bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dietary manipulation post weaning to improve piglet performance and gastro-intestinal health
Authors: Pierce K.M. , Sweeney T. , Brophy P.O. , Callan J.J. , McCarthy P. , O'Doherty J.V. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractTwo experiments were conducted to investigate the use of dietary manipulation as a means of improving piglet post-weaning performance and gastro-intestinal health. In experiment 1, 144 piglets (24 days old) in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement were offered diets containing 65, 170 and 280 g lactose per kg with or without lactic acid (16 g/kg) for 28 days. In experiment 2, 20 piglets (24 days old) (in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement were offered the following diets for 7 days and then sacrificed: T1) basal diet; T2) basal diet + 15 g inulin per kg; T3) basal diet + 16 g lactic acid per kg and T4) basal diet + 15 g inulin per kg + 16 g lactic acid per kg. After slaughtering, tissue samples were taken from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum for morphological measurements. Digesta samples were taken from the ileum, caecum and colon for microbiology and volatile fatty acid analysis. In experiment 1, pigs offered diets containing lactic acid had improved daily gain (P< 0·01) and food efficiency (P< 0·05) from days 0 to 7 compared with pigs offered diets containing no lactic acid. There was a linear increase (P< 0·05) in average daily gain (ADG) from days 0 to 28 and a linear decrease in faecal pH (P< 0·01) with increasing lactose levels. There was a quadratic effect of lactose on food conversion ratio from days 0 to 28 (P< 0·05). In experiment 2, there was a significant interaction between inulin and lactic acid in villous height in the jejunum (P< 0·001) and the concentrations of lactobacilli (P< 0·1) andE. coli(P< 0·05) in the colon. The inclusion of inulin and lactic acid resulted in a significant increase in villous height compared with the inulin only diet (P< 0·001). However, lactic acid had no effect on villous height in pigs offered diets without inulin supplementation. The inclusion of lactic acid and inulin caused a significant increase in both lactobacilli andE. coliconcentrations compared with the inulin only diets (P< 0·05). However, neither inulin nor lactic acid had an effect on lactobacilli andE. colinumbers in isolation of the other. In conclusion, in experiment 1, lactic acid improved performance in the 1st week post weaning. There was a linear increase in ADG with increasing lactose levels. In experiment 2, the combination of lactic acid and inulin increased villous height in the jejunum and concentrations of lactobacilli andE. coliin the colon.
The effects of anAspergillus oryzaeextract containing alpha-amylase activity on ruminal fermentation and milk production in lactating Holstein cows
Authors: Tricarico J. M. , Johnston J. D. , Dawson K. A. , Hanson K. C. , McLeod K. R. , Harmon D. L. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe effects of anAspergillus oryzaeextract containing alpha-amylase activity (Amaize™, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) were examinedin vivoandin vitro. A lactating cow study employed 20 intact and four ruminally fistulated Holstein cows in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin-square design to examine the effects of four concentrations of dietary Amaize™ extract on milk production and composition, ruminal fermentation and serum metabolite concentrations. The treatment diets contained 0, 240, 480 or 720 alpha-amylase dextrinizing units (DU) per kg of total mixed ration (TMR) (dry-matter basis). The supplemental alpha-amylase increased the yields of milk (P= 0·02), fat (P= 0·02) and protein (P= 0·06) quadratically. The maximum milk yield was obtained when 240 DU per kg of TMR were offered. Ruminalin situstarch disappearance was not affected by alpha-amylase supplementation in lactating cows or ruminally cannulated steers. Supplemental alpha-amylase extract reduced the molar proportion of propionate in the rumen of steers (P= 0·08) and lactating cows (P= 0·04), and in rumen-simulating cultures (P= 0·04). The supplement also increased the molar proportions of acetate (P= 0·06) and butyrate (P= 0·05), and the serum beta-hydroxybutyrate (P= 0·01) and non-esterified fatty acid (P= 0·03) concentrations in lactating cows. The improvements in milk production appear to be a consequence of the effects of alpha-amylase on ruminal fermentation and the potential changes in nutrient metabolism that result from them. We conclude that supplemental alpha-amylase may be given to modify ruminal fermentation and improve milk and component yield in lactating Holstein cattle.
Short‐term impact of disturbance on genetic diversity and structure of Indonesian populations of the butterfly Drupadia theda in East Kalimantan
Authors: FAUVELOT C. , CLEARY D. F. R. , MENKEN S. B. J. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractWe investigated the short‐term impact of disturbance on genetic diversity and structure of the tropical butterfly Drupadia theda Felder (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Populations were sampled from five landscapes in East Kalimantan (Borneo, Indonesia) which were differentially disturbed by selective logging and the 1997/1998 El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)‐induced drought and fires. Sampling occurred before (in 1997) and after the forest fires (in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2004). Drupadia theda populations underwent serious population size reductions following the 1997/1998 ENSO event. For a total of 208 individuals, we sequenced a 509‐bp segment of mtDNA containing the control region plus the 5’ end of the 12S rDNA gene. Haplotype diversity in D. theda populations ranged from 0.468 to 0.953. Just after the 1997/1998 ENSO event, number of recorded individuals and genetic diversity were very low in D. theda populations sampled in the two severely burned areas and in a small pristine forest fragment that was surrounded by burned forest and thereby affected by drought. Interestingly, higher levels of genetic diversity were observed in logged forest compared to proximate pristine forest. After 1998, the genetic composition within the three ENSO‐disturbed areas diverged. In the twice‐burned forest, the genetic diversity in 1999 already approached pre‐fire levels, while it remained nearly unchanged in proximate once‐burned forest. Our data suggest that the 1997/1998 ENSO‐induced drought and fires caused massive reductions in the genetic diversity of D. theda and that population recoveries were linked to their geographical position relative to patches of unburned forest (and thus to source populations).
Membrane‐associated transcripts in Arabidopsis; their isolation and characterization by DNA microarray analysis and bioinformatics
Authors: De Jong Mark , Van Breukelen Bas , Wittink Floyd R. , Menke Frank L.H. , Weisbeek Peter J. , Ackerveken Guido Van den 
Published: April 2006

SummaryMembrane‐associated, integral membrane and secreted proteins are of key importance in many cellular processes. For most of the 28 952 predicted proteins in Arabidopsis, the actual subcellular localization has not been demonstrated experimentally. So far, their potential membrane‐association has been deduced from algorithms that predict transmembrane domains and signal peptides. However, the comprehensiveness and accuracy of these algorithms is still limited. The majority of membrane‐associated and secreted proteins is synthesized on membrane‐bound polysomes. Therefore, the isolation and characterization of mRNA associated with membrane‐bound polysomes offers an experimental tool for the genome‐wide identification of these proteins. Here we describe an efficient method to isolate mRNA from membrane‐bound polysomes and report on the validation of the method to enrich for transcripts encoding membrane‐associated and secreted proteins. The sensitivity and reproducibility of the isolation method was investigated by DNA microarray analysis. Pearson correlations between transcript levels obtained from three replicate isolations showed that the method is highly reproducible. A significant enrichment for mRNAs encoding proteins containing predicted transmembrane domains and signal peptides was observed in the membrane‐bound polysomal fraction. In this fraction, 301 transcripts were classified by gene ontologies as ‘cellular component unknown’, and potentially encode previously unrecognized secreted or membrane‐associated proteins.
Anesthetic management of preschool children with penetrating eye injuries: postal survey of pediatric anesthetists and review of the available evidence
Authors: SEIDEL JOCHEN , Dorman TERESA 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground : Pediatric anesthetists were surveyed regarding their anesthesia management of a screaming child with a penetrating eye injury. The results are reviewed in relation to the available evidence in the literature.Methods : A postal survey was sent to all the members of the APA living in the UK. Seven clinical questions were asked regarding the management of penetrating eye injury and two questions regarding seniority and the number of cases seen.Results : Of the 318 questionnaires sent out 238 were evaluated. Of the responders indicating the number of cases seen, 21.2% had never seen a single case, 55.1% had seen <5, 17.8% had seen 5–10, and 5.9% had seen >10 cases. Suxamethonium was used more often by respondents who had handled more cases; 42.9% of those doing >10 compared with 10% of those doing less than five cases. Senior anesthetists preferred the use of techniques without relaxants and to extubate children under deep anesthesia.Conclusions : Few people have extensive experience managing a penetrating eye injury in a child. A variety of anesthesia techniques are used for induction with anesthetists avoiding suxamethonium, despite there being little evidence in the literature that the use of suxamethonium is harmful to the open globe.
The effects of caudal local anesthesia blockade on the Bispectral Index during general anesthesia in children
Authors: DAVIDSON ANDREW J. , IRONFIELD CRAIG M. , SKINNER ADAM V. , FRAWLEY GEOFF P. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground:  Peripheral deafferentation induced by epidural or spinal anesthesia reduces the degree of cortical arousal in adults. This study aimed at determining if caudal blockade decreases the level of arousal, as measured by Bispectral Index (BIS) in unstimulated children, and to determine if this effect differed between age groups.Methods:  Hospital ethics committee approval and parental consent was obtained. Children (age between 24 months and 5 years) and infants (between 6 and 24 months of age) were recruited if they were scheduled for below umbilical surgery that would usually require caudal local anesthesia blockade. Before the procedure, subjects within each age group were randomized to either caudal group (1 ml·kg−1 0.25% bupivacaine), or control group (no caudal). In all groups, anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane and maintained at a constant endtidal concentration of 1.5% sevoflurane without N2O. Five minutes after induction a baseline BIS was recorded (BIS1). In the caudal groups, a caudal block was then performed while in the control groups no block was performed. Fifteen minutes later, the BIS was again recorded (BIS2). The change in BIS over this time period was the primary outcome (BISΔ). After measurement, subjects in the control groups received a caudal block before the start of surgery.Results:  Twenty‐nine infants and 18 children completed the study protocol. In children, BISΔ was significantly different between the caudal group and control (−5.7 vs −0.7, P = 0.04). In infants, no significant difference was detected in BISΔ between caudal and control groups.Conclusions:  Caudal blockade decreased the degree of arousal, as measured by BIS, in unstimulated children aged 2–5 years. No change in arousal was detected in infants.
Repeat episodes of severe muscle rigidity in a child receiving sevoflurane
Authors: COHEN IRA TODD , KAPLAN RICHARD 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe report on a patient who developed two episodes of severe muscle rigidity, increased endtidal CO2 and increased creatine phosphate kinase associated with sevoflurane anesthesia. Dysrhythmias and hyperthermia were not observed and dantrolene was not administered. Genetic testing for the 17 known mutations associated with malignant hyperthermia (MH) was negative. Although we cannot rule out MH or other neuromuscular diseases we suggest that this rare event may be a direct effect of sevoflurane.
Diversity of Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus populations determined from DNA sequences of the N‐regulatory gene ntcA
Authors: Penno Sigrid , Lindell Debbie , Post Anton F. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe cyanobacteria Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus are abundant primary producers in the nitrogen‐poor waters of the Gulf of Aqaba, northern Red Sea. Expression of the nitrogen regulatory gene ntcA is a useful indicator for determining the N‐status of cyanobacteria, and preliminary work with this gene suggests that it may also serve as a useful biodiversity marker. Here we investigated the genotypic diversity of ntcA among the full spectrum of cultured Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus lineages and assessed cyanobacterial genotypic composition in environmental samples from the Gulf of Aqaba. The high level of ntcA diversification established this gene as an excellent biodiversity marker capable of distinguishing between numerous clades within each genus with high resolution. An unexpected large diversity was observed among Synechococcus populations, including the detection of four novel clades for which culture representatives have yet to be isolated. In addition, extensive microdiversity within a number of Synechococcus clades was revealed. Temporal differences in the detection of the various Synechococcus clades suggest seasonal fluctuations in the genotypic make‐up of Synechococcus populations. In contrast, virtually all Prochlorococcus sequences fell within a single high‐light adapted clade that was detected year round. We suggest that the limited genotypic diversity among Prochlorococcus in combination with a limited capacity for acclimation to environmental changes resulting from its small genome size led to the dramatic rise and demise of Prochlorococcus populations over the yearly cycle in the Gulf of Aqaba.
Population density of the greater mouse‐eared bat (Myotis myotis), local diet composition and availability of foraging habitats
Authors: Zahn A. , Rottenwallner A. , Güttinger R. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractWe studied the regional variation in population density of Myotis myotis (Borkhausen 1797) in south‐eastern Bavaria, Germany, and its relations to diet composition and the availability of potential foraging habitats. We monitored colony size and juvenile mortality from 1991 to 2003, conducted faecal analyses in 1993 and determined land‐use patterns around colonies. The numbers of individuals counted in the nursery colonies showed only small fluctuations over the years. However, data on colony size demonstrated a pronounced regional variation. Epigeic arthropods, mainly Carabidae, were the most important prey. The diet included prey taxa of forest as well as grassland habitats. The percentage of those prey taxa in the diet that originated in grassland managed with different intensity varied according to the availability of these potential foraging habitats around the nursery roosts. The calculated population density of the bats was positively correlated to forest area and especially to the area of mixed forest around the nursery roosts. Our results indicate that the availability of foraging habitats is a limiting factor for local population densities in the greater mouse‐eared bat.
Terrestrial reproduction by the air‐breathing fish Andamia tetradactyla (Pisces; Blenniidae) on supralittoral reefs
Authors: Shimizu N. , Sakai Y. , Hashimoto H. , Gushima K. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractReproductive behaviours of the rockhopper blenny Andamia tetradactyla were studied on supralittoral reefs of Kuchierabu‐jima Island, southern Japan. Territorial males defended mating nests, which were situated around crevices between rocks and concentrated in the high intertidal zones near the vertical limits of waves. Females occurred in large numbers on algal mats around wave‐splashed zones, and approached the nests on both rising and falling tides during daytime. Courtship displays occurred on both rising and falling tides, especially when waves surged and sprayed on the nests. Females spawned eggs in a single layer on air‐exposed rock surfaces inside nests. Andamia tetradactyla did not mate in the tidal conditions in which nests were either underwater or completely dried up. Territorial males stayed all day in the nests to guard eggs, even though nests emerged above water for c. 12 h each day. Thermo‐hygrometer analysis showed that nests maintained higher humidity than outside. Patterns and sequences of the mating behaviours of fishes do not seem very different from those of underwater blenniid fishes. Thus, A. tetradactyla maintains reproduction out of water, retaining humid habitats on supralittoral reefs, in mating styles that are probably not drastically changed from their ancestral blenniid fishes.
A new set of highly polymorphic microsatellites for the white and black anglerfish (Lophiidae)
Authors: BLANCO G. , BORRELL Y. J. , CAGIGAS E. , VÁZQUEZ E. , SÁNCHEZ PRADO J. A. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA microsatellite‐enriched genomic library was obtained using individuals of the black anglerfish (Lophius budegassa) and eight polymorphic microsatellites were successfully optimized. The genetic analysis of 50 black anglerfish individuals captured in the Cantabrian coasts revealed high polymorphism with a mean of number of alleles per locus of Na = 10.5 (5–28 alleles) and a mean expected heterozygosity of 0.740 (0.521–0.962). This microsatellite set was also functional with a sample from the white anglerfish (Lophius piscatorious) showing a high polymorphism.
Pongamia pinnata modulates the oxidant–antioxidant imbalance in ammonium chloride‐induced hyperammonemic rats
Authors: Mohamed Essa M. , Subramanian P. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe effect of Pongamia pinnata (an indigenous plant used in Ayurvedic Medicine in India) leaf extract (PPEt) on circulatory lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status was evaluated in ammonium chloride‐induced hyperammonemic rats. Enhanced lipid peroxidation in the circulation of ammonium chloride‐treated rats was accompanied by a significant decrease in the levels of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). PPEt‐administered rats experienced a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation with a simultaneous elevation in antioxidant levels. Our results indicate that PPEt modulates these changes by reversing the oxidant–antioxidant imbalance during ammonium chloride‐induced hyperammonemia and this could be due to its (i) antihyperammonemic effect by means of detoxifying excess ammonia, urea and creatinine and (ii) antioxidant property. The exact mechanism has to be still investigated and isolation of active constituents is required.
Medication use for pediatric upper respiratory tract infections
Authors: Das Biswadeep , Sarkar Chayna , Majumder Abhijeet Guha 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe present study monitored medication prescribing patterns to patients treated for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in the pediatric outpatient department (OPD) at Central Referral Hospital (CRH), Gangtok, Sikkim. A total of 562 URTI prescriptions of children, aged 0–12 years attending pediatric OPD at CRH, Sikkim were collected by a random once‐weekly survey between May 2002 and April 2003. Males numbered 284 (50.5%), and females 278 (49.5%). Most of the patients in our study were aged 2–5 years (preschool children) (44.8%). The average number of medications prescribed per encounter was 2.37; 59.2% (789) of medicines were fixed‐dose combination (FDC) products and two‐thirds of FDCs were respiratory medicines (521). The most commonly prescribed medicines were respiratory medicines (47% of the total medicines prescribed). Others were antimicrobials (30.7%) and analgesic‐antipyretics (18.8%). Among respiratory medicines, cough and cold preparations (prescribed in 13 different FDC products in 25 brand names) were prescribed most frequently (62%) followed by nasal preparations (21%) and β2 adrenergic agonist inhalers (9.2%). Ninety‐eight percent of nasal preparations were isotonic saline drops (129). Antihistaminics (41.8%), non‐opioid antitussives (13.5%), alpha agonist oral decongestants (42.3%), expectorants (32.2%), mucolytics (18.7%), paracetamol (14.7%), and β2 agonists (17.2%) were common ingredients of respiratory medicine combinations. Antihistamines (2.5%) and β2 agonists (9.2%) were used alone. The most commonly prescribed antimicrobial was amoxicillin with clavulanate (28.4%) followed by cefadroxil (20%), cotrimoxazole (9.5%) and amoxicillin alone (9.3%). Average number of antimicrobials prescribed was 0.7 (409/562). The most commonly prescribed analgesic‐antipyretic was paracetamol (81.3%) followed by combination of ibuprofen and paracetamol (12.4%) and nimesulide (5.6%). Medication selection was rational in few cases. Various anomalies were observed in various aspects of drug use in children for URTI's. The main aim of the initiative is the need for more rational medicine use in URTIs in children for improvement of clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness and reduction of potential useless risk of side effects.
Nasojejunal feeding tube placement using fluoroscopic guidance: technique and clinical experience in dogs
Authors: Wohl James S. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjective:To briefly review the indications for direct intestinal feedings and describe a fluoroscopically guided technique for the placement of nasojejunal (NJ) feeding tubes in dogs. Clinical experience using the described technique is reported in 27 dogs.Data sources:Current human and veterinary literature. Original case data from client owned animals that have undergone fluoroscopically placed NJ feeding tubes for nutritional supplementation.Summary:The described technique was used for short‐term enteral nutritional therapy (1–5 days). In the fluoroscopic NJ placement technique, 17 of 20 tubes advanced into the jejunum remained in place until intentional removal whereas 6 of 7 tubes advanced only to the duodenum moved retrograde. Complications included bile leakage from the externalized opening of the tube, retrograde movement of the tube when placement was proximal to the caudal duodenal flexure, sneezing, and nasal discharge.Conclusions:Clinical experience using NJ feeding tube placement under fluoroscopic guidance has revealed the technique to be a well‐tolerated and reasonably reliable method of providing minimally invasive short‐term direct intestinal feeding in canine patients.