bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Threats to the Critically Endangered endemic Bermudian skink Eumeces longirostris
Authors: Davenport John , Hills Jeremy , Glasspool Anne , Ward Jack 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe Bermudian rock lizard or skink Eumeces longirostris is categorized as Critically Endangered on the 2000 IUCN Red List. Skinks are vulnerable to habitat loss, introduction of non-native species and mortality caused by discarded bottles and cans that act as selfbaiting traps. This study describes the population characteristics of the Bermudian skink on two islands of the Bermudian archipelago: Nonsuch and Southampton islands. Nonsuch Island is a nature reserve but has populations of introduced lizards of the genus Anolis, lizard-eating birds and (a new finding) the cane toad Bufo marinus. Southampton Island is relatively isolated and has no introduced species. The skink population on Nonsuch Island was not investigated in detail, but appears to be small, localized to human habitation (where cover and food scraps are available) and dominated by large, old (some possibly >27 years) animals that exhibit high mutilation rates. Breeding occurs, but survival to adulthood appears poor. All of neighbouring Southampton Island was intensively trapped, with traps placed at the intersections of a 10-m grid. The population was estimated by mark–recapture trials to be c. 400 adults and juveniles; hatchlings are insectivorous and not susceptible to trapping. The population on Southampton Island is currently the largest known on Bermuda and appears to be viable; sustained isolation from predators and people is essential to its maintenance.
Maternal smoking affects fetal growth more in the male fetus
Authors: Zarén Birgitta , Lindmark Gunilla , Bakketeig Leiv 
Published: March 2003

This study investigated the association between maternal cigarette smoking and fetal growth, evaluated by longitudinal ultrasound examinations and by neonatal anthropometric measurements. The investigation was carried out in a healthy population of affluent Scandinavian women, parity l and 2, who were selected consecutively and prospectively, and with term, normal pregnancies. Three hundred and six non‐smoking, 242 light‐smoking and 308 heavy‐smoking mothers and their newborns were examined. Ultrasound measurements were performed in pregnancy weeks 17, 25, 33 and 37. Biparietal diameter (BPD), mean abdominal diameter (MAD) and femur length were recorded.The negative effect on fetal growth from maternal smoking was found to affect the male fetus proportionally more than the female. Boys born to heavy‐smoking mothers had a weight reduction of 8.2% and a lower fat accretion (as measured by subscapular skinfold) of 12%, whereas girls had a weight and fat reduction of 4.8% and 2% respectively. In boys (but not girls) born to smokers, head circumference was significantly smaller, also reflected by significantly smaller mean BPD measurements recorded from pregnancy week 18 onwards. The MAD measurements became successively more negatively affected in the second half of pregnancy in both males and females. A greater intrauterine growth velocity and a different hormonal milieu are suggested as possible explanations of the greater male susceptibility.
Rehospitalisation for neonatal jaundice: risk factors and outcomes
Authors: Geiger Ann M. , Petitti Diana B. , Yao Janis F. F. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThis case–control study sought to determine whether rehospitalisation for jaundice in newborns is associated with the length of hospital stay after birth and to identify risk factors for and outcomes of rehospitalisation for jaundice. It was carried out among women who delivered a normal, term infant vaginally at any of 10 medical centres from 1992 to 1994. Cases were infants rehospitalised with jaundice within 14 days of birth. Controls were randomly selected from normal, term infants delivered vaginally but not rehospitalised within 90 days of birth. Maternal medical records for pregnancy, labour and delivery care, records for all the birth hospitalisations, and rehospitalisations for the cases were abstracted. The length of birth hospitalisation did not differ between case and control infants, whether length was measured as a categorical variable or as a continuous measure (median = 22.8 h for cases and 23.3 h for controls,P= 0.931). Rehospitalisation for jaundice was associated with race/ethnicity, primiparity, preterm birth, breast feeding and suspicion of jaundice during the birth hospitalisation. None of the rehospitalised infants died, were diagnosed with kernicterus or required resuscitation. Attention to risks associated with jaundice rehospitalisation might reduce this undesirable, but not commonly severe, outcome.
Infant mortality rates in single, twin and triplet births, and influencing factors in Japan, 1995–98
Authors: Imaizumi Y. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe infant mortality rate (IMR) was analysed among single, twin and triplet births during the period from 1995 to 1998 using Japanese Vital Statistics. This study also investigated the effects of order of multiple births and of birthweight on the IMR. Proportions of neonatal deaths among total infant deaths were about 1/2 for singletons and 3/4 for both twins and triplets. Thus, to reduce the IMR, intensive care of multiple births is likely to be very important during the first month of life. The IMR was higher in males than females for both singletons and twins, but not in triplets. Relative risks of the IMR in multiples relative to singletons were 5‐fold in twins and 12‐fold in triplets. The IMR was higher in the second‐born (18 per 1000 live births) than the first‐born (16) twin and higher in the third‐born (51) than the first‐born (31) and the second‐born (34) triplet. The higher risk in the second‐born than the first‐born twin may be related to delivery complications. The IMR decreased rapidly as birthweight increased in singletons, twins, and triplets. IMRs for ≤1500 g were 2.4 per 1000 live births in singletons, 5.9 in twins and 6.1 in triplets. The corresponding proportions of infant deaths were 75%, 33% and 10% respectively. The higher relative risks of multiple births are almost entirely the result of the lower birthweight distribution among twins and triplets. To reduce the IMR, birthweight is an important factor in twins, triplets and singletons. The overall early neonatal death rate decreased as gestational age rose in singletons, twins and triplets. For birthweights <1000 g, higher IMRs were related to gestational ages of <28 weeks.
Delayed maternity and risk at delivery
Authors: Astolfi Paola , Zonta Laura A. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryWe evaluated the effect of the mother’s age on the risk of unfavourable pregnancy outcome. The study considered 1348 190 first‐born and 957 689 second‐born babies born in Italy in 1990–94. The risk of stillbirth, preterm birth in liveborns, and low birthweight in liveborns at term, was first evaluated separately and then globally as a function of maternal age, education and parity. Older (≥ 35 years) mothers were found to run an increased risk, both on single and on global evaluation, with respect to their younger counterparts. Primiparae ≥ 35 years of age, of low education, ran a global risk threefold higher (3.14 [3.02, 3.26]) than the young highly educated secondiparae who were the lowest risk (4.64% of babies at risk). From 26 years the global risk rose with each advancing year of maternal age, but parity and education modified the age effect. Linear fitting of the proportion of mothers ≥ 35 since 1984 indicates that by the year 2025 about 25% of the mothers may face late child bearing.
Changing patterns of low birthweight and preterm birth in the United States, 1981–98
Authors: Branum Amy M. , Schoendorf Kenneth C. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryLow birthweight (LBW) and preterm birth are primary risk factors for infant morbidity and mortality in the US. With increasing multiple births and delayed childbearing, it is important to examine the separate contributions of these characteristics to the increases in LBW and preterm birth rates. US natality records from 1981, 1990 and 1998 were used to calculate LBW (% births <1500, 1500–2499, <2500 g) and preterm (% births <29, 29–32, 33–36, <37 weeks gestation) rates. Data were stratified by maternal race (black or white) and plurality (singleton vs. multiple birth). LBW and preterm rates among singletons were adjusted for maternal age to examine the influence of demographic shifts on LBW trends. From 1981 to 1998, LBW increased 12% among white infants, but remained relatively stable among black infants. During the same time, preterm birth increased 23% among white infants compared with 3% among black infants. For both black and white infants, the increase in LBW and preterm births was greater among multiple births than among singletons. Adjustment for maternal age did not reduce the temporal increase in LBW or preterm birth among singletons. Black infants continue to experience a markedly higher incidence of LBW and preterm birth, but the racial gap in these outcomes has narrowed slightly in recent years as a result of increasing LBW and preterm birth among white births. The differing trends for white and black infants are the consequence of a disparate trend in the incidence and outcome of multiple births coupled with increases in LBW and preterm birth among white singletons. Understanding the differential patterns in birth outcomes among white and black infants is necessary to develop effective interventions designed to decrease racial disparities in pregnancy outcome.
Parental age difference and adverse perinatal outcomes in the United States
Authors: Kinzler Wendy L. , Ananth Cande V. , Smulian John C. , Vintzileos Anthony M. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThis study was undertaken to examine the relationship between paternal and maternal age differences and adverse perinatal outcomes in the United States. Data were obtained on singleton pregnancies delivering at ≥20 weeks gestation in the United States in 1995–97 from the National Center for Health Statistics data sets. Adverse perinatal outcomes that were evaluated included fetal death rate (≥20 weeks), preterm delivery <37 weeks and small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) births (birthweight <10th centile for gestational age and corrected for sex). Age difference was defined as paternal minus maternal age. The analysis included 8 995 274 pregnancies (11.3% blacks, 88.7% whites). An increase in fetal death rate, preterm delivery and SGA births was noted among white women who were older than their male partners. For black mothers older than their partners, there was an increase in fetal death rate when the women were <20 years old, but a decrease in fetal death rate when >35 years old. Neither rates of preterm delivery nor SGA births were increased much for black women with varying parental age differences. This demonstrates that race and maternal age both contribute to the effects of parental age difference on adverse perinatal outcomes.
Measuring the intensity of pregnancy planning effort
Authors: Morin Pascale , Payette Hélène , Moos Merry‐K. , St‐Cyr‐Tribble Denise , Niyonsenga Théophile , De Wals Philippe 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThis study validated a measure of pregnancy planning effort based on Miller's conceptual framework in two clinical settings. The questionnaire's main items deal with general behaviour with regard to pregnancy, timing and proception (proception being the reverse of contraception). Values for these three items are added to yield a continuous score ranging from 0 to 12. The study population comprised 448 women of different cultural backgrounds recruited in prenatal, fertility and family planning clinics in Quebec and North Carolina. The results indicate that the internal consistency between the three items pertaining to pregnancy planning was excellent (Cronbach's alpha of 0.83). Test–retest reliability after a 4‐week interval was excellent, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.86 for the planning score. The planning score median for women attending family planning clinics (1.00) was significantly lower than that for those recruited in fertility clinics (11.00), confirming the discriminant ability of the instrument. Path analysis shows that the conceptual model corroborates the observed data and explains 53% of the pregnancy planning variability. In conclusion, this is the first questionnaire specifically designed to assess the intensity of pregnancy planning effort, a potentially important variable in epidemiological studies and clinical practice.
Survival of infants diagnosed with encephalocele in Atlanta, 1979–98
Authors: Siffel Csaba , Wong Lee‐Yang C. , Olney Richard S. , Correa Adolfo 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThis study aimed to evaluate the survival of a cohort of liveborn infants diagnosed with encephalocele during a 20‐year period and the variation of such survival by selected demographic and clinical characteristics. We reviewed data from the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP) to ascertain all live births diagnosed with encephalocele (n = 83) from 1979 to 1998. Of these, 66 (79%) had isolated defects. Among 70 liveborn infants with site of the defect specified, 50 were classified as having posterior and 20 with anterior defects. To identify their vital status, we used data from MACDP hospital records and vital records from the State of Georgia supplemented by linking registry data with the National Death Index from 1979 to 1999.Among children with encephalocele, 76.0% of the deaths (19/25) occurred during the first day of life. The survival probability to 1 year of age was 70.8%[95% confidence intervals (CI) 60.9, 80.7] and to 20 years of age was 67.3%[95% CI 55.7, 78.8]. In multivariable analysis, factors associated with increased mortality were low birthweight (<2500 g) [relative risk (RR) 5.18; 95% CI 2.13, 12.63], presence of multiple defects (RR 2.82; 95% CI 1.19, 6.69) and black race (RR 2.36; 95% CI 0.95, 5.85). Overall survival for infants with multiple defects (41.2%) was significantly poorer than survival among those with isolated defects (74.3%). A 70% decrease in risk of mortality was observed among infants born with encephalocele during 1989–98 compared with those born during 1979–88, but this decrease was evident only among cases with low birthweight (RR 0.29; 95% CI 0.01, 0.90). This study highlights the prognostic importance of multiple defects and low birthweight for infants with encephalocele and identifies a statistically significant difference in survival by race. This information is useful for clinicians and families who must plan for the long‐term care of affected children.
Th2 polarization of the immune response of BALB/c mice to Ixodes ricinus instars, importance of several antigens in activation of specific Th2 subpopulations
Authors: Mejri Naceur , Franscini Nicola , Rutti Bernard , Brossard Michel 
Published: March 2003

BALB/c mice were infested with Ixodes ricinus larvae, nymphs or adults. Expression of IL‐4 and IFN‐γ mRNA in axillary and brachial draining lymph node cells were measured by competitive quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction 9 days after the beginning of primary‐infestation. IL‐4 mRNA was always higher than that of IFN‐γ mRNA for all tick instars. Moreover, IL‐4 mRNA expression progressively increased during nymphal primary‐infestation with a high burst of expression 7 days after the beginning of infestation. No evolution of IFN‐γ mRNA expression was detected. Draining lymph node cells of infested BALB/c produced higher level of IL‐4 than IFN‐γ following in vitro restimulation with adult tick saliva, salivary gland extract (SGE) or with five selected different chromatographic fractions of SGE. Anti‐tick IgG1 antibodies but no IgG2a were detected in BALB/c pluri‐infested with I. ricinus nymphs, which confirmed the Th2 polarization of the immune response.
Cross‐protection studies with gut membrane glycoprotein antigens from Haemonchus contortus and Teladorsagia circumcincta
Authors: Smith W.D. , Pettit D. , Smith S.K. 
Published: March 2003

Gel profiles of the peanut and ConA lectin binding integral membrane glycoproteins of Teladorsagia circumcincta and Haemonchus contortus were compared and found to be considerably different. However, some of the Teladorsagia polypeptides were recognized by antisera specific for Haemonchus amino‐, metallo‐ or aspartyl peptidases, enzymes which are known to be protective antigens for that parasite. As expected, an experimental vaccine containing these Haemonchus proteases was extremely effective against homologous challenge, reducing egg and worm counts by more than 99% and 92%, respectively, but it did not provide any useful cross‐protection against either T. circumcincta,Trichostrongylus axei or Cooperiaoncophora. A reciprocal experiment, where sheep were immunized with the equivalent glycoproteins from T. circumcincta, showed that, while they were not protected against homologous challenge, there was some cross‐protection against Haemonchus as measured by a significant reduction in worm egg output.
Resistance to Encephalitozoon intestinalis is associated with interferon‐γ and interleukin‐2 cytokines in infected mice
Authors: Fakhry Youssef El , Achbarou Abderrahim , Desportes Isabelle , Mazier Dominique 
Published: March 2003

The understanding of the immunopathology of infections caused by microsporidia has pinpointed the importance of T cell‐mediated immunity. The immunopathology caused by the interesting protozoan parasite Encephalitozoon intestinalis, a microsporidium pathogenic in man, is not clearly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that a specific cellular immune response is implicated in the control of microsporidiosis infection in mice. Interferon (IFN)‐γ receptor knockout mice (IFN‐γ R°/°) developed a chronic infection with E. intestinalis, whereas a transient infection developed in wild‐type mice. Encephalitozoon intestinalis proteins induced proliferation of murine spleen and mesenteric lymph node cells collected from infected mice. The host response to microsporidia infection was regulated by a specific pattern of cytokine protection. Spleen cells derived from resistant 129 Sv/Ev mice inoculated with E. intestinalis secreted significant levels of γ‐interferon and interleukin‐2 but cells from highly susceptible IFN‐γ R knockout mice secreted high levels of interleukin‐4 (mostly between 2 and 4 weeks post infection). This is the first report in which a specific cellular immune response against E. intestinalis infection is presented.
Experimental schistosomiasis japonica in the pig: immunohistology of the hepatic egg granuloma
Authors: Hurst Maria H. , Willingham A. Lee , Lindberg Ronny 
Published: March 2003

SummaryUse of the pig as an animal model in schistosomiasis research is increasing, but knowledge of the porcine immune response to schistosome infection is still very limited. We investigated the immunohistology of different maturation stages of theSchistosoma japonicumegg granuloma in pigs. Liver sections from pigs experimentally infected withS.japonicumfor 9, 12 or 21 weeks were examined by immunohistochemistry using a three‐step streptavidin‐biotin‐complex/immunoperoxidase method or a two‐step alkaline phosphatase‐mediated system. All granulomas showed marked expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II in epithelioid macrophages and were dominated by T lymphocytes, comprising both CD4+and CD8+phenotypes, with consistently higher proportions noted for CD8+cells. B lymphocytes, as identified by expression of CD21, were confined to lymphoid nodular structures primarily associated with mature granulomas. Early and mature granulomas contained numerous immunoglobulin (Ig)G+plasma cells. Significant differences in immunohistology related to duration of infection were not observed. The results indicate that all stages of the hepaticS.japonicumegg granuloma in the pig manifests MHC class II‐dependent CD4+T cell activity concomitant with infiltration of CD8+T cells. B cell activity preceding the effector cell stage appears to occur in granuloma‐associated lymphoid nodules, whereas antibody, mainly IgG, is produced within the granuloma.
Protection studies with recombinant excretory/secretory proteins of Haemonchus contortus
Authors: Vervelde L. , Van Leeuwen M. A. W. , Kruidenier M. , Kooyman F. N. J. , Huntley J. F. , Van Die I. , Cornelissen A. W. C. A. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe efficacy of two recombinant proteins of Haemonchus contortus was studied in both adult sheep and young lambs. These 15 and 24 kDa excretory/secretory proteins were given combined, either supplemented or not with a glycan‐rich insect cell extract. In 9‐month‐old sheep (trial 1), faecal egg output and worm burden were reduced by 49% and 55%, respectively, after vaccination with rec15/24, and by 46% and 65% after vaccination with rec15/24 and glycan extract. No reduction in egg output or number of worms was found in young lambs using the above recombinant proteins plus glycan‐rich extract (trial 2). When trial 1 was repeated (trial 3), the protection could not be reproduced, possibly due to differences in batches of recombinant proteins. In all sheep, independent of their age, rec15/24‐specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 and IgA titres were present, but 9‐month‐old protected sheep had significantly higher IgA titres than the lambs. Addition of glycans resulted in lower rec15/24‐specific IgG1 and IgA in 9‐month‐old sheep after challenge. This did not affect the level of protection. A significant negative correlation was found between IgA and worm numbers in protected sheep immunized with rec15/24 supplemented with glycans. Total IgE and rec15/24 specific IgE titres were low. The number of eosinophils, mast cells, sheep mast cell protease (SMCP)+ cells and IgA+ cells did not differ between the protected and unprotected sheep, but the lambs had significantly fewer mast cells independent of their immunization.
Variability among Cryptosporidium parvum genotype 1 and 2 immunodominant surface glycoproteins
Authors: Sestak K. , Ward L. A. , Sheoran A. , Feng X. , Akiyoshi D. E. , Ward H. D. , Tzipori S. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryPublished genomic differences between Cryptosporidium parvum genotype 1 (human‐derived) and genotype 2 (animal and human‐derived) isolates suggest that these may belong to two distinct species. This is of significant interest since genotype 1 isolates are associated with sporadic cases of human cryptosporidiosis in 30–40% of cases in contrast to 60–70% of cases caused by genotype 2. The lower genetic sequence similarity between genotype 1 and 2 surface glycoproteins (gp40/15) suggests that antigenic differences should also occur, a feature that was investigated in this study. Using immune and convalescent serum samples from gnotobiotic piglets previously inoculated with genotype 1 and 2 isolates, we demonstrated that C. parvum gp15 was immunodominant for both genotype 1 and 2 isolates. Lower genetic sequence similarity between genotype 1 and 2 Cpgp40/15 did correspond to gp15 protein differences as detected by Western blot. Moreover, we confirmed that gp15 contains epitopes that are also immunodominant. Deglycosylation of C. parvum proteins resulted in decreased ability of gp15, gp23 and gp900 to react with homologous polyclonal antibodies, suggesting that these proteins also express carbohydrate epitopes. Taken together, our data suggest that there is a high phenotypic variability between C. parvum genotype 1 and 2 isolates at the level of gp15. We contemplate that gp15 surface glycoprotein plays an important role in the biology of C. parvum as a potent inducer of immune response and a possible virulence factor.