Diversities in the place of delivery choice: a study among expectant mothers in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: In this study, the factors that influence the choice of place of delivery among expectant mothers in both rural and urban settings in the northern part of Ghana were identified and compared using the conceptual framework provided by Thaddeus and Maine. METHODS: A mixed-method study was used to examine expectant mothers and their responses related to factors that affect their choice of place of delivery through a concurrent triangulation using health professional interviews and a detailed participant survey. The sample consisted of 552 expectant mothers between the ages of 15 and 49 years. Individual interviews were conducted with 8 health professionals. There was also a focus group discussion with randomly selected pregnant women and lactating mothers. Themes were generated through open coding of the interview data, while multiple regression was performed to identify the factors associated with choice of place of delivery. RESULTS: Major preference (60.1%) was for home delivery among rural dwellers compared to 20.7% for urban participants. Statistically significant variables affecting the choice of place of delivery among study participants were found to be educational background, the experience of previous deliveries, the attitude of hospital staff toward pregnant women during labor, and frequency of accessing antenatal care. CONCLUSION: Majority of rural women prefer home delivery to facility delivery which is the opposite of the trend observed among urban women. The study's implications may lead to positive change where stakeholders develop and implement policies to promote health facility delivery for expectant mothers in Ghana.

Identification, distribution, and adult phenology of the carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) of Texas.

The carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) of Texas are surveyed. Thirteen of the 14 species, and five of the six genera, of this ecologically and forensically important group of scavengers that have previously been reported from Texas are confirmed here based on a study of 3,732 adult specimens. The one reported, but unconfirmed, species, Oxelytrum discicolle, was probably based on erroneous label data and is excluded from the Texas fauna. Two additional species, Nicrophorus sayi and N. investigator are discussed as possible, but unconfirmed, components of the fauna. Taxonomic diagnoses, Texas distribution range maps, seasonality profiles, and biological notes are presented for each confirmed species. The confirmed Texas silphid fauna of 13 species comprises 43% of the 30 species of this family that are known from America north of Mexico. The highest richness (11 species) is found in the combined Austroriparian and Texan biotic provinces of eastern Texas. Phenologically, three species (Necrophila americana, O. rugulosum and Nicrophorus tomentosus) exhibit bimodal adult temporal occurrence patterns with peaks in the spring and late summer or fall; four species (Oiceoptoma noveboracense, Necrodes surinamensis, Nicrophorus carolinus, and N. orbicollis) exhibit unimodal occurrence patterns with a single peak in late spring or early summer; one species (Oiceoptonia inaequale) exhibits a unimodal occurrence pattern with a single peak in early spring; and five species (Thanatophilus truncatus, Nicrophorus americanus, N. marginatus, N. mexicanus and N. pustulatus) display unimodal occurrence patterns with peaks in late summer or early fall.

Comparative Morphology of Wax Gland Heads in Adult Dustywings (Insecta: Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae).

In the largest comparative study of coniopterygid wax gland head morphology to date, we used scanning electron microscopy to illustrate the ultrastructure of gland heads found in 2 subfamilies (Aleuropteryginae and Coniopteryginae), 5 tribes (Aleuropterygini, Coniocompsini, Coniopterygini, Conwentziini, and Fontenelleini), 9 genera (Aleuropteryx, Coniopteryx, Coniocompsa, Conwentzia, Cryptoscenea, Heteroconis, Semidalis, Spiloconis, and Thecosemidalis), and 28 species of Palearctic and Oriental dustywings collected from a variety of sites across China. We propose a new descriptive terminology to concisely characterize the major elements of gland head ultrastructure and then identify similarities and differences among them and provide detailed descriptions of the wax gland heads found in each of the nine genera examined. Based on the range of taxa examined, we propose hypotheses about the functional morphology of some of the ultrastructural elements examined and relate them to wax ring formation in dustywings. An identification key for the examined genera based on gland head morphology is also presented.

The Minnesota Adolescent Community Cohort Study: design and baseline results.

The Minnesota Adolescent Community Cohort (MACC) Study is a population-based, longitudinal study that enrolled 3,636 youth from Minnesota and 605 youth from comparison states ages 12 to 16 years in 2000-2001. Participants have been surveyed by telephone semi-annually about their tobacco-related attitudes and behaviors. The goals of the study are to evaluate the effects of the Minnesota Youth Tobacco Prevention Initiative and its shutdown on youth smoking patterns, and to better define the patterns of development of tobacco use in adolescents. A multilevel sample was constructed representing individuals, local jurisdictions and the entire state, and data are collected to characterize each of these levels. This paper presents the details of the multilevel study design. We also provide baseline information about MACC participants including demographics and tobacco-related attitudes and behaviors. This paper describes variability in smoking prevalence and demographic characteristics for local units, and compares MACC participants to the state as a whole.

Apertochrysa Tjeder, 1966, a new senior synonym of Pseudomallada Tsukaguchi, 1995 (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae: Chrysopinae: Chrysopini).

Apertochrysa Tjeder, 1966, is identified as a new senior subjective synonym of the large, subcosmopolitan, green lacewing genus currently known under the name Pseudomallada Tsukaguchi, 1995. Apertochrysa is rediagnosed and the taxonomic consequences of the new synonymy are reviewed. New combinations are created in Apertochrysa for 165 species formerly placed in Pseudomallada and for two species formerly placed in Mallada; three species are transferred from Pseudomallada back to previously-established combinations in Apertochrysa; and 13 additional species are retained in Apertochrysa from previous placements. This brings the total number of Apertochrysa species to 183.

Crop and Semi-Natural Habitat Configuration Affects Diversity and Abundance of Native Bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) in a Large-Field Cotton Agroecosystem.

The cotton agroecosystem is one of the most intensely managed, economically and culturally important fiber crops worldwide, including in the United States of America (U.S.), China, India, Pakistan, and Brazil. The composition and configuration of crop species and semi-natural habitat can have significant effects on ecosystem services such as pollination. Here, we investigated the local-scale effect of crop and semi-natural habitat configuration in a large field (>200 ha in size) cotton agroecosystem on the diversity and abundance of native bees. The interfaces sampled included cotton grown next to cotton, sorghum or semi-natural habitat along with a natural habitat comparator. Collections of native bees across interface types revealed 32 species in 13 genera across 3 families. Average species richness metrics ranged between 20.5 and 30.5, with the highest (30.5) at the interface of cotton and semi-natural habitat. The most abundant species was Melissodes tepaneca Cresson (>4000 individuals, ~75% of bees collected) with a higher number of individuals found in all cotton-crop interfaces compared to the cotton interface with semi-natural habitat or natural habitat alone. It was also found that interface type had a significant effect on the native bee communities. Communities of native bees in the cotton-crop interfaces tended to be more consistent in species richness and abundance. While cotton grown next to semi-natural habitat had higher species richness, the number of bees collected varied. These data suggest that native bee communities persist in large-field cotton agroecosystems. Selected species dominate (i.e., M. tepaneca) and thrive in this large-field cotton system where cotton-crop interfaces are key local landscape features. These data have implications for potential pollination benefits to cotton production. The findings also contribute to a discussion regarding the role of large-field commercial cotton growing systems in conserving native bees.

Morphological phylogeny and taxonomic revision of the former antlion subtribe Periclystina (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae: Dendroleontinae).

The species of the former antlion subtribe Periclystina (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) are revised. Prior to this work Periclystina comprised 10 genera and 63 species endemic to Australia (62 spp.) and New Guinea (1 sp.). In this work two former genera are synonymized and four new genera are proposed (for a total of 12 valid genera), and six former species are synonymized and 16 new species are proposed (for a total of 73 valid species). A parsimony analysis utilizing 62 morphological characters is used to infer phylogenetic relationships among all 73 species, and suitable outgroups. Based on the results of the phylogenetic analysis, the tribal and/or generic assignments of 55 (75%) of former Periclystina species are modified here. Periclystina and its two largest genera-Austrogymnocnemia and Glenoleon-were all recovered as polyphyletic in their former circumscriptions. Ten species-placed here in six genera: Anomaloplectron, Csiroleon, Fissuleon gen. nov., Franzenia, Fusoleon and Latileon gen. nov.-clustered phylogenetically with Acanthoplectron and are transferred to the tribe Acanthoplectrini. The remaining 63 species-placed in six additional genera: Austrogymnocnemia, Glenoleon, Megagonoleon gen. nov., Minyleon gen. nov., Periclystus and Riekoleon-form a monophyletic Periclystus genus group and are transferred to the tribe Dendroleontini. All 73 species are (re)described and illustrated. New identification keys are provided for the tribes of Dendroleontinae, for the Australian genera of Acanthoplectrini and Dendroleontini, and for each of the non-monotypic genera treated. In addition, five new lectotypes are designated and 35 new combinations are created.

Larvae of Abachrysa eureka (Banks) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae: Belonopterygini): descriptions and a discussion of the evolution of myrmecophily in Chrysopidae.

Here we describe the first and third instars and the egg of the New World chrysopid Abachrysa eureka (Banks). Like other members of the tribe Belonopterygini, this species is myrmecophilic. Comparisons of Abachrysa larval and egg characteristics with those reported from four other belonopterygine genera indicate that Abachrysa more closely resembles the Old World Calochrysa and Italochrysa than the New World Vieira and Nacarina. The three genera Abachrysa, Calochrysa and Italochrysa all have large eggs, accelerated embryonic development, and an elaborate set of morphological modifications for larval debris carrying, an important defense against ant attack. This pattern of shared features is consistent with the phylogenies recovered in recent molecular studies that place the New World genera Vieira and Nacarina basal to Abachrysa and the Old World genera. Our assessment of current morphological information in relation to the molecular studies indicates the following sequence: (i) The form of belonopterygine myrmecophily that is currently expressed in the basal lineages (Nacarina and perhaps Vieira) originated in the New World and does not involve elaborate larval modifications for debris carrying. (ii) Myrmecophily that is based on a correlated set of developmental and morphological traits subserving debris carrying evolved in the New World when Abachrysa diverged. (iii) Subsequently, the debris-carrying clade of Belonopterygini underwent a significant radiation in the Old World, but not in the New World.

RanBP2 modulates Cox11 and hexokinase I activities and haploinsufficiency of RanBP2 causes deficits in glucose metabolism.

The Ran-binding protein 2 (RanBP2) is a large multimodular and pleiotropic protein. Several molecular partners with distinct functions interacting specifically with selective modules of RanBP2 have been identified. Yet, the significance of these interactions with RanBP2 and the genetic and physiological role(s) of RanBP2 in a whole-animal model remain elusive. Here, we report the identification of two novel partners of RanBP2 and a novel physiological role of RanBP2 in a mouse model. RanBP2 associates in vitro and in vivo and colocalizes with the mitochondrial metallochaperone, Cox11, and the pacemaker of glycolysis, hexokinase type I (HKI) via its leucine-rich domain. The leucine-rich domain of RanBP2 also exhibits strong chaperone activity toward intermediate and mature folding species of Cox11 supporting a chaperone role of RanBP2 in the cytosol during Cox11 biogenesis. Cox11 partially colocalizes with HKI, thus supporting additional and distinct roles in cell function. Cox11 is a strong inhibitor of HKI, and RanBP2 suppresses the inhibitory activity of Cox11 over HKI. To probe the physiological role of RanBP2 and its role in HKI function, a mouse model harboring a genetically disrupted RanBP2 locus was generated. RanBP2(-/-) are embryonically lethal, and haploinsufficiency of RanBP2 in an inbred strain causes a pronounced decrease of HKI and ATP levels selectively in the central nervous system. Inbred RanBP2(+/-) mice also exhibit deficits in growth rates and glucose catabolism without impairment of glucose uptake and gluconeogenesis. These phenotypes are accompanied by a decrease in the electrophysiological responses of photosensory and postreceptoral neurons. Hence, RanBP2 and its partners emerge as critical modulators of neuronal HKI, glucose catabolism, energy homeostasis, and targets for metabolic, aging disorders and allied neuropathies.

Race, socioeconomic status, and premature mortality.

This article summarizes the results of a study examining whether the relationship between race and premature mortality varied by socioeconomic status among men and women who are black or white and between the ages of 25 and 64 years. Using a population-based study design, we tested the hypothesis that the association between race and mortality would differ by socioeconomic status as measured by neighborhood poverty and educational status. We found that the odds of dying prematurely were greater for black men and women who lived in less-affluent neighborhoods than for white men and women who lived in similar neighborhoods. Racial differences were most striking, however, for both black women and white women who lived in more affluent neighborhoods. Our results suggest that socioeconomic status does moderate the effects of race on premature mortality. Strategies to reduce racial disparities in premature mortality in Minnesota must include developing more coordinated health, social, and economic policies and delivering health messages that resonate with younger, more affluent African-American women.

Neuropterida (Insecta: Megaloptera, Raphidioptera, Neuroptera) of Pakistan: a catalogue and faunistic review.

The first comprehensive catalogue of the extant Neuropterida of Pakistan is presented, and the known distributions of all of these species from Pakistan are summarized. The fauna, as presently known, comprises 113 species in 63 genera and 11 families, but this certainly attributes to a significant under-representation of the true fauna. Eighteen species are presently known only from Pakistan and are possibly endemic. The biogeography and several related aspects of the fauna are discussed.

Extinct Neuropterida of Brazil (Insecta: Neuroptera, Megaloptera, Raphidioptera)

ABSTRACT The currently-known extinct Neuropterida fauna of Brazil comprises 18 families, 55 genera and 99 species (Neuroptera: 15 families, 49 genera, 89 species; Raphidioptera: 1 family, 2 genera, 5 species, + 1 genus incertae sedis with 2 species; Megaloptera: 1 family, 2 genera, 2 species; Order incertae sedis: 1 family, 1 genus, 1 species). All of these species have been described since 1980 and they collectively constitute the overwhelming majority of extinct Neuropterida presently known from South America. Other than one species of Permithonidae (Neuropterida incertae sedis) described from the Late Permian Irati Formation (Paraná Basin) of Rio Grande do Sul state, all extinct Brazilian Neuropterida taxa are known only from the Early Cretaceous Crato Formation (Araripe Basin) in Ceará and Pernambuco states. Of the 35 authors who have contributed to the descriptive literature of this fauna over the past 42 years, the work of Brazilian paleontologists Rafael Gioia Martins-Neto [1954-2010] and Maria Aparecida Vulcano-d'Andretta [1921-2018] - who together contributed to the description of 67 species - is especially notable. However, since their deaths, extinct Neuropterida have received little attention from Brazilian scientists and most later work on this fauna has been undertaken by workers outside Brazil. We provide this updated synthesis of the extinct Neuropterida of Brazil in order to centralize baseline knowledge for this fauna, to support efforts to document and conserve Brazilian fossil sites, and to encourage future work on the fauna, particularly by the next generation of Brazilian paleoentomologists.

Factors associated with reporting multiple causes of death.

BACKGROUND: There is analytical potential for multiple cause of death data collected from death certificates. This study examines relationships of multiple causes of death as a function of factors available on the death certificate (demographics of decedent, place of death, type of certifier, disposal method, whether an autopsy was performed, and year of death). METHODS: Data from 326,332 Minnesota death certificates from 1990-1998 are examined. Underlying and non-underlying causes of death are examined (based on record axis codes) as well as demographic and death-related covariates. Associations between covariates and prevalence of multiple causes of death and conditional probability of underlying compared to non-underlying causes of death are examined. The occurrence of ischemic heart disease or diabetes as underlying causes are specifically examined. RESULTS: Both the probability of multiple causes of death and the proportion of underlying cause compared to non-underlying cause of death are associated with demographic characteristics of the deceased and other non-medical conditions related to filing death certificate such as place of death. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple cause of death data provide a potentially useful way of looking for inaccuracies in reporting of causes of death. Differences across demographics in the proportion of time a cause is selected as underlying compared to non-underlying exist and can potentially provide useful information about the overall impact of causes of death in different populations.

Does socioeconomic position moderate the effects of race on cardiovascular disease mortality?

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates differ markedly by minority status, with younger Blacks having some of the highest CVD mortality rates in the United States. A major objective of this study was to assess whether socioeconomic position moderates the effects of race or minority status on CVD mortality. DESIGN: The sample included 443 Black and 21,182 White men, and 415 Black and 24,929 White women, 45 years and older, who died of CVD from 1992-1998, and who had lived in the Twin Cities 5-county area. Using individual and neighborhood level measures of socioeconomic position, we hypothesized that socioeconomic position would moderate the effects of race on CVD mortality. Test hypotheses were analyzed using Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: Socioeconomic position moderated the effects of race on CVD mortality among older men, but not in older women. Older Black men who lived in more impoverished neighborhoods had significantly and disproportionately higher CVD mortality rates than did older White men living in more impoverished neighborhoods; this was not the case among older Black and White men living in less impoverished neighborhoods. Race was independently related to CVD mortality among younger men and women, with younger Black men and women having significantly higher CVD mortality rates than younger White men and women. The Black-White rate for Black women was twice that of White women. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic position as measured by neighborhood poverty can moderate the effects of race on CVD mortality in older Black and White men. This may not have been as apparent had socioeconomic position not been treated as a major variable of interest, and measured at multiple levels.

Relationship-centered care: A new paradigm for population health management.

At the center of population health management services are the relationships between the patient and their care providers. The spread of relationship-centered care has resulted from the need to develop and nurture these relationships. As a model of coordinated and team-based care, relationship-based care is able to strengthen population health management. This paper explores why relationship-centered care is fundamental to population health management, describes compatibilities with patient-centered care and discusses examples of early applications of this paradigm. Using our experience in a population health management organization, we describe applications and lessons learned using this paradigm.

Safety net hospital performance on national quality of care process measures.

Several studies have found poor or mixed performance by safety net hospitals on national measures of quality. The study's purposes were to determine whether safety net hospital performance is similar to the average U.S. hospital, both currently and during earlier reporting periods, and to summarize features commonly used to assess performance, including definition of safety net and patient characteristics. This study reviewed quality performance data for the Joint Commission's accountability measures for hospitals that are members of the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (NAPH)-safety net hospitals that serve a large proportion of Medicaid and uninsured patients. Analyses of quality performance on the earliest data show that on average there was no statistically significant difference in performance between NAPH members and other hospitals on 6 of 15 measures. According to the most recent data, NAPH hospitals on average had no statistically significant differences as other hospitals on 13 of 18 measures and had statistically significantly better scores on two measures. These results are an important addition to the literature regarding safety net hospitals that serve a high proportion of Medicaid, low income, and uninsured patients, and support the case that quality of care at safety net hospitals is equivalent to that of non-safety net hospitals.

Limited proteolysis differentially modulates the stability and subcellular localization of domains of RPGRIP1 that are distinctly affected by mutations in Leber's congenital amaurosis.

The retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) protein interacts with the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator interacting protein-1 (RPGRIP1). Genetic lesions in the cognate genes lead to distinct and severe human retinal dystrophies. The biological role of these proteins in retinal function and pathogenesis of retinal diseases is elusive. Here, we present the first physiological assay of the role of RPGRIP1 and mutations therein. We found that the monoallelic and homozygous mutations, DeltaE1279 and D1114G, in the RPGR-interacting domain (RID) of RPGRIP1, enhance and abolish, respectively, its interaction in vivo with RPGR without affecting the stability of RID. In contrast to RID(WT) and RID(D1114G), chemical genetics shows that the interaction of RID(DeltaE1279) with RPGR is resistant to various stress treatments such as osmotic, pH and heat-shock stimuli. Hence, RID(D1114G) and RID(DeltaE1279) constitute loss- and gain-of-function mutations. Moreover, we find that the isoforms, bRPGRIP1 and bRPGRIP1b, undergo limited proteolysis constitutively in vivo in the cytoplasm compartment. This leads to the relocation and accumulation of a small and stable N-terminal domain of approximately 7 kDa to the nucleus, whereas the cytosolic C-terminal domain of RPGRIP1 is degraded and short-lived. The RID(D1114G) and RID(DeltaE1279) mutations exhibit strong cis-acting and antagonistic biological effects on the nuclear relocation, subcellular distribution and proteolytic cleavage of RPGRIP1 and/or domains thereof. These data support distinct and spatiotemporal subcellular-specific roles to RPGRIP1. A novel RPGRIP1-mediated nucleocytoplasmic crosstalk and transport pathway regulated by RID, and hence by RPGR, emerges with implications in the molecular pathogenesis of retinopathies, and a model to other diseases.

Recommendations for addressing quality and health assessment initiatives in Minnesota.

A recent priority of the Assessment Initiative in Minnesota has been to develop recommendations for addressing quality and health assessment activities in the state. These recommendations consist of a comprehensive array of issues, most of which where there was fairly strong consensus and a few of which where there were differing perspectives among key stakeholders. There are some significant opportunities for advancing quality and health assessment activities in Minnesota in the context of state and national programs in health care and public health.

Linking birth certificates with Medicaid data to enhance population health assessment: methodological issues addressed.

This study linked birth certificates with Minnesota Medicaid deliveries in order to identify Medicaid births. This article describes the link between methodology and results. Medicaid claims from 1997 were used to identify women with a delivery code. Identifiers for these women were linked to birth certificate files, with a match rate of 93.2 percent. Women's match status did not differ by maternal age. Women in some border counties matched at much lower rates than the rest of the population. The methodology was effective in linking Medicaid and birth certificate data and will be implemented as a data linkage protocol for Minnesota.