bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EPI vaccines‐induced antibody prevalence in 8–9 year‐olds in The Gambia
Authors: Viviani Simonetta , Mendy Maimuna , Jack Abdoulie D. , Hall Andrew J. , Montesano Ruggero , Whittle Hilton C. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryObjectives  We evaluated antibody prevalence to measles, polio 1 and 3, and tetanus toxoid antibodies in 8–9 year‐old children in The Gambia within the framework of the Gambia Hepatitis Intervention Study (GHIS), a large vaccine trial aimed at evaluating vaccine efficacy against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, chronic carriage and primary liver cancer in a high risk population. The results of the present survey were compared with a previous survey performed with the same objectives and same methodology but in different children at 3–4 years of age.Methods  Four clusters of 200 children each were sampled as representative of the whole country. Children would have received BCG, diphtheria–pertussis–tetanus vaccine (DPT), poliovirus vaccine (OPV), measles and yellow fever immunization. The measles haemoagglutination inhibition test (HAI) was used to detect measles antibody. Antibodies to polioviruses 1 and 3 were tested using the standard polio neutralization assay described in the EPI manual (WHO 1990). An enzyme‐linked immuno‐sorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure tetanus toxoid antibodies.Results  A high proportion of children were fully vaccinated in both age groups. Measles antibody concentrations were ≤1 : 8 in 8.2% of 8–9 year‐old vaccinated children. In the previous survey of 3–4 year‐old children this was 11.3%. In the present survey, GMC was lower than in the 3–4 year‐old children; 88% of 3–4 year‐olds and 89% of 8–9 year‐olds had detectable antibody levels against poliovirus type 1. Fewer children at 8–9 years of age had antibodies against poliovirus type 3 than 3–4 year‐olds (78%vs. 89%P < 0.001). A significant overall lower proportion of 8–9 year‐old children had detectable tetanus toxoid antibodies compared to 3–4 year‐old children (87%vs. 95%P < 0.001), as well as those who received four doses of DPT (90%vs. 97%P < 0.001).Conclusions  High vaccine coverage is achieved in The Gambia with EPI. With time the number of vaccinated children who are not protected against measles, poliovirus 3 and tetanus increases. Besides the maintenance of high vaccine coverage in infants and young children, booster doses of some of the EPI vaccines in adolescents should be considered.
Impact of malaria control on childhood anaemia in Africa – a quantitative review
Authors: Korenromp Eline L. , Armstrong‐Schellenberg Joanna R. M. , Williams Brian G. , Nahlen Bernard L. , Snow Robert W. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryObjective To review the impact of malaria control on haemoglobin (Hb) distributions and anaemia prevalences in children under 5 in malaria‐endemic Africa.Methods Literature review of community‐based studies of insecticide‐treated bednets, antimalarial chemoprophylaxis and insecticide residual spraying that reported the impact on childhood anaemia. Anaemia outcomes were standardized by conversion of packed cell volumes into Hb values assuming a fixed threefold difference, and by estimation of anaemia prevalences from mean Hb values by applying normal distributions. Determinants of impact were assessed in multivariate analysis.Results Across 29 studies, malaria control increased Hb among children by, on average, 0.76 g/dl [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.61–0.91], from a mean baseline level of 10.5 g/dl, after a mean of 1–2 years of intervention. This response corresponded to a relative risk for Hb < 11 g/dl of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.64–0.81) and for Hb < 8 g/dl of 0.40 (95% CI: 0.25–0.55). The anaemia response was positively correlated with the impact on parasitaemia (P = 0.005,P = 0.008 andP = 0.01 for the three outcome measures), but no relationship with the type or duration of malaria intervention was apparent. Impact on the prevalence of Hb < 11 g/dl was larger in sites with a higher baseline parasite prevalence. Although no age pattern in impact was apparent across the studies, some individual trials found larger impacts on anaemia in children aged 6–35 months than in older children.Conclusion In malaria‐endemic Africa, malaria control reduces childhood anaemia. Childhood anaemia may be a useful indicator of the burden of malaria and of the progress in malaria control.
Does the Flower Constancy of Bumble Bees Reflect Foraging Economics?
Authors: Gegear Robert J. , Thomson James D. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractWe examined the effects of floral reward level and spatial arrangement on the propensity of bumble bees to exhibit flower constancy. In three separate experiments, we compared the flower constancy of bees on dimorphic arrays of blue and yellow flowers that differed either in reward concentration, reward volume, or inter‐flower distance. Overall, flower choice patterns varied among bees, ranging from random selection to complete constancy. When flowers contained greater reward volumes and were spaced farther apart, bees showed less flower constancy and more moves to closely neighbouring flowers. Changes in reward concentration had no effect on flower constancy; however, more dilute rewards produced shorter flight times between flowers. In addition, there was a strong positive relationship between degree of flower constancy and net rate of energy gain when flowers were spaced farther apart, indicating that constant bees were more economic foragers than inconstant bees. Together, these results support the view that the flower constancy of pollinators reflects an economic foraging decision.
Innate and Learned Components of Defence by Flickers Against a Novel Nest Competitor, the European Starling
Authors: Wiebe Karen L. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractDefence against predators is an important component of fitness in wild birds but the first step of defence, predator recognition, is not well understood. Anti‐predator behaviour may innate, in which case the individual responds without prior contact with that predator, and/or there may be a learned component that develops only after direct experience. In the wild, the development of anti‐predator behaviour is studied by exposing naive individuals to novel predators. I studied responses of 71 naive and experienced northern flickers Colaptes auratus, to a novel nest predator and competitor, the European starling Sturnus vulgaris that was introduced to North America. Naive individuals responded more intensely to the model starling than to the control model suggesting an innate component to recognition. However, there was also a learned component to defence because flickers nesting near to starlings reacted more aggressively than naive individuals far from starlings. Consistent with theory on life histories and optimal defence levels, no significant differences in aggression were found between the sexes or between age classes. Selection should favour more intense, and possibly innate, defence against the introduced starling. Variation in responses of naive individuals suggests that there may already be some alleles in the population associated with higher defence, but that these may not be uniform within the population.
Homing in German Cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.) (Insecta: Dictyoptera): Multi‐Channelled Orientation Cues
Authors: Rivault Colette , Durier Virginie 
Published: October 2004

AbstractCockroaches use navigational cues to elaborate their return path to the shelter. Our experiments investigated how individuals weighted information to choose where to search for the shelter in situations where path integration, visual and olfactory cues were conflicting. We showed that homing relied on a complex set of environmental stimuli, each playing a particular part. Path integration cues give cockroaches an estimation of the position of their goal, visual landmarks guide them to that position from a distance, while olfactory cues indicate the end of the path. Cockroaches gave the greatest importance to the first cues they encountered along their return path. Nevertheless, visual cues placed beyond aggregation pheromone deposits reduced their arrest efficiency and induced search in the area near the visual cues.
Grooming Patterns in the Primitively Eusocial WaspPolistes dominulus
Authors: Sumana A. , Starks Philip T. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractGrooming is a commonly observed behavior in many animals. One function of grooming is to clean the body of debris and parasites. An additional function may be to homogenize chemical cues present on the body. This latter purpose is especially likely in species in which contact‐based chemical communication occurs, such as in eusocial insects. In this study we address the context, sequence, frequency and duration of 683 acts of self‐grooming performed by the paper wasp,Polistes dominulus. In general, individuals groomed heads after cell inspections, and abdomens after sitting, suggesting that grooming serves to remove debris from the body. Although no differences were observed in the total amount of time spent grooming, foundresses groomed significantly more often than did workers. Wasps were equally likely to groom thoraces or abdomens following heads, but were more likely to groom abdomens after thoraces and heads after abdomens. Interestingly, the appendages used to groom individual body parts were highly specific (e.g. the prothoracic legs were used for the head), thus indicating that grooming is not used to homogenize chemical cues across the body surface of the wasp.
Self-Modelling Warping Functions
Authors: Gervini Daniel , Gasser Theo 
Published: October 2004

SummaryThe paper introduces a semiparametric model for functional data. The warping functions are assumed to be linear combinations of q common components, which are estimated from the data (hence the name ‘self-modelling’). Even small values of q provide remarkable model flexibility, comparable with nonparametric methods. At the same time, this approach avoids overfitting because the common components are estimated combining data across individuals. As a convenient by-product, component scores are often interpretable and can be used for statistical inference (an example of classification based on scores is given).
Fertility and outcomes of pregnancy after chemotherapy in a sample of childbearing aged women
Authors: Durrieu G. , Rigal M. , Bugat R. , Lapeyre‐Mestre M. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe aim of the study was to review the characteristics and outcomes of pregnancies occurring in women of childbearing age after chemotherapy for malignant disease. Between November 1998 and October 1999, a total of 16 patients who were treated for ovary (three), mole (one), vaginal (one), breast (four), Hodgkin's disease (four), lung (one), melanoma (one) and osteosarcoma (one) carcinoma were identified and retrospectively questioned about their fertility status. All the 16 women included in this study received at least one alkylating agent. Five patients (31%) experienced anomalies of hormonal cycle during and after the treatment. All of them recovered normal cycle without consequence of fertility. Caesarean section was performed in seven of 20 (35%) pregnancies with known outcomes. No obstetrical events were reported. The 16 women had 21 pregnancies resulting in 18 normal infants, one newborn with a minor abnormality (tallus foot), one spontaneous abortion and one lost of follow‐up to 6 months of pregnancy. The present survey suggests that cytotoxic drug exposure had no deleterious effects on subsequent pregnancies. A prospective and systemic survey would be the only means able to clarify the actual cancer therapy on reproductive outcome and to investigate the long‐term effects in the progeny.
CDP‐choline increases plasma ACTH and potentiates the stimulated release of GH, TSH and LH: the cholinergic involvement
Authors: Cavun Sinan , Savci Vahide 
Published: October 2004

AbstractIn the present study, we investigated the effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of cytidine‐5′‐diphosphate (CDP) choline on plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), serum growth hormone (GH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in conscious rats. The involvement of cholinergic mechanisms in these effects was also determined. In basal conditions, CDP‐choline (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 μmol, i.c.v.) increased plasma ACTH levels dose‐ and time‐dependently, but it did not affect the TSH, GH, FSH and LH levels. In stimulated conditions, i.c.v. administration of CDP‐choline (1 μmol, i.c.v.) produced an increase in clonidine‐stimulated GH, thyrotyropin‐releasing hormone (TRH)‐stimulated TSH, LH‐releasing hormone (LHRH)‐stimulated LH, but not FSH levels. Injection of equimolar dose of choline (1 μmol, i.c.v.) produced similar effects on hormone levels, but cytidine (1 μmol, i.c.v.) failed to alter plasma levels of these hormones. Pretreatment with hemicholinium‐3, a neuronal high affinity choline uptake inhibitor, (20 μg, i.c.v.) completely blocked the observed hormone responses to CDP‐choline. The increase in plasma ACTH levels induced by CDP‐choline (1 μmol, i.c.v.) was abolished by pretreatment with mecamylamine, a nicotinic receptor antagonist, (50 μg, i.c.v.) but not atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, (10 μg, i.c.v.). The increase in stimulated levels of serum TSH by CDP‐choline (1 μmol, i.c.v.) was blocked by atropine but not by mecamylamine pretreatment. However, CDP‐choline induced increases in serum GH and LH levels were greatly attenuated by both atropine and mecamylamine pretreatments. The results show that CDP‐choline can increase plasma ACTH and produce additional increases in serum levels of TSH, GH and LH stimulated by TRH, clonidine and LHRH, respectively. The activation of central cholinergic system, mainly through the presynaptic mechanisms, was involved in these effects. Central nicotinic receptors solely mediated the increase in plasma ACTH levels while the activation of central muscarinic receptors was involved in the increase in TSH levels. Both muscarinic and nicotinic receptor activations, separately, mediated the increases in serum GH and LH levels after CDP‐choline.
Nigella sativa seed extracts enhance glucose‐induced insulin release from rat‐isolated Langerhans islets
Authors: Rchid Halima , Chevassus Hugues , Nmila Rachid , Guiral Carine , Petit Pierre , Chokaïri Mustapha , Sauvaire Yves 
Published: October 2004

Abstract Nigella sativa L. ‘Black cumin’ (Ranunculaceae) is one of the plants commonly used in Moroccan folk medicine for treatment of various ailments including diabetes mellitus. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of different N. sativa seed extracts on insulin secretion. Different fractions of the seed were prepared: the defatted fraction (HR II), which was divided into two subfractions: the first (HR III) containing acidic and neutral compounds and the second (HR IV) containing basic compounds. The insulin secretory effects of these extracts were evaluated individually at different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 5 mg/mL), in vitro in isolated rat pancreatic islets in the presence of 8.3 mmol/L glucose. The results show that addition of the defatted whole extract or of the basic subfraction of the seed in the incubation medium significantly increased glucose‐induced insulin release from the islets. In the case of the acidic and neutral subfraction, the stimulatory effect was observed only for the higher concentration (5 mg/mL). However, a clear concentration‐dependent increase in insulin release from isolated pancreatic islets was observed for the basic subfraction. Our data show that the antidiabetic properties of N. sativa seeds may be, at least partly, mediated by stimulated insulin release, and that the basic subfraction largely contributes to this stimulatory effect. Further phytochemical studies are underway in order to isolate the pharmacological compound(s) responsible for the insulinotropic effect of N. sativa seeds.
Antispasmodic effects of the essential oil of Croton nepetaefolius on guinea‐pig ileum: a myogenic activity
Authors: Magalhães Pedro Jorge Caldas , Lahlou Saad , Leal‐Cardoso José Henrique 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe effects of essential oil of Croton nepetaefolius (EOCN) on guinea‐pig‐isolated ileum were studied. We previously demonstrated that EOCN induced reversible relaxation of ileal tone artificially increased by high [K+] nutrient solution. This study aimed to elucidate whether these effects were caused by indirect, neural, or primarily by myogenic effect. EOCN (40 μg/mL) induced a relaxation of basal tone corresponding to approximately 38% of the reference contraction (K+ 60 mm), and was unaltered by 0.5 mm hexamethonium, 0.5 μm tetrodotoxin, 1 μm indomethacin, and 100 μml‐nitroarginine methyl ester (l‐NAME). Epinephrine‐ (100 μm) and EOCN‐induced maximal relaxation of ileum pre‐contracted with 60 mm KCl represented 16.8 ± 2.3% (n = 10) and 95.0 ± 6.4% (n = 6) of KCl‐induced contraction, respectively. EOCN (200 μg/mL) had no effect on the transmembrane resting potential (Em) of ileum in nutrient solutions with normal (5 mm) and high (80 mm) [K+]. EOCN similarly inhibited the contractions induced by KCl, acetylcholine (ACh) and histamine (IC50 values of approximately 18, 28 and 21 μg/mL, respectively). EOCN also inhibited both the nifedipine‐insensitive component of ACh‐induced contraction and the contraction induced by ACh in Ca2+‐free solution. EOCN accelerated the reversal of a KCl‐induced tonic contraction upon withdrawal of Ca2+ from the extracellular medium. Our results suggest that EOCN induces relaxation of guinea‐pig ileum by a direct action on smooth muscle via a mechanism largely independent of alterations of Em and Ca2+ influx, possibly at the level of the contractile apparatus.
Vardenafil Improves Erectile Function in Men with Erectile Dysfunction Irrespective of Disease Severity and Disease Classification
Authors: Donatucci Craig , Eardley Ian , Buvat Jacques , Gittelman Marc , Kell Phillip , Segerson Thom , Homering Martin , Montorsi Francesco 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

Background
Vardenafil (Levitra®) is a potent and selective phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor used in the management of erectile dysfunction (ED). This retrospective subgroup analysis assessed the effectiveness of vardenafil treatment in men with ED of different baseline severity and disease classification.

Methods
Data from two pivotal, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials enrolling men from the general ED population who received placebo or vardenafil 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg during a 12-week treatment period were retrospectively analysed, stratifying by psychogenic, organic, and mixed ED disease classification as determined by the investigator. Efficacy endpoints included the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-Erectile Function (EF) domain score, per-patient diary response rates to questions on penile insertion [Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP-2)] and maintenance of erection (SEP-3) and rates of positive response to the Global Assessment Question (GAQ).

Results
Data from 1,385 men who received at least one dose of study medication and had pre- and post-baseline measures of efficacy available (intent-to-treat population) are presented. At baseline 37–41% of patients had severe ED, 30–34% moderate, 22% mild-to-moderate and 6–8% mild ED. At baseline, 46–51% of patients were considered to have an organic cause for ED, 13–16% psychogenic ED, and 36–38% mixed classification of ED. For all classifications and for mild-to-moderate to severe ED, men treated with 10 or 20 mg of vardenafil showed statistically and clinically  significant  improvements  (P &lt; 0.001)  in  IIEF-EF  scores,  diary  response  rates  to  the SEP-2 and SEP-3 questions, and GAQ as compared with those given placebo. The greatest improvements relative to placebo were noted in patients with more severe ED. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were headache, flushing, rhinitis, dyspepsia, and were dose-related, mostly mild to moderate in intensity and consistent with the class.

Conclusion
Vardenafil improves EF in men with ED irrespective of investigator-determined classification and baseline ED severity.
Penile Prosthetic Surgery for Peyronie's Disease: Defining the Need for Intraoperative Adjuvant Maneuvers
Authors: Mulhall John , Ahmed Absaar , Anderson Mathew 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

Introduction
There are a number of accepted approaches to the patient with Peyronie's disease and erectile dysfunction (ED), including penile prosthesis surgery. During prosthesis surgery for Peyronie's disease some men are left with residual curvature upon maximum device inflation. This analysis was undertaken to define how often and in which patients, intra-operative adjuvant maneuvers are required.

Methods
Men undergoing penile prosthesis surgery for combined Peyronie's disease/ED constituted the study population. Residual curvature &gt;10° was deemed to warrant the use of a secondary maneuver to correct curvature. In this analysis, plaque release incisions were utilized and grafting was performed only if there was overt exposure of the prosthesis.

Results
36 men were included in the analysis. All patients with preoperative curvatures ≤30° had complete resolution of the penile curvature with full inflation of the prosthesis alone. Of patients who had &gt;45° curvature preoperatively, 86% needed plaque incision to achieve adequate penile straightening. Grafting was required in only 5.5% patients and both of these patients had preoperative curvature &gt;60°.

Conclusion
In 61% of patients with combined Peyronie's disease/ED in this study, the placement of a three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis alone corrected the penile curvature. 86% of patients requiring plaque incision had preoperative curvatures &gt;45°. This information should enable surgeons to plan such operations more effectively and to counsel patients more comprehensively prior to operative intervention.
Flagellin fromListeria monocytogenesIs Glycosylated with β-O-LinkedN-Acetylglucosamine
Authors: Schirm M. , Kalmokoff M. , Aubry A. , Thibault P. , Sandoz M. , Logan S. M. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTGlycan staining of purified flagellin fromListeria monocytogenesserotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, and 4b suggested that the flagellin protein from this organism is glycosylated. Mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that the flagellin protein ofL. monocytogenesis posttranslationally modified with O-linkedN-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) at up to six sites/monomer. The sites of glycosylation are all located in the central, surface-exposed region of the protein monomer. Immunoblotting with a monoclonal antibody specific for β-O-linked GlcNAc confirmed that the linkage was in the β configuration, this residue being a posttranslational modification commonly observed in eukaryote nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins.