bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dermatophytes from skin lesions of domestic animals in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Chah Kennedy F. , Majiagbe Kehinde A. , Kazeem Haruna M. , Ezeanyika Ogechukwu , Agbo Ifeoma C. 
Published: August 2012

Background –  Dermatophytes are well‐recognized cutaneous fungi with public health implications. In Nigeria, several studies have been carried out on dermatophytosis in humans; however, data on dermatophytes in animals are lacking.Objectives –  This study was conducted to determine the occurrence and species of dermatophytes in skin lesions in domestic animals in Nsukka Agricultural Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria.Animals –  Forty‐six domestic animals (dogs, goats, sheep and pigs) presented for sale in the local markets in the study area and with suspected lesions of dermatophytosis were used for the study.Methods –  Plucked hairs and epidermal scales from the skin lesions of affected animals were inoculated on Sabouraud dextrose agar slants containing 0.05 mg/mL of chloramphenicol and 0.5 mg/mL of cycloheximide. Inoculated slants were incubated at room temperature (27°C) for up to 4 weeks and examined at 2–3 day intervals for fungal growth. Laboratory identification of the fungal isolates was based on their colonial, microscopic and biochemical characteristics.Results –  Of the 46 animals with suspected lesions of dermatophytosis, six (13.0%) were positive for a dermatophyte, and the following dermatophytes were identified: Microsporum gypseum, two of 12 sheep; Microsporum audouinii, one of 16 dogs; Trichophyton mentagrophytes, one of 16 dogs and one of 12 sheep; and Trichophyton schoenleinii, one of 13 goats.Conclusions and clinical importance –  Anthropophilic dermatophytes are among the fungal agents associated with dermatophytosis in animals in Nsukka Agricultural Zone. These dermatophytes could constitute health risks to humans in contact with the animals.
Dermal delivery by niosomes of black tea extract as a sunscreen agent
Authors: Yeh Meng‐I , Huang Hsiu‐Chin , Liaw Jia‐Horng , Huang Min‐Chuan , Huang Kuei‐Fen , Hsu Feng‐Lin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectives The primary objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using niosomes as a delivery vehicle for the dermal administration in vitro of black tea extract (BTE) as a sunscreen.Methods Multi‐lamellar niosomes were obtained by means of a previously reported method of lipid hydration films. In vitro penetration experiments through nude mouse skin were carried out to evaluate the potential of niosomes as a dermal formulation. The nude mouse skin membrane allowed the effects of penetration with a niosome formulation to be evaluated. Penetration rates of caffeine‐ and gallic acid‐loaded niosomes in a steady state were higher than dispersion in aqueous solutions.Results For skin permeation, higher transdermal absorption rates were seen with solutions of caffeine and gallic acid.Conclusions In the near future, BTE as a sunscreen agent will be dermally delivered by niosomes.
Incidence of deep vein thrombosis in erysipelas or cellulitis of the lower extremities
Authors: Mortazavi Mohammadreza , Samiee Mitra M. , Spencer Frederick A. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with erysipelas and cellulitis of the lower extremities is unknown. As such, the indication and efficacy of prophylactic anticoagulation for prevention of DVT in these patients is unclear. The main goal of this review is to provide an estimate of the incidence of DVT in erysipelas and cellulitis based on existing literature.A comprehensive search of the electronic sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, LILAC and Cochrane without any language limitation was performed from 1950 to April 2011 for articles focused on the occurrence of DVT in cellulitis or erysipelas of the lower extremities.The selected studies were divided into two groups according to presence or absence of systematic investigation for DVT. Those studies in which the patients received prophylactic or therapeutic anticoagulants before a diagnosis of DVT were excluded.The reported incidence rate of DVT in patients with erysipelas or cellulitis of the lower extremities is highly variable, ranging from 0 to 15%. In this review, the overall incidence rates of DVT in studies with and without systematic investigation for thromboembolism were 2.72% (95% CI: 1.71–3.75%) and 0.68% (95% CI: 0.27–1.07%), respectively.Given the low reported overall incidence of DVT, neither routine prophylactic anticoagulation nor systematic paraclinical investigation for DVT is indicated in low risk patients with erysipelas or cellulitis of the lower extremities. DVT should still be considered in patients with high pretest probability or other thromboembolic risk factors.
Transforming growth factor‐beta1 in inflammatory airway disease: a key for understanding inflammation and remodeling
Authors: Yang Y. C. , Zhang N. , Van Crombruggen K. , Hu G. H. , Hong S. L. , Bachert C. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAirway diseases such as chronic rhinosinusitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder are characterized by inflammation and remodeling. Among inflammatory and extracellular matrix regulatory cytokines, transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) stands central, as it possesses both important immunomodulatory and fibrogenic activities, and should be considered a key for understanding inflammation and remodeling processes. This review will briefly summarize the recent findings on the role of TGF‐β1, from the view points of inflammation and remodeling, and discuss the role of TGF‐β in the upper and lower airway diseases. This may reveal new perspectives in the understanding of airway inflammation and remodeling processes and may open innovative treatment strategies for the regulation of TGF‐β1.
Dietary therapy can reverse esophageal subepithelial fibrosis in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis: a historical cohort
Authors: Lieberman J. A. , Morotti R. A. , Konstantinou G. N. , Yershov O. , Chehade M. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundFibrosis of the esophageal lamina propria is a known complication of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). To date, therapy with topical corticosteroids has been shown to reverse esophageal fibrosis in some patients; however, there is little evidence to suggest that dietary therapy can also reverse it. Our aim was to examine whether dietary therapy alone can reverse esophageal fibrosis in children with EoE.MethodsWe performed a historical cohort study based on children with EoE who had esophageal fibrosis on pretreatment biopsies using trichrome staining. Post‐treatment biopsies were analyzed for fibrosis reversal, and results were compared between patients treated with dietary restriction and those that received topical steroids. Clinical characteristics (age, symptoms, duration of symptoms prior to therapy, treatment type, and duration of therapy) were recorded. Histological markers (eosinophil numbers and eosinophilic degranulation in both epithelium and lamina propria, basal zone hyperplasia, and the presence of eosinophilic microabscesses in the epithelium) were examined by reviewing hematoxylin and eosin‐stained biopsies and by immunohistochemical staining. These were examined as potential predictors for fibrosis reversal.ResultsFibrosis resolved following both dietary restriction and topical steroids (3/17 and 5/9 patients respectively, P = 0.078). Post‐treatment symptom resolution and decreased intraepithelial eosinophil numbers were found to be the only significant predictors of fibrosis resolution.ConclusionsDietary restriction alone, similar to topical steroids, can reverse fibrosis in children with EoE.
Why is it so Difficult to Derive Pluripotent Stem Cells in Domestic Ungulates?
Authors: Gandolfi F , Pennarossa G , Maffei S , Brevini TAL 
Published: August 2012

ContentPluripotent stem cells are the focus of an extremely active field of investigation that is bringing new light on our understanding of the mechanisms that control pluripotency and differentiation. Rodent and primates are the only species where true, or bona fide, pluripotent stem cells have been derived. The attempts to derive pluripotent stem cells from domestic ungulates have been going on for more than 20 years with little progress. Cell lines from these species present a series of limitations that have precluded their use for both basic and clinically oriented studies. However, in the last 3 years, some substantial progress have been made making the currently available ungulate pluripotent stem cells closest than ever before to their human and mouse counterpart. This result has been achieved through both conceptual and technical progress that will be illustrated and discussed in this review.
Reproductive Issues Arising from Different Management Systems in the Dairy Industry
Authors: Mee JF 
Published: August 2012

ContentsThe objective of this review is to address the reproductive issues arising from different dairy management systems by describing divergent systems and comparing their reproductive outcomes. The increasing global demand for dairy products has led to the majority of the world’s milk being produced in intensive management systems. This intensification has occurred in both zero‐grazed (ZG) and in pasture‐based (PB) systems, and it has contributed directly to the current decline in dairy cow fertility globally. Given the heterogeneous nature of both ZG and PB systems, comparisons between them in dairy cow reproductive performance need to be treated with caution. In general, cows in ZG systems have higher milk production and better energy balance but more of some animal health problems, lower ovarian activity post‐partum, reduced oestrous expression, reduced conception success, and higher culling and mortality rates, than cows in PB systems. Key environmental descriptors affecting reproductive performance within management systems include the type and duration of housing and the pre‐ and post‐partum diet composition. Genetic by environment (GxE) interactions for dairy cow fertility have been detected for some, but not for other, management systems. Given the concerns of some consumers within the EU about the health, fertility and welfare of dairy cows in modern dairy herd management systems, there is a need to address these concerns with large‐scale experimental and epidemiological studies.
Reproductive Issues in Welfare‐Friendly Housing Systems in Pig Husbandry: A Review
Authors: Kemp B , Soede NM 
Published: August 2012

ContentsIn Europe, housing conditions of sows are currently changing, related with a larger emphasis on pig welfare. As a result, sows are and will be less kept in crates, but more so in loose housing systems (farrowing, lactation) and group housing systems (pregnancy, lactation, weaning‐to‐oestrus interval). These changes in housing conditions may affect reproductive functioning of the sows. Group housing of sows may decrease farrowing rate and litter size when stress levels rise or when feed intake in early pregnancy is not fully secured. Loose housing during farrowing results in an improved farrowing process, but may increase piglet mortality by crushing during early lactation. Further, group housing during lactation may increase the risk of lactational oestrus. Thus, new – welfare friendly – housing systems require increased attention to management to ensure optimal reproductive performance.
The Influencing Factor of In Vitro Fertilization and Embryonic Transfer in the Domestic Fowl (Gallus domesticus)
Authors: Li BC , Li W , Chen H , Zhang YN , Zhang ZT , Wang XY , Gao B , Dou TC , Wang KH 
Published: August 2012

ContentsThis study was conducted to explore the influencing factors of ova in vitro fertilization (IVF) and transfer of the fertilized ova into the oviduct of recipient hens. The efficiency of fertilization was compared using three aspects: (i) the different time of ova collection and transfer, (ii) egg‐laying period of recipient hen; and (iii) semen volume. The following results are observed: 72%, 40% and 0% of ova were found in ovarian sac in 30∼40 min, 50∼60 min and more than 90 min post‐oviposition, respectively; 20%, 18%, 14% and 5.8% of ova were fertilized with 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 ml semen, respectively; and 33% and 100% of healthy chickens were hatched from fertile ova with 0.1 and 0.5 ml of semen, respectively. All oocytes obtained from ovary and mid‐oviduct were unfertilized. Embryos were transferred into recipient hens 30 min ± 10 min post‐oviposition, and 70% of shelled eggs were produced. There were no eggs produced in the other transfer times. This demonstrated that live chicken can be obtained by IVF of ova collected shortly after oviposition. It was important that the ovum was transferred into the oviduct infundibulum of recipient hens immediately or shortly after oviposition.
Neurocognitive function in obstructive sleep apnoea: A meta‐review
Authors: BUCKS ROMOLA S. , OLAITHE MICHELLE , EASTWOOD PETER 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTAdult obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with cognitive dysfunction. While many review articles have attempted to summarize the evidence for this association, it remains difficult to determine which domains of cognition are affected by OSA. This is because of marked differences in the nature of these reviews (e.g. many are unsystematic) and the many different tasks and domains assessed. This paper addresses this issue by comparing the results of only systematic reviews or meta‐analyses assessing the effects of OSA on cognition, the relationship between OSA severity and cognition, and/or the effects of treatment on cognition in OSA. Electronic databases and hand‐searching were undertaken to select reviews that reported on these areas. We found 33 reviews; five reviews met predetermined, stringent selection criteria. The majority of reviews supported deficits in attention/vigilance, delayed long‐term visual and verbal memory, visuospatial/constructional abilities, and executive function in individuals with OSA. There is also general agreement that language ability and psychomotor function are unaffected by OSA. Data are equivocal for the effects of OSA on working memory, short‐term memory and global cognitive functioning. Attention/vigilance dysfunction appears to be associated with sleep fragmentation and global cognitive function with hypoxaemia. Continuous positive airway pressure treatment of OSA appears to improve executive dysfunction, delayed long‐term verbal and visual memory, attention/vigilance and global cognitive functioning. In order to improve our understanding of cognitive dysfunction in OSA, future research should pay particular attention to participant characteristics, measures of disease severity and choice of neuropsychological tests.
Nitric oxide as intracellular modulator: internal production of NO increases neuronal excitability via modulation of several ionic conductances
Authors: Artinian Liana , Zhong Lei , Yang Hansoo , Rehder Vincent 
Published: August 2012

AbstractNitric oxide (NO) has been shown to regulate neuronal excitability in the nervous system, but little is known as to whether NO, which is synthesized in certain neurons, also serves functional roles within NO‐producing neurons themselves. We investigated this possibility by using a nitric oxide synthase (NOS)‐expressing neuron, and studied the role of intrinsic NO production on neuronal firing properties in single‐cell culture. B5 neurons of the pond snail Helisoma trivolvis fire spontaneous action potentials (APs), but once the intrinsic activity of NOS was inhibited, neurons became hyperpolarized and were unable to fire evoked APs. These striking long‐term effects could be attributed to intrinsic NO acting on three types of conductances, a persistent sodium current (INaP), voltage‐gated Ca currents (ICa) and small‐conductance calcium‐activated potassium (SK) channels. We show that NOS inhibitors 7‐nitroindazole and S‐methyl‐l‐thiocitrulline resulted in a decrease in INaP, and that their hyperpolarizing and inhibiting effects on spontaneous spiking were mimicked by the inhibitor of INaP, riluzole. Moreover, inhibition of NOS, soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) or protein kinase G (PKG) attenuated ICa, and blocked spontaneous and depolarization‐induced spiking, suggesting that intrinsic NO controlled ICa via the sGC/PKG pathway. The SK channel inhibitor apamin partially prevented the hyperpolarization observed after inhibition of NOS, suggesting a downregulation of SK channels by intrinsic NO. Taken together, we describe a novel mechanism by which neurons utilize their self‐produced NO as an intrinsic modulator of neuronal excitability. In B5 neurons, intrinsic NO production is necessary to maintain spontaneous tonic and evoked spiking activity.
Maximising return on conservation investment in the conterminous USA
Authors: Withey John C. , Lawler Joshua J. , Polasky Stephen , Plantinga Andrew J. , Nelson Erik J. , Kareiva Peter , Wilsey Chad B. , Schloss Carrie A. , Nogeire Theresa M. , Ruesch Aaron , Ramos Jorge , Reid Walter 
Published: August 2012

AbstractEfficient conservation planning requires knowledge about conservation targets, threats to those targets, costs of conservation and the marginal return to additional conservation efforts. Systematic conservation planning typically only takes a small piece of this complex puzzle into account. Here, we use a return‐on‐investment (ROI) approach to prioritise lands for conservation at the county level in the conterminous USA. Our approach accounts for species richness, county area, the proportion of species' ranges already protected, the threat of land conversion and land costs. Areas selected by a complementarity‐based greedy heuristic using our full ROI approach provided greater averted species losses per dollar spent compared with areas selected by heuristics accounting for richness alone or richness and cost, and avoided acquiring lands not threatened with conversion. In contrast to traditional prioritisation approaches, our results highlight conservation bargains, opportunities to avert the threat of development and places where conservation efforts are currently lacking.
Release of dissolved carbohydrates by Emiliania huxleyi and formation of transparent exopolymer particles depend on algal life cycle and bacterial activity
Authors: Van Oostende Nicolas , Moerdijk‐Poortvliet Tanja C. W. , Boschker Henricus T. S. , Vyverman Wim , Sabbe Koen 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi plays a pivotal role in the marine carbon cycle. However, we have only limited understanding of how its life cycle and bacterial interactions affect the production and composition of dissolved extracellular organic carbon and its transfer to the particulate pool. We traced the fate of photosynthetically fixed carbon during phosphate‐limited stationary growth of non‐axenic, calcifying E. huxleyi batch cultures, and more specifically the transfer of this carbon to bacteria and to dissolved high molecular weight neutral aldoses (HMW NAld) and extracellular particulate carbon. We then compared the dynamics of dissolved carbohydrates and transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) between cultures of non‐axenic and axenic diploid E. huxleyi. In addition, we present the first data on extracellular organic carbon in (non‐axenic) haploid E. huxleyi cultures. Bacteria enhanced the accumulation of dissolved polysaccharides and altered the composition of dissolved HMW NAld, while they also stimulated the formation of TEP containing high densities of charged polysaccharides in diploid E. huxleyi cultures. In haploid E. huxleyi cultures we found a more pronounced accumulation of dissolved carbohydrates, which had a different NAld composition than the diploid cultures. TEP formation was significantly lower than in the diploid cultures, despite the presence of bacteria. In diploid E. huxleyi cultures, we measured a high level of extracellular release of organic carbon (34–76%), retrieved mainly in the particulate pool instead of the dissolved pool. Enhanced formation of sticky TEP due to bacteria–alga interactions, in concert with the production of coccoliths, suggests that especially diploid E. huxleyi blooms increase the efficiency of export production in the ocean during dissolved phosphate‐limited conditions.
Draft whole genome sequence of the cyanide‐degrading bacteriumPseudomonas pseudoalcaligenesCECT5344
Authors: Luque‐Almagro Víctor M. , Acera Felipe , Igeño Ma Isabel , Wibberg Daniel , Roldán Ma Dolores , Sáez Lara P. , Hennig Magdalena , Quesada Alberto , Huertas Ma José , Blom Jochen , Merchán Faustino , Escribano Ma Paz , Jaenicke Sebastian , Estepa Jessica , Guijo Ma Isabel , Martínez‐Luque Manuel , Macías Daniel , Szczepanowski Rafael , Becerra Gracia , Ramirez Silvia , Carmona Ma Isabel , Gutiérrez Oscar , Manso Isabel , Pühler Alfred , Castillo Francisco , Moreno‐Vivián Conrado , Schlüter Andreas , Blasco Rafael 
Published: August 2012

SummaryPseudomonas pseudoalcaligenesCECT5344 is a Gram‐negative bacterium able to tolerate cyanide and to use it as the sole nitrogen source. We report here the first draft of the whole genome sequence of aP. pseudoalcaligenesstrain that assimilates cyanide. Three aspects are specially emphasized in this manuscript. First, some generalities of the genome are shown and discussed in the context of otherPseudomonadaceaegenomes, including genome size, G + Ccontent, core genome and singletons among other features. Second, the genome is analysed in the context of cyanide metabolism, describing genes probably involved in cyanide assimilation, like those encoding nitrilases, and genes related to cyanide resistance, like theciogenes encoding the cyanide insensitive oxidases. Finally, the presence of genes probably involved in other processes with a great biotechnological potential like production of bioplastics and biodegradation of pollutants also is discussed.
COMBINING HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS USING MASS IMPUTATION TO ESTIMATE POPULATION TOTALS
Authors: Chipperfield James , Chessman Julia , Lim Russell 
Published: August 2012

SummaryPressure is often placed on statistical analysts to improve the accuracy of their population estimates. In response to this pressure, analysts have long exploited the potential to combine surveys in various ways. This paper develops a framework for combining surveys when data items from one of the surveys is mass imputed. The estimates from the surveys are combined using a composite estimator (CE). The CE accounts for the variability due to the imputation model and the surveys’ sampling schemes. Diagnostics for the validity of the imputation model are also discussed. We describe an application of combining the Australian Labour Force Survey and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey to estimate employment characteristics about the Indigenous population. The findings suggest that combining these surveys is beneficial.
How Do Technical Barriers to Trade Influence Trade?
Authors: Bao Xiaohua , Qiu Larry D. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis paper empirically estimates the trade effects of technical barriers to trade (TBT) based on all TBT notifications from 105 World Trade Organization (WTO) countries during 1995–2008. The paper adopts a modified two‐stage gravity model to control for both sample selection bias and firm heterogeneity bias. It was found that a country's TBT notifications decrease other countries' probability of exporting, but increase their export volumes. The result can be explained by the TBT's differential effects on the fixed and variable cost of export, and consumer confidence. It was further found that (i) a developing country's TBT have significant effects on other developing countries' exports, but no significant effects on the developed countries' exports, (ii) a developed country's TBT have significant effects on the exports from both types of countries, and (iii) exports from developed countries are affected by a developed country's TBT more seriously than a developing country's TBT.