bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Handwashing and risk of respiratory infections: a quantitative systematic review
Authors: Rabie Tamer , Curtis Valerie 
Published: March 2006

SummaryObjective  To determine the effect of handwashing on the risk of respiratory infection.Methods  We searched PubMed, CAB Abstracts, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library for articles published before June 2004 in all languages. We had searched reference lists of all primary and review articles. Studies were included in the review if they reported the impact of an intervention to promote hand cleansing on respiratory infections. Studies relating to hospital‐acquired infections, long‐term care facilities, immuno‐compromised and elderly people were excluded. We independently evaluated all studies, and inclusion decisions were reached by consensus. From a primary list of 410 articles, eight interventional studies met the eligibility criteria.Results  All eight eligible studies reported that handwashing lowered risks of respiratory infection, with risk reductions ranging from 6% to 44% [pooled value 24% (95% CI 6–40%)]. Pooling the results of only the seven homogenous studies gave a relative risk of 1.19 (95% CI 1.12%–1.26%), implying that hand cleansing can cut the risk of respiratory infection by 16% (95% CI 11–21%).Conclusions  Handwashing is associated with lowered respiratory infection. However, studies were of poor quality, none related to developing countries, and only one to severe disease. Rigorous trials of the impact of handwashing on acute respiratory tract infection morbidity and mortality are urgently needed, especially in developing countries.
Can malaria be controlled where basic health services are not used?
Authors: Unger Jean‐Pierre , D'Alessandro Umberto , Paepe Pierre De , Green Andrew 
Published: March 2006

SummaryObjective  To assess the potential of integrating malaria control interventions in underused health services.Methods  Using the Piot predictive model, we estimated malaria cure rates by deriving parameters influencing treatment at home and in health facilities from the best‐performing African malaria programmes and applying them to Yanfolila district, Mali.Results  Without any malaria control intervention, the population cure rate is 8.4% with home treatment, but would be 13% if access to timely treatment were improved (as in Kenya). A further 3.2% of malaria patients could be cured in institutional settings with more sensitive diagnosis, timely start of treatment, better compliance (as in Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana) and 80% chloroquine efficacy. Applied in a setting where 7.6% of malaria patients seek institutional care, these assumptions would result in a total population cure rate of 14.5%. Increasing the health service user rate from 0.17 in Yanfolila to 0.95 new cases/inhabitant/year (as in Namibia) would result in half of all malaria patients attending professional services, raising the cure rate to 26.1%.Conclusion  If malaria patients are to be treated and followed‐up early and appropriately, basic health services need to deliver integrated care and be attended by an adequate pool of users. Improved service user rates and case management can increase malaria cure rates far more than isolated control interventions can. This has implications for international policies endorsing a narrow disease‐based approach.
Growth of Parietaria debilis in fallow and in undisturbed areas
Authors: PURICELLI E , PAPA J C 
Published: March 2006

Summary Parietaria debilis is a dominant annual weed in many non‐tillage fallow and undisturbed areas in Argentina. Herbicides control P. debilis inconsistently. A study on the growth of P. debilis, in a fallow in a soyabean–maize rotation including glyphosate‐resistant cultivars and in an undisturbed area without crops or weed control, was conducted in the central soyabean area of Argentina. The biomass dynamics of all species in the community, as well as biomass, density and growth traits of P. debilis were assessed. Biomass of several species including P. debilis and total biomass were greater in undisturbed than in fallow plots in both years of the study. Diversity was greater in undisturbed plots in 2000, but no differences in diversity were observed in 2001. In both treatments, P. debilis emergence began in March and finished in October and density increased from March to May. High mortality occurred in June and July, particularly in undisturbed plots. In the fallow plots, no other tall weed species were present and light interception was higher in spring when fruit production was at its peak. Conversely, in the undisturbed plots, P. debilis was substantially taller and had greater leaf area due to lower light interception by the high canopy of the rest of the community. In fallow, P. debilis is favoured by single applications of glyphosate, because the herbicide eliminates competitors. Control, if applied, should be directed to both fallow and undisturbed environments, as the weed produces considerable numbers of seeds and can invade extensively managed areas.
Spray retention, foliar uptake and translocation of glufosinate and glyphosate in Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Authors: GRANGEOT M , CHAUVEL B , GAUVRIT C 
Published: March 2006

Summary Ambrosia artemisiifolia plants exhibit stomata on both leaf surfaces and three types of trichomes: (i) small (<50 μm) spherical or ovoid, (ii) medium‐sized (50–100 μm) and (iii) long (100–200 μm) and sharp. Only the long and sharp trichomes were stained with AgNO3, indicating the presence of hydrophilic domains. Epicuticular waxes appeared amorphous, consistent with high levels of spray retention. Glufosinate was readily taken up by A. artemisiifolia leaves, with maximum uptake of >80% of the applied label, and half maximum uptake being reached within 6 h. The foliar uptake of glyphosate was nearly complete and half of it was attained after 3 h. Glufosinate and glyphosate were ambimobile and their translocation out of the treated leaves amounted to 13–16% and 11–15% of the absorbed radioactive label respectively. Glufosinate was mainly directed to the apical developing tissues, with less amounts reaching the tissues below the treated leaves. Glyphosate was directed towards the sink tissues (apical developing tissues and roots). The sensitivity of A. artemisiifolia to glufosinate and glyphosate can be explained by high spray retention, rapid and important foliar uptake, and appreciable migration out of the parts of the plant hit by the spray.
Reinnervation after heart transplantation in children: Results of short‐time heart rate variability testing
Authors: Pozza Robert Dalla , Kleinmann Arne , Bechtold Susanne , Fuchs Alexandra , Netz Heinrich 
Published: March 2006

Abstract:  Aims:  To detect impairment in short‐term heart rate variability (HRV) in children after heart and heart–lung transplantation (TX) as reported in adults. To assess vagal and sympathetic influence on the donor heart rate using frequency domain analysis of HRV.Methods and Results:  Measurement of short‐term HRV was performed in 17 patients (age 16.9±3.6, 6.1±3.7 yr after TX) and 12 healthy controls (age 14.8±3.0 yr). Testing consisted of a resting phase of 15 minutes followed by a tilt phase of 45 min. All HRV parameters were significantly impaired in transplanted patients: RR interval (RRI) 717.2±122.5 m/s (controls 827±139.7, p<0.05), standard deviation of RR interval (RRI‐SD) 20.1±15.5 (89.9±38.4, p<0.001), RRI at tilt 607.9±79.7 (654.0±104.7, NS), RRI‐SD at tilt 21.1±20.0 (60.4±31.4, p<0.001). Low‐frequency (LF)/High‐frequency (HF) ratio of HRV showed prominent sympathetic influence in TX‐patients (3.38±5.60 vs. 1.18±0.86, NS) increasing during tilting (5.91±8.36 vs. 4.74±5.27, NS). In subgroup analysis, 4 yr after TX an increasing sympathetic control of heart rate was observed.Conclusion:  Short‐term HRV is severely impaired in children after TX. If changes are observed, they are time‐related and show increasing sympathetic influence starting from 4 yr after TX.
Pediatric renal transplantation in a South African teaching hospital: A 20‐year perspective
Authors: Pitcher G. J. , Beale P. G. , Bowley D. M. , Hahn D. , Thomson P. D. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract:  Introduction:  Renal transplantation is established as the standard of care for end‐stage renal failure (ESRF) in the developed world. In emerging nations, the appropriateness of such costly interventions has been questioned. We undertook an analysis of all renal transplants undertaken under the care of the pediatric nephrology service at the Johannesburg Hospital, South Africa, in order to establish the outcomes of a transplantation service in a resource‐constrained environment in a developing country.Methods:  This was a retrospective review of renal transplantation undertaken at a single teaching hospital in Johannesburg, part of the University of the Witwatersrand. Two hundred and eighty‐two transplants were performed between 1984 and 2003. Demographic characteristics of the transplanted population, diagnosis, morbidity, graft survival, and mortality were recorded.Results:  Overall 1‐, 5‐, and 10‐yr graft survival was 82, 44, and 23%. Overall 1‐, 5‐, and 10‐yr patient survival was 97, 84, and 68%. The median graft survival for all transplantation episodes was 4.38 yr; 70% of patients survive 10 yr and 54% survive 20 yr or more. Although early graft survival was good, there was a more rapid rate of graft loss than when compared to results from developed centers with much poorer results at 5 and 10 yr. Causes of ESRF show marked variation between the races, and black patients have significantly worse outcomes than others. Compared with white patients, black recipients received fewer living donor kidneys (26 vs. 10%, p = 0.0019), a greater proportion of totally mismatched organs (56 vs. 36%, p = 0.015), less pre‐emptive transplantation (7 vs. 35%, p = 0.0001) and experienced a higher rate of primary non‐function (13 vs. 3%, p = 0.004). Surgical complications of transplantation occurred in 9% of recipients, but rarely led to graft loss.Conclusion:  Pediatric renal transplantation in Johannesburg can be accomplished with low complication rates, but medium and long‐term graft survival is poor when compared with contemporary results achieved in developed countries. The difficulties of undertaking such complex, multidisciplinary interventions in a developing nation are daunting, but we believe that renal transplantation should still be the treatment of choice for all children with ESRF. The poorer outcomes in black recipients can be addressed by increasing education in our communities and expanding the pool of appropriate donors. Better institutional support would allow for improved long‐term patient care.
Hormonal Correlates of Social Rank in an Asocial Species, the Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
Authors: Wehi Priscilla M. , Barrell Graham K. , Hickling Graham J. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractDominance hierarchies play an important role in access to mates or resources in many species. Rank is sometimes correlated with circulating testosterone levels or morphological traits such as body weight. The relationship of glucocorticoid secretion and rank, however, is less clear. In this study, we investigated the relationship of male rank to body weight, circulating testosterone and cortisol concentrations in captive possum triads (Trichosurus vulpecula). We carried out two experiments to examine hierarchy formation and the effects of castration of the dominant male during the non‐breeding season. A third experiment measured the effects of removal of the dominant male from a stable hierarchy during the breeding season. We found that dominant male rank was significantly correlated with higher circulating testosterone levels during periods of hierarchy formation and during the breeding season but not during periods of hierarchy stability in the non‐breeding season. Lack of correlation between plasma testosterone concentration and rank after male castration suggests that stable social rank is not dependent on hormone level and may be more dependent on behavioural traits. Any biocontrol measures that rely on manipulation of hormone levels may be unreliable when applied to unstable hierarchical situations, including the establishment of territories by subadult males, and the pre‐breeding season when circulating testosterone concentrations peak in males and a period of hierarchy establishment may occur.
Preferences for Call Spectral Properties in Hyla intermedia
Authors: Rosso Alessandra , Castellano Sergio , Giacoma Cristina 
Published: March 2006

AbstractWe studied the pattern of variation in the spectral properties of male advertisement calls and female preference functions for these same properties in the Italian treefrog (Hyla intermedia). The call spectral properties (fundamental and dominant frequencies) were highly negatively correlated with body size, they showed low within‐individual variation, and, at the population level, they were found to be under weak stabilizing selection. In two‐choice discrimination tests, females did not show preferences between calls with fundamental and dominant frequencies within two standard deviations from the population mean, whereas females significantly discriminated against calls when their frequencies were three (or more) standard deviations above or below the population mean. Consistent with the observed permissiveness in female preference over the call spectral structure, in the natural population, we found no evidence either of directional selection on male body size or of a size‐assortative mating pattern. The pattern of preferences observed at the population level did not mirror the preferences of individual females. In fact, in a multi‐trial discrimination experiment, females showed significant differences in their choice between the average frequency call and a two standard deviation lower than average frequency alternative, for which no significant preferences were observed at the population level. Variations in preference were not found to correlate with female body size.
Predation Cost of Conspicuous Male Coloration in Collared Lizards (Crotaphytus collaris): An Experimental Test Using Clay‐Covered Model Lizards
Authors: Husak Jerry F. , Macedonia Joseph M. , Fox Stanley F. , Sauceda Richard C. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAnimal color patterns are a compromise between sexual selection pressures that increase advantages accrued from conspicuousness, and natural selection pressures that decrease those advantages through reduced survivorship. Predation pressure, as a mode of natural selection, often is invoked as a counter‐selective force to sexual selection, yet few studies have demonstrated empirically that more conspicuous individuals experience higher rates of predation. We quantified predator attacks on models of collared lizards, Crotaphytus collaris, in three well‐studied populations (Oklahoma, USA). These populations differ in coloration and in visual backgrounds against which the lizards are viewed by conspecifics and predators. Attack frequencies varied considerably among study sites but at all sites the models exhibiting the strongest color contrast with local rocks were detected and attacked most often. By comparison, inconspicuous models of females were never attacked at any of the sites. These results suggest a survival cost of conspicuous coloration in collared lizards, and reiterate the importance of considering the visual environment as well as differences among populations when examining the influence of predation on the evolution of animal color patterns.
Sexual Harassment Influences Group Choice in Female Mosquitofish
Authors: Agrillo Christian , Dadda Marco , Bisazza Angelo 
Published: March 2006

AbstractMale sexual harassment has been demonstrated to result in high costs for females. Male mosquitofish are amongst the most ardent in the animal kingdom and sexual harassment can halve female foraging efficiency. Female mosquitofish have been found to vary their shoaling behaviour when harassed by a male, approaching other males to promote male–male interactions or reducing the distance to another female to dilute male disturbance. The present study tested two predictions about female counterstrategies. As the dilution effect increases with group size, a harassed female was expected to prefer joining a larger group. She should also benefit from joining larger females since males are known to prefer larger mates. When given a choice between a group of two and a group of four females, females harassed by a male spent significantly more time near the larger group. Harassed females also preferred a shoal consisting of larger females over one consisting of smaller females, but no such preferences were observed in the absence of a male. In addition to influencing the individual decision whether to shoal or not, the presence of a harassing male appears to affect group choice. In these fish, sexual harassment might be a powerful factor in shaping both the structure and the composition of shoals.
The influence of porosity on the fatigue strength of high‐pressure die cast aluminium
Authors: LINDER J. , ARVIDSSON A. , KRON J. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTAluminium is a lightweight material with high strength and good corrosion resistance among other beneficial properties. Thanks to these properties, aluminium is more extensively used in the vehicle industry. High‐pressure die casting of aluminium is a manufacturing process that makes it possible to attain complex, multi‐functional components with near‐net shape. However, there is one disadvantage of such castings, that is, the presence of various defects such as porosity and its effect on mechanical properties.The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of porosity on the fatigue strength of high‐pressure die cast aluminium. The objective was to derive the influence of defect size with respect to the fatigue load, and to generate a model for fatigue life in terms of a Kitagawa diagram. The aluminium alloy used in this study is comparable to AlSi9Cu3. Specimens were examined in X‐ray prior to fatigue loading and classified with respect to porosity level and eventually fatigue tested in bending at the load ratio, R, equal to −1. Two different specimen types with a stress concentration factor of 1.05 and 2.25 have been tested.It has been shown that the fatigue strength decreases by up to 25% as the amount of porosity of the specimen is increased. The results further showed that the influence of defects was less for the specimen type with the higher stress concentration. This is believed to be an effect of a smaller volume being exposed to the maximum stress for this specimen type. A Kitagawa diagram was constructed on the basis of the test results and fracture mechanics calculations. A value of 1.4 Mpa m1/2 was used for the so‐called stress intensity threshold range. This analysis predicts that defects larger than 0.06 mm2 will reduce the fatigue strength at 5 × 106 cycles for the aluminium AlSi9Cu3 material tested.
Relationship between changes in thyroid hormone level and severity of the postoperative course in neonates undergoing open‐heart surgery
Authors: DAGAN OVADIA , VIDNE BERNARDO , JOSEFSBERG ZEEV , PHILLIP MOSHE , STRICH DAVID , EREZ ELDAD 
Published: March 2006

SummaryBackground:  Our aim was to determine whether the changes in thyroid function after open‐heart surgery in neonates depend on the postoperative course.Methods:  Twenty neonates undergoing open‐heart surgery for congenital heart disease were prospectively studied in the cardiac intensive care unit of a university‐affiliated children's hospital. The patients were divided into two groups by level of inotropic support (high or mild).Results:  The groups were similar in age, bypass time and ultrafiltration volume. In both groups, there was a significant reduction in levels of thyroid‐stimulating hormone and FT4 at 24 h postoperatively. However, in the high inotropic support group, FT4 was lower for a longer time. This group also had a significantly higher score on The Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM; P < 0.042) and a longer duration of ventilation (P < 0.014).Conclusions:  Neonates after open‐heart surgery undergo changes in thyroid function characteristic of euthyroid sick syndrome. The degree of hypothyroxinemia may be related to the severity of illness and the postoperative course.
Ketoprofen and tramadol for analgesia during early recovery after tonsillectomy in children
Authors: ANTILA HEIKKI , MANNER TUULA , KUURILA KAIJA , SALANTERÄ SANNA , KUJALA RISTO , AANTAA RIKU 
Published: March 2006

SummaryBackground:  Pain following tonsillectomy is often intense. Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and opioids are effective, but both can cause adverse effects. Tramadol may be a viable alternative for post‐tonsillectomy pain. This study was designed to compare the analgesic effects of ketoprofen and tramadol during the early recovery period after tonsillectomy.Methods:  Forty‐five ASA class I children (9–15 years) were randomized to receive either saline, ketoprofen (2 mg·kg−1) or tramadol (1 mg·kg−1) after induction of anesthesia. Upon completion of surgery, the study treatment was continued as a 6 h intravenous (i.v.) infusion of another dose of saline, ketoprofen (2 mg·kg−1) or tramadol (1 mg·kg−1). Postoperatively, each patient received rescue analgesia with patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA) device programmed to deliver 0.5 μg·kg−1 bolus doses of fentanyl. Postoperative pain was assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during swallowing. Intraoperative blood loss was measured.Results:  The total number of requests of PCA‐fentanyl was significantly less in ketoprofen group compared with tramadol and placebo groups (P = 0.035 and P = 0.049, respectively, in pairwise comparisons) and the VAS scores for pain were significantly lower in ketoprofen group compared with tramadol (P = 0.044) or placebo groups (P = 0.018) during the first six postoperative hours. Measured intraoperative blood loss was greater in ketoprofen‐treated patients than in those receiving placebo (P = 0.029).Conclusion:  A dose of 4  mg·kg−1 of i.v. ketoprofen provided good pain relief with moderate supplemental PCA‐fentanyl requirements during the first six postoperative hours after tonsillectomy in children whereas the effects of 2 mg·kg−1 of i.v. tramadol did not differ from those of placebo.
Convection heating in pediatric general surgery – a comparison of warming alternatives in a mannequin study
Authors: NIGHTINGALE SCOTT , WYNNE LISA , CASSEY JOHN 
Published: March 2006

SummaryBackground:  Numerous methods of patient warming are used to prevent intraoperative hypothermia in children. Commercially available forced air warming blankets are effective, but are single‐use items. We tested a custom‐designed heat dissipation unit (HDU) against one such commercially available blanket.Methods:  Air temperatures at various points around a mannequin under simulated operating conditions were recorded using thermistors and thermal imaging. The only variable changed was the heating method: a forced air blanket or a customized HDU with two draping techniques – cotton drapes with and without a plastic ‘undersheet’.Results:  The three methods produced similar temperature increases and plateaux across the 11 thermistor points measured. There were no significant differences between temperatures at 1 h. A plastic sheet did not appear to enhance the effectiveness of the HDU in this study. Thermal imaging photography suggested more uniform heating of the mannequin with the HDU arrangements.Conclusions:  The custom‐built HDU compares favorably in our mannequin study with a Bair Hugger forced air warming blanket. As it is reusable, it offers considerable potential savings.