bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alpacas fed calcium propionate seem to moderate their energy intake
Authors: Lund K. E. , Milton J. T. B. , Maloney S. K. , Blache D. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryAlpacas have evolved digestive and metabolic adaptations that enable them to survive in environments where the available feed varies in nutritional quality. Alpacas are thought to derive glucose from the deamination of amino acids in the liver, rather than via the conversion of propionate like true ruminants. Because fibre growth is dependent on the availability of absorbed amino acids, alpacas using amino acids as a source of energy should leave less amino acids available for fibre growth. If alpacas were to obtain glucose from a source of propionate, such as calcium propionate, the dependence on amino acids would be reduced leaving more available for fibre growth. Calcium propionate was added to the ration fed to 32 alpaca wethers, and fibre production was measured to monitor important fibre attributes in response to calcium propionate. Although the diets supplemented with calcium propionate should have provided more energy than the diets without calcium propionate, the metabolisable energy intake of all animals was similar (p = 0.278). It seems that rather than sparing amino acids, the alpacas regulated their energy intake and refused to consume the additional energy offered as calcium propionate. Consequently, they produced less fibre, and the diameter of their fibre was smaller than those alpacas that were not fed calcium propionate. It seems that alpacas rely on their digestive and metabolic adaptations to efficiently obtain and conserve energy for their survival.
The Efficacy of PDE5 Inhibitors Alone or in Combination with Alpha-Blockers for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yan Huilei , Zong Huantao , Cui Yuanshan , Li Nan , Zhang Yong 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are both highly prevalent in aging men. Alpha-blockers and PDE-5 inhibitors are widely used for the treatment of LUTS/benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and ED.

Aim
The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors alone or in combination with alpha-blockers for the treatment of ED and LUTS.

Methods
The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register of Controlled Trials, and the Chinese Biological Medical Database were searched to identify randomized controlled trials that referred to the use of a combination of PDE5 inhibitors and alpha-blockers for the treatment of ED and LUTS associated with BPH. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted.

Main Outcome Measures
International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the maximum flow rate (Qmax), and International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) domain score were used in this meta-analysis.

Results
Seven publications involving 515 patients were included in the meta-analysis. In the analysis, we found significantly improved IIEF, IPSS, and Qmax values in the combination use group compared with the use of PDE5 inhibitors alone (P = 0.04, 0.004, 0.007, respectively).

Conclusions
The combined use of PDE5 inhibitors and alpha-blockers results in additive favorable effects in men with ED and LUTS suggestive of BPH compared with PDE5 inhibitor monotherapy. The alpha-blockers may enhance the efficacy of the PDE5 inhibitors, which is beneficial for the treatment of ED and LUTS.
Milk composition and lactation strategy of a eusocial mammal, the naked mole‐rat
Authors: Hood W. R. , Kessler D. S. , Oftedal O. T. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe reproductive female, or queen, in a eusocial colony must allocate sufficient nutrients to reproduction to maintain a high rate of reproductive output. In mammals, the energetic costs of lactation greatly exceed those of pregnancy, and thus, lactation should be exceptionally costly for a eusocial queen, such as the naked mole‐rat Heterocephalus glaber. We predicted that naked mole‐rat milk would be energy‐ and nutrient‐dense. Naked mole‐rat milk averaged 17.2% dry matter, 4.5% fat, 4.8% protein, 5.7% sugar and 1.1% ash; and per gram contained 3.0 mg calcium, 1.1 mg phosphorus, 0.44 mg magnesium and 0.54 mg potassium. Other than elevated protein and low sugar in colostrum, the composition of milk did not change over the course of lactation. Naked mole‐rats not only had the lowest energy content of milk (3.9 kJ g−1) reported for any rodent but also appeared to be an outlier from a trend for milk dry matter, fat and energy concentrations to be inversely related to body mass in rodents. The dilute nature of naked mole‐rat milk indicates that an unusually large amount of milk (equivalent to about half of body mass) must be produced daily to sustain the energy needs of an average litter (12 young). Sustaining high water throughput during lactation may be necessary to meet expected water needs of the offspring but may limit the queen to foods that are high in moisture. The concentrations of macrominerals in milk were within the range described for other rodents, except that the Ca : P ratio of milk (2.8:1) was unusually high. Given a lifespan that can exceed 30 years, large average litter size and several litters per year, the lifetime lactation output of a mole‐rat queen must be phenomenal and warrants further study.
Selection and spatial arrangement of rest sites within northern tamandua home ranges
Authors: Brown D. D. , Montgomery R. A. , Millspaugh J. J. , Jansen P. A. , Garzon‐Lopez C. X. , Kays R. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe distribution of suitable rest sites is considered to be a key determinant of spatial patterns in animal activity. However, it is not immediately evident which landscape features satisfy rest site requirements or how these sites are configured within the home range. We used Global Positioning System (GPS)/accelerometer telemetry to investigate rest site selection at the home‐range scale for northern tamanduasTamandua mexicanaonBarroColoradoIsland (BCI),Panama. We developed models specifying each tamandua as the individual experimental unit and averaged coefficients to produce population‐level estimates. Tamanduas had on average 17.8 (± 8.1) rest sites within their home range and used 1.36 (± 0.51) on any given day. These rest sites tended to be located in the core of tamandua home ranges, with active locations associated with the periphery of the home range. Rest sites were positively associated with (1) a high density ofAttalea butyraceapalm trees; (2) elevation; (3) tall vegetation. There was a slight negative relationship between the distribution of rest sites and slope, and no apparent relationship between rest site selection and relative distance to forest canopy gaps. From focal animal observations, we identified that tamandua rest sites were typically located in trees (90%), with 25% (12 of 49) occurring in palms. We contend that northern tamanduas onBCIselected vegetated arboreal rest sites because of reduced likelihood of detection from terrestrial predators in these sites. Our models identified considerable individual variation in rest site selection, which suggests that the practice of pooling individuals and fitting models at an aggregate level may be inappropriate for certain types of habitat selection research.
Trichophyton verrucosum infection in cattle farms of Umbria (Central Italy) and transmission to humans
Authors: Agnetti Francesco , Righi Cecilia , Scoccia Eleonora , Felici Andrea , Crotti Silvia , Moretta Iolanda , Moretti Annabella , Maresca Carmen , Troiani Lucas , Papini Manuela 
Published: March 2014

SummaryTrichophyton verrucosum is the most common ringworm agent in cattle. Epidemiology of cattle dermatophytoses in Central Italy is not clear. Its diffusion among cattle and herdsmen was investigated in 20 Umbrian farms, Central Italy. Hairs and scales were taken from 395 animals and 31 workers. Typical ringworm was present in 71.7% of cattle under 6 months and in 11% of animals over 6 months. T. verrucosum was isolated from 98.9% of symptomatic heads and was the most prevalent dermatophyte in all herds investigated (isolated in 18 of the 20 farms). T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes was found in 16 symptomatic and in eight asymptomatic young animals. Prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of both species was significantly higher in young heads (21.1% vs. 8.1%) and the age below 6 months was the only statistically significant risk factor associated with dermatophytosis. About the workers, all the 14 men with lesions were positive for T. verrucosum; copresence of T. verrucosum and Microsporum gypseum was noticed in one case. Results indicate a high diffusion of T. verrucosum among both animals and humans in Umbrian farms and confirm the dermatophyte infection as a public health problem. Periodic epidemiological surveys, treatment of sick livestock and workers, cleaning/sanitisation of herds and vaccination programmes may be useful in controlling the infection.
Plant‐derived recombinant immune complexes as self‐adjuvanting TB immunogens for mucosal boosting of BCG
Authors: Pepponi Ilaria , Diogo Gil R. , Stylianou Elena , van Dolleweerd Craig J. , Drake Pascal M. W. , Paul Matthew J. , Sibley Laura , Ma Julian K.‐C. , Reljic Rajko 
Published: March 2014

SummaryProgress with protein‐based tuberculosis (TB) vaccines has been limited by poor availability of adjuvants suitable for human application. Here, we developed and tested a novel approach to molecular engineering of adjuvanticity that circumvents the need for exogenous adjuvants. Thus, we generated and expressed in transgenic tobacco plants the recombinant immune complexes (RICs) incorporating the early secreted Ag85B and the latency‐associated Acr antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, genetically fused as a single polypeptide to the heavy chain of a monoclonal antibody to Acr. The RICs were formed by virtue of the antibody binding to Acr from adjacent molecules, thus allowing self‐polymerization of the complexes. TB‐RICs were purified from the plant extracts and shown to be biologically active by demonstrating that they could bind to C1q component of the complement and also to the surface of antigen‐presenting cells. Mice immunized with BCG and then boosted with two intranasal immunizations with TB‐RICs developed antigen‐specific serum IgG antibody responses with mean end‐point titres of 1 : 8100 (Acr) and 1 : 24 300 (Ag85B) and their splenocytes responded to in vitro stimulation by producing interferon gamma. 25% of CD4+ proliferating cells simultaneously produced IFN‐γ, IL‐2 and TNF‐α, a phenotype that has been linked with protective immune responses in TB. Importantly, mucosal boosting of BCG‐immunized mice with TB‐RICs led to a reduced M. tuberculosis infection in their lungs from log10 mean = 5.69 ± 0.1 to 5.04 ± 0.2, which was statistically significant. We therefore propose that the plant‐expressed TB‐RICs represent a novel molecular platform for developing self‐adjuvanting mucosal vaccines.
Introgression of useful genes from Thinopyrum intermedium to wheat for improvement of bread‐making quality
Authors: Garg Monika , Yanaka Mikiko , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Tsujimoto Hisashi 
Published: March 2014

AbstractTo study the influence of genes from Thinopyrum intermedium on traits affecting the bread‐making quality of wheat, two derivatives from a putative disomic addition line in cultivar ‘Vilmorin 27’ were used in cytological, biochemical and molecular characterization. Cytological analysis suggested that one of the derivatives (Line‐1) had a terminal deletion involving the long arm of chromosome 1D (2n = 42, Del‐1DL”), and the other (Line‐2) was a conventional addition line, but also carried the same deletion on chromosome 1D (2n = 44, Thi”+Del‐1DL”). Amplification and sequencing of high‐molecular‐weight glutenin subunit (HMW‐GS) genes coded by the Th. intermedium chromosome in Line‐2 indicated the presence of one x‐type with an extra cysteine and four (rather than one) unique y‐type genes. Rheological studies of Line‐1 showed significantly lower dough strength compared to ‘Vilmorin 27’, confirming the recognized role of Glu‐1D coded HMW‐GSs. Line‐2 showed significantly higher dough strength compared to the background cultivar, indicating a significant potential of Th. intermedium for improvement of bread‐making quality in wheat.
Role of physical activity in bone health in peripubertal boys
Authors: Ivuškāns Arturs , Jürimäe Toivo , Lätt Evelin , Jürimäe Jaak , Purge Priit , Saar Meeli , Maasalu Katre , Mäestu Jarek 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the present cross‐sectional study was to investigate the relationship of physical activity level to bone mineral parameters in 11–13‐year‐old boys.MethodsIn total, 264 boys, divided into normal weight (n = 154) and overweight (n = 110), participated in this study. Physical activity was measured via 7 day accelerometry and bone mineral parameters using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.ResultsIn overweight boys, vigorous physical activity was associated with total bone mineral density (BMD), total bone mineral content (BMC), while moderate–vigorous physical activity MVPA was associated with femoral neck BMD. In normal weight boys, however, only vigorous physical activity was associated with femoral neck BMD. When the normal weight group was divided into tertiles according to MVPA, femoral neck BMD was higher in the highest tertile compared to the lowest tertile. No other significant differences were found in bone mineral parameters according to the tertiles of MVPA.ConclusionsIn overweight peripubertal boys, physical activity is more associated with bone mineral parameters compared to normal weight subjects. In addition to vigorous physical activity, moderate physical activity has a significant impact on bone mineral parameters in overweight subjects.
The Tranquil Meditator: Representing Buddhism and Buddhists in US Popular Media
Authors: Mitchell Scott A. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractFrom Buddha statues in home decor to meditating figures in advertising, film, and television, images of Buddhism proliferate in US popular media. This paper reflects on the relative lack of sustained critical examinations of these representations while offering an approach to future studies based, in part, on Jane Iwamura's Virtual Orientalism. An iconographic approach to Buddhism in media can help the researcher identify recurring tropes and their implicit meanings across a wide range of media and point toward emerging trends in the development of Buddhism in Western cultural contexts.Video abstract (click to view)
Mucositis not neutropenia determines bacteremia among hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Herbers A.H.E. , de Haan A.F.J. , van der Velden W.J.F.M. , Donnelly J.P. , Blijlevens N.M.A. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundIn the 1960s, it was reported that infectious complications were the main cause of fever during neutropenia that followed hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). More recently, mucositis has become recognized as an important determinant of the inflammatory response and infectious complications.MethodsThe objective of this prospective study was to determine the impact of intestinal mucositis, as measured by plasma citrulline, and neutropenia on the systemic inflammatory response (C‐reactive protein) and the occurrence of bacteremia among 2 cohorts of HSCT recipients: 1 composed of 18 patients who had been treated with a myeloablative (MA) regimen (high‐dose melphalan) and the other involving 19 patients who had received the non‐myeloablative (NMA) regimen (fludarabine and cyclophosphamide). Blood cultures were obtained for surveillance from admission onwards as well as at the onset of fever.ResultsThe MA regimen induced severe intestinal mucositis manifest by citrullinemia <10 μmol/L, which was accompanied by an inflammatory response, and bacteremia affected 8 (44%) of 18 patients and coincided with the nadir of citrullinemia. By contrast, those who had been treated with the NMA regimen did not develop severe intestinal mucositis, had a moderate inflammatory response, and only 2 (11%) of the 19 patients developed bacteremia. However, both groups experienced profound neutropenia and its duration was significantly longer for those receiving the NMA regimen.ConclusionThis study suggests that severe intestinal mucositis, i.e., citrullinemia <10 μmol/L, defines the period of risk of bacteremia better than does neutropenia, and that measuring plasma citrulline may prove useful in deciding who needs empirical antimicrobial therapy and when.
Competition between Imperata cylindrica and maize in the forest savannah transition zone of Nigeria
Authors: Chikoye D , Ekeleme F , Lum A F , Udensi U E 
Published: March 2014

SummaryImperata cylindrica is a noxious weed that infests annual and perennial crops in most tropical regions. High crop densities may offer opportunities to reduce I. cylindrica competition in small‐scale farming systems. The competitive ability of maize relative to I. cylindrica was evaluated in an addition series experiment in the forest savannah transition zone in 2006 and 2007 at Ibadan, Nigeria. Maize and I. cylindrica were planted in eight monoculture densities (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 32, 48 and 64 plants m−2) and in a 1:1 mixture at eight total densities (2:2, 4:4, 6:6, 8:8, 10:10, 16:16, 24:24 and 32:32 maize: I. cylindrica plants m−2) as in monoculture. Non‐linear regression models were used to relate crop and weed shoot biomass to their densities and total grain yield to maize density. In maize, intraspecific competition was more than interspecific competition; in I. cylindrica, interspecific competition was higher than intraspecific. As expected, total grain yield was lower in the mixture than in maize monoculture at all total densities. Average maize grain yield in maize monoculture differed from that in mixtures by 0.77 t ha−1 in 2006 and 0.57 t ha−1 in 2007. Niche differentiation indices were <1 in 2006 and >1 in 2007, indicating that both species competed for similar resources in 2006, but not in 2007. The greater competitive ability of maize over I. cylindrica may be associated with rapid growth and canopy development observed in the field.
Comparative effectiveness of a bilayered living cellular construct and a porcine collagen wound dressing in the treatment of venous leg ulcers
Authors: Marston William A. , Sabolinski Michael L. , Parsons Nathan B. , Kirsner Robert S. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractUsing data from a national wound‐specific electronic medical record (WoundExpert, Net Health, Pittsburgh, PA), we compared the effectiveness of a bilayered living cellular construct (BLCC) and an acellular porcine small intestine submucosa collagen dressing (SIS) for the treatment of venous leg ulcer. Data from 1,489 patients with 1,801 refractory venous leg ulcers (as defined by failure to have >40% reduction in size in the 4 weeks prior to treatment) with surface areas between 1 and 150 cm2 in size, treated between July 2009 and July 2012 at 158 wound care facilities across the US were analyzed. Patient baseline demographics and wound characteristics were comparable between groups. Kaplan‐Meier–derived estimates of wound closure for BLCC (1,451 wounds) was significantly greater (p = 0.01, log‐rank test) by weeks 12 (31% vs. 26%), 24 (50% vs. 41%), and 36 (61% vs. 46%), respectively, compared with SIS (350 wounds). BLCC treatment reduced the median time to wound closure by 44%, achieving healing 19 weeks sooner (24 vs. 43 weeks, p = 0.01, log‐rank test). Treatment with BLCC increased the probability of healing by 29% compared with porcine SIS dressing (hazard ratio = 1.29 [95% confidence interval 1.06, 1.56], p = 0.01).
Adenovirus Type 4 and 7 Vaccination or Adenovirus Type 4 Respiratory Infection Elicits Minimal Cross-Reactive Antibody Responses to Nonhuman Adenovirus Vaccine Vectors
Authors: Paris Robert , Kuschner Robert A. , Binn Leonard , Thomas Stephen J. , Colloca Stefano , Nicosia Alfredo , Cortese Riccardo , Bailer Robert T. , Sullivan Nancy , Koup Richard A. 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTAntivector immunity may limit the immunogenicity of adenovirus vector vaccines. We tested sera from individuals immunized with adenovirus type 4 and 7 (Ad4 and Ad7, respectively) vaccine or naturally infected with Ad4 for their ability to neutralize a panel of E1-deleted human and chimpanzee adenoviruses (ChAd). Small statistically significant increases in titers to ChAd63, ChAd3, human Ad35, and human Ad5 were observed. Neutralizing antibodies elicited by Ad4 infection or immunization results in a small amount of adenovirus cross-reactivity.
Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Antibody Response, Fecal Shedding, and Antibody Cross-Reactivity to Mycobacterium bovis in M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis-Infected Cattle Herds Vaccinated against Johne's Disease
Authors: Tewari Deepanker , Hovingh Ernest , Linscott Rick , Martel Edmond , Lawrence John , Wolfgang David , Griswold David 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTVaccination for Johne's disease with killed inactivated vaccine in cattle herds has shown variable success. The vaccine delays the onset of disease but does not afford complete protection. Johne's disease vaccination has also been reported to interfere with measurements of cell-mediated immune responses for the detection of bovine tuberculosis. Temporal antibody responses and fecal shedding ofMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis, the causative agent of Johne's disease, were measured in 2 dairy cattle herds using Johne's disease vaccine (Mycopar) over a period of 7 years. Vaccination against Johne's disease resulted in positive serumM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisantibody responses in both herds, and the responses persisted in vaccinated cattle up to 7 years of age. Some vaccinated animals (29.4% in herd A and 36.2% in herd B) showed no serological reactivity toM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis.M. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis-specific antibody responses were also detected in milk from Johne's disease-vaccinated animals, but fewer animals (39.3% in herd A and 49.4% in herd B) had positive results with milk than with serum samples. With vaccination againstM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis, fecal shedding in both dairy herds was reduced significantly (P< 0.001). In addition, when selected Johne's disease-vaccinated and -infected animals were investigated for serological cross-reactivity toMycobacterium bovis, no cross-reactivity was observed.