bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic components in contemporary Faroe Islands Cattle as revealed by microsatellite analysis
Authors: Li M.H. , Sternbauer K. , Haahr P.T. , Kantanen J. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryThe gene pool of indigenous Faroe Islands Cattle is strongly affected by crossing with Norwegian Red. In this study, the genetic structure in 191 animals representing five North European cattle breeds (Faroe Islands, Icelandic, Blacksided Troender, Western Fjord and Norwegian Red) and the genetic admixture in the contemporary Faroe Islands Cattle at the population and individual level were evaluated using 20 polymorphic microsatellite loci. Only 6.7% of the total genetic variation could be attributed to the differences amongst the breeds. The factorial correspondence analysis based on all allele frequencies could hardly reveal a divergence between Faroe Islands Cattle and Norwegian Red. In addition, a Neighbor‐Net tree constructed to examine the allocation of individuals of Faroe Islands Cattle and Norwegian Red provided a detailed interrelationship network for all the 72 animals. An estimation of the population admixture proportion showed a strong genetic contribution by Norwegian Red (47.3%) in the contemporary Faroe Islands Cattle. On the other hand, individual admixture analysis demonstrated that only seven of the individual Faroe Islands Cattle analysed, which also showed more traditional colour patterns, could be assigned to the Faroe Islands Cattle cluster, probably representing the breed's remaining purebred animals. Strategies for preserving the original native genes in Faroe Islands Cattle should be considered in order to prevent the breed from becoming extinct and to strengthen the breed's capability in future breeding programmes.
Non‐additive effects on milk production in Czech dairy cows
Authors: Wolf J. , Zavadilová L. , Němcová E. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryCrossbreeding effects on milk production traits of Czech dual‐purpose and dairy cattle breeds were estimated. Nearly 370 000 cows with known gene proportions from Czech Pied, Ayrshire or Holstein cattle were selected from the national milk recording data base. Single‐trait animal models were calculated for milk, fat and protein yield, fat and protein content. The model of Dickerson including additive, additive maternal, heterotic and recombination effects was used for the part of the animal model describing the crossbreeding effects in all calculations. For milk yield, the additive genetic effect (defined as deviation from Czech Pied cattle) was 850–900 kg for Holstein and 240–480 kg for Ayrshire. The maternal effects were low and negative. Low significant positive heterotic effects were observed being up to approximately 100 kg for Czech Pied × Holstein. The recombination effects were negative and statistically significant for Czech Pied × Holstein. The results for fat and protein yield were similar to the results for milk yield. For fat and protein content, nearly no statistically significant crossbreeding effects were found.
The coding sequence of the ASIP gene is identical in nine wild‐type coloured cattle breeds
Authors: Royo L.J. , Álvarez I. , Fernández I. , Arranz J.J. , Gómez E. , Goyache F. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryThe aim of this study was to ascertain the role of the Agouti signaling peptide (ASIP) gene coding region in the Agouti locus variation within wild‐type coat colour in cattle. We determined the Extension genotype in 241 individuals from six Spanish and three French brown cattle breeds representative of wild‐type coat variation. Polymerase chain reaction–single‐strand conformation polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP) analysis was carried out in individuals of each Extension genotypes within the same breed in an attempt to identify variants in the three coding exons of the ASIP gene. No SSCP variants were found. Results were confirmed by sequencing the coding exons of the ASIP gene in 20 individuals. Our results suggest that the ASIP coding region does not play a central role in coat colour variation in cattle.
Phenotypic and genetic parameter estimates for racing traits of Arabian horses in Turkey
Authors: Ekiz B. , Kocak O. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryThe racing records for Arabian horses used in the study were obtained from the Turkish Jockey Club. The traits used in the study were racing time, best racing time, rank, annual earnings, earnings per start, log annual earnings and log earnings per start. Genetic parameters were estimated by the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedure using the DFREML program. The effects of age, sex and origin of horse were significant for each trait. The effect of year was significant on time and earning traits, but not rank. The effect of month on time traits was also significant. Heritability estimates of the entire data set were 0.280, 0.281, 0.069, 0.139, 0.174, 0.152 and 0.171 for racing time, best racing time, rank, annual earnings, earnings per start, log annual earnings and log earnings per start respectively. Estimates of repeatability varied from 0.349 to 0.500 for racing time, from 0.430 to 0.524 for best racing time and from 0.129 to 0.171 for rank depending on the data set used in the analyses. Best racing time was the most appropriate trait for selection in this study, as this might lead to genetic improvement than other traits.
Community‐based programmes to prevent falls in children: A systematic review
Authors: McClure Rod , Nixon Jim , Spinks Anneliese , Turner Catherine 
Published: September 2005

Objective:  We systematically reviewed the literature to examine the evidence for the effectiveness of community‐based interventions to reduce fall‐related injury in children aged 0–16 years. Methods:  We performed a comprehensive search of the literature using the following study selection criteria: community‐based intervention study; target population was children aged 0–16 years; outcome measure was fall‐related injury rates; and either a community control or historical control was used in the study design. Quality assessment and data abstraction were guided by a standardized procedure and performed independently by two authors. Results:  Only six studies fitting the inclusion criteria were identified in our search and only two of these used a trial design with a contemporary community control. Neither of the high quality evaluation studies showed an effect from the intervention and while authors of the remaining studies reported effective falls prevention programmes, the pre‐ and post‐intervention design, uncontrolled for background secular trends, makes causal inferences from these studies difficult. Conclusion:  There is a paucity of research studies from which evidence regarding the effectiveness of community‐based intervention programmes for the prevention of fall‐related injury in children could be based.
Changing epidemiology of intussusception in Australia
Authors: Justice Frances , Carlin John , Bines Julie 
Published: September 2005

Objectives:  Oral rotavirus vaccines are expected to become available in Australia within the next 2 years. In light of evidence for an association between a rotavirus vaccine and intussusception, it is important to define the baseline epidemiology of intussusception in Australia and establish a system for intussusception surveillance in the immediate post‐licensure period. This study reports on incidence and epidemiology of intussusception in Australia. Methods:  Data were obtained from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on all patients with a discharge diagnosis of intussusception from public and private hospitals in each state and territory of Australia from 1994 to 2000. We examined age at presentation, sex, month and year of presentation, indigenous status and clinical outcomes. The incidence of intussusception was calculated and annual trends examined. Surveillance data on rotavirus gastroenteritis hospitalizations over the same time period were also obtained to compare seasonal patterns. Results:  From 1994 to 2000, a 39% reduction in intussusception incidence in infants aged <1 year was observed in Australia (13.1/10 000 to 8.1/10 000; P < 0.001). The incidence of intussusception was lower in indigenous infants (3.3/10 000 <1 year) compared to non‐indigenous infants (10.4/10 000 <1 year; P < 0.001). There was no association between the seasonality of rotavirus infection and intussusception. Only one of 12 deaths due to intussusception was reported in an infant <1 year. Conclusions:  This study documents the epidemiology of intussusception in Australia from 1994 to 2000 and provides important baseline information for future rotavirus vaccines. A lower risk of intussusception was identified in indigenous compared to non‐indigenous infants.
Cerebral palsy in Victoria: Motor types, topography and gross motor function
Authors: Howard Jason , Soo Brendan , Graham H Kerr , Boyd Roslyn N , Reid Sue , Lanigan Anna , Wolfe Rory , Reddihough Dinah S 
Published: September 2005

Objectives: To study the relationships between motor type, topographical distribution and gross motor function in a large, population‐based cohort of children with cerebral palsy (CP), from the State of Victoria, and compare this cohort to similar cohorts from other countries.Methods: An inception cohort was generated from the Victorian Cerebral Palsy Register (VCPR) for the birth years 1990–1992. Demographic information, motor types and topographical distribution were obtained from the register and supplemented by grading gross motor function according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).Results: Complete data were obtained on 323 (86%) of 374 children in the cohort. Gross motor function varied from GMFCS level I (35%) to GMFCS level V (18%) and was similar in distribution to a contemporaneous Swedish cohort. There was a fairly even distribution across the topographical distributions of hemiplegia (35%), diplegia (28%) and quadriplegia (37%) with a large majority of young people having the spastic motor type (86%).Conclusions: The VCPR is ideal for population‐based studies of gross motor function in children with CP. Gross motor function is similar in populations of children with CP in developed countries but the comparison of motor types and topographical distribution is difficult because of lack of consensus with classification systems. Use of the GMFCS provides a valid and reproducible method for clinicians to describe gross motor function in children with CP using a universal language.
Diagnosis, treatment and outcome of Kawasaki disease in an Australian tertiary setting: A review of three years experience
Authors: Singh‐Grewal Davinder , Wong Melanie , Isaacs David 
Published: September 2005

Objective:  To examine the patient characteristics, diagnostic criteria, treatment, complications and outcomes of Kawasaki disease (KD) in children diagnosed and treated in an Australian tertiary hospital setting and compare this to previously reported experience. Methods:  Data were collected prospectively for 14 patients in 2002 and retrospectively for 31 patients in 2000 and 2001. Demographics, clinical features, laboratory features, treatment and outcome details were collected, analysed and compared to previous experience. Results:  The median age at diagnosis was 2.77 years (0.28–8.84) and diagnosis was made after a mean 6.1 days of fever. Twenty‐eight patients (62.2%) had classical KD and those with less than four criteria were younger than those with four or more criteria (P = 0.04). Patients were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin. Twelve (26.7%) required re‐treatment. Re‐treatment was associated with treatment within 5 days of fever onset (P = 0.03). Twelve patients (27.3%) developed coronary artery abnormalities and the development of such abnormalities was associated with lower serum albumin at diagnosis (P = 0.008) and need for re‐treatment (P = 0.03). There was no difference in coronary outcome between classical and incomplete presentations. Only two patients had coronary lesions at 12 months follow‐up. Conclusions:  We found a trend towards earlier diagnosis and treatment of KD in the tertiary hospital setting, which may reflect heightened physician awareness of the disease. Our study confirms that children who present with incomplete disease are at risk of coronary artery abnormality. We recommend that clinicians continue to maintain high levels of suspicion, even in the absence of the complete clinical picture of KD, particularly in infants below 1 year of age.
Sleep‐related breathing disorder in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Disease spectrum in the paediatric population
Authors: Suresh Sadasivam , Wales Patricia , Dakin Carolyn , Harris Margaret‐Anne , Cooper David (Gus) M 
Published: September 2005

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive neuromuscular disease with death usually occurring because of respiratory failure. Signs of early respiratory insufficiency are usually first detectable in sleep. Objective:  To study the presentation of sleep‐related breathing disorder (SRBD) in patients with DMD. Method:  A retrospective review of patients with DMD attending a tertiary paediatric sleep disorder clinic over a 5‐year period. Symptoms, lung function and polysomnographic indices were reviewed. Results:  A total of 34 patients with DMD were referred for respiratory assessment (1–15 years). Twenty‐two (64%) reported sleep‐related symptomatology. Forced vital capacity (FVC) was between 12 and 107% predicted (n = 29). Thirty‐two progressed to have polysomnography of which 15 were normal studies (median age: 10 years) and 10 (31%) were diagnostic of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) (median age: 8 years). A total of 11 patients (32%) showed hypoventilation (median age: 13 years) during the 5‐year period and non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) was offered to them. The median FVC of this group was 27% predicted. There was a significant improvement in the apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI) (mean difference = 11.31, 95% CI = 5.91–16.70, P = 0.001) following the institution of NIV. Conclusions:  The prevalence of SRBD in DMD is significant. There is a bimodal presentation of SRBD, with OSA found in the first decade and hypoventilation more commonly seen at the beginning of the second decade. Polysomnography is recommended in children with symptoms of OSA, or at the stage of becoming wheelchair‐bound. In patients with the early stages of respiratory failure, assessment with polysomnography‐identified sleep hypoventilation and assisted in initiating NIV.
Intracranial suppuration
Authors: Leotta Nicole , Chaseling Ray , Duncan Glen , Isaacs David 
Published: September 2005

Objective:  To evaluate prevalence, age, position, predisposing factors, bacteriology, clinical features and outcomes of children with subdural empyema (SDE) and brain abscess (BA). Design:  Retrospective hospital‐based study in a tertiary children's hospital. Methods:  Clinical data were reviewed on all children classified as having SDE or BA for 10.75 years from 1 January 1992 to 31 August 2003 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney, Australia. Results:  Forty‐six children with intracranial suppuration were identified: 26 had BA, 16 had SDE and four children had both SDE and BA.Significant differences between SDE and BA were that: sinusitis was a predisposing factor for SDE (P = 0.01), Streptococcus milleri was the main organism isolated in SDE (P = 0.02), periorbital oedema (P = 0.005) and photophobia (P = 0.02) were clinical features specifically associated with SDE, and 75% of multiple abscesses were in females (P = 0.005).The age distribution of SDE was biphasic, with peaks at <2 years and >7 years. Cases of BA peaked at age 9–11 years. Forty‐eight per cent of all children were between 9 and 13 years old; 20% were <1 year old. All the children with SDE and BA were aged 1 year or less.Three of the 46 children died, all with BA. Eighteen (39.1%) returned to normal and 25 (54.3%) had neurological complications. Neurological complications were more common in the BA group. Conclusion:  The mortality rate of intracranial suppuration is low, but morbidity remains high. A high degree of suspicion is needed to diagnose and treat intracranial infections early.
Failed intubation secondary to complete tracheal rings: a case report and literature review
Authors: ALI M.I. , BRUNSON CLAUDE D. , MAYHEW JAMES F. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryUnanticipated difficult intubation in asymptomatic infants is a rare event. Most infants with congenital tracheal anomalies will present with airway problems. We present a case of failed intubation in an asymptomatic 8‐day‐old infant with complete tracheal rings. The infant could be ventilated with an LMA and surgery for placement of a ventricular–peritoneum shunt was completed. This is a report of the case and review of the literature.
Central venous catheterization in infants and children – small caliber audio‐Doppler probe versus ultrasound scanner
Authors: ARAI TOSHIMI , MASAO YAMASHITA 
Published: September 2005

SummaryBackground : Ultrasound guidance for cannulation of the internal jugular vein has been shown to increase the success rate and reduce the incidence of complications in infants and children. We compared the use of a small caliber audio‐Doppler probe with an ultrasound scanner for cannulation of a central venous (CV) line via the right internal jugular vein in infants and children.Methods : Fifty‐two infants and 29 children scheduled for open‐heart surgery were enrolled. Cannulation was guided using a small caliber audio‐Doppler probe (the AU group, n = 42), or an ultrasound scanner image (the US group, n = 39). Ultimate success rate, success rate at the first attempt, success rate within 5 min, and complications were compared for the two groups.Results : In children (>12 months), both methods were equally efficient. But in infants (<12 months), success rate at the first attempt using audio‐Doppler was worse than the rate using an ultrasound scanner and there were more complications when audio‐Doppler was used.Conclusions : We conclude that application of both the audio‐Doppler and the ultrasound scanner is useful in children over 1 year of age for access to the internal jugular vein. However, in infants and neonates, the ultrasound scanner would be more useful than the audio‐Doppler.
Enrichment for enhanced competitive plant root tip colonizers selects for a new class of biocontrol bacteria
Authors: Kamilova Faina , Validov Shamil , Azarova Tatiyana , Mulders Ine , Lugtenberg Ben 
Published: September 2005

SummaryOur group studies tomato foot and root rot, a plant disease caused by the fungus Forl (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis‐lycopersici ). Several bacteria have been described to be able to control the disease, using different mechanisms. Here we describe a method that enables us to select, after application of a crude rhizobacterial mixture on a sterile seedling, those strains that reach the root tip faster than our best tomato root colonizer tested so far, the Pseudomonas fluorescens biocontrol strain WCS365. Of the five tested new isolates, four appeared to be able to reduce the number of diseased plants. Analysis of one of these strains, P. fluorescens PCL1751, suggests that it controls the disease through the mechanism ‘competition for nutrients and niches’, a mechanism novel for biocontrol bacteria. Moreover, this is the first report describing a method to enrich for biocontrol strains from a crude mixture of rhizobacteria. Another advantage of the method is that four out of five strains do not produce antifungal metabolites, which is preferential for registration as a commercial product.
Genomic comparisons among γ‐proteobacteria
Authors: Mrázek Jan , Spormann Alfred M. , Karlin Samuel 
Published: September 2005

SummaryPredicted highly expressed (PHX) genes are compared for 16 γ‐proteobacteria and their similarities and differences are interpreted with respect to known or predicted physiological characteristics of the organisms. Predicted highly expressed genes often reflect the organism's predominant lifestyle, habitat, nutrition sources and metabolic propensities. This technique allows to predict principal metabolic activities of the microorganisms operating in their natural habitats. Among our findings is an unusually high number of PHX enzymes acting in cell wall biosynthesis, amino acid biosynthesis and replication in the ant endosymbiont Blochmannia floridanus. We ascribe the abundance of these PHX genes to specific aspects of the relationship between the bacterium and its host. Xanthomonas campestris is unique with a very high number of PHX genes acting in flagellum biosynthesis, which may play a special role during its pathogenicity. Shewanella oneidensis possesses three protein complexes which all can function as complex I in the respiratory chain but only the Na+‐transporting NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase nqr‐2 operon is PHX. The PHX genes of Vibrio parahaemolyticus are consistent with the microorganism's adaptation to extremely fast growth rates. Comparative analysis of PHX genes from complex environmental genomic sequences as well as from uncultured pathogenic microbes can provide a novel, useful tool to predict global flux of matter and key intermediates.
Development and validation of a prototype 16S rRNA‐based taxonomic microarray for Alphaproteobacteria
Authors: Sanguin Hervé , Herrera Aude , Oger‐Desfeux Christine , Dechesne Arnaud , Simonet Pascal , Navarro Elisabeth , Vogel Timothy M. , Moënne‐Loccoz Yvan , Nesme Xavier , Grundmann Geneviève L. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryThe microarray approach has been proposed for high throughput analysis of the microbial community by providing snapshots of the microbial diversity under different environmental conditions. For this purpose, a prototype of a 16S rRNA‐based taxonomic microarray was developed and evaluated for assessing bacterial community diversity. The prototype microarray is composed of 122 probes that target bacteria at various taxonomic levels from phyla to species (mostly Alphaproteobacteria). The prototype microarray was first validated using bacteria in pure culture. Differences in the sequences of probes and potential target DNAs were quantified as weighted mismatches (WMM) in order to evaluate hybridization reliability. As a general feature, probes having a WMM > 2 with target DNA displayed only 2.8% false positives. The prototype microarray was subsequently tested with an environmental sample, which consisted of an Agrobacterium‐related polymerase chain reaction amplicon from a maize rhizosphere bacterial community. Microarray results were compared to results obtained by cloning‐sequencing with the same DNA. Microarray analysis enabled the detection of all 16S rRNA gene sequences found by cloning‐sequencing. Sequences representing only 1.7% of the clone library were detected. In conclusion, this prototype 16S rRNA‐based taxonomic microarray appears to be a promising tool for the analysis of Alphaproteobacteria in complex ecosystems.