bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of partial replacement of barley grain with beet pulp on performance, ruminal fermentation and plasma concentration of metabolites in transition dairy cows
Authors: Shahmoradi A. , Alikhani M. , Riasi A. , Ghorbani G. R. , Ghaffari M. H. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryThe objective of this study was to determine the effect of partial replacement of barley grain with beet pulp (BP) on dry matter intake (DMI), ruminal fermentation, plasma concentration of metabolites and milk yield of transition dairy cows. Twenty‐four multiparous Holstein cows [735 ± 26 kg of body weights and 3.5 ± 0.05 of body condition score (BCS)] were used in a randomized complete block design. Cows were assigned randomly on day 28 relative to expected parturition date to one of three treatments containing (i) 0% BP, (ii) 25% BP or (iii) 50% BP substituted for barley grain on a DM basis. During the pre‐partum period, DMI and energy intake were greater (P < 0.01) in cows fed the BP diet compared with cows fed the barley grain diet. During the post‐partum period, substituting BP for barley grain caused a response in DMI and energy intake, with the highest amount for the 25% BP diet and lowest for the 50% BP diet (P < 0.01). Milk yield was lowest (P < 0.01) for 50% BP diet than the other treatments. During the post‐partum period, cows fed the 50% BP diets had greater rumen pH, molar proportion of butyrate and acetate: propionate ratio (P < 0.01) in the rumen compared with cows fed the 0% BP diets. In addition, cows fed the BP diets had greater (P < 0.01) plasma β‐hydroxybutyrate and lower plasma glucose (P < 0.05) and blood urinary nitrogen (BUN) (P < 0.01) concentrations than cows fed the barley grain diets. Results showed that substituting BP for barley grain was effective in increasing DMI, but it did not have a significant effect on net energy balance during the post‐partum period. However, replacing BP for barley grain at 50% had adverse effects on DMI, milk yield and metabolic status, as indicated by key blood metabolite concentrations.
Effect of Megasphaera elsdenii NCIMB 41125 dosing on rumen development, volatile fatty acid production and blood β‐hydroxybutyrate in neonatal dairy calves
Authors: Muya M. C. , Nherera F. V. , Miller K. A. , Aperce C. C. , Moshidi P. M. , Erasmus L. J. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryThirty calves were randomly assigned to two treatments and fed until weaning [42 days (d) of age]. Treatments were a control group (n = 15), which did not receive Megasphaera elsdenii (Me0) and a M. elsdenii group, which received a 50‐ml oral dose of M. elsdenii NCIMB 41125 (108 CFU/ml) at day 14 day of age (Me14). Calves were given colostrum for the first 3 day followed by limited whole milk feeding. A commercial calf starter was offered ad libitum starting at day 4 until the end of the study. Fresh water was available throughout the study. Feed intake and growth were measured. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture to determine β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations. Fourteen male calves (seven per group) were euthanised on day 42 and digestive tracts harvested. Reticulo‐rumen weight was determined and rumen tissue samples collected from the cranial and caudal sacs of the ventral and dorsal portions of the rumen for measurements of papillae length, papillae width and rumen wall thickness. Dosing with M. elsdenii NCIMB 41125 improved starter dry matter intake (DMI), weaning body weight (BW) and tended to improve average daily gain. Calves in Me14 group had greater plasma BHBA concentration than Me0‐calves during the last 3 weeks of the trial and had at day 42 greater reticulo‐rumen weight, papillae width and papillae density compared to Me0. No differences in rumen wall thickness or papillae length were observed between the two groups. Total volatile fatty acids, acetate and propionate production did not differ between treatments, but butyrate production was greater in Me14 than Me0. Dosing M. elsdenii NCIMB 41125 showed benefit for calves with improved feed intake and rumen development suggesting increased epithelium metabolism and improved absorption of digestive end products.
Nutritional approaches to ameliorate pulmonary hypertension in broiler chickens
Authors: Khajali F. , Wideman R. F. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryThis article reviews recent nutritional approaches for counteracting the development of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS; ascites) in broiler chickens especially when they are reared at high altitudes. High altitudes impose the sustained stress of hypobaric hypoxia, which reduces the availability of atmospheric oxygen to red blood cells passing through the lungs, thereby causing systemic arterial hypoxaemia (undersaturation of haemoglobin with oxygen), pulmonary arterial hypertension and PHS/ascites in susceptible broilers. Proper nutritional strategies are needed to reduce metabolic activity and prevent the development of ascites especially when modern broilers are reared in regions where the existing altitudes limit the availability of atmospheric oxygen. This article also addresses controversies with regard to broiler nutrition in relation to PHS. For example, the catabolism of protein from feed ingredients incurs increased oxygen consumption, suggesting that feeding reduced‐protein diets to broiler chickens may result in reduced PHS incidences. However, experimental and field data indicate that feeding reduced‐protein diets to broilers subjected to hypobaric hypoxia increases the development of PHS. Controversies on the nutrition of unsaturated fat in relation to PHS are also discussed. In conclusion, hypoxia, acidosis, vasoconstriction and enhanced metabolic rate are triggers of PHS. Feeding reduced‐protein diets might promote the susceptibility of broilers to PHS by decreased dietary intake of arginine, decreased uric acid production and increased lipogenesis. Feeding high‐protein diets, dietary arginine supplementation, partial substitution of sodium bicarbonate for sodium chloride, feeding low‐fat diets and effective feed restriction programmes can be considered as nutritional approaches to prevent PHS.
Effects of different forms and origins of oilseeds on dynamics of ruminal biohydrogenation of long‐chain fatty acids in vitro
Authors: Hoffmann A. , Steingass H. , Schollenberger M. , Terry H. , Hartung K. , Weiss E. , Mosenthin R. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryDietary unsaturated fatty acids (FA) are intensively hydrogenated in the rumen, resulting in reduced amount of poly‐unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and accumulation of several biohydrogenation (BH) products. In this study, BH of PUFA originating from different oilseeds (linseed, soya beans, sunflower seed and rapeseed) present in crushed oilseeds or their free oils were assessed in vitro. The assay substrates were incubated in buffered rumen fluid for 0, 6, 12 and 24 h. After incubation, the FA pattern of the incubated samples was analysed using gas chromatography. Biohydrogenation is defined as disappearance of double bonds (DB) calculated from the contents of unsaturated FA. After 24‐h incubation, the DB contents of all oilseeds were reduced (p < 0.001) by 40–60%. The reduction was higher (p < 0.001) for the crushed form compared with the oil form. In addition, linseed and sunflower seed known as oilseeds with high contents of linolenic acid C18:3 c9,12,15 (LNA) and linoleic acid C18:2 c9,12 (LA), respectively, showed a higher (p < 0.001) accumulation of the BH intermediates conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, isomer C18:2 c9t11) and vaccenic acid (C18:1 t11) for the crushed form, when compared with the oil. These results suggest an inherent effect of the physical form of the assay oilseeds on in vitro BH. Changes in FA pattern during BH in vitro can be attributed to both source and physical form of the assay oilseeds. However, further investigations are warranted to ensure whether the observed in vitro effects on ruminal BH can be confirmed in vivo.
HIV, opiates, and enteric neuron dysfunction
Authors: Galligan J. J. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractHuman immune deficient virus (HIV) is an immunosuppressive virus that targets CD4+ T‐lymphocytes. HIV infections cause increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and cancer. HIV infection can also alter central nervous system (CNS) function causing cognitive impairment. HIV does not infect neurons but it does infect astrocytes and microglia in the CNS. HIV can also infect enteric glia initiating an intestinal inflammatory response which causes enteric neural injury and gut dysfunction. Part of the inflammatory response is HIV induced production of proteins including, Transactivator of transcription (Tat) which contribute to neuronal injury after release from HIV infected glial cells. A risk factor for HIV infection is intravenous drug use with contaminated needles and chronic opiate use can exacerbate neural injury in the nervous system. While most research focuses on the actions of Tat and other HIV related proteins and opiates on the brain, recent data indicate that Tat can cause intestinal inflammation and disruption of enteric neuron function, including alteration of Na+ channel activity and action potential generation. A paper published in this issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility extends these findings by identifying an interaction between Tat and morphine on enteric neuron Na+ channels and on intestinal motility in vivo using a Tat expressing transgenic mouse model. These new data show that Tat protein can enhance the inhibitory actions of morphine on action potential generation and propulsive motility. These findings are important to our understanding of how HIV causes diarrhea in infected patients and for the use of opioid drugs to treat HIV‐induced diarrhea.
A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of long‐term treatment with prucalopride
Authors: Piessevaux H. , Corazziari E. , Rey E. , Simren M. , Wiechowska‐Kozlowska A. , Kerstens R. , Cools M. , Barrett K. , Levine A. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundRandomized trials have confirmed the efficacy of prucalopride for the treatment of chronic constipation up to 12 weeks. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of prucalopride over a 24‐week period (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01424228).MethodsAdults with chronic constipation and ≤2 spontaneous complete bowel movements (SCBMs)/week were randomized to receive prucalopride 2 mg or placebo daily for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a mean of ≥3 SCBMs/week over the treatment period, assessed using daily e‐diaries. Secondary outcomes and safety parameters were assessed throughout the study.Key ResultsOverall, 361 patients were randomized and received prucalopride or placebo. Baseline characteristics were similar in the prucalopride (N = 181) and placebo (N = 180) groups. Mean age was 48.9 years (standard deviation, 16.0) and most patients were women. The proportion of participants achieving the primary endpoint was not statistically different between the prucalopride and placebo groups (25.1% vs 20.7%; p = 0.367). There was also no statistically significant difference between groups over the first 12‐week period (prucalopride, 25.1%; placebo, 20.1%; p = 0.341). There were no statistically significant differences between groups for most secondary endpoints. No new safety concerns were identified.Conclusions & InferencesThis trial did not show statistically significant improvements in primary or secondary outcomes with prucalopride compared with placebo over 24 or 12 weeks. This is in contrast to the results of four previous 12‐week trials, which demonstrated prucalopride to be significantly more effective than placebo. An extensive evaluation did not provide an explanation for the null efficacy results of this study.
Genome‐wide patterns of differentiation and spatially varying selection between postglacial recolonization lineages ofPopulus alba(Salicaceae), a widespread forest tree
Authors: Stölting Kai N. , Paris Margot , Meier Cécile , Heinze Berthold , Castiglione Stefano , Bartha Denes , Lexer Christian 
Published: March 2015

SummaryStudying the divergence continuum in plants is relevant to fundamental and applied biology because of the potential to reveal functionally important genetic variation. In this context, whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) provides the necessary rigour for uncovering footprints of selection.We resequenced populations of two divergent phylogeographic lineages ofPopulus alba(n = 48), thoroughly characterized by microsatellites (n = 317), and scanned their genomes for regions of unusually high allelic differentiation and reduced diversity using > 1.7 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) fromWGS. Results were confirmed by Sanger sequencing.On average, 9134 high‐differentiation (≥ 4 standard deviations) outlierSNPs were uncovered between populations, 848 of which were shared by ≥ three replicate comparisons. Annotation revealed that 545 of these were located in 437 predicted genes. Twelve percent of differentiation outlier genome regions exhibited significantly reduced genetic diversity. Gene ontology (GO) searches were successful for 327 high‐differentiation genes, and these were enriched for 63GOterms.Our results provide a snapshot of the roles of ‘hard selective sweeps’ vs divergent selection of standing genetic variation in distinct postglacial recolonization lineages ofP. alba. Thus, this study adds to our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the origin of functionally relevant variation in temperate trees.
An atypical response following intraoral intralesional steroid therapy
Authors: Aboalela A. , Villa A. , Treister N. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractManagement of graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) involves a combination of systemic and local immunomodulatory therapies. Intralesional steroid therapy (IST) can be effective in treating refractory oral ulcerations. Complications of intraoral IST have not been reported. A 61‐year‐old male was admitted on day +157 status‐post reduced intensity allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome with a new onset of erythrodermatous skin rash and oral mucosal lichenoid changes with multiple ulcerations and associated severe odynophagia. Platelet count and coagulation values were within normal limits. A diagnosis of overlap GVHD syndrome was made and treatment was initiated with methylprednisolone 2 mg/kg, extracorporeal photopheresis and budesonide oral rinses (3 mg/5 mL). Despite progressive overall improvement, there were two residual painful ulcers of the buccal mucosa bilaterally and IST was initiated in the morning of day +181. By that evening, the patient developed prominent right sided swelling and ecchymosis extending from the inferior aspect of the temporal area to the posterior and inferior borders of the mandible, and extending anteriorly to the lip, with significant dysphagia. Computed tomography scan demonstrated diffuse haemorrhage and inflammation consistent with haematoma. Improvement was noted within 3 days with gradual resolution over the next week. This case highlights that haematoma formation is an unpredictable and potentially life‐threatening complication of IST. While the precise aetiology in this case is unclear, underlying bleeding risk and immune dysregulation may be contributing factors. Clinicians should be aware that if significant swelling develops following IST, patients should be directed to an emergency department for evaluation and monitoring.
Mumps encephalitis with akinesia and mutism
Authors: Suga Kenichi , Goji Aya , Shono Miki , Matsuura Sato , Inoue Miki , Toda Eiko , Miyazaki Tatsushi , Kawahito Masami , Mori Kazuhiro 
Published: March 2015

AbstractMeasles‐rubella‐mumps vaccination is routine in many countries, but the mumps vaccine remains voluntary and is not covered by insurance in Japan. A 5‐year‐old Japanese boy who had not received the mumps vaccine was affected by mumps parotitis. Several days later, he presented with various neurological abnormalities, including akinesia, mutism, dysphagia, and uncontrolled respiratory disorder. Mumps encephalitis was diagnosed. Despite steroid pulse and immunoglobulin treatment, the disease progressed. Magnetic resonance imaging showed necrotic changes in bilateral basal ganglia, midbrain, and hypothalamus. At 1 year follow up, he was bedridden and required enteral feeding through a gastric fistula and tracheostomy. Mumps vaccination should be made routine as soon as possible in Japan, because mumps encephalitis carries the risk of severe sequelae.
Public Health Nursing Activities: Visible or Invisible?
Authors: Schaffer Marjorie A. , Keller Linda Olson , Reckinger Dawn 
Published: March 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo promote visibility of public health nurses (PHNs), this study identified public health nursing activities and explored PHN perceptions of the impact of their activities on the health of the communities they serve.Design and SampleTwo surveys with questions focusing on PHN activities were made available electronically. Following the initial survey, the second survey had more detailed questions about PHN activities, including time spent and frequency of activities as well as open‐ended questions. Sixty staff level PHNs, representing 29 states, completed the first survey; 49 completed the second survey.MeasuresDemographic variables and PHN activities were analyzed by population, setting, program, intervention, essential services, and prevention level using descriptive statistics. Themes or categories were determined through a content analysis of responses to three open‐ended questions.ResultsPHNs reported a wide variety of activities that included: (1) individual/family, community, and systems intervention levels, (2) primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention, and (3) all 10 Public Health Essential Services. PHNs perceived they perform work that is essential for community health.ConclusionPHNs do work that is both visible and invisible. PHNs need to be proactive in promoting all their work to increase the visibility of their contributions to population health.
Contracting Out Local Services: A Tale of Technical and Social Services
Authors: Petersen Ole Helby , Houlberg Kurt , Christensen Lasse Ring 
Published: March 2015

AbstractGovernments face a fundamental choice between in‐house production and contracting out for the delivery of services to citizens. This article examines the importance of ideology, fiscal pressure, and size for contracting out in technical and social services. The analysis builds on a panel data set covering municipal spending on services in all 98 Danish municipalities. The authors find that contracting out is shaped by ideology in social services but not in technical services, which indicates that social services are the contemporary ideological battlefield of privatization. The analysis further reveals that economically prosperous municipalities are more likely to contract out social services, whereas contracting out of technical services is not influenced by economic affluence. Finally, larger municipalities contract out more in technical services but less in social services, demonstrating that the size effect is contingent on the transaction cost characteristics of the service.
Epidemiologic link between tuberculosis and cigarette/biomass smoke exposure: Limitations despite the vast literature
Authors: Bishwakarma Raju , Kinney William H. , Honda Jennifer R. , Mya Jenny , Strand Matthew J. , Gangavelli Avani , Bai Xiyuan , Ordway Diane J. , Iseman Michael D. , Chan Edward D. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe geographic overlap between the prevalence of cigarette smoke (CS) exposure and tuberculosis (TB) in the world is striking. In recent years, relatively large number of studies has linked cigarette or biomass fuel smoke exposure and various aspects of TB. Our goals are to summarize the significance of the known published studies, graphically represent reports that quantified the association and discuss their potential limitations. PubMed searches were performed using the key words ‘tuberculosis’ with ‘cigarette’, ‘tobacco’, ‘smoke’ or ‘biomass fuel smoke.’ The references of relevant articles were examined for additional pertinent papers. A large number of mostly case–control and cross‐sectional studies significantly associate both direct and second‐hand smoke exposure with tuberculous infection, active TB, and/or more severe and lethal TB. Fewer link biomass fuel smoke exposure and TB. While a number of studies interpreted the association with multivariate analysis, other confounders are often not accounted for in these analyses. It is also important to emphasize that these retrospective studies can only show an association and not any causal link. We further explored the possibility that even if CS exposure is a risk factor for TB, several mechanisms may be responsible. Numerous studies associate cigarette and biomass smoke exposure with TB but the mechanism(s) remains largely unknown. While the associative link of these two health maladies is well established, more definitive, mechanistic studies are needed to cement the effect of smoke exposure on TB pathogenesis and to utilize this knowledge in empowering public health policies.
Aetiology of bronchiectasis in Guangzhou, southern China
Authors: Guan Wei‐jie , Gao Yong‐hua , Xu Gang , Lin Zhi‐ya , Tang Yan , Li Hui‐min , Lin Zhi‐min , Zheng Jin‐ping , Chen Rong‐chang , Zhong Nan‐shan 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackground and objectiveAetiologies of bronchiectasis in mainland China and their comparisons with those in western countries are unknown. We aimed to investigate bronchiectasis aetiologies in Guangzhou, southern China, and to determine ethnic or geographic differences with reports from western countries.MethodsConsecutive patients with steady‐state bronchiectasis were randomly recruited. Past history was meticulously extracted. Patients underwent physical examination, saccharine test, humoral immunity assays, gastroesophageal reflux scoring and sputum culture. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy, total immunoglobin E (IgE) and Aspergillus fumigatus‐specific IgE measurement, 24‐h gastroesophageal pH monitoring and miscellaneous screening tests were performed, if indicated. This entailed comparisons on aetiologies with literature reports.ResultsWe enrolled 148 patients (44.6 ± 13.8 years, 92 females), most of whom had mild to moderate bronchiectasis. Idiopathic (46.0%), post‐infectious (27.0%) and immunodeficiency (8.8%) were the most common aetiologies. Miscellaneous aetiologies consisted of asthma (5.4%), gastroesophageal reflux (4.1%), aspergillosis (2.7%), congenital lung malformation (2.0%), Kartagener syndrome (1.4%), rheumatoid arthritis (1.4%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (0.7%), Young's syndrome (0.7%), yellow nail's syndrome (0.7%), eosinophilic bronchiolitis (0.7%) and foreign bodies (0.7%). No notable differences in clinical characteristics between idiopathic and known aetiologies were found. Ethnic or geographic variations of aetiologies were overall unremarkable.ConclusionsIdiopathic, post‐infectious and immunodeficiency constitute major bronchiectasis aetiologies in Guangzhou. Clinical characteristics of patients between known aetiologies and idiopathic bronchiectasis were similar. Ethnicity and geography only account for limited differences in aetiologic spectra. These findings will offer rationales for early diagnosis and management of bronchiectasis in future studies and clinical practice in China.