Suitable Indicator (suitable + indicator)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Performance indicators and the public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 10 2008
H. Humphreys
Abstract Surveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) makes evident the importance of the quality of patient care, and the increasing demand for public reporting of HCAI surveillance data and related quality indicators is thus not surprising. However, there is little evidence that public reporting results in improved patient care. Debate continues about which HCAI-related indicators are the best measures of performance and thus the most appropriate for public reporting. Suitable indicators should allow improvements leading to better patient outcomes, and should be comparable among hospitals and countries. Appropriate examples include central vascular catheter infections, surgical prophylaxis and surgical site infections. [source]


Non-remission of depression in the general population as assessed by the HAMD-7 scale

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 5 2008
Andrew G. Bulloch Ph.D.
Abstract Remission from the symptoms of depression is the optimal outcome for depression treatment. Many studies have assessed the frequency of treatment, but there are none that have estimated the frequency of treated remission in the general population. We addressed this issue in the population of Alberta using a brief Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD)-7 scale (recently validated against the HAMD-17 scale in a clinical setting) that has been proposed as a suitable indicator for remission in primary care. We used data from a survey conducted within the Alberta Depression Initiative in 2005 (n=3,345 adults), to produce a population-based estimate of the number of respondents taking antidepressant medication for depression. From this group we selected a subpopulation that did not screen positive when the MINI module for major depression was administered (i.e., who did not have an active episode). Non-remission in this subpopulation was assessed with a version of the HAMD-7 scale adapted for telephone administration by a nonclinician. Of the survey respondents, 189 reported taking antidepressant medication for depression. Of these, 115 were found not to have an active episode. However, 49.0% of this subpopulation was not in remission as evaluated by the HAMD-7. We estimate that 1.3% (95% confidence interval, 0.9,2.0%) of the population is in treated non-remission for depression. Our study indicates a substantial degree of non-remission from depression in individuals taking antidepressants in the general population. This suggests that, in addition to increasing the frequency of treatment, increasing the effectiveness of treatment can have an impact on population health. Depression and Anxiety 0:1,5, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Large-scale distribution and activity patterns of an extremely low-light-adapted population of green sulfur bacteria in the Black Sea

ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2010
Evelyn Marschall
Summary The Black Sea chemocline represents the largest extant habitat of anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria and harbours a monospecific population of Chlorobium phylotype BS-1. High-sensitivity measurements of underwater irradiance and sulfide revealed that the optical properties of the overlying water column were similar across the Black Sea basin, whereas the vertical profiles of sulfide varied strongly between sampling sites and caused a dome-shaped three-dimensional distribution of the green sulfur bacteria. In the centres of the western and eastern basins the population of BS-1 reached upward to depths of 80 and 95 m, respectively, but were detected only at 145 m depth close to the shelf. Using highly concentrated chemocline samples from the centres of the western and eastern basins, the cells were found to be capable of anoxygenic photosynthesis under in situ light conditions and exhibited a photosynthesis,irradiance curve similar to low-light-adapted laboratory cultures of Chlorobium BS-1. Application of a highly specific RT-qPCR method which targets the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rrn operon of BS-1 demonstrated that only cells at the central station are physiologically active in contrast to those at the Black Sea periphery. Based on the detection of ITS-DNA sequences in the flocculent surface layer of deep-sea sediments across the Black Sea, the population of BS-1 has occupied the major part of the basin for the last decade. The continued presence of intact but non-growing BS-1 cells at the periphery of the Black Sea indicates that the cells can survive long-distant transport and exhibit unusually low maintenance energy requirements. According to laboratory measurements, Chlorobium BS-1 has a maintenance energy requirement of ,1.6,4.9·10,15 kJ cell,1 day,1 which is the lowest value determined for any bacterial culture so far. Chlorobium BS-1 thus is particularly well adapted to survival under the extreme low-light conditions of the Black Sea, and can be used as a laboratory model to elucidate general cellular mechanisms of long-term starvation survival. Because of its adaptation to extreme low-light marine environments, Chlorobium BS-1 also represents a suitable indicator for palaeoceanography studies of deep photic zone anoxia in ancient oceans. [source]


Assessment of the nitrogen status of grassland

GRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 2 2004
A. Farruggia
Abstract Two types of diagnostics are used for N management in grasslands: diagnostics based on N concentration of shoots and diagnostics based on soil mineral N. The Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI) is an example of the first type. However, its evaluation requires the determination of shoot dry weight per unit area and, thus, constitutes a practical limit to its utilization in the context of farm studies. In order to simplify its evaluation, a method based on the N concentration of the upper sward layer (Nup) has been proposed. The objectives of this study were to test the relationship between NNI and Nup in the context of permanent grassland and to examine the relationship between Nup and soil mineral status. The study was conducted as two experiments, one on small cut-plots receiving contrasting rates of mineral N fertilization, and a second on plots of an existing field-scale lysimeter experiment. In each plot and at several dates, shoot biomass within quadrats was measured, N concentration was determined on the upper leaves and on the entire shoots, and mineral nitrogen of the soil below the vegetation sampled was determined. N concentration of the upper lamina layer of the canopy was linearly related to the NNI determined on the entire shoots. Therefore, determining N concentration in leaves at the top of canopy appears to be an alternative means to evaluate NNI without having to measure shoot biomass. The absence of an overall significant correlation between soil mineral N content and sward N index, observed over the two studies, indicates that each of these two indicators has to be considered specifically in relation to the objective of the diagnostic procedure. As sward N index may vary independently of soil mineral N content, the sward N indicator does not appear to be a suitable indicator for diagnosis of environmental risks related to nitrate leaching. However, soil mineral N content does not allow the prediction of sward N status and thus is not a suitable indicator of sward growth rate. Although soil mineral N content is an important environmental indicator for nitrate-leaching risks during potential drainage periods, it has a limited diagnosis value with respect to the herbage production function of grasslands. [source]


Mechanical behaviour and quality traits of highbush blueberry during postharvest storage

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 6 2009
Valentina Chiabrando
Abstract BACKGROUND: Berry firmness is one of the most important characteristics for fresh market consumption. Blueberry firmness is also an important attribute because it is considered to be a measure of its freshness. Berries lose their firmness by loss of water and by changes in their structure. RESULTS: The postharvest life of two highbush blueberry cultivars (Bluecrop and Coville) was investigated. Several parameters related to blueberry quality were evaluated during the postharvest storage period. To assess berry texture characteristics (firmness, hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, springiness, resilience), a rapid non-destructive penetrometer test by Durofel® and texture profile analysis (TPA) using a texture analyser were carried out. Low temperature inhibited the decrease of total soluble solids, total titratable acidity and increase of flesh pH value, thereby maintaining good taste quality. There was an increase in fruit firmness (Durofel index) and hardness and a decrease in chewiness and springiness during storage. CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation among the TPA parameters and Durofel index. The Durofel index could therefore be used as a suitable indicator of fruit quality and storability, and low-temperature storage is beneficial to maintain the taste quality of blueberry fruit after harvest. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Unsuitable distinction between viable and dead Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis by ethidium bromide monoazide

LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2009
H. Kobayashi
Abstract Aims:, The DNA-intercalating dye ethidium bromide monoazide (EMA) has recently been used as a DNA binding agent to differentiate viable and dead bacterial cells by selectively penetrating through the damaged membrane of dead cells and blocking the DNA amplification during the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We optimized and tested the assay in vitro using Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis cultures to distinguish viable from dead bacteria, with the goal of reducing false positive PCR results. Methods and Results:, Viable and heat-inactivated bacteria were treated with EMA or left untreated before DNA extraction. A real-time PCR assay for the detection of the tuf gene in each DNA extract was used. Our results indicated that EMA influenced viable bacteria as well as dead bacteria, and the effect of EMA depended on the EMA concentration and bacterial number. Conclusions:, EMA is not a suitable indicator of bacterial viability, at least with respect to Staphylococcus species. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Determining the viability of pathogens has a major impact on interpreting the results of molecular tests for bacteria and subsequent clinical management of patients. To this end, several methods are being evaluated. One of these methods , intercalating DNA of dead bacteria by EMA , looked very promising, but our study found it unsatisfactory for S. aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococci. [source]


Does the minimal phototoxic dose after 8-methoxypsoralen baths correlate with the individual's skin phototype?

PHOTODERMATOLOGY, PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE, Issue 4 2001
Ralf Schiener
Background/Aims: Up to now no data have been available concerning whether there is a significant correlation between skin phototypes and the minimum phototoxic dose (MPD) after bath water delivery of 8-MOP. Methods: The skin phototype of each of 46 patients was determined based on the individual past history of solar-induced burning and tanning. In addition, the MPD of each patient was assesed after photosensitization with a warm water bath (37 °C, 98.6 °F) containing 1.0 mg/l 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP). Statistical analysis was performed using a Mann-Whitney U-test and Spearman rank order correlation. Results: The median MPD in patients with skin phototype II was 2.0 J/cm2 (range ,0.5 to ,3.5) versus 1.5 J/cm2 (range 1.0 to ,3.5) in patients with skin phototype III. There was a considerable overlap between both groups. No significant difference was detected comparing both groups (P=0.7326) and Spearman rank order correlation revealed no correlation between skin phototype and MPD. Conclusion: Erythemal sensitivity in PUVA bath therapy, measured as MPD, is not correlated with sun-reactive skin phototype in skin types II and III. Thus skin phototype is not a suitable indicator for the initial UVA dose in PUVA bath photochemotherapy. [source]


Effects of Restoration on Plant Species Richness and Composition in Scandinavian Semi-Natural Grasslands

RESTORATION ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2004
Regina Lindborg
Abstract Plant species richness in rural landscapes of northern Europe has been positively influenced by traditional management for millennia. Owing to abandonment of these practices, the number of species-rich semi-natural grasslands has decreased, and remaining habitats suffer from deterioration, fragmentation, and plant species decline. To prevent further extinctions, restoration efforts have increased during the last decades, by reintroducing grazing in former semi-natural grasslands. To assess the ecological factors that might influence the outcome of such restorations, we made a survey of semi-natural grasslands in Sweden that have been restored during the last decade. We investigated how plant species richness, species density, species composition, and abundance of 10 species that are indicators of grazing are affected by (1) the size of the restored site, (2) the time between abandonment of grazing and restoration, (3) the time elapsed since restoration, and (4) the abundance of trees and shrubs at the restored site. Only two factors, abundance of trees and shrubs and time since restoration, were positively associated with total species richness and species density per meter square at restored sites. Variation in species composition among restored sites was not related to any of the investigated factors. Species composition was relatively similar among sites, except in mesic/wet grasslands. The investigated factors had small effects on the abundance of the grazing-indicator species. Only Campanula rotundifolia responded to restoration with increasing abundance and may thus be a suitable indicator of improved habitat quality. In conclusion, positive effects on species richness may appear relatively soon after restoration, but rare, short-lived species are still absent. Therefore, remnant populations in surrounding areas may be important in fully recreating former species richness and composition. [source]


Cytotoxicity and oxidative stress caused by chemicals adsorbed on particulate matter,

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 5 2006
Andrea Müller
Abstract Air particulate matter (PM) and bound chemicals are potential mediators for adverse health effects. The cytotoxicity and changes in energy-providing processes caused by chemical compounds bound to PM of different size fractions were investigated in Tetrahymena pyriformis. The PM samplings were carried out using a high volume cascade impactor (6 size fractions between 10 ,m and less than 0.49 ,m) at three points of La Plata, Argentina: in an industrial area, a traffic-influenced urban area, and a control area. Extracts from respirable particles below 1 ,m initiated the highest cytotoxic effects, demonstrating their higher risk. In contrast, an increase on oxygen consumption was observed especially in tests of extracts from particles less than 1 ,m from urban and industrial areas. The increase on oxygen consumption could be caused by decoupling processes in the respiratory chain. Otherwise the ATP concentration was increased too, even though to a lower extent. The observed imbalance between oxygen consumption and ATP concentration in exposed T. pyriformis cells may be due to oxidative stress, caused by chemical compounds bound to the particles. Owing to the complexity of effects related to PM and their associated chemical compounds, various physiological parameters necessarily need to be investigated to obtain more information about their possible involvement in human relevant pathogenic processes. As shown here, effects on cell proliferation and on energy-providing processes are suitable indicators for the different impact of PM and adsorbed chemicals from various sampling locations. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 457,463, 2006. [source]


Developments in EU biofuels policy related to sustainability issues: overview and outlook

BIOFUELS, BIOPRODUCTS AND BIOREFINING, Issue 4 2007
Marc Londo
Abstract In the current debate on present and future biofuels policy, sustainability issues play an important role. In this perspective, we discuss a number of factors in the framing of the biofuels sustainability debate, and describe their role over the last 25 years or so in which biofuels have been on the political agenda. Our first conclusion is that biofuels policy is related to several underlying objectives, such as climate change, security of supply and other drivers. Therefore, the policy will structurally need to be monitored in its impacts, in order to keep these impacts in concordance with these objectives. In the long term, biofuels policy might be substituted by instruments that more directly relate to the objectives. Second, current sustainability issues concerning biofuels relate to either the production chain or to the regional system in which biofuels compete for land. Finding suitable indicators and setting up monitoring schemes are key challenges. Furthermore, a safeguarding scheme needs to meet two conflicting requirements: on the one hand it is important to implement it over many regions and many sectors (including non-energy), but on the other hand the problem requires implementation in the short term. Starting with monitoring only may cause an issue of legitimacy. Finally, we propose some elements for a robust development strategy. This includes pushing forward with a sustainability safeguarding scheme, within the given constraints. During the start-up period of such schemes, non-certified biofuels and feedstock might be discouraged, simultaneously stimulating production initiatives operating under certification. © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [source]