bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic Disease in Vaal Rhebok (Pelea capreolus) Caused by Mycoplasmas in the Mycoides Cluster
Authors: Nicolas Melissa M. , Stalis Ilse H. , Clippinger Tracy L. , Busch Martin , Nordhausen Robert , Maalouf Gabriel , Schrenzel Mark D. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTIn the winter of 2002, an outbreak of mycoplasma infection in Vaal rhebok (Pelea capreolus) originating from South Africa occurred 15 weeks after their arrival in San Diego, Calif. Three rhebok developed inappetence, weight loss, lethargy, signs related to pulmonary or arthral dysfunction, and sepsis. All three rhebok died or were euthanized. Primary postmortem findings were erosive tracheitis, pleuropneumonia, regional cellulitis, and necrotizing lymphadenitis. Mycoplasmas were detected in numerous tissues by electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and PCR. The three deceased rhebok were coinfected with ovine herpesvirus-2, and two animals additionally had a novel gammaherpesvirus. However, no lesions indicative of herpesvirus were seen microscopically in any animal. The rheboks' mycoplasmas were characterized at the level of the 16S rRNA gene, the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region, and the fructose biphosphate aldolase gene. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was carried out to address the possibility of infection with multiple strains. Two of the deceased rhebok were infected with a single strain ofMycoplasma capricolumsubsp.capricolum, and the third animal had a single, unique strain most closely related toMycoplasma mycoidessubsp.mycoides large-colony. A PCR survey of DNA samples from 46 other ruminant species demonstrated the presence of several species of mycoplasmas in the mycoides cluster, including a strain ofM. capricolumsubsp.capricolumidentical to that found in two of the rhebok. These findings demonstrate the pervasiveness of mycoplasmas in the mycoides cluster in small ruminants and the potential for interspecies transmission and disease when different animal taxa come in contact.
Molecular Epidemiology of Meningococci Isolated in Niger in 2003 Shows Serogroup A Sequence Type (ST)-7 and Serogroup W135 ST-11 or ST-2881 Strains
Authors: Nicolas P. , Djibo S. , Moussa A. , Tenebray B. , Boisier P. , Chanteau S. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT
In 2003, in the Zinder and Maradi regions (Niger), epidemics were due to serogroup A:4:P1.9 meningococci belonging to sequence type 7 (ST-7). In Niamey, only sporadic cases were reported: 55% of the meningococcus strains were in serogroup A, and 38% were in serogroup W135 and could be placed in ST-11, identical to the 2002 Burkina Faso epidemic clone, and in ST-2881, a new ST.
Rate and Incidence Estimates of Recent Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infections among Pregnant Women in São Paulo, Brazil, from 1991 to 2002
Authors: de Freitas Oliveira Carmem A. , Ueda Mirthes , Yamashiro Rosemeire , Rodrigues Rosângela , Sheppard Haynes W. , de Macedo Brígido Luís Fernando 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT
The serological testing algorithm for recent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion (STARHS) was employed to estimate HIV incidence among pregnant women from São Paulo, Brazil. A cross-sectional study (1999 to 2002) showed an incidence of infection of 0.2 per 100 pregnant women per year (95% confidence interval, 0.041 to 0.608). Western blot profiles suggested an association between results of the STARHS analysis and gp41/gp31 bands.
Adenovirus Type F Subtype 41 Causing Disseminated Disease following Bone Marrow Transplantation for Immunodeficiency
Authors: Slatter Mary A. , Read Steven , Taylor Clive E. , Crooks Bruce N. A. , Abinun Mario , Flood Terence J. , Cant Andrew J. , Wright Christopher , Gennery Andrew R. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT
Adenovirus causes disseminated disease following bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We report a child who underwent T-cell-depleted BMT. Adenovirus subgenus F serotype 41 was detected antemortem by PCR in cerebrospinal fluid and postmortem in other tissues. Serotypes 40 and 41, associated with gastrointestinal disease, have not previously been implicated in disseminated disease.
Endophthalmitis Caused by
Enterococcus mundtii
Authors: Higashide Tomomi , Takahashi Mami , Kobayashi Akira , Ohkubo Shinji , Sakurai Mayumi , Shirao Yutaka , Tamura Toshihiro , Sugiyama Kazuhisa 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT

Enterococcus mundtii
has rarely been isolated from environmental or human sources. We report the identification of
E. mundtii
as a pathogen of human infectious disease by DNA sequencing of 16S rRNA and
sodA
genes in a case of endophthalmitis developed in a 66-year-old immunocompetent gardener.
Risk Factors Associated with Colonization by Pneumococci with Reduced Susceptibility to Fluoroquinolones in Adult Outpatients
Authors: Jiménez M. Raquel Marín , Bellido Juan Luis Muñoz , García Rodríguez José Ángel 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT

We developed a case-control study in order to identify risk factors associated with pharyngeal colonization by
Streptococcus pneumoniae
with reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin MIC, ≥4 μg/ml). A total of 400 patients were studied for colonization by quinolone-nonsusceptible
S. pneumoniae
(QNSP) isolates and risk factors for this colonization. Isolate susceptibility was determined by the agar dilution method. Forty patients were colonized by QNSP (case patients), and 360 patients were not colonized by QNSP (control patients). The MIC range of ciprofloxacin for QNSP isolates was 4 to 8 μg/ml. No isolates were resistant to levofloxacin and moxifloxacin. Risk factors significantly associated with QNSP colonization, according to univariate analysis, were recent hospitalizations (odds ratio [OR], 3.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6 to 7.2;
P
< 0.01) and prior exposure to fluoroquinolones (OR, 6.04; 95% CI, 3.0 to 12.0;
P
< 0.01). Other factors such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 1.94; 95% CI; 0.7 to 5.0), prior exposure to penicillins (OR, 1,68; 95% CI, 0.8 to 3.3) and prior exposure to macrolides (OR 2; 95% CI, 0.6 to 6.2) were more frequent among patients colonized with QNSP, but there was no statistical significance. Multivariate analysis showed that exposure to fluoroquinolones was the only independent factor associated with colonization by QNSP (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.8 to 9.4;
P
< 0.01). Throat colonization by QNSP is becoming frequent, though most of these isolates (all the isolates in this case) remain susceptible to newer fluoroquinolones. Previous treatment with fluoroquinolones seems to be the main risk factor associated with colonization by QNSP.
Medical intelligence in Sweden. Vitamin B12: oral compared with parenteral?
Authors: Nilsson M , Norberg B , Hultdin J , Sandström H , Westman G , Lökk J 
Published: March 2005

Abstract

Background
Sweden is the only country in which oral high dose vitamin B12 has gained widespread use in the treatment of deficiency states.

Objective
The aim of the study was to describe prescribing patterns and sales statistics of vitamin B12 tablets and injections in Sweden 1990–2000.

Design, setting, and sources
Official statistics of cobalamin prescriptions and sales were used.

Results
The use of vitamin B12 increased in Sweden 1990–2000, mainly because of an increase in the use of oral high dose vitamin B12 therapy. The experience, in statistical terms a “total investigation”, comprised 1 000 000 patient years for tablets and 750 000 patient years for injections. During 2000, 13% of residents aged 70 and over were treated with vitamin B12, two of three with the tablet preparation. Most patients in Sweden requiring vitamin B12 therapy have transferred from parenteral to oral high dose vitamin B12 since 1964, when the oral preparation was introduced.

Conclusion
The findings suggest that many patients in other post-industrial societies may also be suitable for oral vitamin B12 treatment.
Colonoscopy in the very old: why bother?
Authors: Yoong K K Y , Heymann T 
Published: March 2005

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate the use of colonoscopy in patients aged at least 85 years. Does the ideal of an ageism free service apply?

Design
A retrospective audit.

Setting
Department of gastroenterology that carries out about 1000 colonoscopies annually in a district general hospital serving a population of about 320 000.

Subjects
All patients aged at least 85 years who underwent colonoscopy over five years to 2003.

Main outcome measures
The indications for colonoscopy and its findings. The outcome of patients found to have colonic cancers.

Results
Colonoscopy was completed in 219 cases (69%). The main reasons for failure were poor bowel preparation and severe diverticular disease. Normal findings occurred in 65 (30%) of the 219 cases that had had a complete examination. Colonoscopy identified a problem that explained the patient’s symptoms in 116 (37%) cases. Polyps were found in 45 (14.2%) cases and malignancy in 28 (8.8%).

Conclusions
The absence of significant complications and comparatively high yield of colonic malignancies and polyps reinforces the value of colonoscopy as a diagnostic tool even after 85 years of age and despite the technical challenges of the procedure in this age group that limited completion. Increasing age alone should not preclude a patient from colonoscopy.
Intestinal adaptation after massive intestinal resection
Authors: Weale A R , Edwards A G , Bailey M , Lear P A 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Patients with short bowel syndrome require long term parenteral nutrition support. However, after massive intestinal resection the intestine undergoes adaptation and nutritional autonomy may be obtained. Given that the complications of parenteral nutrition may be life threatening or result in treatment failure and the need for intestinal transplantation, a more attractive option is to wean patients off nutrition support by optimising the adaptive process. The article examines the evidence that after extensive small bowel resection adaptation occurs in humans and focuses on the factors that influence adaptation and the strategies that have been used to optimise this process. The review is based on an English language Medline search with secondary references obtained from key articles. There is evidence that adaptation occurs in humans. Adaptation is a complex process that results in response to nutrient and non-nutrient stimuli. Successful and reproducible strategies to improve adaptation remain elusive despite an abundance of experimental data. Nevertheless given the low patient survival and quality of life associated with other treatments for irreversible intestinal failure it is imperative that clinical research continues into the optimisation of the adaptation.
Placebo
Authors: McQuay H J , Moore R A 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Placebo, used here to mean an inert treatment given as if it was a real treatment, means lots of different things to different people. The structure of the article is that it begins by talking about the technical use of placebos in clinical trials, and the extent of the placebo response, then about the mechanism—“How does the placebo work?”—and last about the ethics of placebo in the contexts of research and in everyday practice.
Acute liver failure
Authors: O’Grady J G 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Acute liver failure is a complex multisystemic illness that evolves quickly after a catastrophic insult to the liver leading to the development of encephalopathy. The underlying aetiology and the pace of progression strongly influence the clinical course. The commonest causes are paracetamol, idiosyncratic drug reactions, hepatitis B, and seronegative hepatitis. The optimal care is multidisciplinary and up to half of the cases receive liver transplants, with survival rates around 75%–90%. Artificial liver support devices remain unproven in efficacy in acute liver failure.
Supernumerary phantom limb after stroke
Authors: Bakheit A M O , Roundhill S 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
The perception of a phantom limb is commonly reported after amputations. However, only a few cases have been described after a stroke. This article presents a patient who reported a supernumerary phantom limb (pseudopolymelia) after spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage and discusses the possible underlying mechanisms for this rare phenomenon.
EIA SCREENING IN DENMARK: A NEW REGULATORY INSTRUMENT?
Authors: NIELSEN ESKILD HOLM , CHRISTENSEN PER , KØRNØV LONE 
Published: March 2005

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the process by which the effects that proposed projects are likely to have are assessed with respect to a number of environmental criteria. Screening is an activity carried out in advance of an EIA to determine whether, in fact, it is necessary to undertake a full assessment. In that sense screening has become not only an administrative filtering procedure but also effectively a kind of regulation.Since the implementation of the Directive in 1999, counties (county councils) in Denmark have screened around 2000 projects annually. Approximately 3 percent of the decisions arising from screening lead to a "full EIA".This article is based on a study of 98 documented screening decisions combined with interviews with developers and their consultants as well as county officials for each project. Herein, we analyse both the number of modifications to projects made due to the screening process and also how radical or significant the modifications were.EIA regulation meant that approximately 45 percent of the projects were modified. Around half of these modifications were actually made before the administrative process even started. The mere fact that screening exists functions as an eye-opener to developers and consultants. In general, the nature of changes made before and after submission of the application was similar. They covered basically minor changes.Examining the assessments made during screening more closely, we conclude that there is still far to go in order to make the assessment broader and more holistic in accordance with the ambitions set out in the EIA Directive. Among other things, this goes for the assessment of cumulative and potential impacts.On the basis of the evaluation, we also conclude that screening is effectively a regulatory instrument in its own right. Moreover, it seems to be a cost-effective instrument in the sense that, without incurring much administrative expense, it potentially results in environmental benefits.
Atherogenesis in Mice Does Not Require CD40 Ligand From Bone Marrow–Derived Cells
Authors: Bavendiek Udo , Zirlik Andreas , LaClair Samantha , MacFarlane Lindsey , Libby Peter , Schönbeck Uwe 
Published: March 2005

Objective—Recent research suggests a central role for CD40 ligand (CD40L) in atherogenesis. However, the relevant cellular source of this proinflammatory cytokine remains unknown. To test the hypothesis that CD40L expressed on hematopoietic cell types (eg, macrophages, lymphocytes, platelets) is crucial to atherogenesis, we performed bone marrow reconstitution experiments using low-density receptor-deficient (ldlr−/−) andldlr−/−/cd40l−/−compound-mutant mice.Methods and Results—As expected, systemic lack of CD40L in hypercholesterolemicldlr−/−mice significantly reduced the development of atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic arch, aortic root, and abdominal aorta compared withldlr−/−mice. Furthermore, atheromata inldlr−/−/cd40l−/−mice showed reduced accumulation of macrophages and lipids and increased content in smooth muscle cells and collagen compared withldlr−/−mice. Surprisingly, reconstitution of irradiatedldlr−/−mice withldlr−/−/cd40l−/−bone marrow did not affect the size or composition of atherosclerotic lesions in the root or arch of hypercholesterolemicldlr−/−mice. Moreover, lipid deposition in the abdominal aorta diminished only marginally compared with mouse aortas reconstituted withldlr−/−bone marrow.Conclusions—These experiments demonstrate that CD40L modulates atherogenesis, at least in mice, primarily by its expression on nonhematopoietic cell types rather than monocytes, T lymphocytes, or platelets, a surprising finding with important pathophysiologic and therapeutic implications.
Retrieving Stratocumulus Drizzle Parameters Using Doppler Radar and Lidar
Authors: O’Connor Ewan J. , Hogan Robin J. , Illingworth Anthony J. 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Stratocumulus is one of the most common cloud types globally, with a profound effect on the earth’s radiation budget, and the drizzle process is fundamental in understanding the evolution of these boundary layer clouds. In this paper a combination of 94-GHz Doppler radar and backscatter lidar is used to investigate the microphysical properties of drizzle falling below the base of stratocumulus clouds. The ratio of the radar to lidar backscatter power is proportional to the fourth power of mean size, and so potentially it can provide an accurate size estimate. Information about the shape of the drop size distribution is then inferred from the Doppler spectral width. The algorithm estimates vertical profiles of drizzle parameters such as liquid water content, liquid water flux, and vertical air velocity, assuming that the drizzle size spectrum may be represented by a gamma distribution. The depletion time scale of cloud liquid water through the drizzle process can be estimated when the liquid water path of the cloud is available from microwave radiometers, and observations suggest that this time scale varies from a few days in light drizzle to a few hours in strong drizzle events. Radar and lidar observations from Chilbolton (in southern England) and aircraft size spectra taken during the Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment have both been used to derive the following power-law relationship between liquid water flux (LWF) (g m−2 s−1) and radar reflectivity (Z) (mm6 m−3): LWF = 0.0093Z0.69. This relation is valid for frequencies up to 94 GHz and therefore would allow a forthcoming spaceborne radar to measure liquid water flux around the globe to within a factor of 2 for values of Z above −20 dBZ.
Katabatic Flow Mechanisms on a Low-Angle Slope
Authors: Haiden Thomas , Whiteman C. David 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Momentum and heat budget equations for katabatic flows on sloping surfaces are revisited. Terms in these equations are evaluated using wind and potential temperature data from four tethered-balloon data collection systems on a 3-km line running down a 1.6° slope at the foot of the Oquirrh Mountains in Utah’s Great Salt Lake valley. The analyses focus on the development with downslope distance of the katabatic flow and the associated negatively buoyant layer under synoptically undisturbed conditions. With strong ambient stratification, the katabatic flow shows little variation between sites, suggesting a state close to local equilibrium. When the ambient stratification is weaker, the acceleration of the katabatic flow between two tethersonde sites is systematically larger than what would be predicted based on observed buoyancy. Comparison of observed flow direction with the local topographic gradient indicates that slope curvature, associated with small deviations from the basically planar slope, may be responsible for the anomalous increase. It is concluded that the cross-slope homogeneity of the flow, which is assumed in simplified katabatic flow models, may be significantly disturbed even on slopes that appear to be planar to the observer.
Cloud Sky Cover versus Cloud Fraction: Whole-Sky Simulations and Observations
Authors: Kassianov Evgueni , Long Charles N. , Ovtchinnikov Mikhail 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
The relationship between hemispherical sky cover and nadir-view cloud fraction is examined by using both model simulations and surface observations. Monte Carlo simulations of ground-based hemispherical measurements are based on four-dimensional cloud fields produced by a large-eddy simulation model. Surface hemispherical observations are performed during the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program’s Cloudiness Intercomparison Intensive Operational Period. It is shown that (i) 15-min averages of frequently sampled (30 s) sky cover provide a reasonable estimation of the cloud fraction for limited fields of view and that (ii) this estimation can be substantially improved (for cumulus clouds) if additional information about the cloud aspect ratio is incorporated into the retrieval process.
Development of a Time Series–Based Methodology for Estimation of Large-Area Soil Wetness over India Using IRS-P4 Microwave Radiometer Data
Authors: Thapliyal P. K. , Pal P. K. , Narayanan M. S. , Srinivasan J. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractSoil moisture is a very important boundary parameter in numerical weather prediction at different spatial and temporal scales. Satellite-based microwave radiometric observations are considered to be the best because of their high sensitivity to soil moisture, apart from possessing all-weather and day–night observation capabilities with high repetitousness. In the present study, 6.6-GHz horizontal-polarization brightness temperature data from the Multifrequency Scanning Microwave Radiometer (MSMR) onboard the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite IRS-P4 have been used for the estimation of large-area-averaged soil wetness. A methodology has been developed for the estimation of soil wetness for the period of June–July from the time series of MSMR brightness temperatures over India. Maximum and minimum brightness temperatures for each pixel are assigned to the driest and wettest periods, respectively. A daily soil wetness index over each pixel is computed by normalizing brightness temperature observations from these extreme values. This algorithm has the advantage that it takes into account the effect of time-invariant factors, such as vegetation, surface roughness, and soil characteristics, on soil wetness estimation. Weekly soil wetness maps compare well to corresponding weekly rainfall maps depicting clearly the regions of dry and wet soil conditions. Comparisons of MSMR-derived soil wetness with in situ observations show a high correlation (R &gt; 0.75), with a standard error of the soil moisture estimate of less than 7% (volumetric unit) for the surface (0–5 cm) and subsurface (5–10 cm) soil moisture.