bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urinary steroid hormone analysis of ovarian cycles and pregnancy in mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) indicate that menses, copulatory behavior, sexual swellings and reproductive condition are associated with changing estrone conjugates (E1C) and pregnanediol‐3‐glucuronide (PdG)
Authors: Phillips Rebecca Sellin , Wheaton Catharine J. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine if sexual swellings in mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) are a reflection of reproductive endocrine state. Urine samples were assayed using an enzyme immunoassay measuring pregnanediol‐3‐glucuronide (PdG) and estrone conjugates (E1C). Hormone patterns of ovarian cycles, pregnancy and lactation were characterized and compared with sexual swellings and copulations relative to menses and peak E1C. Cycle lengths averaging 28.7 days and pregnancy length of 181 days determined by hormonal and sexual swelling measures were similar to those reported in other Old World primate species. First day of copulation was observed during rising E1C concentrations and preceded observations of peak swelling by 1–2 days. Observations of peak sexual swellings occurred at or on the day after peak E1C and decreased following the ovulatory increase in PdG. Observations of menses and sexual swellings are a useful method to track mandrill ovarian cycles and can assist zoos in determining the reproductive state of females in their collections. Zoo Biol 27:320–330, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How to monitor elusive lizards: comparison of capture–recapture methods on giant day geckos (Gekkonidae,Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis) in the Masoala rainforest exhibit, Zurich Zoo
Authors: Wanger Thomas C. , Motzke Iris , Furrer Samuel C. , Brook Barry W. , Gruber Bernd 
Published: June 2008

AbstractRapid and reliable estimation of population size is needed for the efficient monitoring of animal populations of conservation concern. Unfortunately, technical advances in this area have not been paralleled in uptake in conservation, which may be due to difficulties in implementation or the lack of general guidelines for application. Here we tested five different methods used to estimate population size [capture–mark–recapture (CMR), finite‐mixture models, model averaging of finite‐mixture models, accumulation curve methods (ACM), and the line transect method (LT)] using extensive capture–recapture data of the giant day gecko (Gekkonidae,Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis, Gray 1870) at the Masoala rainforest exhibit, Zurich Zoo. When the complete data were analyzed [30 sessions (and 27 sessions for the LT)], all methods except the LT produced similar estimates of population size. The simple ACM gave a small coefficient of variation (CV), but did not cover the most likely value of population size at moderate sampling effort. Nevertheless, the ACM was the only method that showed a reasonable convergence when subsets of data were used. CMR and Pledger models included the reference value in their confidence intervals (CI) after 25 and 30 sessions, respectively. Although model averaging did slightly improve the estimate, the CV was still high for the full dataset. Our method of using subsets of data to test the robustness of estimates is simple to apply and could be adopted more widely in such analyzes to evaluate sensitivity to method of evaluation. In conclusion, simple accumulation methods showed similar efficiency to more complex statistical models, and are likely to be sufficiently precise for most conservation monitoring purposes.
ACCLIMATION OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND GROWTH OF BANANA (MUSA SP.) TO NATURAL SHADE IN THE HUMID TROPICS
Authors: SENEVIRATHNA A. M. W. K. , STIRLING C. M. , RODRIGO V. H. L. 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARYGrowth and photosynthetic performance of banana (Musa sp.) grown in three levels of natural shade (33, 55 and 77% reduction in incoming radiation) were compared to an unshaded control treatment. Net CO2 assimilation rates generally decreased with increasing shade. Chlorophyll fluorescence revealed short-term dynamic photoinhibition under high light conditions but no evidence of sustained photoinhibitory damage to photosystem II. Dynamic photoinhibition decreased with increasing shade, with the greatest depression in the variable to maximal fluorescence ratio (Fv/Fm) occurring in unshaded plants during the middle of the day. Specific leaf area and leaf area ratio increased proportionately with increasing shade, whilst the chlorophyll a/b ratio decreased, reflecting a greater efficiency of light utilization under shady conditions. The optimum shade level for photosynthetic productivity would be one at which the level of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) is high enough to saturate CO2 assimilation but low enough to induce shade acclimation and to reduce photoinhibition. Under the conditions studied here, the saturation level of PPFD was around 1000 μmol m−2 s−1, a light level typical of the tree-based intercropping systems in which banana is commonly grown in the tropics.
SMALL RUMINANT PRODUCTION IN TWO MIXED-FARMING SYSTEMS OF SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA: STATUS AND PROSPECTS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Authors: LEGESSE G. , ABEBE G. , SIEGMUND-SCHULTZE M. , ZÁRATE A. VALLE 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARYSmall ruminants are an integral part of mixed-farming systems throughout southern Ethiopia. Yet, they have received little research attention or institutional support. Characterizing the existing small ruminant production systems and analysing their production constraints are important tools to diagnose the status and trends of the systems, and thus to identify areas for future interventions. A survey was conducted between April and July 2004 in the Adilo and Kofele areas of the southern mixed-farming systems of Ethiopia to explore reasons for keeping small ruminants and to evaluate the existing status of and the prospects for the small ruminant sector. Additional information was obtained during discussions with key informants who had experience of small ruminant keeping. Small ruminants fill several roles in the study area. However, the principal purpose of keeping sheep and goats was to generate cash income. Sheep milk consumption was widespread around Kofele unlike most agricultural systems in the country. Nearly all respondents in Adilo reported fattening their sheep before sale, while such a practice was uncommon in Kofele. Informal insurance schemes were evolving among the sheep keepers in Adilo, and these can be considered as entry points for future interventions. The common problem identified from both individual interviews and group discussions was feed shortage. The identification of alternative feed resources and strategic feeding management might be options for development. Small ruminant disease was the major constraint in Kofele, where marshy areas are increasingly assigned for grazing in the rainy season as suitable land is more and more used for cropping. The growing demand for meat from small ruminants, the improving transportation infrastructure and the experience of farmers in small ruminant keeping are providing opportunities to enhance the contribution of the sector. A thorough monitoring of the productive and economic performance of small ruminants is required to capture the full picture of their contribution thereby directing possible intervention areas to maximize benefits to the farmers.
PHYTOTOXICITY OF 10 WINTER BARLEY VARIETIES AND THEIR COMPETITIVE ABILITY AGAINST COMMON POPPY AND IVY-LEAVED SPEEDWELL
Authors: DHIMA K. , VASILAKOGLOU I. , LITHOURGIDIS A. , MECOLARI E. , KECO R. , AGOLLI XH. , ELEFTHEROHORINOS I. 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARYA field experiment was conducted in 2002/03 (year 1) and repeated in 2003/04 (year 2) to study the competitive ability of 10 winter barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivars against common poppy (Papaver rhoeas) and ivy-leaved speedwell (Veronica hederifolia). The phytotoxic (or allelopathic) activity of barley extracts was also determined in the laboratory using a perlite-based bioassay with barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli). In the field, biomass of both weeds was reduced more (65–79%) by the competition of Alpha, Esterel, Terova or Lignee 640 barley cultivars, than with Aspen or Tersey. Biomass of ivy-leaved speedwell in competition with each barley cultivar was significantly lower than that of common poppy. In year 1, the six-row barley cultivars caused greater weed biomass reduction than the two-row, but this was not the case in year 2. Grain yield of Tersey, Aspen and Goldmarker cultivars in herbicide treatments was greater by 41, 33 and 17%, respectively, than from the corresponding herbicide untreated plots. However, grain yield of Terova, Alpha, Esterel and Lignee 640 was not significantly affected by the presence of weeds. In the laboratory, barley extracts affected the total fresh weight or root length of barnyard grass more than its germination. The germination, root length or total fresh weight inhibition on barnyard grass caused by the two six-row barley extracts was greater (43, 48 and 56%, respectively) than that caused by the eight two-row extracts (22, 34 and 43%, respectively). The results of this study indicated that barley cultivars with great competitive and/or phytotoxic ability could be used in sustainable cereal production systems in order to minimize herbicide usage.
THE ROLE OF INFORMAL FARMER-TO-FARMER SEED DISTRIBUTION IN DIFFUSION OF NEW BARLEY VARIETIES IN SYRIA
Authors: AW-HASSAN ADEN , MAZID AHMED , SALAHIEH HISHAM 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARYThis study examines the role, structure and effectiveness of informal seed systems in the diffusion of new barley varieties. It uses data collected by tracing farmers who received new barley varieties and other farmers who purchased seeds through farmer-to-farmer seed trade over a period of five years. The principal finding was that informal farmer-to-farmer seed dissemination was an important vehicle for the diffusion of new barley varieties, which were grow on 27% of the barley area of monitored farmers, despite a complete lack of extension support. Almost all seed exchanges were undertaken through purchases at market prices, highlighting the importance of markets in informal seed systems. The second main finding was the high concentration of seed sales among a few key seed suppliers, who established reputations as reliable sources of seed and had contacts with research organizations. The importance of market-based local seed transactions implies that farmers specializing in seed sales can invest in local seed enterprises and provide sustainable services at affordable prices. The results of this study indicate great potential for supporting local seed suppliers in order to ensure a sustainable flow of new crop varieties to smallholder farmers in the dry areas. The study also examined farmers' criteria in evaluating and eventually adopting a new variety. These criteria depend on agro-ecological zones with more complex criteria in drier areas with high rainfall variability. These findings will help plant breeding programmes to target dry and marginal areas, where access to new varieties is low, more effectively.
A RE-INTERPRETATION OF HYBRID VIGOUR IN COCOA
Authors: PANG JOE THAU-YIN , LOCKWOOD G. 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARYFor 50 years, ‘hybrid vigour’ in crosses involving genotypes collected from the centre of diversity of the crop in the Peruvian Amazon has been the guiding principle of cocoa breeding. In the work described here, six Amazonian genotypes and one Trinitario clone were used to produce four bi-parental crosses. Twenty-two plants of each cross were propagated from plagiotropic buds as ‘cloned seedlings’ and evaluated for growth, yield and yield efficiency (the ratio of yield to continuing vegetative growth) in replicated trials in comparison with the parental clones and the reproduced seedling family. The reproduced seedling families grew faster than and outyielded all the clones in all four crosses, although they showed no gain in yield efficiency. The vigour and yield of the ‘cloned seedlings’ of the three inter-Amazon crosses exceeded mid-parent value (MPV), but not the single Trinitario cross. The pattern of departures from MPVs was inconsistent with current understanding of the genetic distance between the parents. The superiority of the seedlings over the ‘cloned seedlings’ is interpreted as an epigenetic effect. The results suggest that simple recurrent selection is an appropriate breeding strategy in cocoa, with different optimum planting densities for the seedling and clonal phases. It is concluded that if the concept of very large ‘hybrid vigour’ did not already exist in cocoa, it would not be adopted on the evidence of this work, the first in which clones were compared to their progeny grown as clones.
Modern management of uterine fibroids
Authors: LEVY BARBARA S. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractUterine fibroids are the most common tumor of the reproductive tract in women of reproductive age. Although they are benign tumors that are often asymptomatic, uterine fibroids may cause debilitating symptoms in many women, such as abnormal uterine bleeding, abdominal pain, increased abdominal girth, urinary frequency, constipation, pregnancy loss, dyspareunia, and in some cases infertility. Several approaches are available for the treatment of uterine fibroids. These include pharmacologic options, such as hormonal therapies and gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonists; surgical approaches, such as hysterectomy, myomectomy, myolysis, laparoscopic uterine artery occlusion, magnetic resonance imaging‐guided focused ultrasound surgery, and uterine artery embolization. The choice of approach may be dictated by factors such as the patient's desire to become pregnant in the future, the importance of uterine preservation, symptom severity, and tumor characteristics. New treatment options for uterine fibroids would be minimally invasive, have long‐term data demonstrating efficacy and safety, have minimal or no incidence of fibroid recurrence, be easy to perform, preserve fertility, and be cost effective. New treatment approaches are under investigation, with the goals of being effective, safe, and less invasive.
Is serum‐soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐1 of importance in unexplained infertility?
Authors: WATHÉN KATJA‐ANNELI , UNKILA‐KALLIO LEILA , ISAKSSON RITA , TIITINEN AILA , STENMAN ULF‐HÅKAN , VUORELA PIIA 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjective. To analyze the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its naturally occurring circulating antagonist, soluble VEGF receptor‐1 (sVEGFR‐1), in infertility. VEGF is a key angiogenic factor in the endometrial and ovarian cyclic processes that are crucial for fertility and sVEGFR‐1 impairs its function and fertility in animals – less is known as regards human fertility. Design. Case–control study. Setting. University Central Hospital, a tertiary referral center. Population. Women with unexplained infertility (n = 15) and fertile controls (n = 10) had serial blood samples collected during their natural cycles, and the infertile women during a subsequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Methods. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used for this study. Main outcome measures. Concentrations of VEGF and sVEGFR‐1 in the natural cycles and of sVEGFR‐1 during a subsequent IVF cycle. Results. Plasma VEGF concentrations showed no cyclicity in fertile women, but were higher in the infertile group at the midluteal phase. Serum sVEGFR‐1 concentrations were similar between the groups and between natural and IVF cycles. However, in infertile women, concentrations of sVEGFR‐1 increased from the follicular phase to the luteal phase. In the follicular phase infertile women had a high ratio of VEGF/sVEGFR‐1, which was decreased in the luteal phase. Both findings were associated with failure to achieve pregnancy in subsequent IVF cycles. Conclusions. One cause of unexplained infertility may be unbalanced secretion of sVEGFR‐1 with concomitant changes in free VEGF during the transition from the follicular to the luteal phase. This aberration may be related to impaired implantation.
Alcohol use before and during pregnancy and factors influencing change among Swedish women
Authors: NILSEN PER , HOLMQVIST MARIKA , HULTGREN EVA , BENDTSEN PREBEN , CEDERGREN MARIE 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjective. To investigate alcohol intake during pregnancy among women, to assess health cares providers’ advice to the women and the relative importance of different factors on changes in the women's drinking. Design. Questionnaire study. Setting. Linköping, Sweden. Population. A total number of 1,533 women registered at a maternity health care center in Linköping during a one‐year period, from 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006. Methods. Mailed anonymous questionnaire with a response rate of 61%. Main outcome measures. Drinking behavior and information sources. Results. During pregnancy, 94% (n = 869) of the responding women abstained from alcohol, including 13% (n = 117) who were already abstainers. Six percent (n = 55) continued drinking during the pregnancy. Those who continued drinking during pregnancy were older, had more often given birth and drank more frequently before pregnancy than the women who abstained. Half of the respondents (n = 428) believed that decreases in alcohol intake during pregnancy reported in previous studies could be due to inaccurate self‐reporting. The main message from maternity health care providers was perceived to be complete abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy (85%; n = 777), although 8% (n = 76) claimed that they had not received any advice regarding this. Media attention concerning risks associated with drinking during pregnancy was seen as slightly more important to achieve reduced alcohol intake during pregnancy than advice from maternity health care providers. Conclusions. A majority of women in this study reported abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy.
Acidemia at birth, related to obstetric characteristics and to oxytocin use, during the last two hours of labor
Authors: JONSSON MARIA , NORDÉN‐LINDEBERG SOLVEIG , ÖSTLUND INGRID , HANSON ULF 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjective. Evaluate obstetric characteristics during the last two hours of labor in neonates born with acidemia. Design. Case‐control study. Setting. Delivery units at two university hospitals in Sweden. Study population. Out of 28,486 deliveries during 1994–2004, 305 neonates had an umbilical artery pH value <7.05 at birth. Methods. Cases: neonates with an umbilical artery pH < 7.05. Controls were neonates with pH ≥ 7.05 and an Apgar score ≥7 at 5 minutes. Obstetric characteristics, cardiotocographic patterns and oxytocin treatment during the last two hours of labor were recorded. Results. In the univariate analysis, ≥6 contractions/10 minutes (odds ratio (OR) 4.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.25–7.49), oxytocin use (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.66–2.92), bearing down ≥45 minutes (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.31–2.38) and occipito‐posterior position (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.19–3.98) were associated with acidemia at birth. In the multivariate analysis, only ≥6 contractions/10 minutes (OR 5.36, 95% CI 3.32–8.65) and oxytocin use (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.21–2.97) were associated with acidemia at birth. Among cases with ≥6 contractions/10 minutes, 75% had been treated with oxytocin. Pathological cardiotocographic patterns occurred in 68.8% of cases and in 26.1% of controls (p<0.001). Conclusion. A hyperactive uterine contraction pattern and oxytocin use are the most important risk factors for acidemia at birth. The increased uterine activity was related to overstimulation in the majority of cases. The duration of bearing down is less important when uterine contraction frequency has been considered.
Rate of ventricular enlargement in multiple sclerosis: a nine-year magnetic resonance imaging follow-up study
Authors: Martola J. , Stawiarz L. , Fredrikson S. , Hillert J. , Bergström J. , Flodmark O. , Aspelin P. , Kristoffersen Wiberg M. 
Published: June 2008

Background: In multiple sclerosis (MS), brain atrophy assessed by linear measurements of ventricular widths has been reported to be well correlated with three-dimensional (3D) measurements. Therefore, serial linear measurements with no need for advanced 3D evaluation may be proven to be robust markers of irreversible, destructive changes. Purpose: To evaluate the rate of supratentorial ventricular enlargement representing four decades of disease span. Material and Methods: 37 MS patients with disease duration at baseline ranging from 1 to 33 years were included. The mean time of the individual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow-up was 9.25 years (range 7.3–10 years). Enlargement rate of the third and lateral ventricles was studied over time by applying three linear measurements on axial 5-mm T1-weighted MRI images. Results: Progression of supratentorial ventricular widths during 9 years’ follow-up was found. The mean annual width increase of the third ventricle was 0.20 mm ( P<0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15–0.25), for the frontal horn width 0.32 mm ( P<0.001, 95% CI 0.23–0.40), and increase of the intercaudate distance was 0.26 mm ( P<0.001, 95% CI 0.19–0.33). The association between these three measurements and disability status persisted at the time of follow-up. Conclusion: We found uniform ventricular enlargement progression during four decades of disease span, suggesting unchanging total brain atrophy progression over time.
Shoulder magnetic resonance arthrography: a prospective randomized study of anterior and posterior ultrasonography-guided contrast injections
Authors: Koivikko M. P. , Mustonen A. O. T. 
Published: June 2008

Background: Magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography is an accurate imaging method for internal shoulder derangements and rotator cuff pathologies. Both anterior and posterior contrast injection techniques, under palpatory, fluoroscopic, or ultrasonographic guidance have been described in the literature. However, clinical comparisons of the injection techniques remain few. Purpose: To compare the performance of anterior and posterior ultrasonography (US)-guided arthrography injections of the shoulder regarding patient discomfort and influence on diagnostic MR reading, and to illustrate the typical artifacts resulting from contrast leakage in the respective techniques. Material and Methods: 43 MR arthrographies were prospectively randomized into anterior and posterior US-guided contrast injections and performed by two radiologists, with the study of artifacts from contrast leakage. Pain from the injections was assessed by a survey utilizing a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: Of the 23 anterior injections, nine caused contrast artifacts in the subscapular tendon, and in three the leakage extended further anteriorly. Of the 20 posterior injections, 12 showed injection artifacts of the rotator cuff, extending outside the cuff in seven. Two of the anterior and none of the posterior artifacts compromised diagnostic quality. In posterior injections, the leakage regularly occurred at the caudal edge of the infraspinatus muscle and was easily distinguishable from rotator cuff tears. All patients completed the pain survey. Mean VAS scores were 25.0 (median 18, SD 22) for anterior, and 25.4 (median 16, SD 25) for posterior injections. The two radiologists achieved different mean VAS scores but closely agreed as to anterior and posterior VAS scores. Conclusion: Arthrography injections were fairly simple to perform under US guidance. Patient discomfort for anterior and posterior injections was equally minor. A tailored approach utilizing anterior or posterior injections, depending on anticipated shoulder pathology, is recommended. Because in posterior injections all artifacts were posterior and readily recognizable, it seems especially suitable for suspected anterior rotator cuff, joint capsule, and labral pathologies.