Models have shown, first, that for long-lasting effects, drug administration programmes should be linked with vector control, and second, that if elimination is the aim, programmes are likely to be more successful PARP inhibitor when applied to smaller populations of a few thousand or less. In order to sustain the gains following the scaling up of vector control and use of artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs), strategies that use antimalarials effectively need to be devised and evidence generated for the most cost-efficient way forward.”
“Background: Bone marrow-derived circulating progenitor cells

possess tissue repair potential, improving perfusion, left ventricular remodeling, and contractility in experimental models. We quantified and investigated the kinetics of 4 circulating progenitor cell sub-populations on the basis of CD34, CD133, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) antigen expression.\n\nMethods: CD34+, CD34+/CD133+/VEGFR-2-, see more CD34+/CD133+/VEGFR-2+, and CD34+/CD133-/VEGFR-2+ cells were counted in 10 male patients with end-stage congestive

heart failure. Five underwent left ventricular/biventricular assist device (LVAD/BiVAD) implantation (VAD group), and 5 were ineligible for VAD implantation (no-VAD group). Peripheral blood was collected at 3 time points for each patient: before, 15, and 60 days after VAD placement in the VAD group and at the same time points in the no-VAD group. Purified CD34+ cells were stained with anti-CD34, anti-CD133, and anti-VEGFR-2 monoclonal antibodies and analyzed by flow cytometry. Serum levels of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin-8, vascular endothelial growth factor-alpha (VEGF-alpha), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were also measured.\n\nResults: In the VAD group the number of CD34+ cells/ml of blood tended to increase, from 159.6 +/- 137.0 at baseline to 428.9 +/- 224.3 at 15 days, and decreased to 343.8 +/- 165.7 at 60 days (p = 0.05 vs no-VAD click here group). In the other 3 cell populations, no significant differences occurred over time

or between groups. A significant interaction between BNP levels and VAD status was observed (p = 0.005): BNP levels decreased over time in VAD patients vs no-VAD patients. G-CSF levels tended to decrease over time in both groups, but without a significant difference (p = 0.3). Serum levels of interleukin-8 and VEGF-alpha over time or between VAD and no-VAD patients were not significantly different.\n\nConclusions: After VAD implantation, a transient increase occurs in the number of circulating CD34+ cells, in parallel to a reduction in BNP levels. Release of these cells from the bone marrow may contribute to the improvement of tissue perfusion and cardiac recovery occasionally seen after VAD placement. J Heart Lung Transplant 2009;28:710-7. Copyright (C) 2009 by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation.

“
“Background Acidosis is associated with protein-energy malnutrition, inflammation, and bone disease, and low bicarbonate levels have been implicated in higher mortality rates in chronic CHIR-99021 supplier kidney disease. Recently, the concentration of serum pregnancy-associated

plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) has become accepted as a prognostic marker in hemodialysis patients. This study determined the relationship between PAPP-A and bicarbonate levels in these patients. Methods The study enrolled 65 hemodialysis patients (41 males, 24 females) and 26 control subjects (11 males, 15 females). Serum PAPP-A, intact parathormone (iPTH), calcium, phosphorus (P), and bicarbonate levels were measured. Correlations between PAPP-A and bicarbonate, iPTH, calcium, and phosphorus were evaluated. Results Median PAPP-A levels were significantly higher in hemodialysis patients [15.1 ( smaller than 0.03-158.8) ng/ml] than in control subjects [6.6 ( smaller than 0.03-16.4) ng/ml] (P smaller

than 0.05). There were statistically significant correlations between serum PAPP-A and bicarbonate, iPTH, and P in hemodialysis patients but not in control subjects. Conclusion Elevation of serum PAPP-A has been found in hemodialysis patients and its significant correlation with bicarbonate suggests that it may click here be a prognostic factor.”
“Plasma-based methods have recently emerged as a technique for augmenting plasmid DNA delivery to skin. This delivery modality relies on the deposition of ionized gas molecules on to targeted cells or tissue to establish an electric field. It is hypothesized that this electric field results in the dielectric breakdown of cell membranes, making cells permeable to exogenous molecules. This in vivo investigation sought to optimize the intradermal delivery of a luciferase expressing plasmid DNA by modulating the total exposure to the plasma source and the plasmid DNA dose. Varying the

plasma exposure time from 2, 5, 10, and 20 min allowed the conditions resulting in the see more highest expression of luciferase to be found. These conditions correlated to the 10 minute exposure time for a plasma derived from either +8 kV or -8 kV, when the generator was operated 3 cm from the epidermal tissue surface with a helium flow rate of 15 L/min. Exposing the injected flank skin for 10 min resulted in a rise of 37.3-fold for a plasma created with +8 kV and 27.1-fold for a plasma created with -8 kV. When using this treatment time with 50, 100, or 200 mu g of a luciferase expressing plasmid, it was found that 100 mu g resulted in the highest peak luminescence. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“A quantum mechanics-based scoring function for halogen bonding interaction, namely XBScore(QM), is developed based on 18,135 sets of geometrical and energetical parameters optimized atM06-2X/aug-cc-pVDZ level.

Intrauterine position effects. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 26(6):665-678; J. Vandenbergh, & C. Huggett, (1995). The anogenital distance index, a predictor of the intrauterine position effects on reproduction in female house mice. Lab Anim Sci. 45(5):567-573]. Furthermore, in humans AGD is sexually dimorphic with neonate males having a greater distance than females [E. Salazar-Martinez, P. Romano-Riquer, E. Yanez-Marquez,

M. Longnecker, M. Hernandez-Avila, (2004). Anogenital distance in human male and female newborns: a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source. 2004:3:(8) (doi:10.1186/1476-069X-3-8) [12]]. Recently, research has concluded that the digit lengths of mice have the same phenotypic pattern seen in humans, with the 2D:4D ratio being sexually dimorphic, i.e. lower in males and greater in females [W. Brown, find more C. Finn, & S. Breedlove, (2002). Sexual dimorphism in digit-length ratios of laboratory mice. Anat Rec. 267(3):231-234; J. Manning, M. Callow, & P. Bundred, (2003).\n\nFinger and toe ratios in humans and mice: implications for the aetiology of diseases influenced byHOX genes. Med Hypotheses. 60(3):340-343; W. Brown, C. Finn, & S. Breedlove, (2001). A sex difference in the digit length ratio in mice. Horm Behav. 39:325]. The following study was conducted to determine

whether the digit length ratios in mice are correlated with a known in utero testosterone-dependent P005091 chemical structure effect, the distance from the anus to the genital papilla, the AGD. The results of the experiment demonstrate that there is no correlation between AGD and the 2D:4D ratio in mice of either sex. Furthermore, no sexual dimorphism in the digit lengths was found as opposed to previous studies [W. Brown, C. Finn, & S. Breedlove, (2002). Sexual dimorphism in digit-length ratios of laboratory mice. Anat Rec. 267(3):231-234; J. Manning, M. Callow, & P. Bundred, (2003). Finger and toe ratios in humans and mice: implications for the aetiology of diseases influenced by HOX genes. Med

Hypotheses. 60(3):340-343; W. Brown, C. Finn, & S. Breedlove, (2001). A sex difference in the digit length ratio in mice. Horm Behav. 39:325]. Although testosterone has Proteases inhibitor been implicated in the digit length ratios, the present study would suggest that androgens do not have a causal relationship with testosterone-dependent phenotypes [J. Manning, D. Scutt, J. Wilson, & D. Lewis-Jones, (1998). The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length: a predictor of sperm numbers and. concentrations of testosterone, luteinizing hormone and oestrogen. Hum Reprod. 13(11):3000-3004; J. Manning, & P. Bundred, (2000). The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length: A new predictor of disease predisposition?. Med Hypotheses. 54(5):855-857; J. Manning, R. Trivers, D. Singh, & R. Thornhill, (1999). The mystery of female beauty. Nature. 399:214-215]. The attribution of nature (i.e. genetic) and nurture (i.e. environment) in the development of life (i.e.

\n\nIntracardiac LV and RV dP/dt were measured with a 0.014-in. sensor-tipped pressure guidewire during pacing at nine different VV intervals ranging from +80 ms (LV pre-excitation) to -80 ms (RV pre-excitation) in 26 patients who received a biventricular pacemaker. No correlation was found between the optimal VV intervals identified by maximum

LV dP/dt and RV dP/dt, which were identical in only seven cases (27%). Only when testing slightly broader intervals (+/- 20 ms) was there a statistically significant correlation (P= 0.037) between the optimized VV intervals. In the majority of patients (58%) either LV or RV pre-excitation was superior to simultaneous pacing according to LV dP/dt(max) measurements.\n\nRV dP/dt(max) failed to identify the optimal VV interval when compared with Akt inhibitor LV dP/dt(max) and can therefore not be recommended APR-246 in vitro for VV optimization in CRT patients.”
“There is concern in the beef industry that selecting bulls for feed efficiency based on residual feed intake (RFI) may have a negative impact on bull reproductive performance and fertility. Here we investigated the impact of selection of bulls for low RFI on breeding soundness evaluation (BSE), reproductive performance, and fertility of bulls under natural service in multisire mating groups on pasture. Of the 412 RFI-tested bulls available, 98 (23.8%)

were culled for performance, type, temperament, or other reasons, and 88 (21.4%) were culled for failing BSE, for an overall cull rate of 45.1%. From among the 314 bulls subjected to BSE, 32 (10.2%), 20 (6.4%), and 36 (11.4%) were culled for poor feet and legs, scrotal circumference, and semen quality, respectively. The BSE traits were PND-1186 manufacturer not different (P > 0.10) between bulls categorized as either inefficient (+RFI) or efficient (-RFI), but the proportion

of bulls that failed to meet the 60% minimum sperm motility requirement tended (P = 0.07) to be greater in the -RFI group than in the +RFI group (10.2% vs. 4.4%, respectively). In a subpopulation of 115 bulls, individual progressive sperm motility was greater (P < 0.05) in +RFI (85%) than – RFI (80%) bulls. A multisire natural mating experiment was conducted during 2 consecutive breeding seasons (2006 to 2007 and 2007 to 2008) using 18 +RFI and 18 -RFI bulls. The overall calving rate (calves born/cows exposed) was 72.9%. Mean number of progeny per sire was significantly greater (P < 0.01) in -RFI bulls (18.3) than in +RFI bulls (11.8). Selection for feed efficiency based on RFI appears to have no detrimental impact on reproductive performance and fertility in beef bulls bred in multisire groups on pasture. However, the decreased sperm motility and the greater number of progeny per sire associated with -RFI status need further investigation.

We examined the reproducibility of DCM in healthy subjects (young 18-48 years, n = 27; old 50-80 years, n = 15) in the context of action selection. We then examined the effects of Parkinson’s disease (50-78 years, Hoehn and Yahr stage 1-2.5, n = 16) and dopaminergic therapy. Forty-eight models were compared, for each of 90 sessions from 58 subjects. Model-evidences clustered

according to sets of structurally similar models, with high correlations over two sessions in healthy older subjects. The same model was identified as most likely in healthy controls on both sessions and in medicated patients. In this most likely network model, the selection of action was associated with enhanced coupling between prefrontal cortex and the pre-supplementary motor area. However, the parameters for LY2835219 intrinsic connectivity and contextual modulation in this model were poorly correlated across sessions. A different model was identified in patients with Parkinson’s disease after medication withdrawal. In “off” patients, action selection was associated with enhanced connectivity from prefrontal to lateral premotor cortex. This accords with independent evidence of a dopamine-dependent Blebbistatin Transmembrane Transporters inhibitor functional disconnection of the SMA in Parkinson’s disease. Together, these results suggest that DCM model selection is robust and sensitive enough

to study clinical populations and their pharmacological treatment. For critical inferences, MK5108 order model selection may be sufficient. However, caution is required when comparing groups or drug effects in terms of the connectivity parameter estimates, if there are significant posterior covariances among parameters. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Late-life depression encompasses both patients with late-life onset of depression ( bigger than 60

years) and older adults with a prior and current history of depression. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of the economic condition and family relations in childhood as risk factors for late-life depression. Subjects and methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study comprising 120 subjects, 60 patients with unipolar depression and 60 subjects without depressive disorders, diagnosed in accordance with the 10-th International Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders. All participants in the study were above the age of 60 and there was no significant statistical difference in the sex proportion in both groups (p bigger than 0.05). Data for the examination were taken from a self-reported questionnaire designed for our aim. The Geriatric Depression Scale was used to measure depressive symptoms. Results: Our results have shown that severe financial difficulties are important events in childhood and are risk factors for depression in the elderly (Chi-square=12.68, df=2, p=0.0018). Our investigation has found the association of family relations with late-life depression.

Am. J. Hum. Biol. 23:546-552, 2011. (C) 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.”
“The growth of solid tumors depends on tumor

stroma. A single adoptive transfer of CD8(+) CTLs that recognize tumor antigen-loaded stromal cells, but not the cancer cells because of MHC restriction, caused long-term inhibition of tumor growth. T cells persisted and continuously destroyed CD11b(+) myeloid-derived, F4/80(+) or Gr1(+) stromal cells during homeostasis between host and cancer. Using high-affinity T-cell receptor tetramers, we found that both subpopulations of stromal cells captured tumor antigen from surrounding selleck inhibitor cancer cells. Epitopes on the captured antigen made these cells targets for antigen-specific T cells. These myeloid stromal cells are immunosuppressive, proangiogenic, and phagocytic. Elimination of these myeloid cells allowed T cells to remain active, prevented neovascularization, and prevented tumor resorption so that tumor size remained stationary. These findings show the effectiveness of adoptive CTL therapy directed against tumor stroma and open a new avenue for cancer treatments.”
“Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) potentially is an attractive

treatment for radiosensitive early-stage solid tumors and as an adjuvant to cytoreductive surgery. Topical administration of RIT may improve the efficacy because higher local concentrations are achieved. We reviewed the results of locally applied radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of solid tumors. Intracavitary RIT inpatients with ovarian cancer and glioma showed improved targeting after local administration, as compared to the 3-MA cost intravenous administration. In addition, various studies showed the feasibility of locally applied RIT in these patients. In studies that included patients with small-volume disease, adjuvant RIT in ovarian cancer and glioma showed to be at least as effective as standard therapy. The information about RIT for peritoneal carcinomatosis of PF-00299804 clinical trial colorectal origin is scarce, while results from preclinical data are promising. RIT may be applied

for other, relatively unexplored indications. Studies on the application of radiolabeled antibodies in early urothelial cell cancer have been performed, showing that intracavitary RIT may hold a promise. Moreover, in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma or malignant pleural effusion, RIT may play a role in the palliative treatment. Intracavitary RIT limits toxicity and improves tumor targeting. RIT is more effective in patients with small-volume disease of solid cancers. RIT may have potential for palliation in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma or malignant pleural effusion. The future of RIT may, therefore, not only be in the inclusion in contemporary multimodality treatment, but also in the expansion to palliative treatment.”
“Objectives: Arginine is the only source for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis.

049). Both methods were able to correctly classify 9/10 patients as responder or nonresponder.\n\nConclusion: ASL perfusion as well as DWI-MRI provide accurate, clinically relevant information regarding tumor viability and can predict response already early after therapy Crenolanib datasheet onset, as opposed to classical lesion size and MRI signal-intensity measurements.”
“Background: This research was performed to determine the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) and the effects of iodized salt supplementation on thyroid status amongst Orang Ash in Hulu Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: Study respondents

were from three target groups, i.e. pre-school children (PSC), primary school-going children (SGC) and adult women. Each household was supplied with iodized salt fortified with iodate fortificant for a period of 12 months and the iodine levels in the salt ranged from 20 to 30 mu g/L. Samples collected before and after 6 and 12 months of introduction to iodized salt were urine from all groups, as well as serum samples

from adult women. Results: A total of 200 respondents were recruited; 58 (29.0%) PSC, 65 (32.5%) SGC and 77 (38.5%) adult women. The median urine-iodine concentration (mUIC) in all groups were of moderately low before the iodized salt intervention, but increased significantly in all study groups after 6 and 12 months of intervention. However, at the end of the study, there was an increase in severe iodine deficiency (mUIC <20 mu g/L) from 7.5% to 12% and about 9% of PSC and SGC respondents had mUIC level of more than 300 mu g/L while the adult women showed a significant increase in free triiodothyronine GSK1210151A in vitro (fT3) levels. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that iodized salt supplementation was able to show an improvement in iodine level amongst Orang Ash. However, an increase in severe iodine deficiency and iodine excess indicated that the iodized BVD-523 concentration salt programme needs to be carefully monitored.”
“Disseminated adenovirus infection in recipients of renal transplants is a rare but often fatal complication. We present a case of a 32-year-old woman who underwent renal transplantation from a deceased donor. Ten months after transplantation, she presented

with dysuria, hematuria, and febrile illness. Despite the use of antibiotics, the patient’s symptoms continued and worsened and the serum creatinine level was increased. The results of urine and serum polymerase chain reaction were positive for adenovirus. Renal biopsy revealed viral interstitial nephritis. The patient was treated with ribavirin, intravenous immunoglobulin, and reduction in immunosuppression. Her symptoms progressively improved from 7 days after the treatment. Serum and urine polymerase chain reaction for adenovirus became negative 10 and 21 days after the treatment, respectively. She remained in good health with excellent allograft function 6 months later.”
“Oncolytic virotherapy is a new strategy for cancer treatment for humans and dogs.

Our experiments demonstrate that the majority of surviving colonies contain genic open reading frames, suggesting that beta-lactamase is acting as a selectable folding reporter. Furthermore, different leaders (Sec, TAT and SRP), normally translocating different protein classes, filter different genic fragment subsets, indicating that their use increases the fraction of the “domainone” that is accessible.\n\nConclusions: The availability of ORF libraries, obtained with the filtering method described here, combined with screening methods such as phage display and protein-protein interaction studies, or with protein structure https://www.selleckchem.com/products/PD-0325901.html determination

projects, can lead to the identification and structural determination of functional genic ORFs. ORF libraries represent, Fosbretabulin in vivo moreover, a useful tool to proceed towards high-throughput functional annotation of newly sequenced genomes.”
“Purpose: Aqueous humor is intimately related to the cells of the anterior and posterior chambers, which affect its composition. Aqueous analysis provides useful information regarding physiological and pathophysiological processes in the eye. Human aqueous samples are typically less than 100 mu l, limiting the usefulness of the analysis with traditional Enzyme-Linked immunoSorbant Assay (ELISA) techniques. The specific aim of

this study was to investigate if whether large numbers of analytes can be identified in clinically available samples of aqueous humor and to document the detectability of certain biomarkers in the aqueous.\n\nMethods: We used a technology developed by Luminex xMAP to analyze hundreds of analytes in a small sample. Aqueous from eight normal and two diabetic patients was analyzed.\n\nResults: Of the 90 analytes evaluated, 52 (57%) were PD0332991 research buy detectable in the normal aqueous. To place these results in biological context, we analyzed the list of expressed analytes using the MetaCore database. The functional pathways, networks, biological processes, and disease processes that these analytes represented were identified. Several ocular pathology-related processes were represented in the aqueous. The detected analytes represented

biomarkers of several relevant disease processes including vascular diseases, arteriosclerosis, ischemia, necrosis, and inflammation. To provide the proof of principle that the aqueous profile could offer useful information about the pathophysiological processes, we analyzed two aqueous samples from diabetic patients. These limited samples showed the differences between normal and diabetic samples, including those relevant to diabetic retinopathy such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), C reactive protein, glutathione, and cytokines. Several biomarker groups for disease processes relevant to diabetes were perturbed.\n\nConclusions: These results demonstrate that multiplex analysis of the aqueous can be a useful tool in screening for any pathophysiological changes of the ocular environment.

, Elaeagnus angustifolia L., Eucalyptus tereticornis L., Ficus carica L., Fraxinus excelsior L., Melia azadirach L., Morus alba L., Morus nigra L., Pistacia vera L., Prunus armeniaca L., Punica granatum L., Robinia pseudo acacia L., Rosa indica L. and Vitis vinifera L. grown AZD2171 clinical trial in

the urban (polluted site) and peri-urban (non-polluted) sites of Quetta. Results showed that all plant species exhibited significant (p<0.05) reduction at polluted site in their leaf length, width, area and petiole length when compared with the same plant species of non-polluted site. These plant species also showed significant variation in the growth of morphological parameters from season to season. Results also showed that the overall reduction % in leaf length, width, area and length of petiole during different seasons at polluted sites with respect to those of non-polluted sites were found maximum during summer (33.91, 36.61, 37.08 and 46.17 %), followed by autumn and lowest was recorded during spring season (28.39, 23.50. 32.49 and 26.34 %), respectively. Results also deciphered that minimum decrease in

leaf length (19.86%), leaf width (17.81%), leaf area (22.66%) and petiole length (02.56%) was observed in Vitis vinefera L., Pistacia vera L., Ficus carica L. and Pistacia vera L. Whereas, maximum decrease 72.59, 50.58, 57.98 and 65.48% for the same attributes were noted in Punica GSK1904529A in vitro granatum L., Elaeagnus angustifolia L., Rosa indica L. and Eucalyptus tereticornis L., respectively. Results further indicated that as the plants get ages, the reduction % of various leaf attributes of polluted plants also increased as compared with non-polluted plant species. This could be mainly due to maximum exposure of plants to air pollutants come from various auto emission sources.”
“Constitutive expression of Kruppel-like factor 3 (KLF3, BKLF) increases marginal zone (MZ) B cell numbers, a phenotype shared

with mice lacking KLF2. Ablation of KLF3, known to interact with serum response factor (SRF), or SRF itself, results in fewer MZ Histone Methyltransf inhibitor B cells. It is unknown how these functional equivalences result. In this study, it is shown that KLF3 acts as transcriptional repressor for the leukocyte-specific integrin beta(7) (Itgb7, Ly69) by binding to the beta(7) promoter, as revealed by chromatin immunoprecipitation. KLF2 overexpression antagonizes this repression and also binds the beta(7) promoter, indicating that these factors may compete for target sequence(s). Whereas beta(7) is identified as direct KLF target, its repression by KLF3 is not connected to the MZ B cell increase because beta(7)-deficient mice have a normal complement of these and the KLF3-driven increase still occurs when beta(7) is deleted. Despite this, KLF3 overexpression abolishes lymphocyte homing to Peyer’s patches, much like beta(7) deficiency does. Furthermore, KLF3 expression alone overcomes the MZ B cell deficiency when SRF is absent. SRF is also dispensable for the KLF3-mediated repression of beta(7).

001). Involvement selleck chemical of multiple sites was also more common in BD than in RAS, and the menstrual cycle had more influence on oral ulcers in patients with BD (P < 0.001). Minor symptoms such as articular, neurological and vascular symptoms and epididymitis were also seen more often in BD than in RAS (P < 0.001), and in particularly, patients with BD had a significantly higher frequency of articular symptoms than did patients with RAS (P < 0.001).\n\nConclusion.\n\nThese findings may provide guidelines for the clinical differentiation between RAS and BD. In addition, patients with multiple major aphthae, particularly with articular symptoms, should

be closely followed up for the development of BD, and the possibility of other diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn’s disease should also be considered.”
“Background Improving the health of expectant Dibutyryl-cAMP mothers and reductions in health inequalities, are repeatedly prioritised in policy reports in England and Northern Ireland. Measurement of underlying rates, and geographical variation in rates, of adverse birth outcomes are tools in monitoring these priorities.\n\nMethods Northern Ireland data on stillbirths, infant mortality and low birth weight (1992-2002)

were linked to board (n=4), district council (n=26) and 1991 census wards (n=568). Underlying variations in rates were estimated at each geographical level, unadjusted and controlling for year, ward-level deprivation, settlement size and higher geographical levels. Impacts on geographical variation of individual social class, maternal Selleck Ruboxistaurin age, multiple birth and smoking were assessed.\n\nResults There was significant variation in underlying rates of low birth weight (<2500 g) at all three geographical levels. Controlling for smoking reduced variation between wards. Geographical variation proved

more robust for medium than for very low birth weight. No variation was seen between boards for other outcomes, nor between district level rates of infant mortality. Evidence was weak for variation in district rates of neonatal deaths and stillbirths, and variation in ward-level adjusted stillbirth rates was not significant. Variation in ward-level infant death rates was robust to all adjustments, with risks tripling (infant mortality) or quadrupling (neonatal mortality) between the 10th and 90th percentile.\n\nConclusions Strong evidence was found of geographical variation in infant mortality and low birth weight, unexplained by individual risk factors or by area-level deprivation. Geographical targeting or area-level interventions might look beyond deprivation scores, to other environmental and social factors.”
“Chloroplast biogenesis is an essential light-dependent process involving the differentiation of photosynthetically competent chloroplasts from precursors that include undifferentiated proplastids in leaf meristems, as well as etioplasts in dark-grown seedlings.