bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Maternal Age on Fecundity, Spawning Interval, and Egg Quality of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)
Authors: Tsadik Getinet G. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract Effects of maternal age on fecundity, spawning interval, and egg quality of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), was examined for four age groups (4, 9, 16, and 24 mo) in circular concrete tanks in a recirculating system. Fecundity (eggs per spawn), weight (g), and egg quality were monitored every 4 d for the 168‐d experimental period. Eggs per spawn correlated with maternal age, while it did not correlate with body weight. Eggs per spawn increased by twofold between 4‐ and 24‐mo‐old females, while eggs per female per d did not differ. Implying that eggs per female per d was influenced by spawn per female as well. Eggs per female per d was 1.8 and 2.4 times higher in 9‐mo‐old females than 16‐ and 24‐mo‐old females, respectively. Eggs per female per d showed a decline concurrent with per spawn per female trend after 18‐mo old. Four‐mo‐old females produced eggs that were more uniform in size and weight than others. While egg size (mm) and weight (mg), and their variations within eggs per spawn increased, percent fertilization and hatchability decreased with age of females. Biological optimum age range for reproducible production of good quality eggs was 6–18 mo. This could be adopted in selecting breeders for better seed production.
Factors Affecting Survival of Cobia, Rachycentron canadum, during Simulated Transport
Authors: Colburn Heidi R. , Walker Abigail B. , Berlinsky David L. , Nardi George C. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract Interest in cobia, Rachycentron canadum, culture has shown significant growth in recent years, but few hatcheries are available to support this developing industry. To facilitate the transport of cobia between facilities, four 24‐h experiments were conducted to examine the effects of density, temperature, and actual versus simulated transport on juvenile cobia (1.5–3.0 g) survival. Mortality during actual transport at fish densities of 5, 10, and 15 kg/m3 (2.9 ± 0.6, 2.9 ± 1.8, and 6.3 ± 0.8%, respectively) did not differ by treatment but was significantly higher than that during simulated transport at each density (0%). No differences in mortality were found following simulated shipping at 19, 21, and 25 C at 15 kg/m3. Significantly greater mortality occurred when juveniles were packed at 25 kg/m3 (10.4 ± 0.7%) than at 20 kg/m3 (1.9 ± 1.6%) and 15 kg/m3 (0.1 ± 0.1%). Recovery following simulated and actual shipping was high in all treatment groups. Under the conditions examined, results indicate that transport density should not exceed 20 kg/m3.
Development of new lymphatic vessels in alkali‐burned corneas
Authors: Ling Shiqi , Lin Haotian , Liang Lingyi , Xu Jianggan , Xu Chuangchao , Zhao Wei , Liu Zuguo 
Published: September 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  Corneal lymphangiogenesis provides an exit route for antigen‐presenting cells to regional lymph nodes, inducing immune response. The purpose of this study was to examine the development of corneal lymphatic vessels in alkali‐burned corneas.Methods:  Corneal lymphatic vessels were examined by electron microscopy, 5′‐nase‐alkaline phosphatase (5′‐NA‐ALP) double enzyme‐histochemistry and whole mount immunofluorescence at 6 hr, 1 day, 3 days, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 weeks after rat corneal alkali injury. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor‐C (VEGF‐C) protein and mRNA was examined 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 14 days after the injury.Results:  Corneal lymphangiogenesis developed 3 days after alkaline burns, reached its peak 2 weeks after the injury, decreased gradually and disappeared at the end of the fifth week. The expression of VEGF‐C in burned corneas increased dramatically on the third day but disappeared the 14th day after the injury.Conclusion:  Corneal lymphatic vessels develop after alkaline burns and VEGF‐C may play an important role in corneal lymphangiogensis.
Bevacizumab as adjuvant for neovascular glaucoma
Authors: Beutel Julia , Peters Swaantje , Lüke Matthias , Aisenbrey Sabin , Szurman Peter , Spitzer Martin S. , Yoeruek Efdal ,   the Bevacizumab Study Group, Grisanti Salvatore 
Published: September 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  We aimed to evaluate the longterm effects of intraocular bevacizumab (Avastin®) injections as adjuvant treatment in patients with neovascular glaucoma.Methods:  Twenty eyes of 18 consecutive patients with secondary neovascular glaucoma caused by proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 7), ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion (n = 7), ischaemic ophthalmopathy (n = 2) and retinal ischaemia resulting from persistent detachment (n = 2) were treated with intraocular bevacizumab injections (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) in addition to other treatments. The main outcome measure was the change in degree of iris rubeosis. Secondary outcomes included intraocular pressure (IOP), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and numbers of additional interventions or antiglaucoma medications administered after injection.Results:  Mean (± standard deviation) follow‐up was 67.7 ± 13.8 weeks (range 50–93 weeks). At the last follow‐up, complete regression of rubeosis was detectable in five (20%) eyes, incomplete regression in seven (35%), stabilization in six (30%), and an increase in two (10%) eyes. Mean IOP was 26.0 ± 8.9 mmHg at baseline and significantly decreased to 14.75 ± 5.3 mmHg at the last follow‐up visit (p = 0.000005). Mean baseline BCVA (logMAR [logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution] 1.43 ± 0.89) was stabilized during the follow‐up period (logMAR 1.5 ± 0.98). Patients received an average of 2.75 injections. Additional treatments were laser photocoagulation in 13 (65%) eyes, cyclodestructive procedure in 14 (70%), cryopexy in six (30%), drainage procedures in two (10%), and vitrectomy in five (25%) eyes.Conclusions:  Bevacizumab may be beneficial as adjuvant treatment in neovascular glaucoma because of its anti‐angiogenic properties and its ability to prevent establishment or progression of angular obstruction. The causative disease inducing the angiogenic process requires treatment in all cases. Antiglaucoma treatment is needed in cases of persistent elevated IOP.
Scanning laser polarimetry with variable corneal compensation in migraine patients
Authors: Martinez Antonio , Proupim Norberto , Sanchez Manuel 
Published: September 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  This study aimed to compare scanning laser polarimetry measurements of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness in eyes of migraine patients with those in eyes of age‐matched, healthy subjects.Methods:  The study was designed as an observational, prospective, cross‐sectional study. It included 57 eyes of 57 patients with migraine with or without aura according to the criteria of the International Headache Society and 44 eyes of 44 age‐matched healthy controls. Scanning laser polarimetry images were obtained using a commercial GDx VCC system (Version 5.3.1; Laser Diagnostic Technologies, Inc.). At each sitting, three sets of GDx VCC measurements were acquired for each patient and used in the analysis. Image acquisition was performed in undilated eyes in all subjects.Results:  The mean ± standard deviation RNFL average thickness parameter in the migraine subjects was significantly lower than in the control group, at 50.4 ± 4.8 μm versus 54.7 ± 3.4 μm, respectively (p < 0.0001). However, there were no differences between migraine subjects and controls in mean RNFL thickness in superior and inferior areas. In the migraine group the mean migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) score was 34.3 ± 15.3 and the mean number of attacks per year was 17.1 ± 6.9 (range 6−28). The mean RNFL average thickness parameter was significantly correlated with MIDAS score (r = − 0.86, p < 0.0001) and frequency of attacks (r = − 0.86, p < 0.0001).Conclusions:  The mean RNFL average thickness parameter was found to be thinner in migraine patients. In addition, we found a strong correlation between migraine severity and RNFL average thickness parameters.
Visual fields and optic disc morphology in very low birthweight adolescents examined with magnetic resonance imaging of the brain
Authors: Hellgren Kerstin , Hellström Ann , Martin Lene 
Published: September 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  We aimed to evaluate visual fields (VFs) and optic disc morphology in very low birthweight (VLBW) adolescents compared with age‐ and gender‐matched controls, and to relate the findings to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results.Methods:  Fifty‐nine VLBW adolescents and 55 age‐ and gender‐matched controls with normal birthweight were examined. Visual fields were tested using computerized rarebit perimetry (RB). Optic nerve and retinal vessel morphology were evaluated by digital image analysis of fundus photographs. Brain MRI was conducted in the VLBW subjects.Results:  Ten of the 57 VLBW subjects (p = 0.022) had subnormal VF results defined as a mean hit rate below the fifth percentile of the controls (i.e. < 89%). All of these also had significantly lower mean hit rates (p = 0.039) in the inferior hemifield. Sixteen of 57 (28%) VLBW subjects had white matter damage of immaturity (WMDI) on MRI. Six of 15 subjects with WMDI (who underwent VF testing) also had subnormal RB results, compared with four of 39 with normal MRI findings (p = 0.02). The mean neural retinal rim area was 9% smaller (p = 0.018) in the VLBW group than in the control group. The VLBW adolescents had a significantly higher index for tortuosity of arterioles than the controls (p < 0.001).Conclusions:  In the present study, 18% of all VLBW adolescents and 40% of those with WMDI had subnormal RB VF findings. The VLBW group had increased arterial tortuosity and a somewhat smaller (9%) mean neural retinal rim area than the control group. Thus sequels to VLBW appear to persist in adolescence.
Incidence of musculoskeletal pain and rheumatic disorders in a Bangladeshi rural community: a WHO‐APLAR‐COPCORD study
Authors: HAQ Syed Atiqul , DARMAWAN John , ISLAM Md. Nazrul , AHMED Moniruzzaman , BANIK Sree Krisna , Fazlur Rahman A. K. M. , ALAM Mohammad Noor , TAHIR Mohammad , RASKER J. J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAim:  To estimate the incidence of musculoskeletal pain and rheumatic disorders in a Bangladeshi rural community.Methods:  This study was conducted in six villages near Dhaka from January 2001 to June 2002. Door‐to‐door case finding by interviewers was followed by interviewing and examination of positive respondents by trained doctors. The respondents with inflammatory arthropathies were reviewed 5 years later, in December 2006.Results:  Four hundred and forty‐one (M = 163, F = 278) out of 2685 adults (M = 1324, F = 1361) developed new musculoskeletal pain yielding an incidence rates of 10.9/100 person‐years (PY) (M = 8.2, F = 13.6). The incidence was highest in the 35–44‐year age group in both genders. It was highest in housewives, followed by weavers and cultivators. The spine (7.5/100 PY) was the most common affected part followed by knees (6.5), shoulder (6.2) and neck (6.2). The most common cause of new musculoskeletal pain was non‐specific low back pain, followed by fibromyalgia and knee osteoarthritis. Forty‐one subjects (M = 17, F = 24) developed inflammatory joint or spinal pain (1000/100,000 PY). The incidence of rheumatoid arthritis, combined spondyloarthropothies, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthropathy and psoriatic arthritis were 120 (M = 101, F = 147), 150 (M = 252, F = 49), 75 (M = 151, F = 0), 50 (M = 101, F = 0) and 25 (M = 0, F = 49) per 100,000 PY, respectively. Thirty‐one cases had undiagnosed arthropathies (770/100,000 PY). Seven were unavailable in December, 2006 and one died. The remaining 23 were symptom‐free.Conclusions:  The incidence of musculoskeletal pain and rheumatic disorders is considerable in this Bangladeshi rural community. Common incident disorders are non‐specific low back pain, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis of knees. Inflammatory arthropathies are not common. The majority of undiagnosed arthopathies undergo spontaneous lasting remission.
Dermatomyositis/polymyositis associated with malignancy: our experience with ten patients and review of relevant literature
Authors: TEMBE A. G. , RAMTEKE S. , JOSHI V. R. , BALAKRISHNAN C. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjective:  To analyse the clinical and laboratory data of patients diagnosed with malignancy associated dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM) seen between January 2002 and February 2007.Methods:  The demographic, clinical, treatment and follow‐up data from the case records of all 10 patients diagnosed with malignancy‐associated inflammatory muscle diseases (IMD) namely, DM/PM, were entered in a proforma and analysed.Results:  In patient nos. 1–8, malignancy was diagnosed prior to the diagnosis of myositis; in patient no. 9, it was detected during screening and patient no. 10 developed breast cancer 5 years after PM diagnosis. All the patients had typical clinical and laboratory features of IMD, except two patients, who had amyopathic dermatomyositis with predominantly cutaneous features, creatine kinase levels less than two times the upper limit of normal and minimal muscle weakness. Breast cancer (6/10) and ovarian cancer (3/10) were the most commonly associated malignancies. All but one (patient no. 8) responded to treatment. Malignancy relapsed in four patients with concurrent relapse of myositis in three. These three patients died of the malignancy. One patient was lost to follow‐up. The mean duration of follow‐up in others was 21 months (range 12–60 months).Conclusion:  DM is more commonly associated with malignancy. Carcinoma of the breast was the most commonly associated malignancy. Myositis responded in most patients. Death was due to the underlying malignancy. In most cases, the two conditions occur within 1 year.
Prolactin and macroprolactin in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: JOKAR Mohammadhassan , MAYBODI Naser TAYYEBI , AMINI Azam , FARD Mohammadreza HATEF 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma levels of prolactin and macroprolactin in a group of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and to determine if prolactin and macroprolactin concentrations were related to disease activity, clinical features or serological abnormalities.Methods:  Ninety consecutive Iranian patients with SLE were tested for serum prolactin and macroprolactin levels. Total prolactin was measured directly in serum samples by radioimmunoassay. Free prolactin was extracted from the serum using polyethylene glycol. Clinical manifestation and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) were recorded. Auto antibodies were determined by standard techniques.Results:  There were 90 patients (7 male, 83 female) with a mean age of 27.6 ± 9.1 (range 14–52). The mean disease duration was 27.6 ± 9.1 months. The frequency of high prolactin and macroprolactin, respectively, was 10% (9/90) and 5.6% (5/90) in patients with SLE. Macroprolactinemia was found in 55.55% (5/9) of hyperprolactinemic patients. Lupus activity was present in 63.3% (57/90) of patients without a significant difference in the frequency of high serum prolactin and macroprolactin levels when compared to inactive lupus. There were no statistically significant differences regarding demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics between the group of patients with macroprolactinemia and the group without macroprolactinemia.Conclusion:  Our results suggest that a subgroup of SLE patients have hyperprolactinemia and macroprolactinemia but they do not seem to have positive or negative correlation to clinical and laboratory features and disease activity.
Multicentre survey of rheumatoid arthritis patients from Ministry of Health Rheumatology Centers in Malaysia
Authors: SHAHRIR Mohd , SHAHDAN Mohd , SHAHID Mohamed , SULAIMAN W. , MOKHTAR A. M. , OTHMAN M. , ROSMAN A. , ONG S. G. , LAU I. S. , ZAIN M. M. , YUSOF H. , ISMAIL A. , YUSOF A. , TAN B. E. , CHONG H. C. , HUSSEIN H. , EISHWARY M. , SHAHRIL N. A. , LIZA M. I. , GUN S. C. , LOH Y. L. , DE'SOUZA B. , YUSOF A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAim:  This is a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) descriptive study, the first of its kind carried out in Malaysia.Methods:  This descriptive study involved 1084 RA patients’ epidemiological and clinical data taken from Selayang, Putrajaya, Taiping and Seremban hospitals from June 2004 to December 2005.Results:  One thousand and eighty‐four RA patients'data were analysed; 960 (88.6%) patients were female and 124 (11.4%) were male, approximately 8 : 1 M : F ratio. The majority of the patients were Indian (591; 54.5%), followed by the Malays (340; 31.4%), Chinese (126; 11.6%), indigenous (13; 1.2%) and others (14; 1.3%). Mean age was 49.6 ± 11.8 years with the youngest being 15 years and the oldest 88 years of age. Mean age for males was 52.0 ± 12.0 and females 49.3 ± 11.7 years (P = 0.017). Most of these patients were housewives (565; 52.1%), followed by paid workers (266; 24.5%), retired patients (80; 7.4%), unemployed (76; 7.0%) and others (97; 8.9%). Mean duration of illness was 8.4 ± 6.7 years; 805 (74.3%) patients were relatively new patients (≤ 2 years illness duration) and 279 (25.7%) patients had illness duration > 2 years. Eight hundred and six (74.4%) were seropositive RA patients and 385 (35.5%) had presence of deformity. The majority of patients were treated with methotrexate (178; 16.4%), followed by combination of methotrexate, sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine (143; 13.2%), leflunomide (140; 12.9%), sulfasalazine (133; 12.3%) and combination of methotrexate and sulfasalazine (108; 10%).Conclusion:  In the above study, the majority of patients were female (960; 88.6%), Indian (591; 54.5%), had a mean age of 49.6 ± 11.8 years, most were housewives with a mean duration of illness of 8.4 ± 6.7 years and were treated with methotrexate (178; 16.4%). The results of the study may help Malaysian rheumaologists to understand their patients better and treat RA holistically.
Campylobacter spp. and their Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Poultry: An Epidemiological Survey Study in Turkey
Authors: Cokal Yavuz , Caner Vildan , Sen Aysin , Cetin Cengiz , Karagenc Nedim 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThe current study aimed at determining the prevalence and the antimicrobial resistance profiles of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. infecting broiler chickens. A total of 240 caecal samples from six slaughterhouses were examined for the presence of Campylobacter spp. C. jejuni was detected in 40.4% (97/240) of the samples and C. coli in 12.1% (29/240). The agar disc diffusion method and the E‐test were used for testing the antimicrobial susceptibility of C. jejuni and C. coli isolates. C. jejuni isolates were most resistant to nalidixic acid (79.4%) followed by tetracycline (76.3%), ciprofloxacin (74.2%) and enrofloxacin (15.5%). Among the C. coli isolates, the frequency of resistance to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin was the same at 65.5%. The predominant profiles of multidrug resistance to three or more antimicrobials in C. jejuni and C. coli were determined as tetracycline/nalidixic acid/ciprofloxacin resistance (48.5%) and tetracycline/nalidixic acid/ciprofloxacin/enrofloxacin resistance (51.7%), respectively. To prevent the transmission of antimicrobial‐resistant bacteria of animal origin to humans, it should be noted that high proportions of multidrug resistance were found in both species.
Prevention of Shedding and Re‐Shedding of Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts in Experimentally Infected Cats Treated with Oral Clindamycin: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Malmasi A. , Mosallanejad B. , Mohebali M. , Sharifian Fard M. , Taheri M. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThis work aimed to evaluate the effects of preventive oral Clindamycin in cats infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Twelve short hair cats were divided into two groups (group 1 and group 2). No titres of T. gondii antibodies were detected in these cats before the experiment. The animals from group 1 were infected with tissue cysts of T. gondii and group 2 were infected and treated with Clindamycin (20 mg/kg/day). The infection was done with almost 40–50 tissue cysts for each cat on day 0. The cats from group 2 were treated with Clindamycin by oral rout for 24 days (from day −3 to day 21). At day 45, the groups 1 and 2 were divided into two subgroups with three animals each. Subgroups 1A and 2A were immunosuppressed with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg/day) for30 days and subgroups 1B and 2B were not immunosuppressed. Faecal exam looking for oocyst shedding was made by 30 days after T. gondii infection, and for 30 days after immunosuppression. All kittens from group 1 shedding oocysts after infection, while animals from group 2 did not shed. After immunosuppression period, all animals from group 1A re‐shed oocysts and animals from group 2A remained without shed. However, 2 (66.6%) of the kittens from subgroup 2B shed oocysts 19–20 days after re‐challenge. Based on this preliminary study, Clindamycin had a complete inhibitory effect on shedding of oocysts by cats, even under severe immunosuppression, which is a new finding not reported elsewhere.
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Among Nunavik Inuit (Canada)
Authors: Messier V. , Lévesque B. , Proulx J.‐F. , Rochette L. , Libman M. D. , Ward B. J. , Serhir B. , Couillard M. , Ogden N. H. , Dewailly É. , Hubert B. , Déry S. , Barthe C. , Murphy D. , Dixon B. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryAs a result of their intimate contact with the land and their nutritional habits, the Inuit of Nunavik are considered to be at risk from zoonotic infections. To better understand the risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection, a serosurvey was conducted in Nunavik, Québec, in September 2004. A representative sample of the Inuit adult population of Nunavik participated in this cross‐sectional study (n = 917). Antibodies (IgG) against T. gondii were detected by immunoassay. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, traditional activities, domestic environment and nutrition was gathered by questionnaire and explored as variables explanatory of seropositive results. Associations found to be statistically significant in univariate analyses were assessed by multivariable logistic regression to control for confounding factors. Almost two thirds (59.8%) of the Inuit of Nunavik were found to be seropositive for T. gondii. In multivariate analyses, risk factors for seropositivity were: increasing age, gender (women > men), lower level of education, consumption of potentially contaminated water (determined by an index of risk from waterborne infections), frequent cleaning of water reservoirs, and consumption of seal meat and feathered game. There was some variation in seroprevalence between the Ungava Bay coast (52.3%) and the Hudson Bay coast (65.6%), the two main regions of Nunavik, but this variation was not significant in the multivariable logistic regression model. This cross‐sectional study demonstrated high T. gondii seroprevalence in the Inuit population and revealed that age, gender, schooling and community of residence all influence serostatus in this population. Variables related to drinking water and food choices may also influence the risk of infection. These results raise important questions about T. gondii transmission in Nunavik including possible links between terrestrial and marine cycles.