bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short duration of skin‐to‐skin contact: Effects on growth and breastfeeding
Authors: Boo Nem‐Yun , Jamli Faizah Mohamed 
Published: September 2007

Aim:  To compare weight gain and head growth in very‐low‐birthweight (VLBW, <1501 g) infants with or without exposure to short duration of skin‐to‐skin contact (STSC) during their stay in a neonatal intensive care unit.Methods:  Stable VLBW infants were randomised into either STSC or control group. Parents of the STSC group were encouraged to provide STSC for at least 1 h daily.Results:  One hundred and forty‐six infants were randomised, but only 126 were enrolled (STSC group: n = 64; Controls: n = 62). Infants in the STSC group had better mean weekly increase in head circumference (1.0 cm (SD = 0.3) vs. 0.7 cm (SD = 0.3); P < 0.0001) and higher breastfeeding rate at discharge (29.7% vs. 14.5%; P = 0.04). Although the mean duration of maternal education was longer in STSC (13.0 vs. 12.1 years; P = 0.04) than in controls, linear regression analysis showed that the significant predictors associated with weekly head growth were exposure to STSC (unstandardised coefficient: 0.2; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.1, 0.3; P < 0.0001) and head circumference of infants at the time of enrolment (unstandardised coefficient: −0.05; 95% CI: −08, −0.03; P < 0.0001); the number of years of maternal education was not a significant predictor. Logistic regression analysis showed that the only significant predictors of successful breastfeeding at discharge were receiving expressed breast milk at enrolment (adjusted OR: 4.1; 95% CI: 1.4, 11.7; P = 0.009) and receiving expressed breast milk during intervention period (adjusted OR: 8.3; 95% CI: 2.8, 24.4; P < 0.0001); exposure to STSC and maternal education were not significant predictors.Conclusion:  Exposure to short duration of STSC may promote head growth in VLBW infants.
Neonatal circumcision: Effects on breastfeeding and outcomes associated with breastfeeding
Authors: Fergusson David M , Boden Joseph M , Horwood L John 
Published: September 2007

Aim:  There have been recurrent claims made that neonatal circumcision disrupts the development and maintenance of breastfeeding in infants. The aim of the current study was to use a longitudinal birth cohort study to examine the associations between neonatal circumcision status and both breastfeeding outcomes, and health and cognitive ability outcomes associated with breastfeeding.Method:  Data were obtained from the Christchurch Health and Development Study, a longitudinal study of over 1000 individuals born in Christchurch New Zealand in mid 1977. Data were obtained for male cohort members (n = 635) on circumcision status, breastfeeding outcomes, health outcomes in infancy and cognitive ability outcomes later in life.Results:  Circumcision status was not significantly associated (P > 0.05) with breastfeeding outcomes in infancy, even following adjustment for covariate factors, including maternal age, family socio‐economic status, ethnicity and birthweight. Also, circumcision status was not significantly associated (P > 0.05) with health in infancy and cognitive ability outcomes in later childhood, even after adjustment for covariate factors.Conclusions:  There was no evidence of an association between neonatal circumcision status and breastfeeding outcomes, or between circumcision status and health and cognitive ability outcomes associated with breastfeeding, and the findings do not support the view that neonatal circumcision disrupts breastfeeding.
Use of the motor performance checklist to study motor outcomes in 5‐year‐olds
Authors: Liljestrand Petra , Jeremy Rita J , Wu Yvonne W , Ferriero Donna M , Escobar Gabriel J , Newman Thomas B 
Published: September 2007

Aim:  To report findings about the Motor Performance Checklist (MPC) for 5‐year‐olds, a simple 12‐item instrument for assessing gross and fine motor skills, in a research study of neurodevelopmental outcomes after neonatal events.Methods:  We trained 10 examiners to use the MPC in a study of the outcomes of neonatal jaundice and dehydration in 339 5‐year‐old children. We compared MPC scores with those on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence‐Revised (WPPSI‐R), the Beery–Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual‐Motor Integration‐Fourth Edition (VMI‐4), and a standard neurological examination, and compared failure rates on each MPC item across examiners. Parent concerns about their child’s development were addressed using the Parent Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS).Results:  Children who ‘failed’ the MPC had 7–10 points lower mean scores on the WPPSI‐R subscales (P = 0.001), 9–10 points lower mean scores on the VMI‐4 subscales (P = 0.001), and were almost twice as likely to have a ‘questionable’ neurological examination score (adjusted OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.00–3.53, P = 0.005). On the PEDS, only the concern about the use of arms and hands was significantly associated with MPC failure. We found significant sex differences on four of the 12 MPC items. We also found differences in failure rates by different examiners.Conclusions:  MPC scores correlated with other measures of neurodevelopment. Because of different failure rates across examiners, examiner terms need to be included if it is used in research studies.
Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy examined with en face optical coherence tomography
Authors: Kameda Takanori , Tsujikawa Akitaka , Otani Atsushi , Sasahara Manabu , Gotoh Norimoto , Tamura Hiroshi , Yoshimura Nagahisa 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground:  To study the morphologic features of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) with the use of en face optical coherence tomography (OCT).Methods:  We reviewed retrospectively 57 eyes of 57 patients with PCV. The macular region was examined with OCT en face planes scanned at different sequential depths, following which detailed scanning was performed of arbitrarily selected longitudinal planes.Results:  In 48 of the cases (84.2%), en face OCT allowed us to detect round protrusions of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) that corresponded to the polypoidal lesions seen on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA); the branching vascular networks seen on ICGA often induced slight elevation of the overlying RPE, which typically assumed a geographical shape. In 30 cases (52.6%), branching vascular networks were detected as elevations of the RPE. With en face OCT, serous pigment epithelial detachments, most of which were seen as round protrusions of the RPE, were often accompanied by adjacent smaller round protrusions of the RPE, consistent with polypoidal lesions. These protrusions of the RPE were often fused and typically appeared as a ‘snowman’. Subsequent longitudinal examination revealed the polypoidal lesions to be sharp protrusions of the RPE with moderate inner reflectivity. Consistent with the location of the branching vascular network, a highly reflective line was seen often just beneath the slightly elevated reflective line of RPE.Conclusions:  En face examination using OCT has an advantage in screening lesions of PCV and in examination of the detailed relationship of each component of these lesions.
Distance refractive error among Aboriginal people attending eye clinics in remote South Australia
Authors: Durkin Shane R , Tan Edwin WH , Casson Robert J , Selva Dinesh , Newland Henry S 
Published: September 2007

AbstractPurpose:  To determine the prevalence of distance refractive error among Aboriginal people attending eye clinics in remote South Australia.Methods:  A clinic‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted that involved opportunistic sampling of Aboriginal people attending eye clinics in remote South Australia. There were 189 individuals who were invited to participate in the study all of whom underwent ophthalmic examination. This examination included measurement of pinhole‐corrected visual acuity and non‐cycloplegic autorefraction.Results:  Automated refractive error examinations were performed on 148 people within this sample. The mean age was 44.8 ± 14.5 years and women comprised 57.7% of the sample. The overall mean refractive error was −0.01 ± 1.8 D (SD). The prevalence of myopia (spherical equivalent (SE) < −0.5 D), high myopia (SE less than or equal to −6.0 D), hypermetropia (SE > 0.5 D), astigmatism (cylinder at least −0.5 D) and anisometropia (difference in SE of >0.5 D) was 31.1%, 0.7%, 33.1%, 55.8% and 45.9%, respectively. Further analyses revealed significant age‐related trends with both myopia and hypermetropia. There were no gender associations with any form of refractive error. Of those people with clinically significant refractive error, 51/148 (34%), only four people owned distance spectacles.Conclusions:  There continues to be a level of uncorrected distance refractive error within these patients. This represents a need to screen for refractive error among Aboriginal people in remote locations and to provide them with appropriate spectacle correction.
Medical treatment of cataract
Authors: Toh Tze'Yo , Morton Jim , Coxon Jim , Elder Mark J 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe incidence of cataract continues to increase with the ageing of the population. Surgical treatment with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation remains the only proven treatment. This, however, is associated with significant cost and is not readily available especially in the developing countries where the prevalence of cataract is the highest. Medical treatment of cataract is therefore a highly desired alternative. Since the last major review of medical treatment of cataract the search for an anti‐cataract agent has advanced on many fronts. Some anti‐cataract drugs, such as carnosine, have now reached clinical trials and showed encouraging results that warrant further investigation. The discovery of an effective medical treatment for cataract is likely to make global impact on eye health. The aims of this paper are to review the literature on the drug therapy of cataract and provide updates of the latest development.
A statistical theory for sampling species abundances
Authors: Green Jessica L. , Plotkin Joshua B. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe pattern of species abundances is central to ecology. But direct measurements of species abundances at ecologically relevant scales are typically unfeasible. This limitation has motivated a long‐standing interest in the relationship between the abundance distribution in a large, regional community and the distribution observed in a small sample from the community. Here, we develop a statistical sampling theory to describe how observed patterns of species abundances are influenced by the spatial distributions of populations. For a wide range of regional‐scale abundance distributions we derive exact expressions for the sampled abundance distributions, as a function of sample size and the degree of conspecific spatial aggregation. We show that if populations are randomly distributed in space then the sampled and regional‐scale species‐abundance distribution typically have the same functional form: sampling can be expressed by a simple scaling relationship. In the case of aggregated spatial distributions, however, the shape of a sampled species‐abundance distribution diverges from the regional‐scale distribution. Conspecific aggregation results in sampled distributions that are skewed towards both rare and common species. We discuss our findings in light of recent results from neutral community theory, and in the context of estimating biodiversity.
A statistical approach to quasi‐extinction forecasting
Authors: Holmes Elizabeth Eli , Sabo John L. , Viscido Steven Vincent , Fagan William Fredric 
Published: September 2007

AbstractForecasting population decline to a certain critical threshold (the quasi‐extinction risk) is one of the central objectives of population viability analysis (PVA), and such predictions figure prominently in the decisions of major conservation organizations. In this paper, we argue that accurate forecasting of a population's quasi‐extinction risk does not necessarily require knowledge of the underlying biological mechanisms. Because of the stochastic and multiplicative nature of population growth, the ensemble behaviour of population trajectories converges to common statistical forms across a wide variety of stochastic population processes. This paper provides a theoretical basis for this argument. We show that the quasi‐extinction surfaces of a variety of complex stochastic population processes (including age‐structured, density‐dependent and spatially structured populations) can be modelled by a simple stochastic approximation: the stochastic exponential growth process overlaid with Gaussian errors. Using simulated and real data, we show that this model can be estimated with 20–30 years of data and can provide relatively unbiased quasi‐extinction risk with confidence intervals considerably smaller than (0,1). This was found to be true even for simulated data derived from some of the noisiest population processes (density‐dependent feedback, species interactions and strong age‐structure cycling). A key advantage of statistical models is that their parameters and the uncertainty of those parameters can be estimated from time series data using standard statistical methods. In contrast for most species of conservation concern, biologically realistic models must often be specified rather than estimated because of the limited data available for all the various parameters. Biologically realistic models will always have a prominent place in PVA for evaluating specific management options which affect a single segment of a population, a single demographic rate, or different geographic areas. However, for forecasting quasi‐extinction risk, statistical models that are based on the convergent statistical properties of population processes offer many advantages over biologically realistic models.
Diversity and quorum‐sensing signal production of Proteobacteria associated with marine sponges
Authors: Mohamed Naglaa M. , Cicirelli Elisha M. , Kan Jinjun , Chen Feng , Fuqua Clay , Hill Russell T. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryMarine sponges are hosts to diverse and dense bacterial communities and thus provide a potential environment for quorum sensing. Quorum sensing, a key factor in cell–cell communication and bacterial colonization of higher animals, might be involved in the symbiotic interactions between bacteria and their sponge hosts. Given that marine Proteobacteria are known to produce N‐acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) signal molecules, we tested the production of AHLs by Alpha‐ and Gammaproteobacteria isolated from marine sponges Mycale laxissima and Ircinia strobilina and the surrounding water column. We used three different AHL biodetection systems in diffusion assays: Chromobacterium violaceum, Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Sinorhizobium meliloti with optimal sensitivity to short‐chain (C4–C6), moderate‐chain (C8–C12) and long‐chain (≥ C14) AHLs respectively. Thirteen of 23 isolates from M. laxissima and five of 25 isolates from I. strobilina were found to produce AHLs. Signals were detected from two of eight proteobacterial strains from the water column. Thin‐layer chromatographic assays based on the A. tumefaciens reporter system were utilized to determine the AHL profiles of the positive isolates. The types and amounts of AHLs synthesized varied considerably among the strains. Small ribosomal rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the AHL‐producing alphaproteobacterial isolates were mainly from the Silicibacter–Ruegeria subgroup of the Roseobacter clade. Two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DGE)‐based proteomic analyses were congruent with phylogenetic relationships but provided higher resolution to differentiate these closely related AHL‐producing strains.
Faecal dimeric M2 pyruvate kinase in colorectal cancer and polyps correlates with tumour staging and surgical intervention
Authors: Koss K. , Maxton D. , Jankowski J. A. Z. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractObjective & Method  A dimeric form of pyruvate kinase isoenzyme (tumour M2‐PK) is predominantly found in highly proliferating cells. Sandwich ELISA with monoclonal antibodies against dimeric (tumour) M2‐PK was used to measure faecal tumour M2‐PK in; 13 controls, 10 patients with colonic polyps and 32 patients with colorectal cancer.Results  Levels of faecal tumour M2‐PK were higher in patients with colorectal cancer (median 11.72 U/ml; range 0.9–146.95 U/ml, P = 0.0001) and polyps greater than 10 mm (median 2.54 U/ml; range 0.9–29.46 U/ml, P = 0.041) when compared with controls (median 1.75 U/ml; range 0.9–3.41 U/ml). Furthermore, levels were higher in stages Duke's B (P = 0.013) and Duke's C (P = 0.43) than in Duke's A. Six months postsurgery faecal tumour M2‐PK levels fell significantly to 3.46 U/ml (range 1.03–9.05 U/ml, P = 0.001). The sensitivity of a positive faecal tumour M2‐PK test, defined as a level above 3.33 U/ml, was 91% for colorectal cancer, 60% for >10 mm and 20% for <10 mm polyps, with a specificity of 92%.Conclusion  Faecal tumour M2‐PK is a highly sensitive marker for colorectal cancer and larger polyps. It also correlates with more advanced stages of colorectal cancer and its reduction is associated with successful surgical intervention.
Total phalloplasty using a musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap
Authors: Perovic Sava V. , Djinovic Rados , Bumbasirevic Marko , Djordjevic Miroslav , Vukovic Petar 
Published: September 2007

Authors from Serbia describe their experience of total phalloplasty in children and adults using a musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi free flap, finding that this method successfully allowed the creation of a neophallus, facilitating subsequent urethroplasty and the safe insertion of a penile prosthesis.In the second article in this section, authors from Finland present the findings in 54 patients relating to skeletal health after intestinal bladder augmentation.OBJECTIVETo present total phalloplasty in children and adults using a musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi (MLD) free flap to create a large neophallus, that allows easy urethroplasty and implantation of a prosthesis.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom April 1999 to January 2006, 16 patients (mean age 24 years, range 10–34) had a total phalloplasty; the indications were congenital anomalies of the penis in 12, iatrogenic in two and accidental penile trauma in two. The MLD flap is mobilized on a subscapular artery and vein, and a thoracodorsal nerve. The neophallus is created on‐site and after dividing the neurovascular pedicle, transferred to the pubic region, where it is anastomosed with the femoral artery, saphenous vein and ilio‐inguinal nerve. The donor site was closed directly in 15 patients while in one a split‐thickness skin graft was used to cover the defect. In the following stages, two‐ or three‐stage buccal mucosa urethroplasty was used in 11 patients; a penile prosthesis was implanted in seven.RESULTSThe mean (range) follow‐up was 31 (12–74) months; the penis was 14–18 cm long and 11–15 cm in circumference. There was no partial or total flap necrosis; the donor site healed satisfactorily in 13 patients while in the remaining three there was moderate scarring. The patency of the urethra was good in all patients. Two urethrocutaneous fistulae developed; one closed spontaneously and the other was successfully treated with minor surgery. The function of the implanted penile prostheses was satisfactory in all patients.CONCLUSIONSThe MLD flap allows the creation of a neophallus of good size and with a good aesthetic appearance; it allows urethroplasty and safe implantation of a penile prosthesis, and it can also be used in children.
Preliminary results of the Prostacox phase II trial in hormonal refractory prostate cancer
Authors: Albouy Baptiste , Tourani Jean‐Marc , Allain Patrick , Rolland Frederic , Staerman Frederic , Eschwege Pascal , Pfister Christian 
Published: September 2007

OBJECTIVESTo assess in a phase II open multicentre study the efficacy and tolerance of docetaxel administered every 14 days combined with celecoxib, in patients with hormone‐refractory prostate cancer (HRPC), and to test the hypothesis that this therapeutic combination would improve overall survival.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 48 patients were included with a mean age of 70.4 years and Gleason score of 7.5, all had a satisfactory Karnofsky performance‐status score of 92% and a metastatic bone site was measurable in 77%. The mean delay between initial diagnosis and docetaxel administration was 45 months, with a median PSA level increase of 54.8 ng/mL. The therapeutic schedule was: docetaxel (50 mg/m2) administered every 14 days (one cycle of two injections at 2 week intervals (Day 1 = Day 28) with a total of six cycles) and simultaneously a daily oral fixed dose of celecoxib (800 mg).RESULTSIn all, 237 cycles of docetaxel were administered with a dose reduction in 23 patients at the beginning of a cycle (day 1) and 36 in the middle of a cycle (day 14). The haematological toxicity included anaemia grade 1–2 (78%) and only 10% neutropenia grade 3–4. However, there was only a 15% improvement of pain intensity. The response rate for the total PSA level was 45.5 (30.4–61.1)%, the mean time to progression was 9.3 months and the tumour‐response rate was 26.3%. In all, 75% of patients had an overall survival of >14.6 months.CONCLUSIONOur results confirm the usefulness of docetaxel for HRPC treatment and show a significant reduction of haematological toxicity with bi‐weekly docetaxel administration combined with celecoxib.
Angiotension II receptor 1 blocker modifies the expression of apoptosis‐related proteins and transforming growth factor‐β1 in prostate tissue of spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Yu Wei , Zhao Ya‐Yuan , Zhang Zhi‐Wen , Guo Ying‐Lu , Jin Jie 
Published: September 2007

OBJECTIVETo assess whether angiotensin II (Ang II), important in hypertension and highly expressed in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is involved in prostate growth, by analysing changes in the histological composition, tissue apoptotic status and level of transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGFβ1) induced by an Ang II type 1 receptor blocker, losartan, in the prostates of spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats.MATERIALS AND METHODSWe assessed four groups of six rats each: normotensive Wistar‐Kyoto counterparts of SH rats; untreated SH rats; SH rats given low‐dose losartan (10 mg/kg/day for 10 weeks); and SH given high‐dose losartan (30 mg/kg/day for 10 weeks). We evaluated the histological composition and expression of TGFβ1 and apoptosis‐related proteins, i.e. Bax and the 116‐kDa poly (adenosine diphosphate‐ribose) polymerase (PARP), by Western blotting in the rat prostate ventral lobes.RESULTSCompared with Wistar‐Kyoto rats, untreated SH rats had a significantly increased epithelium component in the prostate (P < 0.01), but with losartan treatment, SH rats showed less of the epithelium component than untreated rats (P < 0.01 for both low‐ and high‐dose losartan). Western‐blot analysis showed a significantly increased level of Bax in high‐dose losartan‐treated rats (P < 0.01). The expression of 116 kDa PARP was also decreased in these rats (P < 0.01), which suggests increased caspase‐3 activity. In addition, TGFβ1 levels were significantly elevated in high‐dose losartan‐treated rats (P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONThese results show that losartan can induce apoptosis of prostate epithelium and increase the TGFβ1 expression in SH rats, suggesting that Ang II stimulation might be involved in the pathogenesis of BPH, which might correlate with the regulation of TGFβ1 expression.