bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Use of Dairy Protocols for Sperm Cryopreservation of Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus
Authors: Paul Lang R. , Riley Kenneth L. , Chandler John E. , Tiersch Terrence R.
Published: April 2007

The commercial‐scale production of fish by use of artificial (induced) spawning would require reliable, large‐volume sources of sperm. Cryopreservation can be used to preserve and store sperm within commercial and research germplasm repositories, but is limited in its application to aquaculture. Straw volume and cooling chamber size restrict the quantity of sperm that can be frozen, and straws must be filled by hand. In contrast, the dairy industry has refined methods for freezing of bull sperm, including automation of straw filling and the use of large cooling chambers. These methods could be used for commercial‐scale cryopreservation of fish sperm, although application would require testing. To supply sperm in large volumes, bags originally developed for swine semen could be cooled using dairy protocols and used as a container for fish sperm. The current study documented the use of commercial‐scale dairy cryopreservation techniques for the production of hybrids of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (female) by blue catfish Ictalurus furcarus. Four cryoprotectants (methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl acetamide, and glycerol) were initially evaluated for use with blue catfish sperm. During May 2000 and March to April 2001, suspensions of blue catfish sperm were cryopreserved with 10% methanol in 0.5‐mL French straws and in commercial swine semen bags (Cochette* bags, IMV International. Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA). Cryopreservation took place at a dairy breeding cooperative, using technology employed for bull semen. Sperm motility before freezing was 26 ± 18% during Year 1 (2000) and 62 ± 30% during 2001. Sperm were thawed at 40 C and used to fertilize the eggs of channel catfish (yielding hybrids). Motility after thawing for sperm frozen in 0.5‐mL straws was 11 ± 10% during 2000 and 50 ± 24% during 2001. Motility after thawing was 41 ± 17% for sperm frozen in swine semen bags in 5‐mL aliquots and 43 ± 10% for sperm frozen in 10‐mL aliquots. Neurulation of eggs fertilized with thawed sperm from straws was 83 ± 13% during 2000 and 54 ± 27% during 2001. Neurulation was 57 ± 24% using sperm frozen in swine semen bags in 5‐mL aliquots and 55 ± 10% using sperm frozen in 10‐mL aliquots. There was no correlation between sperm motility before freezing (in 0.5‐mL straws) and after thawing during 2000 (r= 0.52) or during 2001 (r= 0.49). In addition, there was no correlation between initial motility and neurulation of channel catfish eggs fertilized using thawed sperm during 2000 (r= 0.14) or during 2001 (r= 0.29). Sperm of blue catfish can thus be cryopreserved at a commercial scale using dairy protocols and can be made available for the production of hybrid catfish when viable eggs are available.
Reevaluation of the Dietary Protein Requirement of Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Kim Kangwoong , Wang Xiaojie , Bai Sungchul C.
Published: April 2007

An experiment was conducted to determine the dietary protein requirement by different analysis methods and to study the effects of dietary protein levels on growth performance and body composition in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus fed white fish meal and casein‐based diets for 8 wk. After a 1‐wk conditioning period, one of six isocaloric diets containing 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, and 60% crude protein (CP) was fed to fish at approximately 4–5% of wet body weight on a dry matter basis to triplicate groups of 15 fish averaging 13.3 ± 0.06 g (mean ± SD). After 8 wk of the feeding trial, weight gain (WG) and feed efficiency (FE) from fish fed 48% CP diet were similar to those from fish fed 42% and 54% CP diets, and were significantly higher than those from fish fed 30, 36 and 60% CP diets (P < 0.05). Fish fed 48 and 54% CP diets had a significant higher specific growth rate (SGR) than did fish fed 30 and 36% CP diets (P 0.05). Protein efficiency ratio (PER) was inversely related to the dietary protein level. No significant differences existed in hematocrit (PCV) and survival rate among the dietary treatments. Broken‐line model analysis indicated that the optimum dietary protein level could be 44.0 ± 3.0% for maximum WG in Japanese flounder. Polynomial regression analysis of the dose‐response showed that maximum WG occurred at 50.2% (R2= 0.94) based on WG, and the second‐order polynomial regression analysis with 95% confidence limits revealed that the range of minimum protein requirement was between 38.9% and 40.3% based on WG. Therefore, these findings suggest that the optimum dietary protein requirement for maximum growth of Japanese flounder is greater than 40%, but less than 44% CP in the fish meal and casein‐based diets containing 17.0 kJ/g of energy.
A Novel Zero Discharge Intensive Seawater Recirculating System for the Culture of Marine Fish
Authors: Gelfand Ilya , Barak Yoram , Even‐Chen Ziv , Cytryn Eddie , Van Rijn Jaap , Krom Michael D. , Neori Amir
Published: April 2007

Results are presented of a zero‐discharge marine recirculating system used for the culture of gilthead seabream Sparus aurata. Operation of the system without any discharge of water and sludge was enabled by recirculation of effluent water through two separate treatment loops, an aerobic trickling filter and a predominantly anoxic sedimentation basin, followed by a fluidized bed reactor. The fish basin was stocked for the first 6 mo with red tilapia Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus at an initial density of 16 kg/m3. During this period salinity was raised from 0 to 20 parts per thousand. Then, gilthead seabream, stocked at an initial density of 21 kg/m3, replaced tilapia at day 167 and were cultured for an additional 225 d. Non steady‐state inorganic nitrogen transformations occurred as a result of these salinity changes. After day 210, the system operated at all times with those water quality parameters considered critical for successful operation of mariculture systems, within acceptable limits. Thus ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate concentrations did not exceed 1.0‐mg total ammonia‐N/ L, 0.5‐mg NO2:‐N/L and 50‐mg NO3‐N/L, respectively. Sulfide levels in the fish basin were below detection limits and oxygen > 6 mg/L after the oxygen generator was added at day 315. Ammonia, produced in the fish basin and to a lesser extent in the sedimentation basin, was converted to nitrate in the aerobic trickling filter. Nitrate removal took place in the sedimentation basin and to a lesser extent in the fluidized bed reactor. Sludge, remaining in the sedimentation basin at the end of the experimental period, accounted for 9.2% of the total feed dry matter addition to the system. The system was disease‐free for the entire year and fish at harvest were of good quality. Water consumption for production of 1 kg of tilapia was 93 L and 214 L for production of 1 kg of gilthead seabream. Additional growth performance data of gilthead seabream cultured in a similar but larger system are presented. During 164 d of operation of the latter system, maximum stocking densities reached 50 kgl M3 and fish biomass production was 27.7 kg/m3. Relatively poor fish survival and growth resulted from occasional technical failures of this pilot system.
Prey‐size Preference, Maximum Handling Size, and Consumption Rates for Redear Sunfish Lepomis microlophus Feeding on Two Gastropods Common to Aquaculture Ponds
Authors: Wang Han Ping , Hayward Robert S. , Whitledge Gregory W. , Fischer Steven A.
Published: April 2007

Maximum handling sizes, prey size and species preferences, and ad libitum consumption rates were determined for three size classes of redear sunfish Lepomis microlophus feeding on Physa gyrina and Helisoma trivolvis, two common aquaculture‐pond snails which serve as intermediate hosts for fish parasites. Maximum handling‐size experiments indicated that redear sunfish as small as 14‐cm total length were capable of consuming all sizes of Physa typically observed in ponds, whereas only redear sunfish of at least 32‐cm total length are capable of consuming all commonly observed sizes of pond‐dwelling Helisoma. When presented with a range of sizes of both snail species, redear sunfish consumed higher proportions of smaller‐ and medium‐sized snails; the largest snails offered were uneaten or consumed in relatively small quantities. Multiple linear regression was applied to consumption data to develop a simple model for predicting mean daily ad libitum consumption rate (g/g per d) for redear sunfish feeding on snails with temperature (20–27 C) and fish total length (9–24 cm) as independent variables. Our findings will facilitate prediction of numbers of redear sunfish of a given size required to control populations of Physa and Helisoma in ponds. Such predictions will enable pond owners to quickly evaluate whether stocking redear sunfish as a control agent for undesirable snail populations will be economically and logistically feasible. Findings also indicate potential limitations in the use of redear sunfish to control populations of Helisoma due to the inability of redear sunfish as large as 24‐cm total length to consume the largest 30–40% of Helisoma commonly observed in ponds and to the expense of stocking larger fish (32‐cm total length) capable of consuming all sizes of Helisoma.
The Effects of Temperature and Salinity on Early Life Stages of Black Sea Bass Centropristis striata
Authors: Berlinsky David L. , Taylor Janalyn C. , Howell Rachel A. , Bradley Terence M. , Smith Theodore I. J.
Published: April 2007

Along the Atlantic coast black sea bass occur from the Gulf of Maine to Florida and support important commercial and recreational fisheries. Interest in commercial production of black sea bass has increased in recent years due to high demand and limited seasonable availability. Efforts towards large‐scale production have been hampered by a high incidence of early larval mortality. Two of the most important environmental variables affecting hatchery production of marine finfish larvae are temperature and salinity. In the wild, larval black sea bass are found in waters with temperatures of 12–24 C and salinity levels of 30–35 ppt. Studies were conducted to define the temperature and salinity ranges that support growth and development of black sea bass during early life stages. Three developmental phases were investigated: 1) fertilization to hatch: 2) hatch through yolk sac absorption: and 3) during the initial exogenous feeding stage (5–14 days post hatch: DPH). Fertilized eggs were obtained by manual spawning of fish following administration of LHRHa. Fertilized eggs were transferred to 300‐mL glass Petri dishes or 500‐mL beakers to assess the effects of salinity and temperature through hatch and yolk sac absorption, respectively. To determine environmental effects on growth and survival during initial exogenous feeding 400 actively feeding larvae were cultured in green water and fed enriched rotifers for a 9‐d period. For investigation of the effect of salinity, sea water (35 ppt) was diluted gradually to 15, 20, 25, and 30 ppt and maintained at 21 C. For examination of the effect of temperature, seawater was adjusted from 21 C to 12, 15, 21, 27, or 30 C at a rate of 3 C/h. No eggs hatched at 12 C or when salinity was maintained at 0 or 5 ppt. Hatching was uniformly high (≥ 85%) at temperatures between 15 and 27 C and at salinities ≥ 15 ppt. Survival through yolk sac absorption was greatest at temperatures between 18 and 27 C and at salinities ≥ 20 ppt. Survival through first feeding stage was highest at temperatures ≥ 18 C and 30 ppt salinity. Larval growth through first feeding was not significantly affected by salinity level but did increase with rearing temperature. The results indicate that survival and development of black sea bass during early life stages are most favorable at temperatures >18 C with salinity levels approaching full strength seawater.
The Effect of Parental Vitamin K Deficiency on Bone Structure in Mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus
Authors: Udagawa Miho
Published: April 2007

The effect of parental vitamin K deficiency on developing bone structure was examined in mummichog (Fundulus heteeroclitus) larvae. Larvae from fish fed a vitamin K‐deficient diet had abnormal vertebral formation, whereas larvae from fish fed a vitamin K‐rich diet showed a significantly lower incidence of abnormality 5 d post‐hatch. Larvae from fish that had been fed either the vitamin K‐rich or the vitamin K‐deficient diet had a high rate of abnormality when reared on a vitamin K‐deficient diet for 30 d. Larvae from fish fed a vitamin K‐rich diet that were reared on a vitamin K‐rich diet showed a low rate of abnormality. Vertebral bone structure of larvae fed a vitamin K‐deficient diet for 30 d was thin and rough, and seemed to have repaired fine fractures of the bone surface. In contrast, this type of structural abnormality was not observed in any larvae fed a vitamin K (phylloquinone) rich diet. These results imply that vitamin K deficiency causes the formation of thin and weak bone, and induces bone structure abnormality both in early development and during growth.
Modulation of the Post‐Prandial Plasma Glucose Profile in Juvenile European Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax Fed Diets Varying in Starch Complexity
Authors: Gouveia António , Davies Simon J.
Published: April 2007

The post‐prandial glycemic response of juvenile European sea bass (initial mean weight 10 g) was determined following acclimation to experimental diets that contained a pea seed meal included at two levels. The ingredient provided a source of starch that replaced purified corn starcWyellow dextrin (2:1) in a reference diet based on fishmeal as the main protein component. The total carbohydrate levels amounted to 25% of the dry matter content and contributed (18%) to the overall gross dietary energy value of 20 MJ/kg. After a 12‐wk feeding trial, in which the sea bass grew to over 40 g (mean weight), the plasma glucose profile was recorded over a 24‐h period (0 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 9 h, 12 h, and 24 h) following a meal fed to satiation. Results showed that sea bass are able to regulate their glucostatic tolerance to dietary starch, and that the pea seed meal modulated this effect. Peak post‐prandial responses varied between 1 to 9 h and were significantly delayed for the reference diet. Efficacy of glucose assimilation improved for the highest level of pea seed meal inclusion (40% by weight). The relevance of carbohydrate complexity with respect to feed formulation and nutritional requirements of sea bass are discussed.
Suspended Solids from Baitfish Pond Effluents in Drainage Ditches
Authors: Frimpong Emmanuel A. , Lochmann Steve E. , Bodary Melinda J. , Stone Nathan M.
Published: April 2007

Effluents from aquaculture facilities vary between species and among production systems. Drainage ditches commonly convey effluents from central Arkansas baitfish ponds. Ditches could potentially reduce suspended solids prior to effluent release into receiving streams through settling. We characterized suspended solids in effluents from baitfish ponds and evaluated changes in suspended solids in drainage ditches. We also characterized drainage ditches based on width, depth, slope, and percent vegetation cover. Average (± SD) total suspended solids (TSS) at the point of discharge was 52 (± 41) mg/L, while volatile suspended solids (VSS) averaged 22 (± 23) mg/L. Screening effluents did little to alter their composition. Approximately 76% of TSS were less than 5 μm. There were no significant changes in effluent solids along drainage ditches 100 m from the point of discharge and no significant correlations between ditch characteristics and changes in either TSS or VSS. Existing ditches are quite variable and are not necessarily effective in removing solids present in baitfish effluents. Screening and use of ditches as settling basins seem impractical for effluent treatment given the characteristics of solids in baitfish effluents.
Effects of Natural EstradioI‐17β and Synthetic 17α‐ Ethynylestradiol on Direct Feminization of European Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax
Authors: Gorshkov Sergei , Gorshkova Galina , Colorni Barbara , Gordin Hillel
Published: April 2007

To produce a monosex female population of European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax, fry were fed dry diets containing dosages of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg food of either the natural estrogen estradiol‐170β(E2) or the synthetic estrogen 17α‐ethynylestradiol (EE2) for 60 d starting at 88 d post‐hatch (dph). A complete feminization (100%) was achieved in all E2‐treated groups at the age of 11 mo (330 dph). All affected fish had ovaries similar in size and histological structure to those of control females. In the E2‐treated groups, feminized fish were heavier and longer than untreated controls (males and females combined). In control groups females exhibited significantly higher body weight and total length than males. Untreated females from control groups and females from the group treated with E2 at 12.5 mg/kg food had similar body weight, suggesting that in sea bass growth is related to phenotypic sex. In the Entreated groups, survival rates were similar to those of the control fish. A relatively high percentage of females was obtained in the EE2‐treated groups (from 38.6 to 96.5%). However, the gonadal development in these fish was significantly suppressed and a dose‐dependent reduction of gonadal sizes was evident. Treatments with the EE2 (12‐5, 25, and 50 mg/kg food) resulted in many fish having abnormal (2.9‐5.4‐39.8%, respectively) and sterile (0.6‐6.0‐21.6%, respectively) gonads. Effects also included significantly lower weight and shorter length when compared with controls. Furthermore, fish fed with EE2 at the dosage of 50 mg/kg food had high mortality rate. A simple protocol was developed for the complete feminization in sea bass in which the fry (80‐100 dph) were fed to satiation two times daily with a diet containing 12.5 me of E2/ks food for a period of 60 d.
Development of a Suitable Maintenance Diet for Anodonta cygnea
Authors: Carvalho Fátima , Lima Paula , Gonçalves Fernando , Russell‐Pinto Fernanda , Machado Jorge
Published: April 2007

Selenastrum, Chlorella and the Cyanophyta groups, important components of the phytoplankton in the natural habitat of Anodonta cygnea in Mira Lagoon, were used separately as experimental diet for Anodonta cygnea. To assess the effects of the different diets, several organic and inorganic compounds of the haemolymph and extrapallial fluid were measured. Protein content was significantly reduced with experimental Non Feed, and carbohydrate content with Non Feed, Selenastrum, Chlorella, and Cyanophyta diets compared to the control in the lagoon. Lipid contents in body fluids were similar among the different diet groups, with the exception of the Chlorella diet, which showed a higher value. In all diets, the inorganic elements, magnesium and chloride, presented a non‐significant variation profile. The concentration of sodium and potassium was significantly affected in Selenastrum and Chlorella diets, observing in the Non Feed diet a minimum value for potassium. The non‐significant variation of osmolality suggests the presence of a specific osmotic regulatory mechanism independent of the diet. A particular regulation mechanism seems to exist for both calcium and manganese ion inducing similar profiles for all experimental diets with higher contents in Selenastrum and Cyanophyta diets, respectively. The higher calcium ion concentration appears associated with lower protein‐carbohydrate contents, probably due to weak calcium aggregation and deposition mechanism, except for the control and Mixture diets. In general, the concentrations of organic and inorganic compounds in the body fluids of Mixture‐fed A. cygnea, were more similar to those found in the control diet group. This suggests that an equal mixture of the three algae, Selenastrum, Chlorella, and Cyanophyta, is more appropriate diet to provide the necessary nutrients for a normal maintenance of A. cygnea in the wild.
Cryopreservation of Sperm of Farmed European Eel Anguilla anguilla
Authors: Müller Tamás , Urbányi Béla , Váradi Balázs , Binder Tibor , Horn Péter , Bercsényi Miklós , Horváth ÁKos
Published: April 2007

Sexual maturation and sperm release were induced in farmed European eels Anguilla anguilla kept exclusively in fresh water by using two dosages of human chorion gonadotropin (100 International Unit (IU)‐Group one and 250 IU/individual per week‐Group two). Sperm release took over 13 wk in both groups. The quality of sperm was investigated on the eighth, ninth, and tenth wk. The average cell densities were 0.94 ± 0.4 × 1010 (Group one) and 0.93 to. ± 0.6 × 1010 (Group two) spermatozoa/mL. The estimated motility of eel sperm was 33, 55, and 49% on the eighth, ninth, and tenth wk of treatment, respectively. The estimated average motility of samples selected for cryopreservation was 73 ± 10%, while the post‐thaw motility of cryopreserved samples was 36 ± 11%. The extender originally developed for common carp sperm crypreservation together with methanol as cryoprotectant was found suitable for the cryopreservation of European eel sperm.
Comparison of Purified and Practical Diets Supplemented with or without β‐Glucan and Selenium on Resistance of Hybrid Striped Bass Morone chrysops ♀× M. saxatilis ♂ to Streptococcus iniae Infection
Authors: Jaramillo Francisco , Gatlin DelbertM.
Published: April 2007

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of β‐glucan and selenium supplements to the diet on increasing survival of hybrid striped bass Morone chrysops X M. saxatilis exposed to Streptococcus iniae. A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design was employed by including purified casein/gelatin‐based diets and practical menhaden fish meal‐based diets with supplement! of either β‐glucan from barley at 0 and 0.1 % of diet or sodium selenite at 0 or 0.2 mg/kg diet or a combination of these supplements. All diets were formulated to meet the nutritional needs of hybrid striped bass with the exception of selenium. The purified and practical basal diets contained 0.03 and 1.03 mg Se/kg, respectively, and the diets supplemented with sodium selenite had an additional 0.07 mg Se/kg on average. Juvenile hybrid striped bass initially averaging 2.44 ± 0.17 g/fish were fed the eight experimental diets in triplicate 110‐L recirculating aquaria for 6 wk, after which they were immersed in a bath of S. iniae at 6.2 × 106 CFU/mL for 2 h and monitored for 21 d. Weighi gain and feed efficiency were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by diet type and selenium supplementation, with fish fed practical diets and those supplemented with selenium having the greatest values. Supplementation of β‐glucan to the purified or practical type diets did not significantly affect survival of fish after experimental infection. The most notable difference (P < 0.0001) was in the comparison of diet type; the survival rate of fish fed the practical diets was 75% compared to 35% for those fed the purified diets. Dietary supplementation of β‐glucan did not enhance disease resistance in the present study. Fish fed menhaden fish meal‐based diets were significantly more resistant to 5. iniae in comparison to the those fed the purified diets. Thus, nutritional influences on disease resistance of hybrid striped bass were evident in this study and warrant further investigation.
Live Transport of Striped Bass and Rainbow Trout Using a Hidrostal Pump
Authors: Helfrich Louis A. , Bark Raymond , Liston Charles R. , Weigmann D. L. , Mefford Brent
Published: April 2007

Immediate and delayed (96 h) mortality, descaling, and injury rates of striped bass Morone sax‐atilis and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss that were inserted into the entrance (suction side) of a Hidrostal pump were compared to those of control fish that were inserted at the exit (pressure side). Comparisons were made in 158‐paired trials of striped bass and 86 trials with rainbow trout. The Hidrostal pump had no significant effect on immediate or delayed (96 h) mortality. Immediate mortality for striped bass and rainbow trout averaged 0.1 and 0%, respectively, and delayed mortality averaged 2.9 and 0.1%, respectively. Mean scale loss after passage for striped bass and rainbow trout was low (0.2 and 1.0%, respectively). Frequency of injury to the head, eyes, skin, and tins of pumped striped bass averaged 1.9, 2.8, 1.9, and 18.7%, respectively, and those of rainbow trout averaged 2.3, 0, 2.4, and 3.1%. No significant relationships were detected between fish mortality and pump speed, injected fish density, and debris load. Results suggest that large Hidrostal pumps have the capacity to transport live striped bass and rainbow trout at high density (1‐6 fish/L) with little mortality and body injury.
Influence of Some Physicochemical Parameters on Artemia Biomass and Cyst Production in Some Thalassohaline Aquatic Environments in the Colombian Caribbean
Authors: Camargo William N. , Ely Joe S. , Duran‐Cobo Gabriel M. , Sorgeloos Patrick
Published: April 2007

Abstract.–From July 1998 to June 2000 four thalassohaline aquatic environments along the Colombian Caribbean coast (Manaure, Galerazamba, Salina Cero, and Tayrona) were surveyed monthly to determine the influence of salinity, percent 02 saturation, pH, temperature, and nutrients (NO2‐, NO3‐ and PO4‐3) on Artemia (Crustacean, Anostracan) biomass production and cyst production potential. The effects of the regularly measured physicochemical parameters on biomass and cyst production potential were analyzed using univariate analysis of variance (SPSS VI 0.0). The influence of physicochemical parameters on biomass production was not significant (P > 0.05). In contrast, there was a significant interaction (P<0.05) of salinity, percent 02 saturation, and nitrate (used as a proxy for chlorophyll a) on cyst production potential. In addition, for all four locations nitrate levels were directly proportional to salinity. This might be explained by the fact that in saltworks numerous organisms are trapped and slowly die as salinity increases progressively in the evaporating basins; thus, organic matter accumulates and decomposes. Consequently, the concentration of the nitrogenous compounds, first nitrite and later nitrate, increases through time as salinity increases. Moreover, decreasing nitrate levels seem to increase cyst production potential; thus supporting the notion that when insufficient food is available cyst production increases.
Pulsatile Blood Flow and Oxygen Transport Past a Circular Cylinder
Authors: Zierenberg Jennifer R. , Fujioka Hideki , Hirschl Ronald B. , Bartlett Robert H. , Grotberg James B.
Published: April 2007

The fundamental study of blood flow past a circular cylinder filled with an oxygen source is investigated as a building block for an artificial lung. The Casson constitutive equation is used to describe the shear-thinning and yield stress properties of blood. The presence of hemoglobin is also considered. Far from the cylinder, a pulsatile blood flow in the x direction is prescribed, represented by a time periodic (sinusoidal) component superimposed on a steady velocity. The dimensionless parameters of interest for the characterization of the flow and transport are the steady Reynolds number (Re), Womersley parameter (α), pulsation amplitude (A), and the Schmidt number (Sc). The Hill equation is used to describe the saturation curve of hemoglobin with oxygen. Two different feed-gas mixtures were considered: pure O2 and air. The flow and concentration fields were computed for Re=5, 10, and 40, 0≤A≤0.75, α=0.25, 0.4, and Schmidt number, Sc=1000. The Casson fluid properties result in reduced recirculations (when present) downstream of the cylinder as compared to a Newtonian fluid. These vortices oscillate in size and strength as A and α are varied. Hemoglobin enhances mass transport and is especially important for an air feed which is dominated by oxyhemoglobin dispersion near the cylinder. For a pure O2 feed, oxygen transport in the plasma dominates near the cylinder. Maximum oxygen transport is achieved by operating near steady flow (small A) for both feed-gas mixtures. The time averaged Sherwood number, Sh̿, is found to be largely influenced by the steady Reynolds number, increasing as Re increases and decreasing with A. Little change is observed with varying α for the ranges investigated. The effect of pulsatility on Sh̿ is greater at larger Re. Increasing Re aids transport, but yields a higher cylinder drag force and shear stresses on the cylinder surface which are potentially undesirable.
Design and Demonstration of a New Instrumented Spatial Linkage for Use in a Dynamic Environment: Application to Measurement of Ankle Rotations During Snowboarding
Authors: Nordquist Josh , Hull M. L.
Published: April 2007

Joint injuries during sporting activities might be reduced by understanding the extent of the dynamic motion of joints prone to injury during maneuvers performed in the field. Because instrumented spatial linkages (ISLs) have been widely used to measure joint motion, it would be useful to extend the functionality of an ISL to measure joint motion in a dynamic environment. The objectives of the work reported by this paper were to (i) design and construct an ISL that will measure dynamic joint motion in a field environment, (ii) calibrate the ISL and quantify its static measurement error, (iii) quantify dynamic measurement error due to external acceleration, and (iv) measure ankle joint complex rotation during snowboarding maneuvers performed on a snow slope. An “elbow-type” ISL was designed to measure ankle joint complex rotation throughout its range (±30deg for flexion/extension, ±15deg for internal/external rotation, and ±15deg for inversion/eversion). The ISL was calibrated with a custom six degree-of-freedom calibration device generally useful for calibrating ISLs, and static measurement errors of the ISL also were evaluated. Root-mean-squared errors (RMSEs) were 0.59deg for orientation (1.7% full scale) and 1.00mm for position (1.7% full scale). A custom dynamic fixture allowed external accelerations (5g, 0-50Hz) to be applied to the ISL in each of three linear directions. Maximum measurement deviations due to external acceleration were 0.05deg in orientation and 0.10mm in position, which were negligible in comparison to the static errors. The full functionality of the ISL for measuring joint motion in a field environment was demonstrated by measuring rotations of the ankle joint complex during snowboarding maneuvers performed on a snow slope.
Biochemical Studies on the Mechanism of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reverse Transcriptase Resistance to 1-(β-d-Dioxolane)Thymine Triphosphate
Authors: Lennerstrand Johan , Chu Chung K. , Schinazi Raymond F.
Published: April 2007

A large panel of drug-resistant mutants of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (RT) was used to study the mechanisms of resistance to 1-(β-d-dioxolane)thymine triphosphate (DOT-TP) and other nucleotide analogs. RT containing thymidine analog-associated mutations (TAM) or RT with a T69S-SG insertion in combination with TAM removed 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine-5′-monophosphate or tenofovir more efficiently than DOT-monophosphate from chain-terminated DNA primer/template through ATP-mediated pyrophosphorolysis. For non-ATP-dependent discrimination toward DOT-TP, high levels of resistance were found for RT bearing the Q151M mutation with family mutations, while RT bearing only the M184V or the Y115F mutation conferred no resistance to DOT-TP. A lower degree of resistance to DOT-TP than to tenofovir diphosphate or carbovir-TP was found for RT containing the K65R mutation. In the present studies, 1-(β-d-dioxolane)guanine triphosphate, another nucleotide with a dioxolane sugar moiety, showed a resistance profile similar to that of DOT-TP. The results suggest that DOT, compared with other approved nucleoside analogs, is overall more resilient to mutations such as TAM, M184V, and K65R, which are commonly found in viruses derived from subjects failing multinucleoside therapy.
Effect of Topical Microbicides on Infectious Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Binding to Epithelial Cells
Authors: Roth Susan , Monsour Michael , Dowland Amanda , Guenthner Patricia C. , Hancock Kelly , Ou Chin-Yi , Dezzutti Charlene S.
Published: April 2007

Topical microbicides (cellulose acetate 1,2 benzene dicarboxylate [CAP], PRO 2000, SPL7013, and UC781) are being investigated to reduce the sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). These products were shown to prevent the transfer of infectious HIV-1 from urogenital and colorectal epithelial cell lines to peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However, it was unclear if the topical microbicides rendered the virus noninfectious and/or reduced the binding to the epithelial cells. To test this, epithelial cells were cultured with HIV-1 in the presence or absence of topical microbicides or their placebos. The cells were washed, RNA lysates were made, and real-time PCR was performed for HIV-1. PRO 2000 and SPL7013 significantly (
P
< 0.0001) reduced the amount of bound HIV-1 to the colorectal epithelial cell line across clades A, B, C, and CRF01-AE. While none of the products reduced the binding of HIV-1 clades A and C to the urogenital cell line, CAP, PRO 2000, and SPL7013 significantly (
P
≤ 0.002) reduced the binding of clades B and CRF01-AE. In general, PRO 2000 and SPL7013 placebos significantly (
P
< 0.0001) reduced the amount of bound HIV-1 but were less than the active products. UC781, its placebo, and hydroxyethyl cellulose (placebo for CAP) minimally affected the amount of bound HIV-1. These results suggest that rendering HIV-1 noninfectious may not correlate to the amount of HIV-1 bound to epithelial cells and possible shedding into mucosal secretions. Therefore, functional virological assays in addition to measuring viral RNA should be included when clinically evaluating topical microbicide use by infected persons.
Antiviral and Cellular Metabolism Interactions between Dexelvucitabine and Lamivudine
Authors: Hernandez-Santiago Brenda I. , Mathew Judy S. , Rapp Kim L. , Grier Jason P. , Schinazi Raymond F.
Published: April 2007

Studies on cellular drug interactions with antiretroviral agents prior to clinical trials are critical to detect possible drug interactions. Herein, we demonstrated that two 2′-deoxycytidine antiretroviral agents, dexelvucitabine (known as β-d-2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-fluorocytidine, DFC,d-d4FC, or RVT) and lamivudine (3TC), combined in primary human peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) cells infected with human immunodeficiency virus 1 strain LAI (HIV-1LAI), resulted in additive-to-synergistic effects. The cellular metabolism of DFC and 3TC was studied in human T-cell lymphoma (CEM) and in primary human PBM cells to determine whether this combination caused any reduction in active nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) levels, which could decrease with their antiviral potency. Competition studies were conducted by coincubation of either radiolabeled DFC with different concentrations of 3TC or radiolabeled 3TC with different concentrations of DFC. Coincubation of radiolabeled 3TC with DFC at concentrations up to 33.3 μM did not cause any marked reduction in 3TC-triphosphate (TP) or any 3TC metabolites. However, a reduction in the level of DFC metabolites was noted at high concentrations of 3TC with radiolabeled DFC. DFC-TP levels in CEM and primary human PBM cells decreased by 88% and 94%, respectively, when high concentrations of 3TC (33.3 and 100 μM) were added, which may influence the effectiveness of DFC-5′-TP on the HIV-1 polymerase. The NTP levels remained well above the median (50%) inhibitory concentration for HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. These results suggest that both β-d- and β-l-2′-deoxycytidine analogs, DFC and 3TC, respectively, substrates of 2′-deoxycytidine kinase, could be used in a combined therapeutic modality. However, it may be necessary to decrease the dose of 3TC for this combination to prove effective.
Papillary renal cell carcinoma within a renal oncocytoma: case report of an incidental finding of a tumour within a tumour
Authors: Rowsell Corwyn , Fleshner Neil , Marrano Paula , Squire Jeremy , Evans Andrew
Published: April 2007

The most common renal tumours are clear cell, papillary, chromophobe and collecting duct renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), and benign oncocytomas and angiomyolipomas. Tumours with hybrid features between some of these entities have been recognised; in particular, tumours with features of both chromophobe RCC and oncocytoma. Case reports describing one distinct type of primary renal tumour actually within another are very rare. The incidental finding of a papillary RCC located in an oncocytoma in a nephrectomy specimen from a 75-year-old man is described. Morphological criteria for each tumour type were completely satisfied and fluorescence in situ hybridisation detected the expected number of copies of chromosome 7 in the cells of each tumour type. The cells in the papillary tumour contained three copies, whereas the oncocytoma cells contained only two per nucleus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a papillary RCC being identified within an oncocytoma.
A MAGNITUDE-ROBUST CONTROL CHART FOR MONITORING AND ESTIMATING STEP CHANGES IN A POISSON RATE PARAMETER
Authors: PERRY MARCUS B. , PIGNATIELLO JOSEPH J. , SIMPSON JAMES R.
Published: April 2007

Statistical process control charts are intended to assist operators in detecting process changes. If a process change does occur, the control chart should detect the change quickly. If the operator is provided with an estimate as to when the process changed, the search to find the special cause can be more easily facilitated. We investigate a process-monitoring tool for Poisson count data that quickly responds to process mean count rate changes regardless of the magnitude of the change, while supplying useful diagnostic information. A likelihood ratio approach was used to develop a control chart for a permanent step change in a Poisson process rate parameter. The average run length (ARL) performance of this chart is compared to that of several Poisson cumulative sum (CUSUM) control charts. Our performance results show that the proposed chart performs better than any one CUSUM chart over a wide range of potential shift magnitudes. The proposed chart also provides maximum likelihood estimates of the time and the magnitude of the process shift. These crucial change point diagnostics can greatly enhance the special cause investigation.
OBTAINING POINT ESTIMATORS OF PARAMETERS FROM CONFIDENCE INTERVALS OR JOINT CONFIDENCE REGIONS
Authors: CHEN ZHENMIN
Published: April 2007

There are several different ways to obtain point estimators for the parameters of a population distribution. The maximum likelihood estimation and moment estimation are the most commonly used ones. Using point estimators only to estimate unknown parameters is somewhat risky because the probability that the estimation is wrong is almost 100%. Interval estimation, on the other hand, can reduce this risk considerably. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new method for obtaining point estimation of parameters. The point estimators discussed here are obtained by squeezing a confidence interval or joint confidence region of the parameters. The proposed method is easy to use in some cases. The estimators obtained by using this method possess some unbiasedness property. It is also shown that the point estimator obtained by this method is more reasonable than the maximum likelihood estimator when the population distribution is skewed.
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor and Granulocyte Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Exacerbate Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E–Deficient Mice
Authors: Haghighat Amir , Weiss Daiana , Whalin Matthew K. , Cowan D. Patrick , Taylor W. Robert
Published: April 2007

Background—

Recent studies have suggested a potential contribution of bone marrow–derived progenitor cells to vascular repair. Preliminary clinical studies have explored the possibility that mobilization of progenitor cells with granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) can affect vascular repair. However, it is not known whether the short-term administration of G-CSF or GM-CSF exerts beneficial effects on atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results—

Apolipoprotein E–deficient mice were treated with either GM-CSF or G-CSF at a dose of 10 μg · kg
−1
· d
−1
SC administered daily for 5 days per week on alternating weeks for a total of 20 doses over an 8-week treatment period. We found that in animals maintained on a high-fat diet, both G-CSF and GM-CSF actually demonstrated an increase in atherosclerotic lesion extent. The increase in atherosclerotic extent was not associated with an increase in either inflammatory cells or expression of proinflammatory genes. Interestingly, adventitial vascularity significantly increased, suggesting a mechanistic role for vasa vasorum neovascularization.

Conclusions—

These findings demonstrate that in this animal model of atherosclerosis, not only did administration of G-CSF or GM-CSF fail to demonstrate any beneficial therapeutic effect, but both resulted in a worsening of atherosclerosis.
Islam, the Mediterranean and the Rise of Capitalism
Authors: Banaji Jairus
Published: April 2007

Marxist notions of the origins of capitalism are still largely structured by the famous debate on the transition from feudalism to capitalism. This essay suggests that that tradition of historiography locates capitalism too late and sees it in essentially national terms. It argues that capitalism began, on a European scale, in the important transformations that followed the great revival of the eleventh century and the role played by mercantile élites in innovating new forms of business organisation. However, with this starting point, it becomes important to bring Islam into the picture in a central way, since the Mediterranean was the common heritage of many cultural and religious groups. Islam shaped the tradition of early capitalism both by preserving monetary economy and through its own precocious development of the partnership form. The essay periodises this early capitalism into a 'Mediterranean' and an 'Atlantic' phase, and concludes by looking briefly at the ways in which merchants dominate labour.
Šām-aspī (A Toponym from Ardabīl)
Authors: Assadoorian Alice
Published: April 2007

The paper presents a tentative classification of the toponymy of Azerbaijan (Āturpātakān), particularly the etymology of a place-name of the Iranian origin, attested in Ardabīl district.
Explaining Participation in Regional Transnational Social Movement Organizations
Authors: Wiest Dawn , Smith Jackie
Published: April 2007

Since the late 1980s, governments have focused intensely on formalizing political and economic relationships within regions. There has also been a concurrent rise in transnational, regional level organizing among social movement activists globally, suggesting the regionalization of `global civil society.' However, opportunities for participation in transnational associations vary widely across countries. In this article, we examine the influence of international (both global and regional) institutional contexts, citizen participation in international society, and national level factors on varying levels of participation in regional transnational social movement organizations (TSMOs). We use negative binomial regression to examine relationships among these factors at three time points: 1980, 1990, and 2000. We find that in the early time period, citizen network connections to international society facilitated the formation of and participation in regionally organized TSMOs. Over time, however, regional and global institutional contexts were more predictive of participation in regional TSMOs than were international network ties. Our analysis also uncovered how qualitatively different forms of regionalism translated into significantly different levels of TSMO regionalization. In Europe, where the regional institutional structure is more elaborated than elsewhere in the world, the number of regional TSMOs in which citizens participated greatly outpaced that found elsewhere. Irrespective of international, institutional factors, however, state-level features remained crucial to explaining the development of regional TSMO sectors and the variable levels of participation in them. Citizens in states with restrictions on political rights and civil liberties had significantly lower participation in these organizations in 1990 and 2000. Even so, over time, citizens in states with more ties to global and regional multilateral processes found more ways to overcome this disadvantage and strengthen their participation in regional, transnational civil society.
Staff Envy of the Patients
Authors: Ashton Tony
Published: April 2007

This article details the author's experiences working with patients and staff in the field of haemodialysis. It explores how envy may manifest within this area of general medicine, the more so as there is little or no hope of this being thought about and owned by the participants. Although the particular area of health care delivery reported on here happens to be nephrology, it is suggested that the issues raised are relevant to all services in which ill patients are looked after by staff who are dedicated to their care.
Psychoanalytic Group Therapy in an NHS Psychotherapy Department
Authors: Keown Patrick , Ward Anne , Davison Sue
Published: April 2007

In this article we compare a recent audit of the group psychotherapy service at the Maudsley Hospital with Foulkes's description of the same Unit during his tenure there. During this time huge changes have occurred in the NHS (UK National Health Service) both in service delivery and in the way audit is carried out — the main reason why we believe that comparing the two time frames will be of interest to those working in this field. We will also present some more detailed findings from the more recent audit. To set the scene, a description is offered of how the service was organized at these two time points.
Evaluation of Long-term Analytic Outpatient Group Therapies
Authors: Tschuschke Volker , Anbeh Tamara , Kiencke Peter
Published: April 2007

This article reports on one of the largest outpatient group psychotherapy studies which investigated long-term psychodynamic groups in a naturalistic setting, i.e. the PAGE (Projekt für ambulante Gruppentherapie-Evaluation)-Study. More than 450 patients of 28 group analysts in private practices were included in the Study. The analytic and psychodynamically oriented long-term outpatient groups were accompanied by a university based research team without impacting the normal patient-therapist contact, treatment contract, and treatment itself, therefore all treatments took place in a naturalistic setting with very experienced group analysts (effectiveness-study). Results of this large study clearly demonstrate that the longer psychotherapeutic treatments take place the better the outcomes are. The average effect sizes are beyond 1.30. Statistical as well as clinical significance was reached on all levels of investigation: symptoms, interpersonal problems, treatment goals, and overall psychiatric functioning.