bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social and Breed Effects on the Expression of a PGF2α Induced Oestrus in Beef Cows
Authors: Landaeta‐Hernández AJ , Palomares‐Naveda R , Soto‐Castillo G , Atencio A , Chase CC , Chenoweth PJ
Published: September 2004

Content

Social organization and breed effects following PGF2αwere studied in mature Angus, Brahman and Senepol cows allocated into two groups (each A = 5, B = 5 and S = 5). Variables including interval to oestrus onset (IEO), oestrous duration (DE), total mounts received (TMR), and oestrous intensity (IE) were derived via HeatWatch®. Breed‐type influenced IEO (B = 42.6 ± 6.7 h; S = 54.6 ± 6.0 h; and A = 27.8 ± 5.8 h; p < 0.003). Within breeds, dominant B (69.4 ± 13.3 h) and S (65.5 ± 7.4 h) cows were slower (p < 0.05) to be detected in oestrus than subordinate (38.1 ± 4.4 h) and intermediate (40.6 ± 6.0 h). However, within A, dominant cows (16.4 ± 12.5 h) were detected in oestrus earlier (p < 0.05) than intermediate (44.3 ± 9.2 h) and subordinates (32.7 ± 5.1 h). Angus (21.5 ± 2.4 h) and B (22.1 ± 3.0 h) cows had longer (p < 0.01) DE than S (9.1 ± 2.8 h). Dominants (20.4 ± 3.0) and intermediates (20.2 ± 2.3 h) cows had longer DE (p < 0.04) than subordinates (12.1 ± 2.1 h) although the interaction breed × social order showed that dominant S had shorter DE than dominant A and B (10.1 ± 3.3; 34.8 ± 6.0 h; and 20.0 ± 6.4 h, respectively; p < 0.001). Angus cows had less TMR than B (p < 0.02) and tended to be less than S cows (p < 0.06). Overall, greatest (p < 0.008) IE occurred in the first 9 h after onset of oestrus with no breed effect (p > 0.05). Dominant cows tended (p < 0.10) to have less TMR (3.2 ± 0.7 mounts) than subordinate (4.1 ± 0.4 mounts) and intermediate (4.7 ± 0.6 mounts) throughout, especially 3–6 h after oestrus onset (p < 0.07). Breed and social order both influence PGF2α‐induced oestrus behaviour.
Expression Pattern of Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) System Members in Bovine Corpus Luteum Endothelial Cells During Treatment with FGF‐2, VEGF or Oestradiol
Authors: Gabler C , Plath‐Gabler A , Killian GJ , Berisha B , Schams D
Published: September 2004

Contents

The development of the corpus luteum (CL) is accompanied by very active angiogenesis. We hypothesize that during this process endothelial cells (EC) are under the control of several angiogenic factors and steroids. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of the angiogenic growth factor systems – fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) – in EC derived from the bovine CL. Endothelial cells were cultured in serum‐free medium and treated for 24 h with different concentrations of oestradiol (range from 10−13 to 10−5 mol/l), VEGF or FGF‐2 (1, 10 and 100 ng/ml, respectively) and compared with untreated controls. Cells were harvested, total RNA extracted and subjected to semi‐quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Treatment with oestradiol or FGF‐2 stimulated the expression of FGF‐2, but VEGF treatment showed no effect on the FGF‐2 expression. FGF‐2 or VEGF treatment resulted in an up‐regulation of the FGF receptor (FGFR) mRNA. However, no FGF‐1 expression was detected in EC. For the VEGF system, treatment with FGF‐2, VEGF or oestradiol did not affect VEGF expression. However, the presence of FGF‐2 in the medium up‐regulated the expression of both VEGF receptors (VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2), whereas oestradiol or VEGF treatment showed no effect on the expression of these receptors. Our results reveal that functional angiogenic growth factor systems were expressed in vitro in bovine EC derived from the CL. This suggests that the angiogenic FGF and VEGF system members were regulated by FGF or VEGF, but not by oestradiol‐17β.
Preliminary Trial: Motility Comparisons of a Unique Freezing Technology (UFT) to Liquid Nitrogen Mist Methodology for Cryopreservation of Porcine Spermatozoa
Authors: Goolsby HA , Blanton JR , Cotter PZ , Prien SD
Published: September 2004

Contents

The motility outcomes of boar semen frozen with newly developed freezing techniques using a new unique freezing technology (UFT) compared with traditional liquid nitrogen methodology were investigated with the intent of improving current fertility outcomes using semen. The UFT is an electronically controlled cooling chamber that houses an organic fluid bath that can be maintained at temperatures below 0°C without solidifying to freeze samples. Four ejaculates from four different boars were collected for this trial. Samples were handled consistently during the pre‐ and post‐freeze processing. From each ejaculate, samples were separated into eight cryopreservation treatment groups, six UFT variations and two control liquid nitrogen groups, immediately before freezing, in replicates of two. After the initial cryopreservation was complete, all samples were stored in liquid nitrogen for at least 48 h. Post‐thaw motilities and original motility return percentages were assessed on a random, individual‐sample basis. After the initial evaluations, samples from two boars were recollected and frozen using the UFT for breeding purposes. Four sows were bred with the UFT frozen semen to confirm fertility capability. When assessing the individual UFT techniques, all of six UFT techniques had improved post‐thaw motilities. However, treatments F (μ = 29%, return μ = 37%) and J (μ = 27%, return μ = 34%) showed the highest statistical improvement for post‐thaw (p < 0.05) and original motility percent returns (p < 0.05) when compared with either the control cryo‐tube (μ = 15%, return μ = 19%) or straw groups (μ = 12%, return μ = 16%). The UFT semen had a 50% conception rate, with an average of seven piglets from the sows that farrowed. Our preliminary data suggest a higher motility return with a slower pre‐freeze phase below the freezing point before the acceleration to liquid nitrogen temperatures. The preliminary data suggest that the UFT could be utilized as a potential cryopreservation option for boar semen.
Effects of Long‐term Growth Hormone‐releasing Factor Administration on Plasma Growth Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone and Progesterone Profiles in Growing Female Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Mondal M , Prakash BS
Published: September 2004

Contents

To investigate the effects of long‐term growth hormone‐releasing factor (GRF) administration on plasma growth hormone (GH), LH and progesterone and body weight gain in growing buffalo calves, 12 female Murrah buffaloes within the age group of 6–8 months of age were divided into two groups (treatment and control groups) of six each in such a way so that average body weights between the groups did not differ (p > 0.05). Control buffaloes were not given any hormonal treatment and treatment group buffaloes were treated with synthetic bovine GRF [bGRF (1–44)‐NH2] at the rate of 10 μg/100 kg body weight intravenously at an interval of 15 days from week 6 (5‐week pre‐treatment period) till 18 injections were completed (week 6–42 treatment period) and thereafter, effect of exogenous GRF were observed for 10‐week post‐treatment period. Jugular blood samples were drawn twice a week at 3–4‐day intervals for plasma GH, LH and progesterone quantification. Body weight of all animals was recorded twice a week. During pre‐treatment period, mean plasma GH, LH and progesterone did not differ (p > 0.05) between the groups. But during treatment as well as post‐treatment period, mean plasma GH levels were found to be significantly (p < 0.01) higher in treatment than control group of buffaloes. Administration of GRF for longer term sustained a higher level of plasma GH even after cessation of treatment. GRF‐treated buffaloes attained higher (p < 0.01) body weight than the controls. Repeated GRF administration for long‐term significantly (p < 0.01) increased plasma LH and progesterone. In conclusion, repeated long‐term exogenous GRF administration induces and even enhances GH release without any sign of refractoriness. GRF may, therefore, be used to induce daily GH release without loss of responsiveness over an extended period of time in young growing female buffaloes and it may assist these animals to grow faster.
Prostaglandins F2α and E2 Secretion by Porcine Epithelial and Stromal Endometrial Cells on Different Days of the Oestrous Cycle
Authors: Blitek A , Ziecik AJ
Published: September 2004

Contents

The endometrial tissue of the uterus plays a key role in reproduction and is a source of hormones and factors responsible for the proper physiological function of reproductive tract during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy. In this study, we investigated the pattern of PGF2α and PGE2 secretion from cultured porcine endometrial cells at different days of the oestrous cycle. Epithelial and stromal cells were isolated by differential enzymatic digestion on days 6–8, 10–12 and 14–16. After attachment cells were incubated for 3 and 24 h to estimate PGF2α and PGE2 output. The purity of culture was 85–90% for epithelial and 95–98% for stromal cells as determined by immunofluorescent staining. Release of PGF2α and PGE2 was affected by cell type, days of the oestrous cycle and the time of incubation. After 3 h of incubation epithelial cells secreted more PGF2α than PGE2 during all studied periods of the oestrous cycle (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively), whereas stromal cells released more PGE2 (p < 0.01) on days 10–12 and 14–16. Longer incubation of stromal cells revealed that PGF2α output tended to overcome PGE2 on days 10–16. The lowest secretion of prostaglandins was observed on days 6–8 in both cell types. The highest secretion of PGF2α from epithelium was measured on days 10–12 after 24 h of incubation when compared with other days studied (p < 0.001). In stromal cells, PGE2 output increased on consecutive days studied (p < 0.001) after 3 h of incubation. The differential properties of endometrial cell types seem to play an important role in the profile of PGF2α and PGE2 release before and during luteolysis. Described endometrial cells culture might serve as the model for further studies on the hormonal regulation of prostaglandin production in the pig.
In Vivo Embryo Recovery Rate by Laparoscopic Technique from Rabbit Does Selected for Growth Rate
Authors: Mehaisen GMK , Vicente JS , Lavara R
Published: September 2004

Contents

Rabbit does from R line selected for growth rate present a low reproductive performance and this study aimed to evaluate both the recovery efficacy and viability of recovered embryos after vitrification and the reproductive performance of donor does subjected to in vivo recovery. Does were divided into three groups: 28 does without in vivo recovery (control), 25 does in which in vivo recovery was started in the nulliparous state (group 1) and 30 does with at least one litter before in vivo recovery (group 2). Does were superovulated with a single subcutaneous injection of 50 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) per female, and were then artificially inseminated 60 h later and immediately administered an intravenous dose of 75 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) per female. Does from group 1 and 2 were recovered in vivo 76–80 h post‐insemination by repeated laparoscopies at one to four times and permitted one or two parturitions between recoveries [in vivo (IV) recovery]. At the end of the experiment, about 16 does of all groups were recovered post‐mortem (PM recovery). All normal embryos were vitrified, devitrified and then cultivated in vitro to evaluate the viability after thawing. A significant increase in the ovulation rate was found in does recovered PM than in those recovered IV in the nulliparous state. However, no significant differences were observed in the recovery rate, the donor rate, the number of normal embryos recovered with at least one normal embryo per doe and the viability after thawing between the PM and IV groups. A significant decrease in the fertility rate, total born, live born and weaned kids was found for does from group 1 in comparison with does from group 2. Results support the use of repeated laparoscopy to increase the number of recovered embryos per donor doe especially in such R line does, if they are permitted to produce at least one litter before the beginning of in vivo recovery.
Effects of Retinol on the in vitro Development of Bos Indicus Embryos to Blastocysts in Two Different Culture Systems
Authors: Lima PF , Oliveira MAL , Gonçalves PBD , Montagner MM , Reichenbach H‐D , Weppert M , Neto CCC , Pina VMR , Santos MHB
Published: September 2004

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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of retinol on the in vitro development of early embryos of cultured Bos indicus (Expt 1) to the blastocyst stage in medium simplex of optimization (KSOM) or sintetic fluid of oviduct (SOF) or co‐cultured (Expt 2) with an oviduct cell monolayer (OCM) in KSOM or SOF. A total of 3149 cumulus–oocyte complexes obtained by aspirating follicles (2–5 mm diameter) from ovaries of slaughtered animals were selected for IVM and incubated in TCM 199 supplemented with 25 mM HEPES at 39°C in air with 5% CO2 and maximum humidity for 24 h. In vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed in modified defined medium (mDM) medium. Eighteen hours after IVF, cumulus cells were removed and presumptive zygotes were randomly allocated to the experimental groups. Zygotes cultured (Expt 1) in KSOM + retinol, KSOM, SOF + retinol and SOF were incubated in maximum humidity at 39°C, 5% CO2, 5% O2 and 90% N2. Zygotes co‐cultured (Expt 2) in KSOM + retinol + OCM, KSOM + OCM, SOF + retinol + OCM and SOF + OCM were incubated at 39°C, 5% CO2. In both experiments media were partially changed 48 h after IVF and unfertilized ova were removed. Afterwards embryos were kept in culture or co‐culture for further 9 days. In Expt 1, blastocyst rates (day 7) were 14.6% (KSOM + retinol), 15.8% (KSOM), 16.4% (SOF + retinol) and 15.9% (SOF). In Expt 2, the blastocyst rates (day 7) were 25.4% (KSOM + retinol + OCM) 14.2% (KSOM + OCM), 24.3% (SOF + retinol + OCM) and 15.9% (SOF + OCM). The same influence profile of retinol was observed in the formation of the expanded (day 9) and hatched (day 11) blastocysts. The results obtained in Expt 2 demonstrated that the addition of 0.28 μg/ml retinol to the embryo culture media used in this study had a significant (p < 0.05) positive effect on bovine early embryonic development, under the conditions tested, and can be used to enhance in vitro embryo production.
Immunohistochemical Studies on Oestrogen Receptor Alpha (ERα) and the Proliferative Marker Ki‐67 in the Sow Uterus at Oestrus and Early Pregnancy
Authors: Sukjumlong S , Persson E , Kaeoket K , Dalin A‐M
Published: September 2004

Contents

Oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα), the main subtype in the uterus, is involved in the regulation of uterine growth/proliferation. A relationship between ERα and proliferative activity has been shown in the cyclic sow uterus, but to our knowledge, no study has been carried out on early pregnant sows. Therefore, by means of immunohistochemistry and use of mouse monoclonal antibodies to ERα and a proliferative marker, Ki‐67, the localization of these proteins was investigated in the sow uterus during early pregnancy. Eighteen crossbred multiparous sows were artificially inseminated once at 20–15 h before expected ovulation. After artificial insemination (AI), they were slaughtered at five different times: at oestrus, 5–6 h after AI (n = 4), 20–25 h after ovulation (n =4), 70 h after ovulation (n = 4), on day 11 (the first day of standing oestrus = day 1, n = 3) and on day 19 (n = 3). Immediately after slaughter, uterine samples were collected at the mesometrial side of the uteri, fixed in 10% formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. Immunohistochemistry was performed by using mouse monoclonal antibodies to ERα (C‐311) and Ki‐67 (MM1). All sows slaughtered after ovulation were pregnant. In general, positive immunostaining for ERα and Ki‐67 was found in the nuclei. Variations in staining intensity and proportion of positive nuclei were observed in different uterine compartments and stages of early pregnancy. The highest level of ERα presence in the surface epithelium and myometrium was found at oestrus (5–6 h after AI), and low levels of ERα in these compartments were observed as early as 20–25 h after ovulation. In the glandular epithelia, presence of ERα was highest at 70 h after ovulation. The largest number of ERα‐positive cells in the stroma was observed at oestrus and early after ovulation. Low proliferation was observed, and with no significant difference in tissue compartments except in the glandular epithelium. High proliferative activity in the glandular epithelium at 70 h after ovulation indicated involvement in preparation for secretory activity and growth during pregnancy establishment. Significant positive correlation was found between the number of ERα‐positive cells in the stroma and Ki‐67‐positive cells in the surface epithelium. In conclusion, the present study showed differences in immunolocalization of ERα and the proliferative marker Ki‐67 in different tissue compartments of the sow uterus at oestrus and early pregnancy. In some uterine compartments, the patterns of ERα and Ki‐67 immunostaining seemed to be influenced by insemination and the presence of embryos, in addition to the effects of steroid hormones.
Comparative Effects of Autologous and Homologous Seminal Plasma on the Viability of Largely Extended Boar Spermatozoa
Authors: Caballero I , Vazquez JM , Centurión F , Rodríguez‐Martinez H , Parrilla I , Roca J , Cuello C , Martinez EA
Published: September 2004

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Sperm handling, associated to artificial reproduction technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or the use of flow cytometry for cell analysis or sorting imposes volumetric extension of the sperm suspension and decreases sperm viability, presumably because of the removal of seminal plasma (SP) components. This study evaluated whether a 10% v/v of autologous SP (retrieved from the same donor boar) or homologous SP (e.g. from any of the four fertile boars included, other than the one providing the spermatozoa) would differently affect the viability of boar spermatozoa subjected to large extension in a simple saline medium [phosphate‐buffered saline and 0.1% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), PBSm] to a concentration of 0.3 × 106 spermatozoa/ml and incubated for 2 h at 30°C. Sperm viability was monitored as membrane integrity [using the fluorophore carboxyfluorescein diacetate (C‐FDA) and propidium iodide (PI)], mitochondrial function (using the fluorophore R‐123) and motility characteristics [using Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA)]. Substraction of the SP and extension followed by incubation in PBSm significantly (p < 0.05) decreased sperm viability, which could be restored by addition of autologous SP. Furthermore, exposure of the extended spermatozoa to homologous SP (from any other individual boar) significantly (p < 0.05) varied with the source of the sire; some boars exerting beneficial effects (even surpassing the effects of the autologous SP; p < 0.05) while at least one boar negatively (p < 0.05) influencing the viability of the incubated spermatozoa. It is concluded that SP should be present when incubating highly extended spermatozoa. As a result of the obvious differences among boars, it would be advantageous to examine the ability of SP to maintain sperm viability prior to the use of SP pools during sperm handling in vitro.
Life history traits and coexistence of an amphidiploid,Drosera tokaiensis, and its parental species,D. rotundifoliaandD. spatulata(Droseraceae)
Authors: NAKANO MARIKO , KINOSHITA EIICHIRO , UEDA KUNIHIKO
Published: September 2004

We compared the life history traits of an amphidiploid species,Drosera tokaiensis(Komiya & C. Shibata) T. Nakamura & Ueda, with those of the parental species, a diploidDrosera rotundifoliaL and a tetraploidDrosera spatulataLabill. to characterize them and clarify the conditions for coexistence. The ranges of the parental species are quite different, but overlap in Japan. The amphidiploid and the parents grow together in some natural habitats. Observations and experiments on reproductive properties were carried out in a glasshouse and a laboratory. Seeds ofD. rotundifoliawere dormant, whereas those ofD. spatulatawere not. InD. tokaiensis, the dormant/non‐dormant seed ratio varied from site to site.Drosera rotundifoliahas such life history traits as concentrated flowering and seed dormancy, which are relevant to habitats with short growing seasons and a severe winter.Drosera spatulatahas such traits as a prolonged duration of flowering and non‐dormancy, relevant to habitats with long growing seasons and a mild winter.Drosera tokaiensispossesses life history traits of the parental species to various degrees, but exhibits no extreme traits. It is suggested that separation of flowering time and autogamy allow the amphidiploid to coexist with the parental species.
Reproductive alternatives to insect pollination in four species of Thalictrum (Ranunculaceae)
Authors: STEVEN JANET C. , WALLER DONALD M.
Published: September 2004

Although insect pollination is ancestral in the angiosperms, selection has favored wind pollination and self‐fertilization in many lineages. The evolution of clonal growth may have also decreased dependence on insect pollinators. We investigate transitions away from insect pollination in the genus Thalictrum (Ranunculaceae) among four species that vary in pollination syndrome. Thalictrum sparsiflorum is insect pollinated and self‐fertilization may also provide reproductive assurance. Thalictrum alpinum is clonal, has a floral morphology associated with wind pollination and is self‐compatible. Thalictrum fendleri is a wind‐pollinated and dioecious species that sets few fruits naturally and invests little in sexual reproduction, possibly due to a trade‐off with clonal growth. Thalictrum dioicum is also wind‐pollinated and dioecious, but does not grow clonally at our sites and has a higher investment in sexual reproduction than T. fendleri. The pollen : ovule ratio is largest in wind‐pollinated species, but varies considerably among them, possibly reflecting differences in pollination efficiency and/or incidental insect pollination. None of the species appear pollen limited in the study populations, suggesting that factors other than pollen receipt limit female fertility at these sites.
Germination and seedling survivorship characteristics of hybrids between native and alien species of dandelion (Taraxacum)
Authors: HOYA AKIHIKO , SHIBAIKE HIROYUKI , MORITA TATSUYOSHI , ITO MOTOMI
Published: September 2004

Spontaneous hybrids between native and invasive species ofTaraxacumwere studied by means of seed germination characteristics at 4–34°C and seedling survivorship at 6–36°C. At high (28–34°C) and low (4°C) temperatures, the germination percentage was low in 4X hybrids andT. platycarpum,whereas it was high in 3X hybrids, MP (male partheno genesis) hybrids andT. officinale.When the seeds that did not germinate at high or low temperatures were incubated at 16°C for 10 days, most of the 4X hybrid andT. platycarpumseeds germinated. It was suggested that the germination of 4X hybrid andT. platycarpumseeds was suppressed at high and low temperatures. At 6–24°C, seedlings of all lineages that includedT. platycarpum,T. officinaleand three type hybrids exhibited a high survivorship of approximately 80–100% and no significant difference was observed between lineages. In contrast, at high temperatures survivorship of 4X hybrid seedlings was significantly higher than that of other lineages, approximately 90% at 31°C and 80% at 36°C. These results suggested that if 4X hybrid competes withT. officinalein hot areas during the seedling period, 4X hybrid would have the advantage overT. officinale, whose seedlings could not survive under high temperatures.
Genetic structures of natural populations of three mangrove species, Avicennia marina, Kandelia candel and Lumnitzera racemosa, in Vietnam revealed by maturase sequences of plastid DNA
Authors: KADO TOMOYUKI , FUJIMOTO AKIHIRO , GIANG LE HUONG , TUAN MAISY , HONG PHAN NGUYEN , HARADA KO , TACHIDA HIDENORI
Published: September 2004

Mangroves are constituent plants of tropical and subtropical intertidal forest communities. In order to assess their genetic variations and understand the contributing factors determining their genetic structures, we investigated sequence variation of the matK (maturase K) region of plastid DNA in three widely distributed species, Avicennia marina, Kandelia candel and Lumnitzera racemosa, taking samples from multiple populations in Vietnam and samples from Okinawa. These three species have different types of seeds/propagules with regard to vivipary, size and other characteristics and are expected to have different migratory potentials. Generally, variation within a population was low, probably reflecting unstable habitats of mangroves. In contrast, we found very different patterns of differentiation between populations of the three species. In A. marina, we recognized three groups of geographic lineages that were moderately separated while in K. candel, two distantly separate geographic lineages were found. No genetic variation was found in the total population of L. racemosa from Okinawa to southern Vietnam. We discuss possible factors, such as properties of propagules, zonation and natural disturbances, that may influence the genetic structures of mangrove species.
Conserving biodiversity of soybean gene pool in the biotechnology era
Authors: LU BAO‐RONG
Published: September 2004

Cultivated soybean, Glycine max (L) Merrill, is a world's important food crop domesticated about 4000 years ago in China. It is a member of the genus Glycine in the legume family (Fabaceae). The genus Glycine includes about 20 annual and perennial species distributed primarily in Australia and Asia. The annual wild soybean, Glycine soja, is considered as the immediate ancestor of the cultivated soybean, with its diversification center in China, Korea, Japan and the Far East region of Russia. The weedy form, G. gracilis, is the interspecific hybrid and offspring between G. max and G. soja, indicating the close genetic relationships of the three species. The fast development of transgenic biotechnology and the extensive release of genetically modified (GM) soybean varieties into environment have caused a great biosafety concern of transgene escape and its ecologic consequences, particularly its impact on the origin and diversity center of the cultivated and wild soybeans. Therefore, safeguarding and maintenance of the world's heritage of soybean biodiversity under the circumstances of commercial production of GM soybeans has become a very important issue. This paper presents a general knowledge of the origin and diversification, taxonomic background and geographic distribution of soybeans, as well as the biosystematic and evolutionary relationships of species in the Glycine genus, in addition to the possible gene flow between the cultivated soybean and its closest wild relatives (G. soja and G. gracilis). It also considers how to conserve soybean biodiversity in its origin and diversity centers when GM soybean varieties are released into these areas.
Interstitial pneumonitis related to flutamide monotherapy for prostate cancer
Authors: NOMURA MASAYOSHI , SATO HIDEKI , FUJIMOTO NAOHIRO , MATSUMOTO TETSURO
Published: September 2004

Abstract A 88‐year‐old man with prostate cancer was receiving non‐steroidal anti‐androgen therapy (flutamide, 375 mg/day). Three weeks after starting therapy, the patient developed dyspnea and bilateral pulmonary interstitial infiltrates. The withdrawal of flutamide and the initiation of steroid therapy resulted in clinical improvement.
Bilateral disruption of corpus cavernosum with complete urethral rupture
Authors: SOYLU AHMET , YILMAZ UGUR , DAVARCI MURSEL , BAYDINC CAN
Published: September 2004

Abstract Penile fracture is a relatively rare condition. We report an unusual case of the bilateral disruption of the corpus cavernosum with complete urethral rupture resulting from blunt trauma during sexual intercourse. The subject underwent emergency surgery with preservation of erectile and voiding functions in the follow‐up.
Prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma showing Bcl‐2 expression
Authors: TULUNAY ÖZDEN , ORHAN DİCLEHAN , BALTACI SÜMER , GÖǦÜŞ ÇAǦATAY , MÜFTÜOǦLU YUSUF Z
Published: September 2004

Abstract Prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma represents a rare histological variant of prostatic carcinoma with features of a papillary lesion at cystoscopy. There are conflicts regarding the existence, origin, staging, grading, treatment and clinical behavior of this tumor. The aim of the present study is to examine the expression of Bcl‐2 and p53 in prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma and to evaluate its origin by analyzing prostate specific antigen, prostate specific acid phosphatase, cytokeratins, epithelial membrane antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen expressions. The results confirmed the expression of prostate specific antigen and prostate specific acid phosphatase in prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The demonstrated expression of Bcl‐2 was predominant in the better‐differentiated tumor. Bcl‐2 expression appears not to be associated with neuroendocrine differentiation as assessed by chromogranin A reactivity. Thus, the first case of a prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma showing Bcl‐2 expression is presented. The tumor was negative for p53.
Detection of Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma parvum (biovar 1) and Ureaplasma urealyticum (biovar 2) in patients with non‐gonococcal urethritis using polymerase chain reaction‐microtiter plate hybridization
Authors: MAEDA SHIN‐ICHI , DEGUCHI TAKASHI , ISHIKO HIROAKI , MATSUMOTO TETSURO , NAITO SEIJI , KUMON HIROMI , TSUKAMOTO TAIJI , ONODERA SHOUICHI , KAMIDONO SADAO
Published: September 2004

Abstract Aim: To use polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐microtiter plate hybridization assays to detect Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma parvum (biovar 1) and Ureaplasma urealyticum (biovar 2) in first‐voided urine specimens from patients with non‐gonococcal urethritis (NGU).

Methods: A total of 153 male patients with NGU, who visited one of 24 clinics in Japan, were recruited for this study. All were examined using PCR‐microtiter plate hybridization assays for the presence of M. genitalium, M. hominis, U. parvum (biovar 1) and U. urealyticum (biovar 2) in first‐voided urine specimens. They were also examined for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis.

Results: Of these 153 patients, 73 (47.7%) were positive for C. trachomatis. Overall, the prevalence was 17.0% for M. genitalium, 16.3% for U. urealyticum (biovar 2), 7.8% for U. parvum (biovar 1) and 2.6% for M. hominis. In the 80 patients with non‐chlamydial NGU, the prevalence of M. genitalium, U. urealyticum (biovar 2), U. parvum (biovar 1) and M. hominis was 23.8%, 18.8%, 8.8% and 2.6%, respectively.

Conclusions: This study shows the prevalence of mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas in NGU in Japan. M. genitalium and U. urealyticum (biovar 2) might be pathogens of NGU and could be associated with persistent and recurrent urethritis. When patients with NGU are treated, such pathogens should be taken into account. This PCR‐microtiter plate hybridization assay provides a useful method for diagnosing NGU caused by M. genitalium and U. urealyticum (biovar 2).
Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma of the urachus
Authors: DALJEET SINGH , AMREEK SINGH , SATISH JAIN , RAMAN ARORA , HARA G S , LOVNEESH GARG , PRABHAKAR B R , NEERAJ AGGARWAL
Published: September 2004

Abstract Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma of the urachus is an extremely rare variety of adenocarcinoma of the urachus; only 23 cases have been reported in the literature to date. In the present report we discuss two more cases of this type and review the literature. For our first case, a 17‐year‐old man was treated with partial cystectomy with en‐bloc excision of the urachus and umbilicus. He received local radiotherapy because of positive surgical margins. Local recurrence occurred after 21 months of diagnosis and he was lost to follow up. For our second case, a 31‐year‐old man was found to have peritoneal carcinomatosis at the time of surgery and partial cystectomy was carried out as a palliative procedure for hematuria. He received six cycles of chemotherapy, a combination of methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin and cisplatinum. The patient's response to the chemotherapy lasted for 8 months, after which his disease progressed and he died 19 months after diagnosis.
Influence of hot flashes on quality of life in patients with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy
Authors: NISHIYAMA TSUTOMU , KANAZAWA SAORI , WATANABE REIKO , TERUNUMA MASAHIRO , TAKAHASHI KOTA
Published: September 2004

Abstract Background: We surveyed patients with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy to examine the influence of hot flashes on quality of life (QOL).

Methods: Fifty‐five outpatients with prostate cancer (M0, 39; M1, 16) treated with androgen deprivation therapy (castration, 15; castration and antiandrogen, 40) were enrolled in this study. Mean duration of androgen deprivation therapy was 21 months (2–91 months). The patients were still being treated with androgen deprivation therapy at the time of the survey. The functional assessment of cancer therapy (FACT) was used as a QOL questionnaire for outpatients with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy. Hot flash assessments were used to document the number and severity (mild, moderate, and severe) of daily hot flashes. The patients prescribed fluvoxamine maleate were reassessed for hot flashes 2 weeks after the prescription.

Results: Thirty‐two of the 55 patients (58.2%) suffered from hot flashes. Hot flashes deteriorated the physical well‐being subscale of QOL in patients with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy (P = 0.043). There was a significant relationship between the desire to be treated for hot flashes and the hot flash assessments (P = 0.038). Fluvoxamine maleate was significantly effective in reducing hot flashes (P = 0.001).

Conclusions: Hot flashes had adverse effects on the patients’ physical status and deteriorated the patients’ QOL. New treatment options such as fluvoxamine maleate might help simplify the often difficult management of hot flashes in patients with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy.
Katakana representation of English loanwords: Mora conservation and variable learner strategies
Authors: Preston Dennis R. , Yamagata Ayako
Published: September 2004

In Japanese, English CVC monosyllables usually show consonant gemination after obligatory vowel epenthesis (e.g. ‘put’ becomes ‘putto’). The katakana syllabary, which is a good reflection of pronunciation, allows us to study very quickly how a number of native speakers and learners at various levels handle novel loanwords. We show that, while learners do not geminate at as high a rate as native speakers do, they improve over years of study. More interestingly, learners use another strategy, namely vowel lengthening (e.g. ‘puuto’), to represent these items, a compensatory strategy, we believe, related to their perception of the proper number of morae to be rendered in the output. We show how Broselow and Park's (1995) account of mora conservation will not handle the complexity of these data, particularly learner performance in the gemination of unstressed syllables, and we provide a variable account rather than one which suggests that parameters are set to a native speaker, learner, or mixed setting. Additionally, we show the surprising influence of gender in some areas of learner performance, a reflex, we believe, of the type of male students more typically registered in Japanese language classes at the university level.
Identifying units in interaction: Reactive tokens in Korean and English conversations
Authors: Young Richard F. , Lee Jina
Published: September 2004

Reactive tokens are conversational resources by which a listener co‐constructs a speaker's turn at talk. The resources that are available include the forms of the reactive tokens themselves, their duration, and their placement by the listener in the current speaker's turn. The present paper is a contrastive study of the use of these resources by Americans in English, and by Koreans in their native language and in English, and in it we show the ecological relationship between the resources that a language provides and their use in constructing active listenership. Although previous research on English has found listeners use reactive tokens to pass up the opportunity for a full turn at talk, we show that, in Korean, reactive tokens are often elicited by the current speaker and the listener is obligated to provide them. We present evidence that Korean bilinguals transfer some conversational resources from their native language when they take part in conversation in English.
The learning of spoken French variation by immersion students from Toronto, Canada
Authors: Mougeon Raymond , Rehner Katherine , Nadasdi Terry
Published: September 2004

This study on the learning of sociolinguistic variants by 41 adolescents from a French immersion program in Toronto, Canada, synthesizes the findings of our research on this topic. This article provides answers to the following questions. First, do the immersion students use the same range of sociolinguistic variants as do speakers of Quebec French, who are used in our research as a first language (L1) benchmark? Second, do they use variants with the same discursive frequency as do L1 speakers? Third, is their use of variants correlated with the same linguistic constraints observable in L1 speech? Finally, what are the independent variables influencing their learning of variants, for example: treatment of variants by immersion teachers and authors of French language arts materials used in immersion programs; interactions with L1 speakers; influence of the students’ L1(s); influence of intra‐systemic factors – markedness of variants; and influence of the students’ social characteristics – social standing, sex?
Retention or omission of the ne in advanced French interlanguage: The variable effect of extralinguistic factors
Authors: Dewaele Jean‐Marc
Published: September 2004

This article considers inter‐individual variation in omission rates of the preverbal particle ne in 991 negations produced in conversations between 73 native and non‐native speakers of French. It appears that both endogenous and exogenous extralinguistic factors are linked to omission rates of ne. Whereas age and gender were found to have little effect, the degree of extraversion of the speaker, the frequency of use of French and the native/non‐native status of the speakers were correlated with omission rates. Among the exogenous factors it appeared that the composition of the dyad was linked to omission rates: non‐native speakers interacting with native speakers omitted the ne more frequently than the non‐native speakers in conversation with other non‐native speakers. The theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.
The Ideal Explanatory Text in History: A Plea for Ecumenism
Authors: Førland Tor Egil
Published: September 2004

This article presents Peter Railton's analysis of scientific explanation and discusses its application in historiography. Although Railton thinks covering laws are basic in explanation, his account is far removed from Hempel. The main feature of Railton's account is its ecumenism. The “ideal explanatory text,” a central concept in Railton's analysis, has room for not only causal and intentional, but also structural and functional explanations. The essay shows this by analyzing a number of explanations in history. In Railton's terminology all information that reduces our insecurity as to what the explanandum is due is explanatory. In the “encyclopedic ideal explanatory text,” different kinds of explanation converge in the explanandum from different starting points. By incorporating pragmatic aspects, Railton's account is well suited to show how explanations in historiography can be explanatory despite their lack of covering laws or tendency statements. Railton's account is also dynamic, showing how the explanatory quest is a never‐ending search for better illumination of the ideal explanatory text. Railton's analysis is briefly compared to, and found compatible with, views on explanation presented by David Lewis, C. Behan McCullagh, and R. G. Collingwood. Confronted with Hans‐Georg Gadamer's hermeneutics and Donald Davidson's insistence on the indeterminacy of interpretation, the essay suggests that the objectivity of the ideal explanatory text should be regarded as local, limited to the description under which the action is seen.
Objectivity: Perspective as Problem and Solution
Authors: Haskell Thomas L.
Published: September 2004

Historians and Social Values. Edited by Joep Leerssen and Ann Rigney.
History in the Landscapes of Modern Knowledge
Authors: Christian David
Published: September 2004

The Land scape of History: How Historians Map the Past. By John Lewis Gaddis.
Classic Postmodernism
Authors: Roth Michael S.
Published: September 2004

Refiguring History: New Thoughts on an Old Discipline. By Keith Jenkins.
Is a Picture Really Worth a 1,000 Words?
Authors: Donald Merlin
Published: September 2004

Computers, Visualization, and History: How New Technology Will Transform Our Understanding of the Past. By David J. Staley.
The New Collectivism
Authors: Turner Stephen
Published: September 2004

Practical Reasoning in a Social World: How We Act Together. By Keith Graham.
Mysticism and Epistemology: The Historical and Cultural Theory of Michel De Certeau
Authors: Seigel Jerrold
Published: September 2004

Michel de Certeau: Les chemins d'histoire. Edited by Christian Delacroix, François Dosse, Patrick Garcia, and Michel Trebitsch.
A Time for Progress?
Authors: Connelly James
Published: September 2004

A Study on the Idea of Progress in Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Critical Theory. By Giuseppe Tassone.
Retrograded textures and associated mass transfer: evidence for aqueous fluid action during exhumation of the Qinglongshan eclogite, Southern Sulu ultrahigh pressure metamorphic terrane, eastern China
Authors: Yang T. N.
Published: September 2004

The Qinglongshan eclogites in the Southern Sulu ultrahigh pressure metamorphic (UHPM) terrane show very different retrograded textures from their counterparts in the Northern Sulu terrane, implying a different thermal history. Scanning electron and optical microscope observations indicate that the peak assemblage of the Qinglongshan eclogite is anhydrous, composed of Grt + OmpI + Rt + (Ky + coesite). These primary minerals were replaced by second and third stage minerals, resulting in symplectite pseudomorphs or coronas. The following relationships are inferred: OmpI → OmpII + Ab + Fe‐oxide symplectite (type I) and Rt → Rt + Ilm intergrowth; and, Ky → Pg, OmpII (+Pl) → Amp (+Pl) symplectite (type II), and Grt → Prg (+Fe‐oxide). Mineral chemistry and mass‐balance demonstrate that the pseudomorphed textures were developed by metasomatism involving dissolution and precipitation intensified by fluids along grain boundaries. The formation of symplectite type I produced Fe, Mg and Na but consumed Ca and Si. The Mg and Fe diffused to garnet where exchange of (Mg, Fe) with Ca of the garnet resulted in compositional zonation with decreased Ca towards the edge of garnet grains where Ca was consumed during symplectite formation. The replacement of kyanite by paragonite consumed the extra Na. In the later stage, fluid infiltration partially transformed symplectite type I to type II, and narrow rims of pargasite resorbed garnet from their boundaries. Mass balance suggests that the transformation and resorption would have been coupled during fluid infiltration. In the latest stage, epidote and quartz were precipitated at very late stage as a result of fluid activity along microfractures. Tentative P–T conditions based on mineral reactions and thermocalc software suggest that the retrograded eclogite did not record the granulite facies retrograde evolution characteristic of eclogites from the Northern Sulu terrane. The difference in retrograde evolution between the Southern and Northern Sulu eclogites suggests a different exhumation history.
Hand‐Assisted Laparoscopic Ovariohysterectomy in the Mare
Authors: Delling Uta , Howard Rick D. , Pleasant R.Scott , Lanz Otto I.
Published: September 2004

Objective—To develop a minimally invasive, hand‐assisted laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy (HALS‐OHE) technique in the mare and to evaluate safety and any associated complications.

Study Design—Experimental study.

Animals—Eight, 11–24‐year‐old mares with anatomically normal urogenital tracts.

Methods—The surgical technique was developed in 2 non‐survival mares and subsequently evaluated in 6 survival procedures. Food was withheld for 48 hours, then mares were anesthetized and positioned in dorsal recumbency for laparoscopic surgery. A hand access device (Omniport™) was placed followed by 4 laparoscopic portals. Transection of the ovarian pedicles and broad ligaments was achieved using a combination of a laparoscopic stapling instrument (Endo GIA II), an ultrasonically activated instrument (Harmonic Scalpel®), and endoscopic clips (Endo Clip II ML). The genital tract was exteriorized through the laparotomy, and the uterus transected and sutured in a conventional pattern. Horses were evaluated through postoperative day 14 when a necropsy was performed.

Results—Four mares recuperated well after surgery, 1 mare was euthanatized because of bilateral femur fracture during anesthetic recovery, and another developed severe pleuropneumonia. At necropsy all but 1 abdominal incision was healing routinely. One mare had abscessed along the celiotomy incision and developed visceral adhesions. Uncomplicated healing of transected mesovarial, mesometrial, and uterine remnants was observed.

Conclusions—Ovariohysterectomy in horses can be accomplished using HALS technique.

Clinical Relevance—HALS‐OHE technique represents a minimally invasive and technically feasible alternative for conventional OHE. Careful patient selection and preparation may reduce the complications observed. The HALS technique may be useful in other laparoscopic surgical procedures.