bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sleep complaints are not corroborated by objective sleep measures in post‐traumatic stress disorder: a 1‐year prospective study in survivors of motor vehicle crashes
Authors: Klein Ehud , Koren Danny , Arnon Isaac , Lavie Peretz 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYDisturbed sleep is a common complaint among patients with post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, laboratory studies of sleep in PTSD have provided inconsistent evidence of objective sleep disturbances. A major shortcoming of most previous studies is the fact that they were performed retrospectively in patients with chronic PTSD, often complicated by comorbid psychiatric disorders and drug abuse. Thus, little is known about the development of sleep disturbances in recently traumatized subjects. In this study, 102 motor vehicle collision (MVC) survivors were followed from the time of collision throughout 1 year. Nineteen subjects hospitalized for elective surgery served as a comparison group. Subjective quality of sleep was assessed using the mini‐Sleep Questionnaire and the Sleep Habit Questionnaire. In addition, a 48‐h actigraphic recording was obtained 1 week, 3 and 12 months after the collision. At 12 months, a structured clinical interview (SCID) was administered to reach a formal diagnosis of PTSD. Twenty‐six of the MVC survivors, but none of the comparison subjects, met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. While MVC survivors with PTSD reported markedly poorer sleep as reflected by significantly higher scores on the mini‐Sleep Questionnaire, there were no significant differences between the three groups on the actigraphic measures that were largely normal. These results, which were obtained in subjects with no evidence of active psychiatric symptoms at the time of trauma and free of psychotropic or hypnotic medications, further support previous polysomnographic (PSG) studies suggesting that altered sleep perception, rather than sleep disturbance per se, may be the key problem in PTSD.
Recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation: clinical and therapeutical issues
Authors: Samuel  , Feray  
Published: March 2003

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection after liver transplantation is almost constant, assessed by the persistence of HCV RNA in 90% of cases. Acute hepatitis appeared in 75% of patients at a median of 4 months’ post‐transplantation. The 5‐year actuarial rate of acute and chronic hepatitis on the graft is 75% and 60%, respectively. The rate of HCV cirrhosis on the graft is variable from 8 to 25% at 5 years. After transplantation, HCV viraemia is dramatically increased and correlates with the occurrence of acute hepatitis on the graft. Intrahepatic levels of HCV are high at the time of acute hepatitis, and decrease with constitution of chronic graft hepatitis lesions, implying an immunological response to the viral infection. A relationship between genotype 1b and the prevalence of HCV hepatitis on the graft has been suggested in European but not American series. The influence of the age of the recipient, quasispecies, viral compartmentalization, immunosuppressive treatment, and of HLA matching is being evaluated. The 5‐year patient survival is around 65‐80%. However, the occurrence of cirrhosis with a risk of graft failure may decrease the 10 and 15‐year patient survival. Attempts to give prophylactic post‐transplant antiviral treatment are under evaluation. Antiviral treatment of post‐transplant graft lesions with combination therapy interferon–ribavirin gave promising results but indications and duration of treatment should be evaluated.In conclusion, HCV reinfection is frequent, but medium‐term survival is good. However, the long‐term graft and patient survival remains unknown, and efficient prevention and treatment of HCV graft is mandatory.
Apoptosis mediated by the Fas system in the fulminant hepatitis by hepatitis B virus
Authors: Rivero M. , Crespo J. , Fábrega E. , Casafont F. , Mayorga M. , Gomez‐Fleitas M. , Pons‐Romero F. 
Published: March 2003

The pathogenesis of the fulminant hepatitis B is poorly understood and both viral factors and the hosts immune response play a role. Previous studies in liver tissues of patients with chronic hepatitis B showed overexpression of Fas antigen and this was correlated with the activity of the hepatitis. The present study was done to determine the role of Fas in fulminant hepatitis B and the virological characteristics of hepatitis B infection.We studied three patients with fulminant hepatitis B. HBV‐DNA was detected by dot‐blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction. The S and C gene were sequenced. Levels of serum soluble Fas antigen were detected by enzymoimmunoassays procedure. Apoptosis was determined by the TUNEL technique. Fas antigen expression was evaluated by a immunoperoxidase method. Ten healthy subjects acted as controls.The three patients showed a high expression of Fas antigen particularly among infiltrating lymphocytes; in these areas we also found many cells with in situ DNA nick labelling signals in the nuclei of most viable hepatocytes. Serum levels of soluble Fas antigen were higher in patients with fulminant hepatitis B than in controls. No specific genome mutations of hepatitis B virus were found.These data suggest that the Fas system involved in the liver injury of patients with fulminant hepatitis B.
The role of lamivudine and predictors of mortality in severe flare‐up of chronic hepatitis B with jaundice
Authors: Chan H. L.‐Y. , Tsang S. W.‐C. , Hui Y. , Leung N. W.‐Y. , Chan F. K.‐L. , Sung J. J.‐Y. 
Published: March 2003

summary. Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) may develop severe disease exacerbations (flare) with jaundice, and some may progress to fulminant hepatic failure. Whether early administration of lamivudine can prevent liver failure and mortality is uncertain. We investigated the role of lamivudine treatment in severe hepatitis B virus (HBV) exacerbations. Consecutive patients presented with severe flare‐up of HBV (new onset of jaundice plus alanine aminotransferase greater than five times upper limit of normal) treated with lamivudine and historical controls who did not receive lamivudine were studied. All patients had no hepatic encephalopathy on admission. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed on various clinical and laboratory factors for the prediction of mortality. Twenty‐eight patients treated with lamivudine and 18 controls were identified. Overall, nine patients died and two other received liver transplants for fulminant hepatic failure. Six of 28 (21.4%) lamivudine‐treated patients vs five of 18 (27.8%) controls died or received a liver transplant (P=0.62). On multivariate analysis, platelet ≤143 × 10E9/L (odds ratio 22.4, 95% CI 1.8–281.6) and bilirubin > 172 μmol/L (odds ratio 18.4, 95% CI 1.5–228.5) were independent predictors of liver‐related mortality. The mortality of patients who had thrombocytopenia and high bilirubin, thrombocytopenia, high bilirubin, and no risk factor were 69.2%, 11.1%, 12.5% and 0% respectively. Hence lamivudine confers no survival benefit to conventional treatment in severe exacerbations of CHB. Patients with thrombocytopenia and high bilirubin should be considered for liver transplantation.
Interobserver variation in interpretation of serial liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Grønbæk K. , Christensen P. B. , Hamilton‐Dutoit S. , Federspiel B. H. , Hage E. , Jensen O. J. , Vyberg M. 
Published: March 2003

summary. Reliable and accurate assessment of liver histopathology in patients with chronic hepatitis C is important for decision regarding treatment and for evaluation of therapy. However, little data on interobserver variation have been published. In this study, five specialist histopathologists evaluated 46 liver biopsies from 20 patients treated with interferon‐α. Knodell's and Ishak's scoring systems, De Groote's classification and a four level general necro‐inflammatory activity score (GNAS) were applied. Besides kappa statistics, slide by slide analysis was performed. We defined an acceptable slide by slide agreement as eight of ten observer pairs agreed on 80% of the slides. The best agreement was seen for Knodell's and Ishak's fibrosis score, De Groote's classification and GNAS (mean weighted kappa (κw) = 0.49, 0.51, 0.50 and 0.44, respectively). By condensing data from Knodell's and Ishak's scores to presence or absence of cirrhosis and piecemeal necrosis respectively, concordance was substantial concerning cirrhosis (mean κ = 0.69 and 0.72, respectively) but only moderate concerning piecemeal necrosis (mean κ = 0.40 and 0.39, respectively). Slide by slide analysis showed the highest agreement on Knodell's fibrosis score and GNAS; only one point of difference in score was to be accepted to obtain ‘eight of ten’ agreement. In contrast, five points of difference were necessary to accept in order to reach the same agreement for Knodell's total activity score. Moreover, in serial biopsies the GNAS was sufficient to detect changes in disease activity following treatment. Thus, a simple scoring system with four category scales was reproducible and sufficient for detection of therapy induced changes.
The use of nest boxes by the Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris in a coniferous habitat
Authors: Shuttleworth C. M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThis paper describes the results of a 4‐year study examining the use of nest boxes by Red Squirrels. Two different designs of nest box were erected in a conifer woodland which supported a high density of animals; spring population estimates were between 3.5 and 4.0 individuals per hectare. Boxes were used by adults, subadults, lactating females and their young. Breeding females more frequently used the larger of the two box designs, although this preference was not statistically significant. There was no difference in the mean sizes of litters found within the two box types. The mean size of litters present in boxes was 2.7 (n = 31, SE = 0.23) which was similar to the mean litter size of 2.5 (n = 8, SE = 0.50) found in dreys. Thus, nest boxes proved to be a valuable research tool for monitoring parturition dates, litter sizes, nestling sex ratios, and preweaning mortality.
Techniques for assessing the abundance of Brown Hares Lepus europaeus
Authors: Langbein J. , Hutchings M. R. , Harris S. , Stoate C. , Tapper S. C. , Wray S. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractOver the last few decades, there have been significant declines in Brown Hare Lepus europaeus numbers throughout Europe, leading to concern for their status in many countries. In Britain, there were no quantified data on the extent of this decline, on current population levels, or any baseline against which to monitor future population changes. The need for a quantified national hare survey led to this evaluation of the techniques available to assess hare numbers. Published information on counting hares is reviewed, and various techniques compared by applying them to a number of sites in southern England.Three basic approaches are available: counts of inactive hares, counts of active hares and indirect methods. Counts of inactive hares include total clearance, wide belt and line transect counts. Total clearance counts give an absolute figure, but are labour intensive and can only be applied to restricted areas. Wide‐belt assessments are difficult to apply in certain habitats and even in open areas tend to produce a substantial over‐estimate. Line transect counts are easy to undertake and are not labour intensive but should only be applied to large areas, or data from several small areas combined. Counts based on active hares are more problematical, because it is difficult to determine what proportion of the population is inactive at any one time. Spotlight counts based on variable circular plots are the most accurate but difficult to apply widely, and twilight counts are very subjective in their interpretation, especially when surveying small areas or areas with a large proportion of concealing habitats. Of the indirect methods, dung pellet counts can be valuable in specific areas but are difficult to apply across a range of habitats.We concluded that, of the various techniques considered, line transect counts have the greatest potential for a national survey, but need to be stratified so that enough transects are undertaken within each habitat stratum to obtain a reliable mean population estimate for each stratum.
Glide angle in the genus Petaurus and a review of gliding in mammals
Authors: Jackson Stephen M. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTThe gliding angle of the Mahogany Glider Petaurus gracilis and the Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps was determined from field studies by measuring the height of launch and landing of glides and the distance travelled. This showed no significant difference between these two species in glide ratio, which averaged 1.91 and 1.82 m distance per 1 m loss in altitude, respectively, nor in glide angle which averaged 28.26° and 29.69° for the Mahogany Glider and Sugar Glider, respectively. Significant differences were found between them for height of launch (19.75 and 11.96 m, respectively), height of landing (4.48 and 1.95 m, respectively), diameter at breast height of landing tree (44.12 and 23.22 cm, respectively), and glide distance (29.71 and 20.42 m, respectively). An examination of the ratio of interorbital width to maximum skull width of gliding and nongliding possums was measured from museum skulls to examine whether gliders have eyes wider apart, to allow triangulation of distance in preparation for gliding. Gliding possums showed a trend toward having a larger interorbital width than nongliding possums, although there appear to be several factors acting on the interorbital width. Museum study skins of all gliding marsupials were measured to determine the relationship between patagium surface area and body mass which showed a clear relationship (r2 = 0.9688). A comparison of gliding behaviour, patagium, development of limbs, tail morphology and mass was also made between gliding marsupials and other gliding mammals.
Partitions in the carnivoran auditory bulla: their formation and significance for systematics
Authors: Ivanoff D. V. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTThe common notion that the septa in the carnivoran auditory bulla are formed by the growth of bone edges inwards the bullar cavity is a mistaken assumption based on the data of the late 19th century. Intrabullar partitions are in fact a result of the differential resorption of the bulla internal surface during the growth of the external surface. A septum develops at the boundary between local, relatively independent, ‘inflations’ of the bulla wall.This explanation, given by Van Kampen in 1905 for the case of the Canidae and some Mustelidae, can be applied to the whole order, including the aeluroid families with their ‘bilaminar’ septum bullae. Such an approach seems to solve the problem of homology of the intrabullar septa throughout the Carnivora, a question which has long been confused because of insufficient knowledge of septum morphogenesis. The partitions can really be considered as indicators of independent attempts to increase the size of a middle‐ear cavity among the infraorders. This conclusion follows immediately from the difference between major carnivoran taxa in the arrangement of separate inflations on the bulla wall, which can be considered as additional sinuses enlarging the hypotympanic space. It is precisely this difference that conditions the relative contribution of several bones (mainly of the ectotympanic and caudal entotympanic) to the intrabullar septa. Thus, the initial topographies of the above sinuses – whichever subsequent bone modelling of septa occurs – represent unique patterns useful in the higher‐level systematics of the Carnivora.
The efficacy of various pyrethroid insecticides for use on odour‐baited targets to control tsetse
Authors: Mangwiro T. N. C. , Torr S. J. , Cox J. R. , Holloway M. T. P. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe efficacy of various pyrethroid insecticides for use on odour‐baited targets to control tsetse was compared in Zimbabwe. Formulations were applied to cotton cloth and polyester net and, at various intervals, the materials were bio‐assayed by exposing fed femaleGlossina pallidipes(Austen) (Diptera: Glossinidae) to cloth for 45 s or by inducing them to collide briefly with net. Trial formulations were compared with deltamethrin suspension concentrate (s.c.), the insecticide currently used in tsetse control operations in Zimbabwe. Applying 0.8% suspension of alphacypermethrin to cloth or net produced high mortalities for 9 months which was similar in performance to 0.4% suspension of deltamethrin s.c. Deltamethrin s.c. and β‐cyfluthrin s.c. applied to cloth as 0.1% suspensions were equally effective, producing high mortalities for 2 months during the wet season, and 0.8% suspension of β‐cyfluthrin was effective for 12 months. Suspensions of 0.1% lambdacyhalothrin capsule suspension or 0.1% lambdacyhalothrin wettable powder were significantly less effective than 0.1% deltamethrin s.c. Chemical analyses showed that increasing the concentration of insecticide applied to material increased the initial amount of insecticide on the material and decreased the subsequent rate of loss; 0.1% suspension of β‐cyfluthrin s.c. applied to cloth produced an initial concentration of ≈ 280 mg/m2which declined by 94% in 12 months whereas 0.8% suspension showed no significant decrease in concentration (mean = 1304 mg/m2) over the same period. For controlling tsetse by means of pyrethroid‐treated targets, it is suggested that β‐cyfluthrin s.c. is as effective as deltamethrin s.c. but that alphacypermethrin s.c. should be used at twice the concentration of deltamethrin s.c. to obtain the same performance.
Distribution of domestic Psocoptera in Madrid apartments
Authors: Baz A. , Monserrat V. J. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryDomestic Psocoptera were sampled in Madrid throughout a complete year (1991–92) by means of sticky traps in bathrooms, kitchens and inside windows. A total of 409 individuals comprising ten species of psocids was caught from 4056 traps inspected fortnightly. The predominant species were Liposcelis decolor, Li. brunnea, Psyllipsocus ramburi, Li. bostrychophila, Li. pearmani, Dorypteryx domestica and Lachesilla pedicularia, in descending order of abundance. Apartments were classified according to eight quantitative variables: age and area of building, level of apartment (i.e. storey), numbers of windows, inhabitants, their pets (birds and mammals), ornamental plants indoors; and two qualitative factors: floor material and presence or absence of trees adjacent to the house. Psocid communities in human habitations were assessed by the island biogeography theory: diversity increased with apartment size and the number of species decreased with building date. Psocid populations were most abundant in bathrooms, which presumably act as sources for dispersal to other parts of the premises. No other significant correlations were found with the other housing factors investigated. Whereas psocids were active indoors during all months of the year, the peak prevalence was in summer, July and August, one or two months ahead of the local seasonal pattern for non‐domestic psocids. Although psocids are usually not seriously unhygienic, causing only minor problems of contamination and allergies, this information should help towards their environmental control.
Protective efficacy of lambdacyhalothrin‐impregnated bednets against Phlebotomus orientalis, the vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Sudan
Authors: Elnaiem D. A. , Elnahas A. M. , Aboud M. A. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryField investigations on the sandfly Phlebotomus orientalis (Diptera: Psychodidae), the vector of Leishmania donovani causing visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Sudan, were undertaken in two villages (Bellow and Elgamel) and Dinder National Park, to determine the protective value of bednets (polyester, 100 denier) impregnated with lambda‐cyhalothrin 10 mg a.i./m2 pyrethroid insecticide. After exposure to treated netting for 30 s, P. orientalis females all died within 1 h. When field‐tested in Acacia woodland, treated bednets provided complete protection from bites of the vector. Numbers of P. orientalis females landing on human collectors without bednets or using untreated bednets averaged 32.0 ± 8.3 or 6.9 ± 2.7 per man‐night, respectively, whereas collectors using treated bednets experienced no sandfly bites during the same period (18.00–06.00 hours, 12 nights in June 1995). Socio‐behavioural observations on the bed‐time of people living in both study villages indicated that the use of impregnated bednets against P. orientalis would give more potential protection for women and children than for male adults. Overall the proportions of people and their durations of exposure to the risk of sandfly bites (i.e. after sunset until they went to bed) were 40% unprotected for < 1 h, 50% for 1–2 h and > 10% for ≥ 2 h. Because visceral leishmaniasis in Sudan occurs mainly in children, the use of impregnated bednets (outdoors as well as indoors), and going to bed early could provide a high degree of personal protection against this zoonotic infection.
Density and dispersal of the loaiasis vector Chrysops dimidiata in southern Cameroon
Authors: Chippaux J. ‐P. , Bouchité B. , Demanou M. , Morlais I. , Le Goff G. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryBy mark–release–recapture experiments, we assessed the density of loaisis vectors, Chrysops dimidiata Wulp plus some Chrysops silacea Austen (Diptera: Tabanidae) and estimated their range of flight in the secondary forest of southern Cameroon. In 1993, the release point was at the centre of the study area and recapture points were at 1100 m radius. In 1994, releases were on the periphery of the study area and recapture sites were 400–8000 m from the release points. Results were concordant and showed Chrysops female densities of 785–3682 flies/km2. The theoretical flight range was < 6000 m, with a maximum distance of 4500 m observed. These results are considered promising for the use of vector control methods against loaiasis.
Effects of organic and inorganic fertilisers on mosquito populations in rice fields of southern India
Authors: Victor T. J. , Reuben R. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe effects of nitrogenous (inorganic) fertilisers, organic manures and blue‐green algae (BGA) biofertiliser on mosquito populations (Diptera: Culicidae) were studied in rice fields of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, south India, with particular attention to Culex vishnui Theobald, Cx. pseudovishnui Colless and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus Giles, the vectors of Japanese encephalitis (JE). The application of urea, a nitrogenous fertiliser, in rice fields significantly increased the grain yield and the population densities of mosquito larvae and pupae (anophelines as well as culicines) in a dose‐related manner. Fields treated with inorganic fertilisers (N, P, K) had significantly higher population densities of mosquito immatures than fields treated with organic manures (farmyard manure and green manure). Without nitrogenous fertiliser, BGA increased paddy yield without enhancing mosquito production. Therefore, the use of BGA with less nitrogenous fertiliser is recommended, which is beneficial economically and agronomically to the farming community and also significantly reduces mosquito production in rice fields. Increased use of nitrogenous fertiliser over the past two decades may have contributed to the increased severity of Japanese encephalitis epidemics, vectors of which breed in rice fields.