bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predatory behavior and kill rate of a female jaguar (Panthera onca) on cattle
Authors: Jędrzejewski Włodzimierz , Cerda Hugo , Viloria Angel , Gamarra Jose Gertrudes , Schmidt Krzysztof 
Published: November 2013

AbstractKilling behavior and consumption rate are important components that determine the final predation rate. We studied the predatory behavior of a female jaguar with one offspring in Hato Piñero in Venezuelan Los Llanos. Seven carcasses of freshly killed calves were found over a period of 9 days. Automatic video recording was used to document the jaguar’s behavior. Our study revealed a detailed, repetitive sequence of female jaguar behavior while hunting for calves. The sequence started with the female killing a calf by biting through the skull or neck, then she dragged the carcass to concealment, eviscerated it and left it concealed; then, the next evening, the female returned with its cub, fed intermittently for a total time of about 90 min while in the meantime it hunted for new prey. All this sequence seems to have a highly adaptive significance for a female jaguar rearing cubs and utilizing large prey. During the short period of our observations, the estimated kill rate of the female jaguar with one offspring was from 0.67 to 1 calf per day. Proper cattle management is necessary to avoid high losses of calves from predation by jaguars.
Serum levels of bioactive IGF1 and physiological markers of ageing in healthy adults
Authors: Vestergaard Poul Frølund , Hansen Mette , Frystyk Jan , Espelund Ulrick , Christiansen Jens S , Jørgensen Jens Otto Lunde , Fisker Sanne 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveSenescent changes in body composition and muscle strength are accompanied by reduced production of GH and IGF1, but the causal relationship remains elusive. We speculate that serum bioactive IGF1, measured by the IGF1 kinase receptor activation assay, is closer related to human physiological ageing than total IGF1 measured by immunoassay.DesignWe conducted a cross-sectional study in 150 adult males and females, between 20 and 70 years. After an overnight fasting, serum levels of bioactive IGF1, total IGF1 and IGF-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) and IGFBP3 were assessed. Furthermore, body composition and muscle strength was measured.ResultsTotal IGF1 levels were higher in females (P=0.048). Bioactive IGF1 were identical in males and females (P=0.31), decreasing with age. Total IGF1 tended to decrease more with age compared with bioactive IGF1 (−1.48 vs −0.89 percent/year,P=0.052). Total body fat (TBF) was lower and BMI was higher in males (P<0.001 andP=0.005), and both increased with age. Knee extension and elbow flexion force were higher in males (P=0.001 andP=0.001), but decreased with age in both genders. Total but not bioactive IGF1 was positively correlated to TBF, knee extension and muscle function in males. In multiple linear regression, only age predicted total IGF1, whereas age and IGFBP1 predicted bioactive IGF1.ConclusionsBioactive IGF1 tends to decrease to a lesser extent than total IGF1 with age and was not correlated with measures of body composition or muscle strength. Therefore, levels of circulating bioactive IGF1 does not appear to be a better biomarker of physiological ageing than total IGF1.
Dosage Effect of Prenatal Home Visiting on Pregnancy Outcomes in At-Risk, First-Time Mothers
Authors: Goyal Neera K. , Hall Eric S. , Meinzen-Derr Jareen K. , Kahn Robert S. , Short Jodie A. , Van Ginkel Judith B. , Ammerman Robert T. 
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Home visiting programs seek to improve care management for women at high risk for preterm birth (&lt;37 weeks). Our objective was to evaluate the effect of home visiting dosage on preterm birth and small for gestational age (SGA) infants.METHODS:Retrospective cohort study of women in southwest Ohio with a singleton pregnancy enrolled in home visiting before 26 weeks’ gestation. Vital statistics and hospital discharge data were linked with home visiting data from 2007 to 2010 to ascertain birth outcomes. Eligibility for home visiting required ≥1 of 4 risk factors: unmarried, low income, &lt;18 years of age, or suboptimal prenatal care. Logistic regression tested the association of gestational age at enrollment and number of home visits before 26 weeks with preterm birth. Proportional hazards analysis tested the association of total number of home visits with SGA status.RESULTS:Among 441 participants enrolled by 26 weeks, 10.9% delivered preterm; 17.9% of infants were born SGA. Mean gestational age at enrollment was 18.9 weeks; mean number of prenatal home visits was 8.2. In multivariable regression, ≥8 completed visits by 26 weeks compared with ≤3 visits was associated with an odds ratio 0.38 for preterm birth (95% confidence interval: 0.16–0.87), while having ≥12 total home visits compared with ≤3 visits was significantly associated with a hazards ratio 0.32 for SGA (95% confidence interval: 0.15–0.68).CONCLUSIONS:Among at-risk, first time mothers enrolled prenatally in home visiting, higher dosage of intervention is associated with reduced likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The Impact of a Home Visiting Program on Children’s Utilization of Dental Services
Authors: Brickhouse Tegwyn H. , Haldiman Robin R. , Evani Bhanu 
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND:
Child Health Investment Partnership (CHIP) of Roanoke Valley is a home visiting program that promotes children’s health and family self-sufficiency. CHIP’s Begin With a Grin program provides preventive dental services in the home (oral health anticipatory guidance and fluoride varnish) for children aged 0 to 6 years. The purpose of this study was to compare the dental utilization of Medicaid-enrolled children in CHIP versus Medicaid-enrolled children not in CHIP.

METHODS:
Using the propensity score method, control subjects were selected from the statewide Medicaid database by using a caliper-matching algorithm. A vector of chosen covariates was used to match control subjects; these covariates included risk factors, estimated propensity score, age, race, gender, and days of Medicaid eligibility. Propensity scores were developed by using a logistic regression. Differences in dental utilization outcomes were tested: ≥1 dental claim (logistic regression) and number of dental claims (Poisson regression) for each subject within the test period.

RESULTS:
When CHIP children were compared with Medicaid-only children, the CHIP child was 3 times more likely to have at least 1 dental visit (odds ratio: 3.0 [95% confidence interval: 1.9–4.7]) and have a higher number of dental claims (ratio of estimated average number of dental claims [cases/control]: 8.60/3.05 = 2.82 [95% confidence interval: 2.56–3.12]).

CONCLUSIONS:
A home visiting model can introduce children and their families to dental prevention, improve dental health literacy, establish a dental home, and provide application of fluoride varnish.
The MOM Program: Home Visiting in Partnership With Pediatric Care
Authors: Radcliffe Jerilynn , Schwarz Donald , Zhao Huaqing 
Published: November 2013

OBJECTIVE:
Home visiting programs aim to improve child health, reduce developmental risks, and enhance use of community resources. How these programs can work in collaboration with pediatric practice has been understudied. The MOM Program was a randomized controlled trial of an innovative home visiting program to serve urban, low-income children. Program aims included promoting child health through regular pediatric visits and enhancing school readiness through developmental screenings and referrals to early intervention. The objective of this report was to describe the partnership with the pediatric community and selected program results.

METHODS:
A total of 302 mothers were enrolled in the program at the time of children’s birth. Eligible infants were full-term, without identified neurologic/genetic disorder or ICU intervention, and from high-poverty zip codes. A total of 152 were randomized to the home visiting program, with 9 visits over 3 years, scheduled before well-child visits; 150 were randomized to the control condition with no home visits. Medical records and case notes provided information on pediatric appointments kept and program outcomes.

RESULTS:
Eighty-nine percent of both groups were retained throughout the 3-year program; 86% of the home-visited group received at least 7 of the 9 planned home visits. Home-visited mothers were &gt;10 times as likely to keep pediatric appointments, compared with those not visited. Barriers to service access were varied, and theory-driven approaches were taken to address these.

CONCLUSIONS:
Home visiting programs can provide important partnerships with pediatric health care providers. Integrating home visiting services with pediatric care can enhance child health, and this subject warrants expansion.
Breastfeeding and Complementary Food: Randomized Trial of Community Doula Home Visiting
Authors: Edwards Renee C. , Thullen Matthew J. , Korfmacher Jon , Lantos John D. , Henson Linda G. , Hans Sydney L. 
Published: November 2013

OBJECTIVES:Despite recent efforts to increase breastfeeding, young African American mothers continue to breastfeed at low rates, and commonly introduce complementary foods earlier than recommended. This study examines the effects of a community doula home visiting intervention on infant feeding practices among young mothers.METHODS:Low-income, African American mothers (n = 248) under age 22 years participated in a randomized trial of a community doula intervention. Intervention-group mothers received services from paraprofessional doulas: specialized home visitors trained as childbirth educators and lactation counselors. Doulas provided home visits from pregnancy through 3 months postpartum, and support during childbirth. Control-group mothers received usual prenatal care. Data were obtained from medical records and maternal interviews at birth and 4 months postpartum.RESULTS:Intent-to-treat analyses showed that doula-group mothers attempted breastfeeding at a higher rate than control-group mothers (64% vs 50%; P = .02) and were more likely to breastfeed longer than 6 weeks (29% vs 17%; P = .04), although few mothers still breastfed at 4 months. The intervention also impacted mothers’ cereal/solid food introduction (P = .008): fewer doula-group mothers introduced complementary foods before 6 weeks of age (6% vs 18%), while more waited until at least 4 months (21% vs 13%) compared with control-group mothers.CONCLUSIONS:Community doulas may be effective in helping young mothers meet breastfeeding and healthy feeding guidelines. The intervention’s success may lie in the relationship that develops between doula and mother based on shared cultural background and months of prenatal home visiting, and the doula’s presence at the birth, where she supports early breastfeeding experiences.
A Longitudinal Study of Hearing and Middle Ear Status of Individuals with Cleft Palate with and without Additional Malformations/Syndromes
Authors: Flynn Traci , Persson Christina , Moller Claes , Lohmander Anette , Magnusson Lennart 
Published: November 2013

Objective To describe and compare the middle ear status and hearing sensitivity in adolescence with isolated cleft palate plus additional malformations and/or syndromes with those with only an isolated cleft palate. Design Retrospective and longitudinal. Two groups of individuals with isolated cleft palate were compared. Participants A cohort of individuals born over 4 years in the western region of Sweden. The cohort was divided into one group with isolated cleft palate (n = 31; ICP) and one group with isolated cleft palate plus additional malformations and/or syndromes (n = 37; ICP+). Methods Middle ear status and hearing thresholds were collected from the medical records at 7, 10, 13, and 16 years of age, examined, and compared within and between groups over time. Results The ICP+ group demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of abnormal middle ear status and elevated hearing thresholds as compared with the ICP group. As the individuals aged, the prevalence of abnormal middle ear status decreased. The hearing levels in both groups decreased in the low to middle frequencies as individuals aged; however, the hearing in the high frequencies did not. Conclusions Individuals with cleft palate need to be followed routinely for middle ear status and hearing thresholds to ensure optimal audiological rehabilitation, with particular attention to those with additional malformations and/or syndromes.
Principles of Separation
Authors: Williams Mark E. , Balogun Rasheed A. 
Published: November 2013

Summary
Extracorporeal “blood purification,” mainly in the form of hemodialysis has been a major portion of the clinical activity of many nephrologists for the past 5 decades. A possibly older procedure, therapeutic plasma exchange, separates and then removes plasma as a method of removing pathogenic material from the patient. In contrast to hemodialysis, therapeutic plasma exchange preferentially removes biologic substances of high molecular weight such as autoantibodies or alloantibodies, antigen-antibody complexes, and Ig paraproteins. These molecular targets may be cleared through two alternative procedures: centrifugal separation and membrane separation. This review presents operational features of each procedure, with relevance to the nephrologist. Kinetics of removal of these plasma constituents are based on the principles of separation by the apheresis technique and by features specific to each molecular target, including their production and compartmentalization in the body. Molecular targets for common renal conditions requiring therapeutic plasma exchange are also discussed in detail.
Sex Differences in Diabetes and Risk of Incident Coronary Artery Disease in Healthy Young and Middle-Aged Adults
Authors: Kalyani Rita Rastogi , Lazo Mariana , Ouyang Pamela , Turkbey Evrim , Chevalier Karinne , Brancati Frederick , Becker Diane , Vaidya Dhananjay 
Published: November 2013

OBJECTIVE
Controversy exists about the coronary artery disease (CAD) risk conveyed by diabetes in young and middle-aged women. We investigated sex differences in CAD by diabetes status among healthy individuals with different underlying risks of heart disease.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We examined subjects aged &lt;60 years without CAD at enrollment in the high-risk GeneSTAR Study (n = 1,448; follow-up ∼12 years), Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA; n = 3,072; follow-up ∼7 years), and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III) Mortality Follow-up Study (n = 6,997; follow-up ∼15 years). Diabetes was defined by report, hypoglycemic use, and/or fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL. The outcome was any CAD event during follow-up (fatal CAD in NHANES).

RESULTS
In the absence of diabetes, CAD rates were lower among women in GeneSTAR, MESA, and NHANES (4.27, 1.66, and 0.40/1,000 person-years, respectively) versus men (11.22, 5.64, and 0.88/1,000 person-years); log-rank P &lt; 0.001 (GeneSTAR/MESA) and P = 0.07 (NHANES). In the presence of diabetes, CAD event rates were similar among women (17.65, 7.34, and 2.37/1,000 person-years) versus men (12.86, 9.71, and 1.83/1,000 person-years); all log-rank P values &gt; 0.05. Adjusting for demographics, diabetes was associated with a significant four- to fivefold higher CAD rate among women in each cohort, without differences in men. In meta-analyses of three cohorts, additionally adjusted for BMI, smoking, hypertension, HDL, and non-HDL cholesterol, antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering medication use, the hazard ratio of CAD in men versus women among nondiabetes was 2.43 (1.76–3.35) and diabetes was 0.89 (0.43–1.83); P = 0.013 interaction by diabetes status.

CONCLUSIONS
Though young and middle-aged women are less likely to develop CAD in the absence of diabetes, the presence of diabetes equalizes the risk by sex. Our findings support aggressive CAD prevention strategies in women with diabetes and at similar levels to those that exist in men.
Molecular Characteristics, Phenotypic Diversity and Genotype-Estimated Therapeutic Responsiveness of Serbian Patients with Phenylketonuria / MOLEKULARNE KARAKTERISTIKE, FENOTIPSKA RAZNOLIKOST I PROCENA ODGOVORA NA TERAPIJU ZASNOVANA NA GENOTIPU KOD SRPSKIH PACIJENATA SA FENILKETONURIJOM
Authors: Stojiljković-Petrović Maja , Klaassen Kristel , Pavlović Sonja 
Published: November 2013

Summary
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare, inherited metabolic disease which is transmitted in an autosomal recessive pattern. PKU is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) enzyme. This review cites the most prominent methods for the detection of mutations in the PAH gene. Since the image of PKU transcends »simple« monogenic disease, the known data on non-coding PAH gene variants and their role and PKU modifier genes have been further reviewed. It has been shown that there is a significant correlation between mutant PAH genotypes and PKU phenotypes. However, genotype-phenotype correlation inconsistencies have also been found. This review discusses the possible causes of phenotypic inconsistencies, such as oversight of more than two mutations present in the patient’s PAH genotype, pitfalls of patient phenotypic classification (plasma phenylalanine concentration and phenylalanine tolerance), the inter-allelic complementation (positive and negative) phenomenon. A new therapeutic approach, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) supplementation therapy, is an important innovation in the course of PKU patients’ treatment. How - ever, in countries where the BH4-loading test and BH4-supplementation therapy are not available, a genotype-based estimation of responsiveness to the therapy is a valuable approach. It enables BH4-potential benefit estimation, which provides vital information both for the patient and for the population. An optimal molecular diagnostics algorithm, established according to the published mutation frequencies in Serbian PKU patients, has been suggested. In the future, the molecular-genetic algorithm for PKU could be expanded to include a variety of transcriptional regulatory elements located in noncoding PAH gene regions and yet to be discovered modifier genes.
Laboratory Investigation of Thrombophilia / LABORATORIJSKO ISPITIVANJE TROMBOFILIJA
Authors: Margetić Sandra 
Published: November 2013

Summary
Laboratory investigation of thrombophilia is aimed at detecting the well-established hereditary and acquired causes of venous thromboembolism, including activated protein C resistance/factor V Leiden mutation, prothrombin G20210A mutation, deficiencies of the physio - logical anticoagulants antithrombin, protein C and protein S, the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and increased plasma levels of homocysteine and coagulation factor VIII. In contrast, investigation of dysfibrinogenemia, a very rare thrombophilic risk factor, should only be considered in a patient with evidence of familial or recurrent thrombosis in the absence of all evaluated risk factors mentioned above. At this time, thrombophilia investigation is not recommended for other potential hereditary or acquired risk factors whose association with increased risk for thrombosis has not been proven sufficiently to date. In order to ensure clinical relevance of testing and to avoid any misinterpretation of results, laboratory investigation of thrombophilia should always be performed in accordance with the recommended guidelines on testing regarding the careful selection of patients, time of testing and assays and assay methods used. The aim of this review is to summarize the most important aspects on thrombophilia testing, including whom and when to test, what assays and assay methods to use and all other variables that should be considered when performing laboratory investigation of thrombophilia.
The Pharmacogenetics of Cardiovascular Drugs / FARMAKOGENETIKA KARDIOVASKULARNIH LEKOVA
Authors: Stanković Sanja , Ašanin Milika , Majkić-Singh Nada 
Published: November 2013

Summary
This article will primarily summarize the current knowledge of the pharmacogenetics of commonly used drugs for the cardiovascular system: oral anticoagulants, antiplatelet therapy and statins. Coumarin anticoagulants are widely used to treat and prevent thromboembolisms. Variations in the CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genes influence the pharmacodynamic response to coumarins. Genetic variation makes an important contribution to the variation in the response to clopidogrel, the most commonly prescribed antiplatelet treatment. Genetic polymorphisms in the CYP2C19 gene as in the paraoxonase 1 gene are associated with clopidogrel effectiveness and have shown an association with excess of ischemic events such as myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis, but also with serious threat of bleeding. Statin pharmacogenetics has the potential to improve the safety and effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapy by statins. Genetic variations in apolipoprotein E, cholesterol ester transfer protein, kinesin-like protein 6, statin transporter OATP1B1 etc. could partly explain the interindividual variation in statins therapeutic response and adverse reactions. Finally, we comment on the pharmacogenetics of other cardiovascular drugs that have been extensively studied, but for which data are conflicting or that have not yet seen clinical implementation. Based on the available data, it could be expected that in the future genome-tailored drug prescription and use of defined algorithms will contribute to the successful drug action, lowering the frequency of adverse events, and will have greater clinical relevance.
Estimating Particle Concentration in Natural Water by Speckle Contrast
Authors: Chicea Dan 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT
A coherent light scattering experiment was carried out on an aqueous clay suspension with an extended range of concentrations. The far field speckle was recorded as a video recording in an unconventional manner using a charged coupled device. A computer code for image processing, written for this purpose, was used to compute the average far field contrast. The variation of average contrast with particle concentration was analysed, and a possible fast procedure for assessing the particle concentration over an extended concentration range was suggested.
Fisheries Management Influence on Some Ecophysiological Groups of Bacteria in Lotic Ecosystems Of the Cefa Nature Park (Romania)
Authors: Filimon Marioara Nicoleta , Drăguşin Patricia , Drăguşin Cristina , Popescu Roxana , Mugur Maria , Ratis Claudia , Voia Sorin 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT
The nutrient circuit in aquatic ecosystems may seem simple, but the truth is that nutrient biochemical circuits are rather complex. Circuits are established by a series of interconnected biological, chemical and physical processes. Human activities lead to degradation of wet fields. Water quality and quantity have been changed, especially the quantity of polluting substances. Bacteriological studies in lotic ecosystems from Cefa Nature Park were carried out to establish four ecophysiologic microorganism groups: nitrogen-fixing bacteria, amonifying bacteria, nitrifying bacteria and denitrifying bacteria. Recorded values differ greatly from one species to the other according to sample points and season. Higher values in autumn are due to an increased intake of organic matter at the end of the vegetation period. Decomposition processes are intensified because of a growing number of microorganisms. Fishery management influences qualitative and quantitative variations in the microorganism communities of the lotic ecosystems in Cefa Natural Park.