bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Screening patients with Diabetes Mellitus for Tuberculosis in China
Authors: Lin Yan , Li Liang , Mi Fengling , Du Juan , Dong Yaqiong , Li Zhaoliang , Qi Wenbo , Zhao Xiangling , Cui Ying , Hou Fengying , Zachariah Rony , Kapur Anil , Lönnroth Knut , Harries Anthony D. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractObjective  There is a high burden of both diabetes (DM) and tuberculosis (TB) in China, and as DM increases the risk of TB and adversely affects TB treatment outcomes, there is a need for bidirectional screening of the two diseases. How this is best performed is not well determined. In this pilot project in China, we aimed to assess the feasibility and results of screening DM patients for TB within the routine healthcare setting of five DM clinics.Method  Agreement on how to screen, monitor and record was reached in May 2011 at a national stakeholders meeting, and training was carried out for staff in the five clinics in July 2011. Implementation started in September 2011, and we report on 7 months of activities up to 31 March 2012. DM patients were screened for TB at each clinic attendance using a symptom‐based enquiry, and those positive to any symptom were referred for TB investigations.Results  In the three quarters, 72% of 3174 patients, 79% of 7196 patients and 68% of 4972 patients were recorded as having been screened for TB, resulting in 7 patients found who were already known to have TB, 92 with a positive TB symptom screen and 48 of these newly diagnosed with TB as a result of referral and investigation. All patients except one were started on anti‐TB treatment. TB case notification rates in screened DM patients were several times higher than those of the general population, were highest for the five sites combined in the final quarter (774/100 000) and were highest in one of the five clinics in the final quarter (804/100 000) where there was intensive in‐house training, special assignment of staff for screening and colocation of services.Conclusion  This pilot project shows that it is feasible to carry out screening of DM patients for TB resulting in high detection rates of TB. This has major public health and patient‐related implications.
Physiological adaptation along environmental gradients and replicated hybrid zone structure in swordtails (Teleostei:Xiphophorus)
Authors: Culumber Z.W. , Shepard D.B. , Coleman S.W. , Rosenthal G.G. , Tobler M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractLocal adaptation is often invoked to explain hybrid zone structure, but empirical evidence of this is generally rare. Hybrid zones between two poeciliid fishes,Xiphophorus birchmanniandX. malinche,occur in multiple tributaries with independent replication of upstream‐to‐downstream gradients in morphology and allele frequencies. Ecological niche modelling revealed that temperature is a central predictive factor in the spatial distribution of pure parental species and their hybrids and explains spatial and temporal variation in the frequency of neutral genetic markers in hybrid populations. Among populations of parentals and hybrids, both thermal tolerance and heat‐shock protein expression vary strongly, indicating that spatial and temporal structure is likely driven by adaptation to local thermal environments. Therefore, hybrid zone structure is strongly influenced by interspecific differences in physiological mechanisms for coping with the thermal environment.
Genetic differences and phenotypic plasticity in body size between high‐ and low‐altitude populations of the ground beetle Carabus tosanus
Authors: Tsuchiya Y. , Takami Y. , Okuzaki Y. , Sota T. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe body size of a univoltine carabid beetle Carabus tosanus on Shikoku Island, Japan, was clearly smaller in higher‐altitude populations (subspecies), which possibly represents incipient speciation. To explore the determinants of altitudinal differences in body size in this species, we studied the degree of phenotypic plasticity by conducting rearing experiments at two constant temperatures and examined genetic differences through interpopulation crosses. At 15 °C, C. tosanus had a longer developmental period and a shorter adult body than at 20 °C. Nevertheless, variation in body size due to temperature effects (phenotypic plasticity) was small compared to the interpopulation differences, which suggests substantial genetic differences between populations (subspecies) at different altitudes. In F1 offspring from crosses between a low‐altitude (subspecies tosanus) and a high‐altitude population (subspecies ishizuchianus), adult body length was affected by the genotypes of both parents, with an interaction effect of parental genotype and offspring sex. Further analyses revealed that adult body length was affected by sex‐linked factors in addition to autosomal factors. These genetic differences in body size may have resulted from adaptations to different altitudes and may be important for the process of incipient speciation because body size differences could contribute to premating reproductive isolation.
The costs of parental care: a meta‐analysis of the trade‐off between parental effort and survival in birds
Authors: Santos E. S. A. , Nakagawa S. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractA fundamental premise of life‐history theory is that organisms that increase current reproductive investment suffer increased mortality. Possibly the most studied life‐history phenotypic relationship is the trade‐off between parental effort and survival. However, evidence supporting this trade‐off is equivocal. Here, we conducted a meta‐analysis to test the generality of this tenet. Using experimental studies that manipulated parental effort in birds, we show that (i) the effect of parental effort on survival was similar across species regardless of phylogeny; (ii) individuals that experienced reduced parental effort had similar survival probabilities than control individuals, regardless of sex; and (iii) males that experienced increased parental effort were less likely to survive than control males, whereas females that experienced increased effort were just as likely to survive as control females. Our results suggest that the trade‐off between parental effort and survival is more complex than previously assumed. Finally, our study provides recommendations of unexplored avenues of future research into life‐history trade‐offs.
First Report of Soil‐Borne Wheat Mosaic Virus (SBWMV)‐Infecting Triticale in Poland
Authors: Trzmiel Katarzyna , Jeżewska Małgorzata , Zarzyńska Aleksandra 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe virus in naturally infected, stunted triticale plants was identified as soil‐borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV). The infected plants were collected in the Southern Wielkopolska region (Western Poland). Molecular analysis including RT‐PCR, and sequencing of the complete coding sequence of coat protein gene, was performed. The sequence of the Polish isolate of SBWMV (SBWMV‐Pol1) shared 100, 99 and 98% identities with the corresponding regions of De1 (AF519799), OKL‐1 (X81639) and US‐Nebraska (L07938) isolates of SBWMV, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the Polish isolate, SBWMV‐Pol1, clustered together with other SBWMV isolates. This is the first report of the occurrence of SBWMV in Poland and the second of its presence in Europe.
The Simmet Lecture: New Horizons on an Old Landscape – Oxidative Stress, DNA Damage and Apoptosis in the Male Germ Line
Authors: Aitken RJ , De Iuliis GN , Gibb Z , Baker MA 
Published: July 2012

ContentsOur ability to diagnose and treat male infertility is gradually improving in concert with advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning defective sperm function. In this context, one of the factors to emerge as a major causative agent in male infertility is oxidative stress. Spermatozoa are particularly susceptible to such stress because they are exceptionally rich in vulnerable substrates such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins and DNA. The lack of sperm cytoplasm also provides these cells with little capacity to protect themselves from oxidative attack or to effect any repair, should damage occur. Similarly, sperm chromatin is in a quasi‐crystalline state and has very little capacity to respond to any DNA damage induced by oxidative attack. When the latter does occur, it appears to be initiated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the sperm mitochondria. These free radicals attack the lipids present in the sperm mitochondria generating electrophilic aldehydes, which bind to components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain stimulating yet more ROS production. The oxidative stress created via this self‐propagating mechanism initiates an apoptotic cascade as a result of which the spermatozoa loose their capacity for fertilization and suffer damage to their DNA. Phosphatidylserine externalization is a late event in sperm apoptosis and may facilitate the silent phagocytosis of moribund cells in the female reproductive tract, that is, the phagocytosis of senescent spermatozoa without the accompanying generation of an inflammatory response. Encouragingly, the involvement of oxidative stress in the aetiology of male infertility has opened up new opportunities for therapeutic interventions involving the judicious administration of nucleophiles and other forms of antioxidants.
Effects of Maternal Environment During Gestation on Ovarian Folliculogenesis and Consequences for Fertility in Bovine Offspring
Authors: Evans ACO , Mossa F , Walsh SW , Scheetz D , Jimenez‐Krassel F , Ireland JLH , Smith GW , Ireland JJ 
Published: July 2012

ContentsMammals such as cattle, swine, sheep and humans are born with a highly variable number of ovarian follicles and oocytes in the ovaries that dwindle during ageing and are never replenished. This variation in the ovarian reserve is reflected in the numbers of antral follicles in the ovaries at all ages after birth. As numbers of follicles in ovaries are determined during gestation, the role of maternal nutrition and health during gestation (at time of ovarian development in their foetuses) has been investigated as factors that may impact oogonia proliferation and thus follicle numbers post‐natally. These studies have found that both nutrition and health impact numbers of follicles in their offspring. The idea that numbers of follicles and oocytes in ovaries impact fertility is a long‐held belief in reproductive biology. This has recently been tested in cattle, and it has been shown that cows with a relatively high number of antral follicles in ovaries have higher pregnancy rates, shorter calving to conception intervals and fewer artificial inseminations during the breeding season compared with cows with a lower number of follicles, and similarly, heifers with many follicles had higher pregnancy rates than those with fewer follicles. Studies summarized in this review highlight the importance of the maternal environment during gestation in determining the size of the ovarian reserve in their offspring and also the contribution of the ovarian reserve to subsequent fertility in cattle.
Reproductive Science in the Global Village
Authors: Chenoweth PJ 
Published: July 2012

ContentsLivestock production contributes not only to national economies, but also to sustainability and profitability of agriculture, as well as to the fabric of local societies. Efficient and viable animal production systems are dependent upon the effective management of animal reproduction. Similar arguments can be made in support of the importance of reproduction for companion and performance animals, whereas its key role in preserving endangered species is indisputable. Despite such considerations, the widespread dissemination of current and credible information regarding animal reproduction faces challenges, not only in the developing world, but also in developed countries, where animal reproduction education is apparently in decline. This review will examine these issues, as well as various ways in which animal reproduction education and knowledge transfer is currently being pursued throughout the world. It will conclude with suggested avenues and opportunities for improvement.
Developmental and Epigenetic Anomalies in Cloned Cattle
Authors: Smith LC , Suzuki J , Goff AK , Filion F , Therrien J , Murphy BD , Kohan‐Ghadr HR , Lefebvre R , Brisville AC , Buczinski S , Fecteau G , Perecin F , Meirelles FV 
Published: July 2012

ContentsMany of the developmental anomalies observed in cloned animals are related to foetal and placental overgrowth, a phenomenon known as the ‘large offspring syndrome’ (LOS) in ruminants. It has been hypothesized that the epigenetic control of imprinted genes, that is, genes that are expressed in a parental‐specific manner, is at the root of LOS. Our recent research has focused on understanding epigenetic alterations to imprinted genes that are associated with assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as early embryo in vitro culture (IVC) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in cattle. We have sought and identified single nucleotide polymorphisms in Bos indicus DNA useful for the analysis of parental‐specific alleles and their respective transcripts in tissues from hybrid embryos derived by crossing Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle. By analysing differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of imprinted genes SNRPN, H19 and the IGF2R in cattle, we demonstrated that there is a generalized hypomethylation of the imprinted allele and the biallelic expression of embryos produced by SCNT when compared to the methylation patterns observed in vivo (artificially inseminated). Together, these results indicate that imprinting marks are erased during the reprogramming of the somatic cell nucleus during early development, indicating that such epigenetic anomalies may play a key role in mortality and morbidity of cloned animals.
Lessons Learned from Cloning Dogs
Authors: Kim MJ , Oh HJ , Kim GA , Park JE , Park EJ , Jang G , Ra JC , Kang SK , Lee BC 
Published: July 2012

ContentsThe aim of this article is to review dog cloning research and to suggest its applications based on a discussion about the normality of cloned dogs. Somatic cell nuclear transfer was successfully used for production of viable cloned puppies despite limited understanding of in vitro dog embryo production. Cloned dogs have similar growth characteristics to those born from natural fertilization, with no evidence of serious adverse effects. The offspring of cloned dogs also have similar growth performance and health to those of naturally bred puppies. Therefore, cloning in domestic dogs can be applied as an assisted reproductive technique to conserve endangered species, to treat sterile canids or aged dogs, to improve reproductive performance of valuable individuals and to generate disease model animals.
Agency Perspectives on Food Safety for the Products of Animal Biotechnology
Authors: Howard HJ , Jones KM , Rudenko L 
Published: July 2012

ContentsAnimal biotechnology represents one subset of tools among a larger set of technologies for potential use to meet increasing world demands for food. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer continue to make positive contributions in food animal production. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) performed a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential food consumption or animal health risks associated with animal cloning, an emerging ART. At that time, FDA concluded that animal cloning posed no unique risks either to animal health or to food consumption, and food from animal clones and their sexually reproduced offspring required no additional federal regulation beyond that applicable to conventionally bred animals of the species examined. At this time, no new information has arisen that would necessitate a change in FDA’s conclusions on food from animal clones or their sexually reproduced offspring. Use of recombinant DNA technologies to produce genetically engineered (GE) animals represents another emerging technology with potential to impact food animal production. In its regulation of GE animals, FDA follows a cumulative, risk‐based approach to address scientific questions related to the GE animals. FDA evaluates data and information on the safety, effectiveness and stability of the GE event. FDA carries out its review at several levels (e.g. molecular biology, animal safety, food safety, environmental safety and claim validation). GE animal sponsors provide data to address risk questions for each level. This manuscript discusses FDA’s role in evaluation of animal cloning and GE animals.
Manipulation of Follicle Development to Ensure Optimal Oocyte Quality and Conception Rates in Cattle
Authors: Baruselli PS , Sá Filho MF , Ferreira RM , Sales JNS , Gimenes LU , Vieira LM , Mendanha MF , Bó GA 
Published: July 2012

ContentsOver the last several decades, a number of therapies have been developed that manipulate ovarian follicle growth to improve oocyte quality and conception rates in cattle. Various strategies have been proposed to improve the responses to reproductive biotechnologies following timed artificial insemination (TAI), superovulation (SOV) or ovum pickup (OPU) programmes. During TAI protocols, final follicular growth and size of the ovulatory follicle are key factors that may significantly influence oocyte quality, ovulation, the uterine environment and consequently pregnancy outcomes. Progesterone concentrations during SOV protocols influence follicular growth, oocyte quality and embryo quality; therefore, several adjustments to SOV protocols have been proposed depending on the animal category and breed. In addition, the success of in vitro embryo production is directly related to the number and quality of cumulus oocyte complexes harvested by OPU. Control of follicle development has a significant impact on the OPU outcome. This article discusses a number of key points related to the manipulation of ovarian follicular growth to maximize oocyte quality and improve conception rates following TAI and embryo transfer of in vivo‐ and in vitro‐derived embryos in cattle.
Factors Affecting Oocyte and Embryo Transcriptomes
Authors: Sirard M‐A 
Published: July 2012

ContentsThe most important factor affecting the oocyte and early embryo transcriptome is the legacy from the follicular environment prior to meiotic resumption. Up to the 8‐cell stage, the oocyte responds to maternal instructions stored before resumption of the meiotic division. Recent evidence suggests that properly prepared or programmed oocytes (in vivo) can achieve close to 100% blastocyst rates in standard in vitro conditions/media. Therefore, the optimal oocyte requires perfect follicular timing and differentiation, but the intra‐oocyte mechanisms involved in such preparation are not completely understood. In addition, the influence of maternal mRNA storage and degradation, as well as the length of the poly A tail that influences the general pattern of the oocyte/early embryo transcriptome, is an important factor. Several hypotheses have been put forth to explain the depletion of the maternal store, including the potential role of microRNA (miRNA) in this process. The activation of the embryonic genome could be dependent on, or associated with, the process of maternal mRNA degradation, but obviously other functions are being activated at this critical time point. This review will focus on the period from full‐size oocytes to the eight‐cell stage and will summarize the impact of the important factors, that is, follicle, maternal RNA storage and embryonic genome activation, on the transcriptome.
Role of the Oviduct in Early Embryo Development
Authors: Besenfelder U , Havlicek V , Brem G 
Published: July 2012

ContentsThis review highlights the role of the oviduct in early embryo development, which has to fulfil many aligned and well‐tuned tasks during early embryogenesis. The oviductal lining is subjected to dynamic changes to timely accomplish gamete transport, fertilization and embryo development and to deliver a competent and healthy conceptus to the endometrium which can implant and develop to term. Although knowledge about the role of the oviduct is limited, we know that embryos are very sensitive to the environment in which they develop. The success of in vitro embryo production techniques demonstrates that it is possible to bypass the oviduct during early development and, to a certain extent, replicate the conditions in vitro. However, comparative studies show that embryos developed in vivo are superior to their in vitro produced counterparts, underlining our relatively poor knowledge of the biology of the oviduct. Oviduct activity is orchestrated by various factors, depending on cyclic dynamics, which crucially affect the success of tubal transfer and/or (re‐)collection of embryos in embryo transfer studies. This paper reviews data which demonstrate that in vivo culture of embryos in the bovine oviduct is a useful tool for the assessment of embryos developed under various conditions (e.g. superovulation vs single ovulation, lactating dairy cows vs non‐lactating cows). It is concluded that more work in the field of early embryo development within the oviduct would contribute to improved ART protocols leading to healthy pregnancies and offspring.
The Effects of Increased Testicular Temperature on Testis‐Specific Isoform of Na+/K+‐ATPase in Sperm and its Role in Spermatogenesis and Sperm Function
Authors: Thundathil JC , Rajamanickam GD , Kastelic JP , Newton LD 
Published: July 2012

ContentsImpaired testicular thermoregulation is commonly implicated in abnormal spermatogenesis and impaired sperm function in animals and humans, with outcomes ranging from subclinical infertility to sterility. Bovine testes must be maintained 4–5°C below body‐core temperature for normal spermatogenesis. The effects of elevated testicular temperature have been extensively studied in cattle using a scrotal insulation model, which results in abnormal spermatogenesis and impaired sperm morphology and function. Using this model and proteomic approaches, we compared normal and abnormal sperm (from the same bulls) to elucidate the molecular basis of impaired function. We identified a cohort of sperm functional proteins differentially expressed between normal vs abnormal sperm, including a testis‐specific isoform of Na+/K+‐ATPase. In addition to its role as a sodium pump regulating sperm motility, Na+/K+‐ATPase is also involved as a signalling molecule during sperm capacitation. In conclusion, because of its involvement in regulation of sperm function, this protein has potential as a fertility marker. Furthermore, comparing normal vs abnormal sperm (induced by scrotal insulation) is a useful model for identifying proteins regulating sperm function.
The Emerging Pathophysiology of Age‐related Testicular Degeneration with a Focus on the Stallion and an Update on Potential Therapies
Authors: Turner RM , Zeng W 
Published: July 2012

ContentsStudies in laboratory rodents are shedding light on the pathophysiology of testicular ageing and now suggest a complicated basis for age‐related declines in testicular function. A highly significant contributor to infertility may involve failure of specific and complex testicular microenvironments (niches) comprised of a variety of cellular and molecular components. Our laboratory has applied testis tissue xenografting to the study of testicular ageing in the stallion. Using this technique, we have confirmed that the disease is tissue autologous. As would be expected from a tissue autologous disease, hormonal and non‐hormonal therapies designed to drive the function of the diseased testis are ineffective. However, we have some evidence that contact with young, normal testicular tissue may improve the condition of aged, degenerate testes. Perhaps, paracrine factors from young testicular cells may partially restore a young microenvironment and allow for the maintenance of testicular function. These findings form the basis for future studies designed to determine whether cells, genes or proteins from a normal testis can aid the function of a degenerate testis.