bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DNA fragmentation is higher in spermatozoa with chromosomally unbalanced content in men with a structural chromosomal rearrangement
Authors: Perrin A. , Nguyen M. H. , Bujan L. , Vialard F. , Amice V. , Guéganic N. , Douet‐Guilbert N. , De Braekeleer M. , Morel F. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryIt has been previously shown that men with chromosomal structural abnormality had a higher rate of sperm DNA fragmentation. We studied 11 male carriers of a chromosomal structural abnormality (seven with a balanced reciprocal translocation, three with a Robertsonian translocation, one with a pericentric inversion) to determine whether spermatozoa with unbalanced chromosomes were more likely to have fragmented DNA. A sequential method combining analysis of DNA fragmentation using the TUNEL assay followed by analysis of meiotic segregation by fluorescent in situ hybridization was performed on the same spermatozoa. A statistically significant higher number of spermatozoa with unbalanced chromosomal content were found to have fragmented DNA for each man. The rate of spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation was higher than the rate of those without fragmented DNA in particular modes of segregation. Our findings provide a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in male infertility ascribable to chromosomal structural abnormality.
Genome‐wide association study for inhibin, luteinizing hormone, insulin‐like growth factor 1, testicular size and semen traits in bovine species
Authors: Fortes M. R. S. , Reverter A. , Kelly M. , McCulloch R. , Lehnert S. A. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryThe fertility of young bulls impacts on reproduction rates, farm profit and the rate of genetic progress in beef herds. Cattle researchers and industry therefore routinely collect data on the reproductive performance of bulls. Genome‐wide association studies were carried out to identify genomic regions and genes associated with reproductive traits measured during the pubertal development of Tropical Composite bulls, from 4 to 24 months of age. Data from 1 085 bulls were collected for seven traits: blood hormone levels of inhibin at 4 months (IN), luteinizing hormone following a gonadotropin releasing hormone challenge at 4 months (LH), insulin‐like growth factor 1 at 6 months (IGF1), scrotal circumference at 12 months (SC), sperm motility at 18 months (MOT), percentage of normal spermatozoa at 24 months (PNS) and age at a scrotal circumference of 26 cm (AGE26, or pubertal age). Data from 729 068 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms were used in the association analysis. Significant polymorphism associations were discovered for IN, IGF1, SC, AGE26 and PNS. Based on these associations, INHBE, INHBC and HELB are proposed as candidate genes for IN regulation. Polymorphisms associated with IGF1 mapped to the PLAG1 gene region, validating a reported quantitative trait locus on chromosome 14 for IGF1. The X chromosome contained most of the significant associations found for SC, AGE26 and PNS. These findings will contribute to the identification of diagnostic genetic markers and informed genomic selection strategies to assist breeding of cattle with improved fertility. Furthermore, this work provides evidence contributing to gene function annotation in the context of male fertility.
The experience of discrimination by US and Internationally educated nurses in hospital practice in the USA: a qualitative study
Authors: Wheeler Rebecca M. , Foster Jennifer W. , Hepburn Kenneth W. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAimTo document experiences of nurses educated abroad and in the USA in 2 urban hospitals in the southeastern USA.BackgroundNurses are responsible for providing quality patient care. Discrimination against nurses in the workplace may create hostile environments, potentially affecting patient care and leading to higher nurse attrition rates. Structuration theory posits that agents' interactions create structures. Agents' use of resources and rules shapes interactions, potentially changing the structures. In this study, nurses described interactions with patients and their families and other healthcare personnel, their strategies for managing interactions and rationales behind their selected strategy.DesignThis study employed a qualitative, explorative approach using structuration theory.MethodsIn 2011, 42 internationally educated and 40 USA‐educated nurses practising in two urban hospitals in the southeastern USA were interviewed about their experiences in the workplace. Forty‐one nurses were re‐interviewed to explore the issues raised in the preliminary round: 21 internationally educated and 20 USA. Transcripts were analysed using the constant comparative method.FindingsAlthough internationally educated nurses experienced more explicit discrimination, all nurses experienced discrimination from their patients, their nurse colleagues and/or other hospital personnel. Internationally educated nurses and USA nurses shared similar coping strategies.ConclusionThe prevalence of nurses' experiences of discrimination suggests that healthcare institutions need to strengthen policies to effectively address this harmful practice. More research is needed about discrimination against nurses in the workplace because discrimination may have serious psychological effects that impact nurse retention and the quality of patient care.
Greater past disparity and diversity hints at ancient migrations of European honey bee lineages into Africa and Asia
Authors: Kotthoff Ulrich , Wappler Torsten , Engel Michael S. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAimWe re‐evaluated the proposition based on the present‐day distribution of honey bees (genus Apis) that their centre of origin resides in Asia, with subsequent migration and diversification into Europe and Asia. In our research, we considered the so‐far largely ignored fossils distributed through a variety of late Palaeogene (Oligocene) and early Neogene (Miocene) deposits, aiming at a synthesis of both present‐day and past honey bee distribution.LocationNorthern Hemisphere, Africa, Southeast Asia.MethodsWe examined the morphological diversity (also termed ‘disparity’) and affinities of the full living and fossil diversity of honey bees ranging from their earliest origins to the present day. Based on the fossil record and present‐day distribution of species, considering continental drift from the Oligocene until today, we have established an evolution and migration scenario for the genus Apis.ResultsThe fossil record of Apis demonstrates a diversity that is predominantly European in origin, particularly among the most basal species of the genus. Honey bees exhibited a greater morphological disparity during the Oligocene and, particularly, the Miocene epochs, a time when the principal lineages were established. Contradicting earlier propositions, the geological models allowed a migration via western Europe to north‐western Africa during the Miocene, and the fossil record corroborates such a migration.Main conclusionsFrom the full complement of available data, Apis apparently originated in Europe, spreading from there into Asia, Africa and North America, with subsequent diversification in the former two regions and extinction in the latter. The western honey bee, Apis mellifera, descended from European ancestors that probably migrated from western Europe to Africa during the late Miocene and re‐immigrated into Europe during the Holocene and possibly preceding interglacials.
European Union Lobbying and the Golden Cage of Post‐Socialist Network Capitalism inHungary
Authors: Sallai Dorottya 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe literature on business lobbying has shown that firms increasingly extend their interest representation activities from the domestic to theEuropean level. Consequently, over the last 20 years, individual firms have become influential political actors inBrussels. Yet, after nine years of full membership, easternEuropean (EE) corporations stay away fromEU‐level policy‐making. This article argues that the institutional structures emerging in post‐socialist countries constitute obstacles to firms developing the necessary capabilities for supranational lobbying. While firms inLondon andBrussels become increasingly professional in their lobbying strategies, large post‐socialist firms handle lobbying exclusively at the highest level of the organizational hierarchy through informal interpersonal networks. It is argued in the article that the confinement of lobbying strategy to the top echelon of corporate management reduces its effectiveness and scope. Consequently,EEcompanies are unable to integrate intoEUlobbying.
Effects of noninvasive electroacupuncture on labour pain and duration
Authors: Mucuk Salime , Baser Muruvvet 
Published: June 2013

Aims and objectivesTo evaluate the effects of noninvasive electroacupuncture atLI4 orSP6 acupuncture points on labour pain and duration.BackgroundThe management of labour pain is one of the main goals of obstetrical care. Acupuncture has been reported to be useful for reducing labour length and for pain relief during labour.DesignThis was an experimental study with a control group.MethodsThe study was conducted at theKayseriMaternityHospital inTurkey. The participants were in the active phase of labour and were divided into three groups. In theLI4 group (n = 40), bilateralLI4 acupuncture points were stimulated using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation‐acupuncture pen. In theSP6 group (n = 40), the acupuncture points of both legs were stimulated. The same procedure that was performed for theLI4 group was used for theSP6 group. The control group (n = 40) did not receive any stimulation.VisualAnalogScale was used for the assessment of pain.ResultsDuration of labour from initiation of the intervention was 6·2 ± 6·0 hours in theLI4 group, 7·2 ± 6·1 hours in theSP6 group and 8·2 ± 9·9 hours in the control group. Pain scores in theLI4 group were found as 8·0 (4–10) in the 30th minute after the intervention, while they were 9·0 (4–10) in theSP6 group and 10·0 (2–10) in the control group. There was not a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of labour duration and pain scores measured during contraction and between contractions.ConclusionAlthough they were not statistically significant, labour pain scores and labour duration were lower in the acupuncture groups, especially in theLI4 group.Relevance to clinical practiceNoninvasive electroacupuncture on theLI4 acupuncture point could be used easily during labour for labour pain relief.
Sudden infant death syndrome in an urban Aboriginal community
Authors: Knight Jennifer , Webster Vana , Kemp Lynn , Comino Elizabeth 
Published: June 2013

AimThe study aims to understand sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) risk and preventive practices in an urban Aboriginal community, through exploration of mothers' knowledge and practices and examination of coroner case records.MethodsData were collected from the mothers of Aboriginal infants participating in the Gudaga Study, a longitudinal birth cohort study. At 2–3 weeks post‐natal, mothers were asked about SIDS risk‐reduction practices, infant sleeping position and smoking practices within the home. Questions were repeated when study infants were 6 months of age. During the first 18 months of the study, three infants within the cohort died. All deaths were identified as SIDS related. The Coroner reports for these infants were reviewed.ResultsAt the 2–3 weeks data collection point, approximately 66.2% (n = 98) of mothers correctly identified two or more SIDS risk‐reduction strategies. At this same data point, approximately 82% (n = 122) of mothers were putting their infants to sleep on their backs (supine). Higher maternal education was significantly associated (P < 0.01), with identification of two or more correct SIDS risk‐reduction strategies and supine sleeping position at 2–3 weeks. The Coroner considered two infants who had been sleeping in an unsafe sleeping environment.ConclusionRates of SIDS deaths within the study community were much higher than the national average. Most mothers were putting their infant to sleep correctly even though they may be unaware that their practice was in accordance with recommended guidelines. Best practice safe sleeping environments are difficult to achieve for some families living in low socio‐economic settings.
Cerebral oedema is not responsible for motor or cognitive deficits in rats with hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Cauli Omar , Llansola Marta , Agustí Ana , Rodrigo Regina , Hernández‐Rabaza Vicente , Rodrigues Tiago B. , López‐Larrubia Pilar , Cerdán Sebastián , Felipo Vicente 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsLow‐grade cytotoxic oedema is considered a main contributor to the neurological (motor and cognitive) alterations in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE). This assumption is mainly based on studies with cultured astrocytes treated with very large ammonia concentrations or with animal models of acute liver failure with strong HE. However, the possible contribution of cerebral oedema (vasogenic or cytotoxic) to cognitive or motor alterations in chronic mild HE has not been demonstrated. The aim of this work was to assess whether cerebral oedema contributes to cognitive and/or motor alterations in rats with chronic mild HE.MethodsMotor activity and coordination and different types of learning and memory were assessed in rats with porta‐caval shunts (PCS). Brain oedema was assessed by gravimetry in cerebellum and cortex and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) by magnetic resonance in 16 areas.ResultsFour weeks after surgery, PCS rats show reduced motor activity and coordination, impaired ability to learn a conditional discrimination task in the Y maze and reduced spatial memory in the Morris water maze. PCS rats did not show increased brain water content at 4 or 10 weeks or changes in ADC at 4 weeks. At 10 weeks, increased ADC in some areas is compatible with vasogenic but not cytotoxic oedema.ConclusionCerebral oedema is not involved in motor and cognitive alterations in rats (and likely in humans) with mild HE. Proper understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the neurological alterations in HE is necessary to design efficient treatments.
Nonparallelism inMHCIIβ diversity accompanies nonparallelism in pathogen infection of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) species pairs as revealed by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Pavey Scott A. , Sevellec Maelle , Adam William , Normandeau Eric , Lamaze Fabien C. , Gagnaire Pierre‐Alexandre , Filteau Marie , Hebert Francois Olivier , Maaroufi Halim , Bernatchez Louis 
Published: June 2013

AbstractMajor histocompatibility (MHC) immune system genes may evolve in response to pathogens in the environment. Because they also may affect mate choice, they are candidates for having great importance in ecological speciation. Here, we use next‐generation sequencing to test the general hypothesis of parallelism in patterns ofMHCIIβ diversity and bacterial infections among five dwarf and normal whitefish sympatric pairs. A second objective was to assess the functional relationships between specificMHCIIβ alleles and pathogens in natural conditions. Each individual had between one and four alleles, indicating two paralogous loci. InCliff Lake, the dwarf ecotype was monomorphic for the most common allele. InWebster Lake, the skew in the allelic distribution was towards the same allele but in the normal ecotype, underscoring the nonparallel divergence among lakes. Our signal of balancing selection matched putative peptide binding region residues in some cases, but not in others, supporting other recent findings of substantial functional differences in fishMHCIIβ compared with mammals. Individuals with fewer alleles were less likely to be infected; thus, we found no evidence for the heterozygote advantage hypothesis.MHCIIβ alleles and pathogenic bacteria formed distinct clusters in multivariate analyses, and clusters of certain alleles were associated with clusters of pathogens, or sometimes the absence of pathogens, indicating functional relationships at the individual level. Given that patterns ofMHCIIβ and bacteria were nonparallel among dwarf and normal whitefish pairs, we conclude that pathogens drivingMHCIIβ evolution did not play a direct role in their parallel phenotypic evolution.
Effect of Meloxicam on Pregnancy Rate of Recipient Heifers Following Transfer ofIn VitroProduced Embryos
Authors: Aguiar TS , Araújo CV , Tirloni RR , Martins LR 
Published: June 2013

ContentsThe main objective of this study was to determine if administration of meloxicam, a cyclooxygenase (COX) two inhibitor, to heifers in which embryo transfer (ET) is more difficult and requires a greater manipulation of the tract, would be beneficial. Nulliparous recipient heifers were divided in two groups:CON(n = 102), in which animals received 10 ml of saline IM (the same volume of meloxicam) andMEL(n = 105) animals that were treated with meloxicam. According to the degree in passing the catheter, recipients from both groups were classified as Grade I, easy (< 60 s), and Grade II (more than 80 s), difficult. Immediately after embryo transfer,MELrecipients received an injection of 200 mg of meloxicam (10 ml).There was no difference in the pregnancy rates on Day 35 considering animals which presented Grade I cervix independently whether the treatment was performed or not (p = 0.22). There was a statistical difference in the pregnancy rates (p < 0.01) between both groups (49.0% and 66.7% forCONandMEL, respectively) when cervical grade was not considered, on Day 35. Considering the animals that presented Grade II cervix, the pregnancy rate was higher forMEL(21.15% and 78.84%, respectively) in both examinations (p < 0.01).The authors concluded that meloxicam had a positive influence on general pregnancy rate of treated heifers in comparison to non‐treated heifers. It was also observed that pregnancy rate was not influenced by meloxicam administration in Grade I heifers. Treatment increased the pregnancy rate of Grade II heifers.
Culture Clash and Second Home Ownership in the U.S. Northern Forest
Authors: Armstrong Andrea , Stedman Richard C. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractCulture clash, or intracommunity tensions related to rapid in‐migration, between permanent and newcomer residents has been well studied in relation to environmental conservation in natural amenity communities; however, less is known about culture clash within communities characterized by high rates of second home ownership. We examine the causes of perceived culture clash in communities of the U.S. Northern Forest using mail survey data from four case studies within New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. In contrast to past culture clash research, we consider multiple dimensions of cultural capital that are independent of second home owners' rural or urban origins, and how key aspects of culture compare to economic standing and social interaction as drivers of perceived culture clash. Permanent residents perceive greater levels of culture clash than second home owners, net other measures, indicating that seasonal migration in and of itself encourages notions of otherness between residents. More frequent social interaction between resident groups helps to ameliorate intracommunity tensions. Cultural capital and social interaction measures were equally effective in explaining variation in perceived culture clash. Our findings indicate that the culture clash concept extends beyond scenarios of environmental conflict and applies to more general forms of intergroup tensions.
Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus RNA and antibody in first‐time, lapsed, and repeat blood donations across five international regions and relative efficacy of alternative screening scenarios
Authors: Bruhn Roberta , Lelie Nico , Custer Brian , Busch Michael , Kleinman Steven ,   International NAT Study Group
Published: June 2013

BackgroundTwenty‐one blood organizations from five geographical regions provided HIV individual donation (ID)‐NAT and serology data on 11,787,610 donations. Infections were classified as anti‐HIV‐/RNA+ window period (WP), anti‐HIV+/RNA+ concordant positive (CP) or anti‐HIV+/RNA‐ elite controller (EC). Residual risk and efficacy of several screening scenarios were estimated for first time, lapsed and repeat donations.MethodsWP residual risk estimates assumed a 50% infectious dose of 3.16 virions and a 50% detection limit of 2.7 HIV RNA copies/mL for ID‐NAT and 10,000 copies/mL for p24Ag. Infectivity for CP (100%) and EC (2.2%) donations was estimated based on viral load distributions and 100‐fold reduced infectivity by antibody neutralization as reported elsewhere. Efficacy was calculated as proportion of transmission risk removed from baseline (i.e. in absence of any screening).ResultsThere was no significant difference in transmission risk between lapsed and repeat donations in any region. Risk was 3.8‐fold higher in first time than combined lapsed/repeat donations in South Africa but not in other regions. Screening strategies were most efficacious at interdicting infectious transfusions in first time (98.7‐99.8%) followed by lapsed (97.6‐99.7%) and repeat (86.8‐97.7%) donations in all regions combined. In each donor category the efficacy of ID‐NAT alone (97.7‐99.8%) was superior to that of minipool (MP)‐NAT/anti‐HIV (95.0‐99.6%) and p24 Ag/anti‐HIV (89.8‐99.1%).ConclusionsEfficacy patterns were similar by donor/donation status in each region despite large differences in HIV prevalence and transmission risk. As similar data become available for HBV and HCV, this modeling may be useful in cost effectiveness analyses of alternative testing scenarios.
A dominant avirulence gene in Orobanche cumana triggers Or5 resistance in sunflower
Authors: Rodríguez‐Ojeda M I , Pineda‐Martos R , Alonso L C , Fernández‐Escobar J , Fernández‐Martínez J M , Pérez‐Vich B , Velasco L 
Published: June 2013

SummaryOrobanche cumana is a weed that grows as a root parasite on sunflower. In general, the O. cumana–sunflower parasitic system is regarded to follow the gene‐for‐gene model, although this has never been demonstrated at the genetic level in O. cumana. The Or5 dominant gene in sunflower confers resistance to O. cumana race E, but not to race F. The objective of this research was to study the inheritance of avirulence/virulence in crosses between plants of O. cumana lines classified as races E and F. Four race E and three race F lines were developed, from which four race E × race F cross‐combinations were made, in three cases including reciprocals. In all cases, F1 seeds did not have the ability to parasitise sunflower line P‐1380 carrying the Or5 gene, indicating dominance of race E avirulence allele(s). Five F2 populations comprising a total of 387 F2:3 families were evaluated on sunflower line P‐1380. In all cases, one‐fourth of the F2:3 families did not possess the ability to parasitise P‐1380 plants, suggesting that race E avirulence and race F virulence on P‐1380 are allelic and controlled by a single locus. This study demonstrated the gene‐for‐gene interaction in the O. cumana–sunflower parasite system and provided useful information to identify genes involved in O. cumana virulence. The approach followed in this research can contribute to define precisely races of the parasite on the basis of the presence of avirulence genes.
On the -purity of isolated log canonical singularities
Authors: Fujino Osamu , Takagi Shunsuke 
Published: June 2013

AbstractA singularity in characteristic zero is said to be of dense $F$-pure type if its modulo $p$ reduction is locally Frobenius split for infinitely many $p$. We prove that if $x\in X$ is an isolated log canonical singularity with $\mu (x\in X)\leq 2$ (where the invariant $\mu $ is as defined in Definition 1.4), then it is of dense $F$-pure type. As a corollary, we prove the equivalence of log canonicity and being of dense $F$-pure type in the case of three-dimensional isolated $ \mathbb{Q} $-Gorenstein normal singularities.