bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novelty Responses in a Bird Assemblage Inhabiting an Urban Area
Authors: Echeverría Alejandra Isabel , Vassallo Aldo Iván 
Published: May 2008

AbstractNeophobia, or the hesitancy to approach a novel food item, object, or place, is an important factor influencing the foraging behavior of animals. Environmental factors (e.g. rapid anthropogenic changes, migration into new habitats) are associated with novelty in feeding ecology and may affect neophobic responses. Mechanisms that underlie the differential neophobic response may involve complex interactions with the environment: post‐fledging experience in a greater diversity of habitats or in habitats that are more complex may contribute to reduced neophobia. In a previous study, it was observed that some urbanized species, in particular house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and shiny cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) show high levels of neophobia. This study was carried out in a suburban marsh of Cortaderia selloana, a relatively simple and predictable ecosystem as compared to urban areas. For this reason, in the present study, we explored novelty responses of bird species inhabiting an urban area, representing a complex environment. The results were compared to those obtained previously in the suburban marsh. We found unexpectedly high levels of neophobia in house sparrows, but shiny cowbirds showed a somewhat neophilic response. In the presence of novel objects, house sparrows tended to enter the feeders alone, while shiny cowbirds tended to forage in groups. We found no differences in latencies to forage or in visit duration between habitat types, but the proportion of individuals that visited the feeders when novel objects were present was lower in the urban area for house sparrows and eared doves (Zenaida auriculata). The results are discussed in the context of invasion success and feeding innovation in shiny cowbirds.
Mated Redback Spider Females Re‐Advertise Receptivity Months after Mating
Authors: Perampaladas Kuhan , Stoltz J. A. , Andrade M. C. B. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIn many species, selection acts on males to recognize female reproductive status at a distance using pheromones. Unmated females may actively seek to attract males; however, mated females may become cryptic to avoid attracting additional males if multiple matings are costly. Although females of many species cease pheromone production after mating, it is often unclear whether this is a strategic part of a female reproductive strategy, or whether this is because of chemical manipulation by males. If variation in pheromone production is part of the female’s strategy, then we predicted mated females should eventually re‐advertise receptivity if the benefits of multiple mating increase with time since copulation (e.g. because of sperm depletion). Here, we tested this prediction in Australian redback spiders (Latrodectus hasselti). First, we replicated earlier results by showing that virgin males discriminate female maturity and mating status based exclusively on web‐borne chemicals. Our results show this difference must arise from a change in chemical deposition in the web as we controlled for web volume differences between mated and virgin females. Male activity on extracts from webs of virgin females exceeded activity on a solvent control and on extracts of webs of just‐mated females—confirming that female redbacks cease pheromone production immediately after mating. Second, we tested a new prediction that mated females might re‐advertise receptivity near the end of their normal breeding season to replenish diminished sperm stores prior to overwintering. Consistent with the prediction of strategic advertisement, we show that male activity on extracts from females’ webs increased significantly 3 mo after the female first mated (typical length of the breeding season). Thus, these females had begun to add pheromone to their web again. At this time, 26% of these females re‐mated with a second male. If females re‐advertise receptivity to ensure adequate sperm stores, then we predicted a positive relationship between female reproductive output during the 3‐mo interval after copulation and the subsequent intensity of male response to web extracts. However, differences in male activity time were not related to the total number of spiderlings or the number of egg sacs a female had produced during the 3‐mo interval after the first copulation. This result could arise if male chemical manipulation of female receptivity decreases with time after copulation, or if the testing interval used in our study was too long to reveal variation in sperm depletion in females. Thus, although our results are consistent with the idea that females strategically alter pheromonal advertisement, we cannot distinguish this from the hypothesis that female receptivity arises from chemical manipulation by males.
Time of the day for 11β‐HSD1 inhibition plays a role in improving glucose homeostasis in DIO mice
Authors: Véniant M. M. , Hale C. , Komorowski R. , Chen M. M. , St Jean D. J. , Fotsch C. , Wang M. 
Published: May 2008

Aims:  The physiological effects of glucocorticoids in a given tissue are driven by the local level of the active glucocorticoid, which is determined by two sources: the plasma cortisol in human (or corticosterone in rodents) and the cortisol produced locally through 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β‐HSD1) activity. Because of the circadian variation of plasma glucocorticoids, the pharmacological efficacy of 11β‐HSD1 inhibition may depend on the time of the day for inhibitor administration.Methods:  The circadian profile of corticosterone was established in lean and diet‐induced obesity (DIO) C57BL/6 mice from blood collected at different time of the day. 11β‐HSD1 enzyme activity was also measured throughout the day in DIO mice. To determine the optimal timing for administration of an 11β‐HSD1 inhibitor to obtain maximum efficacy, we used a DIO mouse model and a small molecule inhibitor of 11β‐HSD1 from our thiazolinone series. Based on the circadian profile of corticosterone obtained, we administered the 11β‐HSD1 inhibitor to these animals at different times of the day and evaluated the effects on plasma glucose levels and glucose tolerance.Results:  We report that corticosterone circadian rhythm was similar between lean and DIO C57BL/6 mice, and 11β‐HSD1 enzyme activity undergoes minimal variations throughout the day. Interestingly, the compound exhibited maximum efficacy if dosed in the afternoon when plasma corticosterone is high; the morning dosing when plasma corticosterone is low did not lead to efficacy.Conclusion:  These data suggest that because of the circadian rhythm of circulating glucocorticoids, the time of the day for 11β‐HSD1 inhibitor administration is important in achieving efficacy.
Survival and Decline of the Apprenticeship System in the Australian and UK Construction Industries
Authors: Toner Phillip 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe preservation of the apprenticeship system in the Australian construction industry contrasts with its decline in Britain over the last three decades. This decline is conventionally ascribed to changes in industrial structure, specifically a decline in the role of the public sector, intensification of subcontracting and growth of self‐employment. Given that the Australian construction industry has undergone similar structural changes to those in the United Kingdom, this difference in outcome requires explanation. This article suggests that the contrasting outcomes are the result of institutional differences in the organization of the training system, employers and labour between the two countries. These institutional differences are, however, diminishing as arrangements for training and industrial relations in Australia are increasingly fashioned in the likeness of the United Kingdom.
Adaptation in the African egg‐eating snake: a comparative approach to a classic study in evolutionary functional morphology
Authors: Gartner G. E. A. , Greene H. W. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA key component to any adaptive hypothesis is that the adaptive trait in question must confer a performance advantage and, in turn, an increase in fitness, relative to those animals displaying the phylogenetically antecedent condition. Among the most striking purported adaptations in vertebrates are those found in the African snake genus Dasypeltis. These snakes are unique in that they eat bird eggs to the exclusion of all other prey. Detailed functional morphological analysis dating back 50 years has highlighted a suite of morphological features in the head and trunk region hypothesized to assist these animals in eating bird eggs, and yet no comparative performance studies of egg‐eating ability have ever been conducted in this group of snakes. The purpose of this study was twofold: first, we wanted to compare egg‐eating performance in Dasypeltis with a facultative egg eater, the common king snake Lampropeltis getula. Second, we wanted to test the hypothesis that a selective regime exists in Africa conducive to the selection and subsequent fixation of the hypothesized egg‐eating morphological adaptations. Our results show that a strong advantage exists in egg‐eating ability for Dasypeltis. The difference is so large (only large Lampropeltis can eat small eggs) that analysis by analysis of covariance becomes difficult due to problems with collinearity. Our results examining potential selective regimes show that more birds lay eggs of a readily ingestible size in Africa than in a representative region in the United States. Additionally, the largest radiation of African ground‐nesting birds existed in Africa before the colubrid explosion during the Miocene, which gave rise to Dasypeltis, giving further support to previous adaptive hypotheses regarding the unique morphology of these snakes.
Urine albumin concentration and albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio at 11+0 to 13+6 weeks in the prediction of pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Poon LCY , Kametas N , Bonino S , Vercellotti E , Nicolaides KH 
Published: May 2008

Objective  To determine the performance of screening for pre‐eclampsia by maternal characteristics, urine albumin concentration and albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (ACR) at 11+0 to 13+6 weeks.Design  Prospective cross‐sectional observational study.Setting  Routine antenatal visit.Population  A total of 2679 pregnant women at 11+0 to 13+6 weeks of gestation.Methods  Maternal variables, urine albumin concentrations and ACR of 51 women who developed pre‐eclampsia were compared with 2364 women who were unaffected by hypertensive disorders. Regression analysis was used first to determine which of the factors among the maternal characteristics were significant predictors of urine albumin concentration and ACR in the unaffected group and second to determine the contribution of urine albumin concentration and ACR in the prediction of pre‐eclampsia.Main outcome measures  Development of pre‐eclampsia.Results  In the unaffected group, log urine albumin concentration and log ACR were influenced by ethnic origin, age, body mass index (BMI), parity and smoking. In the prediction of pre‐eclampsia, significant contributions were provided by log urine albumin concentration, log ACR, ethnic origin, BMI, age, family and history of pre‐eclampsia. The median urine albumin concentration and the median ACR in the pre‐eclampsia group were significantly higher than those in the unaffected group. However, in screening for pre‐eclampsia, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was not significantly improved by the combined models than with maternal variables alone. The value of urine albumin concentration was not improved by correcting for the creatinine concentration.Conclusion  In the prediction of pre‐eclampsia, urine albumin concentration at 11+0 to 13+6 weeks does not provide additional value to maternal variables.
Severe maternal morbidity during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium in the Netherlands: a nationwide population‐based study of 371 000 pregnancies
Authors: Zwart JJ , Richters JM , Öry F , De Vries JIP , Bloemenkamp KWM , Van Roosmalen J 
Published: May 2008

Objective  To assess incidence, case fatality rate, risk factors and substandard care in severe maternal morbidity in the Netherlands.Design  Prospective population‐based cohort study.Setting  All 98 maternity units in the Netherlands.Population  All pregnant women in the Netherlands.Methods  Cases of severe maternal morbidity were collected during a 2‐year period. All pregnant women in the Netherlands in the same period acted as reference cohort (n = 371 021). As immigrant women are disproportionately represented in Dutch maternal mortality statistics, special attention was paid to the ethnic background. In a subset of 2.5% of women, substandard care was assessed through clinical audit.Main outcome measures  Incidence, case fatality rates, possible risk factors and substandard care.Results  Severe maternal morbidity was reported in 2552 women, giving an overall incidence of 7.1 per 1000 deliveries. Intensive care unit admission was reported in 847 women (incidence 2.4 per 1000), uterine rupture in 218 women (incidence 6.1/10 000), eclampsia in 222 women (incidence 6.2/10 000) and major obstetric haemorrhage in 1606 women (incidence 4.5 per 1000). Non‐Western immigrant women had a 1.3‐fold increased risk of severe maternal morbidity (95% CI 1.2–1.5) when compared with Western women. Overall case fatality rate was 1 in 53. Substandard care was found in 39 of a subset of 63 women (62%) through clinical audit.Conclusions  Severe maternal morbidity complicates at least 0.71% of all pregnancies in the Netherlands, immigrant women experiencing an increased risk. Since substandard care was found in the majority of assessed cases, reduction of severe maternal morbidity seems a mandatory challenge.
Immediate or delayed repair of obstetric anal sphincter tears—a randomised controlled trial*
Authors: Nordenstam J , Mellgren A , Altman D , López A , Johansson C , Anzén B , Li Zhong‐ze , Zetterström J 
Published: May 2008

Objective To investigate if an 8‐ to 12‐hour time delay of primary repair affects anal incontinence at 1‐year follow up.Design Randomised controlled trial.Setting University hospital in Sweden.Population A total of 165 women diagnosed with a third‐ to fourth‐degree perineal tear.Methods The participants were randomised to immediate or delayed (8‐ to 12‐hour delay) end‐to‐end repair; 78 were allocated to immediate operation and 87 to a delayed repair. An incontinence and pelvic floor symptom questionnaire was completed by the participants at baseline and at 6‐ and 12‐month follow up.Main outcome measures Anal incontinence measured by the validated Pescatori incontinence score.Results A total of 161 (98%) and 155 (94%) women completed the two follow‐up questionnaires. There was no significant difference in anal incontinence between the groups. There were no significant differences in pelvic floor symptoms between the groups. A multivariate proportional odds model revealed that increasing maternal age was significantly associated with both increased symptoms of faecal urgency and inability to discriminate flatus from faeces.Conclusion Delayed repair provided the same functional outcome at 1‐year follow up. Delaying the repair should thus not be recommended routinely, but can be an alternative under special circumstances when appropriate surgical expertise is not readily available.
Objective assessment of surgical competence in gynaecological laparoscopy: development and validation of a procedure‐specific rating scale
Authors: Larsen CR , Grantcharov T , Schouenborg L , Ottosen C , Soerensen JL , Ottesen B 
Published: May 2008

Objective  The purpose of this study was to develop a global‐ and a procedure‐specific rating scale based on a well‐validated generic model (objective structured assessment of technical skills) for assessment of technical skills in laparoscopic gynaecology. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate the construct validity and the interrater agreement (IRA) of the rating scale. We investigated both the gamma coefficient (Kendall’s rank correlation), which is a measure of the strength of dependence between observations, and the kappa value for each of the ten individual items included in the rating scale.Design  Prospective cohort, observer‐blinded study.Setting  Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Zealand, Denmark.Population  Twenty one gynaecologists or gynaecological trainees.Material and methods  Twenty‐one video recordings of right side laparoscopic salpingectomies were collected prospectively, eight from novices (defined as <10 procedures), seven from intermediate experienced (20–50 procedures) and six from experts (>200 procedures). All operations were performed by the same operative principles and using a standardised technique. The recordings were analysed by two independent, blinded observers.Main outcome measures  Construct validity of the rating scale based on operative performance (median of total score) and interrater reliability.Results  There were significant differences between the three groups: median score of novices 24.00 versus intermediate 29.50 versus expert 39.50, P < 0.003) The IRA was 0.83 overall. The gamma correlation coefficient was 0.91. The kappa values varied from 0.510–0.933 for each of the individual items of the rating scale.Conclusions  The procedure‐specific rating scale for laparoscopic salpingectomy is a valid and reliable tool for assessment of technical skills in gynaecological laparoscopy.
Psychological stress during pregnancy and stillbirth: prospective study
Authors: Wisborg K , Barklin A , Hedegaard M , Henriksen TB 
Published: May 2008

Objective  To study the association between psychological stress during pregnancy and stillbirth.Design  Prospective follow‐up study.Setting  Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark,1989–98.Population  A total of 19 282 singleton pregnancies in women with valid information about psychological stress during pregnancy.Methods  Information about psychological stress during pregnancy was obtained from questionnaires and measured by the 12‐item General Health Questionnaires (GHQ). A score was generated by the sum of all the answers, each contributing a value between 0 (low psychological stress) and 3 (high psychological stress). Women with an intermediate level of psychological stress (scores of 7–11) were considered the reference group. Scores of 0–6 were defined as a low level of psychological stress and scores of 12–36 as the highest level. The association between psychological stress and stillbirth was presented as relative risks with 95% CIs. Adjustment for potential confounding factors was carried out by logistic regression analyses.Main outcome measures  Stillbirth (delivery of a dead fetus at >28 weeks of gestation).Results  There were 66 stillbirths (3.4‰) in the population studied. Compared with women with an intermediate level of psychological stress during pregnancy, women with a high level of stress had 80% increased risk of stillbirth (relative risk = 1.8; 95% CI 1.1–3.2). Adjustment for maternal age, parity, maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index, smoking habits, alcohol and caffeine intake during pregnancy, education and cohabitation failed to change the result. The results remained essentially unchanged after exclusion of preterm deliveries. Exclusion of women with complications during pregnancy such as diabetes, hypertension, vaginal bleeding, immunisation and imminent preterm delivery failed to change the results. Likewise, restriction to women’s first pregnancy in the cohort did not change the results.Conclusion  Psychological stress during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of stillbirth.
The use of inferior vena caval filters prior to major surgery in women with gynaecological cancer
Authors: Adib T , Belli A , McCall J , Ind TEJ , Bridges JE , Shepherd JH , Barton DPJ 
Published: May 2008

Objective  To evaluate the use of inferior vena caval filters (IVCF) prior to surgery in women with gynaecological cancer and venous thromboembolism (VTE).Design  Retrospective review of medical notes and electronic records.Setting  Gynaecological oncology cancer centre.Population  Women with gynaecological cancer and VTE requiring major surgery.Methods  A retrospective analysis was performed on women treated for gynaecological malignancies who had had VTE, and an IVCF placed before major abdominal surgery were reviewed during the period 1996–2006.Main outcome measures  Safety of IVCF placement and retrieval, peri‐operative morbidity and incidence of further VTE.Results  The median age was 66 years (range 30–84 years). Of the 39 women, 35 (90%) women had a primary cancer diagnosis and 4 (10%) had recurrent disease. Twenty‐two women had ovarian cancer, 2 had borderline ovarian tumours, 9 had uterine cancer, 5 had cervical cancer and 1 woman had concurrent ovarian and endometrial cancers. The recurrent cancers were two cervical, one ovarian and one uterine. The IVCF used were either of the permanent or retrievable type, the latter being more commonly used in younger women. All filters were placed without morbidity, and none of these women who then underwent major abdominal surgery had VTE complications. In 43.6% of women (n = 17), surgery was performed within 6 weeks of the diagnosis of VTE. All women received perioperative anticoagulation in the form of subcutaneous low‐molecular‐weight heparin. Three retrievable filters were uneventfully removed postoperatively. No filter‐related problems occurred.Conclusions  Surgery in women with gynaecological cancer and life‐threatening VTE is feasible with preoperative IVCF placement. The use of IVCF was safe with no worsening of the VTE, and without surgical or filter‐related problems. A short interval between the diagnosis of VTE and surgery was not associated with increased perioperative morbidity.
Folic acid use in pregnancy and embryo selection
Authors: Haggarty P , Campbell DM , Duthie S , Andrews K , Hoad G , Piyathilake C , Fraser I , McNeill G 
Published: May 2008

Objective  Folic acid supplement use is recommended in pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defect but concerns have been raised that increasing folic acid intake may select for embryos with genotypes that increase disease risk in the offspring. Our aim was to test for this effect.Design  Observational prospective cohort study.Setting  Aberdeen Maternity Hospital.Population or Sample  Women born before the introduction of folic acid advice (1970–80) and carrying singleton pregnancies (n = 1234) and their offspring (n = 1083) born after (2001–03).Methods  We measured the genotype (MTHFR C677T and A1298C, MTR A2756G, MTRR A66G and TCN G776C) of mothers and their offspring, maternal supplement intake, intake of folate and vitamin B12 from natural foods and maternal blood folate and B12 status at 19 weeks of gestation.Main outcome measures  B vitamin related genotype of the offspring.Results  There were no significant differences in any of the five genotype frequencies between mothers and their babies. There was no deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in either generation and no change in the frequency of doubly homozygousMTHFR variants (677 TT/1298 CC). The genotype of the offspring was not related to maternal periconceptual supplement use, folate intake from foods or plasma and red cell folate measured at 19 weeks of gestation.Conclusions  We found no evidence to support the concern that folic acid fortification or supplement use in pregnancy results in selection of deleterious genotypes.