bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geography, Science, and Subjectivity: Farm Animal Welfare in the United States and Europe
Authors: Johnston Connie L. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIn the US and Europe, factory farm animal welfare has become a matter of significant public concern, leading to increased scientific research on animal welfare in order to guide public policy. In both locations, scientific opinion is growing that farm animals’ welfare is directly related to their capacities for subjective experiences and, as a result, increased research is on cognition, behavior, and emotions. The geography of science and animal geography literatures have broadly examined, respectively but with overlap, the social construction of scientific knowledge and ideas about animal subjectivity. This article argues that these literatures should be further employed to better understand the current construction and social negotiation of the concept of farm animal welfare in Europe and particularly in the US, specifically through the exploration of three significant spaces of knowledge production: the geopolitical environments of the US and Europe, the particular scientific research spaces, and animal spaces or the “locations” of their subjectivity.
Antibiotic Resistance of Helicobacter Pylori Isolated in the Southeast Coastal Region of China
Authors: Su Peng , Li Youming , Li Hongzhang , Zhang Jiakun , Lin Lang , Wang Qunying , Guo Feng , Ji Zizhong , Mao Jibo , Tang Wuheng , Shi Zhengchao , Shao Wei , Mao Junliang , Zhu Xinjian , Zhang Xiaofeng , Tong Yuefeng , Tu Huimin , Jiang Mizu , Wang Zhiyong , Jin Fengzhe , Yang Ningmin , Zhang Jianzhong 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) to antibiotics is increasing worldwide, lowering its efficacy in current eradication therapies. This study evaluated H. pylori resistance to antibiotics in the southeast coastal region of China and suggests appropriate alternatives.Materials and MethodsSeventeen thousand seven hundred and thirty one H. pylori strains were collected from eight areas of two provinces in coastal southeast China from 2010 to 2012. The resistance of these strains to six antibiotics was tested using the agar dilution method.ResultsThe resistance rates to clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, amoxicillin, gentamicin and furazolidone were 21.5, 95.4, 20.6, 0.1, 0.1 and 0.1%, respectively. Double, triple and quadruple antibacterial resistant percentages were 25.5, 7.5 and 0.1%, respectively. A positive association between the resistance to levofloxacin and to clarithromycin was found, but there was a negative correlation in the resistances to levofloxacin and to metronidazole.ConclusionsThe prevalence of H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin and multiple antibiotics in coastal southeast China is high. Choice of therapy should be individualized based on a susceptibility test in this region of the country.
Defining the extracellular matrix using proteomics
Authors: Byron Adam , Humphries Jonathan D. , Humphries Martin J. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryThe cell microenvironment has a profound influence on the behaviour, growth and survival of cells. The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides not only mechanical and structural support to cells and tissues but also binds soluble ligands and transmembrane receptors to provide spatial coordination of signalling processes. The ability of cells to sense the chemical, mechanical and topographical features of the ECM enables them to integrate complex, multiparametric information into a coherent response to the surrounding microenvironment. Consequently, dysregulation or mutation of ECM components results in a broad range of pathological conditions. Characterization of the composition of ECM derived from various cells has begun to reveal insights into ECM structure and function, and mechanisms of disease. Proteomic methodologies permit the global analysis of subcellular systems, but extracellular and transmembrane proteins present analytical difficulties to proteomic strategies owing to the particular biochemical properties of these molecules. Here, we review advances in proteomic approaches that have been applied to furthering our understanding of the ECM microenvironment. We survey recent studies that have addressed challenges in the analysis of ECM and discuss major outcomes in the context of health and disease. In addition, we summarize efforts to progress towards a systems‐level understanding of ECM biology.
A comparative study on different concentration methods of extracts obtained from two raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) cultivars: evaluation of anthocyanins and phenolics contents and antioxidant activity
Authors: Yousefi Ghasem , Yousefi Shima , Emam‐Djomeh Zahra 
Published: February 2013

SummaryThe effects of conventional (CV) and microwave (MW) heating on total soluble solid (TSS) content, total anthocyanin content (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of raspberry juice obtained from two cultivars of Amol (AM) and Siyahkal (SK) were scrutinised. Antioxidant activity of the juices was measured by 2,2 diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity and expressed as EC50 value. In the both methods, the concentration rate constant for the juices was significantly decreased by increasing operational pressure from 12 to 100 kPa (P < 0.05). A first‐order reaction kinetic model was successfully fitted for the degradation of monomeric anthocyanins at all operating pressures. The results also showed that thermal treatment of MW compared CV in both SK and AM cultivars caused a lower decrease in the TAC, TPC and antioxidant activity. Moreover, the changes in trend of the antioxidant activities due to the thermal treatment were positively correlated with the TPC (r = 0.74, P < 0.05) and TAC (r = 0.61, P < 0.05).
Using a continuum model to predict closure time of gaps in intestinal epithelial cell layers
Authors: Arciero Julia C. , Mi Qi , Branca Maria , Hackam David , Swigon David 
Published: February 2013

AbstractA two‐dimensional continuum model of collective cell migration is used to predict the closure of gaps in intestinal epithelial cell layers. The model assumes that cell migration is governed by lamellipodia formation, cell–cell adhesion, and cell–substrate adhesion. Model predictions of the gap edge position and complete gap closure time are compared with experimental measures from cell layer scratch assays (also called scratch wound assays). The goal of the study is to combine experimental observations with mathematical descriptions of cell motion to identify effects of gap shape and area on closure time and to propose a method that uses a simple measure (e.g., area) to predict overall gap closure time early in the closure process. Gap closure time is shown to increase linearly with increasing gap area; however, gaps of equal areas but different aspect ratios differ greatly in healing time. Previous methods that calculate overall healing time according to the absolute or percent change in gap area assume that the gap area changes at a constant rate and typically underestimate gap closure time. In this study, data from scratch assays suggest that the rate of change of area is proportional to the first power or square root power of area.
Testing of Models of Flow‐Induced Hemolysis in Blood Flow Through Hypodermic Needles
Authors: Chen Yangsheng , Kent Timothy L. , Sharp M. Keith 
Published: February 2013

AbstractHemolysis caused by flow in hypodermic needles interferes with a number of tests on blood samples drawn by venipuncture, including assays for metabolites, electrolytes, and enzymes, causes discomfort during dialysis sessions, and limits transfusion flow rates. To evaluate design modifications to address this problem, as well as hemolysis issues in other cardiovascular devices, computational fluid dynamics (CFD)‐based prediction of hemolysis has potential for reducing the time and expense for testing of prototypes. In this project, three CFD‐integrated blood damage models were applied to flow‐induced hemolysis in 16‐G needles and compared with experimental results, which demonstrated that a modified needle with chamfered entrance increased hemolysis, while a rounded entrance decreased hemolysis, compared with a standard needle with sharp entrance. After CFD simulation of the steady‐state velocity field, the time histories of scalar stress along a grid of streamlines were calculated. A strain‐based cell membrane failure model and two empirical power‐law blood damage models were used to predict hemolysis on each streamline. Total hemolysis was calculated by weighting the predicted hemolysis along each streamline by the flow rate along each streamline. The results showed that only the strain‐based blood damage model correctly predicted increased hemolysis in the beveled needle and decreased hemolysis in the rounded needle, while the power‐law models predicted the opposite trends.
MGuard Mesh‐Covered Stent for Treatment of ST‐Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction with High Thrombus Burden Despite Manual Aspiration
Authors: ROMAGUERA RAFAEL , GÓMEZ‐HOSPITAL JOAN A. , SÁNCHEZ‐ELVIRA GUILLERMO , GÓMEZ‐LARA JOSEP , FERREIRO JOSÉ L. , ROURA GERARD , GRACIDA MONTSERRAT , HOMS SILVIA , TERUEL LUIS , CEQUIER ÁNGEL 
Published: February 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the usefulness of the MGuard stent in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in whom a high thrombus burden persists after manual aspiration.BackgroundIn some patients with STEMI, a high thrombus burden may persist after manual aspiration. These patients may be at high risk of distal embolization and therefore impaired myocardial reperfusion. The MGuard is a novel mesh‐covered stent designed to minimize thrombus embolization.MethodsSingle‐arm, prospective registry of patients with STEMI and high thrombus burden after aggressive thrombus aspiration treated with the MGuard stent. High thrombus burden was defined as thrombus burden grade 4 or 5 according to the TIMI score. Lesions with a side branch ≥2 mm and patients with cardiogenic shock were not included. The study end‐points were proportion of final TIMI 3 flow, normal myocardial blush, and complete ST‐segment resolution.ResultsFifty‐six patients were included. After MGuard stent implantation >85% of cases had thrombus score = 0. Final TIMI 3 flow was achieved in 82% of cases, normal myocardial blush in 55%, and complete ST‐segment resolution in 59%. Occlusion of a side branch (<2 mm) occurred in 2 cases (3.5%), embolization to a distal branch in 5 cases (8.9%), and transient no‐reflow in 4 cases (7.1%). Major adverse cardiac events rate at 9 months was 3.6%, including 1 definite acute stent thrombosis and 1 target‐vessel revascularization.ConclusionsThe MGuard stent may be useful to prevent distal embolization in patients with STEMI and high thrombus burden despite mechanical aspiration.
A psychological predictor of elders' driving performance: social‐comparisons on the road
Authors: Levy Becca R. , Ng Reuben , Myers Lindsey M. , Marottoli Richard A. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractOlder individuals often believe they can drive better than their contemporaries. This belief is an example of downward social‐comparisons; they can be self‐enhancing tools that lead to beneficial outcomes. As predicted, we found that drivers who engaged in downward social‐comparisons were significantly less likely to have adverse driving events over time, after controlling for relevant factors (p = .02). This effect was particularly strong among women, who tend to experience more negative driving stereotypes (p = .01). The study was based on 897 interviews of 117 elder drivers, aged 70–89 years, over 2 years. Our findings suggest that interventions to reduce adverse driving events among elders could benefit from including a psychological component.
Geographical partitioning of marine macrophyte assemblages in the tropical Pacific: a result of local and regional diversity processes
Authors: Schils Tom , Vroom Peter S. , Tribollet Aline D. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAimVarious coral reef organisms display distinct gradients in taxonomic turnover throughout the tropical Pacific Ocean. Marine macrophytes are one of the most dominant and ecologically important benthic components of tropical reefs, yet little is known about the ecological biogeography of the macrophyte assemblages throughout this biodiverse region. This study assessed: (1) the geographical clustering of macrophyte assemblages in the tropical Pacific; (2) the environmental/geographical factors that best explain the observed patterns in taxon richness and taxon composition; and (3) the validity of large‐scale biogeographical hypotheses with respect to the distribution of macrophyte assemblages.LocationCoral reefs of 39 US Pacific islands.MethodsSurveys of reef macrophytes for all 39 Pacific islands were conducted from 2004 to 2007. Rank‐order data of quadrats were transformed to proportional abundance data in order to compute site averages for each of the 84 macrophyte categories. Further data analysis employed taxon accumulation curves, generalized additive models, and multivariate techniques.ResultsPacific macrophyte assemblages displayed consistently higher within‐archipelago similarities than between‐archipelago similarities, which is reflected in pronounced differences in functional group composition between archipelagos. The maximum land elevation, maximum seasonal sea surface temperature, reef extent, and longitude of the investigated islands were the predictor variables that best described the similarities in macrophyte assemblage structure among islands. Maximum land elevation and reef extent, however, were the two predictor variables that best explained macrophyte richness per island.Main conclusionsMacrophyte assemblages of the Pacific Islands cluster in geographical groups, indicative of the importance of evolutionary factors related to dispersal and speciation. Whereas macrophyte assemblage structure is governed by both local (habitat diversity and availability) and regional (geographical and environmental descriptors related to oceanic isolation and latitude) variables, the macrophyte richness of these islands is defined primarily by local habitat diversity and availability. Biogeographical patterns of marine macrophyte assemblages in the tropical Pacific deviate from those of other well‐studied marine organisms.
Expression and regulation of α‐transducin in the pig gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Mazzoni Maurizio , De Giorgio Roberto , Latorre Rocco , Vallorani Claudia , Bosi Paolo , Trevisi Paolo , Barbara Giovanni , Stanghellini Vincenzo , Corinaldesi Roberto , Forni Monica , Faussone‐Pellegrini Maria S. , Sternini Catia , Clavenzani Paolo 
Published: February 2013

AbstractTaste signalling molecules are found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract suggesting that they participate to chemosensing. We tested whether fasting and refeeding affect the expression of the taste signalling molecule, α‐transducin (Gαtran), throughout the pig GI tract and the peptide content of Gαtran cells. The highest density of Gαtran‐immunoreactive (IR) cells was in the pylorus, followed by the cardiac mucosa, duodenum, rectum, descending colon, jejunum, caecum, ascending colon and ileum. Most Gαtran‐IR cells contained chromogranin A. In the stomach, many Gαtran‐IR cells contained ghrelin, whereas in the upper small intestine many were gastrin/cholecystokinin‐IR and a few somatostatin‐IR. Gαtran‐IR and Gαgust‐IR colocalized in some cells. Fasting (24 h) resulted in a significant decrease in Gαtran‐IR cells in the cardiac mucosa (29.3 ± 0.8 versus 64.8 ± 1.3, P < 0.05), pylorus (98.8 ± 1.7 versus 190.8 ± 1.9, P < 0.0 l), caecum (8 ± 0.01 versus 15.5 ± 0.5, P < 0.01), descending colon (17.8 ± 0.3 versus 23 ± 0.6, P < 0.05) and rectum (15.3 ± 0.3 versus 27.5 ± 0.7, P < 0.05). Refeeding restored the control level of Gαtran‐IR cells in the cardiac mucosa. In contrast, in the duodenum and jejunum, Gαtran‐IR cells were significantly reduced after refeeding, whereas Gαtran‐IR cells density in the ileum was not changed by fasting/refeeding. These findings provide further support to the concept that taste receptors contribute to luminal chemosensing in the GI tract and suggest they are involved in modulation of food intake and GI function induced by feeding and fasting.
Investigating the relationship between observed mood and emotions in people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities
Authors: Vos P. , De Cock P. , Petry K. , Van Den Noortgate W. , Maes B. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe measurement of subjective well‐being in people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities (ID) is a difficult challenge. As they cannot self‐report about their life satisfaction, because of severe communicative and cognitive limitations, behavioural observations of their emotions and moods are important in the measurement of their subjective well‐being. It is, however, not known if observations of mood and emotion can be differentiated in people with severe and profound ID and if mood and emotions can give unique information about their affect. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the relationship between mood and emotions in people with severe and profound ID, using behavioural observations. As recommended in the literature, we investigated the frequency and intensity of the emotion separately.MethodIn a period of 3 weeks 27 participants with severe and profound ID were presented with four staff‐selected negative and four staff‐selected positive stimuli. During the presentation participants were videotaped using the observational method of Petry & Maes where each behaviour is coded on a 5‐point scale, ranging from indicating a very negative emotion to indicating a very positive emotion. As a measure of mood, the staff completed the MIPQ in the beginning of the 3 weeks.ResultsWe found a positive relationship between mood and respectively the total emotion score and the frequency of the emotion when the stimuli were positive but not when the stimuli were negative. There was no relationship between mood and the intensity of the emotion.ConclusionsOur results indicate that mood and emotions can be distinguished from each other using behavioural observations. Both can give specific information about the affective life of people with severe or profound ID. Moreover, if further research could replicate the results of this study, an implication is that the direct support workers should be aware of a decline in the frequency of their clients reactions to positive stimuli as this could indicate a decline in their mood.
Effects of nonuniform lighting on the evaluation of spaces: A comparison between the situations with and without conversation
Authors: Barazawa Natsuki , Hanyu Kazunori 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe prospect‐refuge theory is a theory of landscape aesthetics and has recently been applied to interior design. The purposes of this article were to apply the prospect‐refuge theory to the interior lighting environment and to examine the effects of nonuniform lighting on the evaluations of a room shared with another person. Two experiments were conducted: Experiment 1 focused on the situation without conversation, and Experiment 2 on the situation with conversation. The results showed that nonuniform lighting influences the features of prospect and refuge in rooms. The results also showed that the features of prospect and refuge are important when the space is shared with people having no interaction. However, when people have an interaction, a sense of unity, which is formed by illumination wrapping them together, is important to make an adequate environment.
Peyronie's Disease and Mechanotransduction: An In Vitro Analysis of the Cellular Changes to Peyronie's Disease in a Cell-Culture Strain System
Authors: Chung Eric , De Young Ling , Solomon Matthew , Brock Gerald B. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Penile traction therapy (PTT) has gained considerable popularity as a noninvasive treatment option in Peyronie's disease (PD) to improve penile curvature and length. However the exact mechanism of action of PTT is unknown and as yet unproven.

Aim
Using a cyclic strain culture system, we investigate the cellular changes to the tunical tissues following equibiaxial tractional forces. The observed protein alteration following mechanical traction should replicate the changes observed in tunical tissue following PTT.

Methods
Flexcell™ FX-5000™ Tension Plus system (Flexcell™ International Corporation, McKee-sport, PA, USA) is a pressurized chamber system that allows for sustained and dynamic application of hydrostatic pressure to cellular culture. Primary cell cultures from PD and normal tunical tissue (control) were sub-cultured on BioFlex-ProNectin plate 1 × 106 (Flexcell International Corporation, Hillsborough, NC, USA) for 24 hours and exposed to Flexcell™ sinusoidal strain of 18% at 1 Hz (strained group) on the biaxial plates for 24 hours under 37°C in a 5% CO2 atmosphere.

Main Outcomes Measures
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) stains and Western blot assays between strained and nonstrained (control) cells.

Results
Significant increase in smooth muscle α-actin, β-catenin, and Hsp 47 proteins were measured in the PD group compared with control group. IHC staining revealed a decrease in α-actin staining while Western blot assay showed an increase in metalloproteinase-8 expression with no measured change in β-catenin level in the strained PD group.

Conclusions
This novel study of cells derived from diseased and normal human tunica albuginea cultured in a mechanical strained environment provides good scientific evidence for the use of penile traction device in Peyronie's plaque remodeling.
Flibanserin Treatment Increases Appetitive Sexual Motivation in the Female Rat
Authors: Gelez Hélène , Greggain-Mohr Jonathan , Pfaus James G. , Allers Kelly A. , Giuliano François 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Flibanserin is a mixed 5-HT1A agonist/5-HT2A antagonist that has been developed for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women.

Aim
To assess the acute and chronic dose–response effects of flibanserin on measures of sexual desire and copulation in ovariectomized rats primed with estradiol benzoate (EB) alone or in combination with progesterone (P).

Methods
In Experiment 1, sexually experienced ovariectomized (OVX) rats at one testing site were rendered fully sexually receptive with EB + P priming and tested weekly with a sexually active male in bi-level pacing chambers following daily flibanserin treatment for 28 days. In Experiment 2, sexually experienced OVX rats at a different testing site received EB alone and were tested weekly with sexually active males following daily flibanserin treatment.

Main Outcome Measures
Female appetitive behaviors (solicitations, hops and darts, anogenital investigations), defensive behaviors, pacing, lordosis, and male copulatory responses (intromissions and ejaculations) were measured during each 30-minute copulation test.

Results
Acute flibanserin or 1 week of chronic flibanserin treatment did not modify sexual responses in fully (EB + P) or partially (EB-alone) primed females. After 2 weeks of chronic treatment, fully primed females displayed significantly more solicitations than the three other groups. After 3 weeks of chronic treatment, a significant increase in female solicitations was observed in both hormone-treatment groups.

Conclusion
This study shows the first evidence that chronic, but not acute, flibanserin treatment augments appetitive sexual behaviors in OVX female rats primed with EB + P or EB alone. Given the positive effect of flibanserin in clinical trials, these results confirm previous reports that solicitations in the female rat are a predictive animal model of human female sexual desire.