bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expressions of IL-17, IL-21 and IL-23 in the Serum of Allergic Rhinitis Patients
Authors: Huang Xuekun , Yang Qintai , Chen Yulian , Li Peng , Zhang Gehua , Li Yuan 
Published: August 2011

Expressions of IL-17, IL-21 and IL-23 in the Serum of Allergic Rhinitis PatientsThe present study aimed to investigate the expressions of interleukin-17 (IL-17), IL-21 and IL-23 in the serum of allergic rhinitis (AR) patients and to explore their relationship with special IgE (sFgE) in the serum. AR patients (n=24) and healthy subjects (n=12) were recruited and serum samples were collected. The serum level of IgE specific for inhalant allergens was determined using the automatic quantitative immunofluorescence analysis system, and the contents of IL-17, IL-21 and IL-23 in the serum were detected using ELISA. The level of serum IgE in the healthy individuals was categorized as grade 0 and that in the AR patients as grade 2-6. The mean contents of IL-17, IL-21 and IL-23 were 164.71 ±39.37 pg/mL, 199±97.86 pg/mL and 78.94±26.33 pg/mL, respectively, in the AR patients, and 67.75±18.24 pg/mL, 7.58±5.49 pg/mL and 13.58± 3.93 pg/mL, respectively, in the healthy subjects. Statistical analysis showed the serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 in the AR patients were markedly higher than those in the healthy subjects, however, no significant difference was noted in the content of IL-21. Furthermore, the IL-17 level was positively related to the levels of IL-23 and IgE and the IL-23 level was positively related to the IgE level among AR patients, but no relations were observed between the IL-21 level and levels of IL-17, IL-23 and IgE. Our study indicates IL-17 and IL-23 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AR and maybe IL-21 is not involved in the occurrence of AR.
Morphofunctional Characteristics of Pituitary Adrenocorticotropes in An Animal Model of Heat Stress
Authors: Perčinić-Popovska Florina , Ajdžanović Vladimir , Dinevska-Kofkarovska Suzana , Jordanova Maja , Trifunović Svetlana , Šošić-Jurjević Branka , Milošević Verica 
Published: August 2011

Morphofunctional Characteristics of Pituitary Adrenocorticotropes in An Animal Model of Heat StressAs a result of the global warming, the average ambient temperature during summertime has increased in regions with moderate continental cli mate. The effects of 24 h exposure to heat stress (35±1 °C) on the morphology and function of pituitary adrenocorticotropes were examined in adult male Wistar rats. Significant changes in the morphofunctional features of adrenocorticotropes were found after the heat stress, with no differences noted in the cell shape or localization, compared to controls. The adrenocorticotropes cell volume, as well as the volume density, were significantly decreased (p<0.05) by 12.3% and 26.7%, respectively, in comparison with controls. The concentration of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone and serum corticosterone in the heat stressed group were significantly decreased (p<0.05) by 21.9% and 27.2%, respectively, compared to controls. These findings suggest that 24 h exposure of adult male rats to heat stress has an inhibitory effect on the morphofunctional characteristics of adrenocorticotropes.
Boar variability affects sperm metabolism activity in liquid stored semen at 5°C
Authors: Dziekońska A. , Strzeżek J. 
Published: August 2011

Boar variability affects sperm metabolism activity in liquid stored semen at 5°CMetabolic activity of boar spermatozoa, liquid stored for three days at 5°C, was measured using bioluminescence for ATP content, fluorescent assay (JC fluorochrome) of mitochondrial activity and oxygen consumption. Sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity (PMI) were simultaneously analyzed. Apart from the statistically significant effect (P < 0.001) of semen storage time, the importance of the individual source of the ejaculate for the analyzed parameters of metabolic efficiency of spermatozoa was shown. This phenomenon was manifested in the interaction of the individual source of the ejaculate with spermatozoa motility, integrity of their membranes and metabolic activity with the passing time of semen preservation. Recorded results indicate that the individual factor may have a significant influence on the technological usefulness of boar spermatozoa for liquid storage. Quality analyses conducted on boar semen stored at 5°C may be used for pre-selection of boars producing sperm with an enhanced tolerance to cold shock.
Effect of sperm concentration in an ejaculate on morphometric traits of spermatozoa in Duroc boars
Authors: Kondracki S. , Wysokińska A. , Iwanina M. , Banaszewska D. , Sitarz D. 
Published: August 2011

Effect of sperm concentration in an ejaculate on morphometric traits of spermatozoa in Duroc boarsThe experimental material consisted of 75 ejaculates collected form 8 Duroc boars. The ejaculates were divided into three groups according to sperm concentration in an ejaculate. An ejaculate was obtained from each boar monthly and it was used to make microscopic preparations to examine spermatozoa morphology. In each preparation morphometric measurements were taken of fifteen randomly selected spermatozoa characterized by normal morphology. The following measurements of spermatozoa were taken: length and width of the spermatozoa head, head area, length of the flagellum, perimeter of the spermatozoon head and total spermatozoon length. The results were used to calculate indicators of spermatozoa morphology. Moreover, assessments were made of frequency of morphological defects to isolate spermatozoa with primary and secondary abnormalities following the Blom classification system. It was found that the concentration of spermatozoa in the ejaculate influenced the morphometric characteristics of spermatozoa. Ejaculates with low sperm concentrations are characterized by larger spermatozoa as compared to ejaculates with high sperm concentrations. However, sperm concentration in the ejaculate does not much influence the shape of spermatozoa.
Gestational length in Carthusian broodmares: effects of breeding season, foal gender, age of mare, year of parturition, parity and sire
Authors: Satué K. , Felipe M. , Mota J. , Muñoz A. 
Published: August 2011

Gestational length in Carthusian broodmares: effects of breeding season, foal gender, age of mare, year of parturition, parity and sireThe length of gestation in Carthusian broodmares was calculated on the basis of 339 spontaneous full-term deliveries taking place in the 8-year period 1998-2005 from 158 broodmares and 29 stallions in a major farm of Spanish horses of Carthusian strain in southern Spain. Ultrasonography was used to determine follicular dehiscence, 1stday of pregnancy and to confirm conception in mares. Mean GL was 332.4 ± 12.1 days, and a normal interval of 297-358 days was established for this breed. GL records were grouped on the basis of foal sex (colts or fillies), mating month (between November and January; February and April; May and July), age of the mare (4 to 7 years; 8 to 12 years; 13 to 17 years), breeding year, stallion and parity (primiparous vs. multiparous). GLs were 12.9 days shorter in mares mated between May and July than those mated between November and January and 15.3 days in mares mated between February and April (p<0.001). Mares aged between 8-12 years had 5.3 days shorter GLs than those aged between 13-17 years (p<0.05). Pregnancy was significantly 5.7 days longer when the mare gave birth to colts than fillies (p<0.05). GL was 14.5 days longer in primiparous than in multiparous mares (p<0.001). No statistical differences in GL were found between the studied years. This study shows the influence of certain stallion on GL.
The effect of diets supplemented with fish broth and fish oil on the health of weaners
Authors: Bakuła T. , Lis Ł. , Iwaniuk Z. , Ordyński Z. 
Published: August 2011

The effect of diets supplemented with fish broth and fish oil on the health of weaners
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fish-based feed materials, as a source of readily available protein contained in fish broth and essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) found in fish oil, on the health of piglets and rearing results. The experiment was conducted on a commercial pig fattening farm. The study involved a total of 80 weaners with an approximate body weight of 15 kg. The experiment was carried out over a period of 40 days. Feed samples were subjected to laboratory analyses. Blood samples were collected from experimental group animals to determine serum biochemical and immunological parameters. The body weight gains of weaners, mortality rates and average feed intake per animal were calculated for the entire experimental period. The addition of fish broth and fish oil significantly improved the n3:n6 fatty acid ratio in diets. The presence of EPA and DHA in the experimental diet could have had a positive health effect on piglets, comparable with that exerted by therapeutic doses of zinc often administered to pigs of this age group. During the experiment, feed conversion ratio (FCR) gain was considerably reduced in the experimental group, with similar daily gains in the control and experimental group.
Relationship between receptors for insulin-like growth factor - I, steroid hormones and apoptosis-associated proteins in canine mammary tumors
Authors: Dolka I. , Motyl T. , Malicka E. , Sapierzyński R. , Fabisiak M. 
Published: August 2011

Relationship between receptors for insulin-like growth factor - I, steroid hormones and apoptosis-associated proteins in canine mammary tumors
In the veterinary literature there are few data concerning the expression of insulin-like growth factor type I (IGF-IR) in the canine mammary gland tumors. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of IGF-IR expression and its correlation to the expression of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR), proteins: Bcl-2, Bax, p53 in canine mammary gland tumors, and also a correlation with other features: bitch's age, tumor diameter, histologic type of tumor, degree of histologic malignancy, proliferate activity. The study was done on 112 epithelial neoplasms: 21 (19%) were adenoma, 38 (34%) complex carcinoma (adenocarcinoma), 47 (42%) simple carcinoma (adenocarcinoma) and 6 (5%) solid carcinoma. Histochemistry and immunohistochemistry methods were employed. It was shown that more common and/or higher IGF-IR expression in cells of canine mammary gland tumors was related to the histologic type of cancer of worse prognostic (solid and simple carcinoma), high histologic degree of malignancy (III°) but the statistical analysis did not reveal any significant differences. We observed the high degree of IGF-IR expression in tumors which displayed the high ERα and PR expression. These results suggest the involvement of IGF-IR in the development of hormonosensitive canine mammary tumors. Additionally, the significant positive correlation between expression of IGF-IR and p53, Bax was found. Our study provides some evidence that interactions exist between the IGF-IR and these apoptosis-associated proteins may contribute to the development and progression of canine mammary gland tumors. These results require further investigations.
Heterogeneity of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains isolated from diseased dogs
Authors: Garbacz K. , Piechowicz L. , Żarnowska S. , Haras K. , Dąbrowska-Szponar M. 
Published: August 2011

Heterogeneity of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains isolated from diseased dogs
Thirty nine canine S. pseudintermedius strains were examined for antibiotic susceptibility and genetic polymorphisms. All strains were methicillin-sensitive S. pseudintermedius (MSSP). Resistance to penicillin was most prevalent (66.6%), followed by resistance to neomycin (56.4%), erythromycin (53.8%), clindamycin (48.7%), chloramphenicol (48.7%), and tetracycline (46.2%). Pulsed-field electrophoresis (PFGE) showed a high genetic polymorphism in the investigated strains.
Bluetongue vaccines in Europe
Authors: Niedbalski W. 
Published: August 2011

Bluetongue vaccines in EuropeThe article reviews the history, present status and the future of BT vaccines in Europe. So far, an attenuated (modified live viruses, MLV) and inactivated virus vaccines against BT were developed and used in the field. Moreover, the virus-like particles (VLPs) produced from recombinant baculovirus, and live recombinant vaccinia or canarypox virus-vectored vaccines were tested in the laboratory. The main aims of BT vaccination strategy are: to prevent clinical disease, to reduce the spread of the BTV in the environment and to protect movement of susceptible animals between affected and free zones. Actually, all of the most recent European BT vaccination campaigns have used exclusively inactivated vaccines. The use of inactivated vaccines avoid risk associated with the use of live-attenuated vaccines, such as reversion to virulence, reassortment of genes with field strain, teratogenicity and insufficient attenuation leading to clinical disease. The mass vaccinations of all susceptible animals are the most efficient veterinary method to fight against BT and successful control of disease. The vaccination of livestock has had a major role in reducing BTV circulation and even in eradicating the virus from most areas of Europe.
The Rank of Jacobian Varieties over the Maximal Abelian Extensions of Number Fields: Towards the Frey–Jarden Conjecture
Authors: Sairaiji Fumio , Yamauchi Takuya 
Published: August 2011

AbstractFrey and Jarden asked if any abelian variety over a number field K has the infinite Mordell–Weil rank over the maximal abelian extension Kab. In this paper, we give an affirmative answer to their conjecture for the Jacobian variety of any smooth projective curve C over K such that #C(Kab) = ∞ and for any abelian variety of GL2-type with trivial character.
Cesàro Operators on the Hardy Spaces of the Half-Plane
Authors: Arvanitidis Athanasios G. , Siskakis Aristomenis G. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractIn this article we study the Cesàro operatorand its companion operator 𝒯 on Hardy spaces of the upper half plane. We identify 𝒞 and 𝒯 as resolvents for appropriate semigroups of composition operators and we find the norm and the spectrum in each case. The relation of 𝒞 and 𝒯 with the corresponding Cesàro operators on Lebesgue spaces Lp(ℝ) of the boundary line is also discussed.
Convergent Sequences in Discrete Groups
Authors: Thom Andreas 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWe prove that a finitely generated group contains a sequence of non-trivial elements that converge to the identity in every compact homomorphic image if and only if the group is not virtually abelian. As a consequence of the methods used, we show that a finitely generated group satisfies Chu duality if and only if it is virtually abelian.
Transcendental Solutions of a Class of Minimal Functional Equations
Authors: Coons Michael 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWe prove a result concerning power series f(z) 2 C[[z]] satisfying a functional equation of
the form?where . In particular, we show that if f (z) satisfies a minimal functional equation of the above form with n≥ 2, then f (z) is necessarily transcendental. Towards a more complete classification, the case n = 1 is also considered.
Novel Therapies for Treating Short Stature with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Authors: Simpson Joe Leigh , Hann Michael Christopher , Kshetrapal Anisha , New Maria I 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTCongenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of autosomal recessive disorders in which various errors in adrenal biosynthesis pathways lead to impaired cortisol secretion, possible impairment of mineralocorticoid production and androgen excess. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy is the primary treatment for CAH; however, the combination of androgen excess and high doses of glucocorticoids contributes to shortened adult height. Novel approaches to address this problem are being developed, particularly the use of growth hormone (GH) and gonadotropin releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa). In this review, we document and compare the effectiveness of these novel therapies in ameliorating the decreased adult height observed in patients with CAH. Available data indicate effectiveness of these novel treatment strategies, suggesting widespread implementation of these treatment strategies should be tested with the expectation of being recommended as the standard of care.AbbreviationsCongenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH); Salt wasting (SW-CAH); Non-salt wasting (NSW-CAH); Growth hormone (GH); Gonadotropin releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa); Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analog (LHRHa); 21-hydroxylase gene (CYP21); 21-hydroxylase pseudogene (CYP21p); Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA); Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH); Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH); Bone mineral density (BMD); Standard score (SDS).
Metformin throughout Pregnancy in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Safety and Advantages
Authors: Bansal Bharti , Dalal Rutvij Jay , Palshetkar Nandita P , Pai Hrishikesh D , Manisha Takhtani , Nidhi Saxena 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo study the incidence of spontaneous abortions, congenital malformations, neonatal and maternal hypoglycemia after metformin therapy in pregnancy.DesignProspective study.SettingOutpatient.Patient(s)56 women previously oligomenorrheic, nondiabetic women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, who conceived while on metformin.Intervention(s)Metformin 1 to 1.5 gm/day throughout pregnancy.Main outcomeIncidence of 1st trimester abortions, gestational diabetes, teratogenicity and maternal complications, like gastritis and hypoglycemia.ResultsOn metformin, the incidence of 1st trimester abortion was 11% and the incidence of gestational diabetes was 7%, which is much lower than the incidence otherwise cited for PCOS women. No major congenital abnormalities were observed.ConclusionMetformin therapy in pregnancy reduces the otherwise high incidence of 1st trimester abortions, and gestational diabetes in PCOS women is tolerated well and is not found to be teratogenic.
Environmental Visual Distraction during Retrieval Affects the Quality, Not the Quantity, of Eyewitness Recall
Authors: Perfect Timothy J. , Andrade Jackie , Syrett Laura 
Published: August 2011

AbstractEyewitnesses instructed to close their eyes during retrieval remember more correct, and fewer incorrect, visual and auditory details. These effects are assumed to arise because eye‐closure reduces distraction from the retrieval environment, and so increased environmental distraction should have the reverse effects. To test this idea, 48 participants witnessed a video clip before verbally answering questions about visual and auditory details in the presence of irrelevant visual distraction varying in amount and predictability. More distraction led to fewer correct and more incorrect visual and auditory details being recalled, but the predictability of the distraction had no effect. These findings suggest that environmental distraction impacts upon memory quality rather than quantity, a pattern that may be hard for interviewers to detect. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sustained Lithium‐Storage Performance of Hierarchical, Nanoporous Anatase TiO2 at High Rates: Emphasis on Interfacial Storage Phenomena
Authors: Shin Ji‐Yong , Samuelis Dominik , Maier Joachim 
Published: August 2011

AbstractA hierarchical, nanoporous TiO2 structure is successfully prepared by a simple in situ hydrolysis method. Used as an anode material, it achieves a sustained high lithium storage performance especially at high charge/discharge rates due to its substantially high surface area. The material shows two different major storage modes: a) bulk insertion, and b) pseudo‐capacitive interfacial storage, which is responsible for 64% of the total capacity. In order to kinetically emphasize the interfacial storage even further, we cycle the material directly at high rates, giving 302 mA h g−1 and 200 mA h g−1 of fully reversible discharge capacity at charge/discharge rates of 1 C and 5 C with very high cycle stability. We propose an overall view on the different Li insertion mechanisms of the high‐surface‐area nanoporous TiO2 and emphasize the importance of interfacial storage for electrode applications in Li‐ion batteries.
White Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes with Evenly Separated Red, Green, and Blue Colors for Efficiency/Color‐Rendition Trade‐Off Optimization
Authors: Chen Shuming , Tan Guiping , Wong Wai‐Yeung , Kwok Hoi‐Sing 
Published: August 2011

AbstractA novel yellowish‐green triplet emitter, bis(5‐(trifluoromethyl)‐2‐p‐tolylpyridine) (acetylacetonate)iridium(III) (1), was conveniently synthesized and used in the fabrication of both monochromatic and white organic light‐emitting diodes (WOLEDs). At the optimal doping concentration, monochromatic devices based on 1 exhibit a high efficiency of 63 cd A−1 (16.3% and 36.6 lm W−1) at a luminance of 100 cd m−2. By combining 1 with a phosphorescent sky‐blue emitter, bis(3,5‐difluoro‐2‐(2‐pyridyl)phenyl)‐(2‐carboxypyridyl)iridium(III) (FIrPic), and a red emitter, bis(2‐benzo[b]thiophen‐2‐yl‐pyridine)(acetylacetonate)iridium(III) (Ir(btp)2(acac)), the resulting electrophosphorescent WOLEDs show three evenly separated main peaks and give a high efficiency of 34.2 cd A−1 (13.2% and 18.5 lm W−1) at a luminance of 100 cd m−2. When 1 is mixed with a deep‐blue fluorescent emitter, 4,4′‐bis(9‐ethyl‐3‐carbazovinylene)‐1,1′‐biphenyl (BCzVBi), and Ir(btp)2(acac), the resulting hybrid WOLEDs demonstrate a high color‐rendering index of 91.2 and CIE coordinates of (0.32, 0.34). The efficient and highly color‐pure WOLEDs based on 1 with evenly separated red, green, blue peaks and a high color‐rendering index outperform those of the state‐of‐the‐art emitter, fac‐tris(2‐phenylpyridine)iridium(III) (Ir(ppy)3), and are ideal candidates for display and lighting applications.
Homozygous microdeletion of the POU1F1, CHMP2B, and VGLL3 genes in chromosome 3—A novel syndrome
Authors: Gat‐Yablonski Galia , David Rachel Frumkin‐Ben , Bar Meytal , Potievsky Olga , Phillip Moshe , Lazar Liora 
Published: August 2011

AbstractMicrodeletion syndromes include numerous syndromic phenotypes associated with intellectual disability and dysmorphic features. We report on a patient with a novel microdeletion of chromosomal region 3p11.2‐p12.1 containing POU1F1, chromatin‐modifying protein 2B (CHMP2B), and vestigial‐like 3 (VGLL3) genes. Our patient was diagnosed as having a neonatal multiple pituitary hormone [growth hormone (GH), thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), and prolactin] deficiency. In addition to the typical findings associated with these hormonal deficiencies, she exhibited clinical features resembling those of Laron syndrome (frontal bossing, saddle nose, small chin, blue sclera, and acromicria), with moderate intellectual disability. She also displayed an unusual growth pattern characterized by unresponsiveness to high doses of GH replacement therapy during infancy and early childhood and an accelerated growth rate beginning at the age of 4.5 years. Insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1 levels were consistently extremely low or undetectable. Extensive medical and genetic analysis ruled out primary and secondary GH insensitivity. The distinct phenotype and the peculiar growth pattern observed in this affected patient, not reported to have been observed in other cases with POU1F1 gene inactivity, suggest that the other two deleted genes play a possible role in the development of this syndrome. This hypothesis may be supported by the fact that both the CHMP2B and VGLL3 genes are expressed in the liver and the growth plate, the two main target organs of the GH/IGF‐1 axis. The homozygous deletion of the CHMP2B gene, previously associated with frontotemporal dementia, may contribute to the intellectual disability observed in this patient. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.