bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adults with mild intellectual disabilities: can their reading comprehension ability be improved?
Authors: Van Den Bos K. P. , Nakken H. , Nicolay P. G. , Van Houten E. J. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground  Adults with a mild intellectual disability (ID) often show poor decoding and reading comprehension skills. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of teaching text comprehension strategies to these adults. Specific research goals were to determine (1) the effects of two instruction conditions, i.e. strategy instruction to individuals and strategy instruction in small groups in a reciprocal teaching context; (2) intervention programme effects on specific strategy tests (so‐called direct effects), and possible differences between strategies; (3) (long‐term) transfer effects of the programme on general reading comprehension ability; and (4) the regression of general text comprehension by the variables of technical reading, IQ, reading comprehension of sentences (RCS), and pretest and posttest scores on the strategies taught.Methods  In total, 38 adults (age range 20–72 years; mean age of 36 years) with ID participated in the study. IQs ranged from 45 to 69 with a mean IQ of 58. The intervention programme involved 15 weekly lessons of 1 h each, taught during 3 months. Blocks of lessons included each of Brown and Palincsar’s strategies of summarizing, questioning, clarifying and predicting, as participants read and studied narrative and expository texts.Results  Results indicated no significant difference between group and individual instruction conditions. Second, direct programme effects – as determined by posttest–pretest contrasts for strategy tests – were substantial, except for the questioning strategy. Third, even more substantial was the transfer effect to general text comprehension. Moreover, the results on this test were well maintained at a follow‐up test. Finally, the variance of general reading comprehension ability was best explained by the test of RCS, and only moderately by the strategies trained.Conclusion  The presently used intervention programme provides a good starting point for adults with ID to become better readers.
The tales of two geckos: does dispersal prevent extinction in recently fragmented populations?
Authors: HOEHN M. , SARRE S. D. , HENLE K. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAlthough habitat loss and fragmentation threaten species throughout the world and are a major threat to biodiversity, it is apparent that some species are at greater risk of extinction in fragmented landscapes than others. Identification of these species and the characteristics that make them sensitive to habitat fragmentation has important implications for conservation management. Here, we present a comparative study of the population genetic structure of two arboreal gecko species (Oedura reticulataandGehyra variegata) in fragmented and continuous woodlands. The species differ in their level of persistence in remnant vegetation patches (the former exhibiting a higher extinction rate than the latter). Previous demographic and modelling studies of these two species have suggested that their difference in persistence levels may be due, in part, to differences in dispersal abilities withG. variegataexpected to have higher dispersal rates thanO. reticulata. We tested this hypothesis and genotyped a total of 345O. reticulatafrom 12 sites and 353G. variegatafrom 13 sites at nine microsatellite loci. We showed thatO. reticulataexhibits elevated levels of structure (FST = 0.102 vs. 0.044), lower levels of genetic diversity (HE = 0.79 vs. 0.88), and fewer misassignments (20% vs. 30%) than similarly fragmented populations ofG. variegata, while all these parameters were fairly similar for the two species in the continuous forest populations (FST = 0.003 vs. 0.004,HE = 0.89 vs. 0.89, misassignments: 58% vs. 53%, respectively). For both species, genetic structure was higher and genetic diversity was lower among fragmented populations than among those in the nature reserves. In addition, assignment tests and spatial autocorrelation revealed that small distances of about 500 m through fragmented landscapes are a barrier toO. reticulatabut not forG. variegata. These data support our hypothesis thatG. variegatadisperse more readily and more frequently thanO. reticulataand that dispersal and habitat specialization are critical factors in the persistence of species in habitat remnants.
Mix and match — hybridization reveals hidden complexity in seal breeding behaviour
Authors: AMOS WILLIAM 
Published: June 2007

AbstractNot so long ago, mammalian breeding systems were seen as dominated by males fighting each other for the right to mate with passive females. Genetic parentage analysis has been instrumental in changing this view and exposing the key role of female choice. Some of the most interesting discoveries have emerged from work on seals, where extreme polygyny is common but females often seem to have a bigger say than was previously thought. A remarkable case in question involves Macquarie Island, where three species of fur seal recently formed a mixed breeding colony (). Here, the true colours of both sexes lie unusually exposed, because classical models predict that males of the biggest species will dominate the beach and force females of smaller species to conceive mainly hybrid pups. In a fascinating paper in this issue of Molecular Ecology, Lancaster and colleagues () show that females are not this naïve. Although happy to gain protection for most of the season by sitting in the territory of one of the largest males, regardless of whether he is the same species, females almost always conceive to one of their own kind. The females do this, not because any hybrid male offspring they conceive will be sickly and fail to hold good territories, but because females who pup in their hybrid son's territories will be disproportionately likely to mate elsewhere. Hybrid males seem physically fit but sexually unattractive!
Studies on colicin B translocation: FepA is gated by TonB
Authors: Devanathan Surendranathan , Postle Kathleen 
Published: June 2007

SummaryColicin B is a 55 kDa dumbbell‐shaped protein toxin that uses the TonB system (outer membrane transporter, FepA, and three cytoplasmic membrane proteins TonB/ExbB/ExbD) to enter and kill Escherichia coli. FepA is a 22‐stranded β‐barrel with its lumen filled by an amino‐terminal globular domain containing an N‐terminal semiconserved region, known as the TonB box, to which TonB binds. To investigate the mechanism of colicin B translocation across the outer membrane, we engineered cysteine (Cys) substitutions in the globular domain of FepA. Colicin B caused increased exposure to biotin maleimide labelling of all Cys substitutions, but to different degrees, with TonB as well as the FepA TonB box required for all increases. Because of the large increases in exposure for Cys residues from T13 to T51, we conclude that colicin B is translocated through the lumen of FepA, rather than along the lipid–barrel interface or through another protein. Part of the FepA globular domain (residues V91–V142) proved relatively refractory to labelling, indicating either that the relevant Cys residues were sequestered by an unknown protein or that a significant portion of the FepA globular domain remained inside the barrel, requiring concomitant conformational rearrangement of colicin B during its translocation. Unexpectedly, TonB was also required for colicin‐induced exposure of the FepA TonB box, suggesting that TonB binds FepA at a different site prior to interaction with the TonB box.
Chemical and amino acid composition of colostrum and mature milk differ only slightly in mink (Mustela vison)
Authors: Fink R. , Rasmussen A. , Tauson A.‐H. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryTo determine differences in chemical composition between colostrum and mature milk in mink, milk samples were collected from 12 dams as close to the end of parturition as possible (n = 12), and at 24 h (n = 3), 48 h (n = 3) and 1 week (n = 12) postpartum. The milk samples were analysed for dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein, fat, carbohydrate, and amino acid composition. The DM content was higher (p < 0.05) in milk sampled at parturition than at 24 and 48 h postpartum. Also, the crude protein content decreased (p < 0.05) after the first 24 h postpartum. However, the fat, carbohydrate and ash contents did not change (p > 0.05) during the first week of lactation. The proportion of essential amino acids tended to decrease during the first 24 h postpartum. During the first week of lactation, the phenylalanine and tyrosine contents decreased while the cysteine content increased. However, in general, the differences between colostrum and mature milk were less pronounced in the mink than in many other species. Thus, colostrum seems to be of little importance in the mink in conferring passive immunity and hence for kit survival.
Body composition and selected blood parameters in mice fed a combination of fibre and conjugated linoleic acid
Authors: Javadi M. , Geelen M. J. H. , Everts H. , Lemmens A. G. , Beynen A. C. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryFeeding mice conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces body fat. Soluble fibre decreases apparent lipid digestibility. The objective of the present study was to examine whether a combination of dietary CLA and soluble fibre would further decrease the proportion of body fat than a diet with CLA alone. Therefore, we fed mice diets with CLA and different amounts of Nutrim®, containing 10% soluble fibre. CLA was added to the control diet at the expense of high oleic acid sunflower oil (HOSF) component and Nutrim® was added at the expense of an isoenergetic combination of starch, dextrose and cellulose. The diets were fed for 28 days. Weight gain after 28 days was less in CLA‐fed animals than in HOSF‐fed animals. Both CLA and Nutrim® increased the body water content. CLA reduced total body fat and epidydymal fat but Nutrim® did not. No interaction of CLA and fibre was detected. We, therefore, must conclude that under the present experimental conditions dietary CLA and fibre do not interact to reduce body fat deposition.
Individual response of growing pigs to sulphur amino acid intake
Authors: Heger J. , Křížová L. , Šustala M. , Nitrayová S. , Patráš P. , Hampel D. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryTwo N balance experiments were conducted to study the individual response of growing pigs to limiting amino acid (AA) intake. Series of fifteen diets with increasing concentration of sulphur amino acids (SAA, Expt 1) or methionine in the presence of excess cystine (Expt 2) were fed sequentially to nine pigs during a 15‐day experimental period. The concentration of the AA under test ranged from 50% to 140% of the requirement while other essential AA were given in a 25% excess relative to the limiting AA. N retention was related to the limiting AA intake using rectilinear and curvilinear models. In Expt 1, the quadratic‐plateau model fitted the individual data significantly better (p = 0.01) than the linear‐plateau model. No difference was found between the two models in Expt. 2, presumably due to the sparing effect of excess cystine on methionine utilization. Exponential, saturation kinetics or four‐parameter logistic models fitted to data for all pigs showed that their goodness of fit was similar to those of quadratic‐plateau or linear‐plateau models. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between individual plateau values for N retention within each experiment while the slopes of the regression lines did not significantly differ either in Expt 1 (p = 0.07) or Expt 2 (p = 0.45). There was a positive correlation between the slope and plateau values of the linear‐plateau model in Expt 1 (r = 0.74, p = 0.02) but no significant correlation was found in Expt 2 (r = −0.48, p = 0.13). Marginal efficiencies of SAA and methionine utilization derived from the linear‐plateau model were 0.43 and 0.65 respectively. Based on linear‐plateau and quadratic‐plateau models, daily requirements of SAA and methionine for a 50 kg pig were estimated to be 13.0 and 5.9 g and 14.3 and 6.1 g respectively.
Quantification of enterobacteriaceae in faeces of captive black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) in relation to dietary tannin supplementation
Authors: Clauss M. , Wittenbrink M. M. , Castell J. C. , Kienzle E. , Dierenfeld E. S. , Flach E. J. , Macgregor S. K. , Hoppe T. , Hummel J. , Streich W. J. , Hatt J.‐M. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryFree‐ranging browsing herbivores ingest a range of secondary plant compounds, such as tannins, with their natural diet. As many of these substances have been shown to have antibacterial properties, it could be speculated that a lack of such compounds in captive zoo diets could favour the growth of potentially pathogenic intestinal bacteria. The effect of a supplementation of a conventional diet (N, consisting mainly of grass hay and/or lucerne hay and pelleted compound feeds) fed to eight captive black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis) from three zoological institutions with either tannic acid (T), a source of hydrolysable tannins, or quebracho (Q), a source of condensed tannins, was investigated. The number of faecal colony forming units (CFU) of Enterobactericeae was determined by colony count of dilution series from fresh faeces applied to MacConkey agar plates. Tannins were added to the diets at approximately 5–15 g/kg dry matter, depending on the varying intake of roughage and compound feeds by the animals. There was no difference in the number of CFU between diets N (95.0 × 105 ± 225.3 × 105/g fresh faeces) and T (164.3 × 105 ± 225.1 × 105/g fresh faeces); in contrast, diet Q led to a significant reduction in CFU (4.3 × 105 ± 6.5 × 105/g fresh faeces) compared with the other diets. These findings suggest that condensed tannins could have the potential to reduce the number of potentially pathogenic intestinal bacteria, and that the deliberate inclusion of tannin sources in the diets of captive wild animals should be further investigated. The fact that tannic acid, shown to have antibacterial effects in various in vitro studies, did not have an effect in this study, emphasizes that the relevance of tannin supplementation for intestinal health must be verified in vivo.
Nutrient digestibility and energy value of sheep rations differing in protein level, main protein source and non‐forage fibre source
Authors: Milis Ch. , Liamadis D. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryTwo in vivo digestion trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of diet's crude protein (CP) level, N degradability, and non‐forage fibre source (NFFS) on nutrient digestibility and energy value of sheep rations. In each trial, rams were fed four isocaloric and isofibrous rations, differing in main protein and/or NFFS source. At the first trial, mean CP/metabolizable energy (ME) ratio of the diets was 17 g/MJ ME and at the second trial, 13 g/MJ ME. At both trials, the first ration contained cotton seed cake (CSC) and wheat bran (WB), the second CSC and corn gluten feed (CGF), the third corn gluten meal (CGM) and WB and the fourth CGM and CGF. Data of both trials were analysed in common as 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experimental design. Low N degradability (CGM) had positive effect on CP, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) digestibility of the ration. Those results suggest that an increase in rumen undegradable protein (RUP) content does not negatively affect nutrient digestibility of sheep rations. Corn gluten feed significantly elevated crude fibre (CF) digestibility, in comparison with WB. Rations having high CP/ME ratio had higher digestibility of CP in comparison with those having low CP/ME ratio; the opposite was true for ether extract, CF, NDF and ADF digestibilities. CP level × N degradability interaction negatively affected energy value of the rations that had high CP level and high N degradability. Former suggest that when CP content is high then N degradability should be low otherwise ration's ME is negatively affected. CP digestibility and coefficient q of the rations containing WB and having high N degradability (N degradability × NFFS interaction) were the lowest suggesting that the combination of CSC and WB negatively affected CP digestibility and energy value of the ration. This could be explained by a reduced microbial CP synthesis, or lower RUP digestibility or both.
Cavernous nerve graft reconstruction using an autologous nerve guide to restore potency
Authors: Fujioka Masaki , Tasaki Isao , Kitamura Riko , Yakabe Aya , Hayashi Mikio , Matsuya Fukuzo , Miyaguchi Taishi , Tsuruta Junji 
Published: June 2007

OBJECTIVETo present our experience of cavernous nerve graft reconstruction, using an autologous nerve vein‐guide technique, to restore potency.PATIENTS AND METHODSProstate cancers frequently require radical resection involving one or both cavernous nerves that usually results in erectile dysfunction; nerve grafting has been used to restore erectile function, but clinical results are unsatisfactory owing to inadequate surgical techniques. In all, eight patients with prostate cancer who required radical resection involving one cavernous nerve had sural nerve grafting, with two or three sutures using the autologous vein‐guide technique, in our unit between 2004 and 2005. Because of the difficulty of performing microsurgical manoeuvres deep within the pelvic cavity, the nerve anastomosis might be unsatisfactory.RESULTSSeven of the eight patients had spontaneous erectile activity after grafting and six of these patients were able to have intercourse.CONCLUSIONSural nerve grafting using the autologous vein‐guide technique is simple, has minimal morbidity, and yields good outcomes.
The sensitivity and precision of search terms in Phases I, II and III of the Cochrane Highly Sensitive Search Strategy for identifying reports of randomized trials in medline in a specific area of health care—HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment interventions
Authors: Eisinga Anne , Siegfried Nandi , Clarke Mike 
Published: June 2007

AbstractObjectives:  To detect term(s) in the Cochrane Highly Sensitive Search Strategy (HSSS) that retain high sensitivity but improve precision in retrieving reports of trials in the PubMed version of medline.Methods:  Individual terms from the PubMed version of the HSSS were added, term by term, to an African HIV/AIDS strategy to identify reports of trials in medline using PubMed. The titles and abstracts of the records retrieved were read by two handsearchers and checked by a clinical epidemiologist. The sensitivity and precision of each term in the three phases of the HSSS were calculated.Results:  Of 7719 records retrieved, 285 were identified as reports of trials [204 randomized (RCTs); 81 possibly randomized or quasi‐randomized (CCTs)]. Phase III had the highest sensitivity (92%). Overall, precision was very low (3.7%). One term, ‘random*[tw]’, retrieved all RCTs found by our search and improved precision to 29%. The least sensitive terms, yielding no records, were ‘(doubl* AND mask*)[tw]’ and terms containing ‘trebl*’ or ‘tripl*’, except for ‘(tripl* AND blind*)[tw]’. The highest precision per term was for ‘Double‐blind Method [MeSH]’ (76%).Conclusions:  To retrieve all RCTs and CCTs found by our search, seven terms are needed but precision remains low (4.3%). Developments in the methods of search strategy design may help to improve precision while retaining high levels of sensitivity by identifying term(s) which occur frequently in relevant records and are the most efficient at discriminating between different study designs.
The information‐seeking behaviour of doctors: a review of the evidence
Authors: Davies Karen 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThis paper provides a narrative review of the available literature from the past 10 years (1996–2006) that focus on the information seeking behaviour of doctors. The review considers the literature in three sub‐themes: Theme 1, the Information Needs of Doctors includes information need, frequency of doctors’ questions and types of information needs; Theme 2, Information Seeking by Doctors embraces pattern of information resource use, time spent searching, barriers to information searching and information searching skills; Theme 3, Information Sources Utilized by Doctors comprises the number of sources utilized, comparison of information sources consulted, computer usage, ranking of information resources, printed resource use, personal digital assistant (PDA) use, electronic database use and the Internet. The review is wide ranging. It would seem that the traditional methods of face‐to‐face communication and use of hard‐copy evidence still prevail amongst qualified medical staff in the clinical setting. The use of new technologies embracing the new digital age in information provision may influence this in the future. However, for now, it would seem that there is still research to be undertaken to uncover the most effective methods of encouraging clinicians to use the best evidence in everyday practice.
Elder Abuse: Disparities Between Older People's Disclosure of Abuse, Evident Signs of Abuse, and High Risk of Abuse
Authors: Cohen Miri , Levin Sarah Halevy , Gagin Roni , Friedman Gideon 
Published: June 2007

OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare three types of assessment tools for identifying elder abuse: direct questions to elicit disclosure of abuse if it exists, identification of evident signs of abuse, and assessment of high risk for abuse.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional.SETTING: Rambam and Hadassah medical centers, Israel.PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred thirty persons aged 70 and older hospitalized in general hospitals in 2004/05 and their principal caregivers.MEASUREMENTS: Expanded indicator of abuse (E‐IOA) tool, questionnaires looking for evident signs of abuse, and direct experience of abusive behavior.RESULTS: Although 5.9% of respondents disclosed experiencing abusive behaviors, 21.4% were identified with evident signs of abuse, and 32.6% were classified as being at high risk for abuse. More than 70% of those who disclosed abuse were identified with evident signs and were at high risk for abuse. Those who disclosed being abused suffered particularly from physical and sexual abuse. According to logistic regression, higher caregiver subjective burden was a predictor of disclosure (odds ratio (OR)=1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.19–2.74), evident signs of abuse (OR=1.86, 95% CI=1.45–2.35), and high risk of abuse (OR=1.55, 95% CI=1.27–1.88); heavier objective caregiver load was a predictor of evident signs of abuse (OR=1.14, 95% CI=1.05–1.24) and of high risk (OR=1.18, 95% CI=1.06–1.38) only; and respondent functional status was a predictor of evident signs of abuse (OR=1.88, 95% CI=1.70–2.37).CONCLUSION: The use of the three assessment tools is needed for optimal identification of abuse, whereas assessment for high risk proved an efficient method in the absence of respondent disclosure or professional detection of signs of abuse. Hospitalization provides an excellent opportunity for identifying elderly persons at risk of abuse.