bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Survey of Zoonotic Agents in Rodents and Other Small Mammals in Croatia
Authors: Tadin Ante , Tokarz Rafal , Markotić Alemka , Margaletić Josip , Turk Nenad , Habuš Josipa , Svoboda Petra , Vucelja Marko , Desai Aaloki , Jain Komal , Lipkin W. Ian
Published: December 2015

Croatia is a focus for many rodent-borne zoonosis. Here, we report a survey of 242 rodents and small mammals, including 43 Myodes glareolus, 131 Apodemus flavicollis, 53 Apodemus agrarius, three Apodemus sylvaticus, six Sorex araneus, four Microtus arvalis, one Microtus agrestis, and one Muscardinus avellanarius, collected at eight sites in Croatia over an 8-year period. Multiplex MassTag polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of Borrelia, Rickettsia, Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Francisella tularensis, and Coxiella burnetii. Individual PCR assays were used for detection of Leptospira, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, orthopoxviruses, flaviviruses, hantaviruses, and Toxoplasma gondii. Of the rodents, 52 (21.5%) were infected with Leptospira, 9 (3.7%) with Borrelia miyamotoi, 5 (2%) with Borrelia afzelii, 29 (12.0%) with Bartonella, 8 (3.3%) with Babesia microti, 2 (0.8%) with Ehrlichia, 4 (1.7%) with Anaplasma, 2 (0.8%) with F. tularensis, 43 (17.8%) with hantaviruses, and 1 (0.4%) with an orthopoxvirus. Other agents were not detected. Multiple infections were found in 32 rodents (13.2%): dual infections in 26 rodents (10.7%), triple infections in four rodents (2.9%), and quadruple infections in two rodents (0.8%). Our findings indicate that rodents in Croatia harbor a wide range of bacteria and viruses that are pathogenic to humans.
Fitness of wAlbB Wolbachia Infection in Aedes aegypti: Parameter Estimates in an Outcrossed Background and Potential for Population Invasion
Authors: Axford Jason K. , Ross Perran A. , Yeap Heng Lin , Callahan Ashley G. , Hoffmann Ary A.
Published: December 2015

Wolbachia endosymbionts are potentially useful tools for suppressing disease transmission by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes because Wolbachia can interfere with the transmission of dengue and other viruses as well as causing deleterious effects on their mosquito hosts. Most recent research has focused on the wMel infection, but other infections also influence viral transmission and may spread in natural populations. Here, we focus on the wAlbB infection in an Australian outbred background and show that this infection has many features that facilitate its invasion into natural populations including strong cytoplasmic incompatibility, a lack of effect on larval development, an equivalent mating success to uninfected males and perfect maternal transmission fidelity. On the other hand, the infection has deleterious effects when eggs are held in a dried state, falling between wMel and the more virulent wMelPop Wolbachia strains. The impact of this infection on lifespan also appears to be intermediate, consistent with the observation that this infection has a titer in adults between wMel and wMelPop. Population cage experiments indicate that the wAlbB infection establishes in cages when introduced at a frequency of 22%, suggesting that this strain could be successfully introduced into populations and subsequently persist and spread.
Risk Assessment of Malaria Prevalence in Ludian, Yongshan, and Jinggu Counties, Yunnan Province, After 2014 Earthquake Disaster
Authors: Feng Jun , Xia Zhigui , Zhang Li , Cheng Siyuan , Wang Rubo
Published: December 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate malaria prevalence after the 2014 earthquakes in Ludian, Yongshan, and Jinggu counties, Yunnan Province, China. We collected and analyzed epidemiological data and made a risk assessment of transmission probability. From January 2005 to July 2015, 87 malaria cases were reported in the three counties, most of which (81.6%) occurred between 2005 and 2009, with five cases reported in Jinggu County between January 2014 and July 2015, of which one case was reported after the earthquake. In addition, no local transmission occurred in the three counties from 2010, and 95.5% of imported malaria occurred in patients who had returned from Myanmar. The townships of Lehong, Qingsheng, and Weiyuan were the main endemic areas in the three counties. The probability of malaria transmission in the three counties was low, but Jinggu County had a higher risk due to the existence of infected patients and an appropriate vector. With sporadic cases reported annually, close monitoring should continue to enhance early detection of a possible malaria outbreak.
Especies forestales para la recuperación de suelos contaminados con cobre debido a actividades mineras
Authors: Pizarro-Tapia Roberto , Flores Juan P. , Tapia Jaime , Valdés-Pineda Rodrigo , González David , Morales-Calderón Carolina , Sangüesa-Pool Claudia , Balocchi-Contreras Francisco J. , León Lastenia
Published: December 2015

La minería es la actividad económica más importante de Chile, la cual causa degradación significativa en las regiones áridas. Los suelos de la Región de Coquimbo han sufrido contaminación de metales pesados provenientes de la minería, particularmente cobre. La implementación de medidas de mitigación, que ayuden a minimizar el impacto ambiental de los relaves mineros, requiere conocer la capacidad de adaptación de especies vegetativas ante la degradación de suelos contaminados. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar y comparar la capacidad de fitoestabilización de especies vegetales nativas y exóticas en áreas degradadas por la actividad minera en la Región de Coquimbo. Las tasas de supervivencia, crecimiento y desarrollo del dosel de 20 especies fueron evaluadas en dos ensayos experimentales. La concentración de Cu se evaluó en tallos y hojas de los árboles y en diferentes profundidades del suelo. Los resultados indicaron que Acacia saligna tiene la mejor capacidad de acumulación de metales pesados (34.8 ppm en hojas y 12.3 ppm en tallos, ambos en suelos sin fertilización), con tasas de supervivencia de más de 80 %. En este estudio se concluye que A. saligna es la mejor especie
Análisis de la rentabilidad en la producción de hule (Hevea brasiliensis Muell.Arg.) en Oaxaca, México.
Authors: Vargas-Canales Juan M. , Palacios-Rangel María I. , Acevedo-Peralta Antonio I.
Published: December 2015

El cultivo del hule ha sido una buena alternativa de producción para las regiones del trópico húmedo. Este trabajo presenta los resultados de la estimación de costos de producción y formula algunos indicadores de rentabilidad del norte del estado de Oaxaca. Se definieron tres unidades representativas de producción (URP) de 2.5, 5 y 16 ha; mismas que se trabajaron en paneles. La metodología empleada se apegó a la establecida por la Asociación Americana de Economía Agrícola. Los resultados muestran que el costo económico por URP asciende a $13.66, $10.95 y $11.65, el financiero a $7.52, $6.98 y $9.60, y el flujo de efectivo a $18.94, $13.02 y $11.99 por kilogramo de hule. Los costos de producción evaluados revelan que las unidades de producción con características similares a las URP de 2.5 y 16 ha poseen viabilidad económica limitada; por lo anterior, deben integrar innovaciones técnicas que permitan reducir costos, aumentar rendimientos, mejorar calidad del producto y en algunos casos renovar plantaciones.
Extracción y caracterización de fructanos de Agave salmiana Otto ex Salm-Dyck
Authors: Godínez-Hernández César I. , Aguirre-Rivera Juan R. , Juárez-Flores Bertha I. , Ortiz-Pérez María D. , Becerra-Jiménez Jaime
Published: December 2015

Los fructanos son polímeros de fructosa con grandes aplicaciones en la industria de alimentos funcionales. Aunque los fructanos de Agave angustifolia spp. tequilana ya se producen industrialmente y comienzan a tener demanda en EE. UU., para su extracción se sigue utilizando la cabeza o piña de maguey (tallo y bases foliares) con madurez variable, lo cual repercute en la calidad y en procesos que encarecen la producción. En este trabajo se describe un método alternativo para la extracción de fructanos de tallos de Agave salmiana, el cual es más simple y facilita la obtención de manera natural u orgánica. Se evaluaron los rendimientos absoluto y relativo del concentrado de fructanos (CF), referidos tanto al tallo como a la cabeza de maguey, así como su calidad mediante el análisis por cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC). El rendimiento de CF (95 % MS de materia seca) del tallo fresco fue de 21 % y casi 80 % del tallo seco. El CF libre de humedad está compuesto por cerca de 80 % de fructanos y el resto por trisacáridos (cerca de 9.5 %), cenizas (5 %), sacarosa (1 %) y sapogeninas (0.85 %); cantidades de glucosa y fructosa no fueron detectables (< 0.002 %).
Variación de la composición de la dieta del venado cola blanca (Odocoileus virginianus) en la Reserva de la Biosfera Tehuacán-Cuicatlán
Authors: Vasquez Yasmit , Tarango Luis , López-Pérez Elvia , Herrera José , Mendoza Germán , Mandujano Salvador
Published: December 2015

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la variación en la composición botánica de la dieta del venado cola blanca Odocoileus virginianus en la Reserva de la Biosfera Tehuacán-Cuicatlán (RBTC), México. Las especies consumidas se identificaron mediante el análisis microhistológico de epidermis en excretas frescas. Los muestreos se realizaron en épocas húmedas y secas del 2011 al 2013 en San Gabriel Casa Blanca, dominado por bosque tropical seco (BTS) y matorral crasicaule, y en San Pedro Chicozapotes, dominado por BTS; ambas localidades del estado de Oaxaca. La dieta anual consistió de 83 especies de 36 familias; 13 especies representaron más de 50 % de la dieta. Las hojas y tallos tiernos de las especies arbóreas y herbáceas fueron las más frecuentemente consumidas. La composición de la dieta no difirió (P > 0.05) entre épocas del año pero sí entre localidades de estudio. La composición de las plantas consumidas por el venado fue similar a lo reportado en otros BTS. Los resultados de este estudio permiten comprender las estrategias ecológicas de forrajeo del herbívoro en los BTS y podrían tener relevancia en las unidades de manejo para la conservación de la vida silvestre (UMAs) en la RBTC y en áreas aledañas a la misma.
Germinación y ruptura de latencia en semillas de Daphne giraldii Nitsche (Thymelaeaceae) provenientes del noroeste de China
Authors: Fang Yan , Enhe Zhang , Qinli Wang , Zhuhong Mao
Published: December 2015

Daphne giraldii Nitsche (Thymelaeaceae) es un arbusto de hoja perenne utilizado ampliamente como planta ornamental y en la industria farmacéutica de China. La planta exhibe latencia que retrasa y reduce la germinación. Este estudio determinó los efectos del tratamiento químico, la estratificación y el tratamiento de siembra de semillas para interrumpir la latencia de D. giraldii. Los resultados mostraron que el pretratamiento químico fue el menos eficaz. El mejor porcentaje de germinación (GP) fue 52.33 % y solamente se observó una tasa de germinación (GR) de 1.19 después de 70 días de la estratificación de semillas a una temperatura de 5 °C. Esto indica que el comportamiento de la germinación de D. giraldii no se vio afectado significativamente por la estratificación. La latencia fisiológica de semillas de D. giraldii se mitigó durante la siembra de semillas. Las semillas enterradas a 100 cm de profundidad por 170 días germinaron exitosamente con 86.5 % e índice de germinación de 10.11, por lo que fue el tratamiento más eficaz para mitigar la latencia de las semillas. Esta información puede ser útil para restaurar y conservar otros arbustos que crecen en el noroeste de China y dilucidar su supervivencia en condiciones extremas similares.
Caracterización hidrológica mínima para estudios en cuencas experimentales con disponibilidad limitada de información en zonas áridas
Authors: Sánchez-Cohen Ignacio , Velásquez-Valle Miguel  A. , Esquivel-Arriaga Gerardo , Bueno-Hurtado Palmira , Pedroza-Sandoval Aurelio
Published: December 2015

En el presente estudio se parte de la necesidad de conocer la diferencia entre cuencas representativas y cuencas experimentales, ya que de aquí se desprenden los protocolos de investigación para la parametrización de las variables del ciclo hidrológico. La poca disponibilidad de instrumentación en cuencas experimentales hace necesario el uso de algoritmos para el análisis de la escasa información como fundamento para la instrumentación mínima necesaria para caracterizar cuencas experimentales de zonas áridas. De aquí que el objetivo del trabajo sea proveer los elementos teóricos esenciales para la adecuada caracterización de cuencas experimentales desproveídas de instrumentación como requisito esencial para la planeación en la conservación del suelo y agua en ecosistemas cuyo régimen pluvial es errático y escaso y bajo condiciones de poca disponibilidad de información. Se presentan métodos de análisis y de evaluación de obras de captación de escurrimientos.
Calidad composicional de la leche de cabras locales en la Comarca Lagunera de México
Authors: Salinas-González Homero , Maldonado Jorge  A. , Torres-Hernández Glafiro , Triana-Gutiérrez Mariana , Isidro-Requejo Luis M. , Meda-Alducin Pedro
Published: December 2015

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar la calidad composicional de la leche de cabras locales de la Comarca Lagunera de México. Se midieron las variables: grasa, proteína, lactosa, sólidos no grasos y sólidos totales. Para el estudio se tomaron al azar 350 cabras locales lactantes de seis rebaños. Las cabras fueron manejadas en forma extensiva y alimentadas con vegetación nativa, en pocos casos la dieta se complementó con esquilmos de cultivos agrícolas. Las explotaciones se visitaron mensualmente de febrero a septiembre del 2013, para estar presente al momento de la ordeña. La leche fue homogenizada manualmente para extraer muestras que posteriormente se examinaron con el equipo MilkoScope Expert Automatic®. Los datos recopilados se analizaron con el programa SAS V 9.0 para caracterizar las curvas de componentes de la leche en función del tiempo. Las medias generales de los componentes fueron: grasa 4.13 ± 0.66 %, proteína 3.32 % ± 0.29, lactosa 4.95 % ± 0.43, sólidos no grasos 7.41 % ± 0.67 ysólidos totales 13.14 % ± 1.7. Se encontraron diferencias significativas (P<0.01) entre los meses de estudio para proteína, lactosa, sólidos no grasos y sólidos totales.
Estimación del potencial de emisión de CO2 en suelos agrícolas de dos cuencas en el estado de Durango
Authors: López-Romero Lourdes L. , Bueno-Hurtado Palmira
Published: December 2015

El sector agrícola genera impactos en el medio ambiente por la liberación de gases efecto invernadero (GEI), considerados factores potenciales para el aumento del calentamiento global. El carbono orgánico del suelo tiene una importante repercusión sobre las emisiones de GEI, debido a que la pérdida de materia orgánica del suelo repercute en la liberación de CO2, principal gas emitido a la atmósfera. El objetivo de este trabajo fue predecir el potencial de emisión de CO2 a partir del carbono orgánico total (COT) del suelo de algunas zonas agrícolas pertenecientes a las cuencas “Arroyo La India”, “Arroyo Cerro Gordo” y “Arroyo de Naitcha” del estado de Durango, mediante estimaciones basadas en los modelos del IPCC. La concentración promedio de COT en los sitios de estudio fue de 1.33 %, mientras que el potencial de emisión de CO2 fue de 0.032 Gg correspondiente a un 1.03 % del total de emisión de suelos del estado de Durango.
One Size Policy Does Not Fit All: Latent Farmer Groups in Crop Insurance Markets in Finland
Authors: Myyrä Sami , Liesivaara Petri
Published: December 2015

This paper assesses how farmers differ in their willingness to pay (WTP) for crop insurance. Data from a choice experiment were analysed using the latent class approach to reveal the number of latent groups and differences in farmers' WTP for crop insurance in Finland. The analysis identified three homogeneous groups that differed significantly from each other. Farmers in these classes were characterized as ‘catastrophic loss preventers’, ‘risk lovers' and ‘shallow loss preventers' based on their implicit prices for insurance attributes. The outputs provide valuable information when these latent groups are connected to farm typology. The results indicate that the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is not sufficiently flexible to take into account the differing needs of farmers for agricultural risk management. If the EU is to implement efficient risk management policies for agriculture, flexibility will be needed in the legislation, and shallow loss insurances will also need to be introduced to cover all risk prevention needs equally.
Community-Based Organic Agriculture in the Philippines
Authors: Suh Jungho
Published: December 2015

This paper explores institutional mechanisms that might be required to boost both organic agriculture and rural development in the Philippines. Special attention is paid to community-based organic agriculture as a pathway to rural development. The Philippines has two decades of experience of community-based natural resource management. Unlike public natural resources such as forests, watersheds or fisheries, however, the community-based organic agriculture programme is intended to deal with the private property regime. Thus, if the programme is to be successful, agrarian land reform must continue. Integrated rice–duck farming is among the suitable and viable options for organic agriculture, given that rice is a major agricultural crop and duck meat is popular in the Philippines. Area-based organic food certification systems need to be formulated and a government–farmers partnership should be forged to facilitate farmers' access to domestic and international organic food markets.
Teachers’ and Students’ Perceptions of Classroom Activities Commonly Used in English Speaking Classes
Authors: Huang Xiaoyu , Hu Xinyue
Published: December 2015

Classroom activities, such as English dubs, role-play, brainstorming etc can be very useful for the teaching of oral English. In recent years, although considerable attention has been paid to the use of classroom activities in English speaking classes, the perceptions of teachers and students about such activities have been ignored. Therefore, this study aims to investigate students’ and teachers’ perceptions of the use of classroom activities in English speaking classes. Classroom observations were carried out as a preparatory work for a questionnaire survey which was conducted to examine the attitudes of English-major students and teachers towards 21 classroom activities. Data were analyzed and the results of the research showed that there were both similarities and differences between students’ and teachers’ perceptions about these activities and that the perceptions of freshmen and sophomores were not completely matched. The findings of this research can help teachers take students’ perceptions into consideration while designing classroom activities for English speaking classes in the future.
A Study of the Use of Picture Books by Preschool Educators in Outlying Islands of Taiwan
Authors: Hsiao Ching-Yuan , Chang Yang-Mei
Published: December 2015

The objectives of the study were to investigate the current status of applying picture books when teaching children and to also compare the differences in picture book teaching between teachers with different background variables and who are from Taiwan’s outlying islands. The researcher distributed 179 questionnaires, and after eliminating invalid questionnaires, 177 valid questionnaires were obtained, achieving a questionnaire efficiency of 98.88%. The quantitative data were analyzed by a t-test, ANOVA, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression. The results were: 1. The overall status for picture book selection by early childhood educators was considered moderate to high. 2. The primary considerations for picture book selection were ‘theme’ and ‘adopting a child’s viewpoint’. 3. The overall status for the application of picture book teaching strategies among early childhood educators was considered moderate to high. 4. The application of picture book teaching strategies was centered on ‘strategies for the promotion of thinking and activities’ and ‘developing diverse abilities in children’. 5. There is a positive correlation and predictive power between selecting and using picture books by preschool educators.
Impact of a Pilot Intervention to Improve Nutrition Knowledge and Cooking Confidence Among Low-Income Individuals
Authors: Driver Stacey C. , Friesen Carol A.
Published: December 2015

Poor dietary behaviors, limited food preparation skills, and low levels of self-efficacy toward preparing healthy meals have been indicated in low-income and food insecure populations. The purpose of this pilot intervention was to determine the effectiveness of a community cooking demonstration at increasing participants’ general nutrition knowledge and confidence to prepare healthy meals with limited resources. Data was analyzed from a convenience sample of 23 low-income adults associated with Head Start (n=8) or a local soup kitchen (n=15) in the Midwestern United States. Participants attended a one-hour presentation comprised of a cooking demonstration, taste testing, and basic education on the MyPlate food guide and food safety. Subjects completed a pre- and post-assessment to measure changes in cooking confidence and general food and nutrition knowledge. Results indicated that, although there were no significant improvements in participants’ confidence to prepare healthy meals (39.3±11.3 vs. 44.5±9.1; t=1.76, p=0.25), subjects experienced significant gains in knowledge related to the MyPlate food guide (1.2±0.5 vs. 1.8±0.8; t=2.82, p=0.01) and basic food safety (0.7±0.9 vs. 2.5±1.0; t=6.05, p<0.01). Further research is necessary to identify effective strategies for parlaying increased nutrition knowledge into improved self-efficacy and behavior change.
Studies on Amorphous Alloy Dispersed Aluminium Matrix Composite Prepared by High Pressure Torsion
Authors: Hembrom S. , Roy B. N. , Khobragade N. , Roy D.
Published: December 2015

Aluminium-based composite reinforced with Cu base amorphous alloy dispersed composite was prepared by means of high pressure torsion between a powder mix of aluminium and amorphous Cu base alloy. The X-ray diffraction pattern of powdered and consolidated composites shows the aluminium phase while the thermal stability of the amorphous alloy was studied with the aid of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The microstructural feature of the composite through scanning electron microscope reveals the well-distributed reinforcements in the host aluminium matrix. The hardness measurement on the as prepared composites shows significant increase in hardness with increase in reinforced amorphous alloy. Wear property of the synthesized composites were measured by using ball on plate wear tester which shows increase in wear resistance with increase in reinforced amorphous alloys.
Editorial
Authors: Marmontel Miriam , Lima Danielle , Van Damme Paul , Groenendijk Jessica , Trujillo Fernando
Published: December 2015

During the IX Congress of Wildlife Management, in May 2010, in Bolivia, a meeting with attending giant otter researchers was called to discuss the progress of research and conservation of Pteronura brasiliensis, which resulted in this issue.
Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) distribution, relative abundance and conservation in northwestern Bolivia
Authors: Ayala Guido , Wallace Robert Benedict , Viscarra Maria , Jurado Cynthya
Published: December 2015

At the end of the last century northwestern Bolivia was prioritized for further study in a national evaluation of the endangered giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). In this paper we present a decade of efforts to investigate and systematize data regarding the distribution and relative abundance of giant otters in this wilderness region including 435 distribution points generated from direct observations, confirmed giant otter signs, and interviews with park guards and local people from indigenous communities. We also sampled 1318.6km of river and stream along the Tuichi, Hondo, Arana, Machariapo, Upper Madidi, Enatahua and Heath rivers and their adjacent oxbow lakes in the Madidi National Park, as well as the Undumo and Tequeje rivers in the Tacana Indigenous Territory, and the lower and mid Madidi River and 42.14km of immediately adjacent oxbow lakes. Relative abundance was variable across the region ranging between 0.02 and 0.18 individual/km sampled in streams and rivers, and our data reveals a particularly important giant otter population along the Madidi River much of which remains unprotected. Our data and local reports point towards a possible population recovery within the Madidi and Pilon Lajas protected areas of the region over the last decade. In total we counted 271 animals, identifying 109 individuals through video and photographic throat pattern evidence. We argue that this previously undocumented population is of particular conservation importance due to its connectivity with the well-documented but currently threatened populations of neighboring southeastern Peru. Together northwestern Bolivia and southeastern Peru represent one of the most important conservation strongholds for this species.
Cub biometry, litter size and reproductive period of giant oters (Pteronura brasiliensis) at the Balbina Hydroelectric Reservoir, Amazonas, Brazil
Authors: Bozzetti Bruno Freitas , Cabral Márcia Munick Mendes , Rosas Fernando Weber
Published: December 2015

According to the literature, giant otters produce one to six cubs at each gestation, with birth peaks occurring from the end of the flood season to the beginning of the low-water period. With the aim of describing some reproductive parameters of the giant otters living in a hydroelectric lake, 56 field excursions to Balbina Hydroelectric Reservoir, hereafter Balbina Lake, were carried out between September 2001 and September 2010 in order to gather information about cub weight and length, litter size and reproductive period of the species in that area. About 80% of the birth records occurred between September and December, characterized by the receding water season and the beginning of the dry season. The number of cubs per gestation varied from one to three animals (mean = 2; n = 36) and average weight and length of neonates were 316.25 ± 64.21g (n = 4) and 31.75 ± 4.86cm (n = 4), respectively. The reproductive period and the litter size produced by giant otters in Balbina Lake were within the range reported in literature for non-dammed areas, indicating that these reproductive parameters were not changed by the reservoir. The weight of cubs analyzed in the reservoir was in average 35% greater than the weight of captive newborn cubs reported in the literature. However, as the animals here analyzed were healthy, it is reasonable to assumethat they represent the weight of free-ranging newborn cubs. Artificial lakes had been reported in the literature as favorable environments for giant otters in Guyana, and the results obtained here seem to corroborate this hypothesis and show the plasticity of the species in its use of different habitats as long as the habitats are inside some category of protection, in this way minimizing additional impacts caused by an intense human occupation of the area.
A case study of artificial feeding of an unweaned giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) cub
Authors: Cabral Marcia Munick Mendes , Ribas Carolina , Rosas Fernando Cesar Weber
Published: December 2015

There is no information available on the nutritional content of giant otter milk, nor about the amount of milk consumed by the cubs. The information presented here is intended to help ex situ institutions to raise and rehabilitate giant otter orphan cubs with an artificial milk formula and provide hand-rearing information for their management in captivity.
A reliable method for sexing giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) in the wild
Authors: Groenendijk Jessica , Hajek Frank
Published: December 2015

Sexing of giant otters under field conditions is only possible when individuals are entirely out of the water, usually when basking or grooming. Body size is not indicative of gender, and the breeding pair does not necessarily consist of the largest animals in the group. Sexing is facilitated by the presence, in adult, parous females, of four permanently elongated teats (due to repeated and prolonged lactation) and, in mature males, of a visible scrotum. Identification of the breeding male is sometimes assisted his behaviour, specifically that of marking, and by his year-on-year permanence in the group. However, sexing is more difficult in adult females that have not lactated, or in sub-adults, juveniles, and cubs of both sexes. Here, we present a reliable method of sexing wild Giant otters of all ages and sexual status, tested with known sex individuals.
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Current Review of Pharmacological Management
Authors: Sahni Sonu , Ojrzanowski Marcin , Majewski Sebastian , Talwar Arunabh
Published: December 2015

Pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) is a rare and devastating disease characterized by progressive increases in pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance, which eventually leads to right ventricular failure and death. At present there is no cure for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); however over the past decade targeted pharmaceutical options have become available for the treatment of PAH. Prior to evaluation for therapeutic options a definitive diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension must be made via comprehensive physical exam and definitive diagnostic testing. Screening test of choice remains echocardiography and gold standard for definitive diagnosis is right heart catheterization. Once the establishment of a diagnosis of PAH is made therapeutic options may be a possibility based on a diagnostic algorithm and disease severity of the PAH patient. There are different classes of medications available with different mechanisms of actions which net a vasodilatory effect and improve exercise tolerance, quality of life as well and survival.
Awwa India: Addressing the Country's Water Supply Challenges
Authors: Staff Awwa
Published: December 2015

AWWA recently opened an office in India and, by doing so, created its first community of water professionals outside of North America. The move is an important step toward helping the association fulfill its vision of creating a better world through better water.
Optimize Asset Management with Your GIS Mapping Software
Authors: Totman David
Published: December 2015

A geographic information system is no longer a single‐function tool for locating pipes and facilities. It's now a whole platform for understanding and optimizing water operations.
Application of Contrast‐Enhanced Sonography for Diagnosis of Space‐Occupying Lesions in the Extrahepatic Bile Duct
Authors: Wu Wei , Cong Yue , Zhang Zhongyi , Yang Wei , Yin Shanshan , Fan Zhihui , Dai Ying , Yan Kun , Chen Minhua
Published: December 2015

Objectives

To investigate the application of contrast‐enhanced sonography compared with conventional sonography and contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) for diagnosis of space‐occupying lesions in the extrahepatic bile duct.

Methods

Seventy‐two patients with pathologic diagnoses of space‐occupying lesions in the extrahepatic bile duct were retrospectively recruited. All patients underwent conventional sonography, contrast‐enhanced sonography, and contrast‐enhanced CT. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were compared.

Results

Among the 72 patients, 11 cases were benign, and 61 were malignant. The diagnostic accuracy rates for conventional sonography, contrast‐enhanced sonography, and contrast‐enhanced CT were 66.67% (48 of 72), 90.28% (65 of 72), and 88.89% (64 of 72), respectively. The Youden index showed that contrast‐enhanced sonography (0.811) was comparable with contrast‐enhanced CT (0.720) and better than conventional sonography (0.159). There were significant differences in accuracy between conventional and contrast‐enhanced sonography (P= .001) and conventional sonography and contrast‐enhanced CT (P = .001); however, there was no significant difference between contrast‐enhanced sonography and contrast‐enhanced CT (P = .785). There were significant differences in sensitivity between conventional and contrast‐enhanced sonography (P= .006) and conventional sonography and contrast‐enhanced CT (P = .006) but no significant difference between contrast‐enhanced sonography and contrast‐enhanced CT (P > .99). There were no significant differences in specificity among the techniques (P > .05). There was a significant difference in the number of lesions with clear boundaries displayed: 16 on conventional sonography and 56 on contrast‐enhanced sonography (P = .006).

Conclusions

Contrast‐enhanced sonography can show the dynamic blood supply in space‐occupying pathologic regions of the extrahepatic bile duct. The diagnostic accuracy of contrast‐enhanced sonography in the extrahepatic bile duct was higher than that of conventional sonography and comparable with that of contrast‐enhanced CT. Therefore, contrast‐enhanced sonography may be a promising imaging technique for diagnosis of space‐occupying lesions in the extrahepatic bile duct.
Coronary Sinus Flow Is Reduced and Recovered With Time in Viral Myocarditis Mimicking Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Zheng Xiao-Zhi , Wu Jing , Zheng Quan , Zha Wen-Zhang
Published: December 2015

Objectives

The clinical presentation of myocarditis often mimics acute coronary syndrome. Coronary sinus flow has been used for detection of the presence of myocardial ischemia. Whether myocarditis is associated with changes in coronary sinus flow remains unknown. The aim of this study was to assess coronary sinus flow at the onset and follow‐up of myocarditis mimicking acute coronary syndrome using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTE).

Methods

Sixty‐four patients with clinically diagnosed viral myocarditis mimicking acute coronary syndrome underwent TTE on days 3, 7, 30, 90, 180, and 360 after onset. Coronary sinus flow was compared among different points in time.

Results

Compared to healthy participants, all patients with myocarditis had a larger cardiac size, reduced cardiac function, and electrocardiographic and myocardial enzyme abnormalities on days 3 and 7 days (P< .01;P< .05). They later had gradual restoration to normal levels. On days 3 and 7, the coronary sinus flow in patients with myocarditis was extremely lower than that in healthy participants (about one‐tenth), although coronary angiography revealed unobstructed arteries. On days 30, 90, 180, and 360, the coronary sinus flow had been increasing; however, it was still far less than that in healthy participants (P< .01).

Conclusions

Coronary sinus flow depicted by TTE is reduced but recovers with time in viral myocarditis mimicking acute coronary syndrome, which is a useful indicator in the follow‐up of this type of myocarditis.
Substantia Nigra Hyperechogenicity
Authors: Toomsoo Toomas , Liepelt-Scarfone Inga , Kerner Riina , Kadastik-Eerme Liis , Asser Toomas , Rubanovits Inna , Berg Daniela , Taba Pille
Published: December 2015

Objectives

Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity is a promising biomarker for Parkinson disease (PD). Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity has previously been established as a useful diagnostic criterion in several European and Asian patient cohorts. However, diagnostic cutoff values for substantia nigra hyperechogenicity remain unknown for most patient populations. This study validated the diagnostic accuracy of substantia nigra hyperechogenicity in a large cohort of patients with PD in Estonia.

Methods

The study included 300 patients with PD from Estonia, representing 10% of the national PD patient population, and 200 healthy control participants. To define the optimal cutoff value in the PD cohort, data from a single assessment versus repetitive assessments by transcranial sonography were compared. With the use of 3 repetitive assessments, the diagnostic accuracy of the data was measured. In addition, calculations for percentile values were used to define substantia nigra hyperechogenicity among controls.

Results

Our data showed that the multiassessment approach yielded higher diagnostic accuracy than a single assessment (P = .021). The highest diagnostic accuracy was achieved by using the measurement mean to define substantia nigra hyperechogenicity, which was 0.23 cm2 (sensitivity, 88.7%; specificity, 92.2%), whereas single measurements detected PD with higher sensitivity (sensitivity, 93.2%; specificity, 85.1%). No significant difference was found between mean and median measurements (P= .18).

Conclusions

This study indicates the diagnostic merit of transcranial sonography in PD diagnosis in an additional population and demonstrates that transcranial sonography of the substantia nigra is a relevant and useful diagnostic tool for patients with PD.
Intrahepatic Persistent Right Umbilical Vein and Associated Outcomes
Authors: Lide Brianna , Lindsley William , Foster Margaret J. , Hale Richard , Haeri Sina
Published: December 2015

The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of the current data surrounding an intrahepatic persistent right umbilical vein in the fetus, including associated anomalies and outcomes, and to assist practitioners in counseling and management of affected pregnancies. We performed a MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Northern Light database search for articles reporting outcomes on prenatally diagnosed cases of a persistent right umbilical vein. Each article was independently reviewed for eligibility by the investigators. Thereafter, the data were extracted and validated independently by 3 investigators. A total of 322 articles were retrieved, and 16 were included in this systematic review. The overall prevalence of an intrahepatic persistent right umbilical vein was found to be 212 per 166,548 (0.13%). Of the 240 cases of an intrahepatic persistent right umbilical vein identified, 183 (76.3%) were isolated. The remaining cases had a coexisting abnormality, including 19 (7.9%) cardiac, 9 (3.8%) central nervous system, 15 (6.3%) genitourinary, 3 (1.3%) genetic, and 17 (7%) placental/cord (predominantly a single umbilical artery). In summary, a persistent right umbilical vein is commonly an isolated finding but may be associated with a coexisting cardiac defect in 8% of cases. Therefore, consideration should be given to fetal echocardiography in cases of a persistent right umbilical vein.
Diagnostic Performance of the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris (ECU) Synergy Test to Detect Sonographic ECU Abnormalities in Chronic Dorsal Ulnar‐Sided Wrist Pain
Authors: Sato Junko , Ishii Yoshinori , Noguchi Hideo
Published: December 2015

Objectives

The extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon synergy test is a simple and unique diagnostic maneuver for evaluation of chronic dorsal ulnar‐sided wrist pain, which applies isolated tension to the ECU without greatly stressing other structures. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of the ECU synergy test to detect ECU abnormalities on sonography.

Methods

Forty affected wrists from 39 consecutive patients with chronic dorsal ulnar‐sided wrist pain that continued for greater than 1 month were examined with the ECU synergy test and sonography. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the ECU synergy test to detect ECU abnormalities were evaluated. We compared the results of the ECU synergy test between groups with and without ECU abnormalities and also compared the ages, sexes, and symptomatic durations of the patients between groups with positive and negative ECU synergy test results and between the groups with and without ECU abnormalities.

Results

The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 73.7%, 85.7%, 82.4%, and 78.3%, respectively. There was significant difference in the ECU synergy test results between the groups with and without ECU abnormalities (P < .01). There was no significant difference in age, sex, or symptomatic duration between any of the groups.

Conclusions

The results of this prospective study support the hypothesis that the ECU synergy test could be a useful provocative maneuver to detect ECU abnormalities in patients with chronic dorsal ulnar‐sided wrist pain.
Polycystic Thyroid Disease in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Naranjo Isaac Daimiel , Robinot David Coca , Rojo Jaime Cruz , Ponferrada Miguel Rasero
Published: December 2015

Polycystic thyroid disease has been described as a rare cause of hypothyroidism. This uncommon entity has been reported in adults within areas with high iodine intake. Sonographic findings of multiple small thin‐walled simple thyroid cysts in the context of hypothyroidism without thyroid autoantibodies are highly suggestive of this diagnosis. To our knowledge, we report the first 2 cases of polycystic thyroid disease in pediatric patients in Europe.
ACES: Accurate Cervical Evaluation With Sonography
Authors: Chory Margaret K. , Schnettler William T. , March Melissa , Hacker Michele R. , Modest Anna M. , Rodriguez Diana
Published: December 2015

Objectives

Transvaginal sonographic cervical length screening is an important tool for the evaluation of preterm labor. However, a structured curriculum is lacking in obstetrics and gynecology residency programs. The Accurate Cervical Evaluation with Sonography (ACES) program was developed to address this deficiency and combines an online didactic course with a standardized performance assessment of live scans. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the ACES program to teach residents sonographic cervical length assessment.

Methods

All obstetrics and gynecology residents at our institution were invited to participate from 2012 to 2013. The program consisted of an initial supervised transvaginal cervical evaluation, an online didactic course and written examination, and 5 subsequent supervised scans. The instructor performed an independent cervical length measurement at each encounter. The primary outcome was the difference in cervical length measurement between the resident and instructor. We hypothesized that this difference would decrease over time. At each visit, a 10‐item checklist was used for skill assessment. Comparisons of checklist scores over time were also performed.

Results

Seventeen of 20 residents completed at least some of the training, and 10 completed the entire program. The median difference in cervical length measurement between residents and instructors at posttests 3, 4, and 5 improved significantly compared to the pretest scan (all P≤ .02). Similarly, the checklist scores improved over time (all P ≤ .0008).

Conclusions

Transvaginal cervical sonography is an important tool in the evaluation of preterm labor. The ACES program provides residents a structured curriculum for cervical evaluation and supervisors a standardized means of evaluating trainees' skills.
Third‐Trimester Fetal Biometry and Neonatal Outcomes in Term and Preterm Deliveries
Authors: Sheth Tejas , Glantz J. Christopher
Published: December 2015

Objectives

To determine whether specific biometric thresholds for head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, and estimated fetal weight can identify neonates at risk for adverse outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of women with sonographic biometry after 26 weeks' gestational age (GA) followed by delivery of term and preterm neonates from 2007 through 2011. The head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, and estimated fetal weight were obtained. Sonographic data were merged with birth certificate and neonatal data. Biometry and estimated fetal weight were divided into percentile thresholds: 10th and above (reference), below 10th, below 5th, and below 3rd. Neonatal outcomes included neonatal intensive care unit admission, 5‐minute Apgar score less than 7, and a composite of any morbidity/mortality (hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy, periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, renal failure, or death). Logistic regression yielded odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for biometry and outcome, then adjusted for GA at delivery.

Results

A total of 2237 patients delivered at term, and 455 delivered before term. Neonatal intensive care unit admission was not associated with any biometric threshold in the term and preterm groups. Five‐minute Apgar score less than 7 was associated with head circumference below 10th, abdominal circumference below 3rd, and estimated fetal weight below 5th percentiles in the term group and head circumference below 10th, abdominal circumference below 10th, and femur length below 10th percentiles in the preterm group (P < .05). Composite morbidity/mortality was associated with abdominal circumference below 5th, femur length below 10th, and femur length below 3rd percentiles in the term group and head circumference below 5th, abdominal circumference below 10th, and femur length below 5th percentiles in the preterm group (P< .05). Adjustment for GA did not affect outcomes for term deliveries but did affect nearly all outcomes for preterm deliveries.

Conclusions

Irrespective of GA, no one biometric threshold can accurately predict adverse neonatal outcomes.
Choice of Formula and Accuracy of Fetal Weight Estimation in Small‐for‐Gestational‐Age Fetuses
Authors: Melamed Nir , Ryan Greg , Windrim Rory , Toi Ants , Kingdom John
Published: December 2015

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to identify the most accurate sonographic models for fetal weight estimation in specific subgroups of small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) fetuses.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of women who delivered an SGA neonate and underwent a sonographic estimation of fetal weight within 7 days of delivery in a single tertiary center (n = 370). The accuracy of fetal weight estimation was compared for 33 sonographic models (27 nontargeted and 6 targeted SGA– or low‐birth‐weight–specific models) in specific subgroups of SGA fetuses: early versus late SGA, asymmetric versus symmetric, and presence of Doppler abnormalities.

Results

A wide variation in the accuracy of the different models was found (systematic error, −12.5% to 15.1%; random error, 7.8% to 15.5%). Most nontargeted models tended to systematically overestimate the weight of SGA fetuses. The best performing model in the overall SGA group was the targeted model of Scott et al (J Ultrasound Med 1996; 15:669–672; systematic error ± random error, −2.8% ± 8.3%). However, the optimal models varied for different subgroups of SGA fetuses, and in most cases the targeted models were the most accurate. An approach that used the optimal model for each subgroup of SGA fetuses compared with the uniform use of the model of Scott et al for all SGA fetuses was associated with a lower systematic error (−0.38% versus −2.8%; P < .001) and a higher proportion of weight estimations within 5%, 10%, and 15% of birth weight (48.4% versus 40.8%; P= .038; 78.6% versus 71.4%; P= .022; 95.1% versus 89.2%; P = .003, respectively).

Conclusions

Sonographic models in current use for fetal weight estimation in SGA fetuses have significant errors, and their performance varies for specific subgroups of SGA fetuses. An approach that uses subgroup‐specific models may improve the accuracy of weight estimation among SGA fetuses.