bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managing Anger and Annoyance in Organizations in China
Authors: Tjosvold Dean , Fang Su
Published: June 2007

Results from critical incidents, developed through diaries of organizational members in China, support the social cognitive perspective's emphasis on the role of cognitions in the experience and response to anger and suggest that this perspective is a potential foundation for managing anger. Findings indicate that the open-minded discussion (constructive controversy) of the anger and annoyance incidents confirms social face and strengthens relationships. These productive dynamics and outcomes were found to occur when organizational members felt cooperatively interdependent. Results were interpreted as suggesting that even in a society where collectivist and conflict-negative values are influential, anger and annoyance can be constructively managed through an open-minded discussion of the incident.
Grounded Sensorimotor Interaction Histories in an Information Theoretic Metric Space for Robot Ontogeny
Authors: Mirza Naeem Assif , Nehaniv Chrystopher L. , Dautenhahn Kerstin , te Boekhorst René
Published: June 2007

We motivate and present a definition of an embodied, grounded individual sensorimotor interaction history, which captures the time-extended behavior characteristics of humans and many animals. We present an architecture that connects temporally extended individual experience with capacity for action, whereby a robot can develop over ontogeny through interaction. Central to this is an information theoretic metric space of sensorimotor experience, which is dynamically constructed and reconstructed as the robot acts. We present results of robotic experiments that establish the predictive efficacy of the space and we show the robot developing the capacity to play the simple interaction game “peekaboo.” A quantitative investigation of the appropriate horizon length of experience for the game reveals the relationship between the length of experience and the cycle time of interaction, and suggests the importance of multiple, and possibly self-adaptive, horizon lengths.
The Enclave Society: Towards a Sociology of Immobility
Authors: Turner Bryan S.
Published: June 2007

In contemporary sociology, there has been significant interest in the idea of mobility, the decline of the nation state, the rise of flexible citizenship, and the porous quality of political boundaries. There is much talk of medicine without borders and sociology without borders. These social developments are obviously linked to the processes of globalization, leading some to argue that we need a `sociology beyond society' in order to account for these flows and global networks. In this article, I propose an alternative analysis. There are important developments involving the securitization of modern societies that create significant forms of immobility. One striking illustration is the increasing use of walls to quarantine or secure territories and communities against outsiders or to regulate the flow of migrants in Israel, in Europe and along the Mexican-US border. Modern societies are in particular characterized by a deep contradiction between the economic need for labour mobility and the state's political need to assert sovereignty. Gated societies, ghettoes, quarantine zones, prisons, camps and similar arrangements are in many respects pre-modern institutions of spatial regulation for political ends. Contemporary technical developments in biomedicine offer new opportunities for political control and spatial regulation in terms of forensic policing, bio-tattooing and bioprofiling. Globalization paradoxically produces significant forms of immobility for political regulation of persons alongside the mobility of goods and services.
Moral breakdown and the ethical demand
Authors: Zigon Jarrett
Published: June 2007

Recently social scientists in general and anthropologists in particular have invoked the concept of morality in their studies. The use of this concept is seen by many as a way to bypass the complexities and contradictions of such traditional social scientific concepts as culture, society and power. Nevertheless, it is becoming increasingly evident that in many of these studies morality is used in a way that may be more reminiscent of the moral understanding of the social scientist than that of their subjects. Therefore, a well-founded anthropology of moralities must break from this assumption and rethink the ways in which the moral can be explicitly studied. By engaging in a dialogue with 20th-century continental philosophies of sociality and ethics, this article articulates a theory and model by which an explicit anthropology of moralities becomes possible. Two ethnographic examples, utilizing very different methodological techniques and focusing on two very different societies, are used to illustrate the strength of this theory as a framework for a proper anthropological study of local moralities.
Charisma and celebrity in Indonesian politics
Authors: Hughes-Freeland Felicia
Published: June 2007

Weberian sociology has been used by many theorists in reference to Southeast Asia, though not without controversy. This article explores the anthropology of power and modernization by considering the relationship between Weber's concept of charisma and the modern notion of celebrity. It examines different framings of Weber's thought by political and media theorists. Using ethnographic data on Indonesian leadership, the article revisits Ben Anderson's critical revision and subsequent rejection of Weber, by examining discourses of legitimacy and relevance following the death of the ninth sultan of Yogyakarta in 1988 and the accession of his son the following year. The ethnographic data draws mainly on fieldwork from 1989 to 1999, and includes commentaries from Indonesian newspapers and academics. The article uses this ethnographic example to ask if charisma has been reinvented as celebrity, and proposes a way forward for the anthropology of celebrity.
Immersion, reflexivity and distraction: spatial strategies for digital cities
Authors: McQuire Scott
Published: June 2007

Commencing with the history of cinema and of communicative technology, this essay focuses on the ways the cinematic sensibility and urban existence have influenced the contemporary experience of surveillance and complexity. And vice versa.
Ecce techno, or, suiting the biomechanical platform: immersion and contemporary embodiment
Authors: Cranny-Francis Anne
Published: June 2007

This article examines what happens in the experience of embodiment when a person is immersed or clad in technologies designed to redefine the edges and to extend the communicative capabilities of each individual body. The article also analyses how multisensory communications technology is currently challenging contemporary definitions of gender, community and technology.
Improved Damage Detection for Beam-type Structures using a Uniform Load Surface
Authors: Wang Jialai , Qiao Pizhong
Published: June 2007

A combined analytical and experimental study is conducted to develop efficient and effective damage detection techniques for beam-type structures. Unlike many other vibration-based damage detection methods, in which the mode shapes are often chosen to retrieve damage information, the uniform load surface (ULS) is employed in this study due to its less sensitivity to ambient noise. In combination with the ULS, two new damage detection algorithms, i.e., the generalized fractal dimension (GFD) and simplified gapped-smoothing (SGS) methods, are proposed. The GFD method is developed by modifying the conventional definition of fractal dimension. By using a moving window, the GFD of ULS can be obtained for each sampling point, and due to the irregularity of ULS introduced by the damage, a peak exists on the GFD curve indicating the location of the damage. Not only does such a peak at the GFD curve locate the damage, but also it reveals the relative size of the damage. The SGS method is also proposed to take advantage of the simple deformation shape of ULS. Both methods are then applied to the ULS of cracked and delaminated beams obtained analytically, from which the damage location and size are determined successfully. Based on the experimentally measured curvature mode shapes, both the GFD and SGS methods are further applied to detect three different types of damage in carbon/epoxy composite beams. The successful detection of damage in the composite beams demonstrates that the new techniques developed in this study can be used efficiently and effectively in damage identification and health monitoring of beam-type structures.
Improvement in Functional Ambulation as a Therapeutic Effect of Peroneal Nerve Stimulation in Hemiplegia: Two Case Reports
Authors: Sheffler Lynne R. , Hennessey Maureen T. , Naples Gregory G. , Chae John
Published: June 2007

Two chronic stroke survivors who utilized an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) prior to study entry were evaluated at baseline and after 4 weeks of daily use of a surface peroneal nerve stimulator. Participants were assessed without their dorsiflexor assistive device, using the modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile (mEFAP). The participants demonstrated improvement in all 5 components of the mEFAP relative to baseline. These case reports indicate that enhanced functional ambulation may be an important therapeutic effect of peroneal nerve stimulation. Potential mechanisms are discussed. Controlled trials are needed to demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship.
Prospective, Blinded, Randomized Crossover Study of Gait Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients Using the Lokomat Gait Orthosis
Authors: Mayr Andreas , Kofler Markus , Quirbach Ellen , Matzak Heinz , Fröhlich Katrin , Saltuari Leopold
Published: June 2007

Objective. Treadmill training with partial body weight support has been suggested as a useful strategy for gait rehabilitation after stroke. This prospective, blinded, randomized controlled study of gait retraining tested the feasibility and potential efficacy of using an electromechanical-driven gait orthosis (Lokomat) for treadmill training. Methods. Sixteen stroke patients, mostly within 3 months after onset, were randomized into 2 treatment groups, ABA or BAB (A = 3 weeks of Lokomat training, B = 3 weeks of conventional physical therapy) for 9 weeks of treatment. The outcome measures were the EU-Walking Scale, Rivermead Motor Assessment Scale, 10-m timed walking speed, 6-minute timed walking distance, Motricity Index, Medical Research Council Scale of strength, and Ashworth Scale of tone. Results. The EU-Walking Scale, Rivermead Motor Assessment Scale, 6-minute timed walking distance, Medical Research Council Scale, and Ashworth Scale demonstrated significantly more improvement during the Lokomat training phase than during the conventional physical therapy phase within each 3-week interval. Conclusions. Despite the small number of patients, the present data suggest that the Lokomat robotic assistive device provides innovative possibilities for gait training in stroke rehabilitation while eliminating prolonged repetitive movements in a nonergonomic position on the part of the physical therapist.
A novel natural compound, a cycloanthranilylproline derivative (Fuligocandin B), sensitizes leukemia cells to apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) through 15-deoxy-Δ12, 14 prostaglandin J2 production
Authors: Hasegawa Hiroo , Yamada Yasuaki , Komiyama Kanki , Hayashi Masahiko , Ishibashi Masami , Sunazuka Toshiaki , Izuhara Takeshi , Sugahara Kazuyuki , Tsuruda Kazuto , Masuda Masato , Takasu Nobuyuki , Tsukasaki Kunihiro , Tomonaga Masao , Kamihira Shimeru
Published: June 2007

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis in many transformed cells; however, not all human tumors respond to TRAIL, potentially limiting its therapeutic utility. Although there is substantial evidence that cytotoxic drugs can augment sensitivity to TRAIL, it has become important to know what kinds of nontoxic drugs can be used together with TRAIL. We thus screened several natural compounds that can overcome resistance to TRAIL and found that a cycloanthranilylproline derivative, Fuligocandin B (FCB), an extract of myxomycete Fuligo candida, exhibited significant synergism with TRAIL. Treatment of the TRAIL-resistant cell line KOB with FCB and TRAIL resulted in apparent apoptosis, which was not induced by either agent alone. FCB increased the production of 15-deoxy-Δ12,14 prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), an endogenous PPARγ ligand, through activation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). This unique mechanism highlighted the fact that 15d-PGJ2 directly enhanced sensitivity to TRAIL by inhibiting multiple antiapoptotic factors. More importantly, similar effects were observed in other leukemia cell lines irrespective of their origin. The enhancement was observed regardless of PPARγ expression and was not blocked even by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) siRNA. These results indicate that 15d-PGJ2 sensitizes TRAIL-resistant cells to TRAIL in a PPARγ-independent manner and that the use of 15d-PGJ2 or its inducers, such as FCB, is a new strategy for cancer therapy.
Molecular phylogeny of the Drosophila obscura species group, with emphasis on the Old World species
Authors: Gao Jian-jun , Watabe Hide-aki , Aotsuka Tadashi , Pang Jun-feng , Zhang Ya-ping
Published: June 2007

Background

Species of theDrosophila obscuraspecies group (e.g.,D. pseudoobscura,D. subobscura) have served as favorable models in evolutionary studies since the 1930's. Despite numbers of studies conducted with varied types of data, the basal phylogeny in this group is still controversial, presumably owing to not only the hypothetical 'rapid radiation' history of this group, but also limited taxon sampling from the Old World (esp. the Oriental and Afrotropical regions). Here we reconstruct the phylogeny of this group by using sequence data from 6 loci of 21 species (including 16 Old World ones) covering all the 6 subgroups of this group, estimate the divergence times among lineages, and statistically test the 'rapid radiation' hypothesis.

Results

Phylogenetic analyses indicate that each of thesubobscura,sinobscura,affinis, andpseudoobscurasubgroups is monophyletic. Thesubobscuraandmicrolabissubgroups form the basal clade in theobscuragroup. Partial species of theobscurasubgroup (theD. ambigua/D. obscura/D. trististriad plus theD. subsilvestris/D. dianensispair) forms a monophyletic group which appears to be most closely related to thesinobscurasubgroup. The remaining basal relationships in theobscuragroup are not resolved by the present study. Divergence times on a ML tree based on mtDNA data are estimated with a calibration of 30–35 Mya for the divergence between theobscuraandmelanogastergroups. The result suggests that at least half of the current major lineages of theobscuragroup originated by the mid-Miocene time (~15 Mya), a time of the last developing and fragmentation of the temperate forest in North Hemisphere.

Conclusion

Theobscuragroup began to diversify rapidly before invading into the New World. Thesubobscuraandmicrolabissubgroups form the basal clade in this group. Theobscurasubgroup is paraphyletic. Partial members of this subgroup (D. ambigua,D. obscura,D. tristis,D. subsilvestris, andD. dianensis) form a monophyletic group which appears to be most closely related to thesinobscurasubgroup.
Comparative temporal and dose-dependent morphological and transcriptional uterine effects elicited by tamoxifen and ethynylestradiol in immature, ovariectomized mice
Authors: Fong Cora J , Burgoon Lyle D , Williams Kurt J , Forgacs Agnes L , Zacharewski Timothy R
Published: June 2007

Background

Uterine temporal and dose-dependent histopathologic, morphometric and gene expression responses to the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen (TAM) were comprehensively examined to further elucidate its estrogen receptor-mediated effects. These results were systematically compared to the effects elicited by the potent estrogen receptor ligand 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE) to identify pathways similarly and uniquely modified by each compound.

Results

Three daily doses of 100 μg/kg TAM elicited a dose-dependent increase in uterine wet weight (UWW) in immature, ovariectomized C57BL/6 mice at 72 hrs with concurrent increases in luminal epithelial cell height (LECH), luminal circumference and glandular epithelial tubule number. Significant UWW and LECH increases were detected at 24 hrs after a single dose of 100 μg/kg TAM. cDNA microarray analysis identified 2235 differentially expressed genes following a single dose of 100 μg/kg TAM at 2, 4, 8, 12, 18 and 24 hrs, and at 72 hrs after three daily doses (3 × 24 hrs). Functional annotation of differentially expressed genes was associated with cell growth and proliferation, cytoskeletal organization, extracellular matrix modification, nucleotide synthesis, DNA replication, protein synthesis and turnover, lipid metabolism, glycolysis and immunological responses as is expected from the uterotrophic response. Comparative analysis of TAM and EE treatments identified 1209 common, differentially expressed genes, the majority of which exhibited similar profiles despite a temporal delay in TAM elicited responses. However, several conserved and treatment specific responses were identified that are consistent with proliferation (Fos, Cdkn1a, Anapc1), and water imbibition (Slc30a3, Slc30a5) responses elicited by EE.

Conclusion

Overall, TAM and EE share similar gene expression profiles. However, TAM responses exhibit lower efficacy, while responses unique to EE are consistent with the physiological differences elicited between compounds.
Comparison of hybridization-based and sequencing-based gene expression technologies on biological replicates
Authors: Liu Fang , Jenssen Tor-Kristian , Trimarchi Jeff , Punzo Claudio , Cepko Connie L , Ohno-Machado Lucila , Hovig Eivind , Patrick Kuo Winston
Published: June 2007

Background

High-throughput systems for gene expression profiling have been developed and have matured rapidly through the past decade. Broadly, these can be divided into two categories: hybridization-based and sequencing-based approaches. With data from different technologies being accumulated, concerns and challenges are raised about the level of agreement across technologies. As part of an ongoing large-scale cross-platform data comparison framework, we report here a comparison based on identical samples between one-dye DNA microarray platforms and MPSS (Massively Parallel Signature Sequencing).

Results

The DNA microarray platforms generally provided highly correlated data, while moderate correlations between microarrays and MPSS were obtained. Disagreements between the two types of technologies can be attributed to limitations inherent to both technologies. The variation found between pooled biological replicates underlines the importance of exercising caution in identification of differential expression, especially for the purposes of biomarker discovery.

Conclusion

Based on different principles, hybridization-based and sequencing-based technologies should be considered complementary to each other, rather than competitive alternatives for measuring gene expression, and currently, both are important tools for transcriptome profiling.
ADrosophilaortholog of the human cylindromatosis tumor suppressor gene regulates triglyceride content and antibacterial defense
Authors: Tsichritzis Theodore , Gaentzsch Peer C. , Kosmidis Stylianos , Brown Anthony E. , Skoulakis Efthimios M. , Ligoxygakis Petros , Mosialos George
Published: June 2007

The cylindromatosis (CYLD) gene is mutated in human tumors of skin appendages. It encodes a deubiquitylating enzyme (CYLD) that is a negative regulator of the NF-κB and JNK signaling pathways, in vitro. However,the tissue-specific function and regulation of CYLD in vivo are poorly understood. We established a genetically tractable animal model to initiate a systematic investigation of these issues by characterizing an ortholog of CYLD in Drosophila. Drosophila CYLD is broadly expressed during development and, in adult animals, is localized in the fat body,ovaries, testes, digestive tract and specific areas of the nervous system. We demonstrate that the protein product of Drosophila CYLD (CYLD), like its mammalian counterpart, is a deubiquitylating enzyme. Impairment of CYLD expression is associated with altered fat body morphology in adult flies, increased triglyceride levels and increased survival under starvation conditions. Furthermore, flies with compromised CYLDexpression exhibited reduced resistance to bacterial infections. All mutant phenotypes described were reversible upon conditional expression of CYLD transgenes. Our results implicate CYLD in a broad range of functions associated with fat homeostasis and host defence in Drosophila.
Role of the small GTPase RhoA in the hypoxia-induced decrease of plasma membrane Na,K-ATPase in A549 cells
Authors: Dada Laura A. , Novoa Eva , Lecuona Emilia , Sun Haiying , Sznajder Jacob I.
Published: June 2007

Hypoxia impairs alveolar fluid reabsorption by promoting Na,K-ATPase endocytosis, from the plasma membrane of alveolar epithelial cells. The present study was designed to determine whether hypoxia induces Na,K-ATPase endocytosis via reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated RhoA activation. In A549 cells, RhoA activation occurred within 15 minutes of cells exposure to hypoxia. This activation was inhibited in cells infected with adenovirus coding for gluthatione peroxidase (an H2O2 scavenger), in mitochondria depleted (ρ0) cells or cells expressing decreased levels of the Rieske iron-sulfur protein (inhibitor of mitochondrial complex III), which suggests a role for mitochondrial ROS. Moreover, exogenous H2O2 treatment during normoxia mimicked the effects of hypoxia on RhoA, further supporting a role for ROS. Cells expressing dominant negative RhoA failed to endocytose the Na,K-ATPase during hypoxia or after H2O2 treatment. Na,K-ATPase endocytosis was also prevented in cells treated with Y-27632, a Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, and in cells expressing dominant negative ROCK. In summary, we provide evidence that in human alveolar epithelial cells exposed to hypoxia, RhoA/ROCK activation is necessary for Na,K-ATPase endocytosis via a mechanism that requires mitochondrial ROS.
Smad4 is required for maintaining normal murine postnatal bone homeostasis
Authors: Tan Xiaohong , Weng Tujun , Zhang Jishuai , Wang Jian , Li Wenlong , Wan Haifeng , Lan Yu , Cheng Xuan , Hou Ning , Liu Haihong , Ding Jun , Lin Fuyu , Yang Ruifu , Gao Xiang , Chen Di , Yang Xiao
Published: June 2007

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in skeletal development. Smad4 is the central intracellular mediator of TGFβ signaling. Our previous studies reveal that Smad4 is required for maintaining the normal development of chondrocytes in the growth plate. However, its biological function during postnatal bone remodeling is largely unknown. To investigate the role of Smad4 in maintaining bone homeostasis, we disrupted the Smad4 gene in differentiated osteoblasts using the Cre-loxP system. The Smad4 mutant mice exhibited lower bone mass up to 6 months of age. The proliferation and function of the mutant osteoblasts were significantly decreased. Bone mineral density, bone volume, bone formation rate and osteoblast numbers were remarkably reduced in Smad4 mutants. Intriguingly, the trabecular bone volume in Smad4 mutant mice older than 7 months was higher than that of controls whereas the calvarial and cortical bone remained thinner than in controls. This correlated with reduced bone resorption possibly caused by downregulation of TGFβ1 and alteration of the ligand receptor activator of NF-κB (RANKL)-osteoprotegerin (OPG) axis. These studies demonstrate essential roles of Smad4-mediated TGFβ signaling in coupling bone formation and bone resorption and maintaining normal postnatal bone homeostasis.
Lethal pneumonia in guineapigs associated with a virus
Authors: Naumann Susanne , Kunstýř I. , Langer Ina , Maess J. , Hörning R.
Published: June 2007

No bacteria were observed in an epizootic of lethal pneumonia in guineapigs. Necrotic bronchitis and bronchiolitis with basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in bronchial epithelial cells were characteristic. Although adenovirus infection of guineapigs has not previously been reported, histological findings paralleled those found in adenovirus infections of other animals including man. Virus particles found by electron-microscopical examination of the lung tissue closely resembled adenoviruses. The disease seemed to have a low contagiousness, a low morbidity (about 0·7%), but an acute course and a high mortality (100%).
Variation in haematological parameters among inbred strains of rat
Authors: Lovell D. P. , Archer R. K. , Riley Joan , Morgan R. K.
Published: June 2007

Haematological determinations were carried out on 7 inbred strains of rats using a standardized procedure. Significant genetic variation was found for many of the parameters although none of the strains had values which could be termed pathological. Measurements also varied significantly from day to day. Factorial analysis of variance is shown to be a powerful method for the investigation of variation in haematological parameters.
Secondary infection of rat lungs with Pasteurella pneumotropica after Kilham rat virus infection
Authors: Carthew P. , Gannon J.
Published: June 2007

Lung congestion was observed after an outbreak of Kilham rat virus infection (KRV) in a rat colony, previously free of all rat viruses. A high proportion of congested lungs contained Pasteurella pneumotropica suggesting that KRV might have caused primary damage to the alveoli (hitherto not recorded) which allowed the secondary bacterial colonization. Experimental infection of rats with KRV caused acute damage to the lung alveoli. Since KRV infection is very common in animal facilities it could therefore be a significant agent in the development of respiratory disease.
Daylength and breeding in the domestic cat
Authors: Hurni H.
Published: June 2007

A period of extended daylight (more than 12 hours per day) following one of short days induces oestrus. The longer the short-day period, the more pronounced the reaction. This change from short-day to long-day periods can be successfully repeated at least 6 times in a year. However, the number of litters produced per year is largest when a regular 12 h light/dark cycle is maintained.
Concurrent lactation and reproductive performance in CFLP mice mated post partum
Authors: Norris M. L. , Adams C. E.
Published: June 2007

Fertility of nursing CFLP mice mated post partum was high (87%) and unaffected by the number of young suckled. Gestation length and litter size were positively correlated with the number of young nursed.
An improved, portable machine designed to induce and maintain surgical anaesthesia in small laboratory rodents
Authors: Norris M. L. , Miles P.
Published: June 2007

The machine was successfully used to induce and maintain anaesthesia by inhalation of methoxyflurane in Mongolian gerbils, mice and golden hamsters.
A mobile rack of cages for ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)
Authors: Wilson Marie S. , O'Donoghue P. N.
Published: June 2007

Ferrets have been housed and bred in a versatile mobile battery that can be arranged to provide 3-9 cages of 3 sizes. The animals were healthy, active, long-lived and easy to handle.
Spontaneous uterine neoplasms in the fat sand rat (Psammomys obesus)
Authors: Czernobilsky B. , Ungar H. , Adler J. H.
Published: June 2007

Sacrifice of 69 fat sand rats ( Psammomys obesus) bred at the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, yielded 19 cases with spontaneous uterine tumours. These consisted of 5 leiomyomas, 3 endometrial polyps, 10 adenofibromas and one possibly malignant mixed mesodermal tumour. The relatively high incidence of adenofibromas histologically resembling the human neoplasm, could make this animal a useful model for further study of Müllerian mixed tumours.
Histopathological lesions associated with Encephalitozoon cuniculi (nosematosis) infection in a colony of Wistar rats
Authors: Majeed S. K. , Zubaidy Ali J.
Published: June 2007

A survey of the histopathological lesions associated with Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection was undertaken in naturally infected rats. 13 of 130 Wistar rats were infected at an early age. Distinctive cerebra-spinal granulomata were predominant, with or without renal and/or hepatic lesions.
Coprophagy in iron-deficient rats: II. 2 novel methods of prevention
Authors: Neale R. J.
Published: June 2007

2 novel methods of coprophagy prevention were used in iron-deficient rats to measure their effect on haemoglobin regeneration during the feeding of ferrous sulphate or several soya proteins. Neck collars produced considerable weight loss and depression in food intake compared to aluminium anal cups which were tolerated well. Both methods of coprophagy prevention reduced iron availability from a range of soya proteins and ferrous sulphate and it is suggested that the practice of coprophagy in iron-deficient and possibly iron-replete rats may overestimate iron (and possibly other mineral) absorption (retention) studies.
The effect of haemolysis on some clinical chemistry parameters in the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Davy C. W. , Jackson M. R. , Walker J. M.
Published: June 2007

The effect of haemolysis on the levels of commonly analysed plasma constituents was investigated in the common marmoset. Results were divided into a) low levels of extra haemolysis (<2 g/l plasma haemoglobin) and b) high levels of extra haemolysis (>2 g/l plasma haemoglobin). Mean changes in plasma constituent levels were examined and the correlation with increased haemolysis measured. Large changes in malate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase were found at low levels of haemolysis. With higher levels of haemolysis there were statistically significant changes in the levels of alanine aminotransferase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, glutathione reductase, bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase. The significance of these findings is considered in relation to the interpretation of changes of plasma constituents as indicators of tissue/organ damage.
Spontaneous osteochondrosis in rats
Authors: Kato M. , Onodera T.
Published: June 2007

143 Sprague Dawley rats, ranging from 19-63 weeks of age, were examined pathologically for the occurrence of spontaneous joint lesions. Macroscopically, a white round plaque was observed in the caudocentral portion of the medial femoral condyle or humeral head and sometimes it had a partially detached margin. Microscopic examination revealed a local thickening of the articular cartilage protruding into the subchondral bone, which suggested cessation of endochondral ossification and retention of cartilage. As the lesion advanced there was fissure formation in the thickened cartilage and proliferation of fibrous tissue beneath the fissure. Formation of a cartilage flap and extensive fibrosis with large cysts were also observed in the most advanced cases. Total incidence of the lesion in the distal femur was 22·2% in male and 2·8% in female rats. The change detected in the rats was identical with pathologic descriptions of osteochondrosis in domestic animals.
Inactivation of bacteria and viruses in water: passage of germicidal ultraviolet light through Teflon
Authors: Wallbank A. M. , Lebtag Ingrid , Meyer W. , Boehm P.
Published: June 2007

Teflon pipe as used in a water purification system transmitted germicidal ultraviolet (UV) light to inactivate Pseudomonas aeruginosa and poliovirus. The information is useful for animal care workers and others concerned with the prevention of microbial growth in water systems such as deionizers and distilled water. Of special significance is that there is a plastic that transmits UV light.
The availability to the rat of energy from various diet ingredients
Authors: Dean Jill , Edwards D. G.
Published: June 2007

The digestible and metabolizable energy values of 8 ingredients commonly used in laboratory animal diets were determined using the growing male rat, by the total collection method. Each ingredient was incorporated into a basal diet of maize, wheat, soyabean meal and fishmeal. The metabolizable energy values, on a dry matter basis, corrected to the nitrogen retention of the basal diet for rats per 100 g bodyweight were as follows: maize 15·23 MJ/kg, extracted soyabean mea1 14·1l MJ/kg, barley 12·31 MJ/kg, wheat 14·09 MJ/kg, oatfeed 1·36 MJ/kg, white fishmeal 11·61 MJ/kg, dried skimmed milk 14·32 MJ/kg, casein 17·91 MJ/kg. Additional analytical data for the 8 ingredients are also given.
The responses of rats to various combinations of energy and protein I. Diets made from purified ingredients
Authors: Edwards D. G. , Porter P. D. , Dean Jill
Published: June 2007

Male and female weanling rats were fed ad libitum for 28 days on purified diets with metabolizable energy levels of 8·0, 9·5, 11·0 or 12·5 MJ/kg and protein:energy ratios of 1:1, 1·33:1, 1·67:1 or 2:1 %:MJ/kg at each energy level. Major nutrients were balanced in proportion to energy and protein. The following parameters were measured: food intake, bodyweight, body length, abdominal fat, liver and kidney weights. Increasing dietary energy level reduced food intake but the reduction was not sufficient to prevent an increase in energy intake. This was reflected by increases in bodyweight, body length, abdominal fat, and relative liver and kidney weights, especially in male rats. Higher energy intake increased weight gain and food conversion efficiency to a greater extent than higher protein intake. The response to protein intake at different energy levels was not consistent. There was no common protein:energy ratio for overall good performance. It is concluded that rat growth and other features can be controlled by the alteration of dietary energy and protein levels.
The 'normalization' of germ-free rabbits with host-specific caecal microflora
Authors: Boot R. , Koopman J. P. , Kruijt B. C. , Lammers R. M. , Kennis Henriëtte M. , Lankhorst A. , Mullink J. W. M. A. , Stadhouders A. M. , De Boer H. , Welling G. W. , Hectors M. P. C.
Published: June 2007

Hysterectomy-derived germ-free rabbits were given colonization-resistant caecal flora (CRF) from mice, or microflora obtained from the caecum of an antibiotic-decontaminated conventional rabbit and compared with rabbits conventionally raised with the doe. Bodyweight and the following intestinal parameters were determined for the 3 groups: colonization resistance to E. coli, relative caecal weight, villus:crypt ratio (ileum), β-aspartylglycine (faeces), volatile fatty acids (caecum), and bile acids (faeces). Germ-free rabbits given mouse CRF-flora showed values quite different from control animals (or most parameters, indicating unsuitability of mouse CRF flora to 'normalize' rabbits. In germ-free rabbits given modified (antibiotic-treated) rabbit flora, values for most parameters were intermediate between those found for the other 2 groups. This species-specific caecal flora should be improved to provide full 'normalization' of germ-free rabbits.
A comparison of subcutaneous and intraperitoneal oxytetracycline injection methods for control of infectious disease in the rat
Authors: Porter W. P. , Bitar Yvonne M. , Strandberg J. D. , Charache Patricia C.
Published: June 2007

After receiving once daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) or subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of oxytetracycline (15 mg/100 g bodyweight) for 7 days, laboratory rats had significantly different oxytetracycline serum levels depending on the method of injection. Regardless of injection method, the biological half-life of the antibiotic was 4·25 h and serum antibiotic levels never fell below therapeutic levels for certain rat pathogens during 24 h post-injection. Severe peritonitis and cellulitis were found in rats whether injected s.c. or i.p. and some animals lost bodyweight. It appeared that either injection method would be an effective treatment for certain infectious diseases of laboratory rats but tissue damage, probably from oxytetracycline's acidity, made both methods unattractive.
Intraperitoneal pentobarbitone anaesthesia of Mystromys albicaudatus
Authors: Padovan D.
Published: June 2007

Anaesthesia trials with intraperitoneal (i.p.) pentobarbitone sodium in Mystromys albicaudatus indicated that the optimum dose is between 4 and 5 mg/100 g bodyweight. No differences were detected in duration of anaesthesia associated with sex or time of day.
Intermittent sampling of portal venous blood and bile from guineapigs
Authors: Talbot R. W. , Hynd J. W.
Published: June 2007

A technique is described for intermittent collection of portal venous blood from guineapigs through a catheter advanced from an ileal tributary of the cranio-mesenteric vein into the portal vein and for the collection of bile from a catheter in the gallbladder after ligature obstruction of the common bile duct.
Glucose phosphate dehydrogenase polymorphism and the genetics of linkage group II in the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus)
Authors: Kendall P. B.
Published: June 2007

A new variant of glucose phosphate dehydrogenase was discovered in rat erythrocytes and shows autosomal dominant inheritance. The locus, provisionally denoted Gpd, is closely linked to catalase ( Cs-1), and there is some evidence that these loci may be assignable to linkage group II. Also in linkage group II, Pgd (6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) was found to be linked to b (brown). The linkage between Pgd and b permits linkage group II to be assigned to chromosome 5.
Urethral plugs and urine retention in male mice
Authors: Taylor D. M.
Published: June 2007

Because MM male mice suffer from a high incidence of urinary tract infection, an assessment was made as to whether the urethral plugs, which occur in male rodents, might be involved in its aetiology. When killed, males more commonly retained urine in their bladders than females but there was no significant difference between strains or method of killing. Males also voided urine more often during stressful handling followed by abdominal pressure, but also retained some urine more often than females. The study of sexually immature mice demonstrated no sex differences and no urine was retained in any bladder. It was concluded that the high frequency of urine retention in mature males is attributable to the presence of urethral plugs but these could not be implicated in the cause of MM urinary tract infection because of comparable findings in the controls. However, the possibility was considered that the plugs might facilitate infection of the kidneys once a bladder infection had become established.
A new diabetic strain of rat (WBN/Kob)
Authors: Tsuchitani M. , Saegusa T. , Narama I. , Nishikawa T. , Gonda T.
Published: June 2007

A new, spontaneously occurring diabetic syndrome has been observed in the aged males of an inbred strain of Wistar rats, WBN/Kob. The main clinical sign, glycosuria, was first detected at about 60 weeks of age, and thereafter some animals developed hyperlipidaemia and gradual emaciation. Prior to the onset of glucosuria, male rats showed impaired glucose tolerance after a glucose load at 21 weeks of age. The histopathologic lesions of the pancreas in the diabetic males consisted of multifocal fibrosis, decrease in number and size of islets and atrophy of exocrine tissue. Multifocal inflammatory foci of varying stages were the main pancreatic lesion in prediabetic male rats. This inflammatory change was detected even in 12-week-old rats and tended to occur around the islets. Therefore focal fibrosis and the decrease in the number and size of islets were considered to result from post-inflammatory scarring. The maturity-onset of this syndrome and the impaired glucose tolerance in younger animals suggested that diabetes mellitus of this rat strain is insulin-independent type II. However, the histological lesions of the pancreas were somewhat different from previous reports of both type I and II diabetes mellitus in man and animals.
Study of fetal organ growth in Wistar rats from day 17 to 21
Authors: Schneidereit M.
Published: June 2007

A total of 1633 Wistar rat fetuses was used to determine weights of the fetus and several fetal organs on days 17 to 21 of gestation. Heart, lung, liver, kidney, stomach, intestine, brain, femur, thyroid and adrenal weights were recorded. Growth curves of the whole body and organs were calculated. A linear semi-log relationship between organ weight and day of gestation was shown. The doubling weight times were 1·5 days for whole bodies and for organs they ranged between 0·9 (spleen) and 3·4 (adrenals) days. A correlation between the rate of organ growth and the start of the organ function was observed.
Evaluation of a one-way airflow system in an animal room based on counts of airborne dust particles and bacteria and measurements of ammonia levels
Authors: Yamauchi C. , Obara T. , Fukuyama N. , Ueda T.
Published: June 2007

Air cleanliness in the working area of an animal room equipped with a conventional turbulent flow air distribution systems was compared with that in a similar room fitted with a one-way-flow air distribution system; in this, the supply air flowed from the working area through the racks of cages and was removed from the exhaust side.

Before the introduction of animals, the air in the working and exhaust areas of both rooms was ascertained to be Class 100. With animals in situ, however, whereas in the turbulent airflow room both the workspace and exhaust air reached about Class 10 000 (with particle counts, bacterial counts and ammonia levels being almost the same) in the one-way-flow room, the air in the work space only went up to about Class 1000.

With the addition of sliding doors or curtains in front of the rack in the one-way-flow room the work space air was maintained at Class 100 with almost no dust particles over 1 μm in size, airborne bacteria or ammonia being detectable.

A comparison of all factors measured showed that whereas in the turbulent flow room the contamination of the work space air was 91% of that of the exhaust air, in the one-way-flow room it was only 47%, with curtains added this was reduced to 7% and with sliding doors to only 2%. In the latter case, contamination levels increased markedly on both sides during and immediately after cage changing, but recovered to the pre-cage changing levels within 30 min in the personnel working area and within 60 min on the exhaust side.
The 'normalization' of germ-free guineapigs with host-specific caecal microflora
Authors: Boot R. , Koopman J. P. , Kruijt B. C. , Lammers R. M. , Kennis H. M. , Lankhorst A. , Welling G. W. , Hectors M. P. C.
Published: June 2007

Hysterectomy-derived germ-free guineapigs were given colonization-resistant caecal flora from mice (mCRF) or microflora obtained from the caecum of an antibiotic-decontaminated conventional guineapig (gpCRF) and compared with guinea pigs raised conventionally with the sow. Body weight and the following intestinal parameters were determined for the groups: colonization resistance (CR) to Escherichia coli, relative caecal weight (RCW), β-aspartylglycine (faeces), volatile fatty adds (caecum) and bile acids (faeces). mCRF guineapigs showed values quite different from control animals for CR and RCW, indicating the unsuitability of mouse CRF for normalizing guineapigs. In gpCRF guineapigs CR and RCW values were comparable with controls, indicating the suitability of the guineapig flora for normalizing guineapigs. mCRF guineapigs housed with gpCRF guinea pigs, showed an improvement in CR and RCW, yielding values found in control animals.
A simple method for intravenous injection and blood collection in the chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger)
Authors: Tappa B. , Amao H. , Takahashi K. W.
Published: June 2007

A simple method is outlined for intravenous injection and blood collection from a peripheral vein in the chinchilla. Seven peripheral vein sites were successfully venipunctured in unanaesthetized chinchillas: the femoral, cephalic, auricular, saphenous, dorsalis penis, lateral abdominal and tail veins. The femoral and cephalic veins were found to be the best sites for injection and blood collection.
Effects of dietary cholesterol in the Mongolian gerbil and the rat: a comparative study
Authors: Temmerman A. M. , Vonk R. J. , Niezen-Koning K. , Berger R. , Fernandes J.
Published: June 2007

To come to a better understanding of the diet-induced cholesterol-ester storage in the gerbil liver, the reactions of the gerbil to 0·2% of cholesterol in the diet during 4 weeks were compared with those of the rat consuming the same diet. The major reason for the increased hepatic cholesterol-ester storage in the cholesterol-fed gerbil is the low cholesterol turnover in this species. This contrasts with the rat. Although faecal acidic steroid excretion can be slightly increased during cholesterol feeding in the gerbil, this increase is not sufficient to compensate for the quantity of dietary cholesterol when administered at the 0·2% level.
Sensory and pulmonary irritation of inhaled n-butylamine in CF-1 and NMRI mice
Authors: Vinggaard A. M. , Nielsen G. D. , Fries A. S.
Published: June 2007

Sensory and pulmonary irritation of butylamine was investigated in CF-1 and NMRI mice according to the American standard test method (ASTM E981-84). The method is based on the reflexively induced reduction of the respiratory rate of mice, when exposed to chemical irritants. Sensory irritation was investigated in normal mice, yielding RD50 values (concentration which reduces the respiratory rate by 50%) of 121 and 246 ppm for CF-1 and NMRI mice, respectively. The concentration-effect curves were parallel, but had significantly different elevations, indicating a lower sensitivity of NMRI mice.

Pulmonary irritation was investigated in mice, inhaling through a tracheal cannula, yielding RD50 values of 300 and 362 ppm for CF-1 and NMRI mice, respectively. No statistically significant difference between either the slopes or the elevations of the concentration-effect curves was found, indicating the same level of sensitivity of CF-1 and NMRI mice regarding pulmonary irritation. It can be concluded that the 2 mice stocks gave qualitatively comparable responses, but regarding sensory irritation they responded differently quantitatively. Thus for sensory irritation investigations the RD50 values obtained with NMRI mice should be multiplied by 0·49 to obtain comparable values to those, expected in the recommended stock given by E981-84.
Elimination of murine viral pathogens from the caecal contents of mice by anaerobic preparation
Authors: Koopman J. P. , Van Der Logt J. T. M. , Heessen F. W. A. , Van Den Brink M. E. , Scholten P. M. , Hectors M. P. C. , Nagengast F. M.
Published: June 2007

The aim of this study was to investigate methods to eliminate pathogenic viral agents while preserving the 'normalizing' properties of the gut microflora of mice. Mouse hepatitis virus A59 (MHV), Reo 3 virus and Theiler GD VII virus were added to the caecal contents of 'normal' mice and following dilution, with or without subsequent culturing, given to germ-free mice. Four weeks later antibody titres against these and other viruses were determined. MHV and Theiler CD VII virus survived dilution but were eliminated during culturing. Reo-virus survived the 10-1 dilution-culture step. All dilutions and dilutioncultures of caecal contents resulted in 'normalization' in germ-free recipients of the relative caecal weight, percentage faecal fusiform-shaped bacteria, faecal bile acids and colonization of small intestine by segmented filamentous bacteria.