bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expenditure by conservation nongovernmental organizations in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Brockington Dan , Scholfield Katherine 
Published: January 2010

AbstractEvaluations of conservation performance and efficiency are still in their infancy. They will require understanding more about where conservation funds are actually spent, and how conservation sectors are structured. We present an overview of the work of conservation nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in sub‐Saharan Africa from 2004 to 2006, based on an extensive survey and consultation exercise. We show that the distribution of funds within the sector is highly unequal, concentrated in a few organizations. Expenditure within the continent is uneven, highest in the south and lowest in the west. Only a small proportion of protected areas receive some form of support. At a country level, expenditure is well matched with species richness and threat, but the causes of those correlations are not clear. These results identify what we need to know about what conservation organizations actually do and thus advance the task of evaluating conservation effectiveness.
Late subsequent ocular morbidity in retinopathy of prematurity patients, with emphasis on visual loss caused by insidious ‘involutive’ pathology: an observational series
Authors: Fledelius Hans C. , Jensen Hanne 
Published: January 2010

Abstract.Purpose: This paper discusses late complications in eyes of surviving premature infants typically occurring years into the steady state attained after the initial ophthalmic events associated with preterm birth. The study focuses on insidious visual loss, as well as eventual vitreoretinal and anterior segment disorders.Methods: We carried out a retrospective uncontrolled study of a case series (n = 31) of late complications to early ocular changes associated with very preterm delivery. The birth years of our subjects extended back to 1941, but only 15 more recent cases fulfilled contemporary criteria for a diagnosis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Results: Fourteen cases involvedvitreoretinalpathology (median observation time 14 years, range 6–46 years) with late detachment and/or vitreous haemorrhage. Twelve cases primarily involvedanterior segmentpathology (median observation time 37 years, range 7–58 years). Eyes in the latter category often showed features of early arrested growth and anterior traction, which, in four eyes, eventually led to enucleation or exenteration as a result of a blind and painful terminal state. The last five cases (observation periods 22–38 years) were labelled ‘miscellaneous’. Among the 31 patients, we identified a subgroup in whichinsidious visual losswas a common feature (n = 20). Initially, some of these cases showed evidence of cicatricial ROP and low vision from early in life. Others retained useful vision and did not present obvious ocular incidents related to the actual visual acuity decline.Conclusions: Based on a variety of clinical ophthalmic preterm appearances, we propose the hypothesis that, in addition to increased structural vulnerability, a reduced functional reserve may pave the way for further abiotrophy or involution over time. This may manifest as reduced resistance to later ophthalmic events, such as disease or trauma, or simply the impact of age.
Colonization of fish skin is vital for Vibrio anguillarum to cause disease
Authors: Weber Barbara , Chen Chang , Milton Debra L. 
Published: January 2010

Summary Vibrio anguillarum causes a fatal haemorrhagic septicaemia in marine fish. During initial stages of infection, host surfaces are colonized; however, few virulence factors required for colonization of the host are identified. In this study, in vivo bioluminescent imaging was used to analyse directly the colonization of the whole rainbow trout animal by V. anguillarum. The wild type rapidly colonized both the skin and the intestines by 24 h; however, the bacterial numbers on the skin were significantly higher than in the intestines indicating that skin colonization may be important for disease to occur. Mutants defective for the anguibactin iron uptake system, exopolysaccharide transport, or Hfq, an RNA chaperone, were attenuated for virulence, did not colonize the skin, and penetrated skin mucus less efficiently than the wild type. These mutants, however, did colonize the intestines and were as resistant to 2% bile salts as is the wild type. Moreover, exopolysaccharide mutants were significantly more sensitive to lysozyme and antimicrobial peptides, while the Hfq and anguibactin mutants were sensitive to lysozyme compared with the wild type. Vibrio anguillarum encodes several mechanisms to protect against antimicrobial components of skin mucus enabling an amazingly abundant growth on the skin enhancing its disease opportunities.
Clinical Safety of the 5 O'clock Portal in Shoulder Arthroscopy: A Prospective Study
Authors: Mehta Vishal M. 
Published: January 2010

Background The present study aimed to determine the rate of clinically significant neurovascular complications associated with the routine use of the 5 o'clock portal during arthroscopic Bankart repair. Methods Forty-eight consecutive patients underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with the use of the 5 o'clock portal. These patients were followed at 2 weeks and 6 weeks postoperatively for subjective signs of neurovascular injury (i.e. numbness and tingling) as well as objective signs (i.e. intraoperative bleeding, radial pulse, capillary refill, sensation, motor strength, haematoma and oedema). Results Two out of 48 patients (4.2%) experienced transient neurological symptoms in an ulnar nerve distribution, which resolved by 6 weeks. There was no occurrence of clinically significant injury to the axillary nerve, axillary artery, musculocutaneous nerve, lateral cord of the brachial plexus or cephalic vein. Conclusions No clinically detectable neurovascular injuries were associated with the use of the 5 o'clock shoulder portal during Bankart repair.
Evaluation of albuminuria and its relationship with blood pressure in dogs with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Bacic Angela , Kogika Márcia M. , Barbaro Kátia C. , Iuamoto Cristina S. , Simões Denise M. N. , Santoro Marcelo L. 
Published: January 2010

Background:Microalbuminuria and hypertension have long been associated with a guarded prognosis in human patients with a variety of diseases. In veterinary medicine, tests for microalbuminuria have been used for detecting early kidney damage, but there is little information regarding its association with high blood pressure in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Objective:The objective of this study was to evaluate albuminuria and its association with arterial hypertension in dogs with CKD.Methods:Urinary albumin:creatinine (UAC) ratio, urinary protein:creatinine (UPC) ratio, and systolic blood pressure were determined in 39 clinically healthy dogs and 40 dogs with CKD.Results:UAC in dogs with CKD (range, 0.002–7.99; median, 0.38) was statistically different from that of control dogs (range, 0.0005–0.01; median, 0.002). Microalbuminuria (UAC 0.03–0.3) and macroalbuminuria (UAC>0.3) were detected in 32.5% and 50% of dogs with CKD, respectively. Sixty percent (24/40) of dogs with CKD had systolic pressure ≥180 mmHg; in these dogs, UAC ratio (range, 0.006–7.99; median, 1.72) was significantly higher than in dogs with CKD and systolic pressure<180 mmHg (range, 0.002–4.83; median, 0.10). Of hypertensive dogs with CKD, those with UPC>1.0 usually had macroalbuminuria, those with UPC 0.5–1.0 usually had microalbuminuria, and those with UPC<0.5 usually lacked albuminuria.Conclusions:UAC ratio was higher in hypertensive than in normotensive dogs with CKD. Tests designed to detect microalbuminuria may be useful for hypertensive dogs with CKD and a UPC≤1.0 to detect the onset and magnitude of albuminuria. Once macroalbuminuria is overt, the UPC ratio itself can be used for the same purpose.
Hepatic Volume Measurements in Dogs with Extrahepatic Congenital Portosystemic Shunts before and after Surgical Attenuation
Authors: Kummeling A. , Vrakking D.J.E. , Rothuizen J. , Gerritsen K.M. , Van Sluijs F.J. 
Published: January 2010

Background:In dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS), the ability of the hypoplastic liver to grow is considered important for recovery after surgical shunt attenuation.Objectives:This study investigated hepatic growth after extrahepatic shunt attenuation in dogs using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT).Animals:Ten client‐owned dogs with single extrahepatic CPSS.Methods:Abdominal MRI, CT, or both were performed before and 8 days, 1, and 2 months after shunt attenuation. Liver volumes were calculated from the areas of the MRI or CT images.Results:Before surgery, median liver volume was 18.2 cm3/kg body weight. Liver volume increased significantly after surgery. Growth was highest between days 0 and 8 and decreased afterward. Median liver volume was 28.8 cm3/kg at 2 months after attenuation. No significant differences in growth were found between dogs with complete or partial shunt closure or between dogs with complete or incomplete metabolic recovery. Volumes measured from consecutively performed MRI and CT images correlated well (r= 0.980), but volumes from MRI images were significantly larger than volumes from CT images (6.8%;P= .008).Conclusion and Clinical Importance:After shunt attenuation, rapid normalization of liver size was observed. Hepatic growth was not decreased in dogs after partial closure of CPSS or in dogs with subclinical, persistent shunting 2 months after surgery. CT is the preferred imaging method for volumetric estimation because of speed.
Serum Amyloid A and Haptoglobin Concentrations and Liver Fat Percentage in Lactating Dairy Cows with Abomasal Displacement
Authors: Guzelbektes H. , Sen I. , Ok M. , Constable P.D. , Boydak M. , Coskun A. 
Published: January 2010

Background:There has been increased interest in measuring the serum concentration of acute phase reactants such as serum amyloid A [SAA] and haptoglobin [haptoglobin] in periparturient cattle in order to provide a method for detecting the presence of inflammation or bacterial infection.Objectives:To determine whether [SAA] and [haptoglobin] are increased in cows with displaced abomasum as compared with healthy dairy cows.Animals:Fifty‐four adult dairy cows in early lactation that had left displaced abomasum (LDA, n = 34), right displaced abomasum or abomasal volvulus (RDA/AV, n = 11), or were healthy on physical examination (control, n = 9).Materials and Methods:Inflammatory diseases or bacterial infections such as mastitis, metritis, or pneumonia were not clinically apparent in any animal. Jugular venous blood was obtained from all cows and analyzed. Liver samples were obtained by biopsy in cattle with abomasal displacement.Results:[SAA] and [haptoglobin] concentrations were increased in cows with LDA or RDA/AV as compared with healthy controls. Cows with displaced abomasum had mild to moderate hepatic lipidosis, based on liver fat percentages of 9.3 ± 5.3% (mean ± SD, LDA) and 10.8 ± 7.7% (RDA/AV). [SAA] and [haptoglobin] were most strongly associated with liver fat percentage,rs=+0.55 (P< .0001) andrs=+0.42 (P= .0041), respectively.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:An increase in [SAA] or [haptoglobin] in postparturient dairy cows with LDA or RDA/AV is not specific for inflammation or bacterial infection. An increase in [SAA] or [haptoglobin] may indicate the presence of hepatic lipidosis in cattle with abomasal displacement.
Congenital Cardiac Defects in Neonatal Foals: 18 Cases (1992–2007)
Authors: Hall T.L. , Magdesian K.G. , Kittleson M.D. 
Published: January 2010

Background:Literature available regarding congenital cardiac defects in foals is limited to reports of individual cases or small case series.Objective:To describe the clinical, echocardiographic, and necropsy findings and breed predilection of congenital cardiac defects in neonatal foals.Animals:Eighteen foals <15 days of age with 1 or more congenital cardiac defects.Methods:Medical records of foals diagnosed with congenital cardiac defects at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital were reviewed. Data collected included history, signalment, clinical signs, laboratory data, diagnostic and necropsy results, and outcome.Results:Arabian foals represented 39% of cases with congenital cardiac defects and were significantly (P= .004) overrepresented (OR = 4.7 [CI: 1.8–12.4]) compared with the general hospital population. Ventricular septal defect (VSD) (14/18), tetralogy of Fallot (5/18), and tricuspid valve atresia (4/18) were the most common defects identified. A ≥3/6 heart murmur (14/14) accompanied by tachycardia (14/17), tachypnea (17/17), and cyanosis of mucous membranes (7/16) were the most common clinical signs. Concurrent congenital defects were common (9/18). Two foals, both with VSD, survived for ≥ 8 years after diagnosis and 1 was a successful performance horse.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance:Arabian horses appear to have a predisposition for cardiac defects. The presence of a loud murmur (≥ 3/6), cyanotic membranes, and tachycardia or tachypnea in a neonatal foal should warrant thorough evaluation of the heart for congenital defects. Foals with cardiac defects should be closely evaluated for concurrent congenital defects in other body systems.
Evaluation of New Thiazolide/Thiadiazolide Derivatives Reveals Nitro Group-Independent Efficacy against
In Vitro
Development of
Cryptosporidium parvum
Authors: Gargala Gilles , Le Goff Laetitia , Ballet Jean-Jacques , Favennec Loic , Stachulski Andrew V. , Rossignol Jean-François 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT

Thirty-nine new thiazolide/thiadiazolide compounds were compared with the nitrothiazole nitazoxanide for activity against
Cryptosporidium parvum
development in HCT-8 cells. Twenty-seven agents exerted ≥90% inhibition. Agents with a lower 50% inhibitory concentration (IC
50
) than nitazoxanide were either NO
2
or halogen 5 substituted on the thiazole moiety. Other 5 substitutions such as methyl, C
3
H
7
, C
6
H
11
, H, SO
2
CH
3
, and SCH
3
negatively impacted activity. Five-substituted deacetylated analogues exhibited higher IC
50
s than their acetylated counterparts. Halogeno-thiazolide/thiadiazolides may provide valuable nitro-free alternatives to nitazoxanide.
Activity of Dalbavancin against
Bacillus anthracis In Vitro
and in a Mouse Inhalation Anthrax Model
Authors: Heine Henry S. , Purcell Bret K. , Bassett Jennifer , Miller Lynda , Goldstein Beth P. 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT

Bacillus anthracis
, the causative agent of anthrax, can produce fatal disease when it is inhaled or ingested by humans. Dalbavancin, a novel, semisynthetic lipoglycopeptide, has potent activity, greater than that of vancomycin, against Gram-positive bacteria and a half-life in humans that supports once-weekly dosing. Dalbavancin demonstrated potent
in vitro
activity against
B. anthracis
(MIC range, ≤0.03 to 0.5 mg/liter; MIC
50
and MIC
90
, 0.06 and 0.25 mg/liter, respectively), which led us to test its efficacy in a murine inhalation anthrax model. The peak concentrations of dalbavancin in mouse plasma after the administration of single intraperitoneal doses of 5 and 20 mg/kg of body weight were 15 and 71 mg/kg, respectively. At 20 mg/kg, the dalbavancin activity was detectable for 6 days after administration (terminal half-life, 53 h), indicating that long intervals between doses were feasible. The mice were challenged with 50 to 100 times the median lethal dose of the Ames strain of
B. anthracis
, an inoculum that kills untreated animals within 4 days. The efficacy of dalbavancin was 80 to 100%, as determined by the rate of survival at 42 days, when treatment was initiated 24 h postchallenge with regimens of 15 to 120 mg/kg every 36 h (q36h) or 30 to 240 mg/kg every 72 h (q72h). A regimen of ciprofloxacin known to protect 100% of animals was tested in parallel. Delayed dalbavancin treatment (beginning 36 or 48 h postchallenge) with 60 mg/kg q36h or 120 mg/kg q72h still provided 70 to 100% survival. The low MICs and long duration of efficacy
in vivo
suggest that dalbavancin may have potential as an alternative treatment or for the prophylaxis of
B. anthracis
infections.
Pradimicin S, a Highly Soluble Nonpeptidic Small-Size Carbohydrate-Binding Antibiotic, Is an Anti-HIV Drug Lead for both Microbicidal and Systemic Use
Authors: Balzarini Jan , François Katrien O. , Van Laethem Kristel , Hoorelbeke Bart , Renders Marleen , Auwerx Joeri , Liekens Sandra , Oki Toshikazu , Igarashi Yasuhiro , Schols Dominique 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT

Pradimicin S (PRM-S) is a highly water-soluble, negatively charged derivative of the antibiotic pradimicin A (PRM-A) in which the terminal xylose moiety has been replaced by 3-sulfated glucose. PRM-S does not prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) adsorption on CD4
+
T cells, but it blocks virus entry into its target cells. It inhibits a wide variety of HIV-1 laboratory strains and clinical isolates, HIV-2, and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in various cell culture systems (50% and 90% effective concentrations [EC
50
s and EC
90
s] invariably in the lower micromolar range). PRM-S inhibits syncytium formation between persistently HIV-1- and SIV-infected cells and uninfected CD4
+
T lymphocytes, and prevents dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN)-mediated HIV-1 and SIV capture and subsequent virus transmission to CD4
+
T cells. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) studies revealed that PRM-S strongly binds to gp120 in a Ca
2+
-dependent manner at an affinity constant (

K
D

) in the higher nanomolar range. Its anti-HIV activity and HIV-1 gp120-binding properties can be dose-dependently reversed in the presence of an (α-1,2)mannose trimer. Dose-escalating exposure of HIV-1-infected cells to PRM-S eventually led to the isolation of mutant virus strains that had various deleted N-glycosylation sites in the envelope gp120 with a strong preference for the deletion of the high-mannose-type glycans. Genotypic resistance development occurred slowly, and significant phenotypic resistance occurred only after the sequential appearance of up to six mutations in gp120, pointing to a high genetic barrier of PRM-S. The antibiotic is nontoxic against a variety of cell lines, is not mitogenic, and does not induce cytokines and chemokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells as determined by the Bio-Plex human cytokine 27-plex assay. It proved stable at high temperature and low pH. Therefore, PRM-S may qualify as a potential anti-HIV drug candidate for further (pre)clinical studies, including its microbicidal use.
In
Vitro
and
In Vivo
Activities of the Novel Anticytomegalovirus Compound AIC246
Authors: Lischka Peter , Hewlett Guy , Wunberg Tobias , Baumeister Judith , Paulsen Daniela , Goldner Thomas , Ruebsamen-Schaeff Helga , Zimmermann Holger 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) remains a serious threat for immunocompromised individuals, including transplant recipients and newborns. To date, all drugs licensed for the treatment of HCMV infection and disease target the viral DNA polymerase. Although these drugs are effective, several drawbacks are associated with their use, including toxicity and emergence of drug resistance. Hence, new and improved antivirals with novel molecular targets are urgently needed. Here we report on the antiviral properties of AIC246, a representative of a novel class of low-molecular-weight compounds that is currently undergoing clinical phase II studies. The anti-HCMV activity of AIC246 was evaluated
in vitro
and
in vivo
using various cell culture assays and an engineered mouse xenograft model. In addition, antiviral properties of the drug were characterized in comparison to the current gold standard ganciclovir. We demonstrate that AIC246 exhibits excellent
in vitro
inhibitory activity against HCMV laboratory strains and clinical isolates, retains activity against ganciclovir-resistant viruses, is well tolerated in different cell types (median selectivity index, 18,000), and exerts a potent
in vivo
efficacy in a mouse xenograft model. Moreover, we show that the antiviral block induced by AIC246 is reversible and the efficacy of the drug is not significantly affected by cell culture variations such as cell type or multiplicity of infection. Finally, initial mode-of-action analyses reveal that AIC246 targets a process in the viral replication cycle that occurs later than DNA synthesis. Thus, AIC246 acts via a mode of action that differs from that of polymerase inhibitors like ganciclovir.
Lactobacillus reuteri
2′-Deoxyribosyltransferase, a Novel Biocatalyst for Tailoring of Nucleosides
Authors: Fernández-Lucas Jesús , Acebal Carmen , Sinisterra José V. , Arroyo Miguel , de la Mata Isabel 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT

A novel type II nucleoside 2′-deoxyribosyltransferase from
Lactobacillus reuteri
(
Lr
NDT) has been cloned and overexpressed in
Escherichia coli
. The recombinant
Lr
NDT has been structural and functionally characterized. Sedimentation equilibrium analysis revealed a homohexameric molecule of 114 kDa. Circular dichroism studies have showed a secondary structure containing 55% α-helix, 10% β-strand, 16% β-sheet, and 19% random coil.
Lr
NDT was thermostable with a melting temperature (

T
m

) of 64°C determined by fluorescence, circular dichroism, and differential scanning calorimetric studies. The enzyme showed high activity in a broad pH range (4.6 to 7.9) and was also very stable between pH 4 and 7.9. The optimal temperature for activity was 40°C. The recombinant
Lr
NDT was able to synthesize natural and nonnatural nucleoside analogues, improving activities described in the literature, and remarkably, exhibited unexpected new arabinosyltransferase activity, which had not been described so far in this kind of enzyme. Furthermore, synthesis of new arabinonucleosides and 2′-fluorodeoxyribonucleosides was carried out.
Identification by Suppression Subtractive Hybridization of
Frankia
Genes Induced under Nitrogen-Fixing Conditions
Authors: Yamaura Masatoshi , Uchiumi Toshiki , Higashi Shiro , Abe Mikiko , Kucho Ken-ichi 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT

Frankia
is an actinobacterium that fixes nitrogen under both symbiotic and free-living conditions. We identified genes upregulated in free-living nitrogen-fixing cells by using suppression subtractive hybridization. They included genes with predicted functions related to nitrogen fixation, as well as with unknown function. Their upregulation was a novel finding in
Frankia
.