bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiological Analysis of Growth, Yield Development and Grain Quality of Some Deep‐water Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars
Authors: Baruah K. K. , Rajkhowa S. C. , Das K. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractA field experiment was conducted with 10 deep‐water rice varieties (nine traditional and one improved), viz. Amona, Maguri, Rangoli, Kakua, Panikakua, Deoribao, Moimonsingia, Duatkalam, Dalbao and PJNB‐96‐10, to study their physiological performance, grain‐quality characters and yield. Among the cultivars, significant variations were recorded in plant height, root length, number of internode, tiller number, number of ear‐bearing tillers, panicle length, panicle weight, number of spikelets per panicle and filled grain percentage. The highest number of spikelets per panicle (199), filled grain percentage (95 %) and grain yield (4.32 t ha−1) were recorded in Maguribao. The highest grain length was recorded in PNJB‐96‐10 (9.5 mm), whereas highest grain thickness was observed in Duatkalam (2.8 mm). Glutelin was the most dominant fraction of protein in all the tested cultivars. Maguribao showed the highest glutelin content (26.7 mg g−1 dry weight), whereas Panikakua showed the highest amylose (24.45 %) and crude fat (4.64 %) content. Differences were also recorded among cultivars in fibre, ash and iron content in grain. Maguribao was found to have superior physiological traits for growth and hence may be considered for inclusion in deep‐water rice breeding programmes.
Cost‐effectiveness of respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis with palivizumab
Authors: Reeve Carole A , Whitehall John S , Buettner Petra G , Norton Robert , Reeve David M , Francis Fleur 
Published: May 2006

Background:  A monoclonal antibody, palivizumab, directed against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been shown to decrease hospitalisation rates. Because of its expense, the cost‐effectiveness of this agent should be determined for high‐risk groups.Aim:  To determine characteristics of RSV infection in Townsville and the economic feasibility of palivizumab immunoprophylaxis in high‐risk groups.Methods:  Cases of RSV‐positive bronchiolitis were retrospectively identified. Cases were grouped according to recognised risk factors. The hypothetical costs of palivizumab immunoprophylaxis for infants at risk were calculated.Results:  The rate of hospitalisation with RSV‐positive lower respiratory tract infection was 22 per 1000 live births but increased to 50 per 1000 among Indigenous babies born weighing <2500 g. The cost of preventing an admission in each of the identified high‐risk groups, based on drug costs alone, ranged from A$69 861 to A$88 547.Conclusion:  Palivizumab was not cost‐effective in the prophylaxis of RSV in the high‐risk group of infants tested here.
Seizures, ataxia, developmental delay and the general paediatrician: Glucose transporter 1 deficiency syndrome
Authors: Coman David J , Sinclair KG , Burke CJ , Appleton DB , Pelekanos JT , O’Neil CM , Wallace GB , Bowling FG , Wang D , De Vivo DC , McGill JJ 
Published: May 2006

Aim  Glucose transporter 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1‐DS) is an important condition for the general paediatrician’s differential armamentarium. We describe a case series of eight patients in order to raise awareness of this treatable neurometabolic condition. The diagnosis of GLUT1‐DS is suggested by a decreased absolute cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose value (<2.2 mmol/L) or lowered CSF: plasma glucose ratio (<0.4).Methods  This is a review of eight Queensland patients with GLUT1‐DS. The clinical presentation, clinical course, laboratory investigations and treatment outcomes are discussed.Results  The clinical features noted in our patient cohort include combinations of ataxia, developmental delay and a severe seizure disorder that is refractory to anticonvulsant medications. Seizures are the most common clinical manifestation and may be exacerbated by phenobarbitone. The paired CSF: plasma glucose results ranged from 0.2 to 0.39 (normal <0.6) with an average of 0.33. 3‐O‐Methyl‐D‐Glucose uptake and GLUT1 Genotyping analysis have been performed on five patients thus far. Rapid and impressive seizure control was observed in 100% of our patients once the ketogenic diet was instituted, with half of the cohort being able to wean completely from anticonvulsants.Conclusion  Children presenting with a clinical phenotype consisting of a refractory seizure disorder, ataxia and developmental delay should prompt the consideration of Glucose transporter 1 deficiency syndrome. While the diagnostic test of lumbar puncture is an invasive manoeuvre, the diagnosis provides a viable treatment option, the ketogenic diet. GLUT1‐DS displays clinical heterogeneity, but the value of early diagnosis and treatment is demonstrated by our patient cohort.
Hepatitis B vaccination is effective for babies weighing less than 1800 g
Authors: Lian Wee‐Bin , Ho Selina K‐Y , Yeo Cheo‐Lian 
Published: May 2006

Aim:  This trial studied the effectiveness of early hepatitis B (HepB) immunisation in babies weighing less than 1800 grams, born of HepB surface‐antigen‐negative mothers.Methods:  The first vaccine dose was given once clinical stability was achieved, with second and third doses given 1 and 6 months later, respectively. HepB serology, done using Abbott ElA (phase 1) and Abbott Axsym (phase 2) before and after June 2001, respectively, was checked at birth (Sero1), prior to (Sero2) and 6 months after (Sero3) the third dose. A booster dose was recommended when Sero3 showed a non‐immune status (<10 mIU/mL).Results:  Median birth weight and gestational age (n = 118) were 1295 [range 475, 1780] g and 31 [range 24, 37] completed weeks, respectively. Sero1 (median age of 4 [range 1, 34] days) showed 64% (n = 113) to be non‐immune. The first dose of vaccine was administered at a median weight of 1268 [range 530, 1790] g, median age of 6 [range 1–63] days and median post‐menstrual age of 32 [range 24–37] completed weeks. Sero2 (median age of 179 [range 112–260] days), for 110 babies (93.2%) showed immunity in 48.2% (median titres – Phase 1: 26 [range 10, 150] mIU/mL; Phase 2: 34 [range 10, 1000] mIU/mL). Sero3 revealed seroprotection in 77.8% (median titres – Phase 1: 102 [range 12, 150] mIU/mL; Phase 2: 162 [range 16, 1000] mIU/mL). The more mature the bady at time of first dose, the more likely he is to achieve seroprotection (85% amongst those administered at and beyond 33 weeks; 91% among those administered at and beyond Day 10 at Sero3).Conclusions:  Early HepB immunisation in infants <1800 g can be safely recommended, with booster doses necessary at 1 year for some infants.
Inflammatory measures in children with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Tam Charmaine S , Wong Melanie , McBain Rachel , Bailey Sherryn , Waters Karen A 
Published: May 2006

Aim:  To evaluate a range of inflammatory measures in children with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).Methods:  In total, 44 children with polysomnographically defined OSA (30 boys; mean age: 7.3 ± 3.7 years) and 69 control subjects (44 boys; mean age: 7.6 ± 4 years) were recruited. Controls were screened for symptoms of OSA by questionnaire at the time of elective surgery that was unrelated to the upper airway. Blood samples were analysed for C‐reactive protein, and cytokines IL‐1β, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐12, GM‐CSF, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α.Results:  The majority of the children had mild OSA (32/44). Children with OSA (respiratory disturbance index 5.3 ± 6.5 events/h) had significantly higher IFN‐γ and IL‐8 levels than controls (P < 0.001 and 0.003, respectively), although correction for age, sex and body mass index reduced these differences (IFN‐γP = 0.002, and IL‐8 P = 0.051). There were no significant correlations between inflammatory measures and body mass index, respiratory disturbance index, or other sleep, desaturation, or arousal parameters including respiratory or spontaneous arousal indices, desaturation index or severity, sleep efficiency, or apnoea/hypopnoea duration in the OSA group.Conclusion:  Children with OSA, even of mild severity, have significantly elevated IFN‐γ levels and a trend towards elevated IL‐8 levels compared with asymptomatic controls, consistent with a pro‐inflammatory effect of OSA. These changes seen in mild OSA may precede changes in other pro‐inflammatory cytokines found in studies of adults with more severe and long‐standing disease, implying a potential benefit from early disease identification and intervention.
Disclosure of HIV/AIDS diagnosis to HIV‐infected children in Thailand
Authors: Oberdorfer Peninnah , Puthanakit Thanyawee , Louthrenoo Orawan , Charnsil Chawanun , Sirisanthana Virat , Sirisanthana Thira 
Published: May 2006

Background:  With the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy, more HIV‐infected children have lived longer. Many children are at the age that they should know the diagnosis.Aim:  To identify the prevalence and patterns of disclosure of HIV/AIDS diagnosis to HIV‐infected children.Methods:  A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 103 main care givers of HIV‐infected children aged ≥6 years who received highly active antiretroviral therapy at Chiang Mai University and Sanpatong district hospitals, northern Thailand.Results:  One‐third (30.1%) of the children knew their HIV/AIDS status at an average age of 9.2 years. The care givers’ understanding of ‘knowing’ did not always mean that the children were told the name of ‘HIV’ or ‘AIDS’. Many of those care givers (84.3%) who reported that the child did not know their diagnosis had inaccurately explained to the child that he or she had some kind of disease such as allergy, lung, or liver disease. The most common reason for non‐disclosure was the fear that disclosure might have negative psychological consequences to the child (53.4%). Almost all (88.7%) agreed that they should tell the children their diagnosis in the future but half needed health‐care providers to help them at the event.Conclusion:  There is a need for the development of disclosure guide‐lines and models for health‐care providers and care givers as there was a high rate of inaccurate disclosure and, in addition, care givers expressed their need for assistance from health‐care providers for the future disclosure.
Sperm–zona pellucida interaction and immunological infertility
Authors: KAMADA MASAHARU , MAEGAWA MASAHIKO , DAITOH TOSHIHUMI , MORI KAZUMASA , YAMAMOTO SATOSHI , NAKAGAWA KOJI , YAMANO SYUJI , IRAHARA MINORU , AONO TOSHIHIRO , MORI TAKAHIDE 
Published: May 2006

Immune reactions against gametes appear to be physiologically important for the maintenance of homeostasis in reproduction. In contrast, aberration of the immune homeostasis might give rise to ‘immunological infertility’. Antisperm antibodies cause infertility by blocking fertilization. The mechanism can be explained as inhibiting the acrosome reaction of sperm by their blocking effect on capacitation through inhibiting an increase of fluidity of the sperm membrane. Autoantibodies against zona pellucida also cause infertility by blocking sperm–zona pellucida interaction, though the definitive mechanism has not been elucidated.Pretreatment of spermatozoa with D‐mannnose completely inhibited sperm penetration through, but not binding to, the zona pellucida. Furthermore, very rapid kinetics between sperm extracts and D‐mannnose by a BIAcore apparatus suggest that a D‐mannose ligand of the sperm surface is easy to bind to and dissociate from a D‐mannose residue in the sperm receptor site on the zona pellucida. Thus, D‐mannnose on the human zona pellucida might be an essential molecule acting as a second sperm receptor, through which sperm penetrate into the zona pellucida.Because these antibodies appear to not cause any deleterious clinical symptoms, sperm and zona pellucida antigens are promising candidates in the development of an immunocontraceptive. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 95–104)
Determinants of oral contraceptive pill use and its discontinuation among rural women in Bangladesh
Authors: ZAFAR ULLAH ABU NASER , HUMBLE MORAG ELIZABETH 
Published: May 2006

Oral contraceptive pills (OCP) contribute a major share in the current method‐mix in Bangladesh. However, multiple studies show high discontinuation rates of OCP. The present study examines the behavior and attitude towards OCP use, and investigates the determinants of its discontinuation among the rural married women of Bangladesh.The present study is based on critical analyses of the data from 24 focus group discussions and 135 in‐depth‐interviews with women, their husbands and key informants conducted over the period of 1 year.The present study shows that more than two‐thirds of married women have at one time or another used OCP as a method of family planning. However, many women did not take the pills regularly and about one‐quarter of ever users had taken, at one stage or another, a ‘short break’ from OCP use. Although nearly half of them took a break because of side effects, interestingly, 16% took a break as the result of fear of health problems that were related to ‘folk stories’ and other misconceptions. The individual assessment by users of the national family planning service delivery, perceived side effects, misconceptions about continuous use of pills, quality of counseling and information, and contraceptive behavior of the OCP users considerably influenced the decisions on contraceptive use or non‐use. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 111–121)
Profiling of proteins phosphorylated or dephosphorylated during hyperactivation via activation on hamster spermatozoa
Authors: FUJINOKI MASAKATSU , SUZUKI TATSUYA , TAKAYAMA TAKESHI , SHIBAHARA HIROAKI , OHTAKE HIDEKI 
Published: May 2006

Background and Aims:  It has been widely accepted that sperm hyperactivation is regulated by protein phosphorylations. But, the sperm hyperactivation phosphorylation pathway is not well understood yet because several different proteins have been detected in other studies. In order to understand the phosphorylation pathway that regulates hyperactivation, we established how to extract sperm protein completely and detected proteins that were phosphorylated during hyperactivation.Methods:  Protein phosphorylation of hamster spermatozoa was detected by western blotting using antiphospho‐amino acid monoclonal antibodies or the SELDI ProteinChip system with IMAC‐Ga(III).Results:  We detected 75 protein/peptide phosphoryations using the method established in the present study. Tyrosine phosphorylations occurred during hyperactivation. Serine or threonine phosphorylations occurred for 30 min. Furthermore, four of the serine or threonine phosphorations were phosphorylated by A‐kinase. As for peptides, 15 peptides were dephosphorylated for 30 min. Other peptides were phosphorylated during hyperactivation.Conclusions:  Because most of the proteins detected in the present study have been described previously, we could detect comprehensive protein phosphorylations. Moreover, we also detected many novel phosphopeptides. Although we did not understand the role of peptide, it was likely that motility was basically regulated by serine/threonine phosphorylations and hyperactivation was mainly regulated by tyrosine phosphorylations. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 123–135)
Effects of in vivo exposure to eggs with sperm‐immobilizing antibodies in follicular fluid on subsequent fertilization and embryo development in vitro
Authors: SHIBAHARA HIROAKI , HIRANO YUKI , SHIRAISHI YASUKO , SHIMADA KAZUHIKO , KIKUCHI KUMIKO , SUZUKI TATSUYA , TAKAMIZAWA SATORU , SUZUKI MITSUAKI 
Published: May 2006

Aims:  It has been shown that supplementation of patients’ sera that contains sperm‐immobilizing antibodies results in failure of fertilization and embryo development in vitro. The present study was carried out to investigate if exposing retrieved eggs to a high number of sperm‐immobilizing antibodies in the follicular fluid (FF) in vivo affected subsequent fertilization and embryo development in vitro, even if they were washed with an antibody‐free culture medium.Methods:  Patients’ sera and their FF were collected in 15 in vitro fertilization‐embryo transfer (IVF‐ET) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection‐embryo transfer (ICSI‐ET) treatment cycles from 11 infertile women with sperm‐immobilizing antibodies in their sera. Quantitative sperm‐immobilizing antibody titers (SI50 titers) in the sera and FF were evaluated. The fertilization rate, good‐quality embryo rate and implantation rate by IVF‐ET were compared between infertile patients having higher (10≤) SI50 titers and lower (<10) SI50 titers in their FF.Results:  There was a significant correlation in the SI50 titers between the patients’ sera and their FF (P < 0.0001). After thoroughly washing the collected eggs in culture medium without the patient's serum before IVF, there was no difference in the fertilization rate in the patients with high (10≤) and low (<10) SI50 titers in their FF (P = 0.62). However, the good‐quality embryo rate in the patients with a high SI50 titer was significantly lower than patients with a low antibody titer (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the implantation rate between the two groups (P = 0.33).Conclusions:  Similar amounts of sperm‐immobilizing antibodies existed in the patients’ FF and in their sera. ICSI did not seem to be necessary in patients having the antibodies if their sera were not supplemented in the culture media. Even with careful manipulation of eggs, it might be suggested that the harmful effects of sperm‐immobilizing antibodies on embryo development cannot be completely avoided, especially in patients with high SI50 titers in the FF. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 137–143)
A factorial study of ondansetron, metoclopramide, and dexamethasone for emesis prophylaxis after adenotonsillectomy in children
Authors: GUNTER JOEL B. , McAULIFFE JOHN J. , BECKMAN EILEEN C. , WITTKUGEL ERIC P. , SPAETH JAMES P. , VARUGHESE ANNA M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryBackground:  We conducted a factorial study of emesis prophylaxis with ondansetron (OND), metoclopramide (MET), and dexamethasone (DEX).Methods:  After informed parental consent, 240 children having adenotonsillectomy were randomized to one of 15 combinations of OND (0–60 μg·kg−1), MET (0–400 μg·kg−1), and/or DEX (0–500 μg·kg−1). Using multivariable logistic regression, models were generated for the probability of emesis before discharge, after discharge and overall for 24 h.Results:  Odds of emesis increased by a factor of three to four for children older than 7 years. Before discharge, odds of emesis decreased by factors of 0.29 for each 15 μg·kg−1 of OND and 0.37 for each 100 μg·kg−1 of MET. After discharge, odds of emesis decreased by a factor of 0.67 for each 125 μg·kg−1 of DEX and increased by a factor of 3.5 for emesis before discharge. Over 24 h, odds of emesis decreased with OND, MET, and DEX (ORs as above). A negative interaction between OND and MET was seen before discharge and over 24 h, reducing the efficacy of their combination.Conclusions:  We present novel study design and methods of analysis which are uniquely suited to studies of multiple interventions. Factorial design was a powerful tool, allowing simultaneous determination of dose–response relationships for three drugs and identifying a previously unreported negative interaction between OND and MET.
Comparison of cultivation‐dependent and molecular methods for studying the diversity of anoxygenic purple phototrophs in sediments of an eutrophic brackish lagoon
Authors: Ranchou‐Peyruse Anthony , Herbert Rodney , Caumette Pierre , Guyoneaud Rémy 
Published: May 2006

SummaryPhototrophic anoxygenic purple bacteria play a key role in many aquatic ecosystems by oxidizing sulfur compounds and low‐molecular‐weight organic compounds using light as energy source. In this study, molecular methods based upon pufM gene (photosynthetic unit forming gene) were compared with culture‐dependent methods to investigate anoxygenic purple phototrophic communities in sediments of an eutrophic brackish lagoon. Thirteen strains, belonging to eight different genera of purple phototrophic bacteria were isolated with a large dominance of the metabolically versatile purple non‐sulfur bacteria (eight strains), some purple sulfur bacteria (three strains) and two strains belonging to the Roseobacter clade (aerobic phototrophs). The pufM genes amplified from the isolated strains were not detected by the molecular methods [terminal‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP)] applied on in situ communities. An environmental clone library of the pufM gene was thus constructed from sediment samples. The results showed that most of the clones probably corresponded to aerobic phototrophic bacteria. Our results demonstrate that the culture‐dependent techniques remain the best experimental approach for determining the diversity of phototrophic purple non‐sulfur bacteria whereas the molecular approach clearly illustrated the abundance of organisms related to the Roseobacter clade in these eutrophic sediments.
Microbial succession of nitrate‐reducing bacteria in the rhizosphere of Poa alpina across a glacier foreland in the Central Alps
Authors: Deiglmayr K. , Philippot L. , Tscherko D. , Kandeler E. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryChanges in community structure and activity of the dissimilatory nitrate‐reducing community were investigated across a glacier foreland in the Central Alps to gain insight into the successional pattern of this functional group and the driving environmental factors. Bulk soil and rhizosphere soil of Poa alpina was sampled in five replicates in August during the flowering stage and in September after the first snowfalls along a gradient from 25 to 129 years after deglaciation and at a reference site outside the glacier foreland (> 2000 years deglaciated). In a laboratory‐based assay, nitrate reductase activity was determined colorimetrically after 24 h of anaerobic incubation. In selected rhizosphere soil samples, the community structure of nitrate‐reducing microorganisms was analysed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using degenerate primers for the narG gene encoding the active site of the membrane‐bound nitrate reductase. Clone libraries of the early (25 years) and late (129 years) succession were constructed and representative clones sequenced. The activity of the nitrate‐reducing community increased significantly with age mainly due to higher carbon and nitrate availability in the late succession. The community structure, however, only showed a small shift over the 100 years of soil formation with pH explaining a major part (19%) of the observed variance. Clone library analysis of the early and late succession pointed to a trend of declining diversity with progressing age. Presumably, the pressure of competition on the nitrate reducers was relatively low in the early successional stage due to minor densities of microorganisms compared with the late stage; hence, a higher diversity could persist in this sparse environment. These results suggest that the nitrate reductase activity is regulated by environmental factors other than those shaping the genetic structure of the nitrate‐reducing community.