bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cutting frequency vs. N application: effect of a 20‐year management in Lolio‐Cynosuretum grassland
Authors: Pavlů V. , Schellberg J. , Hejcman M. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the effects of different long‐term management options on re‐establishment of traditional species‐rich grassland in a Lolio‐Cynosuretum grassland. The experiment was set up in 1987 in a low‐fertilized mown pasture in the Eifel Mountains (Germany). Two and four cuts per year each with three levels of nitrogen fertilizer application were compared to no application of P and K fertilizer. Biomass production increased as a result of N application, whereas crude protein content and digestibility of organic matter improved in the four‐cut treatments. During a 20‐year period, we found a significant shift in dominant grass species without any significant effect on species richness. Lolium perenne and Elytrigia repens were replaced by Holcus lanatus and Alopecurus pratensis, especially in the two‐cut treatments with N application. In the unfertilized plots, several individuals of Platanthera bifolia appeared when swards were cut only twice per year, probably as a result of nutrient depletion together with low cutting frequency. An increase in number of cuts mainly supported plant species well adapted to intensive management, even under low N application and relatively low plant‐available P content in the soil. Therefore, we conclude that cutting frequency was a key driver on plant species composition in this experiment. The re‐establishment of traditional species‐rich grassland from intensively managed Lolio‐Cynosuretum was not achieved within 20 years of cutting management combined with absence of P and K application.
Androgen receptor signalling in peritubular myoid cells is essential for normal differentiation and function of adult Leydig cells
Authors: Welsh M. , Moffat L. , Belling K. , de França L. R. , Segatelli T. M. , Saunders P. T. K. , Sharpe R. M. , Smith L. B. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryTestosterone synthesis depends on normal Leydig cell (LC) development, but the mechanisms controlling this development remain unclear. We recently demonstrated that androgen receptor (AR) ablation from a proportion of testicular peritubular myoid cells (PTM‐ARKO) did not affect LC number, but resulted in compensated LC failure. The current study extends these investigations, demonstrating that PTM AR signalling is important for normal development, ultrastructure and function of adult LCs. Notably, mRNAs for LC markers [e.g. steroidogenic factor 1 (Nr5a1), insulin‐like growth factor (Igf‐1) and insulin‐like factor 3 (Insl3)] were significantly reduced in adult PTM‐ARKOs, but not all LCs were similarly affected. Two LC sub‐populations were identified, one apparently ‘normal’ sub‐population that expressed adult LC markers and steroidogenic enzymes as in controls, and another ‘abnormal’ sub‐population that had arrested development and only weakly expressed INSL3, luteinizing hormone receptor, and several steroidogenic enzymes. Furthermore, unlike ‘normal’ LCs in PTM‐ARKOs, the ‘abnormal’ LCs did not involute as expected in response to exogenous testosterone. Differential function of these LC sub‐populations is likely to mean that the ‘normal’ LCs work harder to compensate for the ‘abnormal’ LCs to maintain normal serum testosterone. These findings reveal new paracrine mechanisms underlying adult LC development, which can be further investigated using PTM‐ARKOs.
The testicular germ cell tumour transcriptome
Authors: Alagaratnam S. , Lind G. E. , Kraggerud S. M. , Lothe R. A. , Skotheim R. I. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryTesticular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are characterized by young age of onset and a complex pattern of histological subtypes. Transcriptomic studies have tried to uncover the gene expression patterns underlying this. Here, we present a systematic review of transcriptome studies of TGCTs of adolescents and young adults and identify genes common across the various studies, both for TGCTs in general as well as the histological subtypes, hence elucidating both transcriptional changes associated with malignant transformation and differentiation patterns. A meta‐analysis of this type adds power and significance to the genes thus found, where most studies have included only a limited number of samples. Both known (KRAS, MYCN and TPD52) and novel (CCT6A, IGFBP3 and SALL2) cancer genes are implicated in TGC tumorigenesis. Gene expression patterns characteristic to embryonic stem cells are also found deregulated in TGC tumorigenesis. This is reflected in how pluripotent embryonal carcinoma cells commonly differentiate into a variety of embryonic and extra‐embryonic histological types, each with unique transcriptomes. The embryonal carcinomas in particular are found to overexpress pluripotency genes, while gene signatures for seminomas, teratomas and yolk sac tumours were also identified. This underlines the distinctive transcriptomic programme across histological subtypes, especially striking given that the TGCT genome is largely similar across the same subtypes.
Characterization of the kisspeptin system in human spermatozoa
Authors: Pinto F. M. , Cejudo‐Román A. , Ravina C. G. , Fernández‐Sánchez M. , Martín‐Lozano D. , Illanes M. , Tena‐Sempere M. , Candenas M. L. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryKisspeptin, the product of the KISS1 gene, plays an essential role in the regulation of spermatogenesis acting primarily at the hypothalamic level of the gonadotropic axis. However, the presence of kisspeptin and its canonical receptor, KISS1R, in spermatozoa has not been explored nor the direct effects of kisspeptin on sperm function have been studied so far. In the present study, we analysed the expression of kisspeptin and its receptor in sperm cells by western blot and immunocytochemistry assays and evaluated the effects of exposure to kisspeptin on sperm intracellular Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, sperm motility, sperm hyperactivation and the acrosome reaction. Changes in [Ca2+]i were monitored using Fura‐2, sperm kinematic parameters were measured using computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA), and the acrosome reaction was measured using fluorescein isothiocyanate‐coupled Pisum sativum agglutinin lectin (FITC–PSA method). We found that kisspeptin and its receptor are present in sperm cells, where both are mainly localized in the sperm head, around the neck and in the flagellum midpiece. Exposure to kisspeptin caused a slow, progressive increase in [Ca2+]i, which reached a plateau about 3–6 min after kisspeptin exposure. In addition, kisspeptin modulated sperm progressive motility causing a biphasic (stimulatory and inhibitory) response and also induced transient sperm hyperactivation. The effects of kisspeptin on sperm motility and hyperactivation were inhibited by the antagonist of KISS1R, peptide 234. Kisspeptin did not induce the acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa. These data show for the first time that kisspeptin and its receptor are present in human spermatozoa and modulate key parameters of sperm function. This may represent an additional mechanism for their crucial function in the control of male fertility.
Effects of initial albumen quality and mineral oil–chitosan emulsion coating on internal quality and shelf‐life of eggs during room temperature storage
Authors: Torrico Damir Dennis , No Hong Kyoon , Sriwattana Sujinda , Ingram Dennis , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon 
Published: June 2011

SummaryEffects of mineral oil (MO) and mineral oil–chitosan emulsion (MO:CH = 25:75) as coatings on internal quality and shelf‐life of eggs were evaluated during 5‐week storage at 25 °C. Eggs with three different initial albumen qualities [Haugh unit (HU): H = 87.8, M = 75.6 and L = 70.9] were evaluated. As storage time increased, HU and yolk index values decreased whereas weight loss increased. Coating with MO and/or 25:75 MO:CH emulsion could preserve the internal quality for at least 4 more weeks for H‐eggs and at least 3 more weeks for M and/or L‐eggs, all with weight losses <0.92%. All coated eggs had >70% positive purchase intent, and their colour differences at week 0 could not be detected by naked human eye (ΔE* < 3.0, noncoated eggs as reference). Consumers significantly differentiated freshly MO‐coated from noncoated eggs on overall surface appearance. This study demonstrated that MO and 25:75 MO:CH emulsion coatings could preserve internal quality and prolong shelf‐life of eggs.
Total and soluble oxalate content in legume vegetables used in the preparation of frozen products for consumption
Authors: Słupski Jacek , Lisiewska Zofia , Gębczyński Piotr , Skoczeń‐Słupska Radosława 
Published: June 2011

SummaryThe aim of the investigation was to compare oxalate retention in two types of frozen product prepared for consumption after frozen storage: one obtained using the traditional method (blanching‐freezing‐frozen storage‐cooking) and a convenience food involving cooking‐freezing‐frozen storage‐defrosting and heating in microwave oven. The investigation included three species of legume vegetables: immature (wax‐stage maturity) seeds of broad bean and green pea, and French bean. Fresh broad bean seeds contained 53 mg total oxalates in 100 g fresh matter; pea 38 mg; and French bean 88 mg. Soluble oxalates comprised 53, 58 and 72% of total oxalates. The treatments applied resulted in reduction of the level of total and soluble oxalates, and oxalate to calcium ratio (broad bean and French bean); there was no influence on the level of calcium bound as calcium oxalate; true retention of oxalates was lower than apparent retention (green pea and French bean).
Genetic diversity, sensitivity to phenylamide fungicides and aggressiveness of Phytophthora ramorum on Camellia, Rhododendron and Viburnum plants in Spain
Authors: Pérez‐Sierra A. , Álvarez L. A. , Vercauteren A. , Heungens K. , Abad‐Campos P. 
Published: June 2011

Phytophthora ramorum has been detected in official plant health surveys on Rhododendron, Viburnum and Camellia in ornamental nurseries in northern Spain since 2003. A collection of 94 isolates of P. ramorum was obtained from 2003 to 2008 from plants with symptoms at different geographical locations. Isolates were identified based on morphology and sequence of the rDNA ITS region. Mating type, genetic variation, sensitivity to phenylamide fungicides and aggressiveness of these isolates were determined. All isolates belonged to the A1 mating type, ruling out the possibility of genetic recombination. Seven microsatellite markers were used to study genetic diversity; three out of the seven microsatellite markers were polymorphic within the Spanish population of P. ramorum. This study confirms that all Spanish isolates of P. ramorum belonged to the EU1 lineage. Twelve intralineage genotypes were detected, five that are unique to Spain (EU1MG38, EU1MG41, EU1MG37, EU1MG39 and EU1MG40) and seven that are also present in at least one other European country (EU1MG1, EU1MG29, EU1MG22, EU1MG13, EU1MG2, EU1MG18 and EU1MG26). Genotypes EU1MG37, EU1MG39 and EU1MG40 were isolated from Rhododendron from one region; EU1MG38 and EU1MG41 were isolated from Camellia from two different regions. Isolates of genotype EU1MG38 were resistant to metalaxyl and mefenoxam. The level of genetic diversity within the Spanish population of P. ramorum is limited and indicates a relatively recent clonal expansion.
Effect of repeated administration of low‐dose silver nitrate for pleurodesis in a rabbit model
Authors: TREMBLAY ALAIN , STATHER DAVID R. , KELLY MARGARET M. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Both the efficacy and toxicity of sclerosing agents are likely to be dose‐dependent. Clinical pleurodesis strategies typically involve single bolus dose administration of drugs. This study was designed to test whether repeated administration of low doses of silver nitrate (SN) could lead to effective pleurodesis.Methods:  Intrapleural administration, to rabbits, of decreasing doses of SN or normal saline was undertaken daily over 1, 5 or 14 days. Assessment of the degree of pleurodesis was by visual inspection (score 1–8) and histological examination and scoring of inflammation and fibrosis (score 0–4). The untreated contralateral side was used as a control. A visual pleurodesis score of ≥5 was considered to be positive.Results:  The lowest concentrations of SN leading to a visual pleurodesis score ≥5 were 0.425%, 0.085% and 0.05% for 1, 5 and 14 day administration protocols respectively (P < 0.05 vs control side). Visual pleurodesis scores decreased as the dose of SN decreased within each administration regimen groups (P < 0.05 for single and 14 day groups, P = 0.058 in 5 day group). A significant correlation was noted between visual pleurodesis scores and histology fibrosis scores.Conclusions:  Effective pleurodesis can be achieved in an animal model with repeated daily administration of SN at doses significantly lower than the lowest effective single day dose. This finding could lead to better tolerated pleurodesis regimens.
Accommodation steps, target spatial frequency and refractive error
Authors: Strang Niall C , Day Mhairi , Gray Lyle S , Seidel Dirk 
Published: June 2011

Citation information: Strang NC, Day M, Gray LS & Seidel D. Accommodation steps, target spatial frequency and refractive error. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 444–455. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00855.xAbstractPurpose:  Errors in the accommodation response of myopes have been reported in many studies although questions remain about the exact differences in accommodation steps when compared with emmetropic individuals.Methods:  The characteristics of the accommodation step response to large (4/1D) and small (3/2D) steps in targets with low (0.5 cpd), mid (4 cpd) and high (16 cpd) spatial frequency (SF) information was measured in myopes (MYOs) and emmetropes (EMMs).Results:  In terms of step size, the larger steps showed a greater response in the 4 cpd condition than the 0.5 and 16 cpd conditions and an improved percentage correct response in the 4 cpd compared to the 16 cpd steps. In small step conditions target SF had less effect upon the magnitude of the response. In terms of refractive group differences, MYOs had a lower proportion of correct accommodation responses compared to EMMs during the small steps only, however, when correct steps were performed there were no differences in the characteristics of both large and small step responses between MYOs and EMMs.Conclusions:  These findings suggest that MYOs have some difficulty interpreting small changes in defocus to initiate or possibly fine tune a small accommodation response, however, when a correct accommodation step response is made, the MYOs accommodation plant responds in a similar manner to EMMs.
Do voters reward rebellion? The electoral accountability of MPs in Britain
Authors: VIVYAN NICK , WAGNER MARKUS 
Published: June 2011

AbstractTo hold their Members of Parliament individually accountable for their legislative behaviour, British voters would need to base their decision to vote for an MP at least partially on the extent to which the MP's legislative voting behaviour deviated from that of the MP's party leadership. Voters should evaluate this deviation contingent on their views of the party leadership. MP rebellion can signal that voter–MP congruence is greater than that of the voter and the MP's party leadership. In this article it is found that only constituents with negative attitudes toward the Labour government reward rebellious Labour MPs, albeit to a limited extent. A similar conditional association is not observed on a single issue: Iraq. The policy accountability of MPs is relatively weak and general rather than issue‐specific.
The effects of a phone call prompt on subsequent blood donation among first‐time donors
Authors: Godin Gaston , Amireault Steve , Vézina‐Im Lydi‐Anne , Germain Marc , Delage Gilles 
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND: A strategy used by blood centers to retain donors is to place phone call reminders. However, among first‐time donors, no studies have tested the effect of this strategy. This was the aim of this study among individuals who had recently given their first lifetime blood donation.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A quasi‐experimental study using a nonequivalent control group was adopted; participants in the control group were donors with blood types B+ and AB+, since these individuals are not phoned by the blood agency. A total of 1604 first‐time donors aged 18 to 70 years from the province of Quebec, Canada, were assigned to the experimental (n = 870) or the control (n = 734) group. Participants in the experimental group were phoned a few days before they had a new opportunity to give blood while those in the control condition were not phoned.RESULTS: In the experimental condition, 48.3% of the donors attempted to give blood during the 12‐month follow‐up period compared to 38.0% in the control condition. The hazards of the first blood donation attempt among donors who were phoned were 32% higher compared to the hazards of those who were not phoned (p = 0.0004).CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that a first phone call reminder about the upcoming opportunity to give blood again has a significant positive effect on return rates among first‐time donors.
Quantitative analysis of pseudopolymorphic transformation of imidafenacin by application of a novel combination of near-infrared spectroscopy and a humidity-controlled 96-well plate
Authors: Uchida Hiroshi , Otsuka Makoto 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Objectives
This study was conducted to test whether our novel combination (i.e. microanalysis) of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and humidity-controlled 96-well plate, reported in a previous issue of this journal, can be successfully applied to quantitative evaluation of the pseudopolymorphic transformation of imidafenacin.

Methods
Sample powders of a drug compound were placed in a humidity-controlled 96-well plate containing various saturated salt solutions, and stored at 35°C. NIR spectra were collected using a Fourier transform-NIR spectrometer in combination with a fiber-optic probe. The actual hydrate contents of samples were determined by using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). A series of sets of NIR spectra and TGA data were used to establish a calibration model with which to predict the contents of monohydrate by partial least-squares regression (PLS).

Key findings
The PLS calibration model analysis showed that the plots of NIR predicted values to the actual values gave a straight line with correlation coefficients of 0.9868 and 0.9936, respectively, for the 96-well plate and glass-bottle uses. The model using the 96-well plate was therefore able to predict the transformation of imidafenacin in one form to another form as quantitatively as the conventional model using glass bottles.

Conclusion
The present study confirmed that our microanalysis quantitatively predicts the pseudopolymorphic transformation of our tested drug in small amounts and suggests that this particular method is a simple and convenient one that may be efficiently applied to polymorphic and pseudopolymorphic studies of a hygroscopic drug candidate, at even earlier development stages than the conventional method using glass bottles.
Sulfation of selected mono-hydroxyflavones by sulfotransferases in vitro: a species and gender comparison
Authors: Yang Cai Hua , Tang Lan , Lv Chang , Ye Ling , Xia Bi Jun , Hu Ming , Liu Zhong Qiu 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Objectives
Sulfation via sulfotransferases is an important metabolic pathway contributing to the low bioavailability of flavonoids. This study aims to characterize the sulfation of mono-hydroxyflavones (MHFs) to obtain useful information on structure-metabolizing relationships in animal species and gender differences.

Methods
Three representative MHFs, namely, 7-, 6- and 4′-MHF, were studied by incubating each MHF at different concentrations with various liver S9 fractions (mouse, rat, dog and human).

Key findings
One mono-sulfate was identified for each MHF. 7-MHF and 4′-MHF usually have greater sulfations than 6-MHF. Regardless of whether the S9 fraction came from a male or female, there was a difference in sulfation in the species observed for all MHFs; the highest activity of sulfotransferases was in dog S9. Furthermore, gender differences affect sulfation of MHFs significantly. In rats, all sulfations for the three MHFs were higher in males than that in females while the opposite was observed in mice.

Conclusions
Regiospecific, species and gender dependence exist in the sulfonation of all selected MHFs.
OdDHL Inhibits T Cell Subset Differentiation and Delays Diabetes Onset in NOD Mice
Authors: Gaisford Wendy , Pritchard David I. , Cooke Anne 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTSome infectious diseases have been shown to halt the onset of autoimmune disease in animal models and have been suggested to also influence autoimmune pathology in humans. The isolation and study of small molecules and proteins from the infectious agents responsible for the protective effect will enable a mechanistic understanding of how these components may prevent or delay the onset of autoimmunity. In this study we confirm that the quorum-sensing signal molecule OdDHL fromPseudomonas aeruginosacan delay the onset of type 1 diabetes in the NOD mouse model. Furthermore, using an antigen-presenting cell-free system, we find not only that OdDHL inhibits the proliferation of naïve T cells but also that it directly inhibits the differentiation of T cell subsets. OdDHL was shown to have no effect on the inhibition of primed and committed differentiated T cell responses, suggesting that that immune mechanism mediated by this molecule may be more restricted to initial stages of infection.
A Live-Attenuated Chimeric Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) Vaccine Is Transmitted to Contact Pigs but Is Not Upregulated by Concurrent Infection with Porcine Parvovirus (PPV) and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) and Is Efficacious in a PCV2b-PRRSV-PPV Challenge Model
Authors: Opriessnig T. , Shen H. G. , Pal N. , Ramamoorthy S. , Huang Y. W. , Lager K. M. , Beach N. M. , Halbur P. G. , Meng X. J. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTThe live chimeric porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccine with the capsid gene of the emerging subtype 2b cloned in the genomic backbone of the nonpathogenic PCV1 is attenuatedin vivoand induces protective immunity against PCV2. To further determine the safety and efficacy of this experimental vaccine, we tested for evidence of pig-to-pig transmission by commingling nonvaccinated and vaccinated pigs, determined potential upregulation by simultaneous vaccination and infection with porcine parvovirus (PPV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and determined vaccine efficacy by challenging pigs 4 weeks after vaccination with PCV2b, PRRSV, and PPV. Forty-six 21-day-old, PCV2-naïve pigs were randomly assigned to one of six groups. Twenty-nine of 46 pigs were challenged with PCV2b, PRRSV, and PPV at day 28, 8/46 remained nonvaccinated and nonchallenged and served as negative controls, and 9/46 remained nonchallenged and served as vaccination controls. All animals were necropsied at day 49. PCV1-PCV2 viremia was detected in nonvaccinated contact pigs commingled with vaccinated pigs, indicating pig-to-pig transmission; however, PCV1-PCV2 DNA levels remained low in all vaccinated and contact pigs regardless of concurrent infection. Finally, vaccination 28 days before challenge resulted in significantly (P< 0.05) decreased amounts of PCV2 in tissues and sera and significantly (P< 0.05) reduced macroscopic and microscopic lesions. The results of this study indicate that the experimental live-attenuated chimeric PCV2 vaccine, although transmissible to contact pigs, remains attenuated in pigs concurrently infected with PRRSV and PPV and induces protective immunity against PCV2b when it is administered 28 days before PCV2 exposure.