bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructure and cytochemistry of vitellogenesis and the vitellocytes of the bothriocephalidean cestode Clestobothrium crassiceps (Rudolphi, 1819), a parasite of the teleost fish Merluccius merluccius (L., 1758) (Gadiformes, Merlucciidae)
Authors: Świderski Zdzisław , Gibson David , Marigo Adji , Delgado Eulàlia , Torres Jordi , Miquel Jordi 
Published: December 2011

AbstractVitellogenesis and vitellocytes of the bothriocephalidean cestode Clestobothrium crassiceps (Rudolphi, 1819), a parasite of the teleost fish Merluccius merluccius (L., 1758), were studied by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cytochemistry. During vitellogenesis, four developmental stages were distinguished at the TEM level: (I) a stem cell stage of the gonial type; (II) an early differentiation stage, predominantly exhibiting lipid and protein synthetic activity; (III) an advanced differentiation or vitellocyte maturation stage, primarily exhibiting active glycogenesis still accompanied by an increase in lipid accumulation; and (IV) a mature vitellocyte stage. Vitellogenesis involves: (1) an increase in cell volume; (2) an extensive development of parallel, frequently concentrically arranged, cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticulum (GER) that produce dense, proteinaceous shell-gobules; (3) the development of Golgi complexes engaged in the packaging of this material; (4) an accelerated accumulation of unsaturated and saturated lipid droplets, along with their continuous enlargement and fusion; (5) the formation of individual β-glycogen particles and α-glycogen rosettes and their accumulation in the form of glycogen islands scattered among lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of maturing and mature vitellocytes; and (6) the rapid accumulation of large, saturated lipid droplets accompanied by dense accumulations of α- and β-glycogen along with proteinaceous shell-globules or shell-globule clusters in the peripheral layer during the advanced stage of vitellocyte maturation. Vitellogenesis in C. crassiceps generally resembles that previously described for three other bothriocephalideans, but differs from that of other cestode orders. Cytochemical staining with periodic acid-thiocarbazide-silver proteinate for glycogen indicates a strongly positive reaction for β-glycogen particles and α-glycogen rosettes, which form several large glycogen accumulations around the large, saturated lipid droplets of maturing and mature vitellocytes. Some hypotheses concerning the interrelationships between patterns of vitellogenesis, the possible modes of egg formation, embryonic development and life cycles in cestodes, and their phylogenetic implications are commented upon.
Analysis of the antibodies anti-Toxoplasma gondii by ELISA based on two diagnostic antigens: rSAG1 and rBAG1
Authors: Liu Min , Wang Tao , Li Hua , Li Ju-Ying , Zhong Han , Tan Chang-Zan , Huang De-Cheng , Zhao Liang , Chen Xiao-Guang , Lun Zhao-Rong 
Published: December 2011

AbstractSchizophrenia is a serious neuropsychiatric disease of uncertain etiology. Previous studies have demonstrated that antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii infection are associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia. The objective of this study was to analyze anti-T. gondii antibodies in 477 Chinese schizophrenia patients using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on recombinant surface antigen 1 (rSAG1), recombinant bradyzoite antigen 1 (rBAG1) and the soluble tachyzoite antigens (STAg) of T. gondii RH strain. Results showed that among the sero-positives (IgG and/or IgM) for T. gondii infection examined in schizophrenia patients, sero-positive samples for rSAG1, rBAG1 and STAg were 20.5% (98/477), 20.5% (98/477) and 23.5% (112/477) respectively, while compared to 210 blood donors, sero-positive (IgG and/or IgM) samples for these antigens (rSAG1, rBAG1 and STAg) were only 5.7% (12/210), 6.2% (13/210) and 5.7% (12/210), respectively. Furthermore, when IgG antibody reaction in the schizophrenia sera was compared with the rBAG1 and rSAG1, results demonstrated that beside the cases which can be detected by both rSAG1 and rBAG1, some sero-positive for T. gondii in schizophrenia sera can only be detected either by rSAG1 or rBAG1. This phenomenon was also observed in the detection of IgM with rSAG1 and rBAG1. 5.9% (28/477) of cases of schizophrenia which are positive for IgG or IgM by rSAG1 are negative for STAg, while 9.2% (44/477) of the schizophrenia cases which are positive for IgG or IgM by rBAG1 are negative for STAg. Although STAg can also be used to diagnose T. gondii infection from schizophrenia patients, it may not actually indicate the infection as some positive samples may be mistakenly considered to be negative. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the sero-positive rate for T. gondii in the Chinese schizophrenia patients was higher than blood donors. More importantly, our results provide evidence that the combination of rSAG1 and rBAG1 antigens in the diagnosis of T. gondii infection could closely reflect the actual infection of this parasite in schizophrenia patients.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Baby Chick Ranikhet Disease Vaccine and Bangla Baby Chick Ranikhet Disease Vaccine in Fayoumi Chicks
Authors: Bhuiyan Zafar Ahmed , Biswas Paritosh Kumar , Anwar M Nural , Ahad Abdul , Debnath Nitish Chandra 
Published: December 2011

A study was undertaken for testing the comparative efficacy of two live vaccines produced in Bangladesh to control Newcastle disease (ND) in chickens. One of these vaccines named ‘baby chicks Ranikhet disease vaccine (BCRDV), a government vaccine produced by the Livestock Research Institute, Mohakhali, Dhaka, and the other named ‘Bangla-BCRDV®', a commercial vaccine produced recently by a pharmaceutical company. Both the vaccines are prepared using the ‘F' strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Three hundred Fayoumi chicks distributed in 3 groups were used in this study. The results of this study revealed that, at the age of 49 days the survival rates of chicks belonged to BCRDV, Bangla-BCRDV® and control groups were 69, 11 and 18%, respectively. The survival rate of Fayoumi chicks in the BCRDV group was significantly higher than that of the two other groups (p <0.05). Conversely, almost similar survival rates of chicks were recorded in the control and Bangla-BCRDV® groups (p >0.05). At day-1, the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) titre to NDV of the chicks was log2 5.8 ± 0.79 (SEM). At day 35 the same HI titre was observed in the chicks of the BCRDV group, which was, 1 and 1.5 log (base 2) higher than the chicks of the control and Bangla-BCRDV® group, respectively. At day-49, HI titres to NDV ≥ log212 were recorded in the chicks of all the three groups that survived having challenged with velogenic NDV. There were no significant differences in weekly mean body-weights of the chicks in all the three groups until the week 8 when the mean bodyweight of the chicks was higher in the BCRDV group compared with the two others. These results indicted that the efficacy of BCRDV in Fayoumi chicks against ND was better than the Bangla-BCRDV®.Keywords: Baby chick ranikhet disease vaccine, Bangla baby chick ranikhet disease vaccine, Newcastle disease (ND), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), Newcastle disease vaccine (NDC), Fayoumi chicksDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v23i2.876 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 23, Number 2, December 2006, pp 125-129
Assessment of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Association in Some Fruit Plants in Bangladesh
Authors: Khanam Delowara 
Published: December 2011

Â Rhizosphere soils of 19 fruit plants from horticultural farm of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur were assessed for arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) spore population and determining colonization in their roots. The spore numbers recorded ranged from 48.0 (Citrus limon) to 1,050 (Annona reticulata) per 100 g soil in 2004, 41.0 (Citrus grandis) to 916.7 (Phyllanthus emblica) in 2005 and 44.3 (Citrus grandis) to 575.0 (Syzygium samarangense, white) in 2006. A considerable variation was observed in average spore numbers recorded in three consecutive years. Different fruit plants showed different percentages of root colonization by AM fungi. Among all the fruit plants, the highest colonization (86.7%) was found in Syzygium jambos and Elaeocarpus floribundus and the lowest colonization (20.0%) was recorded in Syzygium samarangense (red). Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), Colonization, Spore population, Fruit plantsDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v24i1.1234 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 24, Number 1, June 2007, pp 34-37
Leukocyte-Associated Ig-like Receptor-1–Deficient Mice Have an Altered Immune Cell Phenotype
Authors: Tang Xiaobin , Tian Linjie , Esteso Gloria , Choi Seung-Chul , Barrow Alexander D. , Colonna Marco , Borrego Francisco , Coligan John E. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractCross-linking of the collagen binding receptor leukocyte-associated Ig-like receptor-1 (LAIR-1) in vitro delivers an inhibitory signal that is able to downregulate activation-mediated signals. To study the in vivo function of LAIR-1, we generated LAIR-1−/− mice. They are healthy and fertile and have normal longevity; however, they show certain phenotypic characteristics distinct from wild-type mice, including increased numbers of splenic B, regulatory T, and dendritic cells. As LAIR-1−/− mice age, the splenic T cell population shows a higher frequency of activated and memory T cells. Because LAIR-1+/+ and LAIR-1−/− T cells traffic with equal proficiency to peripheral lymphoid organs, this is not likely due to abnormal T lymphocyte trafficking. LAIR-1−/− mice have lower serum levels of IgG1 and, in response to T-dependent immunization with trinitrophenyl-OVA, switch less efficiently to Ag specific IgG2a and IgG2b, whereas switching to IgG1 is not affected. Several mouse disease models, including experimental autoimmune encephalitis and colitis, were used to examine the effect of LAIR-1 deficiency, and no differences in the responses of LAIR-1−/− and LAIR-1+/+ mice were observed. Taken together, these observations indicate that LAIR-1 plays a role in regulating immune cells and suggest that any adverse effects of its absence may be balanced in vivo by other inhibitory receptors.
Granzyme H of Cytotoxic Lymphocytes Is Required for Clearance of the Hepatitis B Virus through Cleavage of the Hepatitis B Virus X Protein
Authors: Tang Haidong , Li Chong , Wang Li , Zhang Honglian , Fan Zusen 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
The granule exocytosis pathway of cytotoxic lymphocytes plays critical roles in eradication of intracellular viruses. However, how hepatitis B virus (HBV) is cleared has not been defined. To clarify immune mechanisms underlying inhibition of the HBV replication, the relationship between granzyme H (GzmH) and HBV clearance was investigated. In this study, we found that the granule exocytosis pathway can inhibit HBV replication without induction of cytolysis of the infected cells. GzmH is essential for HBV eradication. The HBx protein (HBx), required for the replication of HBV, is cleaved at Met79 by GzmH. GzmH inhibitor can abolish GzmH- and lymphokine-activated killer cell-mediated HBx degradation and HBV clearance. An HBx-deficient HBV is resistant to GzmH- and lymphokine-activated killer cell-mediated viral clearance. Adoptive transfer of GzmH-overexpressing NK cells into HBV carrier mice facilitates in vivo HBV eradication. Importantly, low GzmH expression in cytotoxic lymphocytes of individuals is susceptible to HBV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma. These results indicate that GzmH might be detected as a potential parameter for diagnosis of HBV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Risky Sexual Behavior and Alcohol Use among Young Adults: Results from a National Survey
Authors: Graves Karen L. 
Published: December 2011

Purpose. To examine the relationship between alcohol use and sexual activity in a sample of young adults. Design. Data were collected as part of a 1990 survey of a multistage area household probability sample. Setting. In-home interviews were conducted by experienced interviewers. Subjects. In total, 1006 persons from 18 to 30 years of age living in the contiguous United States were contacted. Measures. Detailed information was collected on alcohol use and sexual behavior. To minimize the reluctance of respondents to answer queries on sexual behavior, those questions were contained in a self-administered questionnaire. Results. At the population level, having had multiple sexual partners in the past year was more likely among men who consumed five or more drinks per sitting. Condom use was less likely among respondents who had consumed five or more drinks on at least one occasion in the past year. In multivariate analyses, the amount of alcohol consumed at the new partner event was not associated with condom use with a new partner. When the effects of other demographic and psychosocial factors were removed, the number of drinks consumed during the heaviest drinking event was a significant predictor of engaging in sex for women but not for men. Conclusion. In young adults, alcohol use with sex does not necessarily lead directly to lapses in judgment about safe sexual practices. Alcohol is but one of a number of factors that play an important role in determining the riskiness of a particular sexual encounter.
Behavior Change at the Worksite: Does Social Support Make a Difference?
Authors: Terborg James R. , Hibbard Judith , Glasgow Russell E. 
Published: December 2011

Purpose. This study examines whether social support for behavior change at work is associated with changes in employee heart disease risk factors. Design. A prospective correlational design was used with data sets collected 12 months apart. Setting. Twenty-five small to medium worksites in Oregon. Subjects. Participants were 689 men and 421 women volunteers who participated in two health assessments at the worksite on company time. Measures. Demographic characteristics, gender, social support, smoking behavior, dietary fat intake, and total blood cholesterol. Results. Employees reporting strong social support at work for not smoking and for limiting dietary fat were less likely to smoke (r = -.11, odds ratio [OR] = .86) and to consume fat in their diets (r = −.10) at baseline. Employees who reported the most change in social support over a 12-month period were most likely to have stopped smoking (r = .15, OR = 1.31). Social support at baseline, however, was unrelated to change in smoking, dietary fat, or total blood cholesterol in a prospective design. Although women reported more social support at work than did men, no differential gender effects of social support were reported on heart disease risk status or change in risk status. Conclusion. Baseline social support at work did not predict future behavior change. The observed association between social support and lifestyle may be better explained as cognitive rationalization than by the impact of social support on behavior.
A Comparison of Omaha Worksite Health Promotion Activities to the 1992 National Survey with a Special Perspective on Program Intervention
Authors: Eickhoff-Shemek JoAnn M. , Ryan Kay F. 
Published: December 2011

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to compare the results from a survey of Omaha worksite health promotion activities with the results of a 1992 national survey. Comparisons were made on: (1) the kinds of health promotion activities offered, (2) progress toward the Healthy People 2000 worksite objectives, (3) types of program intervention offered, and (4) administrative factors. Design. A one-time, written, mail-out/mail-back survey design was used. Setting. The study took place in Omaha, Nebraska. Subjects. All area public and private worksites with 250 or more employees were sent surveys. Individuals who were preselected and identified as the best qualified within the company completed the survey instrument. Of the 176 worksites surveyed, 86 completed the survey (49%). Measures. Descriptive statistics (percentages) were used to compare the two surveys on kinds of programs offered, progress toward Healthy People 2000 related to worksite health promotion, the types of program intervention offered, and administrative factors. Results. Generally, a greater percentage of respondent worksites from the national survey are offering more health promotion activities and have made more progress toward the Healthy People 2000 worksite objectives than the Omaha worksites. Results from both surveys showed that low levels of intervention are more prevalent than high levels of intervention, and that health promotion activities in most worksites are coordinated by human resources departments and not by someone professionally prepared in health education. Conclusions. Traditionally, major goals of worksite health promotion programs have focused on important organizational outcomes such as improved productivity/morale, reduction in absenteeism, and health care cost-containment. It is important to recognize, however, that low levels of intervention have less impact than more intensive programs on these desired outcomes. Future goals for local and national worksite health promotion programs may need to encourage implementation of more intensive intervention programs.
Comparison of Maternal Absenteeism and Infant Illness Rates among Breast-Feeding and Formula-Feeding Women in Two Corporations
Authors: Cohen Rona , Mrtek Marsha B. , Mrtek Robert G. 
Published: December 2011

Purpose.A comparison was made between breast-feeding and formula-feeding among employed mothers. Absenteeism directly related to child care was examined.Design.This quasi-experimental study followed convenience samples of breast-feeding and formula-feeding mothers until their infants were weaned or reached 1 year of age.Setting.Two corporations with established lactation programs were used. One had approximately 100 births annually among 2400 female employees, and the other had approximately 30 births annually among 1200 female employees.Subjects.A sample of 101 participants, 59 feeding breast milk and 42 using commercial formula, was composed of employees returning from maternity leave for a medically uncomplicated birth.Intervention.The programs provided counseling by a lactation professional for all participants and facilities to collect and store breast milk.Measures.Confidential participant diaries provided descriptive data on infant illnesses and related absenteeism that the lactation consultant verified with health care providers and through employer attendance records.Analysis.Attribute counts of illnesses and absenteeism were reported as percentages. Single degree of freedom χ2tests were used to compare rates between nutrition groups.Results.Approximately 28% of the infants in the study had no illnesses; 86% of these were breast-fed and 14% were formula-fed. When illnesses occurred, 25% of all 1-day maternal absences were among breast-fed babies and 75% were among the formula-fed group.Conclusions.In this study fewer and less severe infant illnesses and less maternal absenteeism was found in the breast-feeding group. This was not an experimental study. Participants were self-selected, and a comparison group was used rather than a true control group. Corroboration of these findings from larger experimental studies is needed to generalize beyond these groups.
The Impact of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Government Payments to Physicians in Quebec
Authors: Herron Robert E. , Hillis Stephen L. , Mandarino Joseph V. , Orme-Johnson David W. , Walton Kenneth G. 
Published: December 2011

Purpose. This study evaluated whether government medical payments in Quebec were affected by the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique. Design. This retrospective study used a pre- and postintervention design in which government payments for physicians' services were reviewed for 3 years before and up to 7 years after subjects started the technique. Payment data were adjusted for aging and year-specific variation (including inflation) using normative data. No separate control group was used; thus it is impossible to determine whether the changes were caused by the TM program or some other factor. Subjects. A volunteer group of 677 provincial health insurance enrollees was evaluated. The subjects had chosen to practice the TM technique before they were selected to enter the study. The subjects (348 men, 329 women) had diverse occupations. Their average age was 38 years and ranged from 18 to 71 years at the start of the TM program. Intervention. The TM technique of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is a standardized procedure practiced for 15 to 20 minutes twice daily while sitting comfortably with eyes closed. Setting. Province of Quebec, Canada. Results. During the 3 years before starting the TM program, the adjusted payments to physicians for treating the subjects did not change significantly. After beginning TM practice, subjects' adjusted expenses declined significantly. The several methods used to assess the rate of decline showed estimates ranging from 5% to 7% annually. Conclusions. The results suggest that the TM technique reduces government payments to physicians. However, because of the sampling method used, the generalizability of these results to wider populations could not be evaluated.
Assessment of the Integration of the Ecological Approach in Health Promotion Programs
Authors: Richard Lucie , Potvin Louise , Kishchuk Natalie , Prlic Helen , Green Lawrence W. 
Published: December 2011

Purpose. This article proposes a model of the ecological approach in health promotion programs. Based on system theory, the model identifies intervention settings and targets as two independent dimensions for assessing the integration of this approach in programs. Additional objectives are to present and pretest an analytical procedure that allows the assessment of integration of the ecological approach in programs. Design. This was a descriptive study of the integration of the ecological approach in a sample of health promotion programs. Subjects. Subjects were 44 health promotion programs drawn from the population of Canadian federally funded programs. Measures. Descriptions of programs were obtained by telephone interviews. A coding scheme was applied to the data to identify intervention settings and targets for each program. Using this information, a summative score of the integration of the ecological approach was estimated for each program. Results. Singh-setting programs were the dominant pattern in the sample. Individuals whose health was of concern were very frequently the direct targets of the programs. However, organizational and interpersonal environments were also often directly targeted. Single-setting or single-intervention strategy programs outnumbered ecological programs. Conclusion. The proposed model and analytical procedure is a useful framework for the assessment of integration of the ecological approach in health promotion programs. The pilot test having been conducted on a convenience sample, future work should replicate the study in a representative sample of programs.