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Background There is a need for valid and reliable observational measures of early child development in low-income and middle-income country settings. Methods The aims of the study were to adapt the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (Bayley III) for a rural Ethiopian setting and evaluate reliability and validity. The study was carried out between January 2008 and January 2009 in the Butajira demographic surveillance site, south central Ethiopia. The Bayley III was adapted to be socioculturally appropriate for a rural Ethiopian context. Nurses and high school graduates were trained in administration of the measure for 10 days. Inter-rater reliability was evaluated ( n = 60). Content, construct and convergent validity was then examined on a population-based cohort of children at the ages of 30 ( n = 440) and 42 months ( n = 456). Mokken scale analysis was used to determine the scalability of items in unidimensional, hierarchical sub-scales. The mean score was compared by age of child and by stunting status (less than −2 z scores below the standard height-for-age). Results The intra-class correlations between raters were above 0.90 for all sub-scales of the child development measure. Some scale items were not contextually relevant and showed poor scalability. However, the majority of items scaled onto the existing sub-scales of the international measure to form adequate-to-strong hierarchical scales with good internal consistency (Cronbach's α above 0.70 except for gross motor and expressive language sub-scales). Item-scale coefficients were good. The mean score of all sub-scales was significantly higher in the older group of children (33.02 higher total score; P < 0.001) and in the children who were stunted (total Bayley score 2.58 (95% confidence interval 0.07 to 5.10) points lower at 30 months and 3.87 (1.94 to 5.81) points lower at 42 months. Conclusions An adapted version of an international, observational measure of child development was found to be reliable, valid and feasible in a rural Ethiopian setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background An inverse relation between Helicobacter pylori infection and allergic disease has been reported by a range of independent epidemiological studies, but evidence from longitudinal studies is scarce. Objective We have investigated the effects of H. pylori infection on the incidence and prevalence of allergic diseases and sensitization in a low-income birth cohort. Methods In 2005/2006, a population-based birth cohort was established in Butajira, Ethiopia, and the 1006 singleton babies born were followed up at ages 1, 3, and 5. Symptoms of allergic disease were collected using the ISAAC questionnaire, allergen skin tests performed, and stool samples analysed for H. pylori antigen and geohelminths. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the independent effects of H. pylori measured at age 3 on the incidence of each outcome between ages 3 and 5 years (in those without the outcome at age 3), controlling for potential confounders, and to additionally assess cross-sectional associations. Results A total of 863 children were followed up to age 5. H. pylori infection was found in 25% of the children at both ages 3 and 5, in 21% at age 5 but not 3, and in 17% at age 3 but not at age 5. H. pylori infection at age 3 was significantly associated with a decreased risk of incident eczema between ages 3 and 5 (adjusted OR, 95% CI, 0.31; 0.10-0.94, P = 0.02). Cross-sectionally at age 5, H. pylori infection was inversely associated with skin sensitization (adjusted OR, 95% CI, 0.26; 0.07-0.92, P = 0.02). Conclusion and clinical relevance These findings provide further evidence to suggest that early-life exposure to H. pylori may play a protective role in the development of allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro X-ray fluorescence ( μ-XRF) spectrometry using an energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) detector is capable of detecting certain major, minor, and trace elements that permit potential discrimination of glass fragments in forensic cases on the basis of differences in elemental composition. Often, elements used for discrimination are present at concentrations near the detection limit of the EDS system, and the decision whether to utilize these minor peaks in a comparative analysis has generally been left to the discretion of the examiner. The use of signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of spectral peaks provides additional objectivity in peak identification/label decisions and in the selection of elements in semiquantitative ratio comparisons. In addition, the use of SNRs enables calculations of limits of detection and limits of quantitation and the monitoring of instrument performance, and facilitates performance comparisons of different μ-XRF configurations. This paper demonstrates a practical method for applying the concepts of SNR, limits of detection, and limits of quantitation to μ-XRF generated EDS-based spectra, discusses the implications of such determinations, addresses spectral features that must be considered when making the calculations, and illustrates the application of these concepts to the example of forensic examination and comparison of glass samples. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moisture stress and fertilization have been reported to both increase or decrease susceptibility of plants to herbivory. In the Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) system in California, cultural practices that maintain sufficient moisture levels in the living outer bark contribute to the resistance of the trees to the invasive eucalyptus longhorned borer, Phoracantha semipunctata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) . However, a community of fluid-feeding psyllids has also been introduced into the state and it was unclear if water management practices that reduce susceptibility to the borer enhanced susceptibility to the psyllids. The results of irrigation and fertilization field trials demonstrated that low water applications and high levels of fertilization resulted in higher levels of red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), populations on the foliage than on trees treated with higher levels of irrigation and no fertilization. There were no differences in levels of parasitization of the psyllids by Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) under the various treatment regimes. Consequently, it is possible to integrate compatible cultural practices and the use of natural enemies to manage populations of both the borer and the psyllid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The rising global prevalence of asthma and other allergic conditions has been linked to potential aetiological factors influencing the developing immune system. Objective To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors for wheeze and eczema in 1-year-old children in a birth cohort from Butajira, Ethiopia. Methods In 2005/6, a population-based cohort of 1065 pregnant women was established. At 1 year of age, data on wheeze and eczema in the children were collected from the mother via an interview-administered questionnaire, along with numerous demographic and lifestyle factors. A stool sample was also obtained from the child for geohelminth analysis. Results The prevalence of wheeze was 11.5% (103/899) and eczema 8.6% (77/899). Independent predictors of wheeze were maternal allergic history [adjusted OR (AOR)=3.00, 95% CI 1.23–7.36], paternal allergic history (AOR=2.59, 95% CI 1.08–6.25), increasing household size ( P for trend=0.023; AOR=3.54, 95% CI 1.31–9.56 for 7+ vs. 1–3 individuals) and paracetamol use by the child (overall P<0.001; AOR 11.04, 95% CI 4.30–28.31 for 4+ tablets in past month vs. never). Factors independently associated with eczema were maternal allergic history (AOR=3.68, 95% CI 1.54–8.77), household size (overall P=0.035; AOR=0.45, 95% CI 0.23–0.87 for 4–6 individuals relative to 1–3) and place of sleeping (overall P<0.001; AOR=0.29, 95% CI 0.10–0.82 for floor vs. bed/platform). Conclusion These findings support the hypothesis that eczema in early life in these children is a manifestation of allergy, while wheezing is probably due to infection as well as allergy. Cite this as: Y. Belyhun, A. Amberbir, G. Medhin, B. Erko, C. Hanlon, A. Venn, J. Britton and G. Davey, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 619–626. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2007, a puppy that was recently imported from India into the United States was found to be positive for rabies by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. This case report highlights several important public health issues. First, recognizing that humans and animals are part of a global community with frequent travel and translocation, the risks of disease introduction, particularly with sub-clinical or incubating animals, are real and present. Animal-importation regulations, policies and practices are intended to minimize these risks and should be routinely evaluated and updated as needed in response to occurrences such as detailed in this communication. Second, veterinarians play key roles in safeguarding the public’s health with regard to monitoring the movement of animals and diagnosing zoonoses. Third, investigating rabies cases that involve multiple jurisdictions are labour-intensive and require significant resources to ensure that all potentially exposed persons are identified and receive the appropriate rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT: A 17-year record of chlorophyll a at eight limnetic sampling stations was used to evaluate putative changes in the trophic status of Lake Okeechobee, a shallow polymictic lake located in the subtropical environment of South Florida. Significant spatial differences were observed in the temporal patterns and variability of chlorophyll a concentrations. The highest chlorophyll a values were found in the northern and northwestern regions of the lake. The center of the lake, subject to high levels of non-algal suspended solids, exhibited relatively low chlorophyll a values and coefficient of variation. The lowest chlorophyll a values were observed at the southernmost sampling station in the lake. This was also the station that showed a significant upward trend in annual mean chlorophyll a values over the 17-year period of record. Examination of the relationship between chlorophyll a and three key environmental variables (i.e., total phosphorus concentration, phosphorus loading, and lake stage) revealed significant correlations at two out of the eight stations. The overall results of this study indicate that spatial and temporal disparities in the distribution and dynamics of chlorophyll a in Lake Okeechobee mandate more temporally and spatially intense approaches to the evaluation of trophic state than used in previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabies kills 55,000 people every year mainly in Africa and Asia, despite being entirely preventable through vaccination and prompt medical treatment. Spurred on by this statistic, the first ever World Rabies Day will be held on September 8 in order to raise global awareness of rabies prevention and control. The driving force behind the initiative is the Alliance for Rabies Control, a charity formed in 2006 by a group of researchers and professionals committed to eradicating rabies. To mark the event, The Veterinary Record has commissioned experts in the field of rabies control to discuss what veterinary surgeons have done and can do to tackle this devastating disease. The message that emerges is that veterinary surgeons, in close collaboration with the medical profession, have a vital role to play. In the first article, Deborah Briggs from Kansas State University and Cathleen Hanlon from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA describe the impetus behind the day, who is supporting it and what it hopes to achieve. Articles on the following pages describe other veterinary contributions to this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]