bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Follicle Stimulation Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone on Cumulus Cell Expansion and In Vitro Nuclear Maturation of Canine Oocytes
Authors: Lee H‐S , Seo Y‐I , Yin X‐J , Cho S‐G , Lee S‐S , Kim N‐H , Cho S‐K , Kong I‐K 
Published: June 2007

ContentsIn general, follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) play important roles in the regulation of cumulus cell expansion and oocyte maturation. We investigated the effects of supplementation of FSH or LH in in vitro maturation (IVM) medium on the incidence of cumulus cell expansion and nuclear maturation in canine oocytes. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in TCM‐199 supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 mg/ml cysteine, 0.2 mm pyruvic acid and different concentrations of FSH or LH (control, 0.5, 5 or 50 μg/ml) at 38.5°C, 5% CO2 in air for 72 h. The cumulus cell expansion was measured by microscopic visualization, and nuclear maturation of denuded oocytes was determined by staining with 10 μg/ml Hoechst33342 for 30 min. The cumulus cell expansion in the 5 μg/ml FSH group (397.2 ± 64.3 μm) was significantly higher than those in the control, 0.5, and 50 μg/ml FSH groups (168.3 ± 19.1, 286.0 ± 69.7 and 300.0 ± 84.3 μm, respectively; p < 0.05). However, there was no difference in cumulus cell expansion among the control, 0.5, 5 and 50 μg/ml LH groups (165.6 ± 20.2, 160 ± 26.5, 172 ± 20.5 and 168 ± 23.1 μm, respectively; p > 0.05). After 72 h of IVM, the proportion of nuclear development to the MI–MII stage in the 0.5 μg/ml FSH group (15.1%) was higher than those in the control, 0.5 and 50 μg/ml FSH groups (0.9%, 6.5% and 8.0%, respectively; p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in nuclear maturation to the MI‐MII stage among control, 0.5, 5 and 50 μg/ml LH groups (4.6%, 2.3%, 5.4% and 8.6%, respectively; p > 0.05). This study indicated that a FSH supplement in IVM medium can increase cumulus cell expansion and nuclear maturation, while the nuclear maturation rate remained low. Further studies are required to improve the nuclear development to the MI–MII stages in canine oocytes.
Tilt‐test diagnosis of hypotensive transient ischaemic attacks
Authors: Jardine D. L. , Hurrell M. A. , Fink J. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractEight elderly patients with postural hypotension who presented with transient ischaemic attacks are reported. Six patients underwent head‐up tilt testing with continuous blood pressure monitoring. During tilt, postural hypotension was found in five patients and in three patients transient ischaemic attacks were reproduced. Postural hypotension is probably a rare cause of transient ischaemic attacks, but may be underrecognized.
Controlled synthesis of the DSF cell–cell signal is required for biofilm formation and virulence in Xanthomonas campestris
Authors: Torres Pablo S. , Malamud Florencia , Rigano Luciano A. , Russo Daniela M. , Marano María Rosa , Castagnaro Atilio P. , Zorreguieta Angeles , Bouarab Kamal , Dow John Maxwell , Vojnov Adrián A. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryVirulence of the black rot pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is regulated by cell–cell signalling involving the diffusible signal factor DSF. Synthesis and perception of DSF require products of genes within the rpf cluster (for regulation of pathogenicity factors). RpfF directs DSF synthesis whereas RpfC and RpfG are involved in DSF perception. Here we have examined the role of the rpf/DSF system in biofilm formation in minimal medium using confocal laser‐scanning microscopy of GFP‐labelled bacteria. Wild‐type Xcc formed microcolonies that developed into a structured biofilm. In contrast, an rpfF mutant (DSF‐minus) and an rpfC mutant (DSF overproducer) formed only unstructured arrangements of bacteria. A gumB mutant, defective in xanthan biosynthesis, was also unable to develop the typical wild‐type biofilm. Mixed cultures of gumB and rpfF mutants formed a typical biofilm in vitro. In contrast, in mixed cultures the rpfC mutant prevented the formation of the structured biofilm by the wild‐type and did not restore wild‐type biofilm phenotypes to gumB or rpfF mutants. These effects on structured biofilm formation were correlated with growth and disease development by Xcc strains in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. These findings suggest that DSF signalling is finely balanced during both biofilm formation and virulence.
Effects of environmental conditions on the nitrifying population dynamics in a pilot wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Lydmark Pär , Almstrand Robert , Samuelsson Kristina , Mattsson Ann , Sörensson Fred , Lindgren Per‐Eric , Hermansson Malte 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThe effect of environmental conditions, especially ammonium concentration, on community composition and nitrification activity of nitrifying bacterial biofilms in a pilot wastewater treatment plant was examined. A decreasing ammonium gradient was created when four aerated tanks with suspended carrier material were serially fed with wastewater. Community composition was analysed using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes as well as partial 16S rRNA and amoA gene analysis using polymerase chain reaction‐denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR‐DGGE) and sequencing. Fluorescence in situ hybridization probes identified at least five ammonia‐oxidizing bacterial (AOB) and two nitrite‐oxidizing bacterial (NOB) populations. A change in nitrifying community was detected in the tanks, indicating that ammonium was an important structuring factor. Further, we found support for different autoecology within the Nitrosomonas oligotropha lineage, as at least one population within this lineage increased in relative abundance with ammonium concentration while another population decreased. Absolute numbers of AOB and NOB growing in biofilms on the carriers were determined and the cell specific nitrification rates calculated seemed strongly correlated to ammonium concentration. Oxygen could also be limiting in the biofilms of the first tank with high ammonium concentrations. The response of the nitrifying community to increased ammonium concentrations differed between the tanks, indicating that activity correlates with community structure.
Genetic diversity and population structure ofEscherichia coliisolated from freshwater beaches
Authors: Walk Seth T. , Alm Elizabeth W. , Calhoun Lisa M. , Mladonicky Janice M. , Whittam Thomas S. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryEscherichia coliis an important member of the gastrointestinal tract of humans and warm‐blooded animals (primary habitat). In the external environment outside the host (secondary habitat), it is often considered to be only a transient member of the microbiota found in water and soil, although recent evidence suggests that some strains can persist in temperate soils and freshwater beaches. Here we quantified the population genetic structure ofE. colifrom a longitudinal collection of environmental strains isolated from six freshwater beaches along Lake Huron and the St. Clair River in Michigan. Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) revealed extensive genetic diversity among 185E. coliisolates with an average of 40 alleles per locus. Despite evidence for extensive recombination generating new alleles and genotypic diversity, several genotypes marked by distinct MLEE and MLST profiles were repeatedly recovered from separate sites at different times. A PCR‐based phylogrouping technique showed that the persistent, naturalizedE. colibelonged to the B1 group. These results support the hypothesis that persistent genotypes have an adaptive advantage in the secondary habitat outside the host.
Bacteriophage ecology in a small community sewer system related to their indicative role in sewage pollution of drinking water
Authors: Gino Efrat , Starosvetsky Jeana , Armon Robert 
Published: June 2007

SummaryIn view of various studies looking for the merit of coliphages as indicators of water pollution with viruses originating from faecal material, a small agricultural community (population of approximately 1500 inhabitants of all ages, 2–3 km from Haifa) was selected in order to understand these bacteriophage ecology (F‐RNA and somatic coliphages) in its sewer and oxidation pond system. Along the sewer lines, it was possible to isolate constantly both bacteriophage types (F‐RNA and somatic coliphages) at 102−104 plaque‐forming units (pfu) ml−1. The average numbers of somatic and F‐RNA phages isolated from oxidation pond were 103−104 pfu ml−1; however, somatic coliphages were undetectable for several months (April–August). Significant high correlation (0.944 < R2 < 0.99) was found between increased anionic detergent concentrations and F‐RNA coliphage numbers. Infants less than 1 year old excreted both phage types and few only F‐RNA coliphages (at high numbers > 105 pfu g−1) for up to 1 year. The excretion of F‐RNA coliphages was highly linked to Escherichia coli F+ harborage in the intestinal track as found in their faecal content. Finally, three bacterial hosts E. coli F+, F– and CN13 tested for survivability in sewage filtrate revealed that E. coli F+ had the highest survivability under these conditions. Presence of somatic and F male‐specific phages in sewer lines of a small community are influenced by several factors such as: anionic detergents, nutrients, temperature, source (mainly infants), shedding and survival capability of the host strain. Better understanding of coliphages ecology in sewer systems can enhance our evaluation of these proposed indicator/index microorganisms used in tracking environmental pollution of water, soil and crop contamination with faecal material containing enteric viruses.
Evidence of a shift from featural to configural face processing in infancy
Authors: Schwarzer Gudrun , Zauner Nicola , Jovanovic Bianca 
Published: June 2007

Abstract Two experiments examined whether 4‐, 6‐, and 10‐month‐old infants process natural looking faces by feature, i.e. processing internal facial features independently of the facial context or holistically by processing the features in conjunction with the facial context. Infants were habituated to two faces and looking time was measured. After habituation they were tested with a habituation face, a switch‐face, or a novel face. In the switch‐faces, the eyes and mouth of the habituation faces were switched. The results showed that the 4‐month‐olds processed eyes and mouth by feature, whereas the 10‐month‐olds processed both features holistically. The 6‐month‐olds were in a transitional stage where they processed the mouth holistically but the eyes still as a feature. Thus, the results demonstrated a shift from featural to holistic processing in the age range of 4 to 10 months.
THE PRO‐LIFE ARGUMENT FROM SUBSTANTIAL IDENTITY AND THE PRO‐CHOICE ARGUMENT FROM ASYMMETRIC VALUE: A REPLY TO PATRICK LEE
Authors: REIMAN JEFFREY 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTLee claims that foetuses and adult humans are phases of the same identical substance, and thus have the same moral status because: first, foetuses and adults are the same physical organism, and second, the development from foetus to adult is quantitative and thus not a change of substance. Versus the first argument, I contend that the fact that foetuses and adults are the same physical organism implies only that they are the same thing but not the same substance, much as living adults and their corpses are the same thing (same body) but not the same substance. Against Lee's second argument, I contend that Lee confuses the nature of a process with the nature of its result. A process of quantitative change can produce a change in substance. Lee also fails to show that foetuses are rational and thus have all the essential properties of adults, as required for them to be the same substance. Against the pro‐choice argument from asymmetric value (that only the fact that a human has become conscious of its life and begun to count on its continuing can explain human life's asymmetric moral value, i.e. that it is vastly worse to kill a human than not to produce one), Lee claims that foetus's lives are asymmetrically valuable to them before consciousness. This leads to counterintuitive outcomes, and it confuses the goodness of life (a symmetric value that cannot account for why it is worse to kill a human than not produce one) with asymmetric value.
USES OF RESPECT AND USES OF THE HUMAN EMBRYO
Authors: GIBSON SUSANNE 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTIn most parts of the world, research on the human embryo is subject to tight controls. In the United Kingdom it is restricted by means of both a fourteen‐day time limit and the permitted purposes of the research. One of the ways in which the argument for these restrictions has been put is in terms of respect. That is, the human embryo is said to be the kind of thing that is worthy of a measure of respect such that there are limits to what can be done to it. This paper considers some of the ways in which this principle of respect has been understood as well as some objections to the very idea that research resulting in the destruction of the human embryo can claim to show that embryo respect. It will be argued that an account of ‘respectful destruction’ can be articulated on the grounds of our shared finitude as human moral agents, and in particular on the grounds of our shared lack of certainty regarding the moral status of the embryo.
Photodynamic therapy in a series of rosacea patients
Authors: Bryld LE , Jemec GBE 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground  Rosacea is a common disease that often has a chronic intermittent course despite current treatment; therefore, additional treatment options are desirable. The pathogenesis of the disease is unknown.Objectives  We have previously suggested that photodynamic therapy (MAL‐PDT) may be of benefit as rosacea therapy. The purpose of this study was to further assess the possible benefit of this treatment of rosacea.Methods  An exploratory review of case notes from rosacea patients treated with PDT was performed. Patients referred to our department with rosacea were offered PDT if requesting an alternative to previously tried conventional therapy. Routine MAL‐PDT with methylaminolevulate and red light was given one to four times; results were evaluated 1–2 months after PTD was initiated and subsequently followed up.Results  Good results were seen in 10 out of 17 patients, and fair results in another 4 patients. The majority of patients treated could stop or significantly reduce other rosacea therapy for a period lasting from about 3 months and up to 2 years. The study is limited by strong selection bias, and the clinical evaluation was obtained from case notes and photos.Conclusions  An apparent effect of MAL‐PDT on rosacea could be observed. This is in accordance with our previous experience, and observations made by other researchers. A future randomized controlled trial therefore seems justifiable.
Chronic physical illness and mental health in children. Results from a large‐scale population study
Authors: Hysing Mari , Elgen Irene , Gillberg Christopher , Lie Stein Atle , Lundervold Astri J. 
Published: June 2007

Background:  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in detecting emotional and behavioural problems among children with chronic illness (CI).Methods:  Parents and teachers of a population of primary school children in Norway (n = 9430) completed a questionnaire including the SDQ, and a question about chronic illness. A total of 74% (n = 7007) of the parents participated. A sub‐sample (n = 1040) was given a psychiatric diagnostic evaluation according to the Development and Well‐Being Assessment (DAWBA).Results:  According to parent reports, 537 (8%) children had a CI. The SDQ revealed an increased risk of emotional and behavioural problems in children with CI as compared with non‐CI peers, both among boys (OR = 2.10 CI 95% 1.56–2.83) and girls (OR = 2.11 CI 95% 1.49–2.99). Children with CI also showed an increased risk of psychiatric disorder as assessed by the DAWBA (OR = 1.70 CI 95% 1.04–2.85). Both the sensitivity and specificity of the SDQ in predicting a psychiatric diagnosis were high, even when only information from parents was included.Conclusion:  Children with CI in the general population are at increased risk of behavioural and emotional problems and psychiatric disorders. Given its high sensitivity and specificity the SDQ might work well as a screening instrument for behaviour/emotional problems and psychiatric disorder in children with CI.
Audiovisual speech integration and lipreading in autism
Authors: Smith Elizabeth G. , Bennetto Loisa 
Published: June 2007

Background:  During speech perception, the ability to integrate auditory and visual information causes speech to sound louder and be more intelligible, and leads to quicker processing. This integration is important in early language development, and also continues to affect speech comprehension throughout the lifespan. Previous research shows that individuals with autism have difficulty integrating information, especially across multiple sensory domains.Methods:  In the present study, audiovisual speech integration was investigated in 18 adolescents with high‐functioning autism and 19 well‐matched adolescents with typical development using a speech in noise paradigm. Speech reception thresholds were calculated for auditory only and audiovisual matched speech, and lipreading ability was measured.Results:  Compared to individuals with typical development, individuals with autism showed less benefit from the addition of visual information in audiovisual speech perception. We also found that individuals with autism were significantly worse than those in the comparison group at lipreading. Hierarchical regression demonstrated that group differences in the audiovisual condition, while influenced by auditory perception and especially by lipreading, were also attributable to a unique factor, which may reflect a specific deficit in audiovisual integration.Conclusions:  Combined deficits in audiovisual speech integration and lipreading in individuals with autism are likely to contribute to ongoing difficulties in speech comprehension, and may also be related to delays in early language development.
Family context and young children's responses to earthquake
Authors: Proctor Laura J. , Fauchier Angèle , Oliver Pamella H. , Ramos Michelle C. , Rios Martha A. , Margolin Gayla 
Published: June 2007

Background:  Family context can affect children's vulnerability to various stresses, but little is known regarding the role of family variables on children's reactions to natural disaster. This prospective study examined the influence of predisaster observed parenting behaviors and postdisaster parental stress on young children's distress following an earthquake.Methods:  Participants were 117 two‐parent families with a child age 4–5 at the initial assessment. The families experienced different degrees of impact from the earthquake. Pre‐earthquake family context comprised observations of parents’ positive and negative behaviors during a parent–child play task. Eight months after the earthquake, mothers reported symptoms of parental stress and children's distress.Results:  Earthquake impact and children's distress symptoms were moderately correlated (r = .44), but certain pre‐earthquake parental behaviors moderated the relationship. The dose–response association between earthquake impact and children's symptoms did not hold for families in which fathers showed high levels of negative behaviors with daughters, or mothers showed low levels of positive behaviors with sons. In addition, results consistent with full mediation for boys (and partial mediation for girls) indicated that 86% of the total effect of earthquake impact on boys’ distress (and 29% on girls’ distress) occurred through the mediator of reported parental stress.Conclusions:  These findings demonstrate that young children's responses to an abrupt, negative environmental event, such as an earthquake, are influenced in part by the nature of the parent–child relationship prior to the event as well as by the responses parents exhibit following the event.
Political Economy and the Problem of the Plebs in Eighteenth‐Century Britain
Authors: Dew Ben 
Published: June 2007

AbstractOne of the central debates in eighteenth‐century political economy concerned the role and status of the plebeian populace. This article examines the attempts by historians to understand the nature and significance of these discussions. I argue that writers have been engaged in answering two core questions. Firstly, how did attitudes to labour develop through the course of the eighteenth century and what was the role of Adam Smith's work within this process? Secondly, what was the relationship between political economy and the socio‐economic reality faced by the lower orders? In tracing the various responses to these questions, my analysis looks at both the work by historians of economics concerning the transition from mercantilism to classical political economy, and E. P. Thompson's account of the movement from ‘moral economy’ to ‘political economy’.
Long‐Term Effects of Brief Substance Use Interventions for Mandated College Students: Sleeper Effects of an In‐Person Personal Feedback Intervention
Authors: White Helene R. , Mun Eun Young , Pugh Lisa , Morgan Thomas J. 
Published: June 2007

Background: It is known that brief interventions for mandated college students decrease alcohol use and/or related problems in the short term. However, none of the existing studies has followed students' past 6 months. Therefore, we compared the long‐term efficacy of 2 brief substance use feedback interventions for mandated college students.Methods: We followed up mandated students (N=348) who were randomly assigned to either a brief motivational interview (BMI; n=180) or a written feedback‐only (WF; n=168) intervention at 4 months and 15 months postintervention.Results: Long‐term follow‐up data revealed that students, at the aggregate level, decreased their peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels, number of drinks per week, and number of alcohol‐related problems at 15 months postintervention compared with their baseline levels. With the exception of peak BAC, the observed long‐term reduction was mainly due to the positive change among students who received the BMI intervention. Students in the BMI intervention showed significantly lower levels of alcohol‐related problems at 15 months than those in the WF intervention. The BMI intervention more effectively reduced within‐individual alcohol‐related problems during the initial 4 months, and more successfully curbed the subsequent increase in alcohol use frequency and number of drinks per week during the 11 months between the 2 follow‐up assessments.Conclusions: The results suggest that brief substance use interventions reduce the riskiest type of alcohol use (e.g., peak BAC) among mandated college students over the long term, and that sleeper effects of in‐person personal feedback interventions (PFIs) exist. In‐person PFIs in the context of a motivational interview may be more efficacious in the long term than written feedback‐only interventions for mandated students. Future studies comparing interventions for college students should extend follow‐up for longer periods of time.