bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bioavailability of transdermal methimazole in a pluronic lecithin organogel (PLO) in healthy cats
Authors: HOFFMAN S. B. , YODER A. R. , TREPANIER L. A. 
Published: March 2003

Hoffman, S. B., Yoder, A. R., Trepanier, L. A. Bioavailability of transdermal methimazole in a pluronic lecithin organogel (PLO) in healthy cats. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.25, 189–193.The antithyroid drug methimazole is widely used for the medical management of feline hyperthyroidism. Recently, custom veterinary pharmacies have offered methimazole in a transdermal gel containing pluronic and lecithin (PLO), with anecdotal evidence of efficacy. The purpose of this study was to determine the bioavailability, relative to i.v. and oral routes of administration, of transdermal methimazole in a PLO gel in cats. Six healthy adult cats were assigned to receive 5 mg of methimazole by the i.v., oral, or transdermal routes, in a randomized triple crossover protocol with 1 week washout between doses. Blood samples were taken for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determination of serum methimazole, at 0, 5, 15, 30, 60 min, and 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 h after dosing. Methimazole absorption following transdermal administration was poor and variable, with only two of six cats achieving detectable serum methimazole concentrations at any time point following transdermal administration. Area under the concentration–time curve (AUC), maximum concentration (Cmax), and absolute bioavailability were all significantly lower for the transdermal route (0.39 ± 0.63 μg h/mL, 0.05 ± 0.09 μg/mL, and 11.4 ± 18.7%, respectively) than for either i.v. (7.96 ± 4.38 μg h/mL, 3.34 ± 2.00 μg/mL, 100%) or oral routes (2.94 ± 1.24 μg h/mL, 0.51 ± 0.15 μg/mL, 40.4 ± 8.1%). The results of this study indicate generally low to undetectable bioavailability of methimazole in a lecithin/pluronic gel given as a single transdermal dose to healthy cats, although one individual cat did achieve nearly 100% transdermal bioavailability relative to the oral route.
Risk of hepatitis A infection following travel
Authors: Ciccozzi M. , Tosti M. E. , Gallo G. , Ragni P. , Zotti C. , Lopalco P. , Ara G. , Sangalli M. , Balocchini E. , Szklo A. S. , Mele A. 
Published: March 2003

summary. Travel to endemic areas is one of the most frequently reported risk factors for infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). We evaluated the association between HAV infection and travel, by area of destination.We conducted a case–control study on all cases of HAV infection reported to the Italian National Surveillance System for Acute Viral Hepatitis in the period 1996–2000.The study population consisted of 9695 persons with HAV infection (cases) and 2590 with HBV infection (controls). The risk of acquiring HAV was highest for travel to Asia, Africa and Latin America [Odds Ratio=9.30 (95%CI=6.71–12.9)]; a three‐fold statistically significant excess of risk was found for travel to southern Italy (OR=3.03) and to the Mediterranean Area and Eastern Europe (OR=3.15). Travel was implicated in 28% of the cases of HAV infection. When stratifying the analysis by area of residence (northern and central Italy vs southern Italy and the Islands), the above‐mentioned risks were confirmed only for those residing in northern and central Italy, with no significant risk for those residing in southern Italy and the Islands.Travel to areas endemic for HAV infection constitutes a considerable risk. Our results highlight the importance of developing health policies for improving environmental and hygienic conditions, as well as the prevention of certain eating habits. Vaccination before travelling to a medium or high endemic area could be a safe and effective means of preventing travel‐related HAV infection.
Comparative effects of adefovir and selected nucleoside inhibitors of hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase on mitochondrial DNA in liver and skeletal muscle cells
Authors: Birkus G. , Gibbs C. S. , Cihlar T. 
Published: March 2003

summary. Adefovir is a potent nucleotide analog inhibitor of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA polymerase. Its oral prodrug adefovir dipivoxil has been approved for the treatment of chronic HBV infection. In this study, adefovir was characterized for its in vitro effects on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) synthesis and compared with the nucleoside analogues lamivudine (3TC), fialuridine (FIAU), and zalcitabine (ddC). No substantial changes in mtDNA content were detected in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells and normal human skeletal muscle cells following a 9‐day treatment with 0.3–30 μm adefovir, concentrations up to 500‐fold higher than the peak serum levels in patients treated with adefovir dipivoxil. Similarly, mtDNA was unchanged in both cell types following treatment with 3TC. In contrast, 30–55% and > 90% reductions in mtDNA were observed following incubation with 30 μm FIAU and ddC, respectively. The effects of FIAU on mtDNA became more pronounced following prolonged 18‐day treatment of skeletal muscle cells while the effects of other drugs remained unchanged.
Press responses to the presence of free‐living Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in southern England
Authors: Goulding M. J. , Roper T. J. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTWildlife management and conservation programmes are likely to attract media attention, especially when the programmes in question involve large mammals. The present study surveyed the response of the press (national and local newspapers, and magazines) to the existence of two populations of free‐living Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) that established in southern England in the early 1990s, following the escape of animals from captivity. One‐hundred and seven target articles from 46 different titles were searched for references to 18 separate issues related to topics such as agricultural damage, risk to humans and ecological impact. The presence of free‐living Wild Boar in the English countryside attracted predominantly negative press coverage: the issues most frequently raised by newspaper and magazine articles were that the animals constitute a danger to the public, damage agricultural crops, predate livestock and transmit disease. A minority of articles argued that the animals should be conserved, mainly on the grounds that they could be hunted for meat. There was relatively little coverage of environmental issues, and what there was tended to focus on detrimental effects of Wild Boar on native flora and fauna. We conclude that management and conservation programmes involving large, allegedly dangerous mammals are likely to encounter an adverse press reaction. This is something that the organizers of such programmes may need to take into account when predicting public attitudes.
Susceptibility of mosquitoes in central Taiwan to natural infections of Dirofilaria immitis
Authors: Lai C. ‐H. , Tung K. ‐C. , Ooi H. ‐K. , Wang J. ‐S. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryFrom October 1997 to September 1998, 3085 Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae), 584 Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (Giles) (Diptera: Culicidae), 392 Cx. annulus (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae), 374 Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) and 102 Armigeres subalbatus (Coquillet) (Diptera: Culicidae) were collected and examined for Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy) (Spirurida: Filariidae) infection. However, only Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. albopictus were infected, with a prevalence of 4.28% and 3.74%, respectively. The intensity of D. immitis found in Ae. albopictus (3.43 larvae/mosquito) was higher than that found in Cx. quinquefasciatus (2.89 larvae/mosquito). After being fed with canine blood containing 7500 microfilariae (mf) per mL, Cx. quinquefasciatus ingested approximately two times as many mf as Ae. albopictus (mean of 31.73 in comparison to 16.47). However, almost three times as many third‐stage infective larvae developed in Ae. albopictus as in Cx. quinquefasciatus (mean of 3.25 as compared with 1.10), with a vector efficiency index (VEI) of 19.73 and 3.47, respectively. The results showed that Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. albopictus served as natural vectors of D. immitis in central Taiwan. Although Ae. albopictus was more efficient for heartworm transmission, Cx. quinquefasciatus may play a more prominent role on the transmission of dirofilariasis in central Taiwan.
Spatial pattern of abundance of the mosquito, Ochlerotatus albifasciatus, in relation to habitat characteristics
Authors: Gleiser R. M. , Schelotto G. , Gorla D. E. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Macquart) (Diptera: Culicidae) is the main vector of the western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus and potentially of other arboviruses in Argentina. Surges of adult population abundance during the rainy season are a nuisance, affecting milk and beef production. Larvae develop in short periods in shallow temporary ground pools on fresh or brackish water. Although adults seem to disperse long distances from larval habitats, little is known about their habitat preferences. This work studied factors affecting the spatial pattern of adult Oc. albifasciatus abundance.Adult mosquitoes were collected using CDC miniature light traps baited with CO2 at 28 sites located to the south of Mar Chiquita Lagoon, from November 1997 to April 1998. Each site was typified according to its predominating vegetation cover, potential breeding site occurrence, land slope and cattle density. The spatial and temporal patterns of abundance suggested that Oc. albifasciatus prefers prairies and natural grasslands subject to periodic flooding vs. woodland and farm land. A discriminant function based on the proximity to potential larval habitats, distance to woodland and land slope accurately classified 95% of the data categorized as having an average high (>500 mosquitoes) or low (<500 mosquitoes) abundance, and was validated using six sites located away from the study area. An analysis of the temporal variation of mosquito abundance highlighted the influence of the dynamics of the larval habitats on adult mosquito abundance.
Attitudes of medical faculty physicians about taking occupational history
Authors: Çimrin  , Sevinc  , Kundak  , Ellidokuz  , Itil  
Published: March 2003

ObjectivesTo evaluate occupational history taking, as a detailed occupational history is the most effective means for proper diagnosis of occupational illness.MethodsIn order to determine the attitudes of 66 physicians working in Dokuz Eylül Medical Faculty Hospital about taking occupational history, 269 patient records were examined.ResultsIt was detected that 43·9% of physicians took no occupational history from any of their patients. Occupational history was obtained from 81·8% of the patients in clinics where standard examination forms were in regular use.ConclusionWe found that physicians were not in the habit of taking occupational histories.
Evaluating assessment: the missing link?
Authors: Fowell  , Southgate  , Bligh  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundMethods chosen for assessment and the manner in which they are applied are so intimately associated with how individuals learn that developing appropriate assessment strategies is a key part of effective curriculum development.The assessment cycleWe describe a four‐stage assessment cycle identifying important steps in assessment. Each step is described in detail, stressing its key aspects, including: the need for clear assessment policy and strategy, the importance of assessment blueprints in planning assessment, the need for effective feedback when presenting results, and the essential, but often overlooked, need to evaluate the assessment process itself.Evaluating assessmentThis final evaluation stage is the most important part of the assessment cycle and can be divided into four levels. The first level includes evaluating each question in the assessment, the second level is concerned with establishing validity and reliability, the third level centres on the assessment process and review of assessments by external examiners and the fourth level involves evaluation over several assessments.Relating assessment to the curriculumThis long‐term evaluation should examine whether existing assessments are congruent with the curriculum and relate to all facets of the students' learning experiences. This is particularly important in a curriculum where the learning outcomes of student‐centred learning are emphasized. Changes in the assessment of postgraduate trainees and increasing emphasis on peer review of clinicians will raise the profile of these outcomes in undergraduate education.
Chloroplast DNA variation in Dactylis glomerata L. taxa endemic to the Macaronesian islands
Authors: Sahuquillo E. , Lumaret R. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn the Dactylis glomerata infraspecific polyploid grass complex, restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) were studied in diploid and tetraploid populations of several taxa endemic to Macaronesia (Madeira and the Canary islands) and in populations from the African and European continental areas closest to Macaronesia. Two chlorotypes, which differed by a single 290‐bp length mutation, were observed in the Macaronesian and the continental populations. Chlorotype I, which is predominant in the whole D. glomerata complex, was found in the majority of continental populations. It was also observed in the most western Macaronesian islands, in the two diploid taxa endemic to the lowland scrub and the high elevation heath of Tenerife, respectively, and in tetraploids endemic to Madeira and La Palma. These island populations were growing under the influence of humid trade winds. Chlorotype II was found in the eastern part of the Archipelago (closer to Africa), which experienced subarid Mediterranean climate conditions, and in very few diploid and tetraploid Mediterranean populations growing at high elevation on the continent. This geographical and climatic distribution of chlorotype variation in Macaronesia is consistent with that reported previously for morphological, allozyme and phenolic variation in the same plant material. Chlorotype II was, however, also observed in tetraploid populations from La Gomera island and in one of the seven tetraploid populations analysed from Madeira, which all showed clearly subtropical characters for morphology, allozymes and phenolic compounds. This result suggests that cpDNA introgression has occurred more than once from the Mediterranean material into the subtropical one and may indicate that colonization between the mainland and islands, or among the islands, probably played a major role in the geographical pattern observed for that marker.
A phylogenetic analysis of body size evolution in theAnolis roquetgroup (Sauria: Iguanidae): character displacement or size assortment?
Authors: Giannasi N. , Thorpe R. S. , Malhotra A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe important role that competition plays in structuring communities is well documented; however, the role of competition in an evolutionary context remains unclear. Evolutionary investigations into the role of competition have often focused on the process of character displacement, and a good example of this is the evolution of body size in theAnolislizards of the Caribbean islands. Previous work on theA. roquetspecies group has taken a phylogenetic approach and concluded that patterns of body size differences are not caused by character displacement but are a result of size assortment. Using a phylogenetic reconstruction based on the sequence of the cytochromebgene (cyt‐b) and ancestral character‐state reconstruction methods, we investigated the roles of character displacement and size assortment. Our results indicated that size assortment alone was insufficient to explain the observed patterns of body size differences. Furthermore, we found that change in body size was associated with a change in allopatry/sympatry, thus supporting the character‐displacement hypothesis. We conclude that patterns of body size differences in theA. roquetspecies group appear to be the result of a combination of character displacement and size assortment because character displacement was only found to be possible on three occasions.
Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) populations in Western Australia reveals genetic differentiation related to environmental variables
Authors: Cooper M. L. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractRandom amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to analyse genetic variation within and between populations of Isoodon obesulus in Western Australia. Genetically controlled geographical variation in body size associated with habitat type and rainfall exists in this species, raising the question of whether local conditions may influence gene flow in I. obesulus. The RAPD markers displayed substantial genetic variation, with all animals possessing unique RAPD phenotypes over 39 polymorphic bands produced by three primers. Significant geographical subdivision was apparent (ΦST = 0.208) with southwest locations being divergent from all others, despite there being no physical barriers to gene flow. The pattern of subdivision was unrelated to physical distance between the locations, but was related to both annual rainfall and habitat type. Therefore, the most reasonable explanation for this pattern of subdivision appears to be that gene flow is restricted by selection against migrants between local populations with substantially different habitat type or rainfall. Restriction of gene flow through selection against migrants is rarely investigated, and the results of this study suggest that the importance of this process in the formation of population structure may be underestimated.
Genetic analysis of a documented population bottleneck: introduced Bennett’s wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus) in New Zealand
Authors: Le Page S. L. , Livermore R. A. , Cooper D. W. , Taylor A. C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractFew bottlenecks of wild populations are sufficiently well‐documented to constitute models for testing theories about the impact of bottlenecks on genetic variation, and subsequent population persistence. Relevant details of the Bennett’s wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus) introduction into New Zealand were recorded (founder number, source and approximate bottleneck duration) and suggest this may provide a rare opportunity to examine the efficacy of tests designed to detect recent bottlenecks in wild populations. We first assessed the accuracy of historic accounts of the introduction using genetic diversity detected in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and at five microsatellite loci. Phylogenetic analyses of mtDNA
D‐loop sequence haplotypes were consistent with the reported origin of the founders as Tasmania, rather than one of the Bass Strait islands in which Bennett’s wallabies are also found. Microsatellite allele frequencies from the Tasmanian source population were then used to seed bottleneck simulations encompassing varying sizes and numbers of generations, in order to assess the severity of bottleneck consistent with diversity observed in the New Zealand population. The results suggested that the founder number was unlikely to have been as small as the three animals suggested by the account of the introduction. Nonetheless, the bottleneck was probably severe; in the range of three to five pairs of wallabies for one to three generations. It resulted in significantly reduced levels of allelic diversity and heterozygosity relative to the source population. This bottleneck is only detectable under the infinite allele model (IAM) and not under the stepwise mutation model (SMM) or the two‐phase model (TPM), and possible explanations for this are discussed.
Mitochondrial DNA evolution and population history of the Tenerife skink Chalcides viridanus
Authors: Brown R. P. , Campos‐Delgado R. , Pestano J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractRecent studies of island lizards have suggested that historical vicariance as a result of volcanism may have played an important role in shaping patterns of within‐island genetic diversity. The skink, Chalcides viridanus, shows variation in morphology within the volcanic island of Tenerife. Two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments (from the 12S and 16S rRNA regions) were sequenced in individuals from 17 sites to evaluate the relationship between current phylogeography and the geological history of the island. Three main clades were detected. The two most basal clades were restricted to areas representing the ancient precursor islands of Teno and Anaga in the northwest and northeast of Tenerife, respectively. The third clade showed a widespread geographical distribution and provided evidence of a recent rapid expansion after a bottleneck. Within‐island cladogenesis appears to have taken place during a recent period of volcanic activity and long after the ancient islands had been united by the eruptions that led to the formation of the Cañadas edifice. Evidence of similar biogeographical histories are found in other species in the Canary archipelago, supporting the volcanism scenario as a potentially widespread cause of within‐island differentiation in reptiles.
Mitochondrial DNA control region diversity in the endangered blue chaffinch, Fringilla teydea
Authors: Pestano J. , Brown R. P. , Rodriguez F. , Moreno A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe blue chaffinch (Fringilla teydea) is found only on the two central Canary Islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife, where it is restricted to pine forest habitat. It is reasonably abundant on the latter island but endangered on the former. Here, sequence variation was studied in a fragment spanning domains I and II of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region. Phylogenetic analysis of all haplotypes with a F. coelebs outgroup indicated the two island populations were reciprocally monophyletic, supporting their individual conservation. Unlike in other species, most within‐island haplotype diversity was due to mutations in the domain II region. Surprisingly, genetic diversity was greater in the smaller Gran Canarian population. We suggest that this is unlikely to be maintained under current population sizes although it may be mitigated by incorporating genetic information into the captive breeding programme.
Population structure and mating biology of the polygynous ponerine antGnamptogenys striatulain Brazil
Authors: Giraud T. , Blatrix R. , Poteaux C. , Solignac M. , Jaisson P. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractGnamptogenys striatulais a polygynous ponerine ant, whose colonies contain either several differentiated queens or several gamergates. Population structure, queen mating frequency and deviation from random mating were investigated in a north‐eastern Brazilian population. Eight workers from each of 33 queenright colonies and 17 queens and their progeny (20–40 offspring) were genotyped using eight variable microsatellite markers. Population differentiation tests indicated limited gene flow at the scale of several kilometres, and tests of isolation by distance revealed population viscosity at the scale of a few metres. This population structure, together with the frequent colony migrations and fissions observed in the field, suggest that new nests are founded by budding inG. striatula. Genetic data showed that 13 of our 17 queens were single‐mated and four were double‐mated. The estimation of the range of maximal frequency of double‐mated queens in the population was 0.232–0.259, demonstrating that mating frequency is low inG. striatula. The low estimated mean relatedness between the 17 queens and their mates (−0.04 ± 0.49) indicated no evidence of inbreeding inG. striatula.