bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for sanitary condemnation in broiler chickens and their relative impact: application of an original multiblock approach
Authors: LUPO C. , BOUGEARD S. , BALAINE L. , MICHEL V. , PETETIN I. , COLIN P. , LeBOUQUIN S. , CHAUVIN C. 
Published: August 2009

SUMMARYAn innovative and well-adapted statistical method, called multiblock redundancy analysis, is proposed for a complex health-event analysis to account for the thematic block organization of variables. The outcome block contained the condemnation rates of 404 broiler chicken flocks, distinguishing infectious and traumatic condemnation categories. Explanatory variables were organized in blocks related to the different production stages (farm structure and routine husbandry practices; on-farm flock history and characteristics; catching, transport and lairage conditions; slaughterhouse and inspection features). The aim was to determine risk factors for both condemnation categories, and the relative impact of the different production stages on the whole condemnation rate. Results showed that significant factors were either specific to one condemnation category or related to both categories, and each of the explanatory blocks was involved in the explanation of infectious and traumatic condemnation rates. On-farm flock information explained 40% of the overall condemnation process whereas the other explanatory blocks had similar relative impacts.
Seroepidemiology of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection in injecting drug users
Authors: ZAVITSANOU A. , MALLIORI M. , SYPSA V. , PETRODASKALAKI M. , PSICHOGIOU M. , ROKKA C. , GIANNOPOULOS A. , KALAPOTHAKI V. , WHITBY D. , HATZAKIS A. 
Published: August 2009

SUMMARYA cross-sectional study was carried out in injecting drug users (IDUs) from Greece to assess the seroprevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and to identify potentially associated risk factors. A total of 288 IDUs were tested for K8.1 antibodies to HHV-8 lytic antigen. Associations between HHV-8 serostatus and potential risk factors were examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Seroprevalence of HHV-8 was 24·3% (95% CI 19·5–29·7), increasing with age from 19·4% in those aged <30 years to 52·9% in those aged ⩾40 years (Pfor trend=0·003). No statistically significant associations between HHV-8-positive status and gender, educational level, age at first drug injection, needle sharing, number of imprisonments, complications from drug overdose, HIV and HCV were observed. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age (⩾40vs. <40 years, OR 3·30, 95% CI 1·14–9·56) and report of septicaemia/abscess (yesvs. no, OR 1·80, 95% CI 1·01–3·18) were each independently associated with higher HHV-8 seroprevalence. HHV-8 is highly prevalent in the IDU population in Greece. The independent association between HHV-8 and reported abscess or septicaemia supports the hypothesis that poor hygiene conditions in the setting of drug injection may contribute to HHV-8 transmission.
Influenza epidemiology and characterization of influenza viruses in patients seeking treatment for acute fever in Cambodia
Authors: BLAIR P. J. , WIERZBA T. F. , TOUCH S. , VONTHANAK S. , XU X. , GARTEN R. J. , OKOMO-ADHIAMBO M. A. , KLIMOV A. I. , KASPER M. R. , PUTNAM S. D. 
Published: August 2009

SUMMARYThe epidemiology, symptomology, and viral aetiology of endemic influenza remain largely uncharacterized in Cambodia. In December 2006, we established passive hospital-based surveillance to identify the causes of acute undifferentiated fever in patients seeking healthcare. Fever was defined as tympanic membrane temperature >38°C. From December 2006 to December 2008, 4233 patients were screened for influenza virus by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT–PCR). Of these patients, 1151 (27·2%) were positive for influenza. Cough (68·8%vs. 50·5%,P<0·0001) and sore throat (55·0%vs. 41·9%,P<0·0001) were more often associated with laboratory-confirmed influenza-infected patients compared to influenza-negative enrollees. A clear influenza season was evident between July and December with a peak during the rainy season. Influenza A and B viruses were identified in 768 (66·3%) and 388 (33·7%) of the influenza-positive population (n=1153), respectively. In December 2008, passive surveillance identified infection of the avian influenza virus H5N1 in a 19-year-old farmer from Kandal province who subsequently recovered. From a subset of diagnostic samples submitted in 2007, 15 A(H1N1), seven A(H3N2) and seven B viruses were isolated. The predominant subtype tested was influenza A(H1N1), with the majority antigenically related to the A/Solomon Island/03/2006 vaccine strain. The influenza A(H3N2) isolates and influenza B viruses analysed were closely related to A/Brisbane/10/2007 or B/Ohio/01/2005 (B/Victoria/2/87-lineage) vaccine strains, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA1 region of the HA gene of influenza A(H1N1) viruses demonstrated that the Cambodian isolates belonged to clade 2C along with representative H1N1 viruses circulating in SE Asia at the time. These viruses remained sensitive to oseltamivir. In total, our data suggest that viral influenza infections contribute to nearly one-fifth of acute febrile illnesses and demonstrate the importance of influenza surveillance in Cambodia.
The composition of the inner nuclear layer of the cat retina
Authors: MacNEIL MARGARET A. , PURRIER SHERYL , RUSHMORE R. JARRETT 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe cellular composition of the inner nuclear layer (INL) is largely conserved among mammals. Studies of rabbit, monkey, and mouse retinas have shown that bipolar, amacrine, Müller, and horizontal cells make up constant fractions of the INL (42, 35, 20, and 3%, respectively); these proportions remain relatively constant at all retinal eccentricities. The purpose of our study was to test whether the organization of cat retina is similar to that of other mammalian retinas. Fixed retinas were embedded in plastic, serially sectioned at a thickness of 1 μm, stained, and imaged at high power in the light microscope. Bipolar, amacrine, Müller, and horizontal cells were classified and counted according to established morphological criteria. Additional sets of sections were processed for protein kinase C and calretinin immunoreactivity to determine the relative fraction of rod bipolar and AII amacrine cells. Our results show that the organization of INL in the cat retina contains species-specific alterations in the composition of the INL tied to the large fraction of rod photoreceptors. Compared with other mammalian retinas, cat retinas show an expansion of the rod pathway with rod bipolar cells accounting for about 70% of all bipolar cells and AII cells accounting for nearly a quarter of all amacrine cells. Our results suggest that evolutionary pressures in cats over time have refined their retinal organization to suit its ecological niche.
Sorghum sudangrass as a summer cover and hay crop for organic fall cabbage production
Authors: Finney Denise M. , Creamer Nancy G. , Schultheis Jonathan R. , Wagger Michael G. , Brownie Cavell 
Published: August 2009

AbstractNo-tillage (NT) organic vegetable production presents several economic opportunities for growers in the southeastern United States while promoting natural resource conservation. This study was conducted to determine if removal of sorghum sudangrass (SS) cover crop biomass as hay, frequency at which the cover crop is mowed, and tillage affect weed suppression and head weight of transplanted organic cabbage. Sorghum sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench×Sorgum sudanense(Piper) Staph.] was planted in May 2004 at Reidsville and Goldsboro, NC, preceding the planting of organic ‘Bravo’ cabbage (Brassica oleraceaL. Capitata group) in August and September 2004, respectively. SS management systems included: low-frequency mowing with hay removed following the first mowing operation (LFM-H), low-frequency mowing with hay not removed (LFM), high-frequency mowing with hay not removed (HFM) and a no cover crop control. Two tillage treatments were applied within each management system: conventional tillage (CT) and NT. Under NT conditions, SS mulch generated by LFM offered broadleaf weed control in cabbage similar to that achieved under CT, regardless of whether cover crop biomass was removed as hay. Mowing with higher frequency reduced SS cover crop biomass by 18–33% and reduced weed suppression in NT cabbage. Mowing frequency did not influence the quantity of SS that re-grew in the cabbage crop. SS re-growth contributed to lower head weight in NT compared to CT cabbage in Goldsboro, and crop failure of NT cabbage in Reidsville. Cabbage head weight was highest when the crop was not preceded by SS in both CT and NT systems (1.6 as opposed to 1.3–1.4 kg head−1). Our findings suggest that the potential for growers to manage a cover crop also as a hay crop does exist; however, SS may not be a compatible cover crop species for organic fall cabbage production due to high amounts of re-growth.
GillespieSSA: A user-friendly stochastic simulation package for R
Authors: Pineda-Krch Mario 
Published: August 2009

AbstractGillespieSSA is a package for the statistical computing and graphics language and environment R. GillespieSSA provides a simple to use and extensible interface to several stochastic simulation algorithms for generating simulated trajectories of finite population continuous-time model. Currently it implements Gillespie’s exact stochastic simulation algorithm (Direct method) and several approximate methods (Explicit tau-leap, Binomial tau-leap, and Optimized tau-leap). The package also contains a library of template models that can be run as demo models and can easily be customized and extended. Currently the following models are included, decaying-dimerization reaction set, linear chain system, logistic growth model, Lotka predator-prey model, Rosenzweig-MacArthur predator-prey model, Kermack-McKendrick SIR model, and a metapopulation SIRS model.
Root-associated fungal communities colonizing two dominant semiarid grasses: Hilaria sp. and Stipa sp.
Authors: Hutchinson Miriam , Belnap Jayne , Herrera Jose , Sinsabaugh Robert , Porras-Alfaro Andrea 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe conducted a preliminary survey of the fungal communities associated with roots of Stipa hymenoides and Hilaria jamesii, two grasses native to the southwestern United States. Root samples from 10 different plants were collected at a semiarid grassland in Utah. Fungal communities were assessed using microscopic and molecular methods. Roots were cleared with KOH and stained using blue ink to visualize mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi. A total of 100 root segments were surface sterilized and plated on malt extract agar with antibiotics. Fungal endophytes were identified using nrITS primers.
Results/Conclusions
Microscopic analyses showed that all root samples from both Hillaria and Stipa were colonized by dark septate and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Vesicles and hyaline hyphae also were observed in all the roots. Sclerotia, a characteristic structure of some dark septate fungi were also found. Approximately 75 fungi were isolated representing at least 45 morphotypes. Molecular identification showed that both grasses are colonized by endophytes in the orders Pleosporales, Hypocreales, and Sordariales commonly found in semiarid grasses, liverworts, and mosses.
Allergies, Asthma, and Eczema: Response to Disturbance of the Microbiota of the Newborn Gut
Authors: Wohl Debra , Curry William 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Background/Question/Methods
The birth of a child may include routine use of antibiotics or a delivery by cesarean section. We applaud these medical advances for their direct benefits. However, birthing practices have been shown to disrupt the colonization of the microbial gut in newborns, which may have long term consequences on the development of a child’s immune system resulting in atopies (i.e., asthma, allergies, and eczema). Animal models and other research have been used to demonstrate that not only the presence, but also the community composition of the gut microbiota, is essential for normal immune development. Furthermore, it has been established that there are differences in the intestinal microbiota of children who have eczema, asthma, or allergies versus their non-atopic counterparts. In utero an infant persists in an environment free of microorganisms. During the birth process, as the baby moves down through the birth canal the baby encounters their first microbes and foreign substances stimulating the immune system of the mucosal surfaces. Under normal conditions, where newborns are exposed to an abundance of the maternal microbiota, microbial colonization is dominated by bacteria with fast doubling times. As bacterial numbers increase and resources are depleted, more specialized and complex communities become established.

Results/Conclusions
Although the ultimate impact of how the microbial community establishes itself within an individual is still not well understood, there is evidence that this is a highly sensitive process. Early differences in patterns of microbial colonization persist years suggesting colonization dynamics and assembly rules yield long-term differences. Therefore, it is not surprising factors, such as the duration of vaginal delivery, birthing method (e.g., cesarean, vaginal), or even receipt of peripartum antibiotics affects microbial colonization of the newborn. Consequently, it is important that we establish an understanding of the complexity of the microbial communities within the gut and how patterns of colonization based on possible disturbances may have both immediate and long term consequences.
Changing Referral Trends of Acute Pancreatitis in Children: A 12‐year Single‐center Analysis
Authors: Park Alexander , Latif Sahibzada Usman , Shah Ahsan U , Tian Jianmin , Werlin Steven , Hsiao Allen , Pashankar Dinesh , Bhandari Vineet , Nagar Anil , Husain Sohail Zakiuddin 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTBackground:Acute pancreatitis is a painful inflammatory disorder known to occur in children. Recent reports, primarily on the basis of adult data, have suggested an increasing incidence. However, pediatric studies are limited.Objective:The study was performed to examine the frequency of acute pancreatitis in a pediatric population from 1994 to 2007 and to characterize etiologies by age subsets.Patients and Methods:In this retrospective study, cases of pancreatitis were identified by ICD‐9 codes and subjected to inclusion criteria.Results:Two hundred and seventy‐one cases of pancreatitis met inclusion criteria. Mean age of the subjects was 13.1 ± 5.6 years. The recurrence rate was 15.3%. Biliary disease was the most common etiology (32.6%). Acute pancreatitis cases evaluated at a single tertiary care center increased 53% between 1995 to 2000 and 2001 to 2006 (P < 0.02). However, when cases were normalized by all annual pediatric emergency department visits for all medical reasons, the increase was reduced to 22% and lost statistical significance (P = 0.16). The rise was not associated with a change in etiologies or body mass index (BMI).Conclusions:This is the first report demonstrating that an increase in pediatric pancreatitis may in part be due to growing referrals to tertiary care centers. The data on etiologies, particularly with regard to differing ages, may be helpful in managing children who present with acute pancreatitis.
Screening of Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Children: A Primary Care Concern
Authors: Viggiano Domenico , De Filippo Gianpaolo , Rendina Domenico , Fasolino Antonio , D'Alessio Norma , Avellino Natalia , Verga Maria Carmela , Prisco Antonio Giosué , Sorrentino Felice Antonio , Sabatini Paola , Chiarelli Francesco ,   O.Si.M.E. Study Group
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTObjective:To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in a primary care pediatric setting and to collect clinical and biochemical data, allowing for a prediction of its presence in a supposedly healthy population.Methods:Belonging to a pediatric population followed by pediatricians of the Italian National Health Service, 415 subjects with obesity as a unique selection criterion were enrolled. The entire cohort was screened for MS, which was defined as the presence of at least 2 other findings out of obesity: fasting hyperglycemia, low levels of high‐density lipoproteins cholesterol, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension.Results:The overall prevalence of MS was 30.8%. Major findings (out of obesity) were low high‐density lipoproteins cholesterol levels (46.2%), hypertension (23.6%), hypertriglyceridemia (22.2%), and fasting hyperglycemia (16.6%). Waist‐to‐height ratio was the only clinical parameter directly related to MS, with the same predictive power of insulin resistance.Conclusions:Metabolic syndrome can be present in a significant percentage of “healthy” obese children, and a simple clinical parameter could identify at‐risk subjects. This observation justifies the development and implementation of pediatric networks for obesity screening programs.
Hepatic Fibrosis Scan for Liver Stiffness Score Measurement: A Useful Preendoscopic Screening Test for the Detection of Varices in Postoperative Patients With Biliary Atresia
Authors: Chang Hye Kyung , Park Youn Joon , Koh Hong , Kim Seong Min , Chung Ki Sup , Oh Jung Tak , Han Seok Joo 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTObjective:Even after successful Kasai portoenterostomy, progressive hepatic fibrosis in postoperative patients with biliary atresia (BA) can be associated with portal hypertension and esophageal or gastric varices. Therefore, early diagnosis and close follow‐up of varices are important. We investigated the correlation between the liver stiffness scores measured by FibroScan and the presence of esophageal or gastric varices to examine the usefulness of FibroScan as a preendoscopic screening test for varices.Patients and Methods:A total of 49 of 81 children with BA following successful Kasai operations were enrolled in this study. FibroScan and endoscopic examination were performed prospectively.Results:There were 22 males (44.9%) and the mean age of the patients was 3.8 ± 2.7 years. Esophageal or gastric varices were present in 30 patients (Vx group) and absent in 19 (nVx group). The mean liver stiffness score was significantly higher in the Vx group (21.35 ± 10.31 kPa in the Vx group versus 9.75 ± 8.61 kPa in the nVx group, P < 0.001). The optimal cutoff value of the liver stiffness score for the prediction of a varix was 9.7 kPa with a sensitivity of 0.97 and a specificity of 0.80.Conclusions:Liver stiffness scores measured by FibroScan correlate well with the presence of esophageal or gastric varices. FibroScan is a novel, noninvasive, and useful screening method for the preendoscopic detection of varices in postoperative patients with BA.
Impact of the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor) on a local population of Euphorbia bothae in the Great Fish River Reserve, South Africa
Authors: Luske Bodina L. , Mertens Tonja , Lent Peter C. , De Boer Willem F. , Prins Herbert H. T. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn the Great Fish River Reserve, South Africa, black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor) feed extensively on a local population of Euphorbia bothae. Maintaining the endangered black rhinoceros and the protected E. bothae population are both conservation priorities of the reserve. Therefore, the sustainability of this plant–animal interaction was investigated by comparing population characteristics, browsing incidence and intensity within the reserve and in an adjacent exclosure without access to rhino. Fixed‐point photographs showed that over a 2‐month period 36.6% of 213 monitored plants were browsed, with an average biomass loss of 13%, and 1% were destroyed. Of 26 plants re‐photographed after approximately 3 years, 70% showed a decrease in biomass, averaging 37.8% over this period. In this time span, 19% of the monitored plants died. Small plants (<45 cm) were over‐represented in the rhino‐browsed area, whereas the fraction of reproductively active plants and overall plant density were found to be lower than in the adjacent exclosure. No evidence of short‐term compensatory growth in response to browsing was found for E. bothae. This study indicates that, with the current population size, rhinos are overexploiting the E. bothae population and special measures should be taken to prevent local extinction.
Hunting, disturbance and roost persistence of bats in caves at Ankarana, northern Madagascar
Authors: Cardiff Scott G. , Ratrimomanarivo Fanja H. , Rembert Guillaume , Goodman Steven M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractSurveys and monitoring of 37 caves in and around the Ankarana Special Reserve, northern Madagascar, yielded evidence of hunting of bats and potential disturbance of bats by miners and tourists, and colony counts for several bat species of potential conservation concern. Colony size decreased by 95% and 14% for a colony of Hipposideros commersoni and a colony of Eidolon dupreanum, respectively, when recent evidence of hunting occurred at those colonies and those declines are probably attributable to hunting. Evidence of hunting occurred commonly at the roosts of those species and most commonly at the roosts of Rousettus madagascariensis. Hunting of pteropodids was associated with high vulnerability of roosts to hunters, little forest buffer between the cave and open savannah and the absence of tombs in the cave. Roost sites of the hunted species persisted for at least several years and this regularity may facilitate hunting. This work supports the ranking of E. dupreanum, R. madagascariensis and H. commersoni as species of conservation concern. Managers should consider the impact of tourist visits on bats and of increasing access to caves for tourism. Conservation efforts for the hunted species should also seek to protect vulnerable and unprotected cave roosts.
Seasonality in adult flight activity of two neuroptera assemblages of southern Mali
Authors: Michel Bruno , Cadet Patrice 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe seasonality of insect assemblages in Africa is poorly investigated. To provide information on the relationships between climate and insect assemblages in the Sudanian region, strongly affected by climate change, we studied Myrmeleontidae and Ascalaphidae assemblages (Insecta: Neuroptera) for 7 and 5 consecutive years respectively in southern Mali. To make the species inventory as exhaustive as possible, we performed weekly sampling by netting and light trapping. For both assemblages, results showed very similar patterns of variation in species diversity throughout the year. Adults of Myrmeleontidae and Ascalaphidae were active all year, and the species succession was influenced by a strong temporal segregation. Species diversity peaked at the end of the rainy season and surprisingly during the dry season. Principal component analysis of the climatic factors followed by co‐inertia analysis applied to two data sets, one comprising climatic factors and the other reporting presence/absence of species, showed a good association between the annual trend of climatic factors and the species diversity. But no well defined species grouping was clearly linked to a particular period of the year. This tight association between climate and species composition suggests that even small climate changes could modify significantly species assemblage characteristics.