bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Haphazard neural connections underlie the visual deficits of cats with strabismic or deprivation amblyopia
Authors: Gingras Guy , Mitchell Donald E. , Hess Robert F. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractIdentification of the neural basis of the visual deficits experienced by humans with amblyopia, particularly when associated with strabismus (strabismic amblyopia), has proved to be difficult in part because of the inability to observe directly the neural changes at various levels of the human visual pathway. Much of our knowledge has necessarily been obtained on the basis of sophisticated psychophysical studies as well as from electrophysiological explorations on the visual pathways in animal models of amblyopia. This study combines these two approaches to the problem by employing similar psychophysical probes of performance on animal models of two forms of amblyopia (deprivation and strabismic) to those employed earlier on human amblyopes (Hess & Field, 1994, Vis. Res., 34, 13397–13406). The tests explore two competing explanations for the visual deficits, namely an evenly distributed loss of neural connections (undersampling) with the amblyopic eye as opposed to disordered connections with this eye (neural disarray). Unexpectedly, the results in animal models of deprivation amblyopia were not in accord with expectations based upon an even distribution of lost connections with the amblyopic eye. However, the results were similar to those observed in a strabismic amblyopic animal and to strabismic amblyopic humans. We suggest that deprivation amblyopia may be accompanied by an uneven loss of connections that results in effective neural disarray. By contrast, amblyopia associated with strabismus might arise from neural disarray of a different origin such as an alteration of intrinsic cortical connections.
Pheromone pre‐exposure and mating modulate codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) response to host plant volatiles
Authors: Yang Zhihua , Casado Daniel , Ioriatti Claudio , Bengtsson Marie , Witzgall Peter 
Published: July 2005

Abstract  1 Two codling moth Cydia pomonella kairomonal attractants, ethyl (E,Z)‐2,4‐decadienoate (pear ester) and (E)‐β‐farnesene, were tested in an insecticide‐sprayed apple orchard and an orchard treated for mating disruption with synthetic pheromone (E,E)‐8,10‐dodecadienol (codlemone). Male captures with pear ester were higher in the pheromone‐treated than in the insecticide‐treated orchard, whereas captures with (E)‐β‐farnesene were not different. Subsequent wind tunnel experiments confirmed that pre‐exposure to sex pheromone codlemone increased the behavioural response of codling moth males to pear ester. This supports the idea that male attraction to the plant volatile pear ester and sex pheromone codlemone is mediated through the same sensory channels.2 Pear ester is a bisexual codling moth attractant and even captures of female moths were significantly increased in the pheromone‐treated orchard. In the laboratory wind tunnel, pheromone pre‐exposure had no effect on female response to pear ester, but significantly more mated than unmated codling moth females flew upwind towards a pear ester source. Differences in mating status in insecticide‐treated vs. pheromone‐treated orchards may thus account for the differences in female trap captures with pear ester.3 These findings are important with respect to monitoring of codling moth with pear ester in mating disruption orchards. They also emphasize the importance of host plant volatiles in pheromone‐mediated mating disruption, which has been neglected to date.
Public health nurses’ supervision of clients in Norway
Authors: Tveiten S. , Severinsson E. 
Published: July 2005

Aim:  The aim of this study was to explore and describe what public health nurses (PHNs) understand by client supervision and how they perform it.Background:  The main principles of the health promotion discourse initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) over the last 20–30 years are client participation and the view of the client as expert. Supervision is one relevant intervention strategy in the empowerment process, in which these principles play a central role. There is a lack of research pertaining to the intervention models employed by PHNs.Methods:  Twenty‐three transcribed audiotaped dialogues between PHNs and their clients were analysed by means of qualitative content analysis.Findings:  What the PHNs understand by supervision and how they perform it can be described by three themes: continuity in relationships and reflexivity in the supervision approach, communicating with the client about his/her needs, problems and worries; and the organization of client supervision.Conclusions:  The PHNs in this study understand client supervision as communication and relationships with clients on the subject of a healthy lifestyle, child development and coping with everyday life. The PHNs’ approach to client supervision seemed to include aspects of empowerment by means of client participation and the view of the client as expert. However, the PHNs themselves had an expert role.
Investigation of the impact of simulated commercial centrifugation and microfiltration conditions on levels of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in milk
Authors: GRANT IRENE R , WILLIAMS ALAN G , ROWE MICHAEL T , MUIR D DONALD 
Published: July 2005

The potential for physical removal of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (M. paratuberculosis) from milk by centrifugation and microfiltration was investigated by simulating commercial processing conditions in the laboratory by means of a microcentrifuge and syringe filters, respectively. Results indicated that both centrifugation of preheated milk (60°C) at 7000 × g for 10 s, and microfiltration through a filter of pore size 1.2 µm, were capable of removing up to 95–99.9% of M. paratuberculosis cells from spiked whole milk and Middlebrook 7H9 broth suspensions, respectively. Centrifugation and microfiltration may therefore have potential application within the dairy industry as pretreatments to reduce M. paratuberculosis contamination of raw milk.
Leaking urine prior to pregnancy: a risk factor for postnatal incontinence
Authors: STAINTON M. Colleen , STRAHLE Avon , FETHNEY Judith 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackground:  The prevalence of 30% for postnatal urinary incontinence is a major women's health issue. The majority of studies to date are retrospective, and evidence about contributing factors is inconsistent.Aims:  To identify women at risk for postnatal urinary incontinence following the first pregnancy and birth.Study population and methods:  One hundred and twenty four women participated in a longitudinal study. Questionnaires and interviews were conducted at 14, 24 and 38 weeks’ gestation and 24–72 h, 6–8 weeks and 6–18 months postnatal. These, along with chart audits for pregnancy, labour and delivery factors and demographics, formed the database for logistic regression.Results:  The only variable to emerge as a key indicator for predicting those women most at risk for developing postnatal urine leakage was a history of urinary leaking prior to the first pregnancy. Women with this history were 4.14 times more at risk of leaking urine 1 year after giving birth than women without previous urine leakage (P = 0.02). There was a pattern of leaking urine across the childbearing experience that suggests some resolution by 12 months regardless of parity. Length of second stage labour and method of delivery were the only labour and delivery variables to show significant differences between leaking and not leaking urine at 12 months postnatal.Conclusion:  Women who leak urine before their first pregnancy can be identified during early antenatal care as those at risk for postnatal urinary incontinence. Further research to test preventive measures is needed.
The Impact of Catecholamines in Patients with or without Beta‐Blockers on the Ventricular Fibrillation Cycle Length and Ventricular Fibrillation Cycle Length Variability
Authors: Min Bokyung , Kluger Jeffrey , Kalus James S. , Guertin Danette , McBride Brian F. , White C. Michael 
Published: July 2005

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of epinephrine, norepinephrine, or placebo on the ventricular fibrillation cycle length (VFCL) and the variability of VFCL (cvVFCL) measurements in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients with or without beta‐blockers. Methods: Forty‐three patients scheduled for their 6‐week post‐ICD placement noninvasive electrophysiologic study were included in the study at the Arrhythmia Procedure Laboratory at Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT. This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled evaluation was approved by the Hartford Hospital Institutional Review Board. Results: After 2 seconds of continuous VF, 7 consecutive VFCLs were measured from the ICD device recording printout using a 0.5 mm scale ruler under magnification at baseline and after the infusion of catecholamines (epinephrine or norepinephrine at 2 mcg/min) or matching placebo at steady state. The average VFCL and the cvVFCL were determined for each study phase. Subgroup analysis based on chronic beta‐blocker use was performed. No between‐group differences were noted for epinephrine, norepinephrine, or placebo group for baseline (P = 0.538) or postinfusion VFCL (P = 0.749) or for baseline (P = 0.561) or postinfusion cvVFCL (P = 0.623) Regardless of catecholamine group randomization, longer pre‐ and postinfusion VFCL were noted in those receiving beta‐blockers (P = 0.157, P = 0.019) but no differences in cvVFCL were noted (P = 0.216, P = 0.474) versus those without beta‐blockers, respectively. Conclusion: Moderately dosed epinephrine or norepinephrine does not affect either VFCL or the variability of VFCL after short duration of ventricular fibrillation. Chronic cardioselective beta‐blockade prolongs VFCL without any impact on coefficient of variation of VFCL.
Magnetocardiography Predicts Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Acute Chest Pain
Authors: Park Jai‐Wun , Hill Peter M. , Chung Namsik , Hugenholtz Paul G. , Jung Friedrich 
Published: July 2005

Background: The value of magnetocardiography (MCG) for the detection of cardiac electrical disturbances associated with myocardial ischemia was studied. Methods: Sensitivity and predictivity of admission MCG for the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) were prospectively evaluated in 264 consecutive patients presenting with acute chest pain and without ST‐segment elevation. MCG findings were compared with 12‐lead ECG, echocardiography (ECHO), and troponin‐I in a head‐to‐head design. Coronary angiography was used for CAD diagnosis. Results: The visual assessment of magnetocardiograms by the experienced reader (R1) was superior to that by the unexperienced reader (R2) and superior to the automated computer analysis. Specificity and positive predictive value of MCG by R1 were comparable with those of ECG and troponin‐I (>90%), while ECHO specificity and ECHO positive predictive value were lower (76.2% and 87.9%, respectively). Sensitivity and negative predictive value of MCG were twice as high as those in the ECG, troponin‐I, and ECHO tests. Conclusion: For the prediction of CAD in patients presenting with acute chest pain and without ST‐segment elevation, an admission MCG test was superior to an admission ECG, ECHO, and troponin‐I. The results of the study, however, are applicable only to a highly selected population comprising patients in whom immediate coronary angiography can be performed based on their clinical course in the hospital.
Inter‐ and Intraobserver Variability in LVH and RVH Reporting in Pediatric ECGs
Authors: Hamilton R. M. , McLeod K. , Houston A. B. , Macfarlane P. W. 
Published: July 2005

Background: Physicians' diagnoses are often used as the gold standard for evaluating computer electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation programs. As part of a larger study to evaluate the Glasgow pediatric ECG analysis program, inter‐ and intraobserver variability in the ECG reporting of two pediatric cardiologists was examined. Methods: The ECGs of 984 children were sent for reporting independently by two cardiologists with all identifying information except age and sex removed. Three hundred twenty ECGs had no clinical indication available, and they were thus reported “blind.” For 664 ECGs, the clinical indication was known and included with the ECG trace. All ECGs reported as right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) or left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) were returned to the cardiologists without their knowledge for reporting a second time “blind” as to the clinical indication. Results: When the cardiologists' reports were compared with each other, the provision of clinical information led to greater agreement between them for the diagnosis of LVH (kappa increased from 0.44 to 0.52) but did not substantially affect their agreement in diagnosing RVH (kappa fell from 0.66 to 0.63). Intraindividual comparisons in 166 ECGs revealed that one cardiologist was more consistent in diagnosing RVH and the other more consistent in diagnosing LVH. Conclusions: This study has demonstrated the difficulties in using cardiologists' diagnoses as the gold standard with which to evaluate pediatric ECGs.
Conversion of Recent‐Onset Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter with Amiodarone after Ibutilide Has Failed: A Rapid, Efficient, and Safe Algorithm
Authors: Dilaveris Polychronis , Synetos Andreas , Giannopoulos George , Gialafos Elias , Stefanadis Christodoulos 
Published: July 2005

Background: Ibutilide and amiodarone are used for the pharmacological conversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) or flutter (AFl), but their efficacy is rather moderate. Methods: To test whether the use of ibutilide as a first‐choice drug and of amiodarone as a second‐line treatment provides a rapid, effective, and safe algorithm for conversion of recent‐onset AF or AFl to sinus rhythm (SR), 85 consecutively recruited patients (59 women; mean age 69.7 ± 0.9 years) with AF or AFl of recent onset received 1 or 2 mg of ibutilide infusion. In the case of ibutilide failure, amiodarone was given (6 mg/kg IV infusion over 60 minutes followed by 1200 mg IV infusion over 24 hours) 4 hours later. Ten patients with AF or AFl of recent onset were used as controls. The maximum rate‐corrected QT interval was calculated in all patients and controls before the start of the study (baseline electrocardiogram (ECG)), 30 minutes later (30‐min ECG), and 4 hours later (4‐h ECG). Results: Fifty‐eight (68%) patients reversed to SR within the first 4 hours after the end of ibutilide infusion. In those 27 patients in whom ibutilide failed, amiodarone was given. Twenty‐four of them (28%) were converted to SR during amiodarone infusion. Therefore, in total, 82 (96%) patients with recent‐onset AF or AFl were converted to SR. The 10 controls were monitored for the same time period as the study patients and 5 (50%) out of them were spontaneously converted to SR (P < 0.0001). No pro‐arrhythmia or any other side effects were noticed in the study patients or in the controls. QTc was moderately decreased before the start of amiodarone infusion in patients group, while it did not differ among the three ECGs in controls. Conclusions: The combination of ibutilide as a first‐choice drug and of amiodarone infusion in the case of ibutilide failure provides an effective, rapid, and safe algorithm for restoration of SR in patients with AF or AFl of recent onset.
Effects of Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on P Wave Dispersion
Authors: Celik Turgay , Iyisoy Atila , Kursaklioglu Hurkan , Kilic Selim , Kose Sedat , Amasyali Basri , Isik Ersoy 
Published: July 2005

Background: Several studies demonstrated that P wave dispersion (PWD) increased after coronary occlusion. The effect of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on PWD needs to be elucidated. Methods: The study consisted of 125 patients with acute myocardial infarction (110 men, mean age 59.8 ± 7.8 years) undergoing primary PCI. The patients were divided into three groups according to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG) after successful PCI. Groups 1 (n = 12), 2 (n = 9), and 3 (n = 104) included the patients with TMPG 0/1, 2, 3, respectively. Electrocardiograms were obtained before and approximately 66 ± 18 minutes after PCI. Results: PWD and Pmaximum after PCI were significantly lower than the preintervention values (P < 0.001 for both). When PWD and Pmaximum values after PCI were compared among groups, PWD and Pmaximum in groups 1 and 2 were found to be higher than those of group 3 (P < 0.001 for PWD and Pmaximum). Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurred in 14 patients. Pmaximum and PWD in patients with AF were higher compared to those of the patients without AF (P < 0.001 for both P wave parameters). Also more frequent AF attacks were observed in group 1 compared to group 3 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: PWD and Pmaximum after primary PCI were lower compared to the preintervention values. Prolonged PWD in patients with poor myocardial perfusion can contribute to increased mortality, and also it can can be combined with ST segment resolution to predict clinical reperfusion and might help in predicting AF.
Host color preferences and short‐range searching behavior of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma ostriniae
Authors: Lobdell Claire E. , Yong Tze‐Hei , Hoffmann Michael P. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractThe color of lepidopteran eggs often varies by species or egg condition, and parasitoids that attack lepidopteran eggs could therefore potentially use color to obtain information about host identity or quality. The objective of our study was to determine whether females of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma ostriniae Pang & Chen (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) showed differential responses to egg color when searching for hosts over short distances and when evaluating the suitability of encountered eggs. We examined the wasps’ host‐selection behavior in a Petri dish arena using white, yellow, green, and black clay beads as egg models presented against a green background (to mimic leaf color). In no‐choice tests, bead color had a significant effect on the proportion of tested wasps that accepted a bead for further examination, on the time it took wasps to find and begin examining a bead, and on the time that wasps spent examining the beads. However, bead color had only a marginally significant effect on the proportion of wasps attempting to drill into a bead with their ovipositors, and no significant effect on the amount of time they spent drilling. The wasps also showed significant color preferences when given a choice between two adjacent beads of different colors. The results of the no‐choice and choice trials taken together indicated a color preference ranking of yellow > white > green > black. The wasps’ higher preference for the yellow and white egg models generally corresponds to the white or yellowish‐white egg color of T. ostriniae's target host, the European corn borer moth, Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). The wasps’ strong rejection of black egg models is likely to be an adaptive response that reflects the fact that eggs that are wholly or partially black are often unsuitable for parasitization due to advanced caterpillar development, damage to the egg, or previous parasitization.
Interspecific competition between Sitophilus zeamais and Sitotroga cerealella in a patchy environment
Authors: Larsen Marie Nykjær , Nachman Gösta , Skovgaard Henrik 
Published: July 2005

AbstractThe maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motchulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and the Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), are important insect pests of stored products. The coexistence in nature of the two species on maize has been difficult to explain from laboratory set‐ups, as the moth is inevitably eliminated by S. zeamais. However, early laboratory experiments ignored the spatial dimension, while several studies have lately revealed that two competing species may coexist in a spatially divided environment even though one of the species is competitively superior in a simpler universe. Two hypotheses for coexistence were examined by studying the interactions in a system where the resources were spatially divided. It was found that spatial subdivision in the current experiment was insufficient to ensure coexistence between the two species, so neither of the hypotheses could be confirmed. A simple model describing the population dynamics of S. zeamais was fitted to the data. Its parameters provide important information about how resource depletion influences the per capita growth rate. Finally, the study indicates that the mechanism responsible for S. zeamais's rapid elimination of S. cerealella is the superiority of the former species to colonize and monopolize new patches. The design of this study may serve as a template for further laboratory experiments revealing the effect of a spatially divided environment on competitive interactions. However, the present study also indicates that choosing the appropriate spatial scale may be critical for relating the results to natural environments.
Sex pheromone of a North American population of the spotted tentiform leafminer, Phyllonorycter blancardella
Authors: El‐Sayed A.M. , Wainman L.I. , Santangelo E.M. , Unelius C.R. , Trimble R.M. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractThe major sex pheromone compound of the spotted tentiform leafminer, Phyllonorycter blancardella (F.) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), from Ontario, Canada, was identified as (10E)‐dodecen‐1‐yl acetate (E10‐12:Ac) using chemical analysis and field trapping experiments. The minor compounds (10E)‐dodecen‐1‐ol (E10‐12:OH) (4.6%), dodecan‐1‐ol (12:OH) (2.3%), and (10Z)‐dodecen‐1‐yl acetate (Z10‐12:Ac) 1.6% were also identified. The dienic acetate (4E,10E)‐dodecadien‐1‐yl acetate (E4,E10‐12:Ac), a compound reported to be attractive to P. blancardella, was not found in the glands of this population. A two‐component blend of the major and one of each the three minor compounds, in ratios similar to those found in the sex pheromone gland, did not increase the attractiveness of traps baited with synthetic pheromone. The minor compounds E10‐12:OH and 12:OH were not attractive to P. blancardella when tested individually. Z10‐12:Ac was attractive to P. blancardella, although traps baited with this compound captured only 2% of the moths that were captured in traps baited with the main compound. A four‐component blend of the major and each of the three minor compounds (100 : 1 : 1 : 1) was not more attractive than the major compound alone. The related species Phyllonorycter mespilella was captured in traps baited with E10‐12:Ac.