bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Buen Pastor cemetery in Trujillo, Venezuela: measuring dengue vector output from a public area
Authors: Abe Mayumi , McCall P. J. , Lenhart Audrey , Villegas Elci , Kroeger Axel 
Published: June 2005

SummaryAs vector control of dengue typically targets individual households to eliminate breeding sites or control adult mosquitoes during epidemics, public spaces are frequently neglected. To investigate the importance of such places as sources of dengue vectors, a study of Aedes aegypti productivity in a cemetery in northern Venezuela, using standard entomological indices for assessing dengue vector infestations, was carried out in the wet season in May 2003. Containers were found on 72.8% of graves; 44% of the containers held water and in 46.9% of these we found A. aegypti larvae and/or pupae. The average density of Aedes‐infested containers was 39 per hectare. There were no significant differences in infestation rates between container types (vases, planters or others) or materials (cement, plastic, glass, etc.). Containers with 1–5 l of water held the greatest proportion of the pupae found in the cemetery (46.7%); containers with <100 ml of water contained no pupae. The mean number of pupae produced in the cemetery was estimated at 4185 pupae/ha per 48 h and the daily output of potential vector mosquitoes from the entire cemetery was calculated at approximately 3000 females per day. These mosquitoes presumably left the cemetery to feed in the nearby communities, thus thwarting the environmental management and health education programmes that had reduced household dengue vector infestations. The study shows the importance of public places as sources of dengue vectors in urban areas, and the need to include such areas in vector control programmes.
Efficacy of combination therapy with artesunate plus amodiaquine compared to monotherapy with chloroquine, amodiaquine or sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine for treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum in Afghanistan
Authors: Durrani Naeem , Leslie Toby , Rahim Sayed , Graham Kate , Ahmad Fayaz , Rowland Mark 
Published: June 2005

SummaryIntroduction  In South and Central Asia resistance to chloroquine (CQ) has reached unmanageable levels, and resistance to sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (SP) is emerging. Amodiaquine (AQ) is widely used in the region, and elsewhere shows only partial resistance to CQ. In Afghanistan, one option for slowing the spread of resistance and improving treatment outcomes is the use of artemisinin combination therapy (ACT).Methods  The efficacy of CQ, AQ, SP and amodiaquine plus artesunate (AQ/AS) in the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria was investigated using standard World Health Organization (WHO) procedures. Malaria patients were randomized to four treatment groups: 268 were enrolled and 240 completed the trial.Results  There was a high level of cross‐resistance between CQ and AQ resistance: adequate clinical and parasitological response by day 42 was 11% after CQ treatment and 9% after AQ treatment. The trend of treatment failure between AQ and CQ was almost identical. Cure rates were considerably improved by the addition of artesunate to AQ or by use of SP; adequate clinical and parasitological response being 72% for AQ/AS and 92% for SP. The combination of AS/AQ substantially reduced the odds of treatment failure relative to AQ monotherapy by day 42 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01–0.1] in addition to reducing the proportion of patients with gametocytes throughout the 42‐day period. Gametocyte carriage rate was only marginally higher in the SP than in the CQ‐ and AQ‐treated groups.Conclusion  The therapeutic and parasitological cure rates with AS/AQ were inadequate, and the criteria for deploying ACT – namely to prevent further selection of drug resistance from a position of low frequency – was not met in the region. An alternative drug combination to AQ/AS is required for Afghanistan.
Clinical algorithms for malaria diagnosis lack utility among people of different age groups
Authors: Mwangi Tabitha W. , Mohammed Mahfudh , Dayo Hiza , Snow Robert W. , Marsh Kevin 
Published: June 2005

SummaryWe conducted a study to determine whether clinical algorithms would be useful in malaria diagnosis among people living in an area of moderate malaria transmission within Kilifi District in Kenya. A total of 1602 people of all age groups participated. We took smears and recorded clinical signs and symptoms (prompted or spontaneous) of all those presenting to the study clinic with a history of fever. A malaria case was defined as a person presenting to the clinic with a history of fever and concurrent parasitaemia. A set of clinical signs and symptoms (algorithms) with the highest sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing a malaria case was selected for the age groups ≤5 years, 6–14 years and ≥15 years. These age‐optimized derived algorithms were able to identify about 66% of the cases among those <15 years of age but only 23% of cases among adults. Were these algorithms to be used as a basis for a decision on treatment among those presenting to the clinic, 16% of children ≤5 years, 44% of those 6–14 years of age and 66% of the adults who had a history of fever and parasitaemia ≥5000 parasites/μl of blood would be sent home without treatment. Clinical algorithms therefore appear to have little utility in malaria diagnosis, performing even worse in the older age groups, where avoiding unnecessary use of anti‐malarials would make more drugs available to the really needy population of children under 5 years of age.
Polymerase chain reaction‐based differential diagnosis of Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus infections in humans in northern Ghana
Authors: de Gruijter Johanna M. , van Lieshout Lisette , Gasser Robin B. , Verweij Jaco J. , Brienen Eric A. T. , Ziem Juventus B. , Yelifari Lawrence , Polderman Anton M. 
Published: June 2005

SummaryWe evaluated a two‐step semi‐nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based approach for the specific detection of Ancylostoma duodenale DNA in human faeces. The test was used to determine to what extent this species of hookworm is present in the regions of Bolgatanga and Garu of northern Ghana. Initially, the sensitivity and specificity of the PCR were tested using a range of well‐defined control samples. Subsequently, a total of 378 human faecal DNA samples from Bolgatanga and Garu were subjected to the PCR. The results were compared with those obtained using a previously established PCR for the specific detection of Necator americanus DNA in human faeces. Infection with A. duodenale was recorded in 74 (19.6%) samples and N. americanus in 278 (73.5%), of which 64 (16.9%), represented co‐infections with both species. While A. duodenale was predominantly detected in the samples from Bolgatanga, infections in Garu related almost exclusively to N. americanus. The results showed that the present PCR approach is a valuable complementary tool for the diagnosis of A. duodenale infection in humans in Ghana, having implications for epidemiological studies and for the monitoring of the success of control programmes in regions in Africa.
Novel glycolipid variations revealed by monoclonal antibody immunochemical analysis of weak ABO subgroups of A
Authors: Svensson L. , Rydberg L. , Hellberg Å. , Gilliver L. G. , Olsson M. L. , Henry S. M. 
Published: June 2005

Background and Objectives  The chemical basis of the subgroups of A is largely unknown. We used thin‐layer chromatography immunochemical staining techniques together with a range of characterized monoclonal reagents to analyse glycolipids isolated from a variety of weak subgroups.Materials and Methods  Glycolipids isolated from red cells collected from nine genetically defined individuals of the rare subgroups of A, including a novel A3 allele (A2 539G>A) not described previously, were subjected to a highly sensitive thin‐layer chromatographic immunochemical analysis.Results  Semicharacterized monoclonal antibodies revealed that, in addition to the expected quantitative differences between common phenotypes and the weak subgroups, qualitative glycolipid differences (or at least an apparent qualitative basis), caused by major changes in the ratios of different structures exist. Specifically it was found that the weakest A‐expressing samples (Ael phenotype) appeared to express an unusual A structure in the 8–12 sugar region. Variable expression of several structures in one of the A weak samples were suggestive of novel blood group A structures.Conclusions  Although no structural characterization could be undertaken, the results are clearly indicative that the variant glycosyltransferases of the rare ABO subgroups are not only inefficient, but they may potentially synthesize novel ABO structures.
Universal fresh‐frozen plasma (Uniplas): an exploratory study in adult patients undergoing elective liver resection
Authors: Solheim B. G. , Granov D. A. , Juravlev V. A. , Krawczyk M. , Kubishkin V. A. , Patutko U. I. , Raab R. 
Published: June 2005

Background and Objectives  The compatibility of an ABO blood group independently applicable plasma, Uniplas, was explored in liver resection because patients undergoing liver resection frequently require the transfusion of plasma to compensate for blood loss and/or clotting factors.Materials and Methods  One‐hundred and twenty two patients undergoing elective liver resection were enrolled; 81 patients required plasma transfusion, while 41 did not. Of those in need of plasma, 58 were blood group A, B or AB, and 23 were blood group O. Patients were monitored up to day 7 postoperatively for signs of haemolysis and haemostasis, and viral markers were assessed at baseline and 3 weeks postoperatively.Results  Uniplas transfusions of up to 50·7 ml/kg body weight were given per treatment episode, without signs of haemolysis caused by transfusion. A total of 94/99 patients (95%) were negative in the direct antiglobulin test throughout the study. Two patients, one transfused with Uniplas, the other not, had a positive direct antiglobulin test result at baseline, while three of 64 patients transfused with Uniplas demonstrated a change from having negative to intermittently positive direct antiglobulin test results without concurrent signs of haemolysis. International normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time and protein C levels were maintained by transfusion of plasma (≥ 20 ml/kg body weight). No patient underwent seroconversion for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus. Positivity for hepatitis A virus (HAV) immunoglobulin G (IgG) in 11 patients from the Uniplas group (who tested HAV immunoglobulin M negative), together with an apparent seroconversion for parvovirus B19 seen in two patients who received Uniplas, indicated passively transferred IgG antibodies.Conclusions  No haemolysis was observed as a result of Uniplas transfusions up to 50·7 ml/kg body weight per treatment episode in patients undergoing liver resection. Moreover, transfusion (≥ 20 ml/kg body weight of Uniplas) maintained acceptable levels of international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time and protein C.
Hyperconcentrated platelets stored in additive solution: aspects on productivity and in vitro quality
Authors: Ringwald J. , Walz S. , Zimmermann R. , Zingsem J. , Strasser E. , Weisbach V. , Eckstein R. 
Published: June 2005

Background and Objectives  New platelet (PLT) additive solutions (PASs) allow a plasma carryover of < 30% in PLT concentrates. This implicates the need to collect apheresis PLT concentrates at very high PLT concentrations: so‐called dry PLTs (DPs). We used the TRIMA, with software version 4 (TRIMA V4), to collect such DPs and investigated the in vitro quality of these PLTs when stored in the new modified PAS‐III (PAS‐IIIM).Materials and Methods  TRIMA V4 was programmed to collect 6·0 × 1011 PLTs at a concentration of 5000 × 103 PLTs/µl. Two DPs were pooled, split into four equal parts and diluted to obtain secondary pools (SPs) consisting of 70% PAS‐III/30% plasma, 70% PAS‐IIIM/30% plasma, 80% PAS‐IIIM/20% plasma or 100% plasma. In vitro testing was performed on days 0, 1, 5 and 7. Collection efficiency (CE), collection rate (CR) and PLT yield were calculated for each donation.Results  Thirty‐two runs with TRIMA V4 were performed, collecting 6·58 ± 0·74 × 1011 PLTs at a concentration of 4255 ± 914 × 103/µl in 99 ± 19·9 min, resulting in a CE of 65·3 ± 8·2% and a CR of 6·92 ± 1·6 × 109 PLTs/min. On day 0, 34–37% of the PLTs in the units prepared for storage were already activated. PLTs stored in 70% or 80% PAS‐IIIM showed superior in vitro quality compared to PLTs stored in PAS‐III.Conclusions  TRIMA V4 is a suitable device for the collection of DPs. Nevertheless, improvements are desirable to further increase the ability to concentrate PLTs at very high levels. The storage of apheresis‐derived PLTs in PAS III‐M is a very promising approach, even at a plasma carryover of < 30%.
Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI): a serious adverse event of blood transfusion
Authors: Bux J. 
Published: June 2005

Background and Objectives  Analyses of fatal transfusion reactions in the UK and USA have shown that transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is among the most common causes of fatal transfusion reactions.Material and Methods  Review of the literature was used to analyse TRALI.Results  TRALI is characterized by acute respiratory distress and non‐cardiogenic lung oedema developing during, or within 6 h of, transfusion. In atypical cases, TRALI can become symptomatic much later. TRALI must be carefully differentiated from transfusion‐associated circulatory overload. In its fulminant presentation, TRALI can be clinically indistinguishable from acute respiratory distress syndrome occurring as a result of other causes. The severity of TRALI depends upon the susceptibility of the patient to develop a more clinically significant reaction as a result of an underlying disease process, and upon the nature of triggers in the transfused blood components, including granulocyte‐binding alloantibodies (immune TRALI) or neutrophil‐priming substances such as biologically active lipids (non‐immune TRALI). Immune TRALI, which occurs mainly after the transfusion of fresh‐frozen plasma and platelet concentrates, is a rare event (about one incidence per 5000 transfusions) but frequently (≈ 70%) requires mechanical ventilation (severe TRALI) and is not uncommonly fatal (6–9% of cases). Non‐immune TRALI, which occurs mainly after the transfusion of stored platelet and erythrocyte concentrates, seems to be characterized by a more benign clinical course, with oxygen support sufficient as a form of therapy in most cases, and a lower mortality than immune TRALI.Conclusions  By virtue of its morbidity and mortality, TRALI has become one of the most serious current complications of transfusion. To prevent further antibody‐mediated cases, the evaluation of TRALI should include leucocyte antibody testing of implicated donors. However, further studies are necessary for the prevention of this serious transfusion complication.
The Effect of Removal of Seminal Plasma, Egg Yolk Level and Season on Sperm Freezability of Canary Buck (Capra hircus)
Authors: Cabrera F , González F , Batista M , Calero P , Medrano A , Gracia A 
Published: June 2005

ContentsGoat semen is different from that of other domestic species in its limited tolerance to the inclusion of egg yolk in the freezing medium, and this tolerance depends on the presence of enzymes in the seminal plasma that react with egg yolk, producing toxic compounds to the spermatozoa. Moreover, the goat is a seasonal breeder that shows variations in semen quality throughout the year, and those variations may affect semen freezability; hence in freezing protocols, for instance, removal of seminal plasma (washing) yields varying results. This work was designed to study this problem in Canary goats: semen from six males was collected in spring, autumn or winter, washed or non‐washed, diluted in a freezing extender with 1.5, 6 or 12% egg yolk, frozen, and thawed after 2 days, 2 or 6 months of cryopreservation. The effect of egg yolk concentration in the freezing extender was far more important than the effect of washing or season on sperm cryosurvival. The quality of frozen–thawed semen tended to improve as egg yolk concentration increased regardless of the effects of season, washing or period of cryopreservation. Washing produced a positive effect on frozen–thawed semen collected during spring or autumn, but the difference decreased as the concentration of yolk increased. However, washing produced a negative effect on frozen–thawed semen collected during winter, diluted with either 6 or 12% egg yolk. There was no apparent seasonal effect on gross measures of sperm production but the seasonal effect was ever present and was reinforced by freezing.
Sex Identification of the Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) using the Locus‐specific PCR and Implications for its Reproduction
Authors: He P‐J , Yu J‐Q , Fang S‐G 
Published: June 2005

ContentsOver the last 4–5 years the small captive population of black swans (Cygnus atratus) has consistently failed to reproduce at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The probable cause was hypothesized to be an abnormal sex distribution of the population. The black swan is an example of a sexually monomorphic species. The locus‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach based on the chromo‐helicase‐DNA‐binding 1 (CHD1) gene, was adopted for the sex determination of the black swans. For this purpose, F1, F2 and R primers were designed using the primerselect software for amplification of the CHD1 gene region. DNA agarose gel electrophoresis showed that the female control displayed two bands, whereas only a single band was found in the male control. Sequence analyses of all seven unknown sex black swans demonstrated the sex‐specific DNA band for female. Therefore, it was inferred that all the individuals of the black swan population are females, which has resulted in unfertilized eggs and reproduction failure. This method can be extended to the sexing of other monomorphic avian species and will assist in the design of breeding projects.
Chronological Appearance of Apoptosis in Bovine Embryos Reconstructed by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer from Quiescent Granulosa Cells
Authors: Gjørret JO , Wengle J , Maddox‐Hyttel P , King WA 
Published: June 2005

ContentsEfficiency of cloning has remained low and in spite of attempts to improve this technology, many reconstructed embryos do not implant or are lost during early pregnancy. Chromosomal aberrations, deviant gene expression patterns and abnormal regulation of cell death may be involved in this increased early embryonic loss. Here, we investigate the chronological onset of both apoptotic changes in nuclear morphology and DNA degradation [detected by transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labelling (TUNEL) reaction] in bovine two‐cell‐ to blastocyst‐stage embryos. Such embryos were generated either by reconstruction with nuclear transfer from quiescent granulosa cells or by regular in vitro embryo production. Nuclear condensation was observed from the two‐cell stage and TUNEL labelling was observed from the six‐cell stage in reconstructed embryos, whereas nuclear condensation was evident from the eight‐cell stage and TUNEL labelling from the 13‐cell stage in embryos derived in vitro. Furthermore, reconstructed embryos displayed elevated ratios of embryos containing apoptotic nuclei at pre‐compaction stages and higher indices of apoptotic nuclei in morula and blastocyst stages when compared with in vitro‐produced embryos.
Night‐time Melatonin Secretion and Seasonally Delayed Puberty in Gilts
Authors: Peltoniemi OAT , Tast A , Virolainen JV , Karkamo V , Heinonen M , Andersson MA 
Published: June 2005

ContentsThis study was conducted to determine whether the seasonal delay in puberty in autumn is driven by individual differences in night‐time melatonin secretion in domestic gilts at the attainment of puberty. A group of spring‐born gilts (n = 30) were expected to reach puberty in autumn by the age of 7 months. Eighteen of these gilts were selected in pairs on the basis of matched days of birth. By the expected time, half of the animals showed oestrous symptoms (group CYCLING, n = 9) with the rest remaining silent (group SILENT, n = 9). Afterwards, all gilts were fitted with indwelling jugular catheters for frequent blood sampling. Blood samples were collected from all animals three times during the day followed by three times in the night at 2‐h intervals for 48 h. The samples were analysed by a commercial radioimmunoassay (RIA). The results show a consistent 25‐fold rise (on average) in night‐time melatonin concentration in every animal sampled with group averages ranging from 0.28 ± 0.04 to 0.37 ± 0.06 pg/ml at day and from 10.20 ± 2.16 to 10.67 ± 0.05 pg/ml at night. Night‐time group mean values between CYCLING and SILENT gilts did not differ significantly (10.26 ± 0.67 and 10.38 ± 0.94 for the CYCLING; 10.67 ± 0.05 and 10.20 ± 2.16 for the SILENT). When 10 pg/ml was used as a threshold value, six individuals did not reach it during the night (low responders). Two of these gilts were CYCLING and four were SILENT. In conclusion, the results presented imply no involvement of the level of night‐time melatonin concentration in the seasonal delay of puberty in gilts.
In Vitro and in Vivo Developmental Competence of Dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) Embryos Produced in Vitro Using Two Culture Systems (mKSOMaa and Oviductal Cells)
Authors: Khatir H , Anouassi A , Tibary A 
Published: June 2005

ContentsDevelopment competence and pregnancy rate of in vitro‐produced (IVP) dromedary embryos were studied in two culture systems: (i) semi‐defined modified medium (mKSOMaa) and (ii) co‐culture using camel epithelial oviducal cells. Five hundred and three cumulus–oocytes complexes (COCs) were selected, allowed to mature, fertilized and cultured in vitro (38.5°C; 5% CO2, maximum humidity >95%, with concentration of oxygen of 5% for semi‐defined medium and 20% for co‐culture cells). Maturation was accomplished by incubation in TCM‐199 medium supplemented with 10% heat‐treated foetal calf serum (FCS), 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor, 1 μg/ml follicle‐stimulating hormone, 1 μg/ml oestradiol and 500 μM cysteamine for 30 h. In vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed using fresh semen (0.5 × 106 spermatozoa/ml in modified TALP solution). Fertilized COCs were denuded by vortexing, then cultured in either mKSOMaa (10% heat‐treated FCS was added 24 h post‐IVF), under 5% O2 and 90% N2 (group 1; n = 249) or with dromedary epithelial oviducal cell monolayers in TCM‐199 with 10% heat‐treated FCS under 20% O2 (group 2; n = 254). The rate of cleavage was significant higher (p < 0.05) for group 1 (63%, 156/249) than for group 2 (51%, 130/254). No significant difference was found between the two groups in the rate of development to blastocyst (21% vs 16.5%) and their hatchability (21% vs 14%). Pregnancy rates were similar for the first 60 days. However, all pregnancies were lost after 60 days with the exception of two of six (33%) from recipients of hatched blastocysts from group 1. We conclude that both systems support in vitro production of dromedary embryos by in vitro maturation (IVM)/IVF of oocytes. However, embryos obtained by culture in the semi‐defined medium (mKSOMaa) appear to have a better in vivo development ability.