bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Symmetrical onychomadesis in Norwegian Gordon and English setters
Authors: Ziener Martine L. , Bettenay Sonya V. , Mueller Ralf S. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis study reports the condition onychomadesis affecting multiple claws in Norwegian Gordon and English setters. Medical records of and claw biopsies from 18 Gordon and four English setters with onychomadesis of multiple claws were obtained from July 2005 to January 2007. Only dogs with symmetrical onychomadesis and no signs of concurrent disease were included. Histopathological features varied between dogs, but typically included interface dermatitis with subepidermal cleft formation, pigment incontinence, basal cell vacuolization and necrosis, spongiosis and lymphocytic exocytosis, a lymphocytic, plasmacytic subepidermal inflammation, and fibroplasia. In two dogs, histopathological signs of a superficial infection were present. The age of onset of disease varied between 2 and 7 years with a mean of 3.9 years, and was not correlated with vaccination time. Six of the affected dogs also had siblings with the disease. Due to the close relationship of the affected dogs, pedigree map analysis was not possible. Three dogs were euthanized because of the disease and two had regrowth of normal claws. Seventeen dogs had persistent onychodystrophy that typically was nonpainful during therapy which in most dogs consisted of fatty acid supplementation or prednisolone.
Investigation of aural bacterial and fungal flora following otitis in captive okapi (Okapia johnstoni)
Authors: Allender Matthew C. , Langan Jennifer , Citino Scott 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTen cases of otitis in nine captive okapi were observed at a captive zoological institution. Duration of clinical signs ranged from 3 days to 7 months. Two individuals each had a recurrence. A variety of fungi and bacteria were isolated from the aural canals of healthy okapi and their environments. Numerous different bacterial and fungal pathogens were cultured. Surveys investigating the occurrence of ear disease and related environmental factors from 15 other institutions that house okapi revealed otitis was only seen at one institution. While it appears that many bacterial and fungal pathogens are found in the okapi ear canal, it is suspected that environmental conditions, such as fungal load, air and hay quality, humidity, and temperature may be predisposing factors leading to ear infections in this species.
Spaying‐induced coat changes: the role of gonadotropins, GnRH and GnRH treatment on the hair cycle of female dogs
Authors: Reichler Iris Margaret , Welle Monika , Eckrich Christine , Sattler Ursula , Barth Andrea , Hubler Madeleine , Nett‐Mettler Claudia S. , Jöchle Wolfgang , Arnold Susi 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAlthough spaying can result in qualitative hair coat changes in dogs, the influence of spaying on the hair growth cycle has never been described. The study aims were to examine the effect of spaying and gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) treatment on canine hair coat, cycle stages of hair follicles, plasma gonadotropin concentrations and mRNA transcription of luteinizing hormone (LH) and GnRH receptors in hair follicles. Fifteen female dogs were examined before and 1 year after spaying and 24 spayed dogs before and after GnRH treatment. Spaying resulted in increased plasma gonadotropin concentrations and increased anagen : telogen ratio of hair follicles, but only 20% of the dogs developed coat changes. No differences were found in mRNA transcription of LH and GnRH receptors. GnRH treatment resulted in reduced plasma gonadotropin concentrations and improvement of coat changes in 79% of patients. This was associated with an increase in catagen hair follicles without changes in the anagen : telogen ratio. The present study demonstrated that spaying had an effect on the anagen : telogen ratio of hair follicles. Spaying‐induced coat changes did not correlate with the anagen : telogen ratio. GnRH treatment reduced gonadotropin concentrations and reversed coat changes in some dogs, but had no effect on the hair growth cycle other than increasing the number of catagen hair follicles. A weak positive correlation between the plasma LH concentration and the anagen : telogen ratio was noted; however, our data did not suggest a direct receptor‐mediated hormonal effect on the hair follicle. The present study did not identify the pathomechanism of spaying‐induced coat changes.
Gene (mRNA) expression in canine atopic dermatitis: microarray analysis
Authors: Merryman‐Simpson Annemarie E. , Wood Shona H. , Fretwell Neale , Jones Paul G. , McLaren William M. , McEwan Neil A. , Clements Dylan N. , Carter Stuart D. , Ollier William E. , Nuttall Tim 
Published: March 2008

AbstractGenes potentially involved in the pathology of canine atopic dermatitis (AD) were identified using gene expression microarrays. Total RNA extracted from skin biopsies was hybridized to an Agilent Technologies custom‐designed 22K canine array. The arrays were analysed using Genedata Analyst software. Data were corrected for multiple hypothesis testing and tested for significance using the National Institute on Aging array analysis tool. For comparison, data were divided into separate groups: lesional atopic (n = 16), nonlesional atopic (n = 17) and healthy controls (n = 9). Fifty‐four genes were differentially expressed at a significance level of 0.05 in canine AD compared to healthy controls. Sixteen genes were differentially expressed in both nonlesional and lesional atopic skin, 26 genes only in nonlesional skin and 12 only in lesional skin. These genes were associated with innate immune and inflammatory responses, cell cycle, apoptosis, barrier formation and transcriptional regulation. The most dysregulated gene in lesional skin was S100A8, which showed an almost 23‐fold increase in expression. This is a pro‐inflammatory cytokine located in the epidermal differentiation complex. Microarray analysis is a novel technique in canine AD. Significant changes in gene expression were identified in atopic skin. These were relevant to skin barrier formation and the immune response, suggesting that they both participate in AD. Gene expression restricted to lesional skin may be involved in inflammatory changes, whereas those shared or restricted to nonlesional skin may reflect the atopic phenotype. Investigating gene polymorphisms in the targets identified in this study will help improve our understanding of the genetic basis of this disease.
Management of newly established field margins on nutrient‐rich soil to reduce weed spread and seed rain into adjacent crops
Authors: DE CAUWER B , REHEUL D , NIJS I , MILBAU A 
Published: March 2008

SummaryWe studied the effect of different ways to establish and to maintain unfertilised field margins on the development of potential weeds and seed dispersal into adjacent crops. Plant communities in field margins either developed spontaneously or were sown with different seed mixtures of grasses and forbs. Margins were mown twice a year and the cuttings were either removed or leftin situ. Three years after establishment, the importance of the unsown rhizomatous speciesElytrigia repensandUrtica dioicawas significantly higher in the unsown community or when cuttings were not removed after mowing. Seed dispersal from the margin into adjacent crops was important in the unsown community during the first year after establishment. Between 82% and 99% of the seeds were disseminated within 4 m from the margin strip. Overall risk of contaminating the adjacent crop with weeds originating from the field margin strip was concentrated within a few metres of the crop edge. In order to minimise the dissemination of weed species and invasion by noxious vegetatively propagated weeds on nutrient‐rich land, it is recommended that field margins are established by sowing and cuttings removed after each cut.
Indigenous highly virulent accessions of the sunflower root parasitic weed Orobanche cumana
Authors: MOLINERO‐RUIZ M L , PÉREZ‐VICH B , PINEDA‐MARTOS R , MELERO‐VARA J M 
Published: March 2008

Summary Orobanche cumana (broomrape) is a severe constraint to sunflower production in southern and eastern Europe and the Middle East. Races A to E of this parasitic weed controlled by genes Or1 to Or5 have been described. A study of 38 seed accessions of O. cumana collected from different locations in Spain between 1983 and 2003 investigated the effect of long‐term storage in the laboratory on germination and infectivity and assessed their virulence on a number of sunflower cultivars. Only 18 infected the susceptible cultivar B117. Infectivity was maintained for up to 17 years of storage, but with a greatly decreased vigour as compared with that of recently collected seed. The 12 oldest viable accessions overcame the resistance of the gene Or5 (in resistant line NR5). Seven out of them, in particular those collected in 1988 and 1989, were identified as race F. Three accessions were identified as race E allegedly holding components of higher virulence. Our results show evidence of the occurrence of race F prior to the use of sunflower hybrids resistant to race E, suggesting the former as indigenous to the country. This finding suggests the necessity of a continuous breeding of sunflower for resistance to O. cumana. The effectiveness and sustainability of genetic resistance must rely on the knowledge of the diverse virulence characteristics of O. cumana accessions.
Non‐chemical weed control on traffic islands: a comparison of the efficacy of five weed control techniques
Authors: KRISTOFFERSEN P , RASK A M , LARSEN S U 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThe efficacy of five non‐chemical weed control methods for reducing weed cover on traffic islands was investigated in the growing season of 2004. Three trial sites were divided into six treatment areas which were treated with either flame, steam, hot air, hot water, brushes or left untreated. The treatments were carried out at regular intervals throughout the growing season. The percentage weed cover was measured every second week using a 75 × 75 cm quadratic frame with 100 squares. In the control areas, a rapid increase in weed cover was observed, whereas all treatments reduced weed cover. Hot water was the most effective method, although not significantly better than hot air or steam. Hot air treatment was more effective than brushing, whereas hot water was more effective than both flaming and brushing. The doses that were used were relatively high (150–355 kg ha−1), partly because of the irregular shape of the traffic islands and the treatment intervals were quite short in comparison with those in similar studies. However, the treatments could keep down the weeds only to a certain extent. The present knowledge of the efficacy of various weed control methods, as well as an increase in our knowledge of adequate treatment intervals, supports an optimisation of hard‐surface weed control. Data and experience gained from these trials were used to develop further calibrated application studies.
Growth, reproduction and resource allocation of Tithonia diversifolia and Tithonia rotundifolia
Authors: MUOGHALU J I 
Published: March 2008

SummaryGrowth, reproduction and resource allocation of the polycarpic Tithonia diversifolia and the monocarpic Tithonia rotundifolia were studied in mixed and monoculture populations. The aim was to identify the characteristics contributing to the invasive habits of these species. Tithonia rotundifolia attained reproductive maturity at 2 months and T. diversifolia 4 months after planting. Tithonia rotundifolia completed its life cycle after 4 months, just as T. diversifolia was starting to flower. Both plant species produced a high number of seeds per capitulum (136–144 seeds in T. diversifolia; 113–120 in T. rotundifolia). Tithonia diversifolia reproduced asexually and sexually and produced many small light seeds. Tithonia rotundifolia produced large seeds, had early rapid growth, short life cycle and high reproductive effort. Growth in mixture did not significantly affect plant height, numbers of branches and leaves, or leaf size, but affected biomass allocation to reproductive and vegetative activities in the species. The attributes contributing to the invasiveness of these species are large seeds, early rapid growth, short life cycle and high reproductive effort in T. rotundifolia, with many small light seeds and asexual and sexual reproduction in T. diversifolia. For both species, control of recruitment would be a means of limiting their invasiveness.
The effects of seed mix and management on the abundance of desirable and pernicious unsown species in arable buffer strip communities
Authors: WESTBURY D B , WOODCOCK B A , HARRIS S J , BROWN V K , POTTS S G 
Published: March 2008

SummaryBuffer strips are refuges for a variety of plants providing resources, such as pollen, nectar and seeds, for higher trophic levels, including invertebrates, mammals and birds. Margins can also harbour plant species that are potentially injurious to the adjacent arable crop (undesirable species). Sowing perennial species in non‐cropped buffer strips can reduce weed incidence, but limits the abundance of annuals with the potential to support wider biodiversity (desirable species). We investigated the responses of unsown plant species present in buffer strips established with three different seed mixes managed annually with three contrasting management regimes (cutting, sward scarification and selective graminicide). Sward scarification had the strongest influence on the unsown desirable (e.g. Sonchus spp.) and unsown pernicious (e.g. Elytrigia repens) species, and was generally associated with higher cover values of these species. However, abundances of several desirable weed species, in particular Poa annua, were not promoted by scarification. The treatments of cutting and graminicide tended to have negative impacts on the unsown species, except for Cirsium vulgare, which increased with graminicide application. Differences in unsown species cover between seed mixes were minimal, although the grass‐only mix was more susceptible to establishment by C. vulgare and Galium aparine than the two grass and forb mixes. Annual scarification can enable desirable annuals and sown perennials to co‐exist, however, this practice can also promote pernicious species, and so is unlikely to be widely adopted as a management tool in its current form.
Expanding diversity at the HLA‐B locus: 28 novel HLA‐B alleles
Authors: Lazaro A. M. , Xiao Y. , Cao K. , Masaberg C. , Nichol L. , Ng J. , Hurley C. K. , Posch P. E. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTwenty‐eight novel human leukocyte antigen‐B alleles are described: one B*07 (*0745), two B*08 (*0826 and *0831), one B*27 (*2731), four B*35 (*350106, *350402, *3566, and *3568), two B*37 (*370102 and *3711), two B*38 (*380102 and *3813), two B*39 (*3935 and *3939), one B*41 (*4108), one B*42 (*4209), two B*44 (*4444 and *4448), two B*48 (*480302 and *4815), one B*51 (*5140), one B*55 (*5523), one B*56 (*5617), two B*57 (*570103 and *5710), and three B*15 (*9505, *9510, and *9519). Sixteen of the variants are single‐nucleotide substitutions from their most homologous allele, of which 10 result in amino acid changes (B*0745, *0831, *3813, *3935, *3939, *4815, *9505, *9509, *9510, and *9519) and 6 are silent substitutions. The remaining alleles (B*0826, *2731, *3566, *3568, *3711, *4108, *4209, *4444, *4448, *5140, *5523, *5617, and *5710) differ from their most similar alleles by two to seven nucleotides substitutions, altering from one to five amino acids.
Anti‐Gal antibody‐mediated skin graft rejection requires a threshold level of Gal expression
Authors: Murray‐Segal Lisa , Gock Hilton , Cowan Peter J. , D’Apice Anthony J.F. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract:  Background:  Despite overcoming xenograft hyperacute rejection (HAR), Gal (galactose‐α1,3‐galactose) expression may not be completely eliminated from the α1,3‐galactosyltransferase gene knockout (Gal KO) pig because of alternative galactosyltransferases. Whether low levels of “residual” Gal are still susceptible to either complement fixing or non‐complement fixing antibody beyond the HAR barrier remains unknown. Furthermore, it would be impossible to analyze the immune response specific to low‐level Gal in a xenograft setting given the multitude of xenoantigens that could induce a recipient response. To investigate this question, we therefore used a skin graft model in BALB/c mice where the sole difference between donor and recipient was the expression of Gal, where rejection is caused by passively administered anti‐Gal monoclonal antibody and where HAR does not occur.Methods:  Gal expression over time was examined by immunohistochemistry in wildtype‐to‐Gal KO skin grafts. Graft rejection in response to passively administered anti‐Gal monoclonal antibody at early and late time points was studied to determine changes in susceptibility to antibody. To independently test the effect of reduced Gal expression on antibody‐mediated rejection, we used two separate lines of α1,2‐fucosyltransferase transgenic mice as skin donors in the model. These mice have known reduced but different levels of Gal as determined by flow cytometry on peripheral blood leukocytes.Results:  Gal expression on skin grafts diminished with time with a corresponding reduction in susceptibility to antibody‐mediated rejection. Skin grafts at day 30 (n = 7) and 150 (n = 11) had a rejection rate of 100% and 45% respectively in response to non‐complement fixing anti‐Gal antibody administered to the recipient. Similar results were demonstrated with a complement fixing anti‐Gal antibody. When α1,2‐fucosyltransferase transgenic mice skin was used in the model, the line with lowest level of Gal expression was resistant to antibody‐induced rejection with a rate 0% (n = 9) vs. 60% (n = 5) in the alternative line with relatively more Gal expressed but still much less than normal mice.Conclusions:  Resistance to anti‐Gal antibody‐mediated damage in the model was observed in skin grafts 100 to 150 days post‐grafting but not earlier and was associated with a reduction in Gal expression. It is possible that below a threshold level of Gal expression, the grafts were not susceptible to anti‐Gal antibody.
Effects of pharmacological intervention on coagulopathy and organ function in xenoperfused kidneys
Authors: Ramackers Wolf , Friedrich Lars , Tiede Andreas , Bergmann Sabine , Schuettler Wolfgang , Schuerholz Tobias , Mengel Michael , Goudeva Lili , Ganser Arnold , Klempnauer Jürgen , Piepenbrock Siegfried , Winkler Michael 
Published: March 2008

Abstract:  Background:  Following pig to primate kidney transplantation, xenogenic activation of the coagulation (XAC) system of the recipient eventually leading to organ dysfunction and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) can be observed.Methods:  Using an ex‐vivo perfusion circuit based on low‐dose heparin‐mediated anticoagulation and exogenous complement inhibition by C1‐ Inhibitor (C1‐Inh), we have analysed XAC following contact of human blood with porcine endothelium. Porcine kidneys (n = 23) were recovered following in situ cold perfusion with histidine‐tryptophan‐ketoglutarate (HTK) solution and were connected to a perfusion circuit utilizing freshly drawn pooled human AB blood.Results:  Kidney survival during organ perfusion with human blood, CI‐Inh, heparin but without any further pharmacological intervention was 126 ± 78 min. XAC was observed with significantly elevated levels of D‐dimer and thrombin antithrombin complexes (TAT). Pharmacological intervention with nitroprusside and prostacycline resulted in increased organ survival (220 ± 28 min and 180 ± 85 min respectively) but failed to inhibit XAC. In contrast, addition of activated protein C (APC) significantly reduced the increase in D‐dimer and TAT and prolonged organ survival to 240 min (±0). On histology, no remarkable signs of XAC were observed.Conclusions:  We conclude that exogenous APC is able to reduce XAC in this ex vivo perfusion model.
Light and Scanning Electron Microscopic Study on the Blood Vascular System of the Donkey Placenta
Authors: Saber A. , Abd‐Elnaeim M. , Hembes T. , Pfarrer C. , Salim A. , Leiser R. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThe donkey placenta is diffuse and epitheliochorial with numerous microplacentomes consisting of a fetal microcotyledonary and a maternal microcaruncular part. The microplacentomal vasculature during the last third of pregnancy has been investigated by light microscopy in comparison to scanning electron microscopy of the materno‐fetal contact surface and corrosion casts of blood vessels after plastic instillation from either the microcotyledonary or the microcaruncular side, and, for the first time in a perissodactyle, from both sides. Morphological data were semiquantitatively evaluated. The supplying parts of both, the microcotyledonary and the microcaruncular vascular system are strictly proximo‐distally oriented, thus reaching the capillary systems or working parts in the shortest way possible. The straight course of the vasculature, particularly on the fetal side, suggests the occurrence of venulo‐arteriolar back diffusion. The fetal capillary system consists of convolutes confronting the maternal septal capillary complexes in a countercurrent way. This materno‐fetal blood flow interrelationship is highly efficient in terms of placental exchange, which is further supported (1) by dilations and increasing coiling of the fetal venular capillary limbs in particular and (2) by a decrease in the interhaemal distance from 12.5 to 7.2 μm between the two capillary systems. Besides the countercurrent blood flow interrelationship, some maternal branch arterioles reach the septal capillary system from the maternally oriented pole of the microplacentome or microcaruncle, respectively, resulting in the less efficient crosscurrent blood flow. Hence, in the donkey placenta fetal and maternal blood vessels meet in a mix of countercurrent and crosscurrent flow patterns.
Echo‐Doppler measurements of portal vein and superior mesenteric artery blood flow in humans: Inter‐ and intra‐observer short‐term reproducibility
Authors: IWAO TADASHI , TOYONAGA ATSUSHI , SHIGEMORI HIROYUKI , OHO KAZUHIKO , SUMINO MICHIHIRO , SATO MASAHIRO , TANIKAWA KYUICHI 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe reproducibility of echo‐Doppler measurements of portal vein and superior mesenteric artery blood flow has not been extensively studied. In the present study, two groups of subjects were examined to test inter‐ and intra‐observer reproducibility. Each study population consisted of 15 non‐portal hypertensive and 15 portal hypertensive subjects. With a standardized technique, the cross‐sectional area and velocity of blood flow in the portal vein and superior mesenteric artery were recorded in triplicate by skilled operators. The flow volume of each vessel was calculated by multiplying the cross‐sectional area by the velocity of blood flow. The measurements were performed in a blind fashion over a 60 min period. The reproducibility of measurements was assessed by calculation of intraclass correlation coefficients and coefficients of variation. The intra‐observer intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.77 for portal vein blood flow and 0.84 for superior mesenteric artery blood flow, suggesting good reproducibility. The intra‐observer coefficient of variation was 11 and 9%, respectively. In contrast, the interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.49 for portal blood vein blood flow and 0.57 for superior mesenteric artery blood flow, indicating fair reproducibility. In addition, the interobserver coefficients of variation were calculted to be 20 and 18%, respectively. These data suggest that intra‐observer reproducibility in echo‐Doppler measurements of portal vein and superior mesenteric artery blood flow is acceptable but inter‐observer reproducibility is not. Examination by a single operator, rather than multiple operators, is therefore advisable. Even when measurements are performed by a single investigator an approximate variance of 10% in the measurement in a single subject should be expected.