bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro development of OPU‐derived bovine embryos cultured either individually or in groups with the silk protein sericin and the viability of frozen‐thawed embryos after transfer
Authors: Isobe Tomohiro , Ikebata Yoshihisa , Do Lanh Thi Kim , Tanihara Fuminori , Taniguchi Masayasu , Otoi Takeshige 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe optimization of single‐embryo culture conditions is very important, particularly in the in vitro production of bovine embryos using the ovum pick‐up (OPU) procedure. The purpose of this study was to examine the development of embryos derived from oocytes obtained by OPU that were cultured either individually or in groups in medium supplemented with or without sericin and to investigate the viability of the frozen‐thawed embryos after a direct transfer. When two‐cell‐stage embryos were cultured either individually or in groups for 7 days in CR1aa medium supplemented with or without 0.5% sericin, the rates of development to blastocysts and freezable blastocysts were significantly lower for the embryos cultured individually without sericin than for the embryos cultured in groups with or without sericin. Moreover, the rate of development to freezable blastocysts of the embryos cultured individually with sericin was significantly higher than that of the embryos cultured without sericin. When the frozen‐thawed embryos were transferred directly to recipients, the rates of pregnancy, abortion, stillbirth and normal calving in the recipients were similar among the groups, irrespective of the culture conditions and sericin supplementation. Our findings indicate that supplementation with sericin during embryo culture improves the quality of the embryos cultured individually but not the viability of the frozen‐thawed embryos after transfer to recipients.
Effect of fat content on sensory characteristics of marbled beef from Japanese Black steers
Authors: Iida Fumiko , Saitou Kaoru , Kawamura Tadashi , Yamaguchi Shizuko , Nishimura Toshihide 
Published: December 2014

AbstractTo analyze the sensory characteristics of meat samples with a crude fat content between 23.8% and 48.6% taken from 34 Japanese Black steers, we grilled the meat and subjected it to analytical sensory evaluation. We also measured the amounts of moisture, protein, nucleic acid and glutamic acid. An increase in crude fat content increased the tenderness, juiciness, and fattiness in the meat quality evaluation. An increase in crude fat content reduced the crude protein and moisture contents; it also slightly reduced the nucleic acid and glutamic acid contents, although when the reductions in these umami components were assessed relative to the moisture content they changed little. Increasing the fat content up to a certain point greatly enhanced the umami intensity and beef flavor intensity in the meat quality evaluation and raised the overall evaluation score; the peak of the appropriate crude fat content for these purposes was about 36%.
Both farming practices and landscape characteristics determine the diversity of characteristic and rare arable weeds in organically managed fields
Authors: Rotchés‐Ribalta Roser , Blanco‐Moreno José Manuel , Armengot Laura , Chamorro Lourdes , Sans Francesc Xavier 
Published: December 2014

AbstractQuestionsDo both current and past (short‐term) farming practices and landscape characteristics have an effect on the diversity of characteristic and rare arable plant communities in organic fields? What is the role of farm management strategies, apart from farm spatial configuration, in determining the diversity components of these species sets?LocationThirty‐two farms scattered across NE Spain (Catalonia).MethodsSpecialist species of arable fields, belonging to the Secalietalia cerealis Br‐Bl. 1936, were surveyed at the edges of organically managed fields. We assessed the effects of farm management and landscape characteristics at the field and farm scales on α‐, β‐ and γ‐diversity values of these characteristic arable species. Analyses were also conducted on a subset of Secalietalia species that are considered to be rare. Statistical analyses were performed using multimodel inference determined on the basis of all possible models from an a priori set.ResultsField variables, such as years since conversion to organic management, proportion of cereal crops in the rotation and autumn sowing, had a positive effect, whereas growing non‐cereal crops and fertilization had a negative effect on the richness of characteristic species. The field area had a positive effect on the species richness of characteristic and rare arable plants. At the farm level, the proportion of cereal crop fields to the total amount of fields affected both β and γ characteristic diversity. The landscape variables at the farm level only influenced the β‐diversity of rare species.ConclusionsThe effects of management and landscape on arable weed diversity depended on whether the field or the farm is the focus of the analysis. Characteristic and rare arable species were more affected by factors operating at local scales. Characteristic species richness responded positively to sowing cereal crops, autumn sowing and periodic soil disturbances but was negatively affected by slurry fertilization. Thus, policies promoting some of the former practices should favour characteristic arable species and mitigate the decline of the rare arable species.
The Invisibility of Disability: Using Dance to Shake from Bioethics the Idea of ‘Broken Bodies’
Authors: Harmon Shawn H.E. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractComplex social and ethical problems are often most effectively solved by engaging them at the messy and uncomfortable intersections of disciplines and practices, a notion that grounds the InVisible Difference project, which seeks to extend thinking and alter practice around the making, status, ownership, and value of work by contemporary dance choreographers by examining choreographic work through the lenses of law, bioethics, dance scholarship, and the practice of dance by differently‐abled dancers. This article offers a critical thesis on how bioethics has come to occupy a marginal and marginalizing role in questions about the differently‐abled body. In doing so, it has rendered the disabled community largely invisible to and in bioethics. It then defends the claim that bioethics – as a social undertaking pursued collaboratively by individuals from different disciplines – must take much better notice of the body and the embodied individual if it is to better achieve its ends, which include constructing a moral and just society. Finally, this article considers how the arts, and specifically dance (and here dance by differently‐abled dancers), provides us with rich evidence about the body and our ability to respond positively to normally ‘othered’ bodies. It concludes that greater attention to empirical evidence like that being generated in InVisible Difference will help to expand the reach and significance of bioethics, and thereby its relevance to (and consciousness of) important questions about the status of bodies and bodily differences, which must be considered as central to its ambitions.
Pathogenesis of nasal polyposis
Authors: Hulse K. E. , Stevens W. W. , Tan B. K. , Schleimer R. P. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryChronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a complex inflammatory condition that affects a large proportion of the population world‐wide and is associated with high cost of management and significant morbidity. Yet, there is a lack of population‐based epidemiologic studies using current definitions of CRSwNP, and the mechanisms that drive pathogenesis in this disease remain unclear. In this review, we summarize the current evidence for the plethora of factors that likely contribute to CRSwNP pathogenesis. Defects in the innate function of the airway epithelial barrier, including diminished expression of antimicrobial products and loss of barrier integrity, combined with colonization by fungi and bacteria likely play a critical role in the development of chronic inflammation in CRSwNP. This chronic inflammation is characterized by elevated expression of many key inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including IL‐5, thymic stromal lymphopoietin and CCL11, that help to initiate and perpetuate this chronic inflammatory response. Together, these factors likely combine to drive the influx of a variety of immune cells, including eosinophils, mast cells, group 2 innate lymphoid cells and lymphocytes, which participate in the chronic inflammatory response within the nasal polyps. Importantly, however, future studies are needed to demonstrate the necessity and sufficiency of these potential drivers of disease in CRSwNP. In addition to the development of new tools and models to aid mechanistic studies, the field of CRSwNP research also needs the type of robust epidemiologic data that has served the asthma community so well. Given the high prevalence, costs and morbidity, there is a great need for continued research into CRS that could facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies to improve treatment for patients who suffer from this disease.
Short‐term effect of intravitreal ranibizumab on intraocular concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor‐A and pigment epithelium‐derived factor in neovascular glaucoma
Authors: Wang Jia Wei , Zhou Min Wen , Zhang Xiulan , Huang Wen Bin , Gao Xin Bo , Wang Wei , Chen Shida , Zhang Xin Yu , Ding Xiao Yan , Jonas Jost B 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundThis study aims to evaluate concentrations of pigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A in aqueous of patients with neovascular glaucoma prior to, and shortly after, an intravitreal ranibizumab injection.DesignInterventional comparative study.ParticipantsThe study included patients undergoing an intravitreal ranibizumab injection about one week before anti‐glaucomatous surgery (study group) or who underwent routine cataract surgery (control group).MethodsAqueous and blood samples were collected at the occasions of intravitreal injections, anti‐glaucomatous surgery or cataract surgery. They were analysed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Main Outcome MeasuresConcentrations of PEDF and VEGF‐A in aqueous.ResultsAt baseline, concentrations VEGF‐A (3698 ± 2105 pg/mL vs. 233 ± 98 pg/mL) and PEDF (18.9 ± 11.9 ug/mL vs. 2.2 ± 0.6 ug/mL) were higher (P < 0.001) in the study group (n = 20 patients) than control group (n = 20 patients). The VEGF‐A/PEDF concentration ratio was higher in the study group (396 ± 554 vs. 110 ± 49; P = 0.02). One week after the ranibizumab injection, iris neovascularization had completely regressed in 17 (85%) eyes, and VEGF‐A concentration decreased significantly (P < 0.001) to 184 ± 130 pg/mL. The PEDF concentration remained unchanged (19 ± 12 ug/mL). The VEGF‐A/PEDF concentration ratio decreased to 13.2 ± 13.6. Plasma concentrations of VEGF‐A and PEDF did not differ significantly between both groups (P = 0.65 and P = 0.15, respectively) nor were they significantly correlated with the aqueous concentrations (all P > 0.15).ConclusionsAqueous concentrations of VEGF‐A and PEDF were significantly elevated in eyes with neovascular glaucoma. Within one week after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab, VEGF‐A concentration decreased to subnormal levels, while the PEDF concentration remained unchanged and the VEGF‐A/PEDF ratio decreased.
Influence of osteoporosis on the osteocyte density of human mandibular bone samples: a controlled histological human study
Authors: Oliveira Pablo S. , Rodrigues José A. , Shibli Jamil A. , Piattelli Adriano , Iezzi Giovanna , Perrotti Vittoria 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectivesOsteocytes have emerged as key regulators of skeletal and mineral homeostasis. The number of these cells could be influenced by the presence of osteoporosis and osteopenia. Hence, the aim this study was to evaluate the osteocyte density in patients with osteopenia, and in patients with osteoporosis treated with bisphosphonates.Materials and methodsThirty‐nine patients were selected for this study and divided into three groups: (A) nine healthy patients (control), (B) 15 patients with osteopenia, and (C) 15 patients with osteoporosis. During the surgical insertion of dental implants in the lower jaw, bone samples were retrieved and processed for histological analysis of osteocyte density, measured as number of osteocytes/bone tissue area (μm2).ResultsPatients with osteopenia showed statistically higher values of osteocyte density than patients with osteoporosis (P < 0.05) No significant differences were detected between osteopenia and osteoporosis subjects vs. healthy patients (P > 0.05).ConclusionsBone metabolism diseases (osteoporosis and osteopenia) do not seem to influence the osteocyte density; this could be due to the administration of bisphosphonates in patients with osteoporosis. This information could play a fundamental role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients in a postmenopausal stage.
Evaluation of quality of life and function at 1 year after transanal endoscopic microsurgery
Authors: Hompes R. , Ashraf S. Q. , Gosselink M. P. , van Dongen K. W. , Mortensen N. J. , Lindsey I. , Cunningham C. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimTransanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) enables organ preservation after rectal tumour surgery. Its application is being expanded using adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatments. Our objective was to evaluate the changes over time in anorectal function, urinary symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in patients who had TEM surgery for a rectal tumour.MethodBetween September 2009 and October 2012, a consecutive series of 102 patients underwent TEM at a single institution. Patients were asked to fill out standardized questionnaires at baseline and then at 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks after surgery. The QoL among these patients was assessed using one generic (EQ‐5D) and two disease‐specific [European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ‐C30 and QLQ‐CR29] questionnaires. Anorectal and urinary symptoms were studied using the COlo‐REctal Functional Outcome (COREFO) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (I‐PSS) questionnaires, respectively.ResultsThe response rate was 90% (92/102 patients). Postoperative complications occurred in 14% (13/92) of patients. The general QoL (as assessed using the EQ‐5D) was lower 6 and 12 weeks after TEM compared with baseline QoL (P < 0.05) but returned towards baseline after 26 weeks. Anorectal function (determined using the COREFO) was worse 6 weeks postoperatively (P < 0.01) but had normalized by 12 weeks. Urinary function (determined using the I‐PSS) was not affected at any time point after surgery. The total COREFO score and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score were correlated with the deterioration in QoL.ConclusionThe study demonstrates that TEM has a temporary and reversible impact on QoL and anorectal function. Intensive interrogation of QoL and function using appropriate questionnaires will help to define the role of organ‐preserving surgery for rectal cancer before and after chemoradiotherapy.
Plant lectins, from ancient sugar‐binding proteins to emerging anti‐cancer drugs in apoptosis and autophagy
Authors: Jiang Q.‐L. , Zhang S. , Tian M. , Zhang S.‐Y. , Xie T. , Chen D.‐Y. , Chen Y.‐J. , He J. , Liu J. , Ouyang L. , Jiang X. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractUbiquitously distributed in different plant species, plant lectins are highly diverse carbohydrate‐binding proteins of non‐immune origin. They have interesting pharmacological activities and currently are of great interest to thousands of people working on biomedical research in cancer‐related problems. It has been widely accepted that plant lectins affect both apoptosis and autophagy by modulating representative signalling pathways involved in Bcl‐2 family, caspase family, p53, PI3K/Akt, ERK, BNIP3, Ras‐Raf and ATG families, in cancer. Plant lectins may have a role as potential new anti‐tumour agents in cancer drug discovery. Thus, here we summarize these findings on pathway‐ involved plant lectins, to provide a comprehensive perspective for further elucidating their potential role as novel anti‐cancer drugs, with respect to both apoptosis and autophagy in cancer pathogenesis, and future therapy.
Treatment of young patients with HNF1A mutations (HNF1A–MODY)
Authors: Raile K. , Schober E. , Konrad K. , Thon A. , Grulich‐Henn J. , Meissner T. , Wölfle J. , Scheuing N. , Holl R. W. ,   the DPV Initiative the German BMBF Competence Network Diabetes Mellitus
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimChildren and adolescents with a molecular diagnosis of HNF1A–MODY should be treated with oral sulfonylurea according to current International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) guidelines.MethodsWe surveyed the German–Austrian DPV database of 50 043 people and included 114 patients with a confirmed molecular–genetic diagnosis of HNF1A mutation and diabetes onset at below age 18 years. We analysed hypoglycaemic episodes, metabolic control (HbA1c) and other clinical variables according to treatment groups.ResultsPeople with HNF1A–MODY were included and analysed according to treatment with insulin alone (n = 34), sulfonylurea (n = 30), meglitinides (n = 22) or lifestyle (n = 28). In those receiving any drug treatment (n = 86), severe hypoglycaemia did not occur with meglitinide and was highest (at 3.6 events per 100 patient‐years) with insulin. HbA1c was highest with insulin treatment (insulin = 58 mmol/mol, 7.5%; sulfonylurea = 55 mmol/mol, 7.2%; meglitinides = 52 mmol/mol, 6.9%; P = 0.008), whereas weight (BMI SD score), serum lipids and blood pressure were not different.ConclusionsOf note, 40% of people with HNF1A–MODY and medical treatment were receiving insulin alone and thus were not being treated in line with up‐to‐date International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes/International Diabetes Federation guidelines, despite insulin treatment being associated with worse metabolic control and the risk of hypoglycaemia. The unlicensed use of oral drugs in patients below age 18 years and adherence by both doctors and patients to the initial insulin treatment might contribute to this finding.
Development and validation of a cost–utility model for Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Wolowacz S. , Pearson I. , Shannon P. , Chubb B. , Gundgaard J. , Davies M. , Briggs A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimsTo develop a health economic model to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of new interventions for Type 1 diabetes mellitus by their effects on long‐term complications (measured through mean HbA1c) while capturing the impact of treatment on hypoglycaemic events.MethodsThrough a systematic review, we identified complications associated with Type 1 diabetes mellitus and data describing the long‐term incidence of these complications. An individual patient simulation model was developed and included the following complications: cardiovascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, microalbuminuria, end‐stage renal disease, proliferative retinopathy, ketoacidosis, cataract, hypoglycemia and adverse birth outcomes. Risk equations were developed from published cumulative incidence data and hazard ratios for the effect of HbA1c, age and duration of diabetes. We validated the model by comparing model predictions with observed outcomes from studies used to build the model (internal validation) and from other published data (external validation). We performed illustrative analyses for typical patient cohorts and a hypothetical intervention.ResultsModel predictions were within 2% of expected values in the internal validation and within 8% of observed values in the external validation (percentages represent absolute differences in the cumulative incidence).ConclusionsThe model utilized high‐quality, recent data specific to people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. In the model validation, results deviated less than 8% from expected values.
Effects of three endophytic entomopathogens on sweet sorghum and on the larvae of the stalk borer Sesamia nonagrioides
Authors: Mantzoukas Spiridon , Chondrogiannis Christos , Grammatikopoulos George 
Published: December 2014

AbstractVarious endophytic fungi of native plants and crops are important entomopathogens. The objective of this study was to investigate the entomopathogenic action of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, Metarhizium robertsii (Metchnikoff) Sorokin, and Isaria fumosorosea (Wize) Brown & Smith (all Ascomycota: Hypocreales) against larvae of Sesamia nonagrioides (Lefebvre) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) artificially introduced into Sorghum bicolor L. (Moench) (Poaceae) plants under natural environmental conditions. Sorghum bicolor is an economically important crop cultivated for grain, fiber, forage, and lately for biofuel, and S. nonagrioides is its main pest in Mediterranean areas. Young sorghum plants were inoculated with the entomopathogens by spraying in the field. Plant water status, chlorophyll concentration, photosynthesis, and transpiration were not affected. Thirty days after endophyte establishment, plants were infested with fourth instars of S. nonagrioides. The endophytes prevented 50–70% of larvae from entering stalks. Larval mortality was 70–100% and tunnel lengths were reduced by 60–87%. Larval infestation resulted in reduced electron transport capacity and net photosynthetic rate, which was ameliorated in the presence of I. fumosorosea and reversed by B. bassiana and M. robertsii. The growth of sorghum was unaffected in all treatments during the experimental period. Beauveria bassiana and M. robertsii can protect sweet sorghum from damage induced by S. nonagrioides under natural environmental conditions without affecting plant physiology and growth.
Soil organic and inorganic carbon and stable carbon isotopes in the Yanqi Basin of northwestern China
Authors: Wang J. P. , Wang X. J. , Zhang J. , Zhao C. Y. 
Published: December 2014

SummarySoil organic carbon (SOC) and soil inorganic carbon (SIC) are important reservoirs of carbon in terrestrial ecosystems. Assessments of both SOC and SIC are lacking in arid regions. We carried out a survey in central Xinjiang, the Yanqi Basin, to evaluate the dynamics of SOC and SIC. Twenty‐one soil profiles were sampled from three land types: desert, shrub and agricultural soils. We determined SOC and SIC and the stable carbon isotope compositions (δ13C). Our data showed a decrease with depth for SOC in all soil profiles but an increase for SIC except in the desert soils. Both SOC and SIC stocks (over the 0–30‐cm depth) were least in the desert soils (1.0 ± 0.3 and 4.0 ± 0.8 kg C m−2 for SOC and SIC, respectively) but greatest in the agricultural soils (4.6 ± 0.6 and 11.0 ± 2.0 kg C m−2 for SOC and SIC, respectively). Total soil carbon stocks at 0–100 cm were 11.6 ± 4.8, 45.1 ± 10.4 and 51.2 ± 5.6 kg C m−2 in the desert soils, shrub soils and agricultural soils, respectively. On average, SIC accounted for more than 80% of the total carbon in this region. There were no significant differences in δ13C of SOC between land‐use types. In contrast, the δ13C of SIC was different: desert soils (−0.6‰) > shrub soils (−2.2‰) > agricultural soils (−3.4‰). The depleted 13C in SIC in the agricultural soils indicates enhancement of pedogenic carbonate by cropping. Our study suggests that converting shrub land to agricultural land in arid regions may lead to an increase not only in SOC stock, but also in SIC stock.