bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reproductive success and helper effects in the cooperatively breeding grey‐crowned babbler
Authors: Blackmore C. J. , Heinsohn R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractCooperative breeding, where some individuals help to raise offspring that are not their own, is a relatively rare social system in birds. We studied the breeding biology of a declining cooperative breeder, the grey‐crowned babblerPomatostomus temporalis, with the aim of isolating the social factors that affect its reproductive success. Most breeding pairs were assisted by philopatric offspring, although pairs could breed successfully without helpers. Females laid up to four clutches (usually three eggs per clutch) per season. Male (but not female) helpers increased the number of young fledged from individual nests and the likelihood of re‐nesting, resulting in higher seasonal fledgling production. Helper effects on brood size and fledgling production were greater in the second year of the study, which was also characterized by higher nest failure. This suggests that helpers enhance reproduction more in poor conditions. Our study demonstrates the interacting effects of social and ecological factors on reproductive success, and that retention of offspring is not always beneficial for the breeders in cooperative species.
Effects of food and fire on the demography of a nectar‐feeding marsupial: a field experiment
Authors: Tulloch A. I. , Dickman C. R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAnimals that specialize on nectar can be expected to face shortages of energy at times or in places where floral resources fade. Using a nectar‐feeding marsupial, the eastern pygmy‐possum Cercartetus nanus as a model, we predicted that animals would respond rapidly to an artificial energy supplement by showing improved body condition and increased local abundance. We also tested the hypothesis that responses would be more pronounced in burnt than in unburnt habitats due to the expectation that food would be limiting after fire. Energy was added in the form of sugar solution to two burnt and two unburnt woodland sites on the New South Wales coast, but not to two sets of equivalent control sites. The responses of pygmy‐possums were compared between sites a month before and a month after supplementation during early autumn when flowers were diminishing. The energy supplement increased on‐site immigration and a tail‐fat index of body condition, but had no overall effect on the abundance or mean body mass of pygmy‐possums. There was no effect of habitat; floral abundance was equal across sites. The results show that C. nanus responded rapidly to the energy supplement, and indicate that animals monitor shifts in the resource base continuously. Similar resource tracking abilities have been demonstrated previously in more mobile nectar‐feeders, such as honeyeaters and bats. We suggest that such abilities should be generally advantageous in any species that depend on ephemeral resources.
Understanding the population dynamics of a rare, polyvoltine butterfly
Authors: Pickens B. A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractUnderstanding the effects of endogenous and exogenous factors on population dynamics is essential for assessing the viability of populations, setting recovery goals for endangered species, and evaluating management options. Invertebrates are particularly difficult to monitor and few long‐term datasets are available for these species. Additionally, limited resources make it necessary to perform monitoring as efficiently as possible. Here, I use the bivoltine Karner blue butterflyLycaeides melissa samuelisto demonstrate how analyzing the effects of density‐dependent factors and weather on separate life stages can be utilized to understand monitoring data, assess populations and identify critical life‐history parameters. My first step was to compare the use of peak numbers as an index of population size with estimates obtained from a more data intensive methodology. Peak numbers proved to be an effective index, and so I utilized this index to analyze 10 and 13 years of monitoring data at two Karner blue butterfly sites in New York, USA. I modeled the effects of weather and density dependence on two distinct population growth rates (λ) per year. Analysis with Akaike's Information Criteria indicated that both sites were primarily influenced by density dependence during the summer period and by weather conditions during the winter period. Large population declines occurred in the winter period and were a result of the previous year's dry summer and cool spring weather. I conclude that recovery goals for this endangered species should include a second brood‐carrying capacity, mean winter growth rate and multiple sites with independent populations. This study represents a rare, long‐term study on the population dynamics of a polyvoltine species. Understanding the population dynamics of polyvoltine species, such as the Karner blue butterfly, will assist in the conservation of many invertebrate and small mammal species.
Osteoporosis and the general dental practitioner: reliability of some digital dental radiological measures
Authors: Geraets W. G. M. , Verheij J. G. C. , Van Der Stelt P. F. , Horner K. , Lindh C. , Nicopoulou‐Karayianni K. , Jacobs R. , Devlin H. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractObjectives:  Dental radiographs are relatively inexpensive and are regularly made of a large fraction of the adult population; therefore, they represent an enormous potential as a screening tool for osteoporosis. Monitoring the population by means of dual X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), which is currently the most accepted method for diagnosing osteoporosis, involves enormous costs and facilities. In previous studies, it was shown that the radiographic trabecular pattern shows correlations with the bone mineral density (BMD) as measured by DXA. The objective of this study was to assess the reproducibility of the quantitative analysis of the trabecular pattern on dental radiographs.Methods:  Six regions of interest were selected manually on three digital radiographic images of 20 women. This process was performed 10 times resulting in 1200 image samples. For each image sample 26 parameters were measured. The reliability of the parameters was evaluated by means of Cronbach's alpha.Results:  Of the values of Cronbach's alpha 83% is at least 0.9 and 99% is at least 0.8.Conclusions:  The measurements of the parameters used in this study are very reproducible. Therefore, the manual selection of the regions of interest does not introduce large amounts of noise. The imaging parameters potentially offer an accurate tool for the prediction of BMD values.
Socio‐economic inequality in the self‐reported number of natural teeth among Norwegian adults – an analytical study
Authors: Haugejorden Ola , Klock Kristin S. , Åstrøm Anne N. , Skaret Erik , Trovik Tordis A. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract –  Objective:  To assess inequality in dental status associated with educational level, gross personal and family income among Norwegian adults.Methods:  Data were collected by Norway's Central Bureau of Statistics in November–December 2003. A two‐stage, proportional random sample comprising 2000 persons aged 16–79 years was drawn from the national population register. Information became available for 1309 subjects by interview. The present analyses pertain to 1092 subjects aged 25–79 years (response rate 66%, mean age 47.9 years).Results:  Of the respondents, 3% were edentulous and 9% had fewer than 20 teeth. The mean number of teeth was 27.1 (SD 7.0). In multiple logistic regression analysis, low gross personal and adjusted family income were associated with increased likelihood of having fewer than 20 natural teeth (OR = 2.84, 95% CI 1.58, 5.10; OR = 3.63, 95% CI 1.99, 6.62, respectively). Educational level was significantly associated with dental status in bivariate but not in multivariate analyses, except once among males. The predictors of socio‐economic inequality in dental status accounted for a limited proportion of explained variance (Nagelkerke's R2) when controlling for age, place of residence, perceived oral health compared with others, perceived importance of oral health, dental attendance and smoking.Conclusion:  Socio‐economic inequality in dental status persists among Norwegians aged 25–79 years but absolute differences have decreased during the last 30 years. The findings are encouraging but challenging as far as choice of strategy for further reduction of differences in tooth loss.
The efficacy of orally dosed ketamine and ketamine/medetomidine compared with intramuscular ketamine in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and the effects of dosing route on haematological stress markers
Authors: Winterborn Andrew N , Bates Wendy A , Feng Changyong , Wyatt Jeffrey D 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground This study compared the efficacy of two orally‐dosed (PO) anaesthetic regimens for chemical immobilization in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), versus the standard protocol of intramuscular (TM) ketamine. In addition, the effects of dosing route on haematological stress markers were evaluated.Methods Testing was conducted on 18 chronically housed animals. Animals were trained to accept oral dosing and then randomly assigned to one of three drug regimens: (1) ketamine IM, (2) ketamine PO, (3) Ketamine/medetomidine PO. Sedation levels for each regimen were evaluated.Results Oral dosing alone was not sufficient to achieve a plane of sedation that allowed for safe handling. Serum cortisol and glucose levels were unchanged across groups, although differences were observed in the leukogram profiles.Conclusion The oral dosages used in this study fell short in providing adequate sedation for safe handling for routine veterinary procedures. Leukogram profiles indicated that orally dosed animals experienced a higher level of stress.
Application of tropical legumes for pig feed
Authors: MEKBUNGWAN Apichai 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTRaw legume seeds are important source of protein and other nutrients for monogastric animals. However, these legume seeds include many kinds of anti‐nutritive factors (ANF) such as trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors, lectins and tannins. Although these ANF vary by species, cultivation areas and harvesting methods, they play a role in decreasing the utilization of nutrients. The pig is a monogastric animal which is slightly tolerant to the ANF in raw legume seed. Nevertheless, the optimal use of legume seed as a pig feed necessitates a lowering of the toxicity in the raw seed until it is appropriate for incorporation in the feed. There are many methods to improve the utilization of nutrients in legume seed, such as breeding improvement, physical treatments (decortications, dehulling, milling and others), heat treatments (toasting, boiling, extrusion, streaming or autoclave), chelating substances for binding toxics, radiation and soaking. The choice of the treatment depends on the availability of facilities and economic considerations. This article reviews and discusses the nutrients in legume seeds and might offer an important information on legume seeds for pig feed to nutritionists.
Review of a histological intestinal approach to assessing the intestinal function in chickens and pigs
Authors: YAMAUCHI Koh‐en 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThe general histological features of the small intestine are well known. However, histological intestinal alterations induced by ingested feeds have not been established. To demonstrate such a relationship; (i) the post‐hatching development of intestinal villi in chickens was observed; (ii) histological intestinal differences were compared in White Leghorns and broilers; and (iii) histological intestinal alteration was investigated in fasting and refeeding treatments, using chickens and piglets. Histological intestinal recovery responses; (iv) to luminal nutrient absorption, intraluminal physical stimulation, or intravenous parenteral alimentation in fasted chickens, as well as; (v) to particle size and nutritional level of refed diets in fasted chickens and piglets were also compared. To induce compensatory enlargement of ileal villi; (vi) the jejunum was surgically resected. To reconfirm the histological intestinal alterations induced artificially; (vii) conventional feeding experiments were enforced in chickens and piglets. These fundamental investigations demonstrate that the high values of villus height, cell area and cell mitosis numbers as well as protuberated epithelial cells are hypertrophied by ingested feeds. Finally, as examples of practical use in the animal production field; (viii) useful feed resources to improve the growth performance by activating the intestinal function in chickens and piglets; and (ix) an effective forced molting method are introduced. Based on the histological intestinal alterations related with growth performance in chickens and piglets, this article reviews progress in the establishment of a histological intestinal index to assess the intestinal function.
The influence of Pueraria mirifica herb containing phytoestrogens on the urinary gonadotropin and estradiol levels in aged menopausal monkeys
Authors: TRISOMBOON Hataitip , MALAIVIJITNOND Suchinda , CHERDSHEWASART Wichai , WATANABE Gen , TAYA Kazuyoshi 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTWe investigated a non‐invasive method of specimen collection for determining the changes of reproductive hormones in aged menopausal monkeys after a long‐term feeding of the Thai herb Pueraria mirifica (PM) containing phytoestrogens. Three groups of aged menopausal monkeys (n = three in each group) were fed daily with 10, 100, or 1000 mg of PM for a 90 day treatment period, and fed with distilled water for 30 and 60 days of the pre‐ and post‐treatment periods, respectively. Urine samples were collected for 14 h daily every 5 days and assayed for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol levels. The result showed that monkeys fed with PM 10, PM 100, and PM 1000 had a decrease in urinary FSH levels during the treatment period, followed by a rebound increase during the post‐treatment period. Urinary estradiol levels tended to decrease and fluctuated between 4.28 and 266.71, 2.85–42.27, and 6.24–203.50% of the pre‐treatment levels in those three groups, respectively. Decreases in urinary LH levels could not be observed in all the three groups. These results suggest that FSH could be a candidate marker to detect the estrogenic effects of phytoestrogens in aged menopausal monkeys when changes of urinary hormones need to be used as an indicator.
Predicting urinary nitrogen excretion by milk urea nitrogen in lactating Chinese Holstein cows
Authors: ZHAI Shaowei , LIU Jianxin , WU Yueming , YE Junan 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to assess the relationship between milk urea nitrogen (MUN, mg/dL) and urinary nitrogen (UN) excretion (UN, g/day) in lactating Chinese Holstein cows. Twelve mature lactating cows were divided into four groups by their days in milk and milk yield and fed four different crude protein levels diets (13.2, 14.1, 15.0 and 16.2%, dry matter (DM) basis) with a similar net energy content. The experiment was conducted according to a multiple 4 × 4 Latin square design. The entire length of the experimental periods was 56 days, each period consisting of 14 days with days 1–9 for adjustment and days 10–14 for the collection of urine and data. The crude protein content had significant effects on the MUN content and UN excretion (P < 0.01), but little effect on milk yield and composition (P > 0.05). There was a close relationship between MUN and UN excretion (P < 0.001). The following equations were established to predict UN (g/day) excretion based on MUN (mg/dL) in the lactating Chinese Holstein cows: UN = 10.07 × MUN + 47.29. The results obtained in this study suggested that MUN could be used as a parameter to estimate UN excretion, while the equations to predict UN based on MUN might be somewhat different due to the differences in breeds of cow.
Seasonal variations in sexual behavior, testosterone, testicular size and semen characteristics, as affected by social dominance, of tropical hair rams (Ovis aries)
Authors: AGUIRRE Virginio , ORIHUELA Agustín , VÁZQUEZ Reyes 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of day length on seminal characteristics, testicular size, sexual behavior and testosterone concentration (T4) in dominant and subordinate Pelibuey rams. Six groups of three animals were evaluated every 2 weeks over a 12 month period. Dominant (D), medium (M) and subordinate (S) animals in each group were identified through a food competition test every 15 days. All rams ejaculated and produced semen throughout the year. A linear hierarchy was clearly established and maintained during the year. S rams had lower levels (P < 0.05) of semen volume, sperm concentration and testicular volume than D rams, regardless of season. Scrotal circumference was not influenced (P > 0.05) by their social position. D rams were more affected by the photoperiod, decreasing (P < 0.05) reaction times, increasing (P < 0.05) T4and producing more (P < 0.05) sperm per ejaculation than S rams during short days (14.65 ± 1.22vs26.92 ± 1.65 s; 8.68 ± 0.44vs7.37 ± 0.40 ng/mL and 3.37 ± 0.17vs2.04 ± 0.16 sperm/109, respectively). Semen volume and sperm concentration were significantly (P < 0.05) greater during short days in all rams, regardless of their social status, with the exception of sperm concentration in D rams where no variation was found. M rams displayed variable values in the range between the D and S rams. It was concluded that the magnitude of the seasonal effects was not sufficient to prevent the rams being used for breeding throughout the year and that seasonal variation within the variables affected the social ranks differently.
How Reliable is a Self-administered Questionnaire in Detecting Sexual Abuse: A Retrospective Study in Patients with Pelvic-Floor Complaints and a Review of Literature
Authors: Elzevier Henk W. , Voorham-van der Zalm Petra J. , Pelger Rob C.M. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTIntrodutionSexual abuse and sexual functioning are topics that health professionals find difficult to discuss. Women who present with pelvic-floor complaints often experience sexual difficulties; therefore, questions regarding sexual function should be a routine part of screening. Furthermore, pelvic-floor complaints are correlated with sexual abuse and asking about abuse should be a routine part of screening as well. Considering the fact that many practitioners have difficulty enquiring about abuse, we have suggested that a questionnaire may be helpful in improving the recognition and management of patients who have a history of sexual abuse.AimThe efficiency of detecting sexual abuse by a self-administered questionnaire.MethodsReport of sexual abuse in a self-administered pelvic-floor questionnaire before visiting our outpatient pelvic-floor department was evaluated with the Pelvic Floor Leiden Inventories (PelFIs) administered by a pelvic- floor clinician in a later stage.Main Outcome MeasuresThe percentage of sexual abuse detected by a taken questionnaire administered by a pelvic-floor clinician not confessed during a previous self-administered questionnaire.ResultsSexual abuse was reported in 20 patients with pelvic-floor dysfunction during administration of the PelFIs and were also evaluated on our pelvic-floor department. Only six of the patients (30%) did not note in the self-administered questionnaire that they had a history of sexual abuse.ConclusionA self-administered questionnaire for pelvic-floor complaints is reliable in detecting sexual abuse and can be helpful in daily practice.
A Survey of Primary-Care Physicians and Urologists Regarding Peyronie's Disease
Authors: LaRochelle Jeffrey C. , Levine Laurence A. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Peyronie's disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder with an uncertain etiology that causes penile deformity. The interest in PD and our understanding of the disorder has grown significantly in recent years. Data have shown that several previous beliefs regarding the prevalence, natural history, and treatment of PD were incorrect. The prevalence is significantly higher than the previously reported 1%, and most cases of PD do not spontaneously resolve.

Aim
To determine the extent to which newer information about PD has reached physicians who are likely to encounter men with PD and to determine practice patterns regarding this disorder.

Methods
We created a survey of 20 questions and mailed it to primary-care physicians (PCPs) and urologists (UROs) in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Main Outcome Measures
Responses to individual survey items were totaled.

Results
We received 152 responses from PCPs and 98 from UROs for response rates of 43% and 44%, respectively. Survey results revealed the following: 63% of PCPs and 41% of UROs thought the prevalence is less than 1%; 17% of PCPs and 38% of UROs believed PD spontaneously resolves in greater than 50% of cases; 17% of PCPs and 9% of UROs did not think PD occurs in men younger than 40 years of age; 48% of PCPs and 37% of UROs did not believe that PD is frequently associated with ED; 51% of PCPs and 1% of UROs were unsure if any effective medical or surgical treatment for PD existed.

Conclusion
These data suggest that many physicians who are very likely to encounter men with PD have incorrect assumptions about the disease, and this can negatively affect diagnosis and treatment of men with PD.
Role of a
qnr
-Like Gene in the Intrinsic Resistance of
Enterococcus faecalis
to Fluoroquinolones
Authors: Arsène Stéphanie , Leclercq Roland 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Fluoroquinolones are poorly active against enterococci. Recently, plasmid-borne resistance to fluoroquinolones due to the
qnr
gene was reported in members of the
Enterobacteriaceae
family. The gene encodes a pentapeptide repeat protein that protects DNA gyrase from inhibition by fluoroquinolones. We have identified in the genome of
Enterococcus faecalis
V583 a
qnr
-like gene, named
E. faecalis qnr
(
qnr

E. faecalis

), encoding a putative pentapeptide repeat protein that shares 25% identity with Qnr. To assess its potential role in the intrinsic resistance of
E. faecalis
to fluoroquinolones,
qnr

E. faecalis

was inactivated in
E. faecalis
JH2-2 by insertion of the thermosensitive vector pG1KT. This strain was then complemented with
qnr

E. faecalis

cloned in the multicopy plasmid pORI23. The effects of its overexpression were also studied. Inactivation of the
qnr

E. faecalis

gene resulted in twofold decreases in the MICs of ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. When the gene was complemented or overexpressed, MICs of fluoroquinolones increased four- to nine-fold, leading to MICs of ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin equal to 32 μg/ml and 8 μg/ml, respectively. The
E. faecalis
Qnr (Qnr

E. faecalis

) protein was produced and purified. Qnr

E. faecalis

protein protected
Escherichia coli
DNA gyrase from inhibition by ofloxacin. The
qnr

E. faecalis

gene was then introduced into
E. coli
DH10B,
Staphylococcus aureus
RN4220, and
Lactococcus lactis
IL-1419 to study its heterologous expression. MICs of the various fluoroquinolones tested increased 4- to 16-fold, showing that Qnr

E. faecalis

conferred resistance to fluoroquinolones in various bacterial backgrounds. Overexpression of
qnr

E. faecalis

in enterococci or mobilization of the gene to other bacterial species may be anticipated as a possible new mechanism for fluoroquinolone resistance.