bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and Psychometric Validation of the Veterinary Service Satisfaction Questionnaire (VSSQ)
Authors: Woodcock A. , Barleggs D. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryIn the absence of a widely available, psychometrically tested questionnaire for measuring satisfaction with UK veterinary services, the Veterinary Service Satisfaction Questionnaire (VSSQ) was developed. Items in the first draft were derived from a literature review, guidelines from professional bodies and interviews with pet owners and veterinarians. The questionnaire includes 72 satisfaction items, each with a five‐option response format. A total of 183 domestic pet owners from three small animal practices (60% response rate) completed it by mail. Pilot testing and postal completion rates indicate the acceptability and relevance of the VSSQ. Principal components analyses of respondent ratings suggested that the VSSQ can be scored as five scales: general services, staff communication, vet communication, death of pet and vet technical abilities. Six further items are scored separately. Descriptive statistics are provided for individual items and scales. Subgroup differences are explored according to owners’ demographic variables. The VSSQ demonstrates preliminary face and content validity, excellent internal consistency reliability in each of the five scales (Cronbach's alpha 0.93–0.97) and good construct validity: those who had recommended the practice to others had significantly higher scores. Scoring guidelines are provided for the VSSQ, which is now ready for use.
Studies of the Transition Cow Under a Pasture‐based Milk Production System: Metabolic Profiles
Authors: Cavestany D. , Blanc J. E. , Kulcsar M. , Uriarte G. , Chilibroste P. , Meikle A. , Febel H. , Ferraris A. , Krall E. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThis study describes the effect of parity (multiparous versus primiparous) and body condition score (BCS) at calving (<3 or ≥3; scale 1–5) on variations of BCS, body weight (BW) and metabolic profiles in Holstein cows grazing on improved pastures. Forty‐two cows were studied (21 multiparous and 21 primiparous) from 2 months before to 3 months after calving. BCS, BW and milk production were measured every 2 weeks. Blood samples were taken every 2 weeks to determine total protein, albumin, urea, non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA),β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB), cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Primiparous cows had lower BCS during the early postpartum (PP) period and produced less milk than multiparous. In primiparous cows NEFA concentrations were higher during the early postpartum period; BHB levels were similar in both categories during this period. Primiparous cows showed a more unbalanced metabolic profile than multiparous cows, reflecting that they are recovering from the loss of BCS after calving with less success.
Peritoneal Biphasic Mesothelioma in a Dog
Authors: Sato T. , Miyoshi T. , Shibuya H. , Fujikura J. , Koie H. , Miyazaki Y. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryA 10‐year‐old German shepherd dog was presented with a severe abdominal distension. At necropsy, whitish and firm mass was observed in the mesentery with metastases in the pericardium and pleura. The intestinal serosa was thickened and stiff. Histologically, the tumours were composed of a biphasic population of cells, which reacted with cytokeratin, vimentin and Wilms’ tumour 1 protein antibody. Ultrastructural examination revealed numerous microvilli, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, numerous desmosomes and bundles of microfilament. The tumour was classified as biphasic mesothelioma of peritoneal origin.
Neospora caninumInfection Does Not Affect the Fertility of Dairy Cows in Herds with High Incidence ofNeospora‐associated Abortions
Authors: López‐Gatius F. , Santolaria P. , Almería S. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThis present study, was designed to establish whetherNeospora caninuminfection affects the fertility of high‐producing dairy cows, and was based on yearly serological screening for neosporosis and on the confirmation ofN. caninuminfection in aborted foetuses. Assessment was made of 7518 artificial inseminations (AI) (applied to parous cows) performed in three herds. Of these inseminations, 2540 (33.8%) resulted in pregnancy; 34% of which corresponded to seronegative cows (2226 of 6556 AI performed in seronegative cows) and 32.6% to seropositive animals (314 of 962). Abortion occurred in 97 (30.1%) of the 314 pregnancies recorded in dams seropositive forN. caninum, while only 93 (4.2%) of the 2226 pregnancies in seronegative animals ended in abortion. Logistic regression analysis indicated no significant effects ofN. caninumantibody titre, days in milk and milk production at insemination on fertility. Factors found to affect fertility were herd, season of insemination, lactation and insemination number, semen‐providing bull and AI technician. Our results indicate thatN. caninuminfection does not affect the fertility of high‐producing dairy cows.
tax and rex Sequences of Bovine Leukaemia Virus from Globally Diverse Isolates: Rex Amino Acid Sequence more Variable than Tax
Authors: McGirr K. M. , Buehring G. C. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryBovine leukaemia virus (BLV) is an important agricultural problem with high costs to the dairy industry. Here, we examine the variation of the tax and rex genes of BLV. The tax and rex genes share 420 bases and have overlapping reading frames. The tax gene encodes a protein that functions as a transactivator of the BLV promoter, is required for viral replication, acts on cellular promoters, and is responsible for oncogenesis. The rex facilitates the export of viral mRNAs from the nucleus and regulates transcription. We have sequenced five new isolates of the tax/rex gene. We examined the five new and three previously published tax/rex DNA and predicted amino acid sequences of BLV isolates from cattle in representative regions worldwide. The highest variation among nucleic acid sequences for tax and rex was 7% and 5%, respectively; among predicted amino acid sequences for Tax and Rex, 9% and 11%, respectively. Significantly more nucleotide changes resulted in predicted amino acid changes in the rex gene than in the tax gene (P ≤ 0.0006). This variability is higher than previously reported for any region of the viral genome. This research may also have implications for the development of Tax‐based vaccines.
Prevalence of Anti‐Yersinia Outer Protein Antibodies in Goats in Lower Saxony
Authors: Nikolaou K. , Hensel A. , Bartling C. , Tomaso H. , Arnold T. , Rösler U. , Ganter M. , Petry T. , Neubauer H. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryLittle is known about the prevalence of caprine yersiniosis in Germany. Only few cases are reported every year. The intention of the survey was to provide representative data on the seroprevalence of anti‐Yersinia antibodies in goats in the German state of Lower Saxony. A commercially available Western blot kit was used to identify caprine and ovine anti‐Yersinia antibodies against five proteins [YopM, H, D, E and V‐antigen (V‐Ag)]. Of the 681 investigated goat sera, 449 (66%) had anti‐Yop/V‐Ag antibodies. Only two of 28 animal holdings housed sero‐negative goats. Boxplot analysis showed that the number of non‐reactive animals is correlated to the size of a herd and the fact of milk production, respectively. A tendency was observed that various management factors may influence the anti‐Yersinia antibody status. No statement was possible on the impact of keeping additional carrier animals such as pigs, cows or sheep on a farm or the type of husbandry on the seroprevalence of anti‐Yersinia antibodies. This study provides trend‐setting data for yersiniosis in goat‐holdings. The impact on consumer health, i.e. especially for risk groups‐like people allergic to cow milk and the impact on the profit of a farm will have to be elucidated in further studies.
Adaptation of a Surface Antigen‐based ELISA for the Detection of Antibodies AgainstNeospora caninumin Bovine Milk
Authors: Schares G. , Bärwald A. , Conraths F. J. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to determine whether an ELISA based on a 38‐kDa surface antigen (NcSRS2) ofNeospora caninumtachyzoites could be used to examine bovine milk for antibodies againstN. caninum. A total of 797 undiluted milk samples fromN. caninum‐infected herds were examined in the p38‐ELISA. Milk results of individual animals were compared with those obtained by the same ELISA for the corresponding serum samples. The linear correlation between milk and serum antibody results of individual animals was characterized by an adjustedR2of 0.644. The examination of the two‐graph receiver‐operating characteristics revealed an optimal cut‐off of 0.150 to obtain similar results in the examination of milk and serum. With this cut‐off, the test had a specificity and a sensitivity relative to the serum results of 93%. Using this cut‐off, excellent agreement was observed between milk and serum results (Kappa 0.85; 95% CI, 0.781–0.920). A cut‐off of 0.450 resulted in a specificity of 99% relative to the serum results. At this cut‐off, the sensitivity of the test was 80% relative to the serum‐ELISA and agreement was slightly lower (Kappa = 0.82; 95%CI, 0.749–0.887). An optimized linear regression model suggests that, in addition to the result in the p38‐serum‐ELISA, the variables abortion risk (ABRISK) (abortion between 100 and 269 days pregnant) and the age of the animal (AGE) affected the result of the p38‐milk‐ELISA. The optimized linear regression model had an adjustedR2of 0.8501.
Geochemical comparisons between estuaries with non‐industrialised and industrialised catchments: the Huon and Derwent River estuaries, Tasmania*
Authors: Jones B. G. , Chenhall B. E. , Debretsion F. , Hutton A. C. 
Published: February 2005

The adjacent Huon and Derwent estuaries in Tasmania have similar climatic and physical characteristics, and provide a good comparison between relatively uncontaminated and industrially polluted estuaries, respectively. Representative samples were collected from both estuaries and analysed for grainsize and trace‐element content (using X‐ray fluorescence and neutron activation analyses). The Huon estuary drains a predominantly forested and agricultural catchment and contains low (baseline) concentrations of trace elements, including lead, zinc and copper. In contrast, the Derwent estuary has a geologically similar yet larger catchment and it passes through an industrialised area in the mid‐estuarine reach. A zinc refinery has, in the past, been a major source of trace‐element contamination. These contaminants are distributed downstream from the refinery by combined fluvial and tidal activity, while the latter also causes upstream movement of contaminants during non‐flood periods. Significant upstream contamination is limited by fluvial bottom flows remobilising contaminated fine sediment during flood periods. Maximum contamination occurs in the region around the refinery with values in the surface sediments ranging from 40 to 565 times baseline levels and from 2 to 55 times the Australian Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines high‐levels for aquatic sediments (maximum 22593 ppm Zn, 3866 ppm Pb and 1182 ppm Cu). In the lower Derwent estuary, contaminant distribution is inversely related to tidal‐flow velocities and is most prominent in the lower energy muddy substrates. Trace‐metal levels in the more recent surficial aquatic sediments are slightly lower than those recorded in a previous study from the area, possibly reflecting the stricter environmental controls now operating.
Channel iron deposits of the Hamersley Province, Western Australia
Authors: Ramanaidou E. R. , Morris R. C. , Horwitz R. C. 
Published: February 2005

The fluvial goethite–hematite channel iron deposits (CID) of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, formerly known as the ‘Robe Pisolite’, represent a major source of iron ore mined in the Hamersley Province. The CID occupy Early Tertiary palaeochannels that are typically less than 1 km but range to several kilometres in width and from 1 to ∼100 m thick. The Robe palaeochannel is the longest, with CID partly preserved over a distance of 150 km, whereas the Marillana palaeochannel contains CID along 80 km of its length. The CID range from goethitic mudstone to fine hematite–goethite gravel and intraformational conglomerate varying in distribution along the channels in a range of massive, bedded and altered types. The granular type that forms the bulk of the ore is typically ooidal, comprising pelletoids with goethite cortices around hematite nuclei (which often consist of fossilised wood), with typically abundant coarse goethitised wood fragments, a varied proportion of peloids, minor pisoids, and a diverse porous goethitic matrix. The Robe deposits tend to have more spherical pelletoids, with more regularly developed layering, and smaller cores than CID from the Yandi deposits of the Marillana valley. Generally, the presence of ferruginised fossil wood is the principal diagnostic field criterion used to distinguish CID from other comparable goethite–hematite detrital deposits. Electron microprobe X‐ray maps reveal that lattice Al and Si increase from the hematitic nuclei to the matrix, and then the cortex. In the Robe CID, alumina in the nuclei varies between 0.5 and 2.8%, whereas at Yandi, alumina in the nuclei ranges from 0.2 to 0.7%. The goethite cortex of a granule is usually richer in both alumina and silica than its nucleus, in a cortex : nucleus ratio of ∼2:1 at Robe and 3:1 at Yandi. The nucleus and cortex of individual pelletoids generally exhibit a similar trace‐element distribution, which can often be related to the surrounding country rock and, with the exception of Al, is different to that shown by the matrix. A visual classification (labelled co‐manual) based on the relative amount of cortex (co), matrix (ma) and nucleus (nu) enables an estimate of the deleterious minor elements, mainly aluminium (al), for separating samples into ore, near‐ore and non‐ore.
Shoemaker impact structure, Western Australia
Authors: Pirajno F. , Hawke P. , Glikson A. Y. , Haines P. W. , Uysal T. 
Published: February 2005

The Shoemaker impact structure, on the southern margin of the Palaeoproterozoic Earaheedy Basin, with an outer diameter of ∼30 km, consists of two well‐defined concentric ring structures surrounding a granitoid basement uplift. The concentric structures, including a ring syncline and a ring anticline, formed in sedimentary rocks of the Earaheedy Group. In addition, aeromagnetic and geological field observations suggest that Shoemaker is a deeply eroded structure. The central 12 km‐diameter uplift consists of fractured Archaean basement granitoids of syenitic composition (Teague Granite). Shock‐metamorphic features include shatter cones in sedimentary rocks and planar deformation features in quartz crystals of the Teague Granite. Universal‐stage analysis of 51 sets of planar deformation features in 18 quartz grains indicate dominance of sets parallel to ω {101–3}, but absence of sets parallel to π {101–2}, implying peak shock pressures in the range of 10–20 GPa for the analysed sample. Geophysical characteristics of the structure include a −100 µs−2 gravity anomaly coincident with the central uplift and positive circular trends in both magnetic and gravity correlating with the inner ring syncline and outer ring anticline. The Teague Granite is dominated by albite–quartz–K‐feldspar with subordinate amounts of alkali pyroxene. The alkali‐rich syenitic composition suggests it could either represent a member of the Late Archaean plutonic suite or the product of alkali metasomatism related to impact‐generated hydrothermal activity. In places, the Teague Granite exhibits partial to pervasive silicification and contains hydrothermal minerals, including amphibole, garnet, sericite and prehnite. Recent isotopic age studies of the Teague Granite suggest an older age limit of ca 1300 Ma (Ar–Ar on K‐feldspar) and a younger age limit of ca 568 Ma (K–Ar on illite–smectite). The significance of the K–Ar age of 568 Ma is not clear, and it might represent either hydrothermal activity triggered by impact‐related energy or a possible resetting by tectonothermal events in the region.
Gender differences in upper extremity motor performance of older persons
Authors: Buchman Aron S , Wilson Robert S , Bienias Julia L , Bennett David A 
Published: February 2005

Background:  Motor performance declines with age. Although gender differences in motor strength and speed have been widely reported, the extent to which these differences are maintained in old age has not been well established.Methods:  Upper extremity motor performance was assessed in 234 men and 530 women Catholic clergy members aged 65 years or older with no clinical evidence of dementia who were participants in the Religious Orders Study. As part of a uniform clinical evaluation, upper extremity motor performance including strength (grip and pinch dynamometry), movement speed including finger tapping and Purdue pegboard and muscle bulk of the arm were collected.Results:  Men were stronger than women at all ages but this difference became less prominent at older ages. Women scored higher on the Purdue Pegboard than men whereas men had faster maximal finger tapping rates than women. Gender differences in speed were not modified by age. Men had greater muscle bulk than women at all ages and these differences were not modified by age. These relationships were not modified by participants with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or stroke or by hormone replacement therapy in women.Conclusions:  Gender differences in upper extremity speed and muscle bulk appear to be relatively stable with increasing age, whereas gender differences in strength were reduced in the oldest old. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine if men and women differ in the rate of decline of strength in old age.
Reliability of a geriatric assessment instrument with illustrations
Authors: Okochi Jiro , Takahashi Tai , Takamuku Kiyoshi , Matsuda Shinya , Takagi Yasuo 
Published: February 2005

Background:  The Typology of the Aged with Illustrations is a four‐scale geriatric assessment measure of elderly function and activity of daily living. Illustrations are incorporated to facilitate the understanding of elderly function and activity status. The purpose of the study was to test the reliability and validity of the instrument and the effectiveness of the illustrations in improving performance.Methods:  Reliability of the typology was investigated using the test–retest procedure, with a sample of 240 elderly persons. The effectiveness of the illustrations was measured, using the instrument with and without the illustrations, by kappa statistics and the χ2 test. The results were stratified to assess differences in reliability between experienced and nonexperienced evaluators, and for elderly persons in residential institutions compared with day care facilities. Both constructive and concurrent validities were also evaluated.Results:  The intra‐rater reliability (re‐assessment by the same evaluator 1 week later) of the instrument was increased significantly on all four scales (average kappa statistics: 0.82 with illustrations, 0.65 without illustrations) with the inclusion of illustrations vs no illustrations, and the inter‐rater reliability (re‐assessment by a second evaluator within 24 hours) was significantly increased for the mobility and eating scales. There was no difference in reliability for experienced and inexperienced evaluators, or for different care situations.Conclusion:  The inclusion of illustrations in the instrument facilitated the understanding of elderly persons’ activity of daily living and increased its reliability. This instrument has wide applicability and can be used for communication between health care professionals and for on‐the‐job training in geriatric functional assessment.
Analysis of comprehensive geriatric assessment of elderly residents in a social welfare home for the aged compared with those in a residential care home in an urban area in Japan
Authors: Akamatsu Katsuhiro , Saito Aya , Wada Taizo , Ishine Masayuki , Roriz‐Cruz Matheus , Okumiya Kiyohito , Matsubayashi Kozo 
Published: February 2005

Background:  The purpose of the present study was to clarify the influence of the socioeconomic factors during the middle age on the results of comprehensive geriatric assessments in later stage of life.Methods:  A cross‐sectional, questionnaire‐based study was conducted of elderly residents in a welfare home for the aged in Osaka and those in a residential care home in Kyoto. Results of questionnaires pertaining to activities of daily living (ADL), quality of life (QOL) and a 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale as well as medical and social histories of the two groups were compared by unpaired T‐test and χ2 test.Results:  Elderly residents in the welfare home were significantly younger and more were both male and unmarried or divorced than among those in the residential care home. Scores in ADLs and QOLs were significantly lower and the prevalence of depression was significantly higher in residents in the welfare home than in the residential care home.Conclusion:  The ADLs, mental mood and subjective QOLs of residents in the welfare home were significantly lower than those of residents in the residential care home. The reason for these differences is suggested to be due to both the differences in the lifestyles of the residents in their middle age and the difference in the quality and quantity of care the residents are receiving. Local social welfare government should pay more attention to lower ADLs and QOLs of residents in welfare homes and increase efforts to improve the quality and quantity of care for them.
Cognitive functioning in siblings discordant for schizophrenia
Authors: Hughes C. , Kumari V. , Das M. , Zachariah E. , Ettinger U. , Sumich A. , Sharma T. 
Published: February 2005

Objective:  The objective of this study was to investigate neuropsychological impairment as a genetically mediated risk indicator for schizophrenia while accounting for prevalence of schizotypy signs/symptoms in siblings.Method:  Cognitive functioning in 25 individuals with schizophrenia, 25 unaffected siblings and 25 unrelated healthy controls, was assessed using neuropsychological tests of sustained attention, memory and learning, executive function, visual‐spatial ability and psychomotor performance.Results:  Unaffected siblings demonstrated better performance than patients on some measures of memory and learning and executive function. Patients and siblings demonstrated impaired Full Scale IQ and verbal fluency, otherwise siblings performed similarly to healthy controls. Controlling for differences in IQ, the shared deficit in verbal fluency disappeared.Conclusion:  Patients with schizophrenia and unaffected siblings (without schizotypy personality disorder) shared a neuropsychological deficit in verbal fluency. This deficit appeared to be mediated by IQ. Deficits, which differentiated patients from controls, may not be inherited and perhaps are related to the manifestation or treatment of schizophrenia.
Co‐existence of lycanthropy and Cotard's syndrome in a single case
Authors: Nejad A. G. , Toofani K. 
Published: February 2005

Objective:  Lycanthropy is an unusual psychiatric syndrome involving the delusion of being an animal. Cotard's syndrome is another rare condition in which the patient has nihilistic delusions and ideation of immortality. We report a psychiatric patient who had both syndromes simultaneously.Method:  A single case was reported.Results:  A patient meeting DSM‐IV criteria for bipolar mood disorder, mixed type with psychotic feature had the delusion of being transformed into a dog. He also deluded that he was dead. He was restless and had a serious sense of guilt about his previous sexual contact with a sheep.Conclusion:  Co‐existence of lycanthropy and Cotard's syndrome has not been reported before. In this patient zoophilic orientation associated with a sense of guilt were concluded to be important factors causing his delusions.