bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complications of presumed ocular tuberculosis
Authors: Hamade Issam H. , Tabbara Khalid F. 
Published: June 2009

Acta Ophthalmol. 2010: 88: 905–909Abstract.Purpose:  To determine the effect of steroid treatment on visual outcome and ocular complications in patients with presumed ocular tuberculosis.Methods:  Retrospective review of patients with presumptive ocular tuberculosis. The clinical diagnosis was made based on ocular findings, positive purified protein derivative (PPD) testing of more than 15 mm induration, exclusion of other causes of uveitis and positive ocular response to anti‐tuberculous therapy (ATT) within 4 weeks. Group 1 included patients who had received oral prednisone or subtenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide prior to ATT. Group 2 included patients who did not receive corticosteroid therapy prior to administration of ATT.Results:  Among 500 consecutive new cases of uveitis encountered in 1997–2007 there were 49 (10%) patients with presumed ocular tuberculosis. These comprised 28 (57%) male and 21 (43%) female patients with a mean age of 45 years (range 12–76 years). Four (20%) patients in group 1 had initial visual acuity of 20/40 or better, in comparison to eight (28%) patients in group 2. At 1‐year follow‐up, six (30%) patients in group 1 had a visual acuity of 20/40 or better compared with 20 (69%) patients in group 2 (p = 0.007). Of 20 eyes (26%) in group 1 that had visual acuity of < 20/50 at 1‐year follow up, 14 (70%) eyes developed severe chorioretinal lesion (p = 0.019).Conclusion:  Early administration of corticosteroids without anti‐tuberculous therapy in presumed ocular tuberculosis may lead to poor visual outcome compared with patients who did not receive corticosteroids prior to presentation. Furthermore, the severity of chorioretinitis lesion in the group of patients given corticosteroid prior to ATT may account for the poor visual outcome.
Anterior chamber depth and iridocorneal angle in healthy White subjects: effects of age, gender and refraction
Authors: Rüfer Florian , Schröder Anke , Klettner Alexa , Frimpong‐Boateng Adjoa , Roider Johann B , Erb Carl 
Published: June 2009

Acta Ophthalmol. 2010: 88: 885–890Abstract.Purpose:  Prior to phakic intraocular lens implantation, it is important to obtain precise knowledge of the anterior chamber depth (ACD). Accurate topographic evaluation of the iridocorneal angle is helpful in estimating risk for angle‐closure glaucoma. This study investigated the use of the Orbscan II system to measure ACD and the iridocorneal angle in healthy subjects and assessed the influences of age, gender and spherical equivalent on these parameters.Methods:  The Orbscan II system was used to determine the ACD and iridocorneal angle in eight different positions in 390 healthy White subjects with a mean age of 41 ± 16 years (range 10–80 years). The sample included 242 male and 148 female subjects. The influences of age, gender and spherical equivalent were assessed using multiple regression analysis.Results:  Mean ACD was 2.87 ± 0.04 mm in male subjects and 2.81 ± 0.37 mm in female subjects. The explanatory variables relevant to the ACD were age (partial regression coefficient B = − 0.0115, p < 0.0001), spherical equivalent (B = − 0.0562, p < 0.0001) and gender (B = 0.0996, p = 0.0036). The mean iridocorneal angle (MIA) was 30.7 ± 2.0 ° in male and 31.6 ± 2.1 ° in female subjects. The variables relevant to the MIA were gender (B = − 0.865, p < 0.0001), age (B = − 0.017, p = 0.0007) and spherical equivalent (B = − 0.121, p = 0.001). The superior iridocorneal angle displayed the strongest negative correlation with age, whereas the temporal angle exhibited the least correlation with age.Conclusions:  The decline in ACD appears to be linear with age, amounting to a mean of 0.58 mm over 50 years. This may become clinically relevant in the use of phakic intraocular lenses. In addition, the angle is more severely constricted in the superior quadrant than in the temporal quadrant.
Biogeographical patterns of soil bacterial communities
Authors: Dequiedt Samuel , Thioulouse Jean , Jolivet Claudy , Saby Nicolas P.A. , Lelievre Mélanie , Maron Pierre‐Alain , Martin Manuel P. , Prévost‐Bouré Nicolas Chemidlin , Toutain Benoit , Arrouays Dominique , Lemanceau Philippe , Ranjard Lionel 
Published: June 2009

SummaryThis study provides the first maps of variations in bacterial community structure on a broad scale based on genotyping of DNA extracts from 593 soils from four different regions of France (North, Brittany, South‐East and Landes). Soils were obtained from the soil library of RMQS (‘Réseau de Mesures de la Qualité des Sols’ = French soil quality monitoring network). The relevance of a biogeographic approach for studying bacterial communities was demonstrated by the great variability in community structure and specific geographical patterns within and between the four regions. The data indicated that the distribution of bacterial community composition might be more related to local factors such as soil type and land cover than to more global factors such as climatic and geomorphologic characteristics. Furthermore, the regional pools of biodiversity could be ordered: South‐East ≥ North > Brittany > Landes, according to the observed regional variability of the bacterial communities, which could be helpful for improving land use in accordance with soil biodiversity management.
A survey of TonB‐dependent receptors in fluorescent pseudomonads
Authors: Cornelis Pierre , Bodilis Josselin 
Published: June 2009

SummaryFor bacteria with an aerobic lifestyle, iron is in the oxidized Fe3+ form, hence poorly soluble. The solution is the synthesis and excretion of siderophores with a high affinity for iron. These ferrisiderophores are recognized by TonB‐dependent outer membrane receptors in Gram‐negative bacteria. Haem is also a source of iron and is captured via TonB‐dependent receptors as well. In many cases bacterial genomes encode genes for receptors for siderophores produced by other microorganisms (xenosiderophores). Pseudomonads are known for their high adaptive capacity and it is therefore not surprising to find a relatively large number of genes encoding these receptors. In this study we analysed the genomes of three fluorescent pseudomonads available in the Pseudomonas genome database (http://www.pseudomonas.com; P. aeruginosa, P. putida, P. syringae) in order to extract the genes coding for TonB‐dependent receptors. As expected we observed differences between species for the number of receptors. We also report differences within species, suggesting the acquisition of some genes via horizontal gene transfer, including those coding for the ferripyoverdine receptors. We also report cases where duplications of receptor genes are observed and the presence of ‘receptor islands’. Our study strongly supports the notion of ‘core’ and ‘accessory’ TonB‐dependent receptors within each species, with the ferripyoverdine receptors belonging to the last category.
Evaluation of a modified thrombelastography assay initiated with recombinant human tissue factor in clinically healthy horses
Authors: Leclere Mathilde , Lavoie Jean‐Pierre , Dunn Marilyn , Bédard Christian 
Published: June 2009

Background: Thrombelastography (TEG) is used to evaluate the viscoelastic properties of blood during clotting and provides a global assessment of hemostasis and clot lysis. TEG analysis initiated with recombinant human tissue factor (TF) has not been evaluated in clinically healthy horses.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether TEG results are affected by the time elapsed between sampling and analysis (storage time) of equine blood samples and to establish a preliminary equine reference interval for a modified TEG assay, using recombinant human TF to initiate coagulation.Methods: Citrated blood samples were obtained from 20 clinically healthy adult horses. Thirteen samples were stored for 30, 60, and 120 minutes at room temperature before TEG analysis. Coagulation was initiated by adding 20 μL of CaCl2 to 330 μL of blood and 10 μL of diluted recombinant TF for a final dilution of 1:3600. Reaction (R) and clotting (K) times, angle (α), and maximum amplitude (MA) were compared between time points. A preliminary reference interval (minimum–maximum values) was determined using data from all 20 horses after 30 minutes of sample storage.Results: There was a significant effect of storage time on R, K, and α but not MA. Reference intervals were: R, 3.65–6.4 minutes; K, 1.8–5.45 minutes; α, 33.4–66.2°; MA, 41.2–64.1 mm; lysis at 30 minutes post‐MA (LY30), <2.75%; and lysis at 60 minutes post‐MA (LY60), 1.55–9.5%.Conclusions: TEG can be performed on equine citrated blood samples using recombinant human TF to activate clot formation. TEG parameters were significantly affected by storage time, suggesting an incomplete inhibition of coagulation in citrated blood.
Design, optimization, and application of a conventional PCR assay with an internal control for detection of ‘CandidatusMycoplasma turicensis’ 16S rDNA in domestic cats from Brazil
Authors: Santos Andrea P. , Messick Joanne B. , Biondo Alexander W. , Oliveira Simone T. , Pedralli Viviane , Lasta Camila S. , Lacerda Luciana A. , Esteves Vanessa S. , Hofmann‐Lehmann Regina , Willi Barbara , González Félix H. D. 
Published: June 2009

Background:‘CandidatusMycoplasma turicensis’ (CMtc) is a hemotrophic bacterial species that can, alone or in combination, induce anemia in cats. The diagnostic test of choice for hemoplasma infections is PCR. Conventional PCR assays have been developed for the detection ofMycoplasma haemofelis(Mhf) and ‘CandidatusM. haemominutum’ (CMhm) but not forCMtc. Although real‐time PCR assays have been reported for all of the feline hemoplasmas, the expense of necessary instrumentation precludes its use in Brazil and many other countries.Objectives:The goals of this study were to develop and optimize a conventional PCR assay to diagnoseCMtc using an internal control to detect false‐negative results, and to evaluate the occurrence ofCMtc infection in domestic cats from Brazil.Methods:Species‐specific primers were designed and a PCR assay was developed for the detection ofCMtc 16S rDNA in cat blood. Sensitivity was determined by serial 10‐fold dilutions of plasmid and DNA extracted from blood from an experimentally infected cat. EDTA blood samples from 373 cats were collected. DNA was extracted using a silica‐based protocol and tested using the PCR assay.Results:Primer concentration, annealing temperature, and MgCl2concentration were optimized in the presence and absence of the internal control. Two samples negative for the internal control were excluded. Of the remaining 371 samples (117 healthy and 254 unhealthy cats), 17 (4.6%) were positive forCMtc.Conclusion:These results demonstrate the utility of an optimized PCR assay to detectCMtc in feline blood samples. We also report for the first time the prevalence ofCMtc infection in domestic cats in Brazil.
Serum thyroxine concentrations in clinically healthy pet guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)
Authors: Müller Kerstin , Müller Elisabeth , Klein Ruth , Brunnberg Leo 
Published: June 2009

Background:Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are often presented as patients in veterinary practice. Nevertheless, only limited information is available about endocrine diseases or thyroxine reference values for the species.Objective:The aim of this study was to determine serum thyroxine concentrations in a well‐defined population of clinically healthy pet guinea pigs.Methods:Between October 2007 and July 2008, serum samples were collected from 40 clinically healthy guinea pigs of different sexes, ages, and breeds that were presented to our clinic for a general health check or for castration. Pregnant females were excluded from the study. Thyroxine concentration was measured using a chemiluminescence test (Immulite 2000 Canine Total T4).Results:Thyroxine concentrations ranged from 14.2 to 66.9 nmol/L (1.1–5.2 μg/dL) with a median value of 27.0 nmol/L (2.1 μg/dL). Females (n=16) had significantly (P=.039; Mann–WhitneyU‐test) lower thyroxine values than castrated males (n=8), whereas no differences were found between females and intact males (n=16) or between intact and castrated males. No significant correlation was found between thyroxine concentration and age.Conclusion:This is the first report of serum thyroxine reference values for a well‐defined population of healthy pet guinea pigs as measured by a chemiluminescence assay. The results were higher than those previously reported for this species and emphasize the importance of using appropriate reference intervals for the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.
Differential cell counts in canine cytocentrifuged bronchoalveolar lavage fluid: a study on reliable enumeration of each cell type
Authors: De Lorenzi Davide , Masserdotti Carlo , Bertoncello Diana , Tranquillo Vito 
Published: June 2009

Background:Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) allows cell recovery from the lower respiratory tract; differential cell counts of BAL fluid gives important information in the assessment of various bronchial and pulmonary diseases. To the best of our knowledge no study has investigated the relation between the number of cells counted and the reproducibility of BAL fluid differential cell counts.Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate using statistical methods how many cells should be counted in cytocentrifuged BAL fluid preparations in order to obtain a reliable enumeration of each cell type.Methods:BAL fluid samples from dogs with suspected bronchopulmonary disease were obtained during fiberoptic bronchoscopy with a standardized protocol. Differential cell counts were performed on May–Grünwald–Giemsa‐stained cytocentrifuged preparations by 2 independent observers. Reproducibility for the enumeration of each cell type was expressed as the intraclass correlation coefficient. We considered a threshold level of ≥0.90 to be high and a threshold level of ≥0.85 to be adequate.Results:Forty BAL fluid samples were included in the study. For neutrophils, alveolar macrophages, and eosinophils high reproducibility was reached by counting 200 cells; adequate reproducibility was reached for lymphocytes and bronchial epithelial cells by counting 500 cells.Conclusions:A 500‐cell differential count is required for all types of cells to be quantified with adequate reproducibility in canine cytocentrifuged BAL fluid samples.
Effects of in vitro hemodilution of canine blood on platelet function analysis using the PFA‐100
Authors: Clancey Noel , Burton Shelley , Horney Barbara , MacKenzie Allan , Nicastro Andrea , Côté Etienne 
Published: June 2009

Background:The platelet function analyzer (PFA)‐100 is a point‐of‐care instrument previously evaluated in humans and dogs. In both species, artificially prolonged platelet closure time (CT) occurs with anemia. Reliability of the analyzer in dogs becomes a concern when the HCT is between 0.25 and 0.35 L/L.Objective:The objective of this study was to further define the level of HCT at which CT is prolonged, using in vitro diluted canine blood.Methods:Citrated whole blood samples were collected from 22 healthy dogs. Initial HCT was determined and autologous platelet‐rich plasma was added to samples to achieve HCTs of 0.33, 0.30, and 0.27 L/L. CT was determined in duplicate on the PFA‐100 using collagen/adenosine‐5′‐diphosphate cartridges.Results:Compared with the initial CT in samples with HCT 0.39–0.54 L/L (CT mean±SD=57.8±5.75 seconds), significantly prolonged CTs were found in hemodiluted samples with HCT 0.33 L/L (61.1±4.64 seconds), 0.30 L/L (64.3±6.79 seconds), and 0.27 L/L (70.8±7.90 seconds) (P=0.029; repeated measures ANOVA).Conclusion:Although statistical differences were found, further studies are needed to determine the clinical significance of the mild prolongation in CT associated with mild anemia. Until then, dogs with HCTs slightly <0.35 L/L should be evaluated cautiously for platelet dysfunction using the PFA‐100.
Scaling of Precipitation Extremes over a Wide Range of Climates Simulated with an Idealized GCM
Authors: O’Gorman Paul A. , Schneider Tapio 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Extremes of precipitation are examined in a wide range of climates simulated with an idealized aquaplanet GCM. The high percentiles of daily precipitation increase as the climate warms. Their fractional rate of increase with global-mean surface temperature is generally similar to or greater than that of mean precipitation, but it is less than that of atmospheric (column) water vapor content. A simple scaling is introduced for precipitation extremes that accounts for their behavior by including the effects of changes in the moist-adiabatic lapse rate, the circulation strength, and the temperature when the extreme events occur. The effects of changes in the moist-adiabatic lapse rate and circulation strength on precipitation extremes are important globally, whereas the difference in the mean temperature and the temperature at which precipitation extremes occur is important only at middle to high latitudes.
Investigating Possible Links between Incoming Cosmic Ray Fluxes and Lightning Activity over the United States
Authors: Chronis Themis G. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
During the past two decades, particular scientific attention has been drawn to the potential cosmic ray–atmospheric coupling. Galactic cosmic rays reaching the upper troposphere are suggested as the key modulators of the global electric circuit, with further implications on cloud microphysical processes. Unfortunately, the scarcity of the associated observations renders the evaluation of the theoretical mechanisms rather difficult. This contribution proposes a different approach by introducing observations provided by the National Lightning Detection Network for the period 1990–2005. The study area encompasses the greater part of continental United States and the surrounding waters. The results highlight a statistically significant positive trend between monthly lightning activity and galactic cosmic ray fluxes during the winter season. During the summer season, the trend becomes statistically nonsignificant. In addition, the featured analysis introduces a technique to assess the potential impact of Forbush events on daily lightning activity. Results illustrate that lightning activity may be responsive (minimized) 4–5 days after a Forbush event.
Southern Africa Summer Drought and Heat Waves: Observations and Coupled Model Behavior
Authors: Lyon Bradfield 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Observations of daily maximum temperature (Tx) and monthly precipitation and their counterpart fields from three coupled models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 3 (CMIP3) archive have been used for exploratory research into the behavior of heat waves, drought, and their joint occurrence across the southern Africa subcontinent. The focus is on seasonal drought and heat waves during austral summer [December–February (DJF)] for land areas south of 15°S. Observational results (Tx available only for South Africa) are compared with those based on CMIP3 twentieth-century climate runs for a common analysis period of 1961–2000 while climate projections for the twenty-first century are also considered using the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A1B forcing scenario. Heat waves were defined when daily Tx values exceeded the 90th percentile for at least 3 consecutive days, while drought was identified via a standardized index of seasonal precipitation. When assessed over the entire study domain the unconditional probability of a heat wave, and its conditional probability given drought conditions, were similar in the models and (for a smaller domain) observations. The models exhibited less ability in reproducing the observed conditional probability of a heat wave given El Niño conditions. This appears to be related to a comparatively weak seasonal precipitation teleconnection pattern into southern Africa in the models during El Niño when drought conditions often develop. The heat wave–drought relationship did not substantially change in climate projections when computing anomalies from future climate means. However, relative to a 1981–2000 base period, the probability of a heat wave increases by over 3.5 times relative to the current climate. Projections across the three models suggest a future drying trend during DJF although this was found to be a model-dependent result, consistent with other studies. However, a decreasing trend in the evaporative fraction was identified across models, indicating that evaluation of future drought conditions needs to take into account both the supply (precipitation) and demand (evaporation) side of the surface water balance.
A Multiscale Ensemble Filtering System for Hydrologic Data Assimilation. Part II: Application to Land Surface Modeling with Satellite Rainfall Forcing
Authors: Pan Ming , Wood Eric F. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Part I of this series of studies developed procedures to implement the multiscale filtering algorithm for land surface hydrology and performed assimilation experiments with rainfall ensembles from a climate model. However, a most important application of the multiscale technique is to assimilate satellite-based remote sensing observations into a land surface model—and this has not been realized. This paper focuses on enabling the multiscale assimilation system to use remotely sensed precipitation data. The major challenge is the generation of a rainfall ensemble given one satellite rainfall map. An acceptable rainfall ensemble must contain a proper multiscale spatial correlation structure, and each ensemble member presents a realistic rainfall process in both space and time. A pattern-based sampling approach is proposed, in which random samples are drawn from a historical rainfall database according to the pattern of the satellite rainfall and then a cumulative distribution function matching procedure is applied to ensure the proper statistics for the pixel-level rainfall intensity. The assimilation system is applied using Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission real-time satellite rainfall over the Red–Arkansas River basin. Results show that the ensembles so generated satisfy the requirements for spatial correlation and realism and the multiscale assimilation works reasonably well. A number of limitations also exist in applying this generation method, mainly stemming from the high dimensionality of the problem and the lack of historical records.
First Eurasia Emerging Markets Forum
Authors: Linn Johannes F. 
Published: June 2009

Eurasia, along with Africa, is the last big frontier of global integration. While the last two centuries were marked by rapid economic integration across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, there is still need for a catch-up across the vast continental space encompassing Europe and Asia (Eurasia). Central Asia is centrally located in this super-continent. Its development will be one of the critical factors for the effective integration of Eurasia. At the same time, Eurasian economic integration represents a major opportunity for Central Asia, as it moves from being a land-locked region far from markets to one positioned at the core of a dynamic and rapidly connecting economic space with access to the major new markets and sources of finance, knowledge and power in the world. The article explores six issues: ( i) How severe is the current global financial and economic crisis and its impact on Central Asia? ( ii) What are the implications of the Eurasian economic integration process? ( iii) What are Central Asia's need and potential for economic integration and cooperation? ( iv) How to reap maximum benefits from Central Asia's energy and water resources for the countries in the region? ( v) How to facilitate trade and transit within the region and with the major neighbours? And, what can be done to improve the private business climate in Central Asia?