bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of 24‐h Cooling Prior to Freezing on the Survival of Domestic Cat (Felis catus) Epididymal Sperm
Authors: Martins JLA , Villaverde AISB , Lima AFM , Steagall PVM , Ferreira JCP , Taconeli CA , Lopes MD 
Published: July 2009

ContentsThe aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a 24‐h cooling period prior to freezing on domestic cat epididymal sperm viability. Fifteen tomcats were submitted to routine orchiectomy and sperm samples were retrieved from both epididymides in a Tris–glucose–20% egg yolk extender. For each tomcat, the diluted sperm was split into two equal volumes and cooled to 5°C at a rate of 0.5°C/min; one sample for 60 min (control) and the other for 24 h (cooled). After the cooling period, samples from both groups were frozen using an identical freezing protocol. Sperm samples were evaluated in three different periods: immediately after harvesting, after cooling at 5°C for 24 h (cooled group) and after freezing–thawing of control and cooled groups. Evaluations consisted of sperm motility and progressive status, sperm morphology and plasma membrane integrity (PMI) using two fluorescent probes. After cooling for 24 h, a decrease (p < 0.05) in sperm motility, progressive status and PMI was observed when compared to sperm samples immediately after collection. Comparing the results obtained after thawing, no difference (p < 0.05) was found regarding sperm motility, progressive status, PMI and sperm morphology between control and cooled groups. The results from the present study show that cooling cat epididymal spermatozoa at 5°C for 24 h prior to freezing does not lead to major damage of spermatozoa impairing the freeze–thaw process.
Influence of Ascorbic Acid and Glutathione Antioxidants on Frozen‐Thawed Canine Semen
Authors: Monteiro JC , Gonçalves JSA , Rodrigues JA , Lúcio CF , Silva LCG , Assumpção MEOA , Vannucchi CI 
Published: July 2009

ContentsPoor sperm viability post‐thaw has resulted in constant research into methods of cryopreservation of canine semen. One factor that may be involved in poor viability is sperm oxidative stress caused by excessive formation of reactive oxygen species. The present study was performed in order to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA) and glutathione (Glu) added to an extender for the freeze‐thawing of dog sperm. Semen from five mature dogs was collected and frozen in two studies. Prior to and after freezing, sperm motility, morphology and membrane status were examined. In addition, sperm motility was examined up to 120 min after thawing to evaluate thermo‐resistance. In study I, semen was collected twice from each dog. On both occasions, semen was divided into three aliquots: control, Glu 1 mm and Glu 5 mm. In study II, semen was collected twice and divided into three aliquots; control, AA 50 μm and AA 250 μm. Initial sperm motility was significantly higher in sperm diluted with AA 50 μm; sperm longevity, however, measured by a thermal‐resistance test (TRT), was higher for Glu treatments. Higher concentration of Glu produced significant improvement in TRT and membrane status, whereas higher concentration of AA had a negative impact in sperm longevity. Antioxidant supplementation to semen freezing extenders improved semen quality post‐thaw. Moreover, Glu had the most beneficial effect when supplemented at 5 mm.
Effects of the Inclusion of Equex STM into Tris‐Based Extender on the Motility of Dog Spermatozoa Incubated at 5°C
Authors: Niżański W , Klimowicz M , Partyka A , Savić M , Dubiel A 
Published: July 2009

ContentsThe aim of this study was to estimate the effects of Equex STM on sperm motion characteristics in chilled dog semen extended in Tris‐based diluent. Thirty‐two ejaculates were collected from 12 proven German shepherd stud dogs. The sperm‐rich fractions were diluted in Tris‐based extender with 1% (v/v) Equex STM (sample A) and in Tris‐based extender with no addition of detergent (sample B). The extended semen was incubated for 240 h at 5°C and the motility parameters were evaluated by CASA system at 24‐h intervals. Addition of Equex STM to Tris‐based extender led to an initial activation of motion activity of spermatozoa, followed by a rapid decrease, shortening the lifespan of spermatozoa incubated at 5°C. Computer‐assisted sperm analysis clearly showed that Equex STM‐induced changes of sperm motion characteristics resemble the hyperactivation (HA) of spermatozoa associated with the capacitation process.
Clinical Use of Testicular Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Oligozoospermic and Azoospermic Dogs
Authors: Romagnoli S , Bonaccini P , Stelletta C , Garolla A , Menegazzo M , Foresta C , Mollo A , Milani C , Gelli D 
Published: July 2009

ContentsClinical investigation of canine testicular function is complicated by the difficulty in the evaluation of seminiferous tubules. Until recently, testicular biopsy was the only diagnostic option for dogs with persistent oligo/azoospermia. In human andrology, testicular fine needle aspiration (TFNA) is currently considered a useful method in the evaluation of azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia, and has long replaced classical biopsy to evaluate spermatogenesis. In order to verify its diagnostic efficacy for the clinical approach to canine oligo‐ or azoospermia, TFNA was performed in seven adult (two oligozoospermic and five azoospermic) dogs. After sedation, a fine (21–23 gauge) butterfly needle connected to a 50‐ml syringe was inserted into each testicle; strong suction was applied and the aspirated fluid squirted on a glass slide, smeared out, air‐dried and stained with a modified May–Grunwald–Giemsa. Under light microscopy, Sertoli cells (all those found in each investigated field) and spermatogenic cells (n = 100) were counted on each smear in order to differentiate spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, early spermatids, late spermatids and spermatozoa, and calculate their relative percentages. Cytological analysis showed the following testicular pictures: normal spermatogenesis (compatible with obstruction of the seminal ducts), hypospermatogenesis, maturative disturbances and Sertoli cell‐only syndrome. Two dogs with an obstructive lesion were treated with corticosteroids; one of them recovered and sired two litters of puppies.
Expression of MHC‐I and ‐II in Uterine Tissue from Early Pregnant Bitches
Authors: Schäfer‐Somi S , Beceriklisoy HB , Walter I , Sabitzer S , Klein D , Kanca H , Kaya D , Agaoglu AR , İzgür H , Aslan S 
Published: July 2009

ContentsThe aim of the study was to investigate the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐I and ‐II in uterine tissues from pregnant and non‐pregnant bitches, taken at different time periods after mating. The pregnant bitches were ovariohysterectomized during the pre‐implantation (group 1, n = 4), implantation (group 2, n = 7) and placentation stage (group 3, n = 7). Non‐pregnant animals in diestrus served as controls (group 4, n = 7). The expression of MHC‐ I and ‐II in salpinx, apex, middle horn, corpus uteri and at implantation sites was investigated by immunohistochemistry as well as qualitative and quantitative RT‐PCR; MHC‐I mRNA was detected in all tissues and with quantitative RT‐PCR, and no significant changes were detected until placentation. Immunohistologically, at the apex and corpus site, the average number of MHC‐II positive cells increased from the pre‐implantation to the post‐implantation stage (apex: 1.54 ± 1.21 to 3.82 ± 2.93; corpus: 1.62 ± 1.9 to 5.04 ± 4.95; p < 0.05). The greatest numbers of MHC‐II positive cells were observed at placentation sites (6.64 ± 5.9). In parallel, a marked increase in the relative mRNA expression of MHC‐II in uterine tissues was assessed from the pre‐implantation to the placentation stage (relative to Glycerinaldehyd‐3‐phosphate‐Dehydrogenase (GAPDH): 6.9 ± 9.5, 8.4 ± 5.8, p > 0.05). Immunohistologically, in the salpinx, significantly greater numbers of MHC‐II positive cells were found in the tissues of pregnant animals than in the control group (p < 0.05). It is proposed that the increase in MHC‐II is pregnancy‐related, even though the impact on maintenance of canine pregnancy is still unclear.
Cortical serotonin and norepinephrine denervation in parkinsonism: preferential loss of the beaded serotonin innervation
Authors: Nayyar Tultul , Bubser Michael , Ferguson Marcus C. , Diana Neely M. , Shawn Goodwin J. , Montine Thomas J. , Deutch Ariel Y. , Ansah Twum A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractParkinson’s Disease (PD) is marked by prominent motor symptoms that reflect striatal dopamine insufficiency. However, non‐motor symptoms, including depression, are common in PD. It has been suggested that these changes reflect pathological involvement of non‐dopaminergic systems. We examined regional changes in serotonin (5‐HT) and norepinephrine (NE) systems in mice treated with two different 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treatment paradigms, at survival times of 3 or 16 weeks after the last MPTP injection. MPTP caused a decrease in striatal dopamine concentration, the magnitude of which depended on the treatment regimen and survival interval after MPTP treatment. There was significant involvement of other subcortical areas receiving a dopamine innervation, but no consistent changes in 5‐HT or NE levels in subcortical sites. In contrast, we observed an enduring decrease in 5‐HT and NE concentrations in both the somatosensory cortex and medial prefrontal cortex (PFC). Immunohistochemical studies also revealed a decrease in the density of PFC NE and 5‐HT axons. The decrease in the cortical serotonergic innervation preferentially involved the thick beaded but not smooth fine 5‐HT axons. Similar changes in the 5‐HT innervation of post‐mortem samples of the PFC from idiopathic PD cases were seen. Our findings point to a major loss of the 5‐HT and NE innervations of the cortex in MPTP‐induced parkinsonism, and suggest that loss of the beaded cortical 5‐HT innervation is associated with a predisposition to the development of depression in PD.
Long‐term follow‐up of 3‐month neoadjuvant hormone therapy before radical prostatectomy in a randomized trial
Authors: Yee David S. , Lowrance William T. , Eastham James A. , Maschino Alexandra C. , Cronin Angel M. , Rabbani Farhang 
Published: July 2009

Study Type – Therapy (RCT) Level of Evidence 1bOBJECTIVETo report our long‐term follow‐up of an institutional randomized prospective trial of radical prostatectomy (RP) with or without a 3‐month course of neoadjuvant hormone therapy (NHT), which results in pathological downstaging, but generally no reduction in biochemical recurrence (BCR) on early follow‐up (at 3 years).PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom December 1992 to June 1996, 148 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were randomized to RP only or 3 months of goserelin acetate and flutamide before RP. BCR was defined as a detectable serum prostate specific antigen level (>0.1 ng/mL) at least 6 weeks after surgery, with a confirmatory increase.RESULTSThe median follow‐up for BCR‐free patients was 8 years. There was no significant difference in BCR‐free probabilities between groups (P = 0.7). The BCR‐free probability at 7 years was 78% for patients undergoing RP only and 80% for patients undergoing NHT and RP (difference of 2%; 95% confidence interval, CI, 12–16%). A Cox regression showed no significant relationship between NHT and BCR (hazard ratio 1.16; 95% CI, 0.56–2.39, P = 0.7). Overall, two patients had local recurrence and six developed metastases, and were evenly distributed among the RP only and NHT groups.CONCLUSIONAlthough our study was not originally powered to detect differences in BCR, there was no overall benefit in BCR‐free probability, local recurrence or metastasis with 3 months of NHT at 8 years of follow‐up. Pending evidence of improvement in patient outcomes, NHT before RP appears to be unjustified outside of clinical trials.
Natural history of benign prostatic enlargement: long‐term longitudinal population‐based study of prostate volume doubling times
Authors: Lieber Michael M. , Rhodes Thomas , Jacobson Debra J. , McGree Michaela E. , Girman Cynthia J. , Jacobsen Steven J. , St. Sauver Jennifer L. 
Published: July 2009

Study Type – Prognosis (cohort) Level of Evidence 2aOBJECTIVESTo measure prostate volume doubling times (PVDTs) for a large sample of community men followed serially by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), and to determine whether specific characteristics are associated with a rapid PVDT.SUBJECTS AND METHODSA subsample of 446 subjects from a larger cohort of American white men aged 40–79 years were evaluated biennially for a median (range) follow‐up of 10 (3–14) years. Mixed‐effects regression models were used to estimate prostate growth rates and PVDT for subjects with three or more or with five or more serial biennial TRUS PV measurements.RESULTSThe median (25–75th percentile) PVDT was 32.6 (24.6–44.0) years. The average annual increase in PV was 2.2%. The PVDT distribution was constant in men of all age groups studied (r < 0.001, P = 0.99). The factor most strongly associated with PVDT was baseline transition zone volume (r = −0.55, P < 0.001). Baseline total prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, free PSA and total PV were also significantly inversely associated with PVDT (r = −0.30, −0.44 and −0.32, respectively, all P < 0.001). Age, baseline anthropomorphic measurements, hormone levels and specific lifestyle characteristics were not significantly correlated with PVDT.CONCLUSIONThese data indicate that PVDT might be a useful future measure of benign prostatic growth. They provide a basis to forecast PV at 10, 20, or 30 years later, after one baseline TRUS measurement of prostate volume, and can be presented in a simple nomogram.
T‐Wave Morphology in Short QT Syndrome
Authors: Anttonen Olli , Junttila Juhani , Giustetto Carla , Gaita Fiorenzo , Linna Eeva , Karsikas Mari , Seppänen Tapio , Perkiömäki Juha S. , Mäkikallio Timo H. , Brugada Ramon , Huikuri Heikki V. 
Published: July 2009

Background: Short QT syndrome (SQTS) is an inherited disorder characterized by a short QT interval and vulnerability to ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The diagnostic criteria for this syndrome are not well defined, since there is uncertainty about the lowest normal limits for the corrected QT (QTc) interval. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether T‐wave morphology parameters are abnormal in short QT subjects and whether those parameters can help in the diagnosis of SQTS. Methods and Results: We describe three families (10 patients) with short QT intervals (QTc 310 ± 32 ms). Seven subjects had suffered serious arrhythmic events and three were asymptomatic. T‐wave morphology was assessed using the principal component analysis (PCA). QTc was significantly shorter and T‐wave amplitude in lead V2 higher in the short QT subjects compared to healthy controls (n = 149), (P < 0.001 for both). The total cosine of the angle between the main vectors of the QRS and T‐wave loops (TCRT) was markedly abnormal among the symptomatic patients with short QT syndrome (n = 7) (TCRT –0.14 ± 0.55 vs 0.36 ± 0.51, P = 0.019). None of the three asymptomatic patients with short QT but without a history of arrhythmic events had an abnormally low TCRT. Conclusion: Our observations suggest that patients with a short QT interval and a history of arrhythmic events have abnormal T‐wave loop parameters. These electrocardiogram (ECG) features may help in the diagnosis of SQTS in addition to the measurement of the duration of QT interval from the 12‐lead ECG.
Post‐tooth extraction sepsis without locoregional infection – a population‐based study in Taiwan
Authors: Lee J‐J , Hahn L‐J , Kao T‐P , Liu C‐H , Cheng S‐J , Cheng S‐L , Chang H‐H , Jeng J‐H , Kok S‐H 
Published: July 2009

Objective:  To investigate the incidence and risk factors of post‐tooth extraction sepsis in patients without locoregional infection.Subjects and Methods:  We assessed all claim records of the Taiwanese National Health Insurance program in 2005. Admissions for patients aged ≥16 years containing a discharge diagnosis of sepsis, and who received tooth extraction within 14 days before the admission were identified. Patient charts were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis of sepsis and rule out other infection sources. The relationship between postextraction sepsis (PES) and clinical parameters was analyzed.Results:  Thirty‐three of the 2 223 971 extraction cases met the criteria of PES, an incidence of 1.48 per 100 000, and seven patients (21.2%) died of the disease. Aging significantly increased the risk of PES (P < 0.001). Pre‐existing comorbidities were found in 20 of the 33 cases, with diabetes mellitus and hematologic diseases the most common. The method, number, and position of extraction had no influence on PES incidence. Blood cultures were positive in 25 patients (75.8%) and isolates included species of the Streptococcus, Actinomyces, Klebsiella, Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Enterococcus genera.Conclusion:  Tooth extraction is associated with a low but significant risk of postoperative sepsis, especially in the elderly and patients with underlying diseases.
V.A.C.® Therapy in the management of paediatric wounds: clinical review and experience
Authors: Baharestani Mona , Amjad Ibrahim , Bookout Kim , Fleck Tatjana , Gabriel Allen , Kaufman David , McCord Shannon Stone , Moores Donald C. , Olutoye Oluyinka O. , Salazar Jorge D. , Song David H. , Teich Steven , Gupta Subhas 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTUsage of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in the management of acute and chronic wounds has grown exponentially in the past decade. Hundreds of studies have been published regarding outcomes and methods of therapy used for adult wounds. This treatment is increasingly being used to manage difficult‐to‐treat paediatric wounds arising from congenital defects, trauma, infection, tumour, burns, pressure ulceration and postsurgical complications in children, although relatively few studies have been aimed at this population. Given the anatomical and physiological differences between adults and children, a multidisciplinary expert advisory panel was convened to determine appropriate use of NPWT with reticulated open cell foam (NPWT/ROCF) as delivered by Vacuum Assisted Closure® (V.A.C.® Therapy, KCI Licensing, Inc., San Antonio, TX) for the treatment of paediatric wounds.The primary objectives of the expert advisory panel were to exchange state‐of‐practice information on paediatric wound care, review the published data regarding the use of NPWT/ROCF in paediatric wounds, evaluate the strength of the existing data and establish guidelines on best practices with NPWT/ROCF for the paediatric population. The proposed paediatrics‐specific clinical practice guidelines are meant to provide practitioners an evidence base from which decisions could be made regarding the safe and efficacious selection of pressure settings, foam type, dressing change frequency and use of interposing contact layer selections. The guidelines reflect the state of knowledge on effective and appropriate wound care at the time of publication. They are the result of consensus reached by expert advisory panel members based on their individual clinical and published experiences related to the use of NPWT/ROCF in treating paediatric wounds. Best practices are described herein for novice and advanced users of NPWT/ROCF. Recommendations by the expert panel may not be appropriate for use in all circumstances. Decisions to adopt any particular recommendation must be made by the collaborating medical team, including the surgeon and wound care specialist based on available resources, individual patient circumstances and experience with the V.A.C.® Therapy System.
Putative Novel Surface-Exposed
Streptococcus agalactiae
Protein Frequently Expressed by the Group B Streptococcus from Zimbabwe
Authors: Mavenyengwa Rooyen T. , Maeland Johan A. , Moyo Sylvester R. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT

Group B streptococci (GBS) express a variety of surface-exposed and strain-variable proteins which function as phenotypic markers and as antigens which are able to induce protective immunity in experimental settings. Among these proteins, the chimeric and immunologically cross-reacting alpha-like proteins are particularly important. Another protein, R3, which has been less well studied, occurred at a frequency of 21.5% in GBS from Zimbabwe and, notably, occurred in serotype V strains at a frequency of 75.9%. Working with rabbit antiserum raised against the R3 reference strain ATCC 49447 (strain 10/84; serotype V/R3) to detect the expression of the R3 protein, we recorded findings which suggested that strain 10/84 expressed a strain-variable protein antigen, in addition to R3. The antigen was detected by various enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based tests by using acid extract antigens or GBS whole-cell coats and by whole-cell-based Western blotting. We named the putative novel antigen the Z antigen. The Z antigen was a high-molecular-mass antigen that was susceptible to degradation by pepsin and trypsin but that was resistant to
m
-periodate oxidation and failed to show immunological cross-reactivity with any of a variety of other GBS protein antigens. The Z antigen was expressed by 33/121 (27.2%) of strains of a Zimbabwean GBS strain collection and by 64.2% and 72.4% of the type Ib and type V strains, respectively, and was occasionally expressed by GBS of other capsular serotypes. Thus, the putative novel GBS protein named Z showed distinct capsular antigen associations and presented as an important phenotypic marker in GBS from Zimbabwe. It may be an important antigen in GBS from larger areas of southern Africa. Its prevalence in GBS from Western countries is not known.
False-Negative Results Obtained with the Gen-Probe Amplified
Mycobacterium
tuberculosis
Direct Test Caused by Unrecognized Inhibition of the Amplification Reaction
Authors: Kim Ji Yeon , Ferraro Mary Jane , Branda John A. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT

The Gen-Probe Amplified
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
direct test is widely used in the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Specimens may contain amplification inhibitors, potentially leading to false-negative results if unrecognized. We report a failure to detect inhibition, despite adherence to the inhibition testing guidelines provided on the label, and recommend changes.
Transcriptional Changes in the Brains of Cattle Orally Infected with the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Agent Precede Detection of Infectivity
Authors: Tang Yue , Xiang Wei , Hawkins Steve A. C. , Kretzschmar Hans A. , Windl Otto 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a fatal, transmissible, neurodegenerative disease of cattle. BSE can be transmitted experimentally between cattle through the oral route, and in this study, brain tissue samples from animals at different time points postinoculation were analyzed for changes in gene expression. The aims of this study were to identify differentially regulated genes during the progression of BSE using microarray-based gene expression profiling and to understand the effect of prion pathogenesis on gene expression. A total of 114 genes were found to be differentially regulated over the time course of the infection, and many of these 114 genes encode proteins involved in immune response, apoptosis, cell adhesion, stress response, and transcription. This study also revealed a broad correlation between gene expression profiles and the progression of BSE in cattle. At 21 months postinoculation, the largest number of differentially regulated genes was detected, suggesting that there are many pathogenic processes in the animal brain even prior to the detection of infectivity in the central nervous systems of these orally infected cattle. Moreover, evidence is presented to suggest that it is possible to predict the infectious status of animals using the expression profiles from this study.