bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cytokines, Growth Factors and Prostaglandin Synthesis in the Uterus of Pregnant and Non‐pregnant Bitches: The Features of Placental Sites
Authors: Beceriklisoy HB , Schäfer‐Somi S , Kücükaslan I , Agaoglu R , Gültiken N , Ay SS , Kaya D , Aslan S 
Published: July 2009

ContentsUterine tissue from pregnant bitches was investigated by qualitative RT‐PCR for the gene expression of local factors potentially important for the implantation of canine embryos. For this purpose, 10 bitches identified as being at the time of implantation or early placentation by means of ultrasonography before ovariohysterectomy (days 20–35, n = 10) provided tissues for comparison to tissue collected in a previous study and identified as early pregnant (n = 10) or non‐pregnant (n = 4) by embryo flushing after ovariohysterectomy (days 10–12 after mating;Schäfer‐Somi et al. 2008). Uterine tissue was excised from the middle of the left horn from early pregnant and non‐pregnant animals, including from interplacental and placentation sites. The following genes were investigated: CD‐4, ‐8; cyclooxygenase (COX)‐1, ‐2; granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF); hepatocyte growth factor (HGF); insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1, ‐2; transforming growth factor (TGF) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α; interferon (IFN)‐γ; interleukin (IL)‐1β, ‐2, ‐4, ‐6, ‐8, ‐10, ‐12; leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and leptin. Gene expression for CD‐8, COX‐1, TGF‐β, HGF, IGF‐1, IL‐2, ‐4,‐10, IFN‐γ and LIF were detected in the pre‐implantation uterus, and all except IL‐2 and ‐10 were still detectable during the implantation and placentation stage. During implantation, mRNA for IGF‐2 and GM‐CSF were additionally detected. The dioestrous uterus differed from the pregnant uterus because of the absence of CD‐8, IL‐4 and IFN‐γ and the expression of CD‐4, TNF‐α and IL‐6. The results suggest that IL‐4, IFN‐γ, CD‐8, GM‐CSF and IGF‐2 are regulated in a pregnancy‐specific manner and that GM‐CSF and IGF‐2 probably have growth supporting and immune modulating functions during implantation of the canine embryo.
Osteopontin in Seminal Plasma and Sperm Membrane of Dogs
Authors: Souza FF , Chirinéa VH , Martins MIM , Lopes MD 
Published: July 2009

ContentsThe objective of this work was to describe the presence of osteopontin (OPN) in canine seminal plasma and sperm membranes. A pool of seminal plasma and sperm membrane extract from 30 dogs was used. Polyacrylamide electrophoresis gels were performed and the bands were transferred to nitrocellulose paper and Western blot was undertaken using an antibody anti‐OPN. Two and 12 bands were marked in the seminal plasma (77.2 and 15.6 kDa) and sperm membrane extracts (70.6–26.6 kDa), respectively. However, from 12 marked bands in the sperm membrane extract, only three (46.4, 37.7 and 36.5 kDa) were strongly marked. We conclude that, seminal plasma and sperm membranes from dogs contain different isoforms of OPN; yet, further studies will be necessary to determine their function in this species.
Seasonal Changes in Testicular Cell Morphology in Domestic Male Cats (Felis catus)
Authors: Stornelli MA , Reyna JC , Stornelli MC , Nuñez Favre R , Savignone CA , Tittarelli CM , De La Sota RL 
Published: July 2009

ContentsThe aim of this study was to asses the variation in the morphology of the seminal epithelium in relation to natural photoperiod in male cats. Tom cats (n = 240) were castrated every other week throughout the year. Each testis was fixed in Bouin’s solution and cut into sections. The percentage of tubules with round spermatids (RS), elongated spermatids (ES), tailed spermatids (TS), mature spermatids (MS) and the number of Sertoli cells (SC) and Leydig cells (LC) were recorded in each sample. Testicles from males during short days (SHD) had a higher percentage of tubules with RS and ES compared to testicles from males during long days (LHD, 31.3 ± 0.6 vs 2.1 ± 0.6%, p < 0.001; 30.9 ± 0.7 vs 11.0 ± 0.7%, p < 0.001). Conversely, testicles from males during SHD had a lower percentage of tubules with TS and MS compared to testicles from males during LHD (24.5 ± 0.8 vs 29.7 ± 0.8%, p < 0.01; 13.1 ± 1.2 vs 57.0 ± 1.2%, p < 0.01). Furthermore, testicles from males during SHD had a higher number of SC and lower number of LC compared to testicles from males during LHD (11.4 ± 0.1 vs 8.0 ± 0.1%, p < 0.01; 19.2 ± 1.0 vs 38.0 ± 1.0%, p < 0.01). In conclusion, there are seasonal changes in testis cell morphology in the tom which may be related to seasonal sperm production.
Plasma Hormone Levels and Semen Quality in Male Cats during Non‐Breeding and Breeding Seasons
Authors: Tsutsui T , Onodera F , Oba H , Mizutani T , Hori T 
Published: July 2009

ContentsFemale cats are known to be seasonal breeders and male cats annual breeders. Despite this, there are limited data on the influence of breeding season (BS) on hormone concentration and semen quality in the male cat. This study compared plasma concentrations of LH and testosterone (T), and semen quality during the non‐breeding season (NBS) and BS in five male cats subject to natural hours of daylight but a constant environmental temperature. Plasma LH and T concentrations were higher during the BS in 2/35 and 3/5 cats, respectively, although when comparing both hormones combined, values were higher during the BS than the NBS in all cats (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the percentage of abnormal sperm between the cats. Overall, semen quality was superior during the BS with larger semen volume in 2/5, sperm motility in 2/5 and sperm viability in 3/5 cats. Although there was a clear seasonal effect on hormone secretion and semen quality, during the NBS all cats were likely to have been fertile.
Plasma LH, Ovulation and Conception Rates in Cats Mated Once or Three Times on Different Days of Oestrus
Authors: Tsutsui T , Higuchi C , Soeta M , Oba H , Mizutani T , Hori T 
Published: July 2009

ContentsAlthough cats are induced ovulators, the relationship between the day of breeding, the number of matings and the likelihood of ovulation and conception have not been extensively investigated. In this experiment, cats were mated either once or three times on day 1 or day 5 of oestrus to study the incidence of the LH surge, ovulation and conception rates. The percentage ovulating and the conception rates after a single mating on day 1 of oestrus were 60% (6/10) and 33.3% (2/6), respectively, and for cats mated once on day 5 of oestrus were 83.3% (10/12) and 40% (4/10), respectively. When cats were mated three times on day 1 of oestrus, the ovulation rates and conception rates were 70% (7/10) and 85.7% (6/7), respectively, and for those mated three times on day 5 of oestrus were 100% (10/10) and 100% (10/10), respectively. The concentration of LH did not increase in non‐ovulating cats, and cats that were mated three times had LH concentrations that were numerically higher than those that were mated once. Litter size was neither related to the day of mating nor to the number of matings. Although an increase in the number of matings on day 1 of oestrus produced a numerically larger LH surge, it did not increase the ovulation rate, suggesting that plasma oestradiol concentrations were not sufficiently elevated to induce a high pituitary response to mating stimulation. The conception rate after a single mating was low, suggesting that the number of sperm per mating was not sufficient. These results suggest that mating more than once in the middle of oestrus is required to improve ovulation rates and conception rates in cats.
Detection of Lipid Peroxidation Reaction in Frozen‐Thawed Epididymal Cat Spermatozoa Using BODIPY581/591 C11
Authors: Thuwanut P , Axnér E , Johanisson A , Chatdarong K 
Published: July 2009

ContentsLipid peroxidation is considered to be an important cause of sperm membrane damage, resulting in an apparent reduction of reproductive fecundity. Recently, a new lipophilic fluorescent dye probe (BODIPY581/591 C11; Invitrogen Singapore Pte Ltd, Singapore) has been demonstrated to be a highly sensitive indicator for the physiological oxidation of cell membrane fatty acids. The objectives of this study were: (i) to detect lipid peroxidation in frozen‐thawed epididymal cat spermatozoa using the BODIPY581/591 C11 and (ii) to study the effect of semen extender in protecting sperm membrane from lipid peroxidation [100‐mm ferrous ion, ferrous sulphate (FeSO4)]. Epididymal cat spermatozoa were collected from eight male cats. Two straws of sperm sample from each cat were cryopreserved. After thawing, the semen extender from the first straw was removed and the sperm pellet was resuspended with Tris buffer (control). The semen sample from the other straw was equally divided: one sample contained semen extender (treatment A) and one contained no extender (treatment B); both were incubated with FeSO4. Semen samples were labelled with the BODIPY581/591 C11 probe and evaluated by flow cytometry at 0 and 6 h after thawing (control), 6 h after the addition of FeSO4 (treatment A), and 30 min and 6 h after the addition of FeSO4 (treatment B), respectively. The percentage of lipid peroxidation was higher after treatment B (51.3 ± 23.9) and 6‐h incubation compared with the control and treatment A (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the percentage of lipid peroxidation after treatment B increased during the incubation time (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the high percentage of lipid peroxidation after treatment B indicated that FeSO4 induced membrane damage in cat spermatozoa, which could be detected by BODIPY581/591 C11. This marker is suggested to be a beneficial tool for the evaluation of lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the use of semen extender seemed to protect cat spermatozoa membranes from lipid peroxidation.
Effect of Progesterone and Ionomycin on Domestic Cat Sperm Motility Patterns and Acrosome Reaction
Authors: Villaverde AISB , Fioratti EG , Landim‐Alvarenga FC , De Carvalho Balieiro JC , Melo CM , Papa FO , Lopes MD 
Published: July 2009

ContentsThis study was aimed at assessing the changes in sperm motion patterns and the percentage of acrosome reaction (AR) in domestic cat semen after treatment with either ionomycin or progesterone (P4). Ten ejaculates were collected from five tomcats using an artificial vagina, and were diluted, centrifuged and resuspended in a capacitation medium. Samples were evaluated and divided into seven equal aliquots and, after 2 h at 25°C, were incubated for 30 min at 38°C in 5% CO2 and then analyzed. Computer‐assisted sperm analysis and a combination of three fluorescent probes were used to assess sperm plasma, acrosomal membrane integrity and mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Thirty minutes after the start of incubation, P4 was added (10 μg/ml) to the P1 group. Groups P2 and P3 were supplemented with P4 (10 and 20 μg/ml, respectively) only after 2 h of incubation, and groups I1 and I2 were supplemented with ionomycin (4 and 8 μm, respectively) 2 h after incubation. Group E was supplemented with ethanol (0.6%) at 2 h after incubation and group C received no supplementation. Ionomycin and P4 treatments led to a hyperactivation‐like sperm motion and an increase (p < 0.05) in the percentage of AR. Although a higher (p < 0.05) percentage of AR was obtained in group I2 when compared with all P4 groups, a decrease (p < 0.05) in total and progressive motility was observed in I2 group. As I1 group was similar to I2 to induce AR without diminishing sperm motility, we can conclude that ionomycin at 4 μm seems to be more suitable to trigger AR in domestic cat sperm.
Electrophysiological evidence for attentional guidance by the contents of working memory
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Soto David , Humphreys Glyn W. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe deployment of visual attention can be strongly modulated by stimuli matching the contents of working memory (WM), even when WM contents are detrimental to performance and salient bottom‐up cues define the critical target [D.Sotoet al.(2006)Vision Research,46, 1010–1018]. Here we investigated the electrophysiological correlates of this early guidance of attention by WM in humans. Observers were presented with a prime to either identify or hold in memory. Subsequently, they had to search for a target line amongst different distractor lines. Each line was embedded within one of four objects and one of the distractor objects could match the stimulus held in WM. Behavioural data showed that performance was more strongly affected by the prime when it was held in memory than when it was merely identified. An electrophysiological measure of the efficiency of target selection (the N2pc) was also affected by the match between the item in WM and the location of the target in the search task. The N2pc was enhanced when the target fell in the same visual field as the re‐presented (invalid) prime, compared with when the prime did not reappear in the search display (on neutral trials) and when the prime was contralateral to the target. Merely identifying the prime produced no effect on the N2pc component. The evidence suggests that WM modulates competitive interactions between the items in the visual field to determine the efficiency of target selection.
Living‐donor renal transplantation of grafts with incidental renal masses after ex‐vivo partial nephrectomy
Authors: Sener Alp , Uberoi Vik , Bartlett Stephen T. , Kramer Andrew C. , Phelan Michael W. 
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVESTo assess transplantation of high‐risk kidneys with incidental renal masses (found occasionally during the routine evaluation of a living kidney donor) into recipients with limited life‐expectancy on haemodialysis, as this offers a potential solution to the current organ deficit.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe detected five small (<2.3 cm), incidental, enhancing renal masses during donor evaluation. All patients had a standard metastatic evaluation. After laparoscopic donor nephrectomy a back‐table partial nephrectomy was performed and frozen‐section analysis was used to confirm both the diagnosis and negative surgical margins before transplantation.RESULTSRenal cell carcinoma was found in three of the five masses (one each cystic, clear cell and papillary; Fuhrman grades II, II and III, respectively) and the other two patients had angiomyolipoma. There were no long‐term complications in the transplanted kidneys. One patient developed delayed acute humoral rejection after transplantation and was treated appropriately. Both donor and recipient were followed with periodic imaging. At a median (range) last follow‐up of 15 (1–41) months, four patients were alive and one had died from complications after a fall. The cancer‐specific survival was 100%. There was no evidence of local recurrence in any patient at the last follow‐up.CONCLUSIONLive donor kidneys with incidental small renal masses might be acceptable for transplantation in high‐risk recipients after careful back‐table partial nephrectomy.
Evaluation of semen variables, sperm chromosomal abnormalities and reproductive endocrine profile in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Safarinejad Mohammad Reza , Kolahi Ali Asghar , Iravani Shahrokh 
Published: July 2009

Study Type – Aetiology (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo evaluate reproductive endocrine profile, sperm chromosomal abnormalities, and semen quality in patients with chronic hepatitis C.PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODSIn all, 82 patients with chronic hepatitis C, aged 18–60 years, were recruited for the study; 76 age‐matched healthy male volunteers served as controls. All participants provided a medical history and had a complete physical examination and routine semen analysis. Two blood samples were drawn from each participant at 15‐min intervals to determine the resting levels of luteinizing‐hormone (LH), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, testosterone, oestradiol, and sex hormone‐binding globulin. The hypothalamus‐pituitary‐testis axis was assessed using the gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) test. All participants also received an injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and serum testosterone was determined before the hCG injection and on the third day afterwards. Conventional karyotype analysis and triple‐colour fluorescence in situ hybridization for chromosomes X, Y and 18 were conducted in all patients and controls.RESULTSThe mean basal serum levels for LH, FSH, and testosterone in patients with hepatitis C was significantly lower than the mean for normal controls (P = 0.01). The injection of GnRH analogue did not yield significantly higher FSH and LH levels in the patients than in normal controls (P = 0.001). In patients with chronic hepatitis C, the mean total sperm count, motility and normal morphology was significantly lower than in controls (P = 0.001). There was a significantly greater frequency of disomy in men with chronic hepatitis C than controls for chromosomes 18, X, and Y (P = 0.01).CONCLUSIONSPatients with chronic hepatitis C are at risk of showing sperm chromosomal abnormalities, the incidence of which is higher in patients with more advanced disease. Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism is caused by the selective loss of pituitary gonadotrophin function. Further studies are needed to replicate our results.
Healthcare costs associated with prostate cancer: estimates from a population‐based study
Authors: Krahn Murray D. , Zagorski Brandon , Laporte Audrey , Alibhai Shabbir M.H. , Bremner Karen E. , Tomlinson George , Warde Padraig , Naglie Gary 
Published: July 2009

Study Type – Health Economic (multiway sensitivity analyses) Level of Evidence 2bOBJECTIVETo estimate the total healthcare costs and costs attributable to prostate cancer across all stages of disease, and to determine the predictors of those costs, as describing the cost of care for patients with prostate cancer is useful to understand the economic burden of illness, explore patterns of care, and provide reliable cost data for economic evaluations.METHODSWe estimated direct medical costs for 42 484 men diagnosed with prostate cancer in Ontario, Canada between 1995 and 2002 using linked administrative data. The observation time was divided into five phases: (I) before diagnosis (6 months before); (II) initial care (12 months after diagnosis); (III) continuing care; (IV) pre‐terminal care (from 18 to 6 months before death); and (V) terminal care (6 months before death). Attributable costs were estimated by comparing costs in cases to matched controls.RESULTSThe total direct costs per 100 days (in $Canadian, 2004) were: Phase I $1297; II $3289; III $1495; IV $5629; and V $16 020. Prostate cancer‐attributable costs accounted for 72% of total costs in the 12‐month period after diagnosis (II, $2366), but <35% of total costs in phases III to V ($398, $1977 and $3140, respectively). An advanced stage at diagnosis, being older at diagnosis, and higher comorbidity were associated with increased costs.CONCLUSIONProstate cancer is associated with increased direct healthcare costs over the natural history of the disease. Costs are highest around two events, cancer diagnosis and cancer death. Future research should evaluate costs borne by private insurers and patients, evaluate the effects of patient and system variables on lifetime costs, and explore differences in end‐of‐life healthcare costs across countries.
Effects of combined valproic acid and the epidermal growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor AEE788 on renal cell carcinoma cell lines in vitro
Authors: Juengel Eva , Engler Johanna , Mickuckyte Ausra , Jones Jon , Hudak Lukasz , Jonas Dietger , Blaheta Roman A. 
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVETo evaluate adhesion and growth inhibiting effects of the multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor AEE788 and the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells.MATERIALS AND METHODSCaki‐1 cells were treated with AEE788 and VPA, either alone or in combination, to investigate RCC cell adhesion to vascular endothelial cells or to immobilized extracellular matrix proteins. Tumour cell proliferation was examined by MTT dye reduction assay. Effects of drug treatment on cell signalling pathways were determined by Western blotting. The expression levels of integrin α and β subtypes were evaluated by flow cytometry (surface expression) and Western blotting (intracellular protein expression).RESULTSRCC cell treatment with AEE788 and VPA in combination resulted in a stronger inhibition of tumour cell proliferation than that caused by either drug alone. There were also additive effects of the combined treatment on tumour cell adhesion to endothelial cells and to immobilized laminin (but not to immobilized fibronectin and collagen). AEE788 alone or combined with VPA reduced Akt expression and histone H3 acetylation. Both compounds altered integrin α and β subtype expression, in particular α1, α3 and β4, and blocked integrin‐dependent integrin‐linked kinase and focal‐adhesion kinase (total and phosphorylated) signalling.CONCLUSIONSBoth AEE788 and VPA profoundly block the interaction of RCC cells with endothelium and extracellular matrix and reduce tumour growth in vitro. Therefore, this combined regimen warrants further preclinical and possible clinical study for treating advanced RCC.
Multinational Firm Knowledge, Use of Expatriates, and Foreign Subsidiary Performance
Authors: Fang Yulin , Jiang Guo‐Liang Frank , Makino Shige , Beamish Paul W. 
Published: July 2009

abstractThe impact of knowledge transfer on foreign subsidiary performance has been a major focus of research on knowledge management in multinational enterprises (MNEs). By integrating the knowledge‐based view and the expatriation literature, this study examines the relationship between a multinational firm's knowledge (i.e. marketing and technological knowledge), its use of expatriates, and the performance of its foreign subsidiaries. We conceptualize that expatriates play a contingent role in facilitating the transfer and redeployment of a parent firm's knowledge to its subsidiary, depending on the location specificity of the organizational knowledge being transferred and the time of transfer. Our analysis of 1660 foreign subsidiaries of Japanese firms over a 15‐year period indicates that the number of expatriates relative to the total number of subsidiary employees (1) strengthened the effect of a parent firm's technological knowledge (with low location specificity) on subsidiary performance in the short term, but (2) weakened the impact of the parent firm's marketing knowledge (with high location specificity) on subsidiary performance in the long term. We also found that the expatriates' influence on knowledge transfer eventually disappeared. The implications for knowledge transfer research and the expatriate management literature are discussed.
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Drivers of Corporate Social Performance: Evidence from Foreign and Domestic Firms in Mexico
Authors: Muller Alan , Kolk Ans 
Published: July 2009

abstractThe literature on corporate social performance (CSP) is largely split between approaches that consider CSP to be extrinsically driven and those that consider it to be intrinsically driven. While the management literature has paid attention to drivers of both types, the relationship between the two remains largely unstudied, particularly in the international setting. Meanwhile, the international business (IB) literature has addressed the international dimension of CSP more directly, but focuses largely on extrinsic pressures. Our paper links the management and IB literatures by addressing intrinsic drivers (management commitment to ethics) in conjunction with extrinsic (trade‐related) drivers for both foreign‐ and domestically‐owned firms in a single‐market setting. Using survey data from 121 auto parts suppliers in Mexico, we find that management commitment to ethics is a dominant driver of CSP among both foreign and domestic firms. More importantly, management commitment to ethics interacts positively with trade‐related pressures in raising CSP levels.