bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gastroenteritis and environmental health among Aboriginal infants and children in Western Australia
Authors: Gracey M , Cullinane J 
Published: August 2003

Objective:  To retrospectively examine rates of hospitalization of infants and children in Western Australia for gastroenteritis from 1994 through 2000.Methodology:  Analysis of hospital separations data from the Hospital Morbidity Data System of the Department of Health, Western Australia.Results:  Rates of hospitalization of Aboriginal infants and children for gastroenteritis from 1994 to 2000 in Western Australia were approximately seven times higher than for their non‐Aboriginal peers. This was despite some decline in Aboriginal hospitalization rates over the study period. This may have been due to a simultaneous decline in hospital admissions of non‐Aboriginal infants and children. Rates of hospitalization of Aboriginal infants and children were much higher in non‐metropolitan rather than in metropolitan regions. There was a remarkable fall in the deaths of Aboriginal infants and children from gastroenteritis between 1970 and 2000. There were no deaths recorded in Western Australian hospitals from this disease from 1990 to 2000.
Background severity of asthma in children discharged from the emergency department
Authors: Khan Msr , O'Meara M , Henry Rl 
Published: August 2003

Objective:  Attendance at an Emergency Department (ED) with an acute attack of asthma may be indicative of undertreatment of persistent disease. However, many presentations are in children with infrequent episodic asthma. The aim of this study was to characterize the pattern of asthma of children discharged from ED to determine whether there was potential to improve underlying disease control.Methodology:  This was a cohort study. Three hundred and ten parental caretakers of 1 to 15‐year‐old children, attended and discharged from an ED with asthma, completed an asthma control questionnaire, an asthma knowledge questionnaire and a caregiver's quality of life questionnaire. Background severity of asthma was classified and medication history was assessed. Also included were those with their first attack of asthma.Results:  One hundred and thirty‐two (43%) children had infrequent episodic asthma, 105 (34%) frequent episodic, 40 (13%) persistent asthma and 33 (11%) first attack asthma. Thirty‐nine per cent of children were not receiving preventer therapy and this seemed appropriate; 14% of children with frequent episodic and persistent asthma were not receiving appropriate preventer therapy; and a further 34% had frequent symptoms despite receiving preventer therapy.Conclusions:  We observed deficiencies in use of preventer medications, use of written asthma management plans and lack of parental knowledge in some children with established asthma who presented to an ED. There was also a large number of children who did not have frequent background symptoms or who presented with their first episode.
Association of bullying with adolescent health‐related quality of life
Authors: Wilkins‐Shurmer A , O'Callaghan Mj , Najman Jm , Bor W , Williams Gm , Anderson Mj 
Published: August 2003

Objective:  To examine the relationship between being bullied and health‐related quality of life (HR‐QOL) in adolescence.Methodology:  Subjects were a cohort of 805 adolescents with a mean age of 13.6 years (standard deviation 0.2 years). An adolescent questionnaire elicited the frequency of being bullied. HR‐QOL was measured using the Child Health Questionnaire − Parent Report Form (CHQ‐PF50) and Dartmouth COOP Functional Health Assessment Charts for Adolescents.Results:  Thirty‐six per cent of boys and 38 per cent of girls reported being bullied at least weekly. Adolescent psychosocial HR‐QOL was inversely related to frequency of being bullied, while physical HR‐QOL was not related.Conclusion:  Peer bullying is an important determinant of adolescent HR‐QOL with a negative impact on psychosocial well‐being.
Dental visits by Australian preschool children
Authors: Slack‐Smith LM 
Published: August 2003

Objective:  To provide population‐based data on dental visits in preschool children, to assist in the planning of such services and preventive programs.Methodology:  Dental visits in young children are described and associated factors are investigated using data from the 1995 National Health Survey.Results:  Thirty‐eight per cent of children aged 3−4 years had ever visited a dental professional with 31% having visited a dental professional in the previous 12 months (total n = 1596). Factors associated with having ever visited a dental professional included age in years (χ2 = 74.16, P < 0.0001), state of residence (χ2 = 25.81, P= 0.0005) and private health insurance (χ2 = 7.96, P= 0.005). Similar factors were associated with visits in last 12 months. Western Australia had the lowest proportion of preschool children aged 3−4 years having ever visited a dental professional (29%) while South Australia had the highest proportion (48%). The major reasons given for dental visits were check‐up and fillings.Conclusion:  Data regarding children not as likely to attend dental services can be used to target services and assist in ensuring preschool children receive appropriate dental care.
Children under 5 years presenting to paediatricians with near‐drowning
Authors: Ross Fi , Elliott Ej , Lam Lt , Cass Dt 
Published: August 2003

Objective:  To characterize children aged under 5 years who present to paediatricians following near‐drowning and the circumstances surrounding the event, identify high‐risk groups and document short‐term outcome.Methodology:  Monthly notifications to the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (an active, national surveillance system) between 1994 and 1996. Collection of additional case information from reporting doctors by postal questionnaire.Results:  All 169 reported cases of near‐drowning were admitted to hospital (mean (SD) stay 6 (17) days) and 15% required intensive care (mean (SD) stay 19 (32) days). The mean (SD) age for near drowning was 26 (13) months and 22% children were aged between 12 and 18 months. Males predominated (1.6:1) and 69 (41%) of episodes occurred in summer (December − February). The majority (82%) of near‐drownings occurred in the child's home, usually in a swimming pool or bath. Children who nearly drowned at home were significantly younger than those who nearly drowned in natural waterways or public pools. Neurological damage at discharge following near‐drowning was reported in 7%.Conclusions:  Children reported in this national case series represent the severe end of the spectrum of those who nearly drown, as indicated by their presentation to a paediatrician, universal hospitalization and adverse neurological outcome. The home is the site of most near‐drownings and males and toddlers were at particular risk. Unimpeded access to pools and lack of supervision were identified as potentially modifiable factors for prevention. The study suggests the need for additional community education regarding the risks of near‐drowning and for further research on long‐term neuro‐developmental outcomes following near‐drowning.
Attitudes of Level II obstetricians towards the care of the extremely premature infant: A national survey
Authors: Gooi A , Oei J , Lui K 
Published: August 2003

Objective:  To explore the opinions of non‐tertiary obstetricians towards the care and outcome of extremely premature infants.Methods:  A structured questionnaire was mailed nationally to 232 obstetricians affiliated to maternity facilities with Level II nurseries.Results:  The overall response rate was 75% (n = 174) after two mailings. This included 14 obstetricians who declined to participate. The median birthweight and gestation for active resuscitation was 500 g (350−800) and 24 weeks (22−26), respectively. Factors influencing decision to transfer were: better outcomes for infants born at perinatal centres (74%), paediatric advice (10%), personal beliefs (5%), parental wishes (4%), hospital policy (3%), legal repercussions (2.5%) and past history of infertility (2%). Obstetricians in Victoria and Western Australia (WA) would transfer at 22 weeks whilst the median gestation for transfer in other states was 24 weeks (P = 0.001). Most respondents underestimated intact and infant survival rates but WA and Victorian obstetricians were less pessimistic.Conclusions:  Most obstetricians in non‐tertiary facilities who responded to our survey considered 500 g and 24 weeks to be the median birthweight and gestation for active resuscitation. This is similar to recent surveys of neonatologists and obstetricians in perinatal centres. There is significant underestimation of intact and infant survival at the extremes of prematurity when compared to available Australian data. Differences towards antenatal transfer between States may represent influences of local perinatal centres.
Screening for intestinal parasites in recently arrived children from East Africa
Authors: Rice Je , Skull SA , Pearce C , Mulholland N , Davie G , Carapetis JR 
Published: August 2003

Background:  Intestinal parasitic carriage is common in East African populations with a wide spectrum of clinical severity. There are scant data on the rates of carriage in East African immigrants to Australia. This study describes the prevalence of and risk factors for intestinal parasite carriage among children recently arrived from East African countries.Methods:  Children aged 0−17 years, who attended an outpatient clinic, were born in East Africa and had immigrated since 1998 were eligible to participate. A single preserved stool specimen was collected for faecal microscopy, and blood tests were conducted for Strongyloides and Schistosoma serology, full blood examination and serum ferritin.Results:  One hundred and thirty‐five children (median age 8.1 years, range 1.0−17.5) participated, of whom 133 (99%) provided a stool specimen. Parasites were detected in 50% of samples, and 18% of children carried a possibly pathogenic species. No child was symptomatic at diagnosis. Positive or equivocal serology occurred in 11% of children for Strongyloides and 2% for Schistosoma. Anaemia and iron deficiency were detected in 16% of all children. Those carrying an intestinal parasite were older (mean age 9.8 vs 7.4 years, P= 0.002) and less likely to be anaemic (odds ratio 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.14−0.96) than those who were not carriers.Conclusions:  Carriage of intestinal parasites is common among children from East Africa. Those carrying pathogenic organisms require treatment and follow up to ensure eradication. The results of this survey support the need for routine assessment of newly arrived immigrants from East Africa for intestinal parasites, anaemia and iron deficiency.
Sociodemographic and atopic factors affecting breastfeeding intention in Chinese mothers
Authors: Leung TF , Tam WH , Hung ECW , Fok TF , Wong GWK 
Published: August 2003

Objective:  The factors accounting for the low ‘ever breastfeeding’ rate in Hong Kong remain unclear. The objective of this survey was to study the intention and planned duration of breastfeeding in Chinese women in Hong Kong, and to investigate the sociodemographic and atopic factors affecting the intention to breastfeed.Methods:  All Chinese mothers who were Hong Kong residents and who delivered their babies in a University teaching hospital were given a self administered and anonymous Chinese questionnaire within 1 day postpartum. The questionnaire included items on sociodemographic data, the presence of allergic diseases in the families, and the intention and planned duration of breastfeeding for their newborn babies.Results:  A total of 1374 eligible questionnaires were collected. About one‐third of mothers were born outside Hong Kong and the majority (78%) of them were aged between 25 and 40 years. Logistic regression revealed that only socioeconomic factors, namely older maternal age (odds ratio (OR) 2.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14−3.89), parity (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.02−9.27) and higher educational background (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.92−4.27), significantly affected the intention to breastfeed. In addition, mothers born outside Hong Kong and those with first babies, had a longer intended duration of breastfeeding (P‐values < 0.001 and 0.033, respectively). A family history of atopic disorders in parents or siblings did not influence the breastfeeding intention of these Chinese mothers.Conclusion:  Several sociodemographic factors, rather than a history of atopic disorders, of Chinese mothers in Hong Kong affected their intention to breastfeed and the planned duration of breastfeeding.
Behavioural state affects saccadic eye movements evoked by microstimulation of striate cortex
Authors: Tehovnik Edward J. , Slocum Warren M. , Carvey Christina E. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractWe examine how behavioural conditions affect the manner in which electrical stimulation of striate cortex (V1) influences the generation of saccadic eye movements. Monkeys were trained (i) to acquire a fixation spot and remain fixated for juice reward and (ii) to acquire a fixation spot and generate a saccade to a visual target for reward. Electrical stimulation was delivered at various times during the execution of these tasks. For stimulation trials, pulses were delivered at 200 Hz using a 100‐ or 200‐ms train duration. Currents as high as 1500 µA were not sufficient to evoke saccades from V1 when monkeys were actively fixating a visual target, whereas current < 100 µA was sufficient to evoke saccades when monkeys were not actively fixating. By interleaving trials in which a visual target was presented in the receptive field of stimulated neurons with nontarget stimulation trials, saccades could be evoked from V1 during the nontarget stimulation trials with currents as low as 2 µA. The position of the visual target on the interleaved trials affected the probability of saccade evocation on the nontarget stimulation trials. Additional factors that affected the evoked saccades were time of reward delivery, ratio of stimulation to nonstimulation trials, and whether stimulation was delivered on the interleaved trials in which a target was positioned in the receptive field of the stimulated neurons. We argue that the behavioural state of an animal acts on the nigra–collicular pathway to lower the current threshold for the elicitation of saccades from V1.
Methylenendioxyamphetamine produces serotonin nerve terminal loss and diminished behavioural and neurochemical responses to the antidepressant fluoxetine
Authors: Harkin Andrew , Shanahan Eamonn , Kelly John P. , Connor Thomas J. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe effect of prior exposure to methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) on behavioural and neurochemical responses to fluoxetine were assessed in a rat model of antidepressant action. MDA (7.5 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to rats twice daily for 4 consecutive days, and 4 weeks later the behavioural effect of fluoxetine (5 or 20 mg/kg; i.p. × 3) was examined in the modified rat forced‐swimming test. In addition, the ability of fluoxetine to reduce serotonin (5‐HT) metabolism was measured as an index of its efficacy in inhibiting 5‐HT reuptake in vivo. In vehicle‐treated rats, fluoxetine (5 and 20 mg/kg) produced a characteristic increase in swimming behaviour in the forced‐swimming test. In contrast, fluoxetine‐induced swimming was markedly attenuated in MDA‐treated rats. MDA pretreatment resulted in 5‐HT nerve terminal degeneration, indicated by reduced 5‐HT and 5‐HIAA concentrations in the frontal cortex, amygdala and hippocampus, and reduced [3H]paroxetine binding in the frontal cortex. In vehicle‐treated rats, fluoxetine (5 and 20 mg/kg) decreased 5‐HT metabolism (5‐HIAA : 5‐HT ratio) in the frontal cortex, amygdala and hippocampus. MDA pretreatment attenuated the ability of fluoxetine to reduce 5‐HT metabolism in all brain regions examined. These findings are the first to demonstrate that prior exposure to the methylenedioxy‐substituted amphetamine MDA results in diminished responsiveness to the antidepressant fluoxetine.
Pre‐ and postsynaptic contribution of GABAC receptors to GABAergic synaptic transmission in rat collicular slices and cultures
Authors: Kirischuk Sergei , Akyeli Jan , Iosub Radu , Grantyn Rosemarie 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe mammalian superior colliculus (SC) is reported to contain γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)C receptors (GABACRs) at high concentration. However, their role in GABAergic synaptic transmission is not yet known. The aim of the present study was: (i) to clarify whether GABACRs are activated by endogenous GABA; and (ii), to determine whether GABACRs play a role in inhibitory synaptic transmission. Experiments were performed on acute horizontal slices from the postnatal rat SC or on collicular neurons in dissociated cell culture. In both preparations, bicuculline‐resistant current responses to exogenous GABA and currents elicited by cis‐4‐aminocrotonic acid (CACA) were blocked by (1,2,5,6‐tetrahydropyridine‐4‐yl) methylphosphinic acid (TPMPA), a GABACR antagonist. The CACA‐induced currents exhibited a linear current‐voltage relationship and reversed at the Cl− equilibrium potential. These results indicate that functional GABACRs are present in the somato‐dendritic membrane of collicular neurons. Miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) were recorded using the whole‐cell patch clamp technique. TPMPA significantly decreased mIPSC amplitudes in slices, but not in cultured neurons. As TPMPA decreased also the coefficient of variation of mIPSCs, we suggest that somatodendritic GABACRs are located extrasynaptically but can be involved in the generation of IPSCs if GABA diffusion is constrained. In cultures, individual connections were activated by focal electrical stimulation of single neurons, and evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs) were recorded. Paired‐pulse stimulation revealed that TPMPA significantly decreased the paired‐pulse ratio at short (50 ms) interstimulus intervals, and this effect was inversely dependent on the amplitude of the first eIPSC. We conclude that presynaptic GABACRs are activated by endogenous GABA and can alleviate the short‐term depression resulting from a preceding episode of GABA release. Thus, in GABAergic synapses of the SC GABACRs are involved in pre‐ and postsynaptic functions and may therefore contribute to the activity‐dependent adjustment of GABAergic inhibition.
Marine reserves and optimal harvesting
Authors: Neubert Michael G. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractAdvocates of no‐take marine reserves emphasize their conservation benefits. Critics counter that reserves would decrease fisheries yield. Analysis of a spatially explicit harvesting model, however, shows that no‐take marine reserves are always part of an optimal harvest designed to maximize yield. The optimal harvest generates a spatial source–sink structure with source populations placed in reserves. The sizes and locations of the optimal reserves depend on a dimensionless length parameter. For small values of this parameter, the maximum yield is obtained by placing a large reserve in the centre of the habitat. For large values of this parameter, the optimal harvesting strategy is a spatial ‘chattering control’ with infinite sequences of reserves alternating with areas of intense fishing. Such a chattering strategy would be impossible to actually implement, but in these cases an approximate yet practicable policy, utilizing a small number of reserves, can be constructed.
Autumn colouration and herbivore resistance in mountain birch (Betula pubescens)
Authors: Hagen Snorre B. , Folstad Ivar , Jakobsen Stein W. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractWe explored Hamilton and Brown's autumn signalling hypothesis in mountain birch (Betula pubescens). As predicted by the hypothesis, early autumn colour change (i.e. high degree of autumn colouration in September) was negatively correlated with insect damage the following season. Furthermore, as expected, indices of physiological stress (i.e. leaf fluctuating asymmetry) and reproductive investment (i.e. catkin production) were positively correlated with insect damage the following season. Indirectly, we also found support for the idea that the proposed handicap signal (i.e. early autumn senescence) might be associated with an honesty ensuring cost in terms of lost primary production. Further work is, however, required to determine whether the link between autumn colours and insect damage observed in this study is causal.
Parasite establishment in host communities
Authors: Holt Robert D. , Dobson Andrew P. , Begon Michael , Bowers Roger G. , Schauber Eric M. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractMany pathogens and parasites attack multiple host species, so their ability to invade a host community can depend on host community composition. We present a graphical isocline framework for studying disease establishment in systems with two host species, based on treating host species as resources. The isocline approach provides a natural generalization to multi‐host systems of two related concepts in disease ecology – the basic reproductive rate of a parasite, and threshold host density. Qualitative isocline shape characterizes the threshold community configurations that permit parasite establishment. In general, isocline shape reflects the relative forces of inter‐ and intraspecific transmission of shared parasites. We discuss the qualitative implications of parasite isocline shape for issues of mounting concern in conservation ecology.
Avian egg colour and sexual selection: does eggshell pigmentation reflect female condition and genetic quality?
Authors: Moreno Juan , Osorno José Luis 
Published: August 2003

AbstractAvian egg colour has been explained as mainly serving crypsis or mimetism, although the function of certain colours (e.g. blue and green) has not yet been demonstrated. We interpret egg colour as a sexually selected signal of the laying female's genetic quality to its mate in order to induce a higher allocation of paternal care. The blue–green pigment biliverdin is an antioxidant, the deposition of which may signal antioxidant capacity whereas the deposition of the brown pigment protoporphyrin, a pro‐oxidant, may signal tolerance of oxidative stress. Egg ground colour is presumably heritable and phylogenetically labile. The hypothesis can be applied to animals with colourful eggs and paternal care.