bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The future of prenatal diagnosis: rapid testing or full karyotype? An audit of chromosome abnormalities and pregnancy outcomes for women referred for Down's Syndrome testing
Authors: Ogilvie Caroline Mackie , Lashwood Alison , Chitty Lyn , Waters Jonathan J. , Scriven Paul N. , Flinter Frances 
Published: September 2005

Objective  To assess the implications of a change in prenatal diagnosis policy from full karyotype analysis to rapid trisomy testing for women referred primarily for increased risk of Down's Syndrome.Design  Retrospective collection and review of data.Setting  The four London Regional Genetics Centres.Population  Pregnant women (32,674) in the London area having invasive prenatal diagnosis during a six‐year three‐month period.Methods  Abnormal karyotypes and total number of samples referred for raised maternal age, raised risk of Down's Syndrome following serum screening or maternal anxiety were collected. Abnormal karyotypes detected by molecular trisomy detection were removed, leaving cases with residual abnormal karyotypes. These were assessed for their clinical significance. Pregnancy outcomes were ascertained by reviewing patient notes or by contacting obstetricians or general practioners.Main outcome measures  Proportion of prenatal samples with abnormal karyotypes that would not have been detected by rapid trisomy testing, and the outcome of those pregnancies with abnormal karyotypes.Results  Results from 32,674 samples were identified, of which 24,891 (76.2%) were from women referred primarily for Down's Syndrome testing. There were 118/24,891 (0.47%) abnormal sex chromosome karyotypes. Of the samples with autosomal abnormalities that would not be detected by rapid trisomy testing, 153/24,891 (0.61%) were in pregnancies referred primarily for Down's Syndrome testing. Of these, 98 (0.39%) had a good prognosis (46/98 liveborn, 3/98 terminations, 1/98 intrauterine death, 1/98 miscarriage, 47/98 not ascertained); 37 (0.15%) had an uncertain prognosis (20/37 liveborn, 5/37 terminations; 12/37 not ascertained) and 18 (0.07%) had a poor prognosis (1/18 liveborn, 2/18 miscarriage, 11/18 terminations, 4/18 not ascertained).Conclusions  For pregnant women with a raised risk of Down's Syndrome, a change of policy from full karyotype analysis to rapid trisomy testing would result in the failure to detect chromosome abnormalities likely to have serious clinical significance in approximately 0.06% (1 in 1659) cases. However, it should be noted that this figure may be higher (up to 0.12%; 1 in 833) if there were fetal abnormalities in some of the pregnancies in the uncertain prognosis group for which outcome information was not available.
The photoadaptive response to ultraviolet exposure in human skin using ultraviolet spectrophotometry
Authors: Hennessy Alison , Oh Carol , Rees Jonathan , Diffey Brian 
Published: September 2005

Background: Both pigmentation and non‐pigmentary processes contribute to the development of photoadaptation yet the exact contribution of either in the resting state and in response to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is unclear. The purpose of this study was to estimate independently these changes occurring in the epidermis following repeated exposure to UV in two groups with differing degrees of constitutive pigmentation.Methods: We describe a mathematical model for explaining the spectral absorbance of excised human epidermis based on the absorbance of constituent chromophores. The model was applied to spectral absorbance data measured on samples of epidermis excised from pre‐irradiated skin and from skin obtained following UV irradiation on 3 successive days.Results: We found that in Asian skin there was only a mild photoadaptive response, principally by a small increase in pigmentation. On the other hand, the significant adaptive response in Caucasian skin was through hyperplasia of the epidermis, with tanning contributing only to a much smaller degree.Conclusion: This study has enabled us to study independently the pigmentary and non‐pigmentary pathways and has shown that in those people with a lower degree of constitutive pigment, the primary mechanism of photoadaptation is via the non‐pigmentary route.
An evaluation of the breastfeeding support skills of midwives and voluntary breastfeeding supporters using the Breastfeeding Support Skills Tool (BeSST)
Authors: Moran Victoria Hall , Dykes Fiona , Edwards Janet , Burt Sue , Whitmore Mary 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe promotion of breastfeeding has been established as a global public health issue. Despite this global agenda, breastfeeding initiation and duration rates remain low in many countries. The lack of provision of adequate support to the breastfeeding mother is an important contributory factor to shorter duration of breastfeeding. Health professionals and voluntary breastfeeding supporters are in a prime position to work collaboratively to provide comprehensive support to the breastfeeding mother. However, a comparative evaluation of the breastfeeding support skills of voluntary breastfeeding supporters and health professionals has never been conducted. This study aimed to assess the breastfeeding support skills of midwives and Breastfeeding Network (BfN) supporters. Breastfeeding support skills were assessed using a between‐subjects design conducted with 15 midwives and 15 BfN supporters in the north‐west of England. Support skills were measured using the prevalidated Breastfeeding Support Skills Tool (BeSST), a questionnaire and video tool. Total scores on the BeSST were significantly higher in the BfN group (mean = 42.5 ± 6.4 SD) than in the midwife group (mean = 30.7 ± 8.2 SD) [t (26.5) = 4.4, P < 0.0001]. The BfN group has the breastfeeding support skills necessary to provide adequate assistance for breastfeeding mothers. An interagency and interdisciplinary collaborative model is crucial to developing a coherent and cohesive approach to the support infrastructure for breastfeeding women.
Low‐income mothers, nutrition and health: a systematic review of qualitative evidence
Authors: Attree Pamela 
Published: September 2005

AbstractDiet is a key issue for UK health policies, particularly in relation to poorer socio‐economic groups. From a public health perspective, the government's role is to help low‐income families to make healthy food choices, and to create the conditions to enable them to make healthy decisions. Arguably, however, current policy on nutrition and health is influenced by individualist and behavioural perspectives, which fail to take into account the full impact of structural factors on food choices. This paper draws on a systematic review of qualitative studies that prioritize low‐income mothers’ accounts of ‘managing’ in poverty, synthesizing a subset of studies that focus on diet, nutrition and health in poor families. Synthesis findings are explored in the context of dominant discourses concerning individual responsibility for health and gendered societal values concerning ‘good’ mothering. The paper concludes that a shift in emphasis in health policies, affording a higher priority to enabling measures that tackle the underlying determinants of health, would be advantageous in reducing nutritional inequities for low‐income mothers and their children.
Household dietary strategies to enhance the content and bioavailability of iron, zinc and calcium of selected rice‐ and maize‐based Philippine complementary foods
Authors: Perlas Leah A. , Gibson Rosalind S. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractPhilippine complementary foods are predominantly plant‐based, with a low content of readily available iron, zinc, and calcium, and a relatively high amount of phytate, a potent inhibitor of mineral absorption. Some of the phytate is water soluble, and hence can be removed by soaking. In this study we have compared the iron, zinc, and calcium content, and estimated iron and zinc bioavailability of rice‐ and maize‐based Filipino complementary foods prepared with and without soaking and/or enrichment with chicken liver, egg yolk, small soft‐boned fish, and mung bean grits. Analysis of iron, zinc, and calcium were performed by atomic absorption spectrometry, and phytate (based on hexa‐(IP6) and penta‐inositol phosphate (IP5) by HPLC; corresponding [Phy]/[Fe] and [Phy]/[Zn] molar ratios were calculated as predictors of iron and zinc bioavailability. Addition of chicken liver, followed by egg yolk, resulted in the greatest increases in iron and zinc content for both the rice‐ and maize‐based complementary foods, whereas addition of small dried fish with bones had the greatest effect on calcium. The IP5 + IP6 content and [Phy]/[Zn] molar ratios were higher in the maize‐ than rice‐based complementary foods, and were reduced by soaking, although only the maize plus mung bean grits, with and without soaking, had [Phy]/[Zn] molar ratios above 15. Enrichment with animal protein or soaking has the potential to enhance the content of absorbable iron, zinc, and probably calcium to varying degrees in rice‐ and maize‐based Philippine complementary foods.
EVALUATION OF THE ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF THYMBRA CAPITATA, THYMUS MASTICHINA AND THYMUS CAMPHORATUS ESSENTIAL OILS
Authors: MIGUEL MARIA GRAÇA , FALCATO‐SIMÕES MARIANA , FIGUEIREDO ANA CRISTINA , BARROSO JOSÉ M. GONÇALVES , PEDRO LUÍS G. , CARVALHO LUÍS M. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT The essential oils of Thymbra capitata, Thymus mastichina and Thymus camphoratus, collected during the vegetative phase, were predominantly composed of oxygen‐containing monoterpenes (61–76%). Carvacrol was the dominant component of T. capitata oil (72%), 1,8‐cineole (49%) dominated that of Th. mastichina, and linalool (17%), linalyl acetate (15%) and 1,8‐cineole (11%) dominated Th. camphoratus oil. The essential oils and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) showed weak free radical scavenging ability in peanut oil when compared to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). In sunflower oil, both the essential oils and the synthetic antioxidants exhibited relatively low free radical scavenging ability. Significant differences in the acid value were detected after several days’ storage. From day 55 of storage until the end of the experiment, the acid value for both peanut and sunflower oil with added essential oils was similar and significantly lower than that of the control, but significantly higher than those with added BHA and BHT.
EFFECT OF PACKAGING MATERIALS AND STORAGE CONDITIONS ON SUNFLOWER OIL QUALITY
Authors: KUCUK M. , CANER C. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT Glass and polyethylenterephthalate (PET) bottles filled with sunflower oil were stored under both light and dark and with/without headspace to determine the effects of light, air, packaging materials and storage time on the stability of sunflower oil. Peroxide value (PV), free fatty acids, soap content and iodine number were measured to determine stability of sunflower oil every 3 months until 9 months. Glass bottles recorded lower oxidation values than oils packaged in PET. The oxidation proceeded faster in packages stored in light than in darkness, and in those with headspace. The best quality oil was found stored in the dark, free of air and packed in glass and then in PET. Even though glass gave the best protection against oxidation, PET bottles offer adequate protection (especially in the dark). This study showed that air, packaging and storage time all have an effect on the stability of sunflower oil.
PHYSICOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF VANASPATI MARKETED IN INDIA
Authors: JEYARANI T. , REDDY S. YELLA 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT Nine different brands of commercial vanaspati were analyzed for their various physicochemical characteristics. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra showed the characteristic peak at 966/cm corresponding to trans compounds for all the samples examined. The fatty acid composition showed that the trans fatty acid (elaidic acid) content ranged from 5.9 to 30.0%. The other fatty acids were palmitic acid followed by oleic, stearic and linoleic acids. The solid fat content determined by differential scanning calorimetry showed that the samples contained 54–67% solids at 20C, 42–59% at 25C and 0.2–19% at 40C. The slip melting point varied between 39 and 40C. The textural evaluation was carried out using cone penetrometry at 3, 20 and 25C. The fat having the highest trans content showed the highest hardness index. However, there was no direct correlation between the fatty acid composition and consistency.
Development and Persistence of West Nile Virus-Specific Immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA, and IgG in Viremic Blood Donors
Authors: Prince Harry E. , Tobler Leslie H. , Lapé-Nixon Mary , Foster Gregory A. , Stramer Susan L. , Busch Michael P. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT
West Nile Virus (WNV) antibody development and persistence were investigated in blood donors who made WNV RNA-positive (viremic) donations in 2003. Plasma samples from the index donations and follow-up serum or plasma samples were tested for WNV immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA, and IgG by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Antibody development was investigated with 154 samples collected from 84 donors 1 to 21 days after their RNA-positive, antibody-negative, index donation. WNV IgM and IgA were first detected on day 3, and all samples collected after day 9 were WNV IgM and IgA positive; WNV IgG was first detected on day 4, and all samples collected after day 16 were positive. Antibody persistence in this donor group (index donations antibody negative) was evaluated by using 128 samples collected from 89 donors on days 22 to 440 of follow-up; 88% of samples were WNV IgM positive, 86% were WNV IgA positive, and 100% were WNV IgG positive. In linear regression analysis, trendlines for WNV IgM and IgA reached the value discriminating positive from negative results at 218 days and 232 days of follow-up, respectively. Similar WNV IgM and IgA persistence trends characterized 27 donors whose index samples were positive for WNV IgM and IgA, as well as 14 donors whose index samples were positive for WNV IgG but negative for WNV IgM. These findings show that WNV IgG emerges after WNV IgM and IgA and that both WNV IgM and IgA typically persist for at least 6 months after infection. Thus, unlike some other flavivirus infections, WNV infection is not characterized by a relatively rapid disappearance of virus-specific IgA.
Cultivation of
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
in Liquid Media and Determination of Its In Vitro Susceptibilities to Quinolones
Authors: Takei Masaya , Yamaguchi Yuko , Fukuda Hideyuki , Yasuda Mitsuru , Deguchi Takashi 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT

The cultivation of
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
by use of fastidious broth (FB) was evaluated. FB was found to be able to support the growth of all
N. gonorrhoeae
strains tested in this study without a rapid decrease in the viable count after exponential growth. After 24 h of incubation at 35°C with 5% CO
2
, viable counts of all strains reached over 10
8
CFU/ml in FB. Similar growth of the wild-type strain and its target-altered quinolone-resistant derivatives was observed. The susceptibilities of laboratory-adapted strains and clinical isolates to quinolones were tested by the microdilution method using FB. The MICs determined by microdilution were not significantly different from those determined by the agar dilution method recommended by the CLSI (formerly National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards). Moreover, the concentration-dependent time-kill of quinolones such as gatifloxacin and ciprofloxacin was observed in FB. At 2 to 4 times the MIC, gatifloxacin and ciprofloxacin were predominantly bactericidal against
N. gonorrhoeae
WHO A. At the MIC, the activities of both quinolones ranged from bactericidal to bacteriostatic. At 0.25 to 0.5 times the MIC, gonococcal growth was comparable to that of the growth control. These results suggest that the cultivation of
N. gonorrhoeae
by use of FB may be useful for evaluation of the antibacterial effects of quinolones.
Standardization and Interlaboratory Reproducibility Assessment of Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis-Generated Fingerprints of
Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Seifert Harald , Dolzani Lucilla , Bressan Raffaela , van der Reijden Tanny , van Strijen Beppie , Stefanik Danuta , Heersma Herre , Dijkshoorn Lenie 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT

A standard procedure for pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of macrorestriction fragments of
Acinetobacter baumannii
was set up and validated for its interlaboratory reproducibility and its potential for use in the construction of an Internet-based database for international monitoring of epidemic strains. The PFGE fingerprints of strains were generated at three different laboratories with ApaI as the restriction enzyme and by a rigorously standardized procedure. The results were analyzed at the respective laboratories and also centrally at a national reference institute. In the first phase of the study, 20
A. baumannii
strains, including 3 isolates each from three well-characterized hospital outbreaks and 11 sporadic strains, were distributed blindly to the participating laboratories. The local groupings of the isolates in each participating laboratory were identical and allowed the identification of the epidemiologically related isolates as belonging to three clusters and identified all unrelated strains as distinct. Central pattern analysis by using the band-based Dice coefficient and the unweighted pair group method with mathematical averaging as the clustering algorithm showed 95% matching of the outbreak strains processed at each local laboratory and 87% matching of the corresponding strains if they were processed at different laboratories. In the second phase of the study, 30
A. baumannii
isolates representing 10 hospital outbreaks from different parts of Europe (3 isolates per outbreak) were blindly distributed to the three laboratories, so that each laboratory investigated 10 epidemiologically independent outbreak isolates. Central computer-assisted cluster analysis correctly identified the isolates according to their corresponding outbreak at an 87% clustering threshold. In conclusion, the standard procedure enabled us to generate PFGE fingerprints of epidemiologically related
A. baumannii
strains at different locations with sufficient interlaboratory reproducibility to set up an electronic database to monitor the geographic spread of epidemic strains.
Use of Two Selective Media and a Broth Motility Test Can Aid in Identification or Exclusion of
Bacillus anthracis
Authors: Luna Vicki A. , Peak K. Kealy , Veguilla William O. , Reeves Frank , Heberlein-Larson Lea , Cannons Andrew C. , Amuso Phil , Cattani Jacqueline 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT

During the anthrax attack of 2001, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Bureau of Laboratories in Tampa received hundreds of isolates suspected of being
Bacillus anthraci
s. None were confirmed to be
B. anthracis
since most isolates were motile and not even in the
Bacillus cereus
group. Although the sentinel laboratories now send fewer isolates to FDOH laboratories, should another attack occur the number of isolates submitted would likely increase dramatically, and this upsurge would seriously challenge personnel who are expected to be busy examining an increased number of environmental samples. We examined two selective and differential growth media and alternative motility methods that could be used to streamline the processing of suspicious isolates. Of 60 isolates previously sent to the FDOH laboratory, 56 were endospore-forming gram-positive rods and only 7 grew on mannitol-egg yolk-polymyxin B agar and/or the
Anthracis
chromogenic agar. Microscopic observation of early-log-phase growth (2 to 3 h) in a shaking broth was the best method to detect motility in 40 isolates that appeared nonmotile in the motility media investigated. One of these growth media and microscopic examination of shaken broth cultures can be used to show that an isolate is not
B. anthracis
before expensive molecular and antibody-based tests are performed. By doing so, costs could be reduced and analysis time shortened.
Improvement in Laboratory Diagnosis of Wound Botulism and Tetanus among Injecting Illicit-Drug Users by Use of Real-Time PCR Assays for Neurotoxin Gene Fragments
Authors: Akbulut D. , Grant K. A. , McLauchlin J. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT

An upsurge in wound infections due to
Clostridium botulinum
and
Clostridium tetani
among users of illegal injected drugs (IDUs) occurred in the United Kingdom during 2003 and 2004. A real-time PCR assay was developed to detect a fragment of the neurotoxin gene of
C. tetani
(TeNT) and was used in conjunction with previously described assays for
C. botulinum
neurotoxin types A, B, and E (BoNTA, -B, and -E). The assays were sensitive, specific, rapid to perform, and applicable to investigating infections among IDUs using DNA extracted directly from wound tissue, as well as bacteria growing among mixed microflora in enrichment cultures and in pure culture on solid media. A combination of bioassay and PCR test results confirmed the clinical diagnosis in 10 of 25 cases of suspected botulism and two of five suspected cases of tetanus among IDUs. The PCR assays were in almost complete agreement with the conventional bioassays when considering results from different samples collected from the same patient. The replacement of bioassays by real-time PCR for the isolation and identification of both
C. botulinum
and
C. tetani
demonstrates a sensitivity and specificity similar to those of conventional approaches. However, the real-time PCR assays substantially improves the diagnostic process in terms of the speed of results and by the replacement of experimental animals. Recommendations are given for an improved strategy for the laboratory investigation of suspected wound botulism and tetanus among IDUs.
Genotyping of
Madurella mycetomatis
by Selective Amplification of Restriction Fragments (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) and Subtype Correlation with Geographical Origin and Lesion Size
Authors: van de Sande Wendy W. J. , Gorkink Roy , Simons Guus , Ott Alewijn , Ahmed Abdalla O. A. , Verbrugh Henri , van Belkum Alex 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT

One of the causative organisms of mycetoma is the fungus
Madurella mycetomatis
. Previously, extensive molecular typing studies identified Sudanese isolates of this fungus as clonal, but polymorphic genetic markers have not yet been identified. Here, we report on the selective amplification of restriction fragment (AFLP) analysis of 37 Sudanese clinical isolates of
M. mycetomatis
. Of 93 AFLP fragments generated, 25 were polymorphic, and 12 of these 25 polymorphic fragments were found in a large fraction of the strains. Comparative analysis resulted into a tree, composed of two main (clusters I and II) and one minor cluster (cluster III). Seventy-five percent of the strains found in cluster I originated from central Sudan, while the origin of the strains in cluster II was more heterogeneous. Furthermore, the strains found in cluster I were generally obtained from lesions larger than those from which the strains found in cluster II were obtained (chi-square test for trend,
P
= 0.03). Among the 12 more commonly found polymorphisms, 4 showed sequence homology with known genes. Marker A7 was homologous to an endo-1,4-beta-glucanase from
Aspergillus oryzae
, 97% identical markers A12 and B3 matched a hypothetical protein from
Gibberella zeae
, and marker B4 was homologous to casein kinase I from
Danio rerio
. The last marker seemed to be associated with strains originating from central Sudan (
P
= 0.001). This is the first report on a genotypic study where genetic markers which may be used to study pathogenicity in
M. mycetomatis
were obtained.