bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular and spatial epidemiology of human campylobacteriosis: source association and genotype-related risk factors
Authors: MULLNER P. , SHADBOLT T. , COLLINS-EMERSON J. M. , MIDWINTER A. C. , SPENCER S. E. F. , MARSHALL J. , CARTER P. E. , CAMPBELL D. M. , WILSON D. J. , HATHAWAY S. , PIRIE R. , FRENCH N. P. 
Published: February 2010

SUMMARYThe epidemiology of human campylobacteriosis is complex but in recent years understanding of this disease has advanced considerably. Despite being a major public health concern in many countries, the presence of multiple hosts, genotypes and transmission pathways has made it difficult to identify and quantify the determinants of human infection and disease. This has delayed the development of successful intervention programmes for this disease in many countries including New Zealand, a country with a comparatively high, yet until recently poorly understood, rate of notified disease. This study investigated the epidemiology of Campylobacter jejuni at the genotype-level over a 3-year period between 2005 and 2008 using multilocus sequence typing. By combining epidemiological surveillance and population genetics, a dominant, internationally rare strain of C. jejuni (ST474) was identified, and most human cases (65·7%) were found to be caused by only seven different genotypes. Source association of genotypes was used to identify risk factors at the genotype-level through multivariable logistic regression and a spatial model. Poultry-associated cases were more likely to be found in urban areas compared to rural areas. In particular young children in rural areas had a higher risk of infection with ruminant strains than their urban counterparts. These findings provide important information for the implementation of pathway-specific control strategies.
Reflection paper on MRSA in food-producing and companion animals: epidemiology and control options for human and animal health
Authors: CATRY B. , VAN DUIJKEREN E. , POMBA M. C. , GREKO C. , MORENO M. A. , PYÖRÄLÄ S. , RUŽAUSKAS M. , SANDERS P. , THRELFALL E. J. , UNGEMACH F. , TÖRNEKE K. , MUŇOZ-MADERO C. , TORREN-EDO J. 
Published: February 2010

SUMMARYThe scope of this reflection paper was to review the latest research on the risk of MRSA infection and colonization in animals. Attention focused on occurrence, risk factors for colonization and infection, and human contact hazard for livestock, horses, and companion animals. Whereas the clonal relationship between MRSA strains of CC398 is straightforward in livestock this is less obvious in horses. Small companion animals typically share MRSA strains that seem to exchange with a human reservoir. Management and therapeutic options have been suggested for livestock, horses, companion animals, as well as instructions on safety measures for persons in contact with animals. Conclusions were drawn with emphasis on future research activities, especially to confirm the apparent evolution of the organism and to demonstrate efficiency of control strategies.
A Q fever outbreak in a psychiatric care institution in The Netherlands
Authors: KOENE R. P. M. , SCHIMMER B. , RENSEN H. , BIESHEUVEL M. , DE BRUIN A. , LOHUIS A. , HORREVORTS A. , LUNEL F. VERDUYN , DELSING C. E. , HAUTVAST J. L. A. 
Published: February 2010

SUMMARYIn May 2008 the Nijmegen Municipal Health Service (MHS) was informed about an outbreak of atypical pneumonia in three in-patients of a long-term psychiatric institution. The patients had been hospitalized and had laboratory confirmation of acute Q fever infection. The MHS started active case finding among in-patients, employees of and visitors to the institution. In a small meadow on the institution premises a flock of sheep was present. One of the lambs in the flock had been abandoned by its mother and cuddled by the in-patients. Samples were taken of the flock. Forty-five clinical cases were identified in employees, in-patients and visitors; 28 were laboratory confirmed as Q fever. Laboratory screening of pregnant women and persons with valvular heart disease resulted in one confirmed Q fever case in a pregnant woman. Of 27 samples from animals, seven were positive and 15 suspect forCoxiella burnetiiinfection. This outbreak of Q fever in a unique psychiatric setting pointed to a small flock of sheep with newborn lambs as the most likely source of exposure. Care institutions that have vulnerable residents and keep flocks of sheep should be careful to take adequate hygienic measures during delivery of lambs and handling of birth products.
High prevalence of nasal MRSA carriage in slaughterhouse workers in contact with live pigs in The Netherlands
Authors: VAN CLEEF B. A. G. L. , BROENS E. M. , VOSS A. , HUIJSDENS X. W. , ZÜCHNER L. , VAN BENTHEM B. H. B. , KLUYTMANS J. A. J. W. , MULDERS M. N. , VAN DE GIESSEN A. W. 
Published: February 2010

SUMMARYLivestock-associated MRSA has been found in various animals, livestock farmers and retail meat. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of nasal MRSA carriage in pig slaughterhouse workers. Three large pig slaughterhouses in The Netherlands were studied in 2008 using human and environmental samples. The overall prevalence of nasal MRSA carriage in employees of pig slaughterhouses was 5·6% (14/249) (95% CI 3·4–9·2) and working with live pigs was the single most important factor for being MRSA positive (OR 38·2,P<0·0001). At the start of the day MRSA was only found in environmental samples from the lairages (10/12), whereas at the end of the day MRSA was found in the lairages (11/12), the dirty (5/12) and clean (3/12) areas and green offal (1/3). The MRSA status of the environmental samples correlated well with the MRSA status of humans working in these sections (r=0·75). In conclusion, a high prevalence of nasal MRSA carriage was found in pig-slaughterhouse workers, and working with live pigs is the most important risk factor. Exact transmission routes from animals to humans remain to be elucidated in order to enable application of targeted preventive measures.
Combining hydroacoustic seabed survey and grab sampling techniques to assess “local” sandeel population abundance
Authors: Greenstreet Simon P. R. , Holland Gayle J. , Guirey Emma J. , Armstrong Eric , Fraser Helen M. , Gibb Iain M. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Greenstreet, S. P. R., Holland, G. J., Guirey, E. J., Armstrong, E., Fraser, H. M., and Gibb, I. M. 2010. Combining hydroacoustic seabed survey and grab sampling techniques to assess “local” sandeel population abundance. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 971–984. Sandeels (Ammodytes marinus) are a critical prey of many top predators in the North Sea, and have also been the target of a major industrial fishery. To quantify resource allocation between competing predators, and between natural predators and fishers, and to assess the impact of each source of mortality on sandeel population dynamics, estimates of the absolute abundance of sandeels at the spatial scale at which these interactions take place are required. In this study, hydroacoustic seabed survey and nocturnal grab surveys are combined to examine variation in the abundance of sandeels at a sandbank complex off southeast Scotland. Grab surveys provide point estimates of sandeel density and sediment composition data, which are used to define sandeel sediment preference categories. The total area of each sandeel sediment preference category is determined by hydroacoustic seabed survey. Sandeel population abundance recovered immediately following the closure of the sandeel fishery. However, simply closing the fishery was not sufficient to maintain the size of the local sandeel stock; the population is also highly dependent on good recruitment. We demonstrate how this combination of techniques might be used to examine variation in overwintering mortality rates in sandeels.
Using indicators for evaluating, comparing, and communicating the ecological status of exploited marine ecosystems. 2. Setting the scene
Authors: Shin Yunne-Jai , Shannon Lynne J. , Bundy Alida , Coll Marta , Aydin Kerim , Bez Nicolas , Blanchard Julia L. , Borges Maria de Fatima , Diallo Ibrahima , Diaz Erich , Heymans Johanna J. , Hill Louize , Johannesen Edda , Jouffre Didier , Kifani Souad , Labrosse Pierre , Link Jason S. , Mackinson Steven , Masski Hicham , Möllmann Christian , Neira Sergio , Ojaveer Henn , ould Mohammed Abdallahi Khairdine , Perry Ian , Thiao Djiga , Yemane Dawit , Cury Philippe M. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractShin, Y-J., Shannon, L. J., Bundy, A., Coll, M., Aydin, K., Bez, N., Blanchard, J. L., Borges, M. F., Diallo, I., Diaz, E., Heymans, J. J., Hill, L., Johannesen, E., Jouffre, D., Kifani, S., Labrosse, P., Link, J. S., Mackinson, S., Masski, H., Möllmann, C., Neira, S., Ojaveer, H., ould Mohammed Abdallahi, K., Perry, I., Thiao, D., Yemane, D., and Cury, P. M. 2010. Using indicators for evaluating, comparing, and communicating the ecological status of exploited marine ecosystems. 2. Setting the scene. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 692–716. Background is provided to the selection of ecological indicators by the IndiSeas Working Group, and the methodology adopted for analysis and comparison of indicators across exploited marine ecosystems is documented. The selected indicators are presented, how they are calculated is explained, and the philosophy behind the comparative approach is given. The combination of selected indicators is intended to reflect different dynamics, tracking processes that display differential responses to fishing, and is meant to provide a complementary means of assessing marine ecosystem trends and states. IndiSeas relied on inputs and insights provided by the local experts from participating ecosystems, helping to understand state and trend indicators and to disentangle the effect of other potential ecosystem drivers, such as climate variability. This project showed that the use of simple and available indicators under an ecosystem approach can achieve a real, wide-reaching evaluation of marine ecosystem status caused by fishing. This is important because the socio-economics of areas where fishing activities develop differs significantly around the globe, and in many countries, insufficient data are available for complex and exhaustive analyses.
A comparison of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) larvae feeding in the Northwest Mediterranean: influence of prey availability and ontogeny
Authors: Morote Elvira , Olivar María Pilar , Villate Fernando , Uriarte Ibon 
Published: February 2010

AbstractMorote, E., Olivar, M. P., Villate, F., and Uriarte, I. 2010. A comparison of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) larvae feeding in the Northwest Mediterranean: influence of prey availability and ontogeny. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 897–908. The feeding ecology of the larvae of the two most important small pelagic species in the western Mediterranean, anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus), is investigated. Samples were collected in early summer (anchovy) and autumn (sardine). Composition of the diet and prey selectivity were compared over the course of ontogeny in anchovy (2.7–14.5 mm standard length, SL) and sardine (5.5–15.8 mm SL) larvae. Anchovy larvae begin feeding on prey items >150 µm at smaller sizes than sardine larvae, and the diets of both species are based mainly on copepod nauplii and postnauplii. Seasonal differences in the composition of the plankton influenced the contributions of prey types to the diets of the two species, e.g. the cladoceran Evadne spp. in anchovy and the tintinnid Codonellopsis sp. in sardine. Although copepod eggs are generally present in the diets of larval clupeoids, they were not major components of the diets of the species considered here. Despite morphological similarity, selection patterns were different between the species and changed through ontogeny.
Predicting life‐time and regular cannabis use during adolescence; the roles of temperament and peer substance use: the TRAILS study
Authors: Creemers Hanneke E. , Dijkstra Jan K. , Vollebergh Wilma A. M. , Ormel Johan , Verhulst Frank C. , Huizink Anja C. 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTAims  The aim of the present study was to determine the mediating role of affiliation with cannabis‐using peers in the pathways from various dimensions of temperament to life‐time cannabis use, and to determine if these associations also contributed to the development of regular cannabis use.Methods  Objectives were studied using data from 1300 participants of the Tracking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS), a large, general population study of Dutch adolescents. We used parent‐reports on the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire to assess the dimensions of high‐intensity pleasure, shyness, fearfulness, frustration and effortful control at age 10–12 years. By means of self‐reports, life‐time and regular cannabis use were determined at age 15–18 years, and proportion of substance‐using peers was determined at ages 12–15 and 15–18 years. Models were adjusted for age, sex, intelligence and parental cannabis use.Results  High‐intensity pleasure [odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05–1.13] and effortful control (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.89–0.96) affected the risk for life‐time cannabis use through their influence on affiliation with cannabis‐using peers. Shyness affected this risk independently from peer cannabis use. Only the pathway from effortful control was associated additionally with the development of regular cannabis use (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.89–0.98).Conclusions  Peer cannabis use and, to a lesser extent, certain temperamental characteristics affect an adolescent's risk of cannabis use, and should be considered in prevention programmes. We recommend future research to focus upon factors that potentially modify the association between temperament, affiliation with cannabis‐using peers and cannabis use.
Drug classification: science, politics, both or neither?
Authors: Kalant Harold 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTGovernments currently classify illicit drugs for various purposes: to guide courts in the sentencing of convicted violators of drug control laws, to prioritize targets of prevention measures and to educate the public about relative risks of the various drugs. It has been proposed that classification should be conducted by scientists and drug experts rather than by politicians, so that it will reflect only accurate factual knowledge of drug effects and risks rather than political biases. Although this is an appealing goal, it is inherently impossible because rank‐ordering of the drugs inevitably requires value judgements concerning the different types of harm. Such judgements, even by scientists, depend upon subjective personal criteria and not only upon scientific facts. Moreover, classification that is meant to guide the legal system in controlling dangerous drug use can function only if it is in harmony with the values and sentiments of the public. In some respects, politicians may be better attuned to public attitudes and wishes, and to what policies the public will support, than are scientific experts. The problems inherent in such drug classification are illustrated by the examples of cannabis and of salvinorin A. They raise the question as to whether the classification process really serves any socially beneficial purpose.
How does variability in alcohol consumption over time affect the relationship with mortality and coronary heart disease?
Authors: Britton Annie , Marmot Michael G. , Shipley Martin J. 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTObjective  To examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of mortality and incident coronary heart disease (CHD), taking account of variation in intake during follow‐up.Method  Prospective cohort study of 5411 male civil servants aged 35–55 years at entry to the Whitehall II study in 1985–88. Alcohol consumption was reported five times over a 15‐year period. Mortality, fatal CHD, clinically verified incident non‐fatal myocardial infarction and definite angina were ascertained during follow‐up.Results  We found evidence that drinkers who vary their intake during follow‐up, regardless of average level, have increased risk of total mortality (hazard ratio of high versus low variability 1.52: 95% CI: 1.07–2.17), but not of incident CHD. Using average consumption level, as opposed to only a baseline measure, gave slightly higher risk estimates for CHD compared to moderate drinkers at the extremes of the drinking range.Conclusions  Multiple repeated measures are required to explore the effects of variation in exposure over time. Caution is needed when interpreting risks of exposures measured only once at baseline, without consideration of changes over time.
Substance use and periodontal disease among Australian Aboriginal young adults
Authors: Jamieson Lisa M. , Gunthorpe Wendy , Cairney Sheree J. , Sayers Susan M. , Roberts‐Thomson Kaye F. , Slade Gary D. 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTAim  To investigate the effects of tobacco, marijuana, alcohol and petrol sniffing on periodontal disease among Australian Aboriginal young adults.Design  Cross‐sectional nested within a long‐standing prospective longitudinal study.Setting  Aboriginal communities in Australia's Northern Territory.Participants  Members of the Aboriginal Birth Cohort study who were recruited from birth between January 1987 and March 1990 at the Royal Darwin Hospital, Northern Territory, Australia. Data were from wave III, when the mean age of participants was 18 years.Measurements  Clinical dental examination and self‐report questionnaire.Findings  Of 425 participants with complete data, 26.6% had moderate/severe periodontal disease. There was elevated risk of periodontal disease associated with tobacco [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.06–2.40], marijuana (PR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.05–1.97) and petrol sniffing (PR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.08–3.11), but not alcohol (PR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.67–1.27). Stratified analysis showed that the effect of marijuana persisted among tobacco users (PR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.03–2.11). It was not possible to isolate an independent effect of petrol sniffing because all petrol sniffers used both marijuana and tobacco, although among smokers of both substances, petrol sniffing was associated with an 11.8% increased prevalence of periodontal disease.Conclusions  This is the first time that substance use has been linked with periodontal disease in a young Australian Aboriginal adult population, and the first time that petrol sniffing has been linked with periodontal disease in any population. The role of substance use in periodontal disease among this, and other, marginalized groups warrants further investigation.
Internet‐based prevention for alcohol and cannabis use: final results of the Climate Schools course
Authors: Newton Nicola C. , Teesson Maree , Vogl Laura E. , Andrews Gavin 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTAims  To establish the long‐term efficacy of a universal internet‐based alcohol and cannabis prevention programme in schools.Methods  A cluster‐randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis Course. The evidence‐based course, aimed at reducing alcohol and cannabis use, is facilitated by the internet and consists of 12 novel and curriculum consistent lessons delivered over 6 months.Participants  A total of 764 year 8 students (13 years) from 10 Australian secondary schools were allocated randomly to the internet‐based prevention programme (n = 397, five schools), or to their usual health classes (n = 367, five schools).Measures  Participants were assessed at baseline, immediately post, and 6 and 12 months following completion of the intervention, on measures of alcohol and cannabis knowledge, attitudes, use and related harms.Results  This paper reports the final results of the intervention trial, 12 months following the completion of the Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis Course. The effectiveness of the course 6 months following the intervention has been reported previously. At the 12‐month follow‐up, compared to the control group, students in the intervention group showed significant improvements in alcohol and cannabis knowledge, a reduction in average weekly alcohol consumption and a reduction in frequency of drinking to excess. No differences between groups were found on alcohol expectancies, cannabis attitudes or alcohol‐ and cannabis‐related harms. The course was found to be acceptable by teachers and students as a means of delivering drug education in schools.Conclusions  Internet‐based prevention programs for school‐age children can improve student's knowledge about alcohol and cannabis, and may also reduce alcohol use twelve months after completion.
Comparative rates of violent crime among regular methamphetamine and opioid users: offending and victimization
Authors: Darke Shane , Torok Michelle , Kaye Sharlene , Ross Joanne , McKetin Rebecca 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTAims  To determine the comparative levels of violent offending and victimization among regular methamphetamine and heroin users.Design  Cross‐sectionalSetting  Sydney, Australia.Participants  A total of 400 regular methamphetamine (METH) and heroin (HER) users (118 methamphetamine users: METH; 161 regular heroin users: HER; 121 regular users of both: BOTH).Findings  Eighty‐two per cent reported a life‐time history of committing violent crime, 41% in the past 12 months. There were no group differences in life‐time violence, but the METH group were significantly more likely than the HER group to have committed violence in the past 12 months (odds ratio 1.94). Nearly all (95%) reported that they had been a victim of violent crime, 46% in the preceding 12 months, with no group differences. Those who had committed a violent crime in the past 12 months were 13.23 times more likely to have been a victim in that period. The majority believed it unlikely that they would be a victim of (78%), or commit (87%), a violent crime in the next 12 months.Conclusions  Regular methamphetamine use appears to be associated with an increased risk of violent offending, but not victimization, compared with heroin use.
Three‐year mortality and predictors after release: a longitudinal study of the first‐time drug offenders in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chuan‐Yu , Wu Pei‐Ning , Su Lien‐Wen , Chou Yiing‐Jenq , Lin Keh‐Ming 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTAims  To assess the possible increase in mortality rate and associated socio‐demographic and judiciary determinants among first‐time drug offenders during the first 3 years after release from correctional facilities.Setting and participants  A total of 22 224 male and 4444 female adults who had served a sentence of at least 1 day in correctional facilities for illegal drug‐related offences were identified from the judiciary records of the Ministry of Justice, Taiwan.Design and measurements  The underlying causes of death were defined by the International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision.Findings  All‐cause standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were 7 for schedule I (e.g. heroin) and 3 for schedule II (e.g. methamphetamine) drug offenders, respectively; accidents, suicide and circulatory diseases were three leading causes of death. After release, the risk of death among those drug offenders without subsequent incarceration increased gradually until the 9th month. Those who were aged 30 years or older, had an engagement with a higher‐ranked schedule substance or who received severe sentences were two to three times more likely to die. Substantial reduction in the risk of death was linked with re‐imprisonment.Conclusions  The SMR estimates for external causes were greater than those for disease‐related causes in drug offenders, and schedule I drugs‐related mortality rate was twice as high as that with schedule II drugs. In transitioning from the correctional setting to the community, the health needs of drug offenders should be addressed by the provision of continuous, adequate medical care tailored to individual background, medical history and drug experience.