bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Respiratory syncytial virus infections in Central Australia
Authors: Dede Apakasiamaka , Isaacs David , Torzillo Paul J , Wakerman John , Roseby Rob , Fahy Rose , Clothier Tors , White Andrew , Kitto Paula 
Published: November 2009

Background:  Little is known about the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in arid desert regions and in the Aboriginal population. We describe the seasonality and epidemiology of RSV infection in Central Australia, an arid area with a large Aboriginal population.Methods:  Five‐year retrospective study from 2000 through 2004 of children less than 2 years old admitted to Alice Springs Hospital with documented RSV infection.Results:  RSV infection was documented in 173 children <2 years old admitted over a 5‐year period, 165 community‐acquired and 8 nosocomial. The annual incidence rate of community‐acquired RSV infection in hospitalised Central Australian children <2 years old was 20.4 per 1000. The rate in Aboriginal children of 29.6 per 1000 children was significantly greater than in non‐Aboriginal children of 10.9 per 1000 (P < 0.0001). Associated risk factors were common; 52% of infected children had at least one other comorbidity. Younger children had more severe illness and longer duration of hospital stay. RSV‐related illness peaked in winter but infections occurred throughout the year, and the winter predominance was less marked than in temperate climates.Conclusions:  In the arid, desert region of Central Australia, RSV infection occurs throughout the year, but is more frequent in winter and more common in Aboriginal children. These data are important for understanding RSV epidemiology in desert regions, and for planning active or passive RSV immunoprophylaxis in these and other similar populations.
Surveillance and risk factors of norovirus gastroenteritis among children in a southern city of China in the fall–winter seasons of 2003–2006
Authors: Dai Ying‐Chun , Xia Ming , Zhan Hui‐Chun , Liu Yi , Li Jian‐Dong , Chen Qing , Yu Shou‐Yi , Nie Jun , Farkas Tibor , Jiang Xi 
Published: November 2009

Aim:  Noroviruses (NoVs) are an important cause of acute gastroenteritis but knowledge on the disease burden and epidemiology in children in the developing countries remains limited. In this study, we performed a surveillance of NoV gastroenteritis in children of China to address some of the questions.Methods:  Faecal specimens from children (<5 years of age) at outpatient clinics of the Nan Fang Hospital in Guangzhou, China during the fall–winter seasons in 2003–2006 were tested for rotaviruses (RVs) and NoVs. A questionnaire on clinical records and hygiene habits was collected from each patient.Results:  Among 957 stool specimens tested, 488 (51%) specimens were positive for RVs. NoVs were detected in 112 (24%) of the 469 RV negative specimens. The Genogroup II (GII), particularly GII‐4, viruses were predominant. No significant difference of clinical symptoms, hospitalisation and patient care expenses were found between children infected with NoVs and RVs. Consumption of uncooked food is a risk for NoV infection. Contact with diarrhoea patients is a suspected risk factor. Cutting nails frequently is a protective factor against NoV infection.Conclusions:  NoVs are an important cause of acute gastroenteritis in children which need special attention of patient care at the clinics in addition to RVs. The awareness of those risk factors may help future disease control and prevention.
The effect of a PEEP valve on a Laerdal neonatal self‐inflating resuscitation bag
Authors: Morley Colin J , Dawson Jennifer A , Stewart Michael J , Hussain Farhat , Davis Peter G 
Published: November 2009

Background:  Self‐inflating bags are used to provide ventilation during neonatal resuscitation. However, they cannot provide positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) unless a PEEP valve is attached. The ability of Laerdal neonatal self‐inflating bags fitted with PEEP valves to reliably deliver PEEP is unclear. The aim of this study was to measure the delivered PEEP at different set PEEP levels and inflation rates.Methods:  We connected disposable and non‐disposable 240 mL Laerdal self‐inflating resuscitation bags fitted with PEEP valves to a leak‐free test lung. We measured PEEP delivered with the valve set at 5, 7 and 10 cm H2O whilst inflating the test lung at rates of 20, 40 and 60 min. Studies were done with 8 L/min of gas flow and with no gas flow.Results:  The PEEP delivered was close to the set level immediately after inflation but declined rapidly between inflations. The mean PEEP was higher with faster ventilation rates. When PEEP was set at 7 cm H2O, using a non‐disposable bag, and an inflation rate of 60/min the mean (SD) PEEP was 5.4 (0.19) cm H2O. The PEEP delivered was unrelated to the gas flow into the device.Conclusion:  The 240 mL Laerdal self‐inflating bag with a PEEP valve delivers PEEP that loses pressure quickly. The level of PEEP delivered is less than that set, particularly at rates below 40/min.
Nerve growth factor mediated SH2‐Bβ/Akt signal pathway activated in allergic airway challenge in mice
Authors: LIU Yuli , ZHANG Baohui , ZHANG Shuna , QI Jinping , ZHANG Zhenghong , LIU Libo , FANG Xiubin 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTBackground and objective: Nerve growth factor (NGF) contributes to airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction in allergic asthma. The Src homology 2β/serine/threonine kinase (SH2‐Bβ/Akt) pathway is one of the avenues through which NGF regulates the biological activity of pheochromocytoma (PC)12 cells. It has also been reported that NGF upregulates the expression of SH2‐Bβ in the lung tissue of asthmatic mice. The present study investigated the effects of NGF and SH2‐Bβ on Akt activation during allergic airway challenge.Methods: BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. The effects of NGF and SH2‐Bβ on Akt in allergic airway challenge were assessed by intravenously administering anti‐NGF antibody or a mutant of SH2‐Bβ (R555E) to these mice. Pulmonary histological changes were then assessed and the inflammatory cells in the BAL fluid (BALF) were counted. Additionally, phosphorylated Akt (p‐Akt) expression was determined by fluorescence microscopy, western blotting and quantitative RT‐PCR. Airway resistance was also measured using closed‐type body plethysmography.Results: We observed p‐Akt overexpression in the lungs after allergen challenge by fluorescence microscopy, Western blotting and RT‐PCR, as compared with the control. However, after treatment with anti‐NGF or R555E, p‐Akt levels and allergen‐induced airway inflammation were reduced in comparison with those of allergen‐challenged mice. Anti‐NGF and R555E also decreased airway hyperresponsiveness caused by allergen challenge in response to methacholine (MCH).Conclusions: These results suggest that SH2‐Bβ regulation of Akt partly participates in the NGF‐mediated development of allergic airway challenge.
CRP gene variation and risk of community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: MUKAMAL Kenneth J. , PAI Jennifer K. , O'MEARA Ellen S. , TRACY Russell P. , PSATY Bruce M. , KULLER Lewis H. , NEWMAN Anne B. , YENDE Sachin , CURHAN Gary C. , SISCOVICK David S. , RIMM Eric B. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  CRP has several potentially antibacterial effects, and variation in the CRP gene is known to influence CRP levels. Whether this variation influences risk of infection, and hence whether CRP has anti‐infective activity in humans, is uncertain.Methods:  We evaluated a series of haplotype‐tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms among 5374 individuals in the Cardiovascular Health Study, a cohort of older adults from four communities, who were followed for community‐acquired pneumonia for 12–13 years. Secondarily, we evaluated whether these polymorphisms varied among men in the Health Professionals Follow‐up Study who self‐reported pneumonia on biennial questionnaires.Results:  There were 581 (507 white and 74 black) Cardiovascular Health Study participants with incident hospitalizations for pneumonia. No single nucleotide polymorphism or haplotypes were associated with risk among white Cardiovascular Health Study participants. Among black participants, the haplotype tagged by A790T was associated with lower risk of incident pneumonia (hazard ratio 0.5; 95% confidence interval: 0.3–0.9) and with higher CRP levels. In Health Professionals Follow‐up Study, a separate haplotype was associated with less frequent self‐reported pneumonia but not with circulating CRP levels.Conclusions:  Some genetic variants in CRP may be associated with risk of pneumonia, but haplotypes associated with risk are variably associated with baseline CRP levels. If CRP is a relevant component of innate immunity in humans, the inducibility or tissue‐specificity of expression may be at least as important as chronic circulating levels.
Bronchoscopic features and bronchoscopic intervention for endobronchial hamartoma
Authors: KIM Su‐A. , UM Sang‐Won , SONG Jae‐Uk , JEON Kyeongman , KOH Won‐Jung , SUH Gee Young , Jung Man Pyo , KWON O. Jung , PARK Jong Heon , YI Chin A. , HAN Joungho , KIM Hojoong 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Bronchoscopic resection of endobronchial hamartomas has been reported to have a favourable outcome. This study describes the bronchoscopic features of endobronchial hamartoma and reports the clinical outcome of bronchoscopic intervention.Methods:  A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients with histologically proven endobronchial hamartomas, diagnosed in the 10‐year period 1999–2009 to elucidate the clinical, radiological and bronchoscopic features of hamartoma and to describe the clinical outcomes.Results:  Seventeen of the 135 patients with pulmonary hamartomas were diagnosed as having endobronchial hamartomas. CXR was abnormal in 11 of the 17 patients. On chest CT (n = 16), the median diameter of the lesion was 15.6 mm. Calcification and areas of focal fat in the lesion, the diagnostic CT findings of pulmonary hamartoma, were found in two of 16 (12.5%) patients. At bronchoscopy (n = 16), all tumours had a mass appearance and most were smooth surfaced round masses (50.0%) with 18.8% having a ‘stalk’. Bronchoscopic forceps biopsies were performed in 13 patients, which resulted in five patients (38.5%) being diagnosed with endobronchial hamartoma. Fifteen patients were treated with rigid or flexible bronchoscopic resection, one had lobectomy, and one had no intervention. No procedure‐related mortalities or late complications developed.Conclusions:  Bronchoscopic intervention appears to be a safe and effective method to resect endobronchial hamartomas.
Primary seminoma of the prostate
Authors: Hashimoto Takeshi , Ohori Makoto , Sakamoto Noboru , Matsubayashi Jun , Izumi Miki , Tachibana Masaaki 
Published: November 2009

AbstractA 54‐year‐old gentleman was suspected of having sarcoma of the prostate because of his low serum prostate‐specific antigen level (1.9 ng/mL) and an enlarged heterogeneous mass on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans. Pathological examination of the prostate needle biopsy indicated seminoma, which was confirmed with immunohistochemical staining. There was no evidence of disease in other areas on physical examination or on radiographic tests. Therefore, we diagnosed the case as a primary seminoma of the prostate, which was consequently treated with a total of three courses of bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin chemotherapy. Complete response was obtained on computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and prostate needle re‐biopsy. To our knowledge, there have only been five cases of primary seminoma of the prostate reported.
Laparoscopic versus open radical cystectomy for the management of bladder cancer: Mid‐term oncological outcome
Authors: Ha U‐Syn , Kim Sung In , Kim Su Jin , Cho Hyuk‐Jin , Hong Sung‐Hoo , Lee Ji Youl , Kim Joon Chul , Kim Sae Woong , Hwang Tae‐Kon 
Published: November 2009

Objective:  To compare the mid‐term oncological outcome of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) with those of open radical cystectomy (ORC).Methods:  From June 2003 to February 2008, 36 LRCs were carried out at our institute for the treatment of bladder cancer. Clinical and oncological data were retrospectively analyzed. A match‐pair comparison with an historical series of 34 patients who were submitted to ORC between 1996 and 2003 was carried out.Results:  Median follow‐up of the LRC group was 21 months (3–56 months). Pathological stage or grade was similar in the two groups. There was no significant difference between the LRC and ORC groups in terms of 3‐year overall (64.2% vs 72.6%, respectively; P = 0.682), cancer‐specific (73.0% vs 75.3%, respectively; P = 0.951), and recurrence‐free survival (70.5% vs 72.5%, respectively; P = 0.715) rates. In a subgroup analysis according to stage, there was also no significant difference in the 3‐year disease‐specific survival after LRC or ORC for organ‐confined (pT1 and pT2; 85.7% vs 83.9%, respectively; P = 0.256) or extravesical disease (pT3 and pT4; 73.3% vs 63.8%, respectively; P = 0.825).Conclusion:  These findings suggest that LRC provides mid‐term oncological outcomes similar to those of ORC in the management of bladder cancer.
Counteractive biomass allocation responses to drought and damage in the perennial herb Convolvulus demissus
Authors: QUEZADA IVÁN M. , GIANOLI ERNESTO 
Published: November 2009

AbstractHerbivory and water shortage are key ecological factors affecting plant performance. While plant compensatory responses to herbivory include reallocation of biomass from below‐ground to above‐ground structures, plant responses to reduced soil moisture involve increased biomass allocation to roots and a reduction in the number and size of leaves. In a greenhouse study we evaluated the effects of experimental drought and leaf damage on biomass allocation in Convolvulus demissus (Convolvulaceae), a perennial herb distributed in central Chile, where it experiences summer drought typical of Mediterranean ecosystems and defoliation by leaf beetles and livestock. The number of leaves and internode length were unaffected by the experimental treatments. The rest of plant traits showed interaction of effects. We detected that drought counteracted some plant responses to damage. Thus, only in the control watering environment was it observed that damaged plants produced more stems, even after correcting for main stem length (index of architecture). In the cases of shoot : root ratio, relative shoot biomass and relative root biomass we found that the damage treatment counteracted plant responses to drought. Thus, while undamaged plants under water shortage showed a significant increase in root relative biomass and a significant reduction in both shoot : root ratio and relative shoot biomass, none of these responses to drought was observed in damaged plants. Total plant biomass increased in response to simulated herbivory, apparently due to greater shoot size, and in response to drought, presumably due to greater root size. However, damaged plants under experimental drought had the same total biomass as control plants. Overall, our results showed counteractive biomass allocation responses to drought and damage in C. demissus. Further research must address the fitness consequences under field conditions of the patterns found. This would be of particular importance because both current and expected climatic trends for central Chile indicate increased aridity.
Influence of fire severity on stand development of Araucaria araucana–Nothofagus pumilio stands in the Andean cordillera of south‐central Chile
Authors: GONZÁLEZ MAURO E. , VEBLEN THOMAS T. , SIBOLD JASON S. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractFire is the prevalent disturbance in the Araucaria–Nothofagus forested landscape in south‐central Chile. Although both surface and stand‐replacing fires are known to characterize these ecosystems, the variability of fire severity in shaping forest structure has not previously been investigated in Araucaria–Nothofagus forests. Age structures of 16 stands, in which the ages of approximately 650 trees were determined, indicate that variability in fire severity and frequency is key to explaining the mosaic of forest patches across the Araucaria–Nothofagus landscape. High levels of tree mortality in moderate‐ to high‐severity fires followed by new establishment of Nothofagus pumilio typically result in stands characterized by one or two cohorts of this species. Large Araucaria trees are highly resistant to fire, and this species typically survives moderate‐ to high‐severity fires either as dispersed individuals or as small groups of multi‐aged trees. Small post‐fire cohorts of Araucaria may establish, depending on seed availability and the effects of subsequent fires. Araucaria's great longevity (often >700 years) and resistance to fire allow some individuals to survive fires that kill and then trigger new Nothofagus cohorts. Even in relatively mesic habitats, where fires are less frequent, the oldest Araucaria–Nothofagus pumilio stands originated after high‐severity fires. Overall, stand development patterns of subalpine Araucaria–N. pumilio forests are largely controlled by moderate‐ to high‐severity fires, and therefore tree regeneration dynamics is strongly dominated by a catastrophic regeneration mode.
Body size and extinction risk in Australian mammals: An information‐theoretic approach
Authors: CHISHOLM RYAN A. , TAYLOR ROBERT 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe critical weight range (CWR) hypothesis for Australian mammals states that extinctions and declines have been concentrated in species with body mass between 35 g and 5.5 kg. The biological basis for this hypothesis is that species of intermediate size are disproportionately impacted by introduced predators. The CWR hypothesis has received support from several statistical studies over the past decade, although the evidence is weaker or non‐existent for certain groups such as mesic‐zone mammals and arboreal mammals. In this study, we employ an information‐theoretic model selection approach to gain further insights into the relationship between body mass and extinction risk in Australian mammals. We find evidence, consistent with the CWR hypothesis, that extinction risk peaks at intermediate body masses for marsupials, rodents and ground‐dwelling species, but not for arboreal species. In contrast to previous studies, we find that the CWR describes extinction patterns in the mesic zone as well as the arid zone. In the mesic zone, there is also a weaker tendency for large species above the CWR to be more vulnerable, consistent with extinction patterns on other continents. We find that a more biological plausible Gaussian distribution consistently fits the data better than the polynomial models that have been used in previous studies. Our results justify conservation programmes targeted at species within the CWR across Australia.
The impact of red howler monkey latrines on the distribution of main nutrients and on topsoil profiles in a tropical rain forest
Authors: DOS SANTOS NEVES NADIA , FEER FRANÇOIS , SALMON SANDRINE , CHATEIL CAROLE , PONGE JEAN‐FRANÇOIS 
Published: November 2009

AbstractScarcity of organic matter and nutrients in the topsoil is a typical feature of lowland primary tropical rain forests. However, clumped defecation by vertebrate herbivore troops and further dung beetle processing may contribute to locally improve soil biological activity and plant growth. We studied the impact of clumped defecation by the red howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus), a frugivorous primate, on the vertical distribution of topsoil (0–6 cm) main nutrients and microstructures in a tropical rain forest (French Guiana). Three latrines, where monkey troops regularly defecate, were sampled, together with adjoining controls for carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and microscopic components. The vertical distribution of C and N was affected by clumped defecation: nutrients were mostly restricted to the top 2 cm in control areas while latrines exhibited homogeneously distributed C and N, resulting in higher C and N content below 2 cm. No marked effect of defecation was registered on Olsen P. A small although significant increase in pH (0.1–0.3 pH units) and a marked increase in soil respiration (×1.5–2.5) were registered in latrines. Soil microstructures were studied by the small‐volume method. Variation according to depth, site and clumped defecation was analysed by Redundancy Analysis. The three latrines were characterized by an increase in root‐penetrated mineral‐organic assemblages, mainly composed of recent and old earthworm faeces. The local stimulation of plant roots, microbial and earthworm activity was prominent, together with an increase in soil fertility. Consequences for the regeneration of tropical rain forests in the Amazonian basin were discussed, in the light of existing knowledge.
Behavioural responses of carnivorous marsupials (Planigale maculata) to toxic invasive cane toads (Bufo marinus)
Authors: LLEWELYN JOHN , WEBB JONATHAN K. , SCHWARZKOPF LIN , ALFORD ROSS , SHINE RICHARD 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe arrival of a toxic invasive species may impose selection on local predators to avoid consuming it. Feeding responses may be modified via evolutionary changes to behaviour, or via phenotypic plasticity (e.g. learning, taste aversion). The recent arrival of cane toads (Bufo marinus) in the Northern Territory of Australia induced rapid aversion learning in a predatory marsupial (the common planigale, Planigale maculata). Here, we examine the responses of planigales to cane toads in north‐eastern Queensland, where they have been sympatric for over 60 years, to investigate whether planigale responses to cane toads have been modified by long‐term exposure. Responses to toads were broadly similar to those documented for toad‐naïve predators. Most Queensland planigales seized (21 of 22) and partially consumed (11 of 22) the first toad they were offered, but were likely to ignore toads in subsequent trials. However, unlike their toad‐naïve conspecifics from the Northern Territory, the Queensland planigales all survived ingestion of toad tissue without overt ill effects and continued to attack toads in a substantial proportion of subsequent trials. Our data suggest that (i) learning by these small predators is sufficiently rapid and effective that selection on behaviour has been weak; and (ii) physiological tolerance to toad toxins may be higher in planigales after 60 years (approximately 60 generations) of exposure to this toxic prey.