bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Infrared Emission Spectroscopy to the Thermal Transition of Indium Hydroxide to Indium Oxide Nanocubes
Authors: Yang Jing (Jeanne) , Cheng Hongfei , Martens Wayde N. , Frost Ray L.
Published: January 2011

Cubic indium hydroxide nanomaterials were obtained by a low-temperature soft-chemical method without any surfactants. The transition of nano-cubic indium hydroxide to cubic indium oxide during dehydroxylation has been studied by infrared emission spectroscopy. The spectra are related to the structure of the materials and the changes in the structure upon thermal treatment. The infrared absorption spectrum of In(OH)3 is characterized by an intense OH deformation band at 1150 cm−1 and two O–H stretching bands at 3107 and 3221 cm−1. In the infrared emission spectra, the hydroxyl-stretching and hydroxyl-bending bands diminish dramatically upon heating, and no intensity remains after 200 °C. However, new low intensity bands are found in the OH deformation region at 915 cm−1 and in the OH stretching region at 3437 cm−1. These bands are attributed to the vibrations of newly formed InOH bonds because of the release and transfer of protons during calcination of the nanomaterial. The use of infrared emission spectroscopy enables the low-temperature phase transition brought about through dehydration of In(OH)3 nanocubes to be studied.
Discrimination of Corn from Monocotyledonous Weeds with Ultraviolet (UV) Induced Fluorescence
Authors: Panneton Bernard , Guillaume Serge , Samson Guy , Roger Jean-Michel
Published: January 2011

In production agriculture, savings in herbicides can be achieved if weeds can be discriminated from crop, allowing the targeting of weed control to weed-infested areas only. Previous studies demonstrated the potential of ultraviolet (UV) induced fluorescence to discriminate corn from weeds and recently, robust models have been obtained for the discrimination between monocots (including corn) and dicots. Here, we developed a new approach to achieve robust discrimination of monocot weeds from corn. To this end, four corn hybrids (Elite 60T05, Monsanto DKC 26–78, Pioneer 39Y85 (RR), and Syngenta N2555 (Bt, LL)) and four monocot weeds ( Digitaria ischaemum (Schreb.) I, Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv., Panicum capillare (L.), and Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv.) were grown either in a greenhouse or in a growth cabinet and UV (327 nm) induced fluorescence spectra (400 to 755 nm) were measured under controlled or uncontrolled ambient light intensity and temperature. This resulted in three contrasting data sets suitable for testing the robustness of discrimination models. In the blue-green region (400 to 550 nm), the shape of the spectra did not contain any useful information for discrimination. Therefore, the integral of the blue-green region (415 to 455 nm) was used as a normalizing factor for the red fluorescence intensity (670 to 755 nm). The shape of the normalized red fluorescence spectra did not contribute to the discrimination and in the end, only the integral of the normalized red fluorescence intensity was left as a single discriminant variable. Applying a threshold on this variable minimizing the classification error resulted in calibration errors ranging from 14.2% to 15.8%, but this threshold varied largely between data sets. Therefore, to achieve robustness, a model calibration scheme was developed based on the collection of a calibration data set from 75 corn plants. From this set, a new threshold can be estimated as the 85% quantile on the cumulative frequency curve of the integral of the normalized red fluorescence. With this approach the classification error was nearly constant (16.0% to 18.5%), thereby indicating the potential of UV-induced fluorescence to reliably discriminate corn from monocot weeds.
Investigation of the Composition of Historical and Modern Italian Papers by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (SEM-EDS)
Authors: Manso Marta , Carvalho Maria Luisa , Queralt Ignacio , Vicini Silvia , Princi Elisabetta
Published: January 2011

In this work, a study concerning the composition of Italian papers from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries was carried out using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS). The analyzed samples consisted of papers employed for drawing, writing, printing, and absorbance. Observations carried out by SEM magnified the typical paper morphology. EDXRF in combination with XRD and SEM-EDS allowed the determination of calcite, gypsum, kaolin, talc, magnesite, and dolomite, used as fillers in the production of the papers studied herein. The inks present in the handwritten and printed papers, investigated by SEM-EDS and μ-EDXRF, were synthetic, Fe based, and iron gall inks.
Mechanism of Chromosomal Boundary Action: Roadblock, Sink, or Loop?
Authors: Gohl Daryl , Aoki Tsutomu , Blanton Jason , Shanower Greg , Kappes Gretchen , Schedl Paul
Published: January 2011

Boundary elements or insulators subdivide eukaryotic chromosomes into a series of structurally and functionally autonomous domains. They ensure that the action of enhancers and silencers is restricted to the domain in which these regulatory elements reside. Three models, the roadblock, sink/decoy, and topological loop, have been proposed to explain the insulating activity of boundary elements. Strong predictions about how boundaries will function in different experimental contexts can be drawn from these models. In the studies reported here, we have designed assays that test these predictions. The results of our assays are inconsistent with the expectations of the roadblock and sink models. Instead, they support the topological loop model.
Analysis of B-Genome Chromosome Introgression in Interspecific Hybrids of Brassica napus × B. carinata
Authors: Navabi Zahra K , Stead Kiersten E , Pires J Chris , Xiong Zhiyong , Sharpe Andrew G , Parkin Isobel A P , Rahman M Habibur , Good Allen G
Published: January 2011

Brassica  carinata, an allotetraploid with B and C genomes, has a number of traits that would be valuable to introgress into B. napus. Interspecific hybrids were created between B. carinata (BBCC) and B. napus (AACC), using an advanced backcross approach to identify and introgress traits of agronomic interest from the B. carinata genome and to study the genetic changes that occur during the introgression process. We mapped the B and C genomes of B. carinata with SSR markers and observed their introgression into B. napus through a number of backcross generations, focusing on a BC3 and BC3S1 sibling family. There was close colinearity between the C genomes of B. carinata and B. napus and we provide evidence that B. carinata C chromosomes pair and recombine normally with those of B. napus, suggesting that similar to other Brassica allotetraploids no major chromosomal rearrangements have taken place since the formation of B. carinata. There was no evidence of introgression of the B chromosomes into the A or C chromosomes of B. napus; instead they were inherited as whole linkage groups with the occasional loss of terminal segments and several of the B-genome chromosomes were retained across generations. Several BC3S1 families were analyzed using SSR markers, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) assays, and chromosome counts to study the inheritance of the B-genome chromosome(s) and their association with morphological traits. Our work provides an analysis of the behavior of chromosomes in an interspecific cross and reinforces the challenges of introgressing novel traits into crop plants.
Molecular Evolution, Mutation Size and Gene Pleiotropy: A Geometric Reexamination
Authors: Razeto-Barry Pablo , Díaz Javier , Cotoras Darko , Vásquez Rodrigo A
Published: January 2011

The influence of phenotypic effects of genetic mutations on molecular evolution is not well understood. Neutral and nearly neutral theories of molecular evolution predict a negative relationship between the evolutionary rate of proteins and their functional importance; nevertheless empirical studies seeking relationships between evolutionary rate and the phenotypic role of proteins have not produced conclusive results. In particular, previous studies have not found the expected negative correlation between evolutionary rate and gene pleiotropy. Here, we studied the effect of gene pleiotropy and the phenotypic size of mutations on the evolutionary rate of genes in a geometrical model, in which gene pleiotropy was characterized by n molecular phenotypes that affect organismal fitness. For a nearly neutral process, we found a negative relationship between evolutionary rate and mutation size but pleiotropy did not affect the evolutionary rate. Further, for a selection model, where most of the substitutions were fixed by natural selection in a randomly fluctuating environment, we also found a negative relationship between evolutionary rate and mutation size, but interestingly, gene pleiotropy increased the evolutionary rate as $\batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\sqrt{n}\) \end{document}$. These findings may explain part of the disagreement between empirical data and traditional expectations.
New Insight Into the Role of the Cdc34 Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme in Cell Cycle Regulation via Ace2 and Sic1
Authors: Cocklin Ross , Heyen Joshua , Larry Tolonda , Tyers Mike , Goebl Mark
Published: January 2011

The Cdc34 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme plays a central role in progression of the cell cycle. Through analysis of the phenotype of a mutant missing a highly conserved sequence motif within the catalytic domain of Cdc34, we discovered previously unrecognized levels of regulation of the Ace2 transcription factor and the cyclin-dependent protein kinase inhibitor Sic1. In cells carrying the Cdc34tm mutation, which alters the conserved sequence, the cyclin-dependent protein kinase inhibitor Sic1, an SCFCdc4 substrate, has a shorter half-life, while the cyclin Cln1, an SCFGrr1 substrate, has a longer half-life than in wild-type cells. Expression of the SIC1 gene cluster, which is regulated by Swi5 and Ace2 transcription factors, is induced in CDC34tm cells. Levels of Swi5, Ace2, and the SCFGrr1 targets Cln1 and Cln2 are elevated in Cdc34tm cells, and loss of Grr1 causes an increase in Ace2 levels. Sic1 levels are similar in CDC34tm  ace2Δ and wild-type cells, explaining a paradoxical increase in the steady-state level of Sic1 protein despite its reduced half-life. A screen for mutations that interact with CDC34tm uncovered novel regulators of Sic1, including genes encoding the polyubiquitin chain receptors Rad23 and Rpn10.
A Genome-Wide Enhancer Screen Implicates Sphingolipid Composition in Vacuolar ATPase Function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Finnigan Gregory C , Ryan Margret , Stevens Tom H
Published: January 2011

The function of the vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) enzyme complex is to acidify organelles; this process is critical for a variety of cellular processes and has implications in human disease. There are five accessory proteins that assist in assembly of the membrane portion of the complex, the V0 domain. To identify additional elements that affect V-ATPase assembly, trafficking, or enzyme activity, we performed a genome-wide enhancer screen in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae with two mutant assembly factor alleles, VMA21 with a dysfunctional ER retrieval motif (vma21QQ) and vma21QQ in combination with voa1Δ, a nonessential assembly factor. These alleles serve as sensitized genetic backgrounds that have reduced V-ATPase enzyme activity. Genes were identified from a variety of cellular pathways including a large number of trafficking-related components; we characterized two redundant gene pairs, HPH1/HPH2 and ORM1/ORM2. Both sets demonstrated synthetic growth defects in combination with the vma21QQ allele. A loss of either the HPH or ORM gene pairs alone did not result in a decrease in vacuolar acidification or defects in V-ATPase assembly. While the Hph proteins are not required for V-ATPase function, Orm1p and Orm2p are required for full V-ATPase enzyme function. Consistent with the documented role of the Orm proteins in sphingolipid regulation, we have found that inhibition of sphingolipid synthesis alleviates Orm-related growth defects.
Red Blood Cell Transfusions in the Neonate
Authors: Nunes dos Santos Amélia Miyashiro , Trindade Cleide Enoir Petean
Published: December 2010

Despite recent trends to decrease allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion thresholds, such transfusions remain an important supportive and life-saving intervention for neonatal intensive care patients. In neonates, apart from concerns about transfusion-associated infections, many controversial questions regarding transfusion practices remain unanswered. Moreover, neonates present specific clinical and immunologic characteristics that require selected blood component products. This article addresses many of these issues from a medical perspective, with emphasis on the best blood banking techniques to provide RBC products for neonatal transfusions.
Educational Perspectives
Authors: Brodsky Dara , Newman Lori R.
Published: December 2010

This review presents a systematic approach to curriculum development, divided into five steps: 1) perform a needs assessment, 2) define the goals and learning objectives, 3) identify resources, 4) develop educational strategies and implement the curriculum, and 5) evaluate and modify the curriculum. Although the curriculum developmental stages are presented in five ordered steps, curriculum development is actually a dynamic, interactive process, in which development of one step naturally affects other steps. Learners are central to this process, and with each step, the instructor needs to be mindful of the learners' needs and prior experiences, using a variety of educational strategies to reach trainees with different learning styles.
Core Concepts: The Biology of Hemoglobin
Authors: Ohls Robin K.
Published: December 2010

A consistent and organized transition from embryonic to fetal to adult hemoglobin (Hgb) occurs during human fetal development. Hgb concentrations gradually increase, averaging 18 g/dL (180 g/L) by 40 weeks' gestation. The ability to deliver oxygen to tissues in the fetus and neonate is primarily determined by the percentage of fetal versus adult Hgb and the concentration of 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG). Studies continue to evaluate the relationship between Hgb concentrations and oxygen delivery in neonates to determine what Hgb concentrations best meet the needs of a wide variety of clinical situations from the critically ill extremely low-birthweight infant to the stable growing preterm infant. Biochemical interactions between nitric oxide (NO) and Hgb beyond the production of methemoglobin do occur and may be a source of deliverable NO to the microcirculation under hypoxic conditions.
Meta-analysis in Neonatal Perinatal Medicine
Authors: Soll Roger F.
Published: December 2010

Systematic overviews provide a comprehensive and thorough review of the available data from clinical trials. When these reviews include meta-analyses, clinicians can synthesize the results of related studies and gain greater precision in their estimates of the effects of therapy. Even when inconclusive, meta-analyses allow for the exploration of differences between studies and may point toward promising areas of future research (or steer clinicians away from further nonproductive areas). In the field of neonatal-perinatal medicine, systematic overviews have provided the basis of several major changes in guidelines with measurable impact on neonatal outcome.
Fiscal Federalism at the Ballot Box: The Relevance of Expressive Voting
Authors: Jones Philip , Soguel Nils
Published: January 2011

This paper explores the impact of citizens’ motivation to vote on the pattern of fiscal federalism. If the only concern of instrumental citizens was outcome they would have little incentive to vote because the probability that a single vote might change an electoral outcome is usually minuscule. If voters turn out in large numbers to derive intrinsic value from action, how will these voters choose when considering the role local jurisdictions should play? The first section of the paper assesses the weight that expressive voters attach to an instrumental evaluation of alternative outcomes. Predictions are tested with reference to case study analysis of the way Swiss voters assessed the role their local jurisdiction should play. The relevance of this analysis is also assessed with reference to the choice that voters express when considering other local issues. Textbook analysis of fiscal federalism is premised on the assumption that voters register choice just as ‘consumers’ reveal demand for services in a market, but how robust is this analogy?
How Federalism Protects Future Generations from Today's Public Debts
Authors: Eichenberger Reiner , Stadelmann David
Published: January 2011

From the politico-economic perspective, federalism is a protector of the present generation. But what about future generations? In federal states, Ricardian equivalence cannot be assumed to work properly, as migration between local jurisdictions undermines intergenerational redistribution based on parental altruism. However, we argue that there exists another equivalence mechanism which also works with purely selfish individuals: Public debts capitalize into property values. Jurisdictions with larger net debts exhibit, ceteris paribus, lower property prices. Debt capitalization in property values is the more pronounced the less elastic land supply is and the more mobile the other factors of production are. Therefore, capitalization is more relevant for local than for national debts, i.e. it is more pronounced in a federal than in a centralized state. Thus, federalism also becomes a protector of future generations.
The Influence of Public Institutions on the Shadow Economy: An Empirical Investigation for OECD Countries
Authors: Schneider Friedrich
Published: January 2011

The size and development of the shadow economy of 21 OECD countries is estimated, using the MIMIC estimation procedure. The analysis finds that an increased burden of taxation and social security payments, combined with intensive labor market regulation, quality of state institutions, and tax morale, are the driving forces for the shadow economy. The public institution of federalism has no statistically significant effect on the shadow economy. Finally, on the one side, incentive-oriented policy means are suggested so that any “black” value added can be transformed into official value added, and on the other side, it is important to have public institutions which work efficiently and act as a constraint for selfish politicians.
Fiscal Equity In Federal Systems
Authors: Brennan Geoffrey , Pincus Jonathan J.
Published: January 2011

This paper examines the normative foundations of fiscal equalization – an issue handled, apparently decisively, in a classic paper by James Buchanan (1950). Contrary to Buchanan's claims, we argue that fiscal equalization requires extremely strong value judgements – at least in the case where fiscal differences arise from the interaction of public goods provision under different population size – effectively committing one to a Rawlsian maximin rule. Much weaker forms of the 'social welfare function' in this public goods case will generate the requirement that private consumption levels be equalized, but specifically not public consumption levels – in which sense private goods equalization seems normatively weaker than public goods equalization, If this is so, the hope of justifying federal fiscal equalization on the basis of relatively uncontroversial individualistic norms seems illusory.
Building One-Dimensional Places: Death by the Power of Audit
Authors: Holligan Chris
Published: December 2010

The audit culture has become a hegemonic force because of changes in the relationships between polity and economy in wider society. Power is more than ever ‘action at a distance’, a schema which is part of the art of government, as Machiavelli, in The Prince, stated in his maxims. This analytic article seeks to excavate how the interconnections implied by Machiavelli are manifested today. One effect of the incorporation of them into government policy values is the probable damage to the European Enlightenment pursuit of independent and objective research. A corollary of this neo-liberal hegemony means university cultures of research are becoming aligned closely with the corporate sector's values and interests. Academics are becoming a subjugated modern (intellectual) peasantry. Their masters are the ruling systems of hegemonic sectional interests, state and corporate. It is concluded that the power structures embedded in audit culture and the aspirations of reputation management, quality control and ranking hierarchies ‘promote’ deception, a necessary evil according to Machiavelli. Kafka-like impersonal bureaucratic accountability procedures may proliferate, further damaging the integrity of intellectual objects and, of course, the academics behind their manufacture, who will be obligated to interpellate with the deep structures of audit culture.
Teaching and Cultural Domination: Re-Examining Trajectories of Traditional African Sculpture through Critique
Authors: Bey Sharif
Published: December 2010

This article examines the process by which early twentieth-century European modernists and African American artists of the Harlem Renaissance negotiated the influence of traditional African sculpture. With a focus on African American painter Aaron Douglas, the author investigates how and to what end his generation of African American artists incorporated these influences. The author additionally discusses how their methods, and the conditions surrounding them, compare to the aforementioned modernists. In examining the roots of these respective trajectories, the author discovered that various people and factors –including critics, cultural and political leaders, patrons, philanthropists, artistic/aesthetic movements, colonization, commercialization, racism, and social responsibility – impacted the abilities of modernists and African American artists to embrace or reject the influence of traditional African sculpture. The author urges art teachers and studio art professors to be mindful of the power structures that inhibit their abilities to look inclusively at the complexities of traditional African sculptural influences and their potential during student critiques.
Paulo Freire and the Crisis of the Political
Authors: Giroux Henry A.
Published: December 2010

Forty years after its first translation into English, Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed remains one of the most important educational books of the twentieth century and its significance for the twenty-first century is highlighted by the continuing attacks on public education from neo-liberals and conservatives. Freire's critical pedagogy offers young people the opportunity to acquire and assert a sense of their rights and responsibilities in a democratic society that recognizes the common good over the corporate good. This article offers an overview of Freire's pedagogy and a personal testament to his capacity for theoretical rigor, moral courage and friendship.
Evaluation of minimally invasive excisional brain biopsy and intracranial brachytherapy catheter placement in dogs
Authors: Packer Rebecca A. , Freeman Lynetta J. , Miller Margaret A. , Fauber Amy E. , Morrison Wallace B.
Published: January 2011

Objective—To evaluate a technique for minimally invasive excisional brain biopsy and intracranial brachytherapy catheter placement in dogs.

Animals—5 healthy adult female dogs.

Procedures—Computed tomographic guidance was used to plan a biopsy trajectory to a selected area of brain with reference to a localizer grid. The procedure was performed through a 1-cm skin incision and 6-mm burr hole by use of a 9-gauge biopsy device. Five cylindrical samples (3 to 4 mm in diameter and 7 to 12 mm in length) were removed over 5 cycles of the vacuum-assisted tissue excision system, leaving approximately a 2-cm3 resection cavity. A balloon-tipped intracranial brachytherapy catheter was placed through the burr hole into the resection cavity, expanded with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, and explanted 7 days later.

Results—4 of 5 dogs survived the procedure. The fifth died because of iatrogenic brain damage. Neurologic deficits were unilateral and focal. Twenty-four hours after surgery, all surviving dogs were ambulatory, 2 dogs exhibited ipsiversive circling, 4 had contralateral proprioceptive deficits, 3 had contralateral menace response deficits, 2 had a reduced contralateral response to noxious nasal stimulation, and 1 had dull mentation with intermittent horizontal nystagmus and ventrolateral strabismus. Neurologic status improved throughout the study period. Histologic quality of biopsy specimens was excellent.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—This technique enabled histologic diagnosis from high-quality biopsy specimens obtained through a minimally invasive technique and has potential applications for multimodal treatment of deep brain tumors in dogs.
Effects of isoflurane anesthesia on cerebrovascular autoregulation in horses
Authors: Brosnan Robert J. , Steffey Eugene P. , LeCouteur Richard A. , Esteller-Vico Alejandro , Vaughan Betsy , Liu Irwin K. M.
Published: January 2011

Objective—To test a hypothesis predicting that isoflurane would interfere with cerebrovascular autoregulation in horses and to evaluate whether increased mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) would increase cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure (ICP) during isoflurane anesthesia.

Animals—6 healthy adult horses.

Procedures—Horses were anesthetized with isoflurane at a constant end-tidal concentration sufficient to maintain MAP at 60 mm Hg. The facial, carotid, and dorsal metatarsal arteries were catheterized for blood sample collection and pressure measurements. A sub-arachnoid transducer was used to measure ICP Fluorescent microspheres were injected through a left ventricular catheter during MAP conditions of 60 mm Hg, and blood samples were collected. This process was repeated with different-colored microspheres at the same isoflurane concentration during MAP conditions of 80 and 100 mm Hg achieved with IV administration of dobutamine. Central nervous system tissue samples were obtained after euthanasia to quantify fluorescence and calculate blood flow.

Results—Increased MAP did not increase ICP or blood flow in any of the brain tissues examined. However, values for blood flow were low for all tested brain regions except the pons and cerebellum. Spinal cord blood flow was significantly decreased at the highest MAP.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that healthy horses autoregulate blood flow in the CNS at moderate to deep planes of isoflurane anesthesia. Nonetheless, relatively low blood flows in the brain and spinal cord of anesthetized horses may increase risks for hypoperfusion and neurologic injury.
Histopathologic features of distal tarsal joint cartilage and subchondral bone in ridden and pasture-exercised horses
Authors: Tranquille Carolyne A. , Dyson Sue J. , Blunden Anthony S. , Collins Simon N. , Parkin Tim D. H. , Goodship Allen E. , Murray Rachel C.
Published: January 2011

Objective—To determine whether histopathologic characteristics of the osteochondral units of equine distal tarsal joints were associated with exercise history in horses without lameness.

Sample Population—30 cadaver tarsi from horses without lameness and with known exercise history were separated into 3 groups: nonridden, pasture exercise (group P); low-intensity, ridden exercise (group L); and high-intensity, elite competition exercise (group E).

Procedures—Standardized sites from the centrodistal and tarsometatarsal joints under went histologic preparation. A grading system was adapted to describe location, depth, and shape of lesions; cellular arrangement; organization at cartilage and subchondral bone (SCB) junctions; and organization of SCB. A high score signified a more severe pathological change than a low score. Exercise groups were compared by calculation of Spearman rank correlations.

Results—In the centrodistal joint, lesions were present in groups L and E but only medially. Cellular arrangement scores were higher at the dorsomedial location in group P than in groups L and E. Groups L and E had higher scores than group P for the organization of the cartilage, SCB junctions, and SCB, with higher scores at the dorsomedial location. In the tarsometatarsal joint, lesions were evident across the whole joint surface, with more severe lesions located laterally in all 3 groups. Overall, group E had higher scores for cellular arrangement and SCB organization than groups P and L.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Ridden exercise may increase the risk of osteochondral lesions at distal tarsal sites predisposed to osteoarthritis relative to the risk with nonridden exercise.
Hyaluronic acid and chondrogenesis of murine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in chitosan sponges
Authors: Schwartz Zeev , Griffon Dominique J. , Fredericks L. Page , Lee Hae-Beom , Weng Hsin-Yi
Published: January 2011

Objective—To establish the dose-dependent effects of high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HA) supplementation on chondrogenesis by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultured on chitosan sponges and to determine the extent to which MSC matrix production (chondrogenesis) can be influenced by incorporation of high-molecular-weight HA into chitosan scaffolds.

Sample Population—Murine MSCs derived from a multipotent bone marrow stromal precursor.

Procedures—MSCs were seeded on chitosan and chitosan-HA scaffolds in chondrogenic medium with various HA concentrations. Scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy (viability assay), and DNA quantification were used to assess cell attachment, distribution, and viability 48 hours after seeding. Constructs were cultured for 3 weeks prior to evaluation of cell distribution and chondrogenic differentiation via histologic evaluation and quantification of DNA, glycosaminoglycan, and collagen II.

Results—48 hours after MSC seeding, cell viability and DNA content were similar among groups. Three weeks after seeding, HA supplementation of the culture medium improved matrix production in a dose-dependent manner, as indicated by matrix glycosaminoglycan and collagen II concentrations. The scaffold composition, however, had no significant effect on matrix production.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—High-molecular-weight HA supplementation in culture medium had a dose-dependent effect on matrix production and thus chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs cultured on chitosan sponges. The addition of HA in the surrounding fluid during chondrogenesis should improve cartilage production and may be useful for producing engineered cartilage tissues.
Influence of blood collection technique on platelet function and coagulation variables in dogs
Authors: Bauer Natali B. , Er Elif , Moritz Andreas
Published: January 2011

Objective—To investigate the influence of diameter of the catheter and blood collection technique on platelet function and variables reflecting secondary hemostasis, physiologic anticoagulation, and fibrinolysis in dogs.

Animals—6 healthy Beagles.

Procedures—Blood samples were collected with 20- and 18-gauge venous catheters immediately after catheters were inserted in a peripheral vein, through a 14-gauge central venous catheter that had been placed via the Seldinger technique in a jugular vein < 30 minutes before sample collection, and through a 13-gauge central venous catheter placed via a catheter-through-the-needle technique < 30 minutes before sample collection (techniques 1 to 4, respectively). Platelet function was assessed in hirudin-anticoagulated whole blood via an impedance-based aggregometer with collagen (0.8, 0.4, 0.2, 0.1, and 0.05 μg/mL) as an inductor. Kaolin-activated thromboelastography variables were determined in citrated whole blood. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen and fibrin D-dimer concentrations, and activity of factor VIII, antithrombin, protein C, and protein S were assessed automatically in citrated plasma.

Results—At 0.05 μg of collagen/mL, the highest median rate of aggregation was observed for collection techniques 2 and 3 with 4.3 (range, 2.5 to 6.5) and 3.7 (range, 2.8 to 8.3) aggregation units/min; however, these values were not significantly different from values for the other collection techniques. Generally, sample collection technique did not have a significant impact on results of coagulation variables investigated.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Various blood collection techniques can be used to obtain samples for coagulation testing.
Adhesion phenotypes of pigs of Chinese and Western breeds and a White Duroc-Erhualian crossbreed with regard to susceptibility to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli with fimbrial adhesins K99, 987P, and F41
Authors: Yan Xueming , Huang Xiang , Ren Jun , Ouyang Jing , Yang Ming , Han Pengfei , Huang Lusheng
Published: January 2011

Objective—To investigate adhesion phenotypes of pigs of Chinese and Western breeds and a specific crossbreed with regard to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) with fimbrial adhesins K99 (F5), 987P (F6), and F41 (F7).

Animals—Purebred 6- to 8-week-old pigs of 3 Western breeds introduced into China (n = 144) and 12 Chinese breeds (148) and 1,330 adult White Duroc-Erhualian crossbred pigs.

Procedures—Brush border preparations were prepared from jejunal specimens collected from each pig following euthanasia. Each preparation was incubated with ETEC strains that had fimbrial adhesins K99, 987R or F41; an ETEC K88− strain was used as a negative control sample. The mean number of brush border-bound bacteria in aliquots of the bacteria-brush border suspensions (determined via phase-contrast microscopy) was used to determine each pig's adhesion phenotype for ETEC K99, 987R and F41 strains; the phenotype was classified as adhesive (susceptible) if ≥ 10% of examined brush borders bound > 2 bacteria.

Results—Most purebred and crossbred pigs had nonadhesive phenotypes with regard to ETEC K99 and 987P strains. For the F41 strain, 34.9% and 65.1% of all purebred pigs had adhesive and nonadhesive phenotypes, respectively; among crossbred pigs, these values were 39.2% and 60.8%, respectively. The percentage of pigs with the F41 adhesive phenotype was higher among Western breeds than it was among Chinese breeds (38.9% vs 31.1%).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that the ETEC F41 strain, but not the K99 or 987P strain, might be a cause of diarrhea in 6- to 8-week-old pigs in China.
Genotypic relatedness and phenotypic characterization of Staphylococcus schleiferi subspecies in clinical samples from dogs
Authors: Cain Christine L. , Morris Daniel O. , O'Shea Kathleen , Rankin Shelley C.
Published: January 2011

Objective—To assess the degree of biological similarity (on the basis of genotype determined via pulsed-field gel electrophoresis [PFGE]) between isolates of 2 Staphylococcus schleiferi subspecies (S schleiferi subsp coagulans and S schleiferi subsp schleiferi) in clinical samples obtained from dogs.

Sample Population—161 S schleiferi isolates from 160 canine patients.

Procedures—A commercial microbiology identification system was used to identify each isolate as S schleiferi. Isolates underwent slide and tube coagulase testing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. A mecA PCR assay and a latex agglutination test for penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) were also performed on each isolate. Clonal clusters with a similarity cutoff value of 80% were identified via PFGE.

Results—Of the 161 isolates, 61 (38%), 79 (49%), and 21 (13%) were obtained from cutaneous sites, ears, and other sites, respectively; 110 (68%) were coagulase negative, and 51 (32%) were coagulase positive. Among the coagulase-negative and coagulase-positive isolates, 65% (71/110) and 39% (20/51) were oxacillin resistant, respectively. All oxacillin-resistant isolates yielded positive results via mecA PCR assay and PBP2a latex agglutination testing. Via PFGE, 15 major clusters and 108 individual pulsed-field profiles were identified. Oxacillin-resistant and oxacillin-susceptible isolates clustered separately. Clonal clusters were heterogeneous and contained representatives of both subspecies.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Coagulase-positive and coagulase-negative isolates were not genotypically distinct and may represent a single S schleiferi sp with variable coagulase production, rather than 2 biologically distinct subspecies. Further studies are needed to characterize clinical or epidemiological differences associated with infections with coagulase-positive and coagulase-negative S schleiferi in dogs.
Intraobserver and interobserver agreement for results of low-field magnetic resonance imaging in dogs with and without clinical signs of disk-associated wobbler syndrome
Authors: De Decker Steven , Gielen Ingrid M. V. L. , Duchateau Luc , Lang Johann , Dennis Ruth , Corzo-Menéndez Nuria , van Bree Henri J. J. , Van Soens Iris , Binst Dominique H. A. R. , Waelbers Tim , Van Ham Luc M. L. M.
Published: January 2011

Objective—To determine interobserver and intraobserver agreement for results of low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in dogs with and without disk-associated wobbler syndrome (DAWS).

Design—Validation study.

Animals—21 dogs with and 23 dogs without clinical signs of DAWS.

Procedures—For each dog, MRI of the cervical vertebral column was performed. The MRI studies were presented in a randomized sequence to 4 board-certified radiologists blinded to clinical status. Observers assessed degree of disk degeneration, disk-associated and dorsal compression, alterations in intraspinal signal intensity (ISI), vertebral body abnormalities, and new bone formation and categorized each study as originating from a clinically affected or clinically normal dog. Interobserver agreement was calculated for 44 initial measurements for each observer. Intraobserver agreement was calculated for 11 replicate measurements for each observer.

Results—There was good interobserver agreement for ratings of disk degeneration and vertebral body abnormalities and moderate interobserver agreement for ratings of disk-associated compression, dorsal compression, alterations in ISI, new bone formation, and suspected clinical status. There was very good intraobserver agreement for ratings of disk degeneration, disk-associated compression, alterations in ISI, vertebral body abnormalities, and suspected clinical status. There was good intraobserver agreement for ratings of dorsal compression and new bone formation. Two of 21 clinically affected dogs were erroneously categorized as clinically normal, and 4 of 23 clinically normal dogs were erroneously categorized as clinically affected.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that variability exists among observers with regard to results of MRI in dogs with DAWS and that MRI could lead to false-positive and false-negative assessments.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation in Doberman Pinschers with clinically relevant and clinically irrelevant spinal cord compression on magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: De Decker Steven , Van Soens Iris , Duchateau Luc , Gielen Ingrid M. V. L. , van Bree Henri J. J. , Binst Dominique H. A. R. , Waelbers Tim , Van Ham Luc M. L. M.
Published: January 2011

Objective—To evaluate the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation for differentiating between clinically relevant and clinically irrelevant cervical spinal cord compression on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Design—Validation study.

Animals—Clinically normal Doberman Pinschers without (n = 11) and with (6) spinal cord compression on MRI and 16 Doberman Pinschers with disk-associated wobbler syndrome (DAWS).

Procedures—After dogs were sedated, transcranial magnetic motor evoked potentials were recorded from the extensor carpi radialis muscle (ECRM) and cranial tibial muscle (CTM). Onset latencies and peak-to-peak amplitudes were measured. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to identify spinal cord compression.

Results—There were significant differences in ECRM and CTM onset latencies between Doberman Pinschers with DAWS and each of the 2 groups of clinically normal dogs, but there were no significant differences in ECRM and CTM onset latencies between the 2 groups of clinically normal dogs. There were significant differences in CTM peak-to-peak amplitudes between Doberman Pinschers with DAWS and each of the 2 groups of clinically normal dogs, but there were no significant differences in ECRM peak-to-peak amplitudes among groups or in CTM peak-to-peak amplitudes between the 2 groups of clinically normal dogs. There was a significant correlation between severity of spinal cord compression and ECRM onset latency, CTM onset latency, and CTM peak-to-peak amplitude.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that transcranial magnetic stimulation may be a useful diagnostic tool to differentiate between clinically relevant and clinically irrelevant spinal cord compression identified on MRI alone.
Outcomes of cats undergoing surgical attenuation of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts through cellophane banding: 9 cases (2000–2007)
Authors: Cabassu Julien , Seim Howard B. , MacPhail Catriona M. , Monnet Eric
Published: January 2011

Objective—To evaluate the long-term prognosis of cats with a congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (CEPSS) attenuated through gradual occlusion with cellophane banding (CB).

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—9 cats with a CEPSS that was attenuated with CB.

Procedures—Medical records of cats surgically treated for CEPSS by means of CB from January 2000 through March 2007 were reviewed. Extracted data included preoperative clinical signs, medications, diagnostic results including serum bile acids concentrations, surgical technique, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and long-term follow-up information.

Results—2 cats that developed refractory seizures were euthanized within 3 days after the CB procedure. Seven of the 9 cats survived to 15 days after surgery. Four cats did not have any clinical signs of CEPSS at long-term follow up. At that time, 5 cats had a postprandial SBA concentration within reference limits and 1 cat had persistent ptyalism. One cat had biurate ammonium stones removed > 2 years after surgery. One cat was euthanized 105 days after surgery because of uncontrolled seizures. The 3-year survival rate was 66%.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Uncontrolled seizure activity was the most common cause of death after CB. Long-term outcome for cats with CEPSS was fair to good after the procedure. Cats with a CEPSS surviving the immediate postoperative period had a fair to good long-term outcome. Cellophane banding without intraoperative attenuation appears to be an acceptable technique for gradual occlusion of a CEPSS in cats. Cats should be monitored closely for development of neurologic disorders in the postoperative period.
Evaluation of the association between fecal excretion of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis and detection in colostrum and on teat skin surfaces of dairy cows
Authors: Pithua Patrick , Wells Scott J. , Godden Sandra M.
Published: January 2011

Objective—To evaluate the association between fecal excretion of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) by dairy cows in the periparturient period and detection of MAP DNA in colostrum specimens and on teat skin surfaces.

Design—Cross-sectional study.

Animals—112 Holstein cows.

Procedures—Fecal specimens were collected within 48 to 72 hours prior to parturition, and colostrum and teat swab specimens were collected immediately after parturition. Detection of MAP in fecal specimens was performed via microbial culture, and detection of MAP DNA in colostrum and teat swab specimens was achieved via a PCR assay targeting the genetic element ISMAP02. Logistic regression was used to model the relationship between MAP fecal shedding status and detection of MAP DNA in colostrum or teat swab specimens. Population attributable fractions for the proportion of colostrum and teat swab specimens containing MAP DNA were also calculated.

Results—The odds of detecting MAP DNA in colostrum or teat swab specimens in cows with MAP-positive (vs negative) fecal specimens were 2.02 and 1.87 respectively. Population attributable fractions estimates suggested that withholding colostrum from MAP-positive cows could reduce the odds of exposing calves to MAP in colostrum by 18.2%. Not permitting natural suckling by calves could reduce the odds of exposing calves to MAP on the teat surfaces of MAP-positive cows by 19.5%.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results underscored the need for strict adherence to practices that limit contact of calves with adult cows from the time of birth and promote hygienic colostrum handling to avoid possible contamination with MAP during colostrum harvest, storage, or feeding.
Natural history of Polish patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type VI
Authors: Jurecka Agnieszka , Rozdzynska Agnieszka , Marucha Jolanta , Czartoryska Barbara , Wegrzyn Grzegorz , Tylki-Szymanska Anna
Published: December 2010

The aim of the study was to describe the natural history, anthropometric features, range of motion (ROM) and molecular characteristics of Polish patients with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VI. Clinical heterogeneity was observed and two major clinical phenotypes of the disease were distinguished, rapidly advancing and relatively attenuated. Two patients developed symptoms early in life presenting with short stature, significant skeletal malformations and other clinical abnormalities. In two other patients, height was only slightly decreased and MPS features developed later in the course of the disease. All patients had similar characteristics at the time of birth but showed significant differences in body proportions when compared with the healthy population. Differences between healthy and affected children increased with age and were reflected in phenotypes. Analysis of ROM showed impairments at multiple joints, although to a various degree in different patients. Restriction in upper extremity ROM was observed since the second year of life, while restriction in lower extremity ROM developed later and influenced stereotype of walking. These limitations intensified with the patients’ age, which made self-care more difficult or impossible. The molecular analysis revealed that the milder phenotype may be associated with the R152W mutation, which suggests a specific genotype-phenotype correlation.
OCT 4 immunohistochemistry in postpubertal cryptorchidism
Authors: Krhen Ivan , Kulis Tomislav , Coric Marijana , Knezevic Nikola , Marekovic Zvonimir , Kastelan Zeljko
Published: December 2010

Patients with cryptorchidism are at an increased risk for germ cell testicular cancer. OCT 4 has been shown to be a sensitive and specific marker for some types of germ cell testicular cancer. We undertook this study to establish whether OCT 4 immunohistochemistry is a useful tool in the pathohistologic evaluation of postpubertal patients with cryptorchidism. Seventeen postpubertal patients underwent orchidectomy for cryptorchidism at our center since 1997. Immunohistochemical staining with OCT 4 was performed on these samples. Characteristic OCT 4 nuclear staining was positive in two patients. One patient was correctly diagnosed on previous pathohistological evaluation, while OCT4 immunohistochemical staining revealed previously unidentified intratubular germ cell neoplasia in the other patient. OCT 4 immunohistochemistry can be useful in diagnosing a testicular germ cell tumor in patients with cryptorchidism. If we consider a low number of postpubertal patients with cryptorchidism a benefit of immunohistochemical staining with OCT4, this could favor the use of OCT 4 staining in work-up of cryptorchidism.