University of Adelaide

About: University of Adelaide is a education organization based out in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Pregnancy. The organization has 27251 authors who have published 79167 publications receiving 2671128 citations. The organization is also known as: The University of Adelaide & Adelaide University.

Mechanisms of Cl- transport contributing to salt tolerance

Abstract: Mechanisms of Cl(-) transport in plants are poorly understood, despite the importance of minimizing Cl(-) toxicity for salt tolerance. This review summarizes Cl(-) transport processes in plants that contribute to genotypic differences in salt tolerance, identifying key traits from the cellular to whole-plant level. Key aspects of Cl(-) transport that contribute to salt tolerance in some species include reduced net xylem loading, intracellular compartmentation and greater efflux of Cl(-) from roots. We also provide an update on the biophysics of anion transport in plant cells and address issues of charge balance, selectivity and energy expenditure relevant to Cl(-) transport mechanisms. Examples are given of anion transport systems where electrophysiology has revealed possible interactions with salinity. Finally, candidate genes for anion transporters are identified that may be contributing to Cl(-) movement within plants during salinity. This review integrates current knowledge of Cl(-) transport mechanisms to identify future pathways for improving salt tolerance.

Epidemiology, diagnosis and management of hirsutism: a consensus statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society

Abstract: Background Hirsutism, defined by the presence of excessive terminal hair in androgen-sensitive areas of the female body, is one of the most common disorders in women during reproductive age. Methods We conducted a systematic review and critical assessment of the available evidence pertaining to the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of hirsutism. Results The prevalence of hirsutism is ~10% in most populations, with the important exception of Far-East Asian women who present hirsutism less frequently. Although usually caused by relatively benign functional conditions, with the polycystic ovary syndrome leading the list of the most frequent etiologies, hirsutism may be the presenting symptom of a life-threatening tumor requiring immediate intervention. Conclusions Following evidence-based diagnostic and treatment strategies that address not only the amelioration of hirsutism but also the treatment of the underlying etiology is essential for the proper management of affected women, especially considering that hirsutism is, in most cases, a chronic disorder needing long-term follow-up. Accordingly, we provide evidence-based guidelines for the etiological diagnosis and for the management of this frequent medical complaint.

The Effect of Heat Waves on Mental Health in a Temperate Australian City

Abstract: ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to identify mental, behavioral, and cognitive disorders that may be triggered or exacerbated during heat waves, predisposing individuals to heat-related morbidit...

Antibiotic prophylaxis versus no prophylaxis for preventing infection after cesarean section

Abstract: Background The single most important risk factor for postpartum maternal infection is cesarean section. Although guidelines endorse the use of prophylactic antibiotics for women undergoing cesarean section, there is not uniform implementation of this recommendation. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 1995 and last updated in 2010. Objectives To assess the effects of prophylactic antibiotics compared with no prophylactic antibiotics on infectious complications in women undergoing cesarean section. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 July 2014) and reference lists of retrieved papers. Selection criteria Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs comparing the effects of prophylactic antibiotics versus no treatment in women undergoing cesarean section. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently assessed the studies for inclusion, assessed risk of bias and carried out data extraction. The clinically important primary outcomes were wound infection, endometritis, serious maternal infectious complications and adverse effects on the infant. We presented dichotomous data as risk ratios (RR), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and combined trials in meta-analyses. We assessed the quality of evidence using the GRADE approach. Main results We identified 95 studies enrolling over 15,000 women. Compared with placebo or no treatment, the use of prophylactic antibiotics in women undergoing cesarean section reduced the incidence of wound infection (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.46, 82 studies, 14,407 women), endometritis (RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.42, 83 studies, 13,548 women) and maternal serious infectious complications (RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.49, 32 studies, 6159 women). When only studies that included women undergoing an elective cesarean section were analyzed, there was also a reduction in the incidence of wound infections (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.82, 17 studies, 3537 women) and endometritis (RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.61, 15 studies, 2502 women) with prophylactic antibiotics. Similar estimates of effect were seen whether the antibiotics were administered before the cord was clamped or after. The effect of different antibiotic regimens was studied and similar reductions in the incidence of infections were seen for most of the antibiotics and combinations. There were no data on which to estimate the effect of maternal administration of antibiotics on infant outcomes. No studies systematically collected and reported on adverse infant outcomes nor the effect of antibiotics on the developing infant immune system. No studies reported on the incidence of oral candidiasis (thrush) in babies. Maternal adverse effects were also rarely described. We judged the evidence for antibiotic treatment compared with no treatment to be of moderate quality; most studies lacked an adequate description of methods and were assessed as being at unclear risk of bias. Authors' conclusions The conclusions of this review support the recommendation that prophylactic antibiotics should be routinely administered to all women undergoing cesarean section to prevent infection. Compared with placebo or no treatment, the use of prophylactic antibiotics in women undergoing cesarean section reduced the incidence of wound infection, endometritis and serious infectious complications by 60% to 70%. There were few data on adverse effects and no information on the effect of antibiotics on the baby, making the assessment of overall benefits and harms difficult. Prophylactic antibiotics given to all women undergoing elective or non-elective cesarean section is beneficial for women but there is uncertainty about the consequences for the baby.

Activation of Peroxydisulfate on Carbon Nanotubes: Electron-Transfer Mechanism.

Abstract: This study proposed an electrochemical technique for investigating the mechanism of nonradical oxidation of organics with peroxydisulfate (PDS) activated by carbon nanotubes (CNT). The electrochemical property of twelve phenolic compounds (PCs) was evaluated by their half-wave potentials, which were then correlated to their kinetic rate constants in the PDS/CNT system. Integrated with quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and radical scavenging tests, the nature of nonradical pathways of phenolic compound oxidation was unveiled to be an electron-transfer regime other than a singlet oxygenation process. The QSARs were established according to their standard electrode potentials, activation energy, and pre-exponential factor. A facile electrochemical analysis method (chronopotentiometry combined with chronoamperometry) was also employed to probe the mechanism, suggesting that PDS was catalyzed initially by CNT to form a CNT surface-confined and -activated PDS (CNT-PDS*) complex with a high redox potential. Then, the CNT-PDS* complex selectively abstracted electrons from the co-adsorbed PCs to initiate the oxidation. Finally, a comparison of PDS/CNT and graphite anodic oxidation under constant potentials was comprehensively analyzed to unveil the relative activity of the nonradical CNT-PDS* complex toward the oxidation of different PCs, which was found to be dependent on the oxidative potentials of the CNT-PDS* complex and the adsorbed organics.