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Terms modified by Top Selected AbstractsComposition- and Shape-Controlled Synthesis and Optical Properties of ZnxCd1,xS Alloyed Nanocrystals,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 3 2005C. Li Abstract Composition-tunable ZnxCd1,xS alloyed nanocrystals have been synthesized by a new approach consisting of thermolyzing a mixture of cadmium ethylxanthate (Cd(exan)2) and zinc ethylxanthate (Zn(exan)2) precursors in hot, coordinating solvents at relatively low temperatures (180,210,°C). The composition of the alloyed nanocrystals was accurately adjusted by controlling the molar ratio of Cd(exan)2 to Zn(exan)2 in the mixed reactants. The alloyed ZnxCd1,xS nanocrystals prepared in HDA/TOP (HDA: hexadecylamine; TOP: trioctylphosphine) solution exhibit composition-dependent shape and phase structures as well as composition-dependent optical properties. The shape of the ZnxCd1,xS nanocrystals changed from dot to single-armed rod then to multi-armed rod with a decrease of Zn content in the ternary nanoparticles. The alloying nature of the ZnxCd1,xS nanocrystals was consistently confirmed by the results of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Further, the shape-controlled synthesis of the ternary alloyed nanocrystals was realized by selecting appropriate solvents. Uniform nanodots in the whole composition range were obtained from TOPO/TOP solution, (TOPO: trioctylphosphine oxide) and uniform nanorods in the whole composition range were prepared from HDA/OA solution (OA: octylamine). The effect of the reaction conditions, such as solvent, reaction temperature, and reaction time, on the PL spectra of the alloyed ZnxCd1,xS nanocrystals was also systematically studied, and the reaction conditions were optimized for improving the PL properties of the nanocrystals. [source] TOP: a new method for protein structure comparisons and similarity searchesJOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2000Guoguang Lu In order to facilitate the three-dimensional structure comparison of proteins, software for making comparisons and searching for similarities to protein structures in databases has been developed. The program identifies the residues that share similar positions of both main-chain and side-chain atoms between two proteins. The unique functions of the software also include database processing via Internet- and Web-based servers for different types of users. The developed method and its friendly user interface copes with many of the problems that frequently occur in protein structure comparisons, such as detecting structurally equivalent residues, misalignment caused by coincident match of C, atoms, circular sequence permutations, tedious repetition of access, maintenance of the most recent database, and inconvenience of user interface. The program is also designed to cooperate with other tools in structural bioinformatics, such as the 3DB Browser software [Prilusky (1998). Protein Data Bank Q. Newslett.84, 3,4] and the SCOP database [Murzin, Brenner, Hubbard & Chothia (1995). J. Mol. Biol.247, 536,540], for convenient molecular modelling and protein structure analysis. A similarity ranking score of `structure diversity' is proposed in order to estimate the evolutionary distance between proteins based on the comparisons of their three-dimensional structures. The function of the program has been utilized as a part of an automated program for multiple protein structure alignment. In this paper, the algorithm of the program and results of systematic tests are presented and discussed. [source] Correlates of biological soil crust abundance across a continuum of spatial scales: support for a hierarchical conceptual modelJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2006MATTHEW A. BOWKER Summary 1Desertification negatively impacts a large proportion of the global human population and > 30% of the terrestrial land surface. Better methods are needed to detect areas that are at risk of desertification and to ameliorate desertified areas. Biological soil crusts are an important soil lichen-moss-microbial community that can be used toward these goals, as (i) bioindicators of desertification damage and (ii) promoters of soil stability and fertility. 2We identified environmental factors that correlate with soil crust occurrence on the landscape and might be manipulated to assist recovery of soil crusts in degraded areas. We conducted three studies on the Colorado Plateau, USA, to investigate the hypotheses that soil fertility [particularly phosphorus (P), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn)] and/or moisture limit soil crust lichens and mosses at four spatial scales. 3In support of the soil fertility hypothesis, we found that lichen,moss crusts were positively correlated with several nutrients [Mn, Zn, potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) were most consistent] at three of four spatial scales ranging from 3·5 cm2 in area to c. 800 km2. In contrast, P was negatively correlated with lichen,moss crusts at three scales. 4Community composition varied with micro-aspect on ridges in the soil crust. Three micro-aspects [north-north-west (NNW), east-north-east (ENE) and TOP] supported greater lichen and moss cover than the warmer, windward and more xeric micro-aspects [west-south-west (WSW) and south-south-east (SSE)]. This pattern was poorly related to soil fertility; rather, it was consistent with the moisture limitation hypothesis. 5Synthesis and application. Use of crusts as desertification bioindicators requires knowledge of a site's potential for crust cover in the absence of desertification. We present a multi-scale model of crust potential as a function of site properties. Future quantitative studies can use this model to guide sampling efforts. Also, our results suggest new directions in restoration research: enhancement of moisture residence time and fertilization with key nutrients (Mn, Zn, K and Mg). Re-establishment of soil crusts in desertified lands will help regain lost soil stability and fertility, and facilitate plant re-establishment. [source] The presence of trophoblastic cells in intrauterine lavage samples: lack of correlation with maternal and obstetric characteristicsPRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 11 2008Riccardo Cioni Abstract Objectives To investigate the correlation between maternal, obstetric and sample characteristics and the quality (i.e. yield of trophoblastic cells) of intrauterine lavage (IUL) samples. Methods We collected 202 IUL samples from women scheduled for first trimester termination of pregnancy (TOP). Trophoblastic cells were isolated from IUL samples and used for DNA analysis by a multiplex quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) assay. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed, and a p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The presence of trophoblastic cells in IUL samples was documented in 151/202 cases (74.7%). Blood contamination of IULs was the only characteristic to positively correlate with the presence of trophoblasts (p = 0.039; OR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.03,3.82). Conclusions The correlation between the presence of contaminating blood and trophoblastic cells would indirectly confirm the hypothesis that IUL might act as a mini-CVS. The high yield rate of trophoblasts irrespective of maternal characteristics and past obstetric history would support the clinical use of this sampling technique, provided that its safety is clearly defined. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Awareness and attitude toward prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities in patients with no access to legal termination of pregnancyPRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 10 2006E. Gadow Abstract Objective To analyze variables affecting couples' decision making about prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis in patients with no access to legal termination of pregnancy (TOP). Methods Patients undergoing invasive prenatal diagnosis were anonymously surveyed after counseling and before the procedure. The questionnaire enquired about sociodemographic features, medical history, knowledge of and attitudes toward genetic testing and TOP. Results Two genetic units distributed 372 questionnaires. Mean maternal age was 36 ± 4 years. Access to prenatal genetic counseling was mainly patient's own initiative, or ,self-referral'. Most self-referred patients (87%) considered that ,receiving accurate information' was the main issue. Eighty-one per cent of all couples knew that TOP because of fetal anomalies was not legal. In case of a serious anomaly, 68.2% of patients would contemplate TOP, in spite of the risk of being exposed to an unsafe abortion. Conclusions In many countries, prenatal genetic testing is offered, but TOP is not available. In the present study, although most of the couples who decided to undergo prenatal genetic testing were aware of this, they still chose to perform prenatal diagnosis. The main reason given was to obtain reliable information about fetal condition. Finally, if a fetal chromosomal abnormality were detected, most of them would consider TOP. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Long-term psychological consequences of pregnancy termination for fetal abnormality: a cross-sectional studyPRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 3 2005M. J. Korenromp Abstract Objective We examined women's long-term psychological well-being after termination of pregnancy (TOP) for fetal anomaly in order to identify risk factors for psychological morbidity. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in 254 women, 2 to 7 years after TOP for fetal anomaly before 24 weeks of gestation. We used standardised questionnaires to investigate grief, posttraumatic symptoms, and psychological and somatic complaints. Results Women generally adapted well to grief. However, a substantial number of the participants (17.3%) showed pathological scores for posttraumatic stress. Low-educated women and women who had experienced little support from their partners had the most unfavourable psychological outcome. Advanced gestational age at TOP was associated with higher levels of grief, and posttraumatic stress symptoms and long-term psychological morbidity was rare in TOP before 14 completed weeks of gestation. Higher levels of grief and doubt were found if the fetal anomaly was presumably compatible with life. Conclusion Termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly is associated with long-lasting consequences for a substantial number of women. Clinically relevant determinants are gestational age, perceived partner support, and educational level. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Prenatal diagnosis of ductus venosus agenesis and its association with cytogenetic/congenital anomaliesPRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 11 2002Paolo Volpe Abstract Objectives We present an observational study of 12 cases of anomalies of the umbilical and portal vein systems associated with absence of the ductus venosus (DV) diagnosed over the past 5 years. The hemodynamic implications of each pattern of umbilico-portal system anomalies associated with absence of the DV have been investigated, as well as the frequency and types of associated anomalies and their embryological origin. Methods In all cases ultrasound, color Doppler, and cytogenetic investigations were performed. Results Four main patterns of abnormal venous circulation were documented: (1) the umbilical vein (UV) bypasses the liver and drains into the right atrium directly or through a dilated coronary sinus (three cases); (2) the UV bypasses the liver, with an infrahepatic or suprahepatic connection directly to the inferior vena cava (IVC) (two cases); (3) the UV bypasses the liver and drains directly into the iliac or renal veins (four cases); and (4) the UV drains directly into the portal veins (three cases). Among seven cases with other associated anomalies (58%), there were three cases of Turner's and Noonan's syndromes. Two fetuses and two neonates died and there were two terminations of pregnancy (TOP). Conclusions In utero diagnosis of ultrasound patterns associated with DV anomalies is feasible. Fetal karyotyping should be considered, serial ultrasound examinations recommended and, in the presence of heart failure, delivery can be anticipated. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ORIGINAL RESEARCH,ED PHARMACOTHERAPY: Can an Educational Program Optimize PDE5i Therapy?THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2007A Study of Canadian Primary Care Practices ABSTRACT Introduction., The importance of patient instructions, designed to optimize therapy with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), has recently been demonstrated. Aim., To evaluate the impact of an educational program for new sildenafil users against usual ED management in Canadian primary care practices. Methods., This multicenter, 6-month cluster randomized prospective study was conducted across Canada in general practitioners' offices where sites were randomized to receive a treatment optimization program (TOP) tool at visit 1 (TOP sites) or not to receive the TOP tool (non-TOP sites) while continuing with usual practice. Study participants were men seeking medical attention for ED and who were sildenafil naïve. The TOP tool consisted of a tear-off sheet, a brochure, and a video. Study drug was not provided to the patients. Sildenafil samples and prescriptions were dispensed as per usual care practices. Main Outcome Measures., The Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) questionnaire was used to determine treatment satisfaction at visit 2 (month 3) and visit 3 (month 6). Patient and physician satisfaction with the TOP tool was assessed using self-reported questionnaires. Results., The intent-to-treat (ITT) population consisted of 2,573 patients from 231 primary care sites. At visits 2 and 3, treatment satisfaction with sildenafil was high with almost 9 patients out of 10 satisfied with treatment. No significant statistical differences were observed in the EDITS scores between the TOP and the non-TOP groups at visits 2 and 3. More than 80% of the participants were satisfied or very satisfied with the video and the brochure. More than 8 out of 10 participating physicians (84%) would use the TOP tool in their current practice if available. Conclusions., TOP is a valuable and time-efficient ED management tool providing benefits to newly diagnosed ED patients and to their physicians. Brock G, Carrier S, Casey R, Tarride J-E, Elliott S, Dugré H, Rousseau C, D'Angelo P, and Defoy I. Can an educational program optimize PDE5i Therapy? A study of Canadian primary care practices. J Sex Med 2007;4:1404,1413. [source] Outcomes for subsequent pregnancy in women who have undergone misoprostol mid-trimester termination of pregnancyAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Vadim MIRMILSTEIN In Australia, the most common method of mid-trimester termination of pregnancy (TOP) is by medical induction with the prostaglandin E 1 analog misoprostol. This study was undertaken to compare the pregnancy outcomes of women who had undergone a misoprostol mid-trimester TOP in their last pregnancy with those of a similar cohort of women without a history of misoprostol TOP. This study suggests a possibility that medical mid-trimester TOP with misoprostol increases the risk of preterm or very preterm delivery in a subsequent pregnancy but larger studies are needed to confirm or dismiss this. [source] Novel CNBP- and La-based translation control systems for mammalian cellsBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 1 2003Stefan Schlatter Abstract Throughout the development of Xenopus, production of ribosomal proteins (rp) is regulated at the translational level. Translation control is mediated by a terminal oligopyrimidine element (TOP) present in the 5, untranslated region (UTR) of rp -encoding mRNAs. TOP elements adopt a specific secondary structure that prevents ribosome-binding and translation-initiation of rp -encoding mRNAs. However, binding of CNBP (cellular nucleic acid binding protein) or La proteins to the TOP hairpin structure abolishes the TOP-mediated transcription block and induces rp production. Based on the specific CNBP-TOP/La-TOP interactions we have designed a translation control system (TCS) for conditional as well as adjustable translation of desired transgene mRNAs in mammalian cells. The generic TCS configuration consists of a plasmid encoding CNBP or La under control of the tetracycline-responsive expression system (TETOFF) and a target expression vector containing a TOP module between a constitutive PSV40 promoter and the human model product gene SEAP (human secreted alkaline phosphatase) (PSV40 -TOP- SEAP -pA). The TCS technology showed excellent SEAP regulation profiles in transgenic Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Alternatively to CNBP and La, TOP-mediated translation control can also be adjusted by artificial phosphorothioate anti-TOP oligodeoxynucleotides. Confocal laser-scanning microscopy demonstrated cellular uptake of FITC-labeled oligodeoxynucleotides and their localization in perinuclear organelles within 24 hours. Besides their TOP-based translation-controlling capacity, CNBP and La were also shown to increase cap-independent translation from polioviral internal ribosomal entry sites (IRES) and La alone to boost cap-dependent translation initiation. CNBP and La exemplify for the first time the potential of RNA-binding proteins to exert translation control of desired transgenes and to increase heterologous protein production in mammalian cells. We expect both of these assets to advance current gene therapy and biopharmaceutical manufacturing strategies. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 81: 1,12, 2003. [source] Prescriptions filled during pregnancy for drugs with the potential of fetal harmBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 13 2009S Kulaga Objective, To assess the extent of prescriptions filled by pregnant women for drugs with recognised potential of fetal harm, and to document the outcomes of these pregnancies. Design, Cross-sectional study. Population, Quebec Pregnancy Registry. Methods, We identified women who were pregnant during a five-year period and who were insured for prescription medications under the provincial drug plan. We obtained information on prescriptions filled during pregnancy for drugs with known potential of fetal harm. Main outcome measures, Prescriptions filled for study drugs during the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy; termination of pregnancy (TOP) or delivery, and whether the baby was diagnosed with a major congenital malformation (MCM). Results, Of 109 344 women, 56% filled at least one prescription for a medication during pregnancy; 6.3% filled at least one prescription for a drug known to pose a risk to the fetus. Overall, 47% (95% CI, 45.8,48.2) of pregnancies exposed to drugs under study ended in TOP versus 36.2% (95% CI, 35.9,36.5) of those not exposed; 8.2% (95% CI, 8.0,10.0) of live births were diagnosed with an MCM during the first year of life versus 7.1% (95% CI, 6.9,7.3) of those not exposed. Conclusions, This study documents an important level of prescriptions filled during pregnancy for drugs harmful to the developing fetus. The proportions of both TOPs and babies born with MCMs were elevated compared with the expected values. Clinicians caring for women during pregnancy should conduct a medication inventory prior to a planned pregnancy, or as soon as an unplanned pregnancy is recognised. [source] Termination of pregnancy according to immigration status: a population-based registry linkage studyBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 10 2008S Vangen Objective, Frequency of termination of pregnancy (TOP) and associated risk factors according to immigration status were studied. Design, Population-based registry study linking hospital data with information from the Central Population Registry of Norway. Setting, Oslo, Norway. Population, All women 15,49 years undergoing TOP and resident in Oslo, Norway from 1 January 2000 to 31 July 2003. Methods, TOP rates per 1000 women/year were calculated. The association of socio-economic variables such as maternal age, marital status, number of children and education level within the study groups were estimated as odds ratios and using logistic regression. Main outcome measure, Termination of pregnancy. Results, Refugees (30.2, 95% CI = 28.5,31.8) and labour migrants (19.9, 95% CI = 18.7,21.3) had significantly higher TOP rates than nonmigrants (16.7, 95% CI = 16.3,17.1). Except in women less than 25 years, labour migrants had higher TOP rates than nonmigrants. Refugees had the highest rates in all age groups. Being unmarried was associated with a substantially increased risk of TOP among the nonmigrants; such effect was not observed among labour migrants and refugees. Two or more children were associated with increased risk among nonmigrants and refugees compared with four or more among the labour migrants. Generally, higher education showed a protective effect that was most pronounced among nonmigrants. Compared with nonmigrants, adjusted risk of TOP was 1.37 (95% CI = 1.25,1.50) for labour migrants and 1.94 (95% CI = 1.79,2.11) for refugees. Conclusion, Public health efforts to increase the use of contraceptives among refugees and labour migrants above 25 years should be encouraged. [source] Side Chain Mediated Electronic Contact between a Tetrahydro-4H -thiopyran-4-ylidene-Appended Polythiophene and CdTe Quantum DotsCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 31 2006Rick van Beek Dr. Abstract The properties of a mixed CdTe quantum dot/tetrahydro-4H -thiopyran-4-ylidene-functionalized polythiophene system are reported. This system was prepared by exposing trioctylphosphine (TOP)-capped CdTe quantum dots to the polythiophene in solution. Strong fluorescence emission quenching and shortening of the fluorescence emission lifetimes of both the polythiophene and the quantum dots occur when they are mixed, indicating the occurrence of photoinduced charge separation. Photoinduced absorption spectroscopy reveals a considerable decrease in the population of the polythiophene triplet excited state in the mixed system. These results demonstrate that between the quantum dots and the polythiophene there is both physical and electronic contact, which is mediated by the tetrahydro-4H -thiopyran-4-ylidene side chains. [source] Older and Younger Adults in Pain Management Programs in the United States: Differences and SimilaritiesPAIN MEDICINE, Issue 2 2006Harriët M. Wittink PhD ABSTRACT Objectives., 1) To investigate health status of older (,60 years) and younger adults (<60 years) with chronic pain and to separately compare that with existing normative data; and 2) to examine more fully differences in health status between younger and older adults with chronic pain and explore their geographic variation across three multidisciplinary pain programs in the Pacific, Mountain, and New England regions of the United States. Design., We performed a cross-sectional analysis. Patients., Initial assessments of 6,147 patients dating from January 1998 to January 2003 were used. Outcomes Measures., We used the Treatment Outcomes of Pain Survey (TOPS), a disease-specific instrument that includes the Short Form-36. Results., The health status of the older pain patients in terms of their actual scores was comparable with that of younger pain patients across the three sites. Health status is impaired to a lesser degree in older than in younger adults with chronic pain as compared with normative adults. Statistically significant differences were found in a number of domains of the TOPS. Older adults with chronic pain present with pain intensity similar to that of younger patients with chronic pain, but report better mental health (P < 0.002), less fear-avoidance (P < 0.05), less passive coping (P < 0.0001), more life control (P < 0.05), and more lower body physical limitations (P < 0.005) than younger patients with chronic pain. Conclusions., Older adults with chronic pain differ in a number of important domains from younger adults with chronic pain: overall the former present with greater physical, and less psychosocial impairment. [source] Epidemiology of holoprosencephaly: Prevalence and risk factors,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS, Issue 1 2010Iêda M. Orioli Abstract The wide variation in cerebral and facial phenotypes and the recognized etiologic heterogeneity of holoprosencephaly (HPE) contribute to the observed inter-study heterogeneity. High lethality during the early stages of embryonic and fetal development makes HPE detection age dependent. By reviewing 21 HPE epidemiologic articles, the observed prevalence rate differences can be largely explained by the pregnancy outcome status of the studied cohort: livebirth, stillbirth, and terminations of pregnancy (TOPs): lower than 1 per 10,000 when live and still births were included, higher when TOPs were included, and between 40 and 50 per 10,000 in two classical Japanese studies on aborted embryos. The increasing secular trend observed in some studies probably resulted from an increasing use of prenatal sonography. Ethnic variations in birth prevalence rates (BPRs) could occur in HPE, but the available data are not very convincing. Higher BPRs were generally observed in the less favored minorities (Blacks, Hispanics, Pakistanis), suggesting a bias caused by a lower prenatal detection rate of HPE, and consequently less TOPs. Severe ear defects, as well as microstomia, were part of the spectrum of HPE. Non-craniofacial anomalies, more frequently associated with HPE than expected, were genital anomalies (24%), postaxial polydactyly (8%), vertebral defects (5%), limb reduction defects (4%), and transposition of great arteries (4%). The variable female predominance, found in different HPE studies, could also depend on the proportion of early conceptions in each study sample, as males are more likely to be lost through spontaneous abortions. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Prevalence of neural tube defects in Australia prior to mandatory fortification of bread-making flour with folic acidAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 4 2010Samanthi Abeywardana Abstract Objective: To establish baseline prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) prior to mandatory folic acid fortification in Australia. Method: Retrospective population based study. Data from the Australian Congenital Anomalies Monitoring System, for 1998,2005 were used to calculate birth prevalence including live/stillbirths of at least 20 weeks gestation or 400 g birthweight. Total prevalence and trends of NTD including terminations of pregnancy (TOPs) before 20 weeks were established using data from South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia because of the incomplete ascertainment in other states. Results: The birth prevalence of NTDs from 1998,2005, was 5/10,000 births. The total prevalence including TOPs was 13/10,000 births. A 26% declining trend in total prevalence was seen from 1992,2005, but the main decline occurred prior to 1998. Women who were Indigenous, socially disadvantaged, young, living in remote areas and had multiple gestations were more likely to give birth to babies with NTDs. Conclusion: The prevalence of NTD has been stable since 1998. Reporting of the birth prevalence alone underestimates the actual prevalence of NTD. Implications: From a public health perspective, future monitoring of NTD following implementation of fortification of bread-making flour with folic acid should include a mixed methods approach; reporting birth prevalence on national data and total prevalence on tri-state data. [source] Prescriptions filled during pregnancy for drugs with the potential of fetal harmBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 13 2009S Kulaga Objective, To assess the extent of prescriptions filled by pregnant women for drugs with recognised potential of fetal harm, and to document the outcomes of these pregnancies. Design, Cross-sectional study. Population, Quebec Pregnancy Registry. Methods, We identified women who were pregnant during a five-year period and who were insured for prescription medications under the provincial drug plan. We obtained information on prescriptions filled during pregnancy for drugs with known potential of fetal harm. Main outcome measures, Prescriptions filled for study drugs during the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy; termination of pregnancy (TOP) or delivery, and whether the baby was diagnosed with a major congenital malformation (MCM). Results, Of 109 344 women, 56% filled at least one prescription for a medication during pregnancy; 6.3% filled at least one prescription for a drug known to pose a risk to the fetus. Overall, 47% (95% CI, 45.8,48.2) of pregnancies exposed to drugs under study ended in TOP versus 36.2% (95% CI, 35.9,36.5) of those not exposed; 8.2% (95% CI, 8.0,10.0) of live births were diagnosed with an MCM during the first year of life versus 7.1% (95% CI, 6.9,7.3) of those not exposed. Conclusions, This study documents an important level of prescriptions filled during pregnancy for drugs harmful to the developing fetus. The proportions of both TOPs and babies born with MCMs were elevated compared with the expected values. Clinicians caring for women during pregnancy should conduct a medication inventory prior to a planned pregnancy, or as soon as an unplanned pregnancy is recognised. [source] Comparison of the play of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by subtypesAUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010Reinie Cordier Background:,Studies have found differences in the nature and severity of social problems experienced by children with different subtypes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Given that play is often the context for acquiring social skills, there is surprisingly limited research examining whether these differences distinguish the play of children within the groups. Methods:,Using the Test of Playfulness (ToP), we examined the similarities and differences in play between children (aged 5,11 years) diagnosed with the threeDSM-IV ADHD subtypes: inattentive (I-subtype;n = 46), hyperactive-impulsive (HI-subtype;n = 28) and combined subtypes (C-subtype;n = 31). Results and conclusions:,Bias interaction, an item-by-item analysis, revealed that the hierarchy of ToP items was similar for children with the HI- and C-subtypes, but differed for children with the I-subtype. Specifically, children with the I-subtype found it more difficult to become intensely engaged in play and to take on playful mischief and clowning; however, they found social play items to be easier. Conversely, whereas mischief and clowning were relatively easier for children with the HI- and C-subtypes, many items reflecting social interaction were more difficult. These findings suggest that interventions can be tailored to these differing presentations. However, further research is needed to confirm the findings. [source] Determination of bankfull discharge magnitude and frequency: comparison of methods on 16 gravel-bed river reachesEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 11 2006O. Navratil Abstract Bankfull discharge is identified as an important parameter for studying river morphology, sediment motion, flood dynamics and their ecological impacts. In practice, the determination of this discharge and its hydrological characteristics is not easy, and a choice has to be made between several existing methods. To evaluate the impact of the choice of methods, five bankfull elevation definitions and four hydrological characterizations (determination of duration and frequency of exceedance applied to instantaneous or mean daily data) were compared on 16 gravel-bed river reaches located in France (the catchment sizes vary from 10 km2 to 1700 km2). The consistency of bankfull discharge estimated at reach scale and the hydraulic significance of the five elevation definitions were examined. The morphological definitions (Bank Inflection, Top of Bank) were found more relevant than the definitions based on a geometric criterion. The duration of exceedance was preferred to recurrence intervals (partial duration series approach) because it is not limited by the independency of flood events, especially for low discharges like those associated with the Bank Inflection definition. On average, the impacts of the choice of methods were very important for the bankfull discharge magnitude (factor of 1·6 between Bank Inflection and Top of Bank) and duration of exceedance or frequency (respectively a factor 1·8 and 1·9 between mean daily and instantaneous discharge data). The choice of one combination of methods rather than another can significantly modify the conclusions of a comparative analysis in terms of bankfull discharge magnitude and its hydrological characteristics, so that one must be cautious when comparing results from different studies that use different methods. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A cross-system synthesis of consumer and nutrient resource control on producer biomassECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 7 2008Daniel S. Gruner Abstract Nutrient availability and herbivory control the biomass of primary producer communities to varying degrees across ecosystems. Ecological theory, individual experiments in many different systems, and system-specific quantitative reviews have suggested that (i) bottom,up control is pervasive but top,down control is more influential in aquatic habitats relative to terrestrial systems and (ii) bottom,up and top,down forces are interdependent, with statistical interactions that synergize or dampen relative influences on producer biomass. We used simple dynamic models to review ecological mechanisms that generate independent vs. interactive responses of community-level biomass. We calibrated these mechanistic predictions with the metrics of factorial meta-analysis and tested their prevalence across freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems with a comprehensive meta-analysis of 191 factorial manipulations of herbivores and nutrients. Our analysis showed that producer community biomass increased with fertilization across all systems, although increases were greatest in freshwater habitats. Herbivore removal generally increased producer biomass in both freshwater and marine systems, but effects were inconsistent on land. With the exception of marine temperate rocky reef systems that showed positive synergism of nutrient enrichment and herbivore removal, experimental studies showed limited support for statistical interactions between nutrient and herbivory treatments on producer biomass. Top,down control of herbivores, compensatory behaviour of multiple herbivore guilds, spatial and temporal heterogeneity of interactions, and herbivore-mediated nutrient recycling may lower the probability of consistent interactive effects on producer biomass. Continuing studies should expand the temporal and spatial scales of experiments, particularly in understudied terrestrial systems; broaden factorial designs to manipulate independently multiple producer resources (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus, light), multiple herbivore taxa or guilds (e.g. vertebrates and invertebrates) and multiple trophic levels; and , in addition to measuring producer biomass , assess the responses of species diversity, community composition and nutrient status. [source] Plasma antioxidative activity during atorvastatin and fluvastatin therapy used in coronary heart disease primary preventionFUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 1 2004Jan Kowalski Abstract We estimated the effect of atorvastatin and fluvastatin on plasma antioxidative activity used in coronary heart disease (CHD) primary prevention. Anti-oxidative activity of blood plasma was determined by Bartosz et al. method [Curr. Top. Biophys. (1998)22:11,13], based on reduction of preformed cation radical of 2,2,azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) by blood plasma. The study comprised 35 patients with CHD risk who were randomly divided into two groups. The atorvastatin group comprised 17 patients who were administered the drug orally in a daily dose of 10 mg and the fluvastatin group consisted of 18 patients on an oral dose of 40 mg once daily. The control group comprised 12 healthy subjects with no drug administration. Blood samples were collected from cubital vein before and after 6-week therapy. Significantly (P < 0.05) increased , in comparison with the initial values , antioxidative activity of blood plasma was found in atorvastatin and fluvastatin groups after 6-week therapy. Moreover, the increase in antioxidative plasma activity in atorvastatin group was significantly higher in comparison with the fluvastatin group. The results of our study have demonstrated that atorvastatin and fluvastatin have an additional mechanism independent of the effect on cholesterol concentration. Thus, we presume that administration of these statins in CHD risk patients may have a beneficial effect. [source] Fabrication of Oriented Multilayers of Photosystem I Proteins on Solid Surfaces by Auto-Metallization,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 2 2008L. Frolov AFM phase image of PS I (Top) and platinized PS I (bottom) monolayers. The Pt patches serve as junctions for fabrication of oriented multilayer by covalent binding of cysteine mutants through the formation of sulfide bonds with the Pt. A larger absorption cross section and the serial arrangement resulted in an increase in the photopotential generated by the dry multilayers. [source] The Northern Irish Peace Process: From Top to BottomINTERNATIONAL STUDIES REVIEW, Issue 2 2008Landon E. Hancock Like the conflict in Northern Ireland, the peace process has the distinction of being one of the longest-running processes both in the time required to reach an agreement and in the time required for implementation of that agreement. This article analyzes the peace process from the perspectives of elite negotiations to community relations and in between in order to determine how each of these peace processes within the overall peace process contributed its longevity and overall success. The distinction that peace is made from the top-down is contrasted with the notion that it cannot succeed without social preparation through bottom-up, or middle-out initiatives; concluding with analysis of frameworks that attempt to capture the entirety of the peace process and what its success means for the study of the Northern Irish peace process and peace processes in general. [source] Top down preselection using marker assisted estimates of breeding values in dairy cattleJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 5 2004Jörn Bennewitz Summary Top down preselection of young bulls before entering progeny testing has been proposed as a practicable form of marker-assisted selection (MAS), especially in dairy cattle populations with large male paternal half-sib families. Linkage phase between the superior (Q) and the inferior (q) QTL alleles of heterozygous sires (Qq at the QTL) with informative markers is established within each paternal half-sib family and may be used for selection among grand-progeny. If, additionally to sires, bulldams are also genotyped and data from consecutive generations are used, then a marker-assisted best linear unbiased prediction (MA-BLUP) model can be employed to connect the information of all generations and families of a top down design, and to select across all families. A customized ,augmented' sire model (with sires and dams of sires as random effects) is introduced for this purpose. Adapted formulae for the mixed model equations are given and their equivalence to a corresponding animal model and to a certain variant of previously proposed reduced animal models is shown. The application of the augmented sire model in MA-BLUP estimation from daughter-yield deviations and effective daughter contributions is presented. Zusammenfassung Die Top down Vorselektion von jungen Bullen vor der Nachkommenschaftsprüfung ist bekannt als eine praktikable Form der markergestützten Selektion in Milchrinderpopulationen. Die Kopplungsphasen zwischen dem günstigen (Q) und dem ungünstigen (q) Allel eines QTL heterozygoten Vaters (Qq am QTL) mit den Allelen gekoppelter genetischer Marker werden innerhalb Familien festgestellt und können zur Vorselektion von Enkeln genutzt werden. Wenn zusätzlich zu den Vätern die Mütter genotypisiert sind und Daten von mehreren Generationen vorliegen, können MA-BLUP Modelle genutzt werden, um Informationen von mehreren Familien und mehreren Generationen eines Top down Designs zusammenzuführen und um eine Vorselektion über Familien hinweg vorzunehmen. Hierfür wird ein geeignetes ,erweitertes' Vatermodell eingeführt, welches die Väter und zusätzlich die Mütter der Väter als zufällige Effekte enthält. Angepasste Formeln für die gemischten Modell Gleichungen werden beschrieben. Die Gleichheit dieses erweiterten Vatermodells mit einem entsprechenden Tiermodell und mit einer Variante des reduzierten Tiermodells wird gezeigt. Die Anwendung des erweiterten Vatermodells zur MA-BLUP Schätzung mit daughter yield deviations und effective daughter contributions ist beschrieben. [source] Aid Donors: Top 10 "Non-Traditional" DonorsAFRICA RESEARCH BULLETIN: ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL SERIES, Issue 3 2010Article first published online: 4 MAY 2010 No abstract is available for this article. [source] Mood Adjustment via Mass CommunicationJOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION, Issue 2 2003Silvia Knobloch The author has proposed and experimentally tested the mood adjustment approach, complementing mood management theory. Participants were placed in an initial mood and led to anticipate different activities after the waiting period. The upcoming activities were either dynamic or lengthy (arousal) and associated with either pleasure or performance (valence), resulting in a 2 × 2 design. During an ostensible waiting period, participants listened to choices of popular music at their will in a computer-aided procedure. This music taken from the Top 30 charts had been evaluated in a pretest for energy and joyfulness as musical qualities in order to create sets of musical selections that were either low or high in these qualities. In the experiment proper, selective exposure to energetic-joyful music as dependent measure was unobtrusively recorded via software. Results regarding self-exposure across time show that patterns of music listening differ with initial mood and anticipation, lending support to mood adjustment hypotheses. Mood management processes occurred in the beginning of the waiting period, whereas mood adjustment purposes set in toward the anticipated activity. [source] Perceptions of Professionalism: Interior Design Practitioners Working for the Top 100 FirmsJOURNAL OF INTERIOR DESIGN, Issue 1 2001Craig Birdsong M.S. ABSTRACT A necessary gauge of a profession is its members' commitment to the components of a profession. This study examined interior design practitioners' perceptions of selected components. Interior designers employed by the top 100 firms identified in Interior Design magazine were surveyed about their perceptions of accreditation of undergraduate programs, state licensing, the NCIDQ examination, research and graduate education. Ninety-four (94) responses representing 34 firms were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, and mean scores. Spearman rho correlation coefficients were calculated to determine relationships and Horowitz's categorizations and descriptions of coefficient values were used for summarizing the Spearman correlation coefficients. In general, practitioners perceived an advantage of most components of a profession for interior design. Graduate education was the one professional component they did not view as important or advantageous as the other four. Practitioners might consider increased involvement in the various components interior design has developed to meet the requirements of a profession and acquire additional credentials for themselves. Educators and the professional organizations must work more diligently to help practitioners understand the importance of graduate education and its relevance to the continuing and successful growth of the profession. [source] Market Implications of the Audit Quality and Auditor Switches: Evidence from ChinaJOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & ACCOUNTING, Issue 1 2009Z. Jun Lin Independent audits enhance the credibility of corporate financial reports and assist investors to make rational decisions in the capital market. Nonetheless, the utility of the auditing function depends upon the quality of audits, which is determined by the independence and expertise of auditors. Hence, auditor choice and switch will not only affect an audit's quality, but will also influence decisions made by investors and other market participants. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how investors respond to the quality of audits and auditor switches in the Chinese context. Empirical results show that the quality of an audit and switching to a larger auditor have a positive (negative) impact on earnings response coefficients (ERCs) for firms with positive (negative) abnormal earnings. In contrast, switching to a smaller auditor has a negative (positive) impact on ERCs for firms with positive (negative) abnormal earnings. These results suggest that large auditing firms (Top 10) in China are perceived as more effective for curbing income-increased earnings management, which leads to higher (lower) ERCs for clients with positive (negative) abnormal earnings. Firms' switching to a larger auditor may signal high-quality earnings. Therefore, investors more often increase stock prices when firms have positive abnormal earnings and less often depreciate prices for negative abnormal earnings. Similarly, switching to a smaller auditor may signal lower earning quality, resulting in opposite market responses. In general, the empirical evidence suggests that audit information is valued by the capital market in China. Large auditing firms have been able to product-differentiate themselves within the Chinese stock market. [source] Pocket Radiologist: Breast , Top 100 Diagnoses, 1st editionJOURNAL OF MEDICAL IMAGING AND RADIATION ONCOLOGY, Issue 6 2005EJ Wylie No abstract is available for this article. [source] Pocket Radiologist: Head and Neck , Top 100 DiagnosesJOURNAL OF MEDICAL IMAGING AND RADIATION ONCOLOGY, Issue 4 2003Andy Whyte No abstract is available for this article. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||