bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mycoplasma pneumonia of swine (MPS) resistance and immune characteristics of pig lines generated by crossing an MPS pulmonary lesion selected Landrace line and a highly immune capacity selected Large White line
Authors: Borjigin Liushiqi , Shimazu Tomoyuki , Katayama Yuki , Watanabe Kouichi , Kitazawa Haruki , Roh Sang‐gun , Aso Hisashi , Katoh Kazuo , Uchida Takafumi , Suda Yoshihito , Sakuma Akiko , Nakajo Mituru , Suzuki Keiichi 
Published: December 2015

AbstractTo understand the influence of crossbreeding on Mycoplasma pneumonia of swine (MPS) resistance and immune characteristics, two crossbred lines were characterized. One crossbred line, LaWa, was generated by crossing the MPS pulmonary lesion selected Landrace line (La) and the highly immune‐selected Large White line (Wa). The second crossbred line, LaWb, was generated by crossing the La line and the nonselected Large White line (Wb). The crossbred LbWb line (nonselected Landrace line × nonselected Large White line) and the La line were used as controls. The LaWa and LaWb lines had an intermediate level of MPS lung lesions between La and LbWb lines, although the difference was not statistically significant. After stimulation with sheep red blood cells (SRBCs), the LaWb and LaWa lines showed immune characteristics similar to that of the La line; the number of monocytes in peripheral blood increased, while B cells, T cells, secretion of SRBC‐specific immunoglobulin G, and interleukin (IL)‐13 decreased. Additionally, the number of natural killer (NK) cells and the expression of IL‐4 and IL‐17 were significantly higher in the LaWb and LaWa lines, respectively. These data suggested that crossbreeding of La and Wa lines resulted in the inheritance of some of the selected immune responses.
Oral administration of synthetic porcine beta‐defensin‐2 improves growth performance and cecal microbial flora and down‐regulates the expression of intestinal toll‐like receptor‐4 and inflammatory cytokines in weaned piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Tang Zhiru , Xu Ling , Shi Baoshi , Deng Huang , Lai Xin , Liu Jingyan , Sun Zhihong 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSynthetic porcine beta‐defensin‐2 (pBD‐2) was tested as an alternative to antimicrobial growth‐promoters in pig production. Thirty 21‐day weaned piglets were challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, and orally dosed with either sterile water (CON), pBD‐2 (BD) or neomycin sulphate (NS) twice daily for 21 days. pBD‐2 and NS led to higher growth performance, jejunum villus height and increased expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐I compared with the CON group (P < 0.05). Hemolytic E. coli scores from rectal swabs, and copy numbers of E. coli, Bacteroides fragilis and Streptococcus in the cecal digesta of the BD‐ or NS‐treated piglets were lower than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Messenger RNA levels of toll‐like receptor 4, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐8 in the jejunum mucosa of the BD and NS groups were lower than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Copy numbers of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in the cecal digesta of the BD group were higher than those of the CON and NS groups (P < 0.05). Therefore, pBD‐2 has antimicrobial activity in piglets, and it can improve growth performance, reduce inflammatory cytokine expression and affect intestinal morphological indices in the same way as probiotics. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science
Single injection of clenbuterol into newly hatched chicks decreases abdominal fat pad weight in growing broiler chickens
Authors: Ijiri Daichi , Ishitani Kanae , El‐Deep Mahmoud Mohamed Hamza , Kawaguchi Mana , Shimamoto Saki , Ishimaru Yoshitaka , Ohtsuka Akira 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe aim of the current study was to examine the effects of clenbuterol injection into newly hatched chicks on both the abdominal fat pad tissue weight and the skeletal muscle weight during subsequent growth. Twenty‐seven 1‐day‐old chicks were divided into two groups, receiving either a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of clenbuterol (0.1 mg/kg body weight) or phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS). Body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not affected by clenbuterol injection during the 5‐week experimental period, while the abdominal fat pad tissue weight of the clenbuterol‐injected chicks was lower than that of the control chicks at 5 weeks post‐injection. Plasma non‐esterified fatty acid concentrations were significantly increased in the clenbuterol‐injected chicks, while plasma triacylglycerol concentrations did not differ. Additionally, the enzymatic activity of fatty acid synthase was lower in the liver of the clenbuterol‐injected chicks. Conversely, the skeletal muscle weights were not affected by clenbuterol injection. These results suggest that a single clenbuterol injection into 1‐day‐old chicks decreases the abdominal fat pad tissue weight, but may not affect skeletal muscle weights during growth. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science
The suppressive effect of dietary coenzyme Q10 on mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress in chickens exposed to heat stress
Authors: Kikusato Motoi , Nakamura Kasumi , Mikami Yukiko , Mujahid Ahmad , Toyomizu Masaaki 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis study was conducted to determine if dietary supplementation with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which can act as a potent antioxidant and is an obligatory cofactor of mitochondrial uncoupling protein, suppresses the heat stress (HS)‐induced overproduction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage in the skeletal muscle of birds. The carbonyl protein content of skeletal muscle was significantly higher in birds exposed to HS treatment (34°C, 12 h) than in thermoneutral birds (25°C). This increase was suppressed by CoQ10 supplementation (40 mg/kg diet). Succinate‐supported mitochondrial ROS production was increased by HS treatment, and this increase was also suppressed by CoQ10 supplementation. In contrast, CoQ10 supplementation did not affect the HS‐induced decrease in mitochondrial proton leak. The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ), to which HS‐induced ROS production was previously shown to be sensitive, tended to be increased by HS treatment, but this rise in ΔΨ was not affected by CoQ10 supplementation. Taken together, these results suggest that dietary CoQ10 supplementation attenuates HS‐induced oxidative damage to skeletal muscle, by preventing the overproduction of succinate‐supported mitochondrial ROS in a manner that is independent of ΔΨ. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science
Quality indicators in pituitary surgery: a need for reliable and valid assessments. What should be measured?
Authors: Powell Michael , Grossman Ashley 
Published: December 2015

SummaryEngagement with improving the quality of clinical care is a key component of medical professionalism. Central to Quality Improvement (QI) agenda are the development of valid, reliable and accurate quality metrics. We cannot improve what we do not measure. Pituitary surgery, which in the 21st century usually means trans‐sphenoidal surgery (TSS), is unusual; it is a neurosurgical procedure in which complex outcomes can be measured precisely. We have clear guidelines for establishing remission/cure in functional endocrine disease and precise diagnostic tools with which to investigate our patients. Visual recovery can be equally precisely measured with standardised equipment. Moreover, TSS is one of the commonest major surgical procedures carried out in the 34 UK individual neurosurgical units. Most will carry out about 30–40 procedures each year, with four or five units notably higher with numbers in excess of one hundred cases. There are, potentially, plenty of data out there. Given this background, how best should we measure quality in this important area of clinical practice?
Spectrum of phenotype and genotype of congenital isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in Asian Indians
Authors: Nair Sandhya , Jadhav Swati , Lila Anurag , Jagtap Varsha , Bukan Amol , Pandit Reshma , Ekbote Alka , Dharmalingam Mala , Kumar Prasanna , Kalra Pramila , Gandhi Pramod , Walia Rama , Sankhe Shilpa , Raghavan Vijaya , Shivane Vyankatesh , Menon Padma , Bandgar Tushar , Shah Nalini 
Published: December 2015

SummaryBackgroundCongenital isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) is caused due to defect in GnRH neuronal development, migration and action. Although genetic aetiology of IHH is increasingly being studied, Asian Indian data on phenotypic spectrum and genetic basis are scarce.ObjectiveTo investigate the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of IHH in Asian Indian subjects.Design, Setting and SubjectsA cohort of 135 IHH probands were characterized phenotypically for reproductive and nonreproductive features and screened for rare sequence variations (RSVs) in five genes KAL1, FGFR1, FGF8, GNRHR and KISS1R.ResultOf 135 probands [56 normosmic IHH (nIHH) and 79 Kallmann syndrome (KS)], 20 were familial cases. KS group had more male dominance (M:F ratio of 8:1) as compared to nIHH group (M:F ratio of 1·5:1). Complete absence of puberty was more prevalent in KS probands (81% in KS vs 46% in nIHH). The prevalence of MRI abnormalities was more in anosmic group (92·8%) as compared to hyposmic (37·5%) and normosmic groups (15·4%). No particular nonreproductive phenotypic predominance was seen in any group. Genotyping revealed rare sequence variation (RSV) detection rate of 15·5% in five genes studied: (KAL1 – 4·4%, FGFR1 – 4·4%, GNRHR – 6·7%, oligogenicity – 1·5%). Prevalence of RSV was more common in familial cases (35%) as compared to sporadic (12·2%). GNRHR RSV p.C279Y (not reported in patients of ethnicities other than south Asians) was recurring in four unrelated patients.ConclusionIn our cohort, 60% were KS with majority of males and a severe reproductive phenotype as against nIHH. Contribution of the genetic burden for the five genes studied was 15·5%. RSV p.C279Y in GNRHR may have a founder effect originating from south Asia. This study provides a model for molecular and phenotypic representation of Asian Indian subjects with IHH.
Colorectal specialization and survival in colorectal cancer
Authors: Hall G. M. , Shanmugan S. , Bleier J. I. S. , Jeganathan A. N. , Epstein A. J. , Paulson E. C. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimIt is recognized that higher surgeon volume is associated with improved survival in colorectal cancer. However, there is a paucity of national studies that have evaluated the relationship between surgical specialization and survival.MethodWe used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Medicare cancer registry to examine the association between colorectal specialization (CRS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) between 2001 and 2009. A total of 21 432 colon cancer and 5893 rectal cancer patients who underwent elective surgical resection between 2001 and 2009 were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate Cox survival analysis was used to identify the association between surgical specialization and cancer‐specific survival.ResultsColorectal specialists performed 16.3% of the colon and 27% of the rectal resections. On univariate analysis, specialization was associated with improved survival in Stage II and Stage III colon cancer and Stage II rectal cancer. In multivariate analysis, however, CRS was associated with significantly improved DSS only in Stage II rectal cancer [hazard ratio (HR) 0.70, P = 0.03]. CRS was not significantly associated with DSS in either Stage I (colon HR 1.14, P = 0.39; rectal HR 0.1.26, P = 0.23) or Stage III (colon HR 1.06, P = 0.52; rectal HR 1.08, P = 0.55) disease. When analysis was limited to high volume surgeons only, the relationship between CRS and DSS was unchanged.ConclusionsCRS is associated with improved DSS following resection of Stage II rectal cancer. A combination of factors may contribute to long‐term survival in these patients, including appropriate surgical technique, multidisciplinary treatment decisions and guideline‐adherent surveillance. CRS probably contributes positively to these factors resulting in improved survival.
Temporal sampling helps unravel the genetic structure of naturally occurring populations of a phytoparasitic nematode. 1. Insights from the estimation of effective population sizes
Authors: Jan Pierre‐Loup , Gracianne Cécile , Fournet Sylvain , Olivier Eric , Arnaud Jean‐François , Porte Catherine , Bardou‐Valette Sylvie , Denis Marie‐Christine , Petit Eric J. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe sustainability of modern agriculture relies on strategies that can control the ability of pathogens to overcome chemicals or genetic resistances through natural selection. This evolutionary potential, which depends partly on effective population size (Ne), is greatly influenced by human activities. In this context, wild pathogen populations can provide valuable information for assessing the long‐term risk associated with crop pests. In this study, we estimated the effective population size of the beet cyst nematode, Heterodera schachtii, by sampling 34 populations infecting the sea beet Beta vulgaris spp. maritima twice within a one‐year period. Only 20 populations produced enough generations to analyze the variation in allele frequencies, with the remaining populations showing a high mortality rate of the host plant after only 1 year. The 20 analyzed populations showed surprisingly low effective population sizes, with most having Ne close to 85 individuals. We attribute these low values to the variation in population size through time, systematic inbreeding, and unbalanced sex‐ratios. Our results suggest that H. schachtii has low evolutionary potential in natural environments. Pest control strategies in which populations on crops mimic wild populations may help prevent parasite adaptation to host resistance.
Cross‐sectional survey of parasite control practices on Thoroughbred and Standardbred training yards in New Zealand
Authors: Rosanowski S. M. , Scott I. , Sells P. D. , Rogers C. W. , Bolwell C. F. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryReasons for performing studyThere is growing concern worldwide regarding anthelmintic resistance in equine parasites. In order to improve parasite control practices and reduce the selection for resistant parasites, baseline data are required.ObjectivesTo describe the current parasite management and control practices used for racehorses.Study designCross‐sectional survey.MethodsThoroughbred and Standardbred trainers were surveyed online regarding demographics, parasite control methods, grazing management and quarantine, and the use of faecal egg counts (FEC), with questions stratified by horse type, i.e. racehorses (horses in training) and spellers (racehorses on a break from training), and industry (Thoroughbred and Standardbred). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations with FEC use.ResultsIn total, 234 respondents completed the survey for an estimated response rate of 16%. In total, 50.5% of trainers treated horses on an interval treatment strategy and treated a median of 6 (interquartile range (IQR) 4–7) and 6 (IQR 4–8) times annually for Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses, respectively. A total of 62.5% (130/208) of respondents reported seeking veterinary advice for deworming products, and FEC had been done by 20.1% (39/194) of respondents. The odds of a trainer doing FEC were 4 times higher if the trainer had consulted a veterinarian, compared with those that had not.ConclusionsThis study has highlighted an industry‐wide overuse of anthelmintic products and few trainers were using surveillance‐based control strategies. The relationship between veterinarians and trainers should be explored further to enhance information dissemination and implement effective control strategies, to maintain horse health and delay the advance of anthelmintic resistance.
Phenotypic variability in human skin mast cells
Authors: Babina Magda , Guhl Sven , Artuc Metin , Trivedi Neil N. , Zuberbier Torsten 
Published: December 2015

AbstractMast cells (MCs) are unique constituents of the human body. While inter‐individual differences may influence the ways by which MCs operate in their skin habitat, they have not been surveyed in a comprehensive manner so far. We therefore set out to quantify skin MC variability in a large cohort of subjects. Pathophysiologically relevant key features were quantified and correlated: transcripts of c‐kit, FcεRIα, FcεRIβ, FcεRIγ, histidine decarboxylase, tryptase, and chymase; surface expression of c‐Kit, FcεRIα; activity of tryptase, and chymase; histamine content and release triggered by FcεRI and Ca2+ ionophore. While there was substantial variability among subjects, it strongly depended on the feature under study (coefficient of variation 33‐386%). Surface expression of FcεRI was positively associated with FcεRIα mRNA content, histamine content with HDC mRNA, and chymase activity with chymase mRNA. Also, MC signature genes were co‐regulated in distinct patterns. Intriguingly, histamine levels were positively linked to tryptase and chymase activity, whereas tryptase and chymase activity appeared to be uncorrelated. FcεRI triggered histamine release was highly variable and was unrelated to FcεRI expression but unexpectedly tightly correlated with histamine release elicited by Ca2+ ionophore. This most comprehensive and systematic work of its kind provides not only detailed insights into inter‐individual variability in MCs, but also uncovers unexpected patterns of co‐regulation among signature attributes of the lineage. Differences in MCs among humans may well underlie clinical responses in settings of allergic reactions and complex skin disorders alike.
Approach to the potential production of giant reed in surplus saline lands of Spain
Authors: Sánchez Javier , Curt María Dolores , Fernández Jesús 
Published: December 2015

AbstractGrowing energy crops on marginal land has been promoted as a way of ensuring that biomass production involves an acceptable and sustainable use of land. Saline and saline‐prone agricultural lands represent an opportunity for growing energy crops avoiding the displacement of food production and contributing to restoration of degraded land. Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) is a perennial grass that has been proposed as a promising energy crop for lignocellulosic biomass production while its tolerance to salinity has been proved. In this work, the identification of surplus saline lands that could be irrigated with saline waters for growing tolerant‐energy crops (giant reed) in the mainland of Spain and the assessment of the agronomically attainable yield in these limiting growing conditions were undertaken. To this purpose, a GIS analysis was conducted using geodatabases related to saline areas, agro‐climatic conditions, irrigation water requirements, agricultural land availability, restrictions regarding the range of electrical conductivity tolerated by the crop, competition with agro‐food crops and irrigation water provisions. According to the approach developed, the irrigated and saline agricultural area available and suitable for biomass production from giant reed amounted up to 34 412 ha. The agronomically attainable yield in these limiting conditions was estimated at 12.7 – 22.2 t dm ha−1 yr−1 and the potential production of lignocellulosic biomass, 597 338 t dm yr−1. The methodology followed in this study can be applied to other target regions; it allows the identification of this type of marginal lands, where salinity‐tolerant plant species could be grown for bioenergy purposes, avoiding competition with agro‐food crops, and where soil restoration measurements should be undertaken.
Religion, Power and Law in Twentieth Century India
Authors: Banerjee‐Dube Ishita 
Published: December 2015

AbstractImportant works within History, Anthropology and Political Theory have tracked the genealogies of religion and politics (power), queried their construction as neat categories and underscored their imbrication. Drawing upon such works, this essay focuses on the long and convoluted interaction of a radical religion of Orissa, eastern India, and the law, in order to highlight how religion and state power impinge upon and shape each other. Through a situated analysis of the gradual institutionalization of Mahima Dharma over the twentieth century dictated by the requirements of law, and the ascetics need to forge a bounded community with a strong centre, the essay demonstrates how the contingency and particularity of religion and politics enable their constant redefinition, while their imbricated interface reinforces the idea of separation. The essay thereby extends Talal Asad's enquiry into the genealogies of the religious and the secular, of religion and power, by arguing that the enmeshment and constant reshaping of power by religion and religion by power shores up the idea of their separation.
Role of hypoxia‐related proteins in invasion of ameloblastoma cells: crosstalk between NOTCH1, hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 12, and heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor
Authors: da Costa Natacha Malu Miranda , Fialho Amanda Dalla Vechia , Proietti Carolina Carmine , da Silva Kataoka Maria Sueli , Jaeger Ruy Gastaldoni , de Alves‐Júnior Sérgio Melo , de Jesus Viana Pinheiro João 
Published: December 2015

AimsAmeloblastoma AME is a benign tumour characterized by local invasiveness, high recurrence rates, and diverse histological patterns. The oxygen concentration is reduced in specific areas of the tumour microenvironment, which leads to intratumoral hypoxia. Crosstalk between NOTCH1, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 12 (ADAM‐12), hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) and heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor (HB‐EGF) under hypoxic conditions has been implicated in invadopodia formation, tumour invasiveness, and metastasis development. The aim of this study was to analyse the expression of these proteins, in order to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying AME invasiveness.Methods and resultsTwenty cases of AME, eight calcifying cystic odontogenic tumours CCOTs and 10 samples of dental follicle were used to investigate the expression of these proteins by immunohistochemistry with the primary antibodies anti‐NOTCH1, anti‐ADAM‐12, anti‐HIF‐1α, and anti‐HB‐EGF. Immunostaining results were expressed as the percentage of stained area in images acquired in an AxioScope microscope equipped with an AxioCamHRc camera and a × 40 objective. The results showed that immunoexpression of all proteins was higher in the AME samples than in the CCOT and dental follicle samples (P < 0.05).ConclusionsAME showed an increased presence of proteins associated with tumour invasiveness, which indicates a possible role of these proteins in the biological behaviour of this tumour