital toxoplasmosis was confirmed in six patients. The prevalence of IgM specific for T. gondii was 6/10 000 [95% CI 2/10 000, 13/10 000]. One infected infant had already been identified in the maternity ward before birth, three had been identified by maternal serology at delivery, and two infants with congenital toxoplasmosis were identified solely through neonatal screening. Although four mothers of the patients with congenital toxoplasmosis received prenatal care, and three mothers had one or two serological tests for T. gondii‐specific antibodies (one at first trimester, one at first and second trimesters, and the other at second and third trimesters), they were not identified during pregnancy as infected. Neonatal screening identified cases of infection not detected by obtaining only one or two serum samples from pregnant women for T. gondii serology, mainly when infection was acquired and transmitted in late pregnancy. Maternal serology at delivery and neonatal screening were especially useful in the identification of infants with congenital toxoplasmosis when the mother did not receive regular prenatal serological testing or prenatal care.
Treatment differences between Aboriginal and white infants admitted to Canadian neonatal intensive care units
Authors: Reime Birgit , Tu Andrew W. , Lee Shoo K. ,   the Canadian Neonatal Network
Published: October 2007

SummaryPrevious studies reported differences in clinical treatments provided to ethnic minority children and white children. We examined whether there were differences in clinical treatments provided to Aboriginal and White infants in Canadian Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) and whether these potential differences could be explained by differences in population characteristics, community size, maternal neighbourhood income and hospital treatment policies. The study population included 10 166 infants (n = 784 Aboriginal and n = 9382 white) admitted to 17 NICUs from all geographical regions of Canada participating in the Canadian Neonatal Network during January 1996–October 1997. We used logistic regression analyses to examine the association between ethnicity and each of seven clinical practices (surfactant treatment, antenatal steroids, blood transfusions, surgery, assisted ventilation, incubator use and transparental nutrition), after adjustment for potential confounders. We repeated theses analyses restricted to infants born <32 weeks gestation.In crude analyses, in the full sample, Aboriginal infants were less likely than white infants to receive surfactants, antenatal steroids, surgery, assisted ventilation, incubator and transparental nutrition. Among infants born <32 weeks gestation, Aboriginal infants were less likely than white infants to receive antenatal steroids, assisted ventilation, incubator and transparental nutrition. In both groups, adjusting for illness severity, gestational age and multiple births separately (model 2) and in combination with neighbourhood income and community size (model 3) resulted in non‐significant associations between ethnicity and some of the treatments, but the addition of adjustment for the hospital variation in frequency of use of different treatments resulted in non‐significant associations between ethnicity and all seven treatments. Additional studies are needed to explore the significance of hospital frequency of treatment and its relationship to ethnicity.