bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do self‐assessments of health predict future mortality in rural South Africa? The case of KwaZulu‐Natal in the era of antiretroviral treatment
Authors: Olgiati Analia , Bärnighausen Till , Newell Marie‐Louise 
Published: June 2012

AbstractObjectives  While self‐assessments of health (SAH) are widely employed in epidemiological studies, most of the evidence on the power of SAH to predict future mortality originates in the developed world. With the HIV pandemic affecting largely prime age individuals, the strong association between SAH and mortality derived from previous work might not be relevant for the younger at‐risk groups in countries with high HIV prevalence in the era of antiretroviral treatment. We investigate the power of SAH to predict mortality in a community with high HIV prevalence and antiretroviral treatment (ART) coverage using linked data from three sources: a longitudinal demographic surveillance, one of Africa’s largest, longitudinal, population‐based HIV surveillances, and a decentralised rural HIV treatment and care programme.Methods  We used a Cox proportional hazards specification to examine whether SAH significantly predicts mortality hazard in a sample composed of 9217 adults aged 15–54, who were followed up for mortality for 8 years.Results  Self‐assessments of health strongly predicted mortality (within 4 years of follow‐up), with a clear gradient of the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs), relative to the baseline of ‘excellent’ self‐assessed health status and controlling for age, gender, marital status, the socio‐economic status (SES), variables education, employment, household expenditures and household assets, and HIV status and ART uptake: 1.40 (95% CI 0.99–1.96) for ‘very good’ self‐assessed health status (SAHS); 2.10 (95% CI 1.52–2.90) for ‘good’ SAHS; 3.12 (95% CI 2.18–4.45) for ‘fair’ SAHS; and 4.64 (95% CI 2.93–7.35) for ‘poor’ SAHS. While a similar association remained in the unadjusted analysis of long‐term mortality (within 4–8 years of follow‐up) the hazard ratios capturing SAH are jointly insignificant in predicting of mortality once HIV status, ART uptake and gender, age, marital status and SES were controlled for. HIV status and ART programme participation were large and highly significant predictors of long‐term mortality.Conclusions  Our findings validate SAH as a variable that significantly predicts short‐term mortality in a community in sub‐Saharan Africa with high HIV prevalence, morbidity and mortality. When predicting long‐term mortality, however, it is much more important to know a person's HIV status and ART programme participation than SAH.
Incidence of orphanhood before and after implementation of a HIV care programme in Rakai, Uganda
Authors: Makumbi Fredrick E. , Nakigozi Gertrude , Sekasanvu Joseph , Lukabwe Ivan , Kagaayi Joseph , Lutalo Tom , Wawer Maria , Gray Ronald 
Published: June 2012

AbstractObjective  To compare the incidence of orphanhood among children <15 years of age before and after implementing HIV care in Rakai, Uganda.Methods  Annual household censuses and surveys were conducted on January 2001 to September 2009 in a community cohort, where HIV care including antiretroviral therapy (ART) started in June 2004. Data included parental survival of children aged 0–14 years and HIV status from consenting adults aged 15–49 years. The incidence of orphanhood was estimated as the number of new orphans divided by person‐years, determined during three time periods: Pre‐HIV care roll‐out (January 2001–June 2003) 1–3 years before the advent of HIV care in Rakai programme, HIV care transition from September 2003–May 2006, and the expanded HIV care period from August 2006–September 2009. Poisson regression was used to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRR) of orphanhood and 95% confidence intervals, and the Population attributable fraction (PAF) of incident orphanhood due to HIV+ parental status was estimated as pd*(RR‐1)/RR.Results  A total of 20 823, 21 770 and 23 700 children aged 0–14 years were censused at the three periods, respectively. The prevalence of orphanhood significantly declined; 17.2% during Pre‐HIV care roll‐out, 16.0% at HIV care transition and 12.6% at expanded HIV care period (, P < 0.0001). The incidence of orphanhood also declined significantly with increasing HIV care from 2.10/100 person‐years (py), 1.57/100 py and 1.07/100 py (, P < 0.0001). The largest declines were observed among children with HIV+ parent(s), 8.2/100 pyr, 5.2/100 pys and 3.4/100 pyr. PAF also declined from 35.3% in the pre‐HIV care to 27.6% in the expanded HIV care periods.Conclusion  After the availability of ART, there was a decline in PAF of incident orphanhood due to parental HIV+ status, and in the incidence of orphanhood especially among children with HIV‐infected parents.
Analysis of local spread of metamitron‐resistant Chenopodium album patches in Belgium
Authors: APER J , MECHANT E , DE RIEK J , VAN LAERE K , BULCKE R , REHEUL D 
Published: June 2012

Aper J, Mechant E, De Riek J, Van Laere K, Bulcke R & Reheul D (2012). Analysis of local spread of metamitron‐resistant Chenopodium album patches in Belgium. Weed Research52, 421–429.SummaryTracing spread of weeds with molecular markers can give valuable information on the importance of migration mechanisms. This study investigated the local spread of metamitron‐resistant Chenopodium album patches in the west of the province West Flanders (Belgium) using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. During the summer of 2009, leaf samples of C. album plants were harvested in 27 patches, distributed over 10 sugar beet fields and one maize field. The fields were grouped in four local clusters, each corresponding to a farmer who cultivated these fields. A cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence procedure identified the Ser264 to Gly mutation in the D1 protein, endowing resistance to metamitron, a key herbicide applied in sugar beet. The majority of the sampled plants within a patch (97% on average) carried this mutation. Genetic variation among the four farmers’ locations (12%) and among the C. album patches within the farmers’ locations (14%) was significant according to amova (P < 0.001). In addition, Mantel tests confirmed a positive correlation between genetic distance (linearised фPT between pairs of patches) and the logarithm of geographic distance for the complete data set (Mantel coefficient significant at P = 0.001), suggesting isolation by distance. Nevertheless, genetic similarity between patches from different fields indicated that seed transport by agricultural machinery and manure is likely to have an important impact on the spread of metamitron‐resistant biotypes. Farmers should become aware of the resistance problem as soon as possible, in order to prevent further spread in their fields.
Skin diseases in rural Yucatan, Mexico
Authors: Paek So Yeon , Koriakos Angie , Saxton‐Daniels Stephanie , Pandya Amit G. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractObjectives  There are no known reports of the frequency of skin diseases endemic to rural Yucatan, Mexico. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of dermatologic conditions in rural villages in that region.Methods  We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of all cases of skin disease diagnosed by a team of American board‐certified dermatologists during consultations in January 2009, August 2009, and June 2010, in the state of Yucatan, Mexico. Traveling clinics were held in eight different rural locations. Age, sex, and diagnosis, according to history and physical examination, were recorded for each patient.Results  A total of 1071 cases of skin disease were seen in 858 patients. The frequency of parasitic, viral, and fungal infections was 34.5%. Dermatitis and eczema (24.6%) were the next most prevalent conditions, followed by disorders of skin appendages (12.2%), photosensitivity disorders (5.4%), papulosquamous disorders (3.2%), urticaria and erythema (1.5%), bacterial infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (1.2%), and neoplastic disorders (2.1%). The most frequently seen single diagnoses were viral warts (12.2%), scabies (8.7%), acne (7.4%), dermatophytosis (6.8%), contact dermatitis (3.5%), and nummular eczema (3.5%).Conclusions  Infectious diseases, acne, and eczemas are the most common skin disorders seen in dermatology clinics in rural Yucatan, Mexico. Our findings may be useful in the development of public health initiatives targeting rural communities in this region.
Reactivation of Chagas’ disease: cutaneous manifestations in two immunosuppressed patients
Authors: Riganti Julia , Maqueda Mariana Guzzi , Piñero María C. Baztán , Volonteri Victoria I. , Galimberti Ricardo L. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackground  Chagas’ disease is a zoonosis caused by a protozoan agent, Trypanosoma cruzi. Patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatment due to organ transplant, malignancies, infections, or chemotherapy may reactivate a preexisting chronic or indeterminate Trypanosoma cruzi infection.Methods  We present two transplant patients who underwent reactivation of Chagas’ disease with cutaneous manifestations after an augmentation in their immunosuppressive therapy. A 38‐year‐old man was hospitalized on day 69 after receiving an allogeneic bone marrow transplant; he developed multiple painful erythematous plaques with diffuse borders, confined to the right cheek, trunk, thigh, elbows, and feet. A 59‐year‐old woman with a 14‐year history of Chagasic cardiomyopathy presented one month after heart transplantation with a painful infiltrated purpuric plaque on the back of her right leg.Results  In both cases, histologic examination of skin biopsies showed dermal infiltration with intrahistiocytic amastigotes. In one of the reported cases, the Strout method detected parasitemia. Treatments with nifurtimox (600 mg/d) in case 1 and benznidazole (400 mg/d) in case 2 were started. Fever and cutaneous lesions resolved immediately after seven days of treatment.Conclusions  Reactivation of Chagas’ disease is a serious complication that usually occurs in immunocompromised patients. Clinical manifestations include febrile illness occasionally associated with painful skin lesions. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can significantly improve these patients’ outcome.
Approaches to the evaluation of lip hyperpigmentation
Authors: Vachiramon Vasanop , McMichael Amy J. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractHyperpigmentation of the lips is a common condition. It is associated with a wide variety of conditions that include physiologic changes, genodermatoses, inflammatory diseases, endocrinologic disorders, drugs and chemicals, benign and malignant neoplasm, and other non‐melanotic conditions. The aim of this article is to provide a clinical approach to hyperpigmented lesions on the lips based on the extent of lesions, the age of onset, and associated systemic involvements. In this review, we present an algorithm to guide the diagnosis of and plan for therapeutic intervention for pigmented lesions of the lips. The algorithm is based on the typical clinical presentation of each entity and should not be taken as an absolute indicator of diagnosis. Although the differences in color can help to differentiate among pigmented lesions, the interpretation of color can be subjective and is influenced by the amount and location of the pigment within the mucosa. The limitations of this review are that some data are based on case reports and small case series that may not reflect true association.
Transdermal drug delivery using disk microneedle rollers in a hairless rat model
Authors: Kim Hyeong Mi , Lim Yun Young , An Joo‐Hee , Kim Myeung Nam , Kim Beom Joon 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackground  Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDSs) represent more reliable and consistent methods of drug dosing than oral administration. However, TDDSs can administer only low molecular weight (MW) drugs and require a power source. Disk microneedle rollers facilitate the passage of low and high MW substances through the direct perforation of the stratum corneum and dermis, without stimulating dermal nerves.Objectives  We investigated in vitro whether disk microneedle rollers, developed for the Diskneedle Therapy System (DTS™) in South Korea, can deliver drugs effectively through the skin of hairless rats.Methods  The disk microneedle rollers used in the DTS™ are metal and consist of several plates bearing microneedles of graded lengths (0.15 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.50 mm). To test in vitro permeation, the skin of a hairless rat was mounted in a Franz diffusion cell system and rolled with a disk roller without microneedles and with rollers fitted with microneedles of each size. Rhodamine B base (80 μl) was applied to the skin for 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours, and dye permeation was detected at 543 nm. Dye binding to the skin was also confirmed using fluorescence microscopy at six hours after the application of rhodamine B.Results  Use of the disk microneedle roller increased the skin penetrance of rhodamine B base in hairless rats in accordance with microneedle length, as assessed using a fluorescence penetration test.Conclusions  Disk microneedle rollers, as designed for the DTS™, can be used for transdermal drug delivery. Microneedles can be selected according to the length appropriate for each application.
BrRZFP1aBrassica rapaC3HC4‐type RING zinc finger protein involved in cold, salt and dehydration stress
Authors: Jung Y. J. , Lee I. H. , Nou I. S. , Lee K. D. , Rashotte A. M. , Kang K. K. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractC3HC4‐type RING zinc finger proteins are known to be essential in the regulation of plant processes, including responses to abiotic stress. Here, we identify, clone and examine the first C3HC4‐type RING zinc finger protein (BrRZFP1) fromBrassica rapaunder stress conditions. Phylogenetic analysis ofBrRZFP1revealed strong sequence similarity to C3HC4‐type zinc finger proteins fromArabidopsisthat are induced by abiotic stresses. Diverse environmental stresses, including salt and cold, were found to induceBrRZFP1transcripts greater than eightfold inB. rapa. Additional strong induction was shown of the stress hormone abscisic acid, together suggesting thatBrRZFP1could play a role as a general stress modulator. Similar profiles of induction for each of these stresses was found in both root and shoot tissues, although at much higher levels in roots. Constitutive expression ofBrRZFP1inNicotiana tabacumwas conducted to further analyse how changes in gene expression levels would affect plant stress responses.BrRZFP1overexpression conferred increased tolerance to cold, salt and dehydration stresses. This was observed in several assays examining growth status throughout development, including increased germination, fresh weight and length of shoots and roots, as well as enhanced chlorophyll retention. These results suggest that the transcription factorBrRZFP1is an important determinant of stress response in plants and that changes in its expression level in plants could increase stress tolerance.
Altered allocation to roots and shoots in the endophyte‐infected seedlings of Puccinellia distans (Poaceae)
Authors: Czarnoleski M. , Olejniczak P. , Górzyńska K. , Kozłowski J. , Lembicz M. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractEndophytes play an important role in ecological and evolutionary processes in plants and have marked economic value. Seed‐transmitted fungal endophytes are conventionally regarded as mutualistic symbionts, but their fitness consequences for the offspring of the host are not clear. Puccinellia distans infected with the fungus Epichloë typhina (E+) produces seeds that are several times smaller than normal (E−). This observation suggests that the E+ seedlings face a developmental disadvantage. Our growth chamber experiments compared the germination rates of the small E+ and large E− seeds of P. distans and examined the biomass allocation of seedlings to roots and shoots. The E+ seedlings germinated more slowly and maintained shorter shoots and a smaller root biomass for 30–50 days after sowing. Despite this disadvantage, the E+ plants more quickly increased their total size, attaining a larger shoot and whole‐plant biomass. The shoot:root biomass ratio increased more rapidly through time in the E+ seedlings, attaining a value nine times higher in the E+ than the E− group 50 days after sowing. Such differences between the E+ and E− seedlings were not explained by the growth allometry between shoots and roots. The seedlings of P. distans infected with the Epichloë endophyte were initially handicapped by their postponed emergence, but this disadvantage was quickly overcome by their superior growth capacity. The decrease in the relative allocation to roots may indicate that endophytes increase the performance of roots as resource‐acquiring organs and/or reduce the role of roots in protection against herbivores.
Genetic Advances in Adapting Rice to a Rapidly Changing Climate
Authors: Jagadish S. V. K. , Septiningsih E. M. , Kohli A. , Thomson M. J. , Ye C. , Redoña E. , Kumar A. , Gregorio G. B. , Wassmann R. , Ismail A. M. , Singh R. K. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractRice, with its wide geographic distribution extending from 50°N to 35°S, is expected to be the most vulnerable cultivated crop to future changing climates. Among the different abiotic stresses, extreme temperatures coinciding with critical developmental stages, increasingly frequent floods and drought spells, and worsening sea water inundation are some of the major threats to sustainable rice productivity. Following the successful implementation of molecular marker‐assisted backcrossing to introgress large‐effect QTL for submergence tolerance in rice mega varieties, rice breeding for drought, salinity and, recently, heat tolerance is employing the same approach. Although tolerance for combined submergence and salinity has been achieved, developing rice varieties with multiple tolerance for other abiotic and biotic stresses and finding the appropriate agronomic package to exploit their performance remain a challenge. The major bottleneck is the lack of unidentified large‐effect QTL for other abiotic stresses that are strongly influenced by genotype × environment (G × E) interaction. Rapid advances in the use of molecular tools, including a plethora of SNP markers, are expected to facilitate the development of major abiotic stress‐tolerant rice. In response to the actual farmer field situation, progress achieved in understanding and developing independent abiotic stress tolerance is being exploited to combine tolerances (for example, heat and drought; salinity and submergence) to address emerging environmental problems across a wide range of rice ecosystems.
Developmental Dynamics and Early Growth Vigour in Rice. I. Relationship Between Development Rate (1/Phyllochron) and Growth
Authors: Rebolledo M. C. , Dingkuhn M. , Péré P. , McNally K. L. , Luquet D. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAchieving early vigour, that is, rapid dry matter accumulation, is a priority in rice crop improvement, but this trait is complex and not well understood genetically and physiologically. This study tested the hypothesis that the development rate (DR) contributes to early vigour. Two diversity panels were phenotyped during vegetative stage for traits constituting early vigour (shoot dry weight, SDW; relative growth rate, RGR) or contributing to early vigour (tillering, leaf size, DR). The first panel comprised 169 genotypes from all major genetic groups of Oryza sativa and was phenotyped under irrigated upland conditions in the field (Philippines, Exp1). The second panel with 190 genotypes representing the diversity of the tropical japonica group was phenotyped in pots in a greenhouse (Montpellier, France, Exp2). Results from field and pot experiment pointed out that DR, tillering and leaf size were positively correlated with RGR and SDW, although the contribution of leaf size was small. DR was positively correlated with tillering but both were negatively correlated with leaf size. DR vs. RGR correlation was conserved in subsets of genotypes with similar leaf size and tillering, suggesting an effect of DR on RGR independent of the other traits. DR is a promising, still underexploited trait contributing to rice early vigour, requiring further genetic and physiological characterization.
Getting the Most Out of Sorghum Low‐Input Field Trials inWestAfrica Using Spatial Adjustment
Authors: Leiser W. L. , Rattunde H. F. , Piepho H.‐P. , Parzies H. K. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBreeding sorghum for low‐input conditions is hindered by soil heterogeneity. Spatial adjustment using mixed models can help account for this variation and increase precision of low‐input field trials. Large small‐scale spatial variation (CV39.4 %) for plant available phosphorus was mapped in an intensely sampled low‐input field. Spatial adjustments were shown to account for residual yield differences because of this and other growth factors. To investigate the potential of such models to increase the efficiency of low‐ and high‐input field trials, 17 experiments with 70 sorghum genotypes conducted inMali,WestAfrica, were analysed for grain yield using different mixed models including models with autoregressive spatial correlation terms. Spatial models (AR1,AR2) improved broad sense heritability estimates for grain yield, averaging gains of 10 and 6 % points relative to randomized complete block (RCB) and lattice models, respectively. The heritability estimate gains were even higher under low phosphorus conditions and in two‐replicate analyses. No specific model was best for all environments. A single spatial model,AR1 × AR1, captured most of the gains for heritability and relative efficiency provided by the best model identified for each environment usingAkaike'sInformationCriterion. Spatial modelling resulted in important changes in genotype ranking for grain yield. Thus, the use of spatial models was shown to have potentially important consequences for aiding effective sorghum selection inWestAfrica, particularly under low‐input conditions and for trials with fewer replications. Thus, using spatial models can improve the resource allocation of a breeding program. Furthermore, our results show that good experimental design with optimal placement and orientation of blocks is essential for efficient statistical analysis with or without spatial adjustment.