bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points System for a Bull Semen Production Centre
Authors: Goularte KL , Madeira EM , Ferreira CER , Duval EH , Vieira AD , Mondadori RG , Lucia T 
Published: October 2015

ContentsBull semen production centres (SPC) generally present satisfactory quality control for sperm processing, but non‐standardized hygiene procedures. This study describes a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system developed for bull SPC and subsequently implemented in a commercial SPC. After the identification of hazards at each step of semen processing and the determination of their risk and severity, monitoring and corrective procedures were designed to assess the system's efficiency. The HACCP system identified six microbiological hazards, 10 physical hazards, four chemical hazards and three critical control points. After the establishment of Good Processing Practices, Standard Operating Procedures and Standard Sanitizing Operating Procedures, the system was validated through an audit, to identify eventual failures and to define measures to correct them.
Influence of Different Protocols of Urethral Catheterization after Pharmacological Induction (Ur.Ca.P.I.) on Semen Quality in the Domestic Cat
Authors: Cunto M , Küster DG , Bini C , Cartolano C , Pietra M , Zambelli D 
Published: October 2015

ContentsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the influence that different protocols of urethral catheterization after pharmacological induction (Ur.Ca.P.I.) may have on the semen quality of the domestic cat. The study has been divided into two experiments: one in which different dosages of medetomidine administrated are evaluated and the second one in which the timing of the catheterization after pharmacological induction is tested. In the first experiment, 18 cats were sedated with the recommended dosage of medetomidine (130 μg/kg i.m.) while the other 18 were sedated with a lower dose of the same drug (50 μg/kg i.m.). In the second experiment, three groups were implemented, each containing 25 subjects. In group 1, the semen collection was performed immediately once the pharmacological effect of the drug was reached; in group 2, the semen collection was performed three times every 5 min after the pharmacological effect was reached; finally, in group 3, Ur.Ca.P.I. was performed 20 min after the pharmacological effect was reached. All the different protocols permitted sperm collection, nevertheless the first experiment showed a better quality in terms of volume, concentration, total number of spermatozoa (p < 0.01) and quality of the movement (motility p < 0.05 and forward progressive motility p < 0.01), using a high medetomidine dosage rather than 50 μg/kg i.m. In the second experiment, forward motility was statistically higher (p < 0.01) in the first group and total volume was higher (p < 0.01) in the second and third group, while other parameters were statistically not different. Results suggest that a single catheterization immediately after the onset of the pharmacological effect leads to a good‐quality semen with the lowest possibility of damaging the urethra and that a sedation with 130 μg/kg of medetomidine leads to a better quality sperm collection than 50 μg/kg does.
External controls on the distribution, fabrics and mineralization of modern microbial mats in a coastal hypersaline lagoon, Cayo Coco (Cuba)
Authors: Bouton Anthony , Vennin Emmanuelle , Pace Aurélie , Bourillot Raphaël , Dupraz Christophe , Thomazo Christophe , Brayard Arnaud , Désaubliaux Guy , Visscher Pieter T. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractActive, carbonate‐mineralizing microbial mats flourish in a tropical, highly evaporative, marine‐fed lagoonal network to the south of Cayo Coco Island (Cuba). Hypersaline conditions support the development of a complex sedimentary microbial ecosystem with diverse morphologies, a variable intensity of mineralization and a potential for preservation. In this study, the role of intrinsic (i.e. microbial) and extrinsic (i.e. physicochemical) controls on microbial mat development, mineralization and preservation was investigated. The network consists of lagoons, forming in the interdune depressions of a Pleistocene aeolian substratum; they developed due to a progressive increase in sea‐level since the Holocene. The hydrological budget in the Cayo Coco lagoonal network changes from west to east, increasing the salinity. This change progressively excludes grazers and increases the saturation index of carbonate minerals, favouring the development and mineralization of microbial mats in the easternmost lagoons. Detailed mapping of the easternmost lagoon shows four zones with different flooding regimes. The microbial activity in the mats was recorded using light–dark shifts in conjunction with microelectrode O2 and HS− profiles. High rates of O2 production and consumption, in addition to substantial amounts of exopolymeric substances, are indicative of a potentially strong intrinsic control on mineralization. Seasonal, climate‐driven water fluctuations are key for mat development, mineralization, morphology and distribution. Microbial mats show no mineralization in the permanently submersed zone, and moderate mineralization in zones with alternating immersion and exposure. It is suggested that mineralization is also driven by water‐level fluctuations and evaporation. Mineralized mats are laminated and consist of alternating trapping and binding of grains and microbially induced magnesium calcite and dolomite precipitation. The macrofabrics of the mats evolve from early colonizing Flat mats to complex Cerebroid or Terrace structures. The macrofabrics are influenced by the hydrodynamic regime: wind‐driven waves inducing relief terraces in windward areas and flat morphologies on the leeward side of the lagoon. Other external drivers include: (i) storm events that either promote (for example, by bioclasts covering) or prevent (for example, by causing erosion) microbial mat preservation; and (ii) subsurface degassing, through mangrove roots and desiccation cracks covered by Flat mats (i.e. forming Hemispheroids and Cerebroidal structures). These findings provide in‐depth insights into understanding fossil microbialite morphologies that formed in lagoonal settings.
Conclusion: The Political Consequences of the Polarization of Swiss Politics
Authors: Kriesi Hanspeter 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIn this conclusion, I attempt to provide a synthesis of the findings of this superb set of papers and put them into a broader perspective. For this purpose, I also rely on some other more recent assessments of Swiss politics – in particular on Sciarini, Fischer and Traber's (2015) replication of my own study of Swiss politics in the 1970s, which covers the most important political decision‐making processes of 2000–2006, and on a recent special issue of the Swiss Political Science Review (SPSR 2014) that is dedicated to the 2011 Swiss Elections. I proceed in four steps: first, I discuss the guiding theme of this collection of papers – the increasing party competition and the related polarization of Swiss politics, as well as the drivers of this development. Then, I turn to the consequences of this development for Swiss politics and Swiss policies. I conclude with a summary discussion, where I draw attention to the forgotten elephant in the room – the Great Recession and the Euro‐crisis.
Retracted: Cucumber metal tolerance protein CsMTP9 is a plasma membrane H+‐coupled antiporter involved in the Mn2+ and Cd2+ efflux from root cells
Authors: Migocka Magdalena , Papierniak Anna , Kosieradzka Anna , Posyniak Ewelina , Maciaszczyk‐Dziubinska Ewa , Biskup Robert , Garbiec Arnold , Marchewka Tadeusz 
Published: October 2015

Retraction statement: ‘Cucumber metal tolerance protein CsMTP 9 is a plasma membrane H+‐coupled antiporter involved in the Mn2+ and Cd2+ efflux from root cells’ by Magdalena Migocka, Anna Papierniak, Anna Kosieradzka, Ewelina Posyniak, Ewa Maciaszczyk‐Dziubinska, Robert Biskup, Arnold Garbiec and Tadeusz Marchewka (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/tpj.13056) and ‘Cucumber metal tolerance protein 7 (CsMTP7) is involved in the accumulation of Fe in mitochondria under Fe excess’ by Magdalena Migocka, Karolina Małas, Ewa Maciaszczyk‐Dziubinska, Anna Papierniak, Ewelina Posyniak and Arnold Garbiec (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/tpj.14006)The above articles published online in The Plant Journal on 20 October 2015 and 22 June 2018 respectively have been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor‐in‐Chief (Lee Sweetlove), John Wiley & Sons Ltd and the Institute of Experimental Biology, Wroclaw University. The retraction has been agreed due to concern over image manipulation and duplication.
In vitro susceptibility of contagious ovine digital dermatitis associated Treponema spp. isolates to antimicrobial agents in the UK
Authors: Angell Joseph W. , Clegg Simon R. , Sullivan Leigh E. , Duncan Jennifer S. , Grove‐White Dai H. , Carter Stuart D. , Evans Nicholas J. 
Published: October 2015

BackgroundContagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) is an important cause of infectious lameness in sheep in the UK and Ireland and has a severe impact on the welfare of affected individuals. The three treponemal phylogroups Treponema medium/Treponema vincentii‐like, Treponema phagedenis‐like and Treponema pedis spirochaetes have been associated with clinical CODD lesions and are considered to be a necessary cause of disease. There are scant data on the antimicrobial susceptibility of the treponemes cultured from CODD lesions.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine in vitro the miniumum inhibitory concentration/ minimum bactericidal concentration (MIC/MBC) of antimicrobials used in the sheep industry for isolates of the three CODD associated treponeme phylogroups T. medium/T. vincentii‐like, T. phagedenis‐like and T. pedis.AnimalsTwenty treponeme isolates; from 19 sheep with clinical CODD lesions.MethodsA microdilution method was used to determine in vitro the MIC/MBC of 10 antimicrobial agents for 20 treponeme isolates (five T. medium/T. vincentii‐like, 10 T. phagedenis‐like and five T. pedis). The antimicrobials tested were penicillin G, amoxicillin, oxytetracycline, tilmicosin, lincomycin, spectinomycin, tylosin, tildipirosin, tulathromycin and gamithromycin.ResultsThe treponeme isolates tested showed low MICs and MBCs to all 10 antimicrobials tested. They were most susceptible to gamithromycin and tildipirosin (MIC90: 0.0469 mg/L), and were least susceptible to lincomycin, spectinomycin and oxytetracycline (MIC90: 48 mg/L, 24 mg/L and 3 mg/L, respectively).ConclusionsThese data are comparable to in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility data for treponemes cultured from bovine digital dermatitis lesions. Dependent on local licensing, penicillin and tilmicosin appear to be the best candidates for future in vivo studies.
Serological Evidence of Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus Infections in Greek Swine
Authors: Kyriakis C. S. , Papatsiros V. G. , Athanasiou L. V. , Valiakos G. , Brown I. H. , Simon G. , Van Reeth K. , Tsiodras S. , Spyrou V. , Billinis C. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryThe introduction of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) influenza virus in pigs changed the epidemiology of influenza A viruses (IAVs) in swine in Europe and the rest of the world. Previously, three IAV subtypes were found in the European pig population: an avian‐like H1N1 and two reassortant H1N2 and H3N2 viruses with human‐origin haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase proteins and internal genes of avian decent. These viruses pose antigenically distinct HAs, which allow the retrospective diagnosis of infection in serological investigations. However, cross‐reactions between the HA of pH1N1 and the HAs of the other circulating H1 IAVs complicate serological diagnosis. The prevalence of IAVs in Greek swine has been poorly investigated. In this study, we examined and compared haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titres against previously established IAVs and pH1N1 in 908 swine sera from 88 herds, collected before and after the 2009 pandemic. While we confirmed the historic presence of the three IAVs established in European swine, we also found that 4% of the pig sera examined after 2009 had HI antibodies only against the pH1N1 virus. Our results indicate that pH1N1 is circulating in Greek pigs and stress out the importance of a vigorous virological surveillance programme.
Spherical grating based x‐ray Talbot interferometry
Authors: Cong Wenxiang , Xi Yan , Wang Ge 
Published: October 2015

Purpose:Grating interferometry is a state‐of‐the‐art x‐ray imaging approach, which can acquire information on x‐ray attenuation, phase shift, and small‐angle scattering simultaneously. Phase‐contrast imaging and dark‐field imaging are very sensitive to microstructural variation and offers superior contrast resolution for biological soft tissues. However, a common x‐ray tube is a point‐like source. As a result, the popular planar grating imaging configuration seriously restricts the flux of photons and decreases the visibility of signals, yielding a limited field of view. The purpose of this study is to extend the planar x‐ray grating imaging theory and methods to a spherical grating scheme for a wider range of preclinical and clinical applications.Methods:A spherical grating matches the wave front of a point x‐ray source very well, allowing the perpendicular incidence of x‐rays on the grating to achieve a higher visibility over a larger field of view than the planer grating counterpart. A theoretical analysis of the Talbot effect for spherical grating imaging is proposed to establish a basic foundation for x‐ray spherical gratings interferometry. An efficient method of spherical grating imaging is also presented to extract attenuation, differential phase, and dark‐field images in the x‐ray spherical grating interferometer.Results:Talbot self‐imaging with spherical gratings is analyzed based on the Rayleigh–Sommerfeld diffraction formula, featuring a periodic angular distribution in a polar coordinate system. The Talbot distance is derived to reveal the Talbot self‐imaging pattern. Numerical simulation results show the self‐imaging phenomenon of a spherical grating interferometer, which is in agreement with the theoretical prediction.Conclusions:X‐ray Talbot interferometry with spherical gratings has a significant practical promise. Relative to planar grating imaging, spherical grating based x‐ray Talbot interferometry has a larger field of view and improves both signal visibility and dose utilization for pre‐clinical and clinical applications.
Technical Note: Phantom study to evaluate the dose and image quality effects of a computed tomography organ‐based tube current modulation technique
Authors: Gandhi Diksha , Crotty Dominic J. , Stevens Grant M. , Schmidt Taly Gilat 
Published: October 2015

Purpose:This technical note quantifies the dose and image quality performance of a clinically available organ‐dose‐based tube current modulation (ODM) technique, using experimental and simulation phantom studies. The investigated ODM implementation reduces the tube current for the anterior source positions, without increasing current for posterior positions, although such an approach was also evaluated for comparison.Methods:Axial CT scans at 120 kV were performed on head and chest phantoms on an ODM‐equipped scanner (Optima CT660, GE Healthcare, Chalfont St. Giles, England). Dosimeters quantified dose to breast, lung, heart, spine, eye lens, and brain regions for ODM and 3D‐modulation (SmartmA) settings. Monte Carlo simulations, validated with experimental data, were performed on 28 voxelized head phantoms and 10 chest phantoms to quantify organ dose and noise standard deviation. The dose and noise effects of increasing the posterior tube current were also investigated.Results:ODM reduced the dose for all experimental dosimeters with respect to SmartmA, with average dose reductions across dosimeters of 31% (breast), 21% (lung), 24% (heart), 6% (spine), 19% (eye lens), and 11% (brain), with similar results for the simulation validation study. In the phantom library study, the average dose reduction across all phantoms was 34% (breast), 20% (lung), 8% (spine), 20% (eye lens), and 8% (brain). ODM increased the noise standard deviation in reconstructed images by 6%–20%, with generally greater noise increases in anterior regions. Increasing the posterior tube current provided similar dose reduction as ODM for breast and eye lens, increased dose to the spine, with noise effects ranging from 2% noise reduction to 16% noise increase. At noise equal to SmartmA, ODM increased the estimated effective dose by 4% and 8% for chest and head scans, respectively. Increasing the posterior tube current further increased the effective dose by 15% (chest) and 18% (head) relative to SmartmA.Conclusions:ODM reduced dose in all experimental and simulation studies over a range of phantoms, while increasing noise. The results suggest a net dose/noise benefit for breast and eye lens for all studied phantoms, negligible lung dose effects for two phantoms, increased lung dose and/or noise for eight phantoms, and increased dose and/or noise for brain and spine for all studied phantoms compared to the reference protocol.
Multigrid reconstruction with block‐iterative updates for breast tomosynthesis
Authors: Michielsen Koen , Nuyts Johan 
Published: October 2015

Purpose:The authors wish to evaluate the possible advantages of using a multigrid approach to maximum‐a‐posteriori reconstruction in digital breast tomosynthesis together with block‐iterative updates in the form of either plane‐by‐plane updates or ordered subsets.Methods:The authors previously developed a penalized maximum likelihood reconstruction algorithm with resolution model dedicated to breast tomosynthesis [K. Michielsen et al., “Patchwork reconstruction with resolution modeling for digital breast tomosynthesis,” Med. Phys. 40, 031105 (10pp.) (2013)]. This algorithm was extended with ordered subsets and multigrid updates, and the effects on the convergence and on limited angle artifact appearance were evaluated on a mathematical phantom and patient data. To ensure a fair comparison, the analysis was performed at the same computational cost for all methods. To assess convergence and artifact creation in the phantom reconstructions, the authors looked at posterior likelihood, sum of squared residuals, contrast of identical calcifications at different positions, and the standard deviation between the contrasts of these calcifications. For the patient cases, the authors calculated posterior likelihood, measured the signal difference to noise ratio of subtle microcalcifications, and visually evaluated the reconstructions.Results:The authors selected multigrid sequences scoring in the best 10% of the four evaluated parameters, except for the reconstructions with subsets where a low standard deviation of the contrast was incompatible with the three other parameters. In further evaluation of phantom reconstructions from noisy data and patient data, the authors found improved convergence and a reduction in artifacts for our chosen multigrid reconstructions compared to the single grid reconstructions with equivalent computational cost, although there was a diminishing return for an increasing number of subsets.Conclusions:Multigrid reconstruction improves upon reconstruction with a fixed grid when evaluated at a fixed computational cost. For multigrid reconstruction, using plane‐by‐plane updates or applying ordered subsets resulted in similar performance.
Activity of Isavuconazole and Other Azoles against Candida Clinical Isolates and Yeast Model Systems with Known Azole Resistance Mechanisms
Authors: Sanglard Dominique , Coste Alix T. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTIsavuconazole is a novel, broad-spectrum, antifungal azole. In order to evaluate its interactions with known azole resistance mechanisms, isavuconazole susceptibility among different yeast models and clinical isolates expressing characterized azole resistance mechanisms was tested and compared to those of fluconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole.Saccharomyces cerevisiaeexpressing theCandida albicansandC. glabrataATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters (CDR1,CDR2, andCgCDR1), major facilitator (MDR1), and lanosterol 14-α-sterol-demethylase (ERG11) alleles with mutations were used. In addition, pairs ofC. albicansandC. glabratastrains from matched clinical isolates with known azole resistance mechanisms were investigated. The expression of ABC transporters increased all azole MICs, suggesting that all azoles tested were substrates of ABC transporters. The expression ofMDR1did not increase posaconazole, itraconazole, and isavuconazole MICs. Relative increases of azole MICs (from 4- to 32-fold) were observed for fluconazole, voriconazole, and isavuconazole when at least two mutations were present in the sameERG11allele. Upon MIC testing of azoles with clinicalC. albicansandC. glabrataisolates with known resistance mechanisms, the MIC90s ofC. albicansfor fluconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, and isavuconazole were 128, 2, 1, 0.5, and 2 μg/ml, respectively, while inC. glabratathey were 128, 2, 4, 4, and 16 μg/ml, respectively. In conclusion, the effects of azole resistance mechanisms on isavuconazole did not differ significantly from those of other azoles. Resistance mechanisms in yeasts involving ABC transporters andERG11decreased the activity of isavuconazole, whileMDR1had limited effect.
Subgingival Plaque in Periodontal Health Antagonizes at Toll-Like Receptor 4 and Inhibits E-Selectin Expression on Endothelial Cells
Authors: To Thao T. , Gümüş Pinar , Nizam Nejat , Buduneli Nurcan , Darveau Richard P. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

The ability of the subgingival microbial community to induce an inappropriate inflammatory response ultimately results in the destruction of bone and gingival tissue. In this study, subgingival plaque samples from both healthy and diseased sites in the same individual were obtained from adults with chronic periodontitis and screened for their ability to either activate Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) or TLR4 and to antagonize TLR4-specific activation by agonist,
Fusobacterium nucleatum
LPS. Subgingival plaque from diseased sites strongly activated TLR4, whereas matched plaque samples obtained from healthy sites were significantly more variable, with some samples displaying strong TLR4 antagonism, while others were strong TLR4 agonists when combined with
F. nucleatum
LPS. Similar results were observed when TLR4 dependent E-selectin expression by endothelial cells was determined. These results are the first to demonstrate TLR4 antagonism from human plaque samples and demonstrate that healthy but not diseased sites display a wide variation in TLR4 agonist and antagonist behavior. The results have identified a novel characteristic of clinically healthy sites and warrant further study on the contribution of TLR4 antagonism in the progression of a healthy periodontal site to a diseased one.