bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bacteria and viruses that cause respiratory tract infections during the pilgrimage (Haj) season in Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: El‐Sheikh Soliman M. , El‐Assouli Sufian M. , Mohammed Khalid A. , Albar Mohammed 
Published: June 2010

Summary objective To determine the incidence and type of RTI‐causing bacteria and viruses during a period of epidemic infections. method A total of 395 sputum specimens and 761 throat swabs were collected during the 1991 and 1992 pilgrimage seasons (Haj to Makkah Al‐Mukarama, Saudi Arabia) from patients referred to one hospital and three dispensaries with symptoms of respiratory tract infections. All 761 throat swabs of both Haj seasons were also screened for the presence of viral pathogens with monoclonal antibodies specific for 7 viruses known to cause respiratory infections. results Bacterial pathogens were detected in 118 (29.9%) specimens. During the 1991 Haj season Haemophilus influenzae was the most frequent bacterial pathogen detected (10%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (5.2%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (4.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (3.8%) and Streptococcus pyogenes (2.4%). In the 1992 Haj season Klebsiella pneumoniae was predominant (15.1%), followed by Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae (12.3%). Screening of all sputum specimens for acid‐fast bacteria showed that the overall incidence rate of tuberculosis was 1%. Cultures from the 761 throat swabs were largely negative for bacteria except for Streptococcus pyogenes isolated from 7 patients. Viruses were detected in 148 (19.5%) specimens with influenza A and adenovirus being the most common viruses. conclusion The pattern of virus prevalence in the 1991 and 1992 pilgrimage seasons was identical: influenza A and adenovirus predominated. Thus these two viruses should be targeted in future prophylactic measures.
Schistosomiasis haematobia in Mali: prevalence rate in school‐age children as index of endemicity in the community.
Authors: Traoré Mamadou , Maude Gillian H. , Bradley David J. 
Published: June 2010

SummaryIn a nationwide survey of schistosomiasis conducted in Mali from 1984 to 1989, 56265 individuals from 323 villages had their urine examined parasitologically using a filtration technique. From a sample of 242 children in 3 villages, aged 7 to 14 years, urine samples were collected and tested for haematuria using reagent strips. Analysis of the age‐specific prevalence rates of Schistosoma haematobium infection showed a strong positive correlation between the prevalence rate in the 7–14 year‐old age group, and both the overall prevalence (r = 0.90; P < 0.001) and the prevalences at other ages. An index was derived from this relationship using the equation: overall prevalence =–1.14 + 0.74 (prevalence in 7–14 year‐olds). The sensitivity and specificity of reagent strip testing for microhaematuria as compared to urine filtration were 73.3% and 83.2% respectively. We conclude that reagent strip testing of urine samples collected from a sample of individuals aged 7–14 years would be sufficient to estimate the overall prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection in a Malian community and suggest that this assessment procedure be used at the peripheral level of primary health care to decide on treatment regimes.
Zinc–carnosine and vitamin E supplementation does not ameliorate gastrointestinal side effects associated with ciclosporin therapy of canine atopic dermatitis
Authors: Wilson Laura S. , Rosenkrantz Wayne S. , Roycroft Linda M. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractChelated zinc–carnosine and vitamin E [GastriCalm® (GCM); Teva Animal Health] is marketed as an anti‐emetic supplement for dogs to assist the repair of damaged stomach and intestinal mucosa. The purpose of this prospective, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trial was to determine whether GCM reduced the frequency of vomiting, diarrhoea and appetite changes during initiation of ciclosporin (Atopica®; Novartis Animal Health) therapy for the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis. Sixty privately owned dogs diagnosed with atopic dermatitis were randomly assigned to GCM (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) groups. All dogs received ∼5 mg/kg ciclosporin (range, 3.5–5.8 mg/kg) once daily. Dogs <13.6 kg received half a tablet of GCM or placebo; dogs ≥13.6 kg received one tablet once daily. GastriCalm® or placebo was administered 30 min prior to eating, and the ciclosporin was administered 2 h after feeding. Owners recorded episodes of vomiting, diarrhoea and appetite changes. Dogs were examined on days 0 and 14. Forty‐one of 60 dogs (68.3%) had at least one episode of vomiting, diarrhoea or appetite change, leaving nine placebo dogs (30%) and ten GCM dogs (33.3%) free of adverse events (AE). Twenty‐seven of 60 dogs (45%) vomited, and 15 of 60 (25%) had diarrhoea. There was no significant difference in episodes of individual AEs, but the placebo group had a significantly lower total AE score (summation of episodes of appetite change, vomiting and diarrhoea; P = 0.022). Small dogs (<6.82 kg) had significantly fewer total AEs in both treatment groups and tolerated ciclosporin better than larger dogs (P < 0.05).
Depth of anesthesia with desflurane does not influence the endocrine‐metabolic response to pelvic surgery
Authors: BALDINI G. , BAGRY H. , CARLI F. 
Published: June 2010

Background: It has been reported that, with deep levels of anesthesia achieved with general anesthetic agents and opioids, post‐operative consumption of morphine and pain intensity can be reduced. It is not clear whether the depth of anesthesia modifies pain intensity by influencing the endocrine‐metabolic stress response. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of a high concentration of desflurane on peri‐operative plasma cortisol.Methods: The study was prospective and observer blinded, and included 20 women scheduled for elective total abdominal hysterectomy. They were randomly divided in to two groups: a deep group (D) (n=10) and a light group (L) (n=10). Anesthesia was induced with propofol, fentanyl and rocuronium: desflurane was administered at two different concentrations according to Bispectral Index monitoring (deep, 25 and light, 50). Post‐operative pain relief was achieved with patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA) with intravenous morphine. Blood samples were taken before, during and after surgery for the measurement of plasma cortisol, glucose and lactate. Post‐operative pain visual analog scale (VAS) and morphine consumption were recorded at regular intervals for the first 24 h.Results: The Concentrations of plasma cortisol, glucose and lactate increased with surgery in both groups, and remained elevated, with no difference between the two groups. VAS and morphine consumptions were similar in both groups.Conclusion: The results show that there is no relationship between the intra‐operative level of anesthesia depth achieved with desflurane and the extent of endocrine‐metabolic stress response.
Standard basic life support vs. continuous chest compressions only in out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: OLASVEENGEN T. M. , WIK L. , STEEN P. A. 
Published: June 2010

Background: The importance of ventilations after cardiac arrest has been much debated recently and eliminating mouth‐to‐mouth ventilations for bystanders has been suggested as a means to increase bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Standard basic life support (S‐BLS) is not documented to be superior to continuous chest compressions (CCC).Methods: Retrospective, observational study of all non‐traumatic cardiac arrest patients older than 18 years between May 2003 and December 2006 treated by the community‐run emergency medical service (EMS) in Oslo. Outcome for patients receiving S‐BLS was compared with patients receiving CCC. All Utstein characteristics were registered for both patient groups as well as for patients not receiving any bystander CPR by reviewing Ambulance run sheets, Utstein forms and hospital records. Method of bystander CPR as well as dispatcher instruction was registered by first‐arriving ambulance personnel.Results: Six‐hundred ninety‐five out of 809 cardiac arrests in our EMS were included in this study. Two‐hundred eighty‐one (40%) received S‐CPR and 145 (21%) received CCC. There were no differences in outcome between the two patient groups, with 35 (13%) discharged with a favourable outcome for the S‐BLS group and 15 (10%) in the CCC group (P=0.859). Similarly, there was no difference in survival subgroup analysis of patients presenting with initial ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia after witnessed arrest, with 32 (29%) and 10 (28%) patients discharged from hospital in the S‐BLS and CCC groups, respectively (P=0.972).Conclusions: Patients receiving CCC from bystanders did not have a worse outcome than patients receiving standard CPR, even with a tendency towards a higher distribution of known negative predictive features.
Genetic correlations between categorical morphological traits in Nelore cattle by applying Bayesian analysis under a threshold animal model
Authors: Faria C.U. , Pires B.C. , Vozzi A.P. , Magnabosco C.U. , Koury Filho W. , Viu M.A.O. , Oliveira H.N. , Lôbo R.B. 
Published: June 2010

SummaryIn this study, Bayesian analysis under a threshold animal model was used to estimate genetic correlations between morphological traits (body structure, finishing precocity and muscling) in Nelore cattle evaluated at weaning and yearling. Visual scores obtained from 7651 Nelore cattle at weaning and from 4155 animals at yearling, belonging to the Brazilian Nelore Program, were used. Genetic parameters for the morphological traits were estimated by two‐trait Bayesian analysis under a threshold animal model. The genetic correlations between the morphological traits evaluated at two ages of the animal (weaning and yearling) were positive and high for body structure (0.91), finishing precocity (0.96) and muscling (0.94). These results indicate that the traits are mainly determined by the same set of genes of additive action and that direct selection at weaning will also result in genetic progress for the same traits at yearling. Thus, selection of the best genotypes during only one phase of life of the animal is suggested. However, genetic differences between morphological traits were better detected during the growth phase to yearling. Direct selection for body structure, finishing precocity and muscling at only one age, preferentially at yearling, is recommended as genetic differences between traits can be detected at this age.
Comparison between genomic predictions using daughter yield deviation and conventional estimated breeding value as response variables
Authors: Guo G. , Lund M.S. , Zhang Y. , Su G. 
Published: June 2010

SummaryThis study compared genomic predictions using conventional estimated breeding values (EBV) and daughter yield deviations (DYD) as response variables based on simulated data. Eight scenarios were simulated in regard to heritability (0.05 and 0.30), number of daughters per sire (30, 100, and unequal numbers with an average of 100 per sire) and numbers of genotyped sires (all or half of sires were genotyped). The simulated genome had a length of 1200 cM with 15 000 equally spaced Single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and 500 randomly distributed Quantitative trait locus (QTL). In the simulated scenarios, the EBV approach was as effective as or slightly better than the DYD approach at predicting breeding value, dependent on simulated scenarios and statistical models. Applying a Bayesian common prior model (the same prior distribution of marker effect variance) and a linear mixed model (GBLUP), the EBV and DYD approaches provided similar genomic estimated breeding value (GEBV) reliabilities, except for scenarios with unequal numbers of daughters and half of sires without genotype, for which the EBV approach was superior to the DYD approach (by 1.2 and 2.4%). Using a Bayesian mixture prior model (mixture prior distribution of marker effect variance), the EBV approach resulted in slightly higher reliabilities of GEBV than the DYD approach (by 0.3–3.6% with an average of 1.9%), and more obvious in scenarios with low heritability, small or unequal numbers of daughters, and half of sires without genotype. Moreover, the results showed that the correlation between GEBV and conventional parent average (PA) was lower (corresponding to a relatively larger gain by including PA) when using the DYD approach than when using the EBV approach. Consequently, the two approaches led to similar reliability of an index combining GEBV and PA in most scenarios. These results indicate that EBV can be used as an alternative response variable for genomic prediction.
The Mediterranean fruit fly and its bacteria – potential for improving sterile insect technique operations
Authors: Yuval B. , Ben‐Ami E. , Behar A. , Ben‐Yosef M. , Jurkevitch E. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractMediterranean fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, Diptera: Tephritidae), harbour a diverse community of bacteria in their digestive system. Molecular and culture‐based techniques show that members of the Enterobacteriaceae form the dominant populations in the gut of the Mediterranean fruit fly. Among them, many are diazotrophs and actively fix nitrogen in vivo. Most prominent are Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Pectobacterium spp. Citrobacter freundii and Providencia stuartii. A marked shift in community composition was observed between different developmental stages: in larvae, the pectinolytic Pectobacterium were most abundant, suggesting that pectinolysis plays a role early during the fly’s life. Additionally, pseudomonads, some of which are known entomopathogens, constitute a minor, yet common and stable community in the C. capitata gut. Microbial communities in VIENNA 8 flies, a mass rearing genetic sexing strain, differ from wild flies, and irradiation further affects the microbial community. We found increased levels of the pathogenic species Pseudomonas in the industrially used strain. Furthermore, although members of the Enterobacteriaceae family remain the dominant bacteria group present in the fly’s gut, the levels of Klebsiella species decrease significantly in the days after irradiation. Eliminating the bacterial population in normal flies by using antibiotics affects measurable physiological and behavioural parameters related to fitness. Finally, we tested the hypothesis that inoculation of sterile flies with members of the original bacterial community results in enhanced competitiveness. We found that addition of the bacteria Klebsiella oxytoca to the post‐irradiation diet significantly improves sterile male performance.
Angiotensin AT1 receptor activation mediates high glucose‐induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition in renal proximal tubular cells
Authors: Zhou Li , Xue Hong , Yuan Ping , Ni Jun , Yu Chen , Huang Yu , Lu Li‐Min 
Published: June 2010

Summary1. Renal tubular epithelial cells can undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) under hyperglycaemic conditions, which is associated with renal interstitial fibrosis. Activation of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in diabetic nephropathy. The present study investigated the positive role of angiotensin AT1 receptors in high glucose‐induced EMT in cultured tubular epithelial cells.2. A rat kidney proximal tubular epithelial cell line (NRK‐52E) was used in the present study. Levels of EMT makers, namely E‐cadherin and vimentin, were estimated using fluorescence immunocytochemistry, mRNA levels of angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) and AT1 receptors were determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction, protein levels of E‐cadherin, vimentin, fibronectin, matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)‐9 and phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 were analysed by western blotting and the concentrations of angiotensin (Ang) II and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 in the culture medium were determined by enzyme immunoassay and ELISA.3. High glucose (30 mmol/L) induced EMT and increased the synthesis of fibronectin and MMP‐9. Furthermore, high glucose increased AGT, ACE and AT1 receptor mRNA levels, as well as AngII and TGF‐β1 concentrations in the culture medium and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Pretreatment of cells for 15 min with the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan (10−5 mol/L) attenuated high glucose‐induced increases in TGF‐β1 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and reduced EMT, as well as the consequent synthesis of fibronectin and MMP‐9.4. The results of the present study suggest that the activated local RAS mediates high glucose‐induced EMT. By activating AT1 receptors and stimulating TGF‐β1 synthesis, the elevated local RAS participates in high glucose‐induced EMT and increased extracellular matrix secretion.
Regulation of proliferation and differentiation of prostatic stromal cells by oestradiol through prostatic epithelial cells in a paracrine manner
Authors: Wu Quan , Shi Jiandang , Chen Linfeng , Wang Chun‐Yu , Park Irwin , Lee Chung , Zhang Ju 
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVETo characterize a paracrine effect of prostatic epithelial cells in the presence or absence of oestradiol on the differentiation and proliferation of prostatic stromal cells.MATERIALS AND METHODSConditioned media (CM) collected from a prostatic epithelial cell line (BPH‐1), which was pre‐treated with different concentration of oestradiol, were added to cultures of primary prostatic stromal cells. The proliferation rates of stromal cells were determined using a tetrazolium assay. The mRNA level was analysed by real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), and the protein level of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM‐MHC), fibronectin and collagen IV were determined with Western blotting, enzyme‐ linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay, respectively. The expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) in the BPH‐1 cell line was analysed.RESULTSThe rate of proliferation of stromal cells increased when they were cultured with CM harvested from oestradiol‐treated BPH‐1 cells, but there was no remarkable change when they were cultured with CM from untreated cells. The level of smoothelin mRNA and SM‐MHC protein increased after treatment with CM from BPH‐1. The CM from BPH‐1 with oestradiol stimulation was more effective in stimulating smoothelin mRNA and SM‐MHC protein level. The protein level of collagen type IV, but not fibronectin, was up‐regulated in the supernatants and cell extracts of CM‐treated stromal cells. Oestradiol enhanced the expression and secretion of TGFβ1 in BPH‐1 cells. TGFβ1‐neutralizing antibody abrogated the effect of BPH‐1 CM on the synthesis of collagen IV and SM‐MHC in stromal cells.CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that oestradiol‐stimulated proliferation and differentiation of prostatic stromal cells could be regulated by factors secreted from prostatic epithelial cells.
Payments for Ecosystem Services in Nicaragua: Do Market‐based Approaches Work?
Authors: Van Hecken Gert , Bastiaensen Johan 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTThe concept of Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) is gaining increasing attention among scholars as well as conservation and development practitioners. The premises of this innovative conservation approach are appealing: private land users, usually poorly motivated to protect nature on their land, will do so if they receive payments from environmental service buyers which cover part of the land users’ opportunity costs of developing the land. However, this article warns against an over‐enthusiastic adoption of a one‐sided market‐based PES approach. Based on a field study of the Regional Integrated Silvopastoral Approaches to Ecosystem Management Project (RISEMP), one of the main PES pilot projects in Nicaragua, it suggests that a mixture of economic and non‐economic factors motivated farmers to adopt the envisaged silvopastoral practices and that the actual role of PES is mistakenly understood as a simple matter of financial incentives. The authors argue that PES approaches should be understood as a part of a broader process of local institutional transformation rather than as a market‐based alternative for allegedly ineffective government and/or community governance.
Does Patronage Still Drive Politics for the Rural Poor in the Developing World? A Comparative Perspective from the Livestock Sector
Authors: Leonard David K. , Brass Jennifer N. , Nelson Michael , Ear Sophal , Fahey Dan , Fairfield Tasha , Gning Martha Johnson , Halderman Michael , McSherry Brendan , Moehler Devra C. , Prichard Wilson , Turner Robin , Vu Tuong , Dijkman Jeroen 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTIs the analysis of patron–client networks still important to the understanding of developing country politics or has it now been overtaken by a focus on ‘social capital’? Drawing on seventeen country studies of the political environment for livestock policy in poor countries, this article concludes that although the nature of patronage has changed significantly, it remains highly relevant to the ways peasant interests are treated. Peasant populations were found either to have no clear connection to their political leaders or to be controlled by political clientage. Furthermore, communities ‘free’ of patron–client ties to the centre generally are not better represented by political associations but instead receive fewer benefits from the state. Nonetheless, patterns of clientage are different from what they were forty years ago. First, patronage chains today often have a global reach, through trade, bilateral donor governments and international NGOs. Second, the resources that fuel political clientage today are less monopolistic and less adequate to the task of purchasing peasant political loyalty. Thus the bonds of patronage are less tight than they were historically. Third, it follows from the preceding point and the greater diversity of patrons operating today that elite conflicts are much more likely to create spaces in which peasant interests can eventually be aggregated into autonomous associations with independent political significance in the national polity. NGOs are playing an important role in opening up this political space although at the moment, they most often act like a new type of patron.
PUVA plus interferon α2b in the treatment of advanced or refractory to PUVA early stage mycosis fungoides: a case series
Authors: Nikolaou V , Siakantaris MP , Vassilakopoulos TP , Papadavid E , Stratigos A , Economidi A , Marinos L , Papadaki T , Antoniou C 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground  The combination of PUVA with variable doses of systemically administered interferon α2b (IFN‐α2b) reduces the number of PUVA treatments and the dose of IFN‐α2b required to produce remission in all mycosis fungoides (MF) stages.Objectives  To evaluate the efficacy of the combination of PUVA and IFN‐α2b in patients with late stage or refractory to treatment early stage MF.Methods  The combination of PUVA three times weekly and IFN‐α2b 2–5 MU three times weekly was retrospectively reviewed in 22 patients. Kaplan–Meyer method and log‐rank test was used for statistical analysis.Results  Twenty‐two patients were analysed, seven with refractory to PUVA early stage MF, seven with tumour stage, five with erythrodermic MF and three with Sézary syndrome (SS). The overall response rate (complete or partial response) was 68%, including 10 complete responses (CR) (45%) and five partial responses (PR) (23%). Significantly, more patients of the early stage group achieved CR compared with the advanced stage group (86% vs. 27%, P = 0.03). Within the advanced stage group, CR rates were 14% vs. 37% in stage IIB and III/SS patients respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant. Patients with early stage disease had a 2‐year PFS of 100% vs. 27% for the advanced stage group (P < 0.001). Sustained remissions (>2 years) were achieved in five out of six complete responders in the early stage group of patients.Conclusion  This combination of IFN‐α2b and PUVA is an effective and safe treatment for refractory to treatment early stage MF patients as well as treatment‐naïve advanced stage patients. Its efficacy is more pronounced in the former patient group.