bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal influences on the litter size at birth of pigs are more pronounced in the gilt than sow litters
Authors: TUMMARUK P. , TANTASUPARUK W. , TECHAKUMPHU M. , KUNAVONGKRIT A. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYThe aim of the present study was to use data from herds to demonstrate the degree of seasonal influence on litter size at birth in gilts compared to sow parities 2, 3–5 and older (parities ⩾6) in a conventional, open-housing system for commercial pig herds in the northeastern part of Thailand. Data were obtained during a 3-year period from July 2005 to June 2008. The data analysed included observations on 25 835 litters from 8100 sows. Total number of piglets born per litter (TB), number of piglets born alive per litter (BA), proportion of stillborn piglets per litter (SB) and proportion of mummified fetuses per litter (MF) were analysed using a general linear mixed model procedure. The influence of temperature, relative humidity and temperature-humidity index (THI) on TB, BA, MF and SB were also analysed. The meteorological data were merged with the reproductive data and the means of temperature, relative humidity and THI during 115 days before farrowing were calculated and included in the statistical models. The results revealed that sows that farrowed in the hot season had a larger TB and BA than sows that farrowed in the rainy (P<0·001) and cool seasons (P<0·001). The difference of TB and BA among seasons was more pronounced in the gilt litters than the sow litters, insofar as the gilts that farrowed in the rainy season had 0·7 TB fewer than gilts that farrowed in the hot season (P<0·001). By contrast, sows of parities 2, 3–5 and ⩾6 that farrowed in the rainy season had 0·4 (P=0·01), 0·3 (P=0·003) and 0·3 (P=0·02) TB fewer than those that farrowed in the hot season. In the first parity, MF increased from 0·022 to 0·042 when the mean temperature during gestation increased from 26 to 29°C (P<0·001). On average, a reduction of 0·8 TB and 0·7 BA were found when the humidity during gestation increased from 50 to 80% (P<0·001). The influence of THI on TB, BA and SB differed among herds. When THI increased from 71/72 to ⩾81, a decrease of 0·4 TB were observed in herd A (P<0·001) and a decrease of 0·9 TB were observed in herd B (P<0·001), but not in herds C and D (P>0·05). In conclusion, inferior litter size at birth was observed in sows that farrowed in either rainy or cool seasons. High temperature, high relative humidity and/or high THI during gestation significantly reduced the number of total piglets born per litter. The influence of season, temperature, relative humidity and/or THI on litter size at birth was more evident in the gilts than the sows. These data indicated that various strategies to reduce temperature in the open-housing system for pregnant gilts and sows in Thailand are not adequate and the proper housing of pregnant gilts should be emphasized.
Immunohistological studies on neoplasms of female and maleOnchocerca volvulus: filarial origin and absence ofWolbachiafrom tumor cells
Authors: BRATTIG N. W. , HOERAUF A. , FISCHER P. U. , LIEBAU E. , BANDI C. , DEBRAH A. , BÜTTNER M. , BÜTTNER D. W. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYUp to 5% of untreated femaleOnchocerca volvulusfilariae develop potentially fatal pleomorphic neoplasms, whose incidence is increased following ivermectin treatment. We studied the occurrence of 8 filarial proteins and ofWolbachiaendobacteria in the tumor cells. Onchocercomas from patients, untreated and treated with antibiotics and anthelminthics, were examined by immunohistology. Neoplasms were diagnosed in 112 of 3587 female and in 2 of 1570 maleO. volvulus. The following proteins and other compounds ofO. volvuluswere expressed in the cells of the neoplasms: glutathione S-transferase 1, lysosomal aspartic protease, cAMP-dependent protein kinase, alpha-enolase, aspartate aminotransferase, ankyrin E1, tropomyosin, heat shock protein 60, transforming growth factor-beta, and prostaglandin E2. These findings prove the filarial origin of the neoplasms and confirm the pleomorphism of the tumor cells. Signs indicating malignancy of the neoplasms are described.Wolbachiawere observed in the hypodermis, oocytes, and embryos of tumor-harbouring filariae using antibodies againstWolbachiasurface protein,WolbachiaHtrA-type serine protease, andWolbachiaaspartate aminotransferase. In contrast,Wolbachiawere not found in the cells of the neoplasms. Further, neoplasm-containing worms were not observed after more than 10 months after the start of sufficient treatment with doxycycline or doxycycline plus ivermectin.
Strategies Used by Home Support Workers in the Delivery of Care to Elderly Clients
Authors: Sims-Gould Joanie , Martin-Matthews Anne 
Published: March 2010

RÉSUMÉOn estime que 36,000 travailleurs de soutien à domicile aident les anciens canadiens chaque année avec les activités quotidiennes, comme la baignade, l’habillement, le nettoyage et les travaux ménagers légers, mais les expériences quotidiennes des travailleurs qui donnent soutien à domicile ne sont pas bien encore compris. Mahmood et Martin-Matthews (2008) ont développé un modèle qui localise le travailleur de soutien à domicile, le client âgée et la membre de la famille à l’intersection des sphères privées et publiques encadré par leur traits sociaux, spatials et temporels, et par la structure organisationnelle de l’entreprise. Cette étude, financée par Les Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada, examine et affine ce modèle grâce à une analyse des entrevues approfondies avec les travailleurs de soutien à domicile en la Colombie-Britannique. Travailleurs de soutien à domicile identifient les questions clés dans la prestation des services et discutent une gamme de solutions créatives pour effectuer leurs tâches quoti-diennes et avec de la déférence. Les conclusions de l’étude informent notre compréhension des expériences de travail des travailleurs de soutien à domicile; également ils mettent en évidence les qualités qui caractérisent les travailleurs exceptionnelles en naviguant parmi les différents domaines de soutien à domicile.
A Cross-Sectional Study of the Prevalence, Correlates, and Costs of Falls in Older Home Care Clients ‘At Risk’ for Falling
Authors: Markle-Reid Maureen , Browne Gina , Gafni Amiram , Roberts Jacqueline , Weir Robin , Thabane Lehana , Miles Melody , Vaitonis Vida , Hecimovich Catherine , Baxter Pamela , Henderson Sandra 
Published: March 2010

RÉSUMÉCette étude a examiné la prévalence pendant 6 mois, à l’aide des services de soutien à domicile, des facteurs de risque et des coûts de chutes de personnes âgées qui sont à risque de chute. Des 109 participants, 70,6 pour cent ont indiqué une chute dans les six mois précédents et 27,5 pour cent ont éprouvé plusieurs chutes. Bien qu’il n’y avait aucune différence statistiquement significative dans n’importe quel facteur de risque lié à la chute parmi ceux qui sont tombés (1+ chutes) et ceux qui ne sont pas tombés (0 chutes), ceux qui sont tombés ont montrés des tendances de plus en plus évidentes de fonctionnement réduit sur le plan physique, social et psychologique. Dans le coût total par personne d’utilisation des services de santé au cours des 6 derniers mois, il n’y avait aucune différence statistiquement significative entre ceux qui sont tombés et ceux qui ne sont pas tombés; toutefois, il y avait des différences significatives entre les groupes dans certains types de services de santé. L’analyse multivariable a révélé la présence de cinq facteurs de risques de chutes: troubles neurologiques (p. ex., diminution cognitive, maladie de Parkinson), l’âge ≥85 ans, risques environnementaux, glissade ou trébuchant précédente et déficience visuelle.
Does Geography Matter? The Health Service Use and Unmet Health Care Needs of Older Canadians
Authors: McDonald James Ted , Conde Heather 
Published: March 2010

RÉSUMÉLe coût croissant de soins de santé et le changement des profils démographiques ont entraîné le déplacement et la redistribution du financement et des services entre les zones rurales et urbaines. La plupart des analyses économétriques de l’utilisation de services de santé au Canada incluent des contrôles larges selon la province et l’état rural/urbain; mais relativement peu du travail économétrique a porté sur la variation géographique dans l’utilisation de services de santé. À l’aide de l’Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes (ESCC 2.1), nous avons examiné les déterminants de diverses mesures d’utilisation des services de santé par les Canadiens âgés de 55 ou plus d’une gamme de zones urbaines et rurales de résidence. Notre analyse de régression a montré que les anciens résidents dans les zones rurales font moins visites chez un omnipraticien, chez un spécialiste et chez un dentiste par rapport aux résidents urbains. Tout étant égal, il n’existe aucune différence significative parmi nuits passées à l’hôpital ou dans les besoins de soins de santé non satisfaits. Cependant, apres contrôle pour les caractéristiques démographiques, le statut socioéconomique, l’assurance santé privée et l’état de santé, ces différences sont importantes.
Chronic Health Conditions: Changing Prevalence in an Aging Population and Some Implications for the Delivery of Health Care Services
Authors: Denton Frank T. , Spencer Byron G. 
Published: March 2010

RÉSUMÉParce que la prévalence de nombreuses conditions de santé chroniques augmente avec l’âge, nous pourrions anticiper que la proportion montrant une ou plusieurs de ces conditions, ainsi que les frais de traitement, augmenterait comme le vieillissement de la population. Combien la prévalence globale des affections chroniques augmenteraient en un quart de siècle si l’âge spécifiques des taux de prévalence n’ont pas changé? Les taux de prévalence globaux pour presque toutes les conditions qui découlent principalement de la vieillesse augmenteraient de plus de 25 pour cent, et les exigences en matière de santé auraient cru plus rapidement que la population – plus de deux fois plus rapidement dans le cas des séjours hospitaliers – si les taux pour chaque groupe d’âge sont restés constants. Combien serait requise pour l’augmentation des ressources de santé? Quelle différence rendrait-il à ces exigences si les gens avaient moins de maladies chroniques? Même de réductions modestes dans le nombre moyen de conditions à chaque âge pourraient entraîner des économies importantes.
The Canadian Elder Standard – Pricing the Cost of Basic Needs for the Canadian Elderly
Authors: MacDonald Bonnie-Jeanne , Andrews Doug , Brown Robert L. 
Published: March 2010

RÉSUMÉNous déterminons le revenu après impôt nécessaire pour financer les besoins fondamentaux des Canadiens aînés dans des circonstances différentes en ce qui concerne l’âge, le sexe, ville de résidence, ménage statut de taille, propriétaire ou locataire, moyens de transport et l’état de santé. À l’aide de notre base de l’année 2001, nous estimons les dépenses typiques pour nourriture, abri, soins à domicile à long terme, transport et divers éléments de base à la vie pour personnes âgées résidant dans cinq villes canadiennes. Il s’agit de la première étude canadienne des frais de subsistance de base adaptée aux aînés, plutôt qu’aux adultes en général, et établis sur une base absolue plutôt que relative. Nous avons également compté uniquement pour les conditions de vie de l’individu et ont établi l’effets divers que les conditions de vie des aînés exigent sur le coût des dépenses de base, en particulier pour les soins à domicile.
Quantitative risk assessment model of canine rabies introduction: application to the risk to the European Union from Morocco
Authors: NAPP S. , CASAS M. , MOSET S. , PARAMIO J. L. , CASAL J. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYAlthough rabies incidence in humans in Western Europe is low, the repeated importation of rabid animals from enzootic areas threatens the rabies-free status of terrestrial animals and challenges the public health systems in this area. Most rabid animals imported into the European Union (EU) in recent years came from Morocco. The aim of this study was to develop a probabilistic risk assessment model to estimate the probability of rabies introduction, which was applied to the risk to the EU from dogs coming from Morocco. The mean annual probability of rabies introduction was 0·21 (90% CI 0·02–0·65). The pathways that contributed the most to this probability were: (a) EU citizens who adopted a dog in Morocco (59% of the total probability) and (b) EU citizens who travelled with their dog to Morocco by ferry (34% of the total probability). The model showed a marked seasonality in the risk of rabies with almost 40% of the annual probability occurring during the months of July and August. The application of stricter border controls (assuming 100% compliance) would result in a >270-fold reduction in the likelihood of rabies introduction into the EU from Morocco.
Do neonates, infants and young children need a higher dose of enoxaparin in the cardiac intensive care unit?
Authors: Sanchez de Toledo Joan , Gunawardena Sriya , Munoz Ricardo , Orr Richard , Berry Donald , Sonderman Sara , Krallman Sara , Shiderly Dana , Wang Li , Wearden Peter , Morell Victor O. , Chrysostomou Constantinos 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackgroundThromboembolic events are a serious complication occurring in critically ill children admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit. Although enoxaparin is one of the current anticoagulants of choice, dosages in children are extrapolated from adult guidelines. Recent data suggest that this population may need a higher dose than what is currently recommended to achieve target anti-factor Xa levels. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether children less than 2 years old admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit require a higher enoxaparin dose than that currently recommended to achieve target anti-factor Xa levels.MethodsRetrospective chart review including patients who received enoxaparin for the treatment or prophylaxis of venous thrombosis between January, 2005 and October, 2007. Patients were classified as younger and older as well as prophylactic and therapeutic on the basis of age and enoxaparin dose, respectively. Younger patients were those 2 month old or less and older patients were those older than 2 months of age.ResultsA total of 31 patients were identified; 13 (42%) were 2 months or younger and 25 (81%) were postoperative patients. Ten (32%) received prophylactic and 21 (68%) received therapeutic enoxaparin doses. To achieve optimal anti-factor Xa levels, enoxaparin dose was increased in all groups and reached statistical significance in all patients except those older than 2 months who received prophylactic enoxaparin. An average of 2.8 dosage adjustments was needed. No bleeding complications were reported.ConclusionsYoung children, infants, and neonates admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit required a significantly higher enoxaparin dose than that currently recommended to achieve target anti-factor Xa levels.
Visualization of Morphological and Molecular Features Associated with Chronic Ischemia in Bioengineered Human Skin
Authors: Gill Erin M. , Straseski Joely A. , Rasmussen Cathy A. , Liliensiek Sara J. , Eliceiri Kevin W. , Ramanujam Nirmala , White John G. , Allen-Hoffmann B. Lynn 
Published: March 2010

AbstractWe present an in vitro model of human skin that, together with nonlinear optical microscopy, provides a useful system for characterizing morphological and structural changes in a living skin tissue microenvironment due to changes in oxygen status and proteolytic balance. We describe for the first time the effects of chronic oxygen deprivation on a bioengineered model of human interfollicular epidermis. Histological analysis and multiphoton imaging revealed a progressively degenerating ballooning phenotype of the keratinocytes that manifested after 48 h of hypoxic exposure. Multiphoton images of the dermal compartment revealed a decrease in collagen structural order. Immunofluorescence analysis showed changes in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 protein spatial localization in the epidermis with a shift to the basal layer, and loss of Ki67 expression in proliferative basal cells after 192 h of hypoxic exposure. Upon reoxygenation MMP-2 mRNA levels showed a biphasic response, with restoration of MMP-2 levels and localization. These results indicate that chronic oxygen deprivation causes an overall degeneration in tissue architecture, combined with an imbalance in proteolytic expression and a decrease in proliferative capacity. We propose that these tissue changes are representative of the ischemic condition and that our experimental model system is appropriate for addressing mechanisms of susceptibility to chronic wounds.
Evolution of Taiwan’s health care system
Authors: Rachel Lu Jui-Fen , Chiang Tung-Liang 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThis study aims to present an overview of the evolutionary policy process in reforming the health care system in Taiwan, through dissecting the forces of knowledge, social-cultural context, economic resources and political system. We further identify factors, which had a significant impact on health care reform policies in Taiwan through illustrative policy examples. One of the most illuminating examples highlighted is the design and implementation of a single-payer National Health Insurance (NHI) program in 1995, after nearly five years of planning efforts (1988–1993) and a two-year legislative marathon. The NHI is one of the most popular social programs ever undertaken in the history of Taiwan, which greatly enhances financial protection against unexpected medical expenses and assures access to health services. Nonetheless, health care reform still has an unfinished agenda. Despite high satisfaction ratings, Taiwan’s health care system today is encountering mounting pressure for new reforms as a result of its rapidly aging population, economic stagnation, and imbalanced NHI checkbook. Although there may exist some heterogeneous system characteristics and challenges among different health care systems around the world, Taiwan’s experiences in reforming its health care system for the past few decades may provide valuable lessons for countries going through rapid economic and political transition.
PaperMaker: validation of biomedical scientific publications
Authors: Rebholz-Schuhmann D. , Kavaliauskas S. , Pezik P. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Motivation: The automatic analysis of scientific literature can support authors in writing their manuscripts.
Implementation: PaperMaker is a novel IT solution that receives a scientific manuscript via a Web interface, automatically analyses the publication, evaluates consistency parameters and interactively delivers feedback to the author. It analyses the proper use of acronyms and their definitions, and the use of specialized terminology. It provides Gene Ontology (GO) and Medline Subject Headings (MeSH) categorization of text passages, the retrieval of relevant publications from public scientific literature repositories, and the identification of missing or unused references.
Result: The author receives a summary of findings, the manuscript in its corrected form and a digital abstract containing the GO and MeSH annotations in the NLM/PubMed format.
Availability: http://www.ebi.ac.uk/Rebholz-srv/PaperMaker
Contact: rebholz@ebi.ac.uk
First Report of Soybean Rust Caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi on Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) in Illinois
Authors: Bradley C. A. , Hines R. A. , Pataky N. R. , Haudenshield J. S. , Hartman G. L. 
Published: March 2010

Soybean rust, caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd., first was observed in the continental United States during 2004 on soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in Louisiana (4), and on kudzu (Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & Almeida) in Florida (2). Kudzu is a leguminous weed that is prevalent in the southern United States with its range extending northward into other states including Illinois. In October 2009, a kudzu patch located in Pulaski County in southern Illinois was investigated for the presence of soybean rust. Twenty-five leaflets were collected, and the abaxial sides of leaflets were evaluated visually for the presence of uredinia with a dissecting microscope. Uredinia and urediniospores were found on two leaflets. When viewed with a compound microscope, urediniospores were hyaline, echinulate, and measured 20 × 25 μm. On the basis of uredinia and urediniospores, the disease tentatively was identified as soybean rust caused by P. pachyrhizi. To confirm the identification, one leaflet with pustules was assayed with a Soybean Rust QuickStix Diagnostic Kit (Envirologix, Portland, ME). For the other leaflet, the area of the pustule was excised (approximately 28 mm2) and an area of the leaflet at the margin on the opposite half of the leaflet with no visible pustule (approximately 54 mm2) was excised. DNA was extracted from the excised areas of the leaflet for confirmation by quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) using primers and probe specific to P. pachyrhizi and P. meibomiae (Arthur) Arthur (1). Both the QuickStix Diagnostic Kit and the Q-PCR confirmed the diagnosis as soybean rust caused by P. pachyrhizi. Q-PCR also suggested the presence of a nonsporulating latent rust infection on the same kudzu leaflet at the margin on the opposite side of the midrib. Soybean rust first was confirmed on soybean in Illinois in 2006 (3), but to our knowledge, this is the first observation of the disease on kudzu in the state. This report confirms that at least some kudzu plants in Illinois are susceptible to soybean rust and that latent kudzu infection may exist without outward signs of the fungus. Currently, this is the most northern observation of soybean rust on kudzu in North America. It is unknown what role, if any, Illinois kudzu will play in the epidemiology of soybean rust in the state. Since kudzu tops die after the first frost, there is no expectation of P. pachyrhizi to overwinter in Illinois on kudzu as it does in some states adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico. References: (1) R. D. Frederick et al. Phytopathology 92:217, 2002. (2) P. F. Harmon et al. Online publication. doi:10.1094/PHP-2005-0613-01-RS. Plant Health Progress, 2005. (3) G. L. Hartman et al. Plant Dis. 91:466, 2007. (4) R. W. Schneider et al. Plant Dis. 89:774, 2005.