bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced appetite and body mass index with delayed puberty in a mother and son: association with a rare novel sequence variant in the leptin gene
Authors: Murray P G , Read A , Banerjee I , Whatmore A J , Pritchard L E , Davies R A , Brennand J , White A , Ross R J , Clayton P E 
Published: February 2011

IntroductionLeptin deficiency caused by mutations within the leptin gene (LEP) results in severe early onset obesity, hypogonadism, pubertal delay and immune system abnormalities. Constitutional delay in growth and puberty (CDGP) is a common condition seen in paediatric clinics, in which children present with delayed growth and puberty but usually also have a slim body habitus. We hypothesized that LEP variants may play a role in the phenotype seen in CDGP.AimTo screen a group of children with CDGP for pathogenic sequence variants in LEP.Patients and methodsDenaturing HPLC was used to screen for LEP sequence variants in DNA samples from 78 children with CDGP (predominantly white males) and 112 control subjects. DNA fragments with a WAVE pattern deviant from wild type were directly sequenced. A STAT3 luciferase reporter assay in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells transiently transfected with the leptin receptor was used to test activity of mutant leptin.ResultsOne child with CDGP was identified to be heterozygous for a novel missense variant (c.68C>G), which results in a proline to arginine substitution (p.P23R). This sequence variant was not identified in any of the other control subjects, but was identified in his mother who shared a similar phenotype of slim body habitus, reduced appetite and pubertal delay (menarche aged 15 years). The leptin variant showed similar stability in serum compared with wild type and did not demonstrate increased activity in an in vitro reporter gene assay.ConclusionsThis is the first report of a sequence variant within the LEP gene associated with reduced body mass index rather than obesity. We hypothesize that this variant has increased bioactivity in vivo.
Comparison of anchorage capacity between implant and headgear during anterior segment retraction
Authors: Li F. , Hu H. K. , Chen J. W. , Liu Z. P. , Li G. F. , He S. S. , Zou S. J. , Ye Q. S. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Objective:
To compare the anchorage effects of the implants and the headgear for patients with anterior teeth retraction in terms of incisor retraction, anchorage loss, inclination of maxillary incisors, positional change of maxillary basal bone, and treatment duration.

Materials and Methods:
An electronic search for relative randomized controlled trials (RCTs) prospective and retrospective controlled trials was done through the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Embase, Medline, and CNKI, regardless of language of study. Study selection, methodological quality assessment, and data extraction were performed by two reviewers independently. Meta-analysis was performed when possible; otherwise descriptive assessment was done.

Results:
The search yielded 35 articles, of which eight met the inclusion criteria and were categorized into five groups according to types of intervention. For the midpalatal implant, the anchorage loss was much less than for the headgear group, with insignificant differences in terms of anterior teeth retraction, maxillary incisor inclination, positional change of basal bone, and treatment duration. For the mini-implant, greater anterior teeth retraction and less anchorage loss were demonstrated, with inconsistent results for the other measures. For the onplant, less anchorage loss was noted, with insignificant differences for the other measures.

Conclusions:
The skeletal anchorage of the midpalatal implant, mini-implant, and onplant offer better alternatives to headgear, with less anchorage loss and more anterior teeth retraction. There were inconsistent results from the included studies in terms of maxillary incisor inclination, positional change of maxillary basal bone, and treatment duration. More qualified RCTs are required to provide clear recommendations.
Locomotor activity and daily milk yield of dairy cows during the perioestrous period in successive lactations
Authors: Miciński Jan , Zwierzchowski Grzegorz , Barański Wojciech , Gołębiowska Magdalena , Maršálek Miroslav 
Published: February 2011

Locomotor activity and daily milk yield of dairy cows during the perioestrous period in successive lactationsThe experiment was conducted in a herd of high-producing Holstein-Friesian cows, using the AfiFarm Herd Management Software, to analyze their locomotor activity during 236 oestruses in relation to the daily milk yield determined during the periooestrous period in four successive production and reproductive cycles. Day "0" was the day of the observed oestrus. Locomotor activity and milk production levels were monitored five days before and five days after oestrus. A correlation was noted between high milk yield and the reproductive performance of cows. An increase in milk yield was accompanied by extended inter-pregnancy and inter-calving intervals and a drop in the insemination index which also tended to decrease in multiparous cows. Primiparous and the highest-yielding cows were characterized by the highest levels of locomotor activity. The physical activity of cows increased by around 67% during oestrus. However, daily milk yield declined at oestrus, compared with the average milk production levels determined five days before and five days after oestrus in each lactation. The installation of pedometers supported the detection of oestrus, including silent oestrus, in dairy cows, and the AfiFarm system was found to be an effective tool for dairy farming and herd management.
Methods for determination of labile soil organic matter: An overview
Authors: Strosser Eduard 
Published: February 2011

Methods for determination of labile soil organic matter: An overviewSoil organic matter (SOM) can be divided into three main pools: labile, stable and inert. Research over recent years has focused on the labile fraction (LF), as it is considered a quickly reactive indicator of soil productivity and health, and important as a supply of energy for soil micro-organisms. A wide spectrum of analytical methods has been used to determine and/or evaluate LF, based on physical, chemical and biochemical principles. The advantages and disadvantages of each technique are explored in this work, but none of the methods can determine LF sufficiently, either because a part of the LF is not involved or because further characterisation is missing. Although analytical methods are widely used to evaluate changes in soil management or organic carbon turnover, the practical question of the quantity and quality of SOM cannot be answered completely. It is also suggested that future research should focus on the interactions among SOM fractions and their better chemical and functional characterisation. It is possible to use a combination of the analytical methods reviewed here in order to accomplish this objective.
Optimizing concentrations of growth regulators for in-vitro ginger propagation
Authors: Nkere Chukwuemeka , Mbanaso Egbichi 
Published: February 2011

Optimizing concentrations of growth regulators forin-vitroginger propagationThe study evaluates the performance of ginger in media containing different concentrations of growth regulators. Twenty-eight different treatment combinations of benzylaminopurine (BAP) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) incorporated into Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium were evaluated for optimal media composition for ginger micropropagation. The combination of 0.05 mgl-1NAA and 4.0 mgl-1BAP gave the highest shoot regeneration rate of 4.25. However, this did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from the result (3.38) from 0.05 mgl-1NAA and 1.0 mgl-1BAP. Considering the performance of the shoot tip explants in media and the need to lower the cost of micropropagation, the latter combination (0.05 mgl-1NAA and 1.0 mgl-1BAP) with 80 percent explant survival, gave an appropriate concentration of growth regulators in media composition for ginger propagation. This combination also supported root development, and perhaps would eliminate the stage ofin vitrorooting.
Haplotype analysis of the SSRs surrounding rym 11 locus in a set of winter barley
Authors: Sedláček Tibor , Mařík Pavel 
Published: February 2011

Haplotype analysis of the SSRs surroundingrym 11locus in a set of winter barleyBreeding for Barley Mosaic Virus resistance is of great importance because of yield losses and the impossibility of plant protection using chemicals. Successful breeding of long-term resistant varieties requires widening of the genetic base of resistance, preferably by pyramiding of resistance genes. One of the perspective resistance genes isrym 11, resistant to all strains of Barley Mosaic Virus complex, but which is known to be present only in the cultivar Russia 57. In this work, the identification of potential newrym 11resistance donors on the basis of haplotype analysis of the SSRs surroundingrym 11locus is presented.
Influence of dietary vitamin E and zinc on performance, oxidative stability and some blood measures of broiler chickens reared under heat stress (35 °C)
Authors: Hosseini-Mansoub Navid , Chekani-Azar Saeid , Tehrani Ali , Lotfi Alireza , Manesh Mostaan 
Published: February 2011

Influence of dietary vitamin E and zinc on performance, oxidative stability and some blood measures of broiler chickens reared under heat stress (35 °C)This study was conducted to determine the effects of vitamin E (αTA; dL-α-Tocopheryl acetate) and zinc (Zn; ZnCl2) on performance, oxidative stability and some blood measures of broiler chickens under normal and hot temperatures. One hundred sixty 10-day-old male chicks were assigned to four groups in four replicates. The birds received two diets, control and enriched with two levels of vitamin E and Zn (100 and 50 mg/kg of diet, respectively) under two ambient temperatures (22 °C and 35 °C). Although the diets enriched with the antioxidant vitamin and element compared with un-enriched diets resulted in the better performance of the birds, significant differences were related to temperature conditions, as the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) and the highest body weight (BW) were observed in the group fed the enriched diet under normal temperature. The serum malondialdehyde (MDA), cholesterol (C), triglycerides (TG), glucose (G), total protein (TP), and hematocrit and heterophil: lymphocyte ratio levels were significantly lower in birds reared under 22 °C compared with the group under 35 °C but the hematocrit was not significantly lower in groups fed enriched diets and exposed to normal conditions (P>0.05). It was concluded that a combination of 100 mg of vitamin E and 50 mg of Zn provides the better performance and the least blood C and TG levels accompanying the better oxidative stability in male broilers under normal temperature (22 °C) and that this combination can be considered as a protective strategy in broiler diets for reducing the negative effects of heat stress.
Timely identification of agricultural crops in the Temelín NPP vicinity using satellite data in the event of radiation contamination
Authors: Vinciková Hana , Procházka Jan , Brom Jakub 
Published: February 2011

Timely identification of agricultural crops in the Temelín NPP vicinity using satellite data in the event of radiation contaminationThe study established the possibility of rapid evaluation of land cover structure and situation using as an example the Temelín NPP (Nuclear Power Plant) emergency zone. The composition, surface representation and spatial distribution of crop species in the area of interest were assessed on the basis of satellite data analysis (Landsat 5 TM).The supervised classification method of Landsat data yielded 92% accuracy of classification into the land cover classes. A comparison of satellite data classification and field investigation (farmers' and LPIS data) showed that the combination of both methods appears to be ideal for the classification of land cover. Analysis of the assessment of Landsat satellite data showed it was possible to process data in a few days. However, obtaining data was problematic; in our case it was 44 days. The results of the classification as well as other outputs (biomass growth model, expense-to-revenue ratio of measures, route network, LPIS database parcel structure, etc.) serve as a basis for the modelling of potential agricultural production contamination. The subsequent model is available for decision making and the selection of a suitable countermeasure in the event of potential radiation contamination.
Utilization of wheat straw in sheep: Using an applicable method of chemical treatment
Authors: Chekani-Azar Vaheid , Chekani-Azar Saeid 
Published: February 2011

Utilization of wheat straw in sheep: Using an applicable method of chemical treatmentAs part of research on utilization of straw as a feedstuff for small ruminants, wheat straw (WS) was pretreated with a warmed solution (4%) of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) and then treated with SO2(sulphur dioxide) gases of different sulphur levels (0, 1, 2 and 4 percent, weight/weight of dry matter) for two periods of 1 and 2 smoking days. The chemical composition, and dry matter degradability (DMD) of the neutral detergent fibres (NDF), acid detergent fibres (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) in sheep rumen was determined, as was also the intake of the treated straw and the performance ofGhizlestrain lambs. To estimate rumen DMD, treated WS samples were immersed in the rumen for a 72 h incubation period using the nylon bag (in sacco) technique. The chemical composition of the treated WS was changed with either one of NaOH or NaOH+SO2prior to the rumen incubation, and the amounts of lignin, cellulose, hemicelluloses and silica significantly decreased specially in the SO2-smoked wheat straw. Dry and organic matter decreased non-significantly (P>0.05). The rumen DMD rate of the WS SO2-treated for a period of 48 hours did show higher values (P<0.01) compared to those smoked during 1 day.In saccodegradation also significantly decreased NDF, ADF and ADL. The best results were observed with WS SO2samples smoked to 4% level during 2 days, followed by 2% level with the same smoking period. Although, a higher intake of treated WS was calculated for those smoked by 2% SO2gas for a period of 1 d, the best performance was observed in lambs fed WS treated by NaOH+SO2for a period of 2 days. It is concluded that chemical treatment of wheat straw by NaOH (4%) solution and SO2(2%) gas smoking for a period of 2 days, can be used as an applicable method on a farm scale for better utilization of WS as a feedstuff for small ruminants such as sheep.
False Positive Values of Biomarkers of Prenatal Screening on Chromosomopathy as Indicators of a Risky Pregnancy
Authors: Durković Jasmina , Anđelić Luka , Mandić Bojana , Lazar Denis 
Published: February 2011

False Positive Values of Biomarkers of Prenatal Screening on Chromosomopathy as Indicators of a Risky PregnancyGenetic screening on chromosomopathy has been performed on 2000 pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy by determining Pregnancy associated plasma protein-A and free-beta HCG biomarkers in maternal serum. After obtaining a normal fetal karyotype, the pathological values of the biomarkers have been correlated with other pregnancy disorders, and the possible causes of the positive genetic screening have been tested. 340 false positive biomarkers (17%) have been detected. The increased free-beta HCG (48.24%) had a significant influence. A significant correlation (p > 0.01) between the increased free-beta HCG and bleeding during pregnancy has been established. Complications occurred in 78.52% pregnancies with pathological biomarkers, MISSed in 13.82%, miscarriages in 10.88%, induced pregnancy terminations caused by fetal anomalies in 8.82% and births with disturbed fetal vitality in 45%. The research results have shown a significant correlation (p > 0.01) between the increased value of the free-beta HCG biomarkers and fetal hypoxia. The false positive genetic screening, caused by the increased free-beta HCG, can indicate placental dysfunction and fetal vitality disruption.
Bone Metabolism Markers in Sportswomen with Menstrual Cycle Dysfunctions
Authors: Ponorac Nenad , Rašeta Nela , Radovanović Dragan , Matavulj Amela , Popadić-Gaćeša Jelena 
Published: February 2011

Bone Metabolism Markers in Sportswomen with Menstrual Cycle DysfunctionsIt is a well known fact that sportswomen with irregular menstrual cycle are exposed to the risk of diminished bone mineral density, and consequentially osteoporosis may appear. Monitoring of the levels of biochemical markers of bone metabolism enables understanding of the dynamic changes during the bone remodeling process. The objectives of the conducted research were to determine the prevalence of menstrual dysfunctions in a sports-women sample and a control group, and also to determine the levels of bone metabolism markers in groups of women with menstrual dysfunctions. The women (n=117) were separated into two groups, the experimental group (S) (n=84) comprised of three subgroups of sports women (34 women who play ball game sports, 27 athletes and 23 sport dancers) and the control group (C) (n=34). To establish the menstrual profile and dysfunction of the menstrual cycle, we used a very detailed questionnaire. The level of mid-fragment osteocalcin (N-MID osteocalcin) as a marker of bone formation was deter mined, as well as β-Cross Laps (β-CTx-bone resorption marker) via the electro luminescent immunochemistry method on an Elecsys 1010 automated machine. Primary amenorrhea was found in 7 (8.33%) and oligomenorrhea in 11 (13.09%) sportswomen, which was statistically a much higher incidence (p<0.05) than in the control group (0/34). Values of bone metabolism markers showed a statistically significant difference in the level of the bone resorption marker β-CrossLaps between the groups of amenorrheic and oligomenorrheic sportswomen in comparison to the eumenorrheic women, both sportswomen and those in the control group. Accelerated resorption was accompanied with accelerated bone formation. Menstrual dysfunctions were statistically more present in the sports-women group than in the control group and were accompanied with accelerated bone metabolism from the point of view of the increase of bone metabolism markers level.
Species composition and abundance of the oribatid fauna (Acari, Oribatida) at two lakes in the Fløyen area, Bergen, Norway
Authors: Seniczak Anna , Solhøy Torstein , Seniczak Stanisław , De La Riva-Caballero Arguitxu 
Published: February 2011

Species composition and abundance of the oribatid fauna (Acari, Oribatida) at two lakes in the Fløyen area, Bergen, Norway
Oribatid communities from the edges of two lakes in the Fløyen area, Bergen, Norway, were compared in June 2005. The lower lake, Blåmansvannet (412 m a.s.l.), is surrounded by spruce forest, while the ‘Higher Lake’ (513 m a.s.l.), is above the tree line. Both lakes have a low pH and their edges are dominated by Sphagnum mosses. The abundance of total mites, as well as of Oribatida, were almost 2-fold higher at the ‘Higher Lake’ (51 510 and 51 160 ind./m2, respectively), while species diversity was lower than at Blåmansvannet. On the shore of Blåmansvannet, the eudominant (20% < D ≤ 40%) species was Trimalaconothrus maior, while Liochthonius peduncularis, Limnozetes ciliatus, and Nanhermannia cf. coronata were dominant (10%< D ≤ 20%). At ‘Higher Lake’, the eudominant species was Limnozetes ciliatus, which reached a 4-fold higher abundance (15 930 ind./m2) than at Blåmansvannet, and dominant species were Liochthonius alpestris, Nanhermannia cf. coronata, and Platynothrus punctatus. At both lakes, juveniles made up about 30% of all oribatids. Four species are new to Norway: Ceratoppia sexpilosa, Liochthonius alpestris, Liochthonius peduncularis, and Trhypochthoniellus longisetus.
Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of various habitats in southern Andalusia (Spain)
Authors: Seniczak Stanisław , Seniczak Anna 
Published: February 2011

Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of various habitats in southern Andalusia (Spain)
Oribatid mites were investigated in some habitats (litter under cypress, pine and larch trees, and patches of grasses, mosses and lichens) in southern Andalusia (Spain) in August 2005. The studied communities of oribatid mites were rather poor in terms of abundance and species diversity. The density of mites in cypress litter from the mountains (Granada, Ronda) was distinctly higher than in the coastal area (Benalmádena), which was probably caused by climatic conditions. The Oribatida achieved the highest density in grassy patches in Granada, but most species occurred in cypress litter from Ronda. Among oribatid species, Oribatula frisiae reached the highest density; also O. tibialis and Haplochthonius simplex were relatively abundant. Some species of Oribatida were rich in juveniles, but the age structure of species greatly depended on the kind of litter.
Protozoan impact on bacterial biofilm formation
Authors: Rychert Krzysztof , Neu Thomas 
Published: February 2011

Protozoan impact on bacterial biofilm formation
Confocal laser scanning microscopy in combination with digital image analysis was used to assess the impact of protozoa on bacterial colonisation of surfaces. Bacterial biofilms were developed from activated sludge in microscope flow cells and were exposed to the grazing pressure of protozoa. The protozoan community from healthy activated sludge and a culture of flagellate Bodo saltans were used as grazers. Experiments comprised 48-h incubations in 3 treatment variants: bacteria with protozoa, bacteria with protozoa added after some time and bacteria without protozoa. When necessary, the elimination of protozoa from the inoculum was carried out with cycloheximide and NiSO4. Experiments demonstrated that protozoa from healthy activated sludge initially disturbed the biofilm development but later they could stimulate its growth. Similar results could be established in the experiment with Bodo saltans (inoculum: 1000 cells/ml), however differences were not statistically significant. The finding that protozoa support biofilm development during specific stages may be relevant for biofilm studies with mixed environmental biofilm communities.
Microorganisms in the oribatid mite Hermannia gibba (C. L. Koch, 1839) (Acari: Oribatida: Hermanniidae)
Authors: Liana Marcin , Witaliński Wojciech 
Published: February 2011

Microorganisms in the oribatid mite Hermannia gibba (C. L. Koch, 1839) (Acari: Oribatida: Hermanniidae)
Symbiotic microorganisms associated with arthropods are known to play a significant role in the life of their hosts. Most commonly, the symbionts improve their host's food digestion and modify their meiosis/reproduction. The usual mode of parent-to-offspring transmission of the symbionts is transovarial transmission (vertical) via oocytes. Using transmission electron microscopy, we found extracellular yeast-like and bacteroid microorganisms in food boli, as well as intracellular symbiotic bacteria within cells of the digestive tract and in reproductive cells in both sexes of the oribatid mite Hermannia gibba. In the digestive tract, the scarce bacteria were lying individually within midgut cells. The bacteria observed in developing oocytes were numerous and formed large aggregates close to the nuclear envelope and clusters of mitochondria. In spermatocytes we found a few single bacteria located at the cell periphery. The bacteria in the digestive cells may assist in digestion of plant food, whereas the meiotic drive function of the gonad-invading microbes is uncertain. The studied mite species is biparental and its sex ratio is not biased.