bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Survival rate after vitrification of various stages of cat embryos and blastocyst with and without artificially collapsed blastocoel cavity
Authors: Ochota M , Wojtasik B , Niżański W 
Published: November 2016

ContentsEmbryo vitrification is a modern technique for cryopreservation in assisted reproductive programs. From all the embryos, blastocysts are the most challenging during cryostorage due to their size, multicellular structure and the presence of blastocoelic fluid. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability for vitrification of various developmental stages of feline embryos and the influence of the artificial shrinkage (AS) of expanded blastocyst on post‐vitrification survival rates. The AS procedure is the manual puncture of the trophectoderm allowing for the reduction of blastocoelic fluid prior to vitrification and thus preventing the ice crystal formation. The vitrified embryos were divided into groups of 2‐cell, 4‐ to 8‐cell, >8‐cell, morulae, compacted and expanded blastocyst, based on morphological assessment and vitrified in groups of 1–3 embryos per Cryotop. The post‐warming survival was similar regardless the embryo developmental stage prior vitrification; however, development to blastocysts was only noted in 4‐ to 8‐cell and >8‐cell vitrified embryos (13% and 27%, respectively). Following warming, the significantly more viable blastocysts were noted in vitrified compacted versus expanded blastocyst and in expanded blastocyst subjected to AS procedure versus expanded blastocyst without AS (total survival: 58.3% vs. 33.3% and 64.3% vs. 38.5%, respectively; re‐expansion rate within 2 hr post‐warming: 41.7 vs. 6.7% and 50% vs. 7.7%, respectively). One‐fifth of vitrified expanded blastocyst showed morphological damage immediately after warming procedure, whereas no visible damage was noted in compacted blastocyst and artificially collapsed expanded ones. The obtained results suggest that the most suitable for vitrification are feline embryos containing four to 16 blastomeres and compacted blastocyst. In addition, the reduction of blastocoel cavity in expanding blastocyst by artificial collapse improved the blastocyst vitrification outcome.
Uterine infection with bovine herpesvirus type 4 in dairy cows
Authors: Klamminger S , Prunner I , Giuliodori MJ , Drillich M 
Published: November 2016

ContentsDiseases of the reproductive tract are a frequent problem in dairy herds. Herpesviruses are uterine pathogens also involved in other clinical diseases; for example, bovine herpesvirus type 4 BoHV‐4 induces abortion, enteritis, metritis, pneumonia and vaginitis, but it can also be detected in healthy cows. The role of BoHV‐4 in the development of clinical endometritis (CE) or subclinical endometritis (SE) has not clearly been described. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of uterine BoHV‐4 infection and its relationship with clinical, bacteriological and cytological findings in dairy cows 20–30 days after calving. The experiment was performed as a completely randomized block design, with farm (n = 10) as blocking criterion and with cow (n = 397) as the experimental unit. Logistic regression models were used to assess the effect of BoHV‐4 infection on CE, SE and reproductive performance. Proportion of cows infected with BoHV‐4 was 5.8% (n = 23/397). BoHV‐4 was isolated in 11.0% (n = 12/109), 4.8% (n = 4/84) and 3.6% (n = 7/194) of cows diagnosed as CE, SE or healthy, respectively. A logistic model revealed that BoHV‐4 infection showed a tendency to increase the risk for CE (AOR = 2.17; p = .10) but significantly reduced both, the odds for artificial insemination within 80 days post‐partum (dpp) (AOR = 0.37; p = .035) and for pregnancy within 200 dpp (AOR = 0.13; p = .004). Furthermore, BoHV‐4 infection increased the chance for intrauterine infection with Trueperella pyogenes (AOR = 5.55; p < .001) and vice versa (AOR = 5.79, p < .001). In conclusion, BoHV‐4 infection is associated with reduced chances for insemination and pregnancy by 200 dpp and showed a trend to be associated with increased risk for CE. Furthermore, BoHV‐4 and Trueperella pyogenes infections are strongly related.
Expression pattern of HIF1alpha and vasohibins during follicle maturation and corpus luteum function in the bovine ovary
Authors: Berisha B , Schams D , Rodler D , Sinowatz F , Pfaffl MW 
Published: November 2016

ContentsThe aim of this study was to characterize expression patterns of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1alpha (HIF1A) and vasohibin family members (VASH1 and VASH2) during different stages of ovarian function in cow. Experiment 1: Antral follicle classification occurred by follicle size and estradiol‐17beta (E2) concentration in the follicular fluid into 5 groups (<0.5, 0.5–5, 5–40, 40–180 and >180 E2 ng/ml). Experiment 2: Corpora lutea (CL) were assigned to the following stages: days 1–2, 3–4, 5–7, 8–12, 13–16 and >18 (after regression) of oestrous cycle and of pregnancy (months 1–2, 3–4, 6–7, >8). Experiment 3: Cows on days 8–12 were injected with a prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF) analogue and CL were collected before and 0.5, 2, 4, 12, 24, 48 and 64 hr after PGF injection. Expression of mRNA was measured by qPCR, steroid hormone concentration by EIA and localization by immunohistochemistry. HIF1A mRNA expression in our study increases significantly in follicles during final maturation. The highest HIF1A mRNA expression was detected during the early luteal phase, followed by a significant decrease afterwards. In contrast, the mRNA of vasohibins in small follicle was high, followed by a continuous and significant downregulation in preovulatory follicles. The obtained results show a remarkable inverse expression and localization pattern of HIF1A and vasohibins during different stages of ovarian function in cow. These results lead to the assumption that the examined factors are involved in the local mechanisms regulating angiogenesis and that the interactions between proangiogenic (HIF1A) and antiangiogenic (vasohibins) factors impact all stages of bovine ovary function.
miRNA and piRNA expression profiles of breeder cock testes detected by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Wu SR , Guo W , Li YL , Ren XC , Lei XY , Li XY , Yao JH , Yang XJ 
Published: November 2016

ContentsmiRNAs are small non‐coding regulatory RNAs that play key roles in diverse biological processes. In this study, we used the Solexa sequencing technique to profile miRNAs in breeder cock testes to illustrate their functions. A total of 663 co‐expressed miRNAs and 3,180 co‐expressed piRNAs were detected in three libraries. Based on Mir‐X™ miRNA qRT‐PCR, three miRNAs representing low, medium and high expression levels according to the sequencing results were selected randomly to validate the miRNAs' expression profiles. Results suggested that the miRNA expression profiles data could represent actual miRNA expression levels. Moreover, target genes prediction of the co‐expressed miRNAs and further Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed, which revealed that some candidate miRNAs were involved in the regulation of the spermatogenesis process, spermatozoa function and testicular metabolism. In conclusion, we provided a useful resource for further elucidation of the miRNAs' regulatory role in spermatogenesis, contributing to a preliminary database for functional and molecular mechanistic studies in testicular metabolism, spermatogenesis and other testes functions.
Two‐Timing Hypothesis, Distinguished Limits, Drifts, and Pseudo‐Diffusion for Oscillating Flows
Authors: Vladimirov V. A. 
Published: November 2016

The aim of this paper is: using the two‐timing method to study and classify the multiplicity of distinguished limits and asymptotic solutions for the advection equation with a general oscillating velocity field. Our results are:

the dimensionless advection equation that contains two independent small parameters, which represent the ratio of two characteristic time‐scales and the spatial amplitude of oscillations; the related scaling of the variables and parameters uses the Strouhal number;
an infinite sequence of distinguished limits has been identified; this sequence corresponds to the successive degenerations of a drift velocity;
we have derived the averaged equations and the oscillatory equations for the first four distinguished limits; derivations are performed up to the fourth orders in small parameters;
we have shown, that each distinguished limit generates an infinite number of parametric solutions; these solutions differ from each other by the slow time‐scale and the amplitude of the prescribed velocity;
we have discovered the inevitable presence of pseudo‐diffusion terms in the averaged equations, pseudo‐diffusion appears as a Lie derivative of the averaged tensor of quadratic displacements; we have analyzed the matrix of pseudo‐diffusion coefficients and have established its degenerated form and hyperbolic character; however, for one‐dimensional cases, the pseudo‐diffusion can appear as ordinary diffusion;
the averaged equations for four different types of oscillating velocity fields have been considered as the examples of different drifts and pseudo‐diffusion;
our main methodological result is the introduction of a logical order into the area and classification of an infinite number of asymptotic solutions; we hope that it can help in the study of the similar problems for more complex systems;
our study can be used as a test for the validity of the two‐timing hypothesis, because in our calculations we do not employ any additional assumptions.
The Clinical Relevance of Antifibrillarin (anti‐U3‐RNP) Autoantibodies in Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Tall F. , Dechomet M. , Riviere S. , Cottin V. , Ballot E. , Tiev K. P. , Montin R. , Morin C. , Chantran Y. , Grange C. , Jullien D. , Ninet J. , Chretien P. , Cabane J. , Fabien N. , Johanet C. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease associated with several antinuclear autoantibodies useful to diagnosis and prognosis. The aim of the present multicentric study was to determine the clinical relevance of antifibrillarin autoantibodies (AFA) in patients with SSc. The clinical features of 37 patients with SSc positive for AFA (AFA+) and 139 SSc patients without AFA (AFA−) were collected retrospectively from medical records to enable a comparison between AFA− and AFA+ patients. Antifibrillarin autoantibodies were screened by an indirect immunofluorescence technique using HEp2 cells and identified by an in‐house Western blot technique and/or an EliA test. Comparing AFA+ and AFA− patients, AFA+ patients were significantly younger at disease onset (36.9 versus 42.9; P = 0.02), more frequently male (P = 0.02) and of Afro‐Caribbean descent (65% versus 7.7%; P < 0.001). At diagnosis, the Rodnan skin score evaluating the cutaneous manifestations was higher (13.3 versus 8.7; P = 0.01) and myositis was also more common in the AFA+ group (31.4% versus 12.2%; P < 0.01). Patients with AFA+ were not associated with diffuse cutaneous SSc or with lung involvement and no difference in survival was observed. Antifibrillarin autoantibodies are associated with patients of Afro‐Caribbean origin and can identify patients with SSc who are younger at disease onset and display a higher prevalence of myositis.
Knowledge and Precaution. On Organic Farmers Assessment of New Technology
Authors: Lassen Jesper , Oelofse Myles 
Published: November 2016

AbstractOrganic farming is under constant pressure to reinvent itself by adopting new technologies. This article examines the role of precaution in organic farmers’ assessments of new technologies, and asks how their assessments draw on different types of knowledge. The article further explores how knowledge type compares to the role of knowledge and precaution expressed in the principles of organic farming as defined by the organic movement organisation, IFOAM. Results from a study of the introduction of sewage sludge as an alternative source of nutrients in organic agriculture are presented. Empirically, this case‐study builds on the analysis of five focus groups made up of Danish organic farmers. While some farmers called for precaution, supporting this with claims about lacking knowledge, others trusted the authorities and accepted sewage sludge provided it was officially approved for organic use. Our analysis suggests that when assessing new technologies Danish organic farmers rely on scientific knowledge and do not automatically draw on the experiential knowledge they possess and employ in other contexts. It is concluded that if IFOAM wishes include farmers’ experiential knowledge as a basis for decisions about precaution, there is a need to develop instruments making it possible to tap into this knowledge.
Individual Differences and Political Contexts –The Role of Personality Traits and Direct Democracy in Explaining Political Protest
Authors: Ackermann Kathrin 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBuilding on a growing literature concerned with the link between psychological dispositions and political protest behavior, we argue that this relationship is not universal, but rather depends on contextual factors. Political context factors are able to alter the meaning and understanding of participatory repertoires. This, in turn, leads to differential effects of personality on participation. We argue that direct democracy constitutes such a political context that can act as moderating factor with regard to protest participation. In order to test this interaction between person and situation empirically, we conduct a subnational comparative analysis of the Swiss cantons. Hierarchical regression models reveal that the personality traits openness to experience and extraversion affect protest behavior directly. Most importantly, however, the link between openness to experience and protest participation is significantly moderated by direct democracy. This provides evidence for variance in the situational expression of personality traits.
A novel HLA‐B*18 allele, HLA‐B*18:124, identified in a German volunteer bone marrow donor
Authors: Sidahmed A. M. E. , Mohamed T. , Stamm L. , Khan F. , Berka N. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractHLA‐B*18:124 differs from B*18:01:01:02 by a single substitution in exon 4.
HLA‐DR polymorphisms influence in vivo responses to staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome toxin‐1 in a transgenic mouse model
Authors: Krogman A. , Tilahun A. , David C. S. , Chowdhary V. R. , Alexander M. P. , Rajagopalan G. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractToxic shock syndrome toxin‐1 (TSST‐1) is a potent superantigen produced by Staphylococcus aureus. In addition to menstrual and nonmenstrual toxic shock syndromes, TSST‐1 is also implicated in the immunopathogenesis of pneumonia, infective endocarditis, neonatal exanthematous disease, and atopic dermatitis among others. Superantigens first bind to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules and then activate a large proportion of T cells by cross‐linking their T cell receptor. As binding to MHC class II molecules is a critical step in the robust activation of the immune system by TSST‐1 and other superantigens, polymorphic variations between different HLA‐DR alleles could potentially influence the magnitude of immune activation and immunopathology caused by TSST‐1. As TSST‐1 is highly toxic to humans and given that multiple variations of alleles of HLA‐DR and HLA‐DQ are expressed in each individual, it is difficult to determine how HLA‐DR polymorphisms quantitatively and qualitatively impact immune activation caused by TSST‐1 in humans. However, such investigations can be conducted on transgenic mice lacking all endogenous MHC class II molecules and expressing specific HLA class II alleles. Therefore, transgenic mice expressing different HLA‐DRB1 alleles (HLA‐DRB1*15:01, HLA‐DRB1*15:02, HLA‐DRB1*03:01, HLA‐DRB1*04:01), and sharing HLA‐A1*01:01 chain, were systemically challenged with purified TSST‐1 and multiple immune parameters were assessed. Among the HLA‐DR alleles, mice expressing HLA‐DRB1*15:01 allele elicited a significantly higher serum cytokine/chemokine response; greater splenic T cell expansion and most severe organ pathology. Our study highlights the potential utility of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) transgenic mice in understanding the impact of HLA polymorphisms on the outcomes of diseases caused by TSST‐1 and other superantigens.
Poor immune reconstitution is associated with symptomaticBKpolyomavirus viruria in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Abudayyeh Ala , Hamdi Amir , Abdelrahim Maen , Lin Heather , Page Valda D. , Rondon Gabriela , Andersson Borje S. , Afrough Aimaz , Martinez Charles S. , Tarrand Jeffrey J. , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P. , Marin David , Gaber A. Osama , Oran Betul , Chemaly Roy F. , Ahmed Sairah , Abudayyeh Islam , Olson Amanda , Jones Roy , Popat Uday , Champlin Richard E. , Shpall Elizabeth J. , Rezvani Katayoun 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBackgroundBKpolyomavirus (BKPyV) infections are known indicators of immune suppression in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients; they can lead to hemorrhagic cystitis, ureteral stenosis, renal dysfunction, and prolonged hospital stays. In this study, we determined transplant‐associated variables and immune parameters that can predict for the risk ofBKPyV viruria. We hypothesized thatBKPyV infection is a marker of poor immune recovery.MethodsWe analyzed all engrafted patients undergoing first allogeneicHSCTatMDAnderson Cancer Center in Houston between January 2004 and December 2012. We evaluated their immune parameters and their transplant‐associated factors.BKPyV positivity was defined asBKPyV detection in urine by polymerase chain reaction testing. Cox proportional hazards model, as well as competing risk analysis method using subdistribution hazard models with death as competing risk, were applied to assess risk ofBKPyV viruria.ResultsWe identified a total of 2477 patients with a median age of 52 years.BKPyV viruria was manifest in 25% (n=629) of the patients. The median time from transplantation toBKPyV viruria development was 42 days among the patients who hadBKPyV viruria. On multivariate analysis, tumor type, acuteGVHD, chronicGVHD, myeloablative conditioning regimen, cord blood as the graft source,CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD56+,NKcounts, and low platelet count were shown to be significantly associated withBKPyV infection. These finding were further confirmed when models incorporating the competing risk of death yielded similar findings.ConclusionIn this study, we report significant associations betweenBKPyV reactivation following allogeneicHSCTand suppressed immune variables. In addition, this study provides valuable information on the immune status ofHSCTrecipients as a predictor ofBKPyV infections that may in turn help us formulate plans for more effective prevention and treatment of this infection.
Breakthrough fungemia due to Candida fermentati with fks1p mutation under micafungin treatment in a cord blood transplant recipient
Authors: Konuma Takaaki , Takahashi Shunsuke , Kiyuna Tomohiko , Miharu Yuta , Suzuki Masato , Shibata Hiroko , Kato Seiko , Takahashi Satoshi , Tojo Arinobu 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe prophylactic use of antifungal drugs in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients has revealed that the rate of non‐albicans candidemia has increased. We herein report the case of a patient with adult T‐cell leukemia who developed candidemia due to Candida fermentati during micafungin treatment after cord blood transplantation. The isolate was identified on day 47 by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal RNA gene. The sequencing of the hot spot region of fks1p of isolate revealed naturally occurring amino acid substitutions, which conferred reduced echinocandin susceptibility. This case highlights that breakthrough candidemia due to C. fermentati occurred in a patient receiving micafungin treatment.
Impact of the zero‐markup drug policy on hospitalisation expenditure in western rural China: an interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Yang Caijun , Shen Qian , Cai Wenfang , Zhu Wenwen , Li Zongjie , Wu Lina , Fang Yu 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the long‐term effects of the introduction of China's zero‐markup drug policy on hospitalisation expenditure and hospitalisation expenditures after reimbursement.MethodsAn interrupted time series was used to evaluate the impact of the zero‐markup drug policy on hospitalisation expenditure and hospitalisation expenditure after reimbursement at primary health institutions in Fufeng County of Shaanxi Province, western China. Two regression models were developed. Monthly average hospitalisation expenditure and monthly average hospitalisation expenditure after reimbursement in primary health institutions were analysed covering the period 2009 through to 2013.ResultsFor the monthly average hospitalisation expenditure, the increasing trend was slowed down after the introduction of the zero‐markup drug policy (coefficient = −16.49, P = 0.009). For the monthly average hospitalisation expenditure after reimbursement, the increasing trend was slowed down after the introduction of the zero‐markup drug policy (coefficient = −10.84, P = 0.064), and a significant decrease in the intercept was noted after the second intervention of changes in reimbursement schemes of the new rural cooperative medical insurance (coefficient = −220.64, P < 0.001).ConclusionsA statistically significant absolute decrease in the level or trend of monthly average hospitalisation expenditure and monthly average hospitalisation expenditure after reimbursement was detected after the introduction of the zero‐markup drug policy in western China. However, hospitalisation expenditure and hospitalisation expenditure after reimbursement were still increasing. More effective policies are needed to prevent these costs from continuing to rise.
Crystallographic insight into the evolutionary origins of xyloglucan endotransglycosylases and endohydrolases
Authors: McGregor Nicholas , Yin Victor , Tung Ching‐Chieh , Van Petegem Filip , Brumer Harry 
Published: November 2016

SummaryThe xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase (XTH) gene family encodes enzymes of central importance to plant cell wall remodeling. The evolutionary history of plant XTH gene products is incompletely understood vis‐à‐vis the larger body of bacterial endoglycanases in Glycoside Hydrolase Family 16 (GH16). To provide molecular insight into this issue, high‐resolution X‐ray crystal structures and detailed enzyme kinetics of an extant transitional plant endoglucanase (EG) were determined. Functionally intermediate between plant XTH gene products and bacterial licheninases of GH16, Vitis vinifera EG16 (VvEG16) effectively catalyzes the hydrolysis of the backbones of two dominant plant cell wall matrix glycans, xyloglucan (XyG) and β(1,3)/β(1,4)‐mixed‐linkage glucan (MLG). Crystallographic complexes with extended oligosaccharide substrates reveal the structural basis for the accommodation of both unbranched, mixed‐linked (MLG) and highly decorated, linear (XyG) polysaccharide chains in a broad, extended active‐site cleft. Structural comparison with representative bacterial licheninases, a xyloglucan endotranglycosylase (XET), and a xyloglucan endohydrolase (XEH) outline the functional ramifications of key sequence deletions and insertions across the phylogenetic landscape of GH16. Although the biological role(s) of EG16 orthologs remains to be fully resolved, the present biochemical and tertiary structural characterization provides key insight into plant cell wall enzyme evolution, which will continue to inform genomic analyses and functional studies across species.