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Biomedical subjects

D J Petersen

Publications and source records attributed to D J Petersen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

The prevalence of child-psychiatric disorders among 8-9-year-old children in Danish mainstream schools.

OBJECTIVE: Prevalence rates for child psychopathology in Denmark are unknown; and efficient screening and non-respondent analyses are essential for epidemiological purposes. METHOD: A multi-method strategy involving a two-step design: first screening of 621 children between the ages of 8-9 years attending mainstream education using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). Second, screen-positive probands and a sample of screen-negative probands were given in-depth child-psychiatric assessment. In cases of non-respondents, children were assessed by teachers. RESULTS: CBCL screening results were compared with case status in clinical assessment. A positive predictive value of 0.25 and a correct classification rate (CCR) of 0.72 were obtained. The teacher interviews, used in cases of non-respondents, had a CCR of 0.87. According to DSM-IV criteria, the prevalence rate of psychiatric disorders was 10.l% [95% CI; 7.0-13.2]. CONCLUSIONS: The CBCL proved an effective screening tool. The brief interview with teachers is a valid assessment of psychiatric disorders among non-respondents.

Child↗
PubMed1999

Vive la difference! The international symposium, "Society and Individual Predisposition for Successful Pregnancy Outcome".

A gathering of clinician and epidemiologist researchers from three continents assembled in Paris on September 24, 1998, to contribute to a symposium honoring Professor Emile Papiernik, Chef de Service de Gynecologie et Obstetrique, Maternite Port Royal. The theme was society and individual predisposition for successful pregnancy outcome, and each presenter was asked to respond to a provocative question posed by Dr. Louis Keith, who presided over the symposium. This commentary was prepared shortly after the symposium. It reflects an overview of the state of knowledge presented that day by the participating scientists with regard to preterm delivery.

Causality↗
PubMed1998

Child health benefits packages: lessons from Minnesota for State Children's Health Insurance Programs.

The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) provides state maternal and child health (MCH) programs an opportunity to assure comprehensive health services are available to children through the selection of an appropriate benefits package. Minnesota had this chance in 1994 when the state was considering development of a universal standard benefits set. While the Minnesota MCH program was not at the policy table, they worked through a process that increased their influence on decisions by responding to a legislative call for a definition of "appropriate and necessary" care. This definition was ultimately adopted by policymakers in creating the recommended Universal Standard Benefits Set. This experience may provide an important incentive to other state MCH programs seeking opportunities to participate in the development of state SCHIP plans.

Child↗
PubMed1997

After graduation, what? An analysis of the job placements of graduates of public health maternal and child health training programs. Project of the Association of Teachers of Maternal and Child Health.

OBJECTIVES: In 1995, the Association of Teachers of Maternal and Child Health (ATMCH) decided that information about the employment status of program graduates was essential to attempts to improve MCH curricula. METHOD: ATMCH requested information from 13 MCH programs in schools of public health funded by the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau and 12 provided information about their master's degree graduates in the 1990-1994 period, including the year of graduation, degree, Bureau traineeship support, position held, and employing agency. RESULTS: The total number of graduates was 742. Four programs averaged less than 8 graduates per year (small); six, 10-16 (midsize); and two more than 22 (large). More than 90% of graduates received a M.P.H. In the 10 programs that provided data on Bureau support, 46% received traineeship support from the Bureau. Midsize programs had the largest percentage of graduates receiving traineeship support. Overall, 45% of graduates were in administrative positions, 32% were involved in patient care, 20% were in policy-analytic positions, and 3% in other positions. Forty-seven percent of program graduates entered into or continued in community-based agencies, 18% in government agencies, 17% in academic or research agencies, and 18% in other agencies. Program size was significantly associated with both position and the agency in which the graduate was employed. Bureau traineeship support was associated with employing agency. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests the need for changes in MCH curricula, enhanced education opportunities in specialty skill areas, and an ongoing survey of graduates of MCH programs.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

In search of the MCH professional.

One of the goals of the Maternal and Child Health Journal is to encourage professional development. This letter was written to the Editor in light-hearted spirit to convey the true challenge such a goal poses for the journal and the profession.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Bacillus polymyxa stimulates increased Rhizobium etli populations and nodulation when co-resident in the rhizosphere of Phaseolus vulgaris.

Microbial competition for carbon sources is a primary determinant of rhizosphere ecology. We employed the PCR to examine the population fluctuations of a symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacterium (Rhizobium etli) during the first 11 days following inoculation of Phaseolus vulgaris seedlings grown in the presence or absence of a common asymbiotic rhizosphere resident (Bacillus polymyxa). When B. polymyxa was applied as a co-inoculant, increases in both early rhizobial root populations and final root population densities were observed as compared to single inoculation with R. etli. Modifications to host plant growth (including increased lateral root formation and nodules number) were found concomitant with elevations in R. etli populations on plants co-inoculated with both bacterial genera. In contrast to the in planta results, population enhancements were not observed when R. etli and B. polymyxa were co-cultured in vitro using minimal media in the absence of the seedling. Addition of seed exudate to the growth media also failed to stimulate the population increases observed during co-release in planta. These results suggest that B. polymyxa acts indirectly (i.e., via the plant host) to increase R. etli populations. Our observed synergism among co-resident bacteria supports the hypothesis that microbial communities which colonize the spermosphere may play a significant role in plant development and rhizosphere ecology.

Bacillus↗
PubMed1995

Use of species- and strain-specific PCR primers for identification of conifer root-associated Bacillus spp.

A polymerase chain reaction amplification of 23S rDNA was developed to identify Bacillus spp. recovered from roots, mycorrhizae, and rhizosphere soil of conifers. The polymerase chain reaction incorporated a conserved 23S rDNA forward primer in combination with a reverse primer designed to hybridize exclusively to nucleotide sequences of either B. polymyxa or B. mycoides. The amplification provided a rapid and simple means of identifying DNA from isolates of Bacillus, and could be used directly on whole Bacillus cells or mixed populations. The reaction was used to detect and differentiate these Gram-positive species from agar plates inoculated with samples from various conifer samples. A strain-specific primer was also synthesized and used to identify Bacillus which were established within conifer roots 4 weeks after inoculation.

Bacillus↗
PubMed1995

Characterization of an acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase (thiolase) gene from Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824.

Thiolase (Thl) is an important enzyme at the junction in the pathway leading to the production of either acids (acetate or butyrate) or solvents (acetone, butanol or ethanol) during the growth of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824. Cloning and expression of the Thl-encoding gene (thl) has been described [Petersen and Bennett, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 57 (1991) 2735-2741], as has the purification and properties of the enzyme [Wiesenborn et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 54 (1988) 2717-2722]. Here, we present the complete nucleotide sequence (1.9 kb) of thl. The gene encodes a protein of 392 amino acids (aa) (41,237 Da), which mass is in agreement with previous findings using the purified protein. Primer extension analysis has defined the promoter region, and a stem-loop structure found at the end of thl indicates that it is not part of an operon. The aa sequence of Thl showed homology to those of four other beta-ketothiolases: (i) PhbC of Alcaligenes eutrophus, (ii) PhbA of Chromatium vinosum, (iii) PhbA of Thiocystis violacea and (iv) PhbA of Zoogloea ramigera. The C terminus of an open reading frame found upstream from the Thl sequence is similar to OrfX of Bacillus subtilis and to NfrC of Escherichia coli.

Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase↗
PubMed1995

Maternal and child health and health care reform.

Women and children, because of particular characteristics and vulnerabilities, should be afforded special attention in health care reform. Health care reform provides an opportunity to positively affect the maternal and child health (MCH) status. Universal coverage of a comprehensive benefit package must be combined with a strong public health system of population-based services if benefits are to be realized. There must be an accountable public locus of responsibility for promoting MCH, including clear authority and resources for four primary activities: (1) core public health, (2) systems development, (3) coordinated services for children with special health care needs, and (4) access to care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Prenatal care utilization in Minnesota. Patterns of concern, areas for improvement.

We conducted an analysis of prenatal care utilization among Minnesota resident mothers for the years 1990 to 1991 to determine why this state ranks poorly in prenatal care use while its infant mortality rate is one of the lowest in the nation. We found that 6% of women began care in the first trimester yet did not receive an adequate number of visits. These women were more likely to deliver preterm, low birthweight infants than women who started care later. Fifteen percent of women had records missing important data, and these women also had higher rates of poor pregnancy outcomes. Our findings have implications for maternal outreach and follow-up efforts and suggest potential benefits from private and public health collaborations. In addition, efforts to improve the quality of data reporting should begin immediately.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Sequence and arrangement of genes encoding enzymes of the acetone-production pathway of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC824.

The nucleotide sequence of three open reading frames in the acetone-production locus of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC824 has been established. The three gene products, corresponding to acetoacetate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.4) and both subunits of the acetoacetyl-CoA:acetate/butyrate:CoA transferase (EC 2.8.3.9) are transcribed in two convergently arranged operons. The intervening DNA region separating the two transcripts is characterized by an inverted repeat which appears capable of forming a stem-loop structure functioning as a Rho-independent transcription terminator in both directions.

Acetone↗
PubMed1992

X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets: a study (with literature review) of linear growth response to calcitriol and phosphate therapy.

Not all children with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) have demonstrated improved linear growth with calcitriol [1,25-(OH)2D3] and inorganic phosphate (Pi) therapy. To assess which factors are associated with a favorable growth response during this treatment, we retrospectively compared demographics and biochemical parameters of bone metabolism to the linear growth patterns of 20 children with XLH who were prepubertal and had not required osteotomy. A total of 15 patients had family histories consistent with XLH; 5 appeared to be sporadic cases. During 3 years of therapy, the growth velocities of 12 patients had been at or above the mean for age (good growers) and those of 8 patients had been below the mean (poor growers). Data from the two groups were contrasted. We found no difference between the good growers and poor growers before or after the 3 year period of therapy in mean age, dietary calcium, calcitriol dose or compliance, or Pi dose or compliance. Both groups increased their mean fasting serum Pi levels with treatment. The TmP/GFR (mean +/- SEM) of the good growers improved with therapy (1.9 +/- 0.2 to 2.6 +/- 0.2 mg/dl, p = 0.01), and their posttreatment value was higher compared to that of the poor growers (2.6 +/- 0.1 versus 2.2 +/- 0.1 mg/dl, p = 0.02). However, their enhanced TmP/GFR was not associated with a reduction in serum iPTH levels (before, 693 +/- 50; after, 688 +/- 76 pg/ml; p = 0.9). The Z test for binomial proportions showed that the group that grew well contained a disproportionate number of girls (10 of 12, p = 0.04). Our findings suggest that calcitriol may exert a direct effect on the renal tubule to improve Pi reclamation in XLH. The observation that heterozygous girls appear to respond better than hemizygous boys to calcitriol and Pi therapy provides evidence for a gene dosage effect in the expression of this X-linked dominant disorder.

Calcitriol↗
PubMed1991

Cloning of an NADH-dependent butanol dehydrogenase gene from Clostridium acetobutylicum.

The acetone-butanol fermentation of C. acetobutylicum is characterized by the unique shift from acid to solvent production. The mechanism of the solventogenic switch involves the induction of several enzymes, including NADH-dependent butanol dehydrogenase (BDH) at the onset of solventogenesis. This enzyme is responsible for the final conversion of butyraldehyde to butanol, and is distinct from the NADPH-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) also present in the organism. To characterize the genetic control of this gene, we have cloned and expressed it in E. coli. A lambda EMBL3 phage library of C. acetobutylicum DNA was screened via plaque hybridization using a [32P]-radiolabeled, 32-fold degenerate, 62-mer oligonucleotide probe. The probe was designed by reverse translation of the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of purified BDH II. Southern blot experiments indicate that the phage insert was of clostridial origin and had no homology with the previously cloned NADPH-dependent ADH. Subcloning of DNA from purified positive plaques has localized the gene to a 3.5-kb EcoRI fragment from which the enzyme is well expressed. The sequence of the 25 NH2-terminal amino acids for the cloned enzyme purified from E. coli was determined and found to be identical to that for the clostridial NADH-dependent BDH II. Maxicell analysis of [35S]-radiolabeled plasmid-encoded proteins identified a species encoded by the clostridial insert with the expected Mr of 42 kD.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1991

Hypercalciuria in children severely affected with osteogenesis imperfecta.

To investigate our impression that hypercalciuria is relatively common in children with osteogenesis imperfecta, we performed a retrospective study of data accumulated from our pediatric population with this skeletal disorder. Children with osteogenesis imperfecta (17 girls, 30 boys; mean (+/- SD) age 7.8 +/- 4.6 years; range 0.7 to 16.8 years) had undergone detailed inpatient evaluation of mineral homeostasis during periods of clinical stability and controlled dietary calcium intake. Hypercalciuria was found in 36% of the patients and averaged (+/- SEM) 6.1 +/- 0.3 mg/kg per 24 hours (0.15 +/- 0.01 mmol/kg per 24 hours) or 392 +/- 28 mg/gm of creatinine (1.10 +/- 0.07 mmol calcium/mmol creatinine) in the group with hypercalciuria. There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, or dietary calcium intake (per kilogram of body weight) between the normocalciuric and hypercalciuric children. However, the group with hypercalciuria was shorter than the normocalciuric group and had a greater lifelong fracture rate. When patient height z scores were regressed against urinary calcium levels, a significant negative correlation was found in the group with hypercalciuria (r = -0.76; p less than 0.001). Although serum alkaline phosphatase activity was lower in the group with hypercalciuria, no difference was found between groups with regard to serum levels of calcium, phosphate, magnesium, creatinine, immunoreactive parathyroid hormone, or osteocalcin. The groups were also similar with respect to both their total body mineral density, as determined by dual-photon absorptiometry (n = 17), and their static indexes of bone formation and resorption, as assessed histomorphometrically with iliac crest specimens (n = 19). We conclude that hypercalciuria occurs frequently in children with osteogenesis imperfecta, and that its magnitude appears to reflect the severity of the skeletal disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Cloning of the Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 acetyl coenzyme A acetyltransferase (thiolase; EC 2.3.1.9) gene.

Thiolase (acetyl coenzyme A acetyltransferase; EC 2.3.1.9) from Clostridium acetobutylicum is a key enzyme in the production of acids and solvents in this organism. The purification and properties of the enzyme have already been described (D. P. Wiesenborn, F. B. Rudolph, and E.T. Papoutsakis, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 54:2717-2722, 1988). The thl gene encoding the thiolase has been cloned by using primary antibodies raised to the purified enzyme. A bacteriophage lambda EMBL3 library of C. acetobutylicum DNA was prepared and screened by immunoblots with the antithiolase antibodies. Phage DNA was purified from positive plaques, and restriction enzyme digests identified an approximately 4.8-kb AccI fragment common to all positive plaques. A corresponding fragment was also found in AccI digests of C. acetobutylicum chromosomal DNA. The fragment was purified and EcoRI linkers were attached before being subcloned into pUC19. Maxicell analysis showed the production of an approximately 42-kDa protein, whose size corresponded to the molecular size of the purified thiolase, from the clostridial insert. Enzyme activity assays and Western blot (immunoblot) analysis of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-separated whole-cell extracts of Escherichia coli harboring the cloned thl confirmed the presence of the thiolase encoded within the cloned DNA.

Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase↗
PubMed1991

Molecular cloning of an alcohol (butanol) dehydrogenase gene cluster from Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824.

In Clostridium acetobutylicum, conversion of butyraldehyde to butanol is enzymatically achieved by butanol dehydrogenase (BDH). A C. acetobutylicum gene that encodes this protein was identified by using an oligonucleotide designed on the basis of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of purified C. acetobutylicum NADH-dependent BDH. Enzyme assays of cell extracts of Escherichia coli harboring the clostridial gene demonstrated 15-fold-higher NADH-dependent BDH activity than untransformed E. coli, as well as an additional NADPH-dependent BDH activity. Kinetic, sequence, and isoelectric focusing analyses suggest that the cloned clostridial DNA contains two or more distinct C. acetobutylicum enzymes with BDH activity.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗