bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seminal macrophages in ejaculates from men with couple infertility
Authors: Pelliccione Fiore , D’Angeli Anatolia , Cordeschi Giuliana , Mihalca Radu , Ciociola Francesco , Necozione Stefano , Francavilla Felice , Francavilla Sandro 
Published: September 2008

SummarySeminal macrophages are occasionally reported though their relevance in the evaluation of human ejaculate is unknown. Activated macrophages, engaging in sperm phagocytosis (spermiophages), might represent a marker of innate immunosystem activation. We investigated whether the presence of spermiophages in non‐leukocytospermic ejaculates from men complaining for couple infertility is associated with altered sperm features. Four hundred and thirty‐four ejaculates were retrospectively analysed after excluding samples with antisperm antibodies, or a leukocyte number ≥1 × 106/mL. Semen quality was compared in samples with or without spermiophages detected with transmission electron microscope. Presence of spermiophages, observed in 27% of ejaculates, was associated with a decreased number of sperm total count (p < 0.0001), of sperm forward motility (p = 0.048), and to an increased fraction of degenerating sperm (p = 0.0002) compared to ejaculates without spermiophages. A low number of total ejaculated sperm and an increased number of degenerating sperm independently predicted the presence of spermiophages (odds ratio 1.72; 95% confidence intervals 1.10 to 2.28 and odds ratio 1.85; 95% confidence intervals 1.19 to 2.88 respectively). Data demonstrate that activated macrophages, a marker of the innate immunosystem activation, are frequently observed in non‐leukocytospermic ejaculates of men suffering for couple infertility and this may be associated with altered sperm parameters. Ultrastructural analysis gives qualitative informations, hence sensitive quantitative tests should better define the association between semen activated macrophages and oligoasthenozoospermia and the possible relevance of this finding in the clinical evaluation of the male partner of couple infertility.
Effects of tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin‐6 on progesterone and calcium ionophore‐induced acrosome reaction
Authors: Lampiao F. , Du Plessis S. S. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryFor human spermatozoa to successfully fertilize the oocyte, they need to undergo a timely acrosome reaction (AR). Factors which disturb the AR may lead to fertilization failure. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of two cytokines namely tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) on the spontaneous, calcium ionophore‐induced and progesterone‐induced human sperm AR. Twenty‐two normal semen samples were treated with increasing concentrations of TNF‐α and IL‐6 after spermatozoa were isolated by a double wash swim‐up method. The AR was induced by calcium ionophore A23187 and progesterone. The AR was determined by using fluorescein isothiacyanate Pisum sativum agglutinin and observed under fluorescence microscope. Both TNF‐α and IL‐6 could decrease the spontaneous, ionophore and progesterone‐induced AR (p < 0.05) in a dose‐dependent manner. TNF‐α showed a more potent inhibiting effect than IL‐6 by inhibiting the AR at lower concentrations. This study has demonstrated that TNF‐α and IL‐6 play a role in inhibiting both the non‐physiological as well as physiologically elicited AR by calcium ionophore and progesterone respectively.
The effect of habitat management on home‐range size and survival of rural Norway rat populations
Authors: Lambert M. S. , Quy R. J. , Smith R. H. , Cowan D. P. 
Published: September 2008

Summary

Norway rat Rattus norvegicus populations are usually controlled with toxic baits, but this approach is increasingly recognized as having negative welfare and environmental impacts. An integrated strategy that relies less on rodenticides is therefore required. Here we investigate the possibility of using a resource‐based approach to rat population management.
Structurally complex habitats provide rat populations with nest sites and opportunities to avoid predators; modifying habitats to reduce structural complexity might reduce their potential to support rat populations. As part of an integrated approach, this could be more sustainable than relying exclusively on lethal control. However, in order to target habitat management efforts most effectively with minimum impact on other species, an understanding of habitat utilization by Norway rats is required.
In this study, rat populations on farms in the north‐east of England were monitored by radio‐tracking and population counts before and after a single phase of habitat modification. Rats living near farm buildings utilized areas with high levels of cover; habitat modification reduced the survival rate and size of these rat populations. Rats living in field margins also preferred areas with high levels of cover, but they had significantly bigger home ranges than rats living near farm buildings and were largely unaffected by small‐scale habitat management.
Synthesis and applications. Our results indicate that habitat management near farm buildings has the potential to reduce the size of rat populations. As part of an integrated approach, this technique offers a way of reducing reliance on rodenticides. Habitat use by rats within the wider farm landscape suggests that land management practices have the potential to influence the size and distribution of rat populations; many game‐rearing practices and environmental policies designed to create habitats for ‘desirable’ farm wildlife, inadvertently create desirable habitats for rats.
Overexpression of an ADP‐ribose pyrophosphatase, AtNUDX2, confers enhanced tolerance to oxidative stress in Arabidopsis plants
Authors: Ogawa Takahisa , Ishikawa Kazuya , Harada Kazuo , Fukusaki Eiichiro , Yoshimura Kazuya , Shigeoka Shigeru 
Published: September 2008

SummaryMutant pqr‐216 from an Arabidopsis activation‐tagged line showed a phenotype of increased tolerance to oxidative stress after treatment with 3 μm paraquat (PQ). Based on the phenotype of transgenic plants overexpressing the genes flanking the T‐DNA insert, it was clear that enhanced expression of a Nudix (nucleoside diphosphates linked to some moiety X) hydrolase gene, AtNUDX2 (At5g47650), was responsible for the tolerance. It has been reported that the AtNUDX2 protein has pyrophosphatase activities towards both ADP‐ribose and NADH (Ogawa et al., 2005). Interestingly, the pyrophosphatase activity toward ADP‐ribose, but not NADH, was increased in pqr‐216 and Pro35S:AtNUDX2 plants compared with control plants. The amount of free ADP‐ribose was lower in the Pro35S:AtNUDX2 plants, while the level of NADH was similar to those in control plants under both normal conditions and oxidative stress. Depletion of NAD+ and ATP resulting from activation of poly(ADP‐ribosyl)ation under oxidative stress was observed in the control Arabidopsis plants. Such alterations in the levels of these molecules were significantly suppressed in the Pro35S:AtNUDX2 plants. The results indicate that overexpression of AtNUDX2, encoding ADP‐ribose pyrophosphatase, confers enhanced tolerance of oxidative stress on Arabidopsis plants, resulting from maintenance of NAD+ and ATP levels by nucleotide recycling from free ADP‐ribose molecules under stress conditions.
Exploring informed choice in the context of prenatal testing: findings from a qualitative study
Authors: Potter Beth K. , O’Reilly Natasha , Etchegary Holly , Howley Heather , Graham Ian D. , Walker Mark , Coyle Doug , Chorny Yelena , Cappelli Mario , Boland Isabelle , Wilson Brenda J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPurpose  This study explored whether and how a sample of women made informed choices about prenatal testing for foetal anomalies; its aim was to provide insights for future health policy and service provision.Methods  We conducted semi‐structured interviews with 38 mothers in Ottawa, Ontario, all of whom had been offered prenatal tests in at least one pregnancy. Using the Multi‐dimensional Measure of Informed Choice as a general guide to analysis, we explored themes relevant to informed choice, including values and knowledge, and interactions with health professionals.Results  Many, but not all, participants seemed to have made informed decisions about prenatal testing. Values and knowledge were interrelated and important components of informed choice, but the way they were discussed differed from the way they have been presented in scientific literature. In particular, ‘values’ related to expressions of women’s moral views or ideas about ‘how life should be lived’ and ‘knowledge’ related to the ways in which women prioritized and interpreted factual information, through their own and others’ experiences and in ‘thinking through’ the personal implications of testing. While some women described non‐directive discussions with health professionals, others perceived testing as routine or felt pressured to accept it.Conclusions  Our findings suggest a need for maternity care providers to be vigilant in promoting active decision making about prenatal testing, particularly around the consideration of personal implications. Further development of measures of informed choice may be necessary to fully evaluate decision support tools and to determine whether prenatal testing programmes are meeting their objectives.
Prenatal Differentiation of Bovine Oviductal Epithelium: An Electron Microscopic Study
Authors: Kenngott R. A.‐M. , Neumüller C. , Sinowatz F. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryIn this study, we investigated the ultrastructural changes during the prenatal differentiation of oviductal epithelium in 16 bovine embryos and fetuses from CRL of 18.0 cm to a CRL of 94.0 cm. Ciliated and secretory cells of bovine uterine tube, a derivative of the Müllerian duct, differentiate to distinct development stages in the prenatal period. The typical cellular pattern, which is generally characteristic for the adult bovine oviduct, is also obtained during fetal life. In the early stages (CRL 18.0/20.4 cm), the bovine oviductal epithelium appears mostly undifferentiated. The epithelial cells show only a few mitochondria, some cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) and a small Golgi‐complex. Most of the cytoplasm is filled with a large amount of glycogen, which decreases during later development. Interspersed between the undifferentiated epithelial cells, a few cells undergoing ciliogenesis can be observed. Ciliogenesis increased significantly during the later prenatal developmental stages. At a CRL of 55.0 cm, ciliated cells appear fully differentiated with mature cells covering their luminal surface. Formation of cilia usually use the acentriolar pathway. Fibrous granules occurred initially in association with the Golgi‐apparatus and r(ER) in the supranuclear cytoplasm. Fibrous granules later fuse with deuterosomes and give rise to procentrioles, which are translocated to the luminal plasma membrane. There they become arranged in a line just beneath the apical cell membrane and further differentiate to basal bodies from which the formation of cilia and striated rootlets take place. Clear signs of differentiation of secretory cells were first seen in our material in fetuses with a CRL of 51.0 cm and 64.0 cm. These cells contain a well developed rER and Golgi‐apparatus with dilated cisterns. In the supranuclear cytoplasm, the number of secretory granules continuously increases during later development and the cells adapt to the morphology of mature secretory cells at the CRL 94.0 cm.
Morphometric Study of the Tricuspid Valve in Dogs
Authors: Alves J. R. , Wafae N. , Beu C. C. , Tuzuki L. C. , Ruiz C. R. , Wafae G. C. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryAn anatomical study of the tricuspid valve was performed in the hearts of 45 dogs using a method of dissection which preserves the integrity of the valve. Morphometrical criteria such as the width of the cusp base and larger depth of cusp and morphological criteria such as the number of tendinous cords, the perimeter of the fibrous ring and the properties of the papillary muscle were adopted for the characterization of a cusp. The tricuspid valve was not consistent with three cusps, but it was observed to present 2, 4 or 5 cusps in 68% of the cases.
Cold Stress Injury during the Pod‐Filling Phase in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): Effects on Quantitative and Qualitative Components of Seeds
Authors: Kaur G. , Kumar S. , Nayyar H. , Upadhyaya H. D. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractChilling stress (<10 °C) is detrimental for chickpea, especially at the reproductive phase and leads to abortion of flowers, pods and impaired seed filling, causing severe reduction in yield. The information on the effects of low temperature during different pod‐filling stages on quality and quantity of developing seeds is lacking in chickpea and hence this study. In this study, chickpea plants growing under warm conditions of the glasshouse were subjected to cold conditions of the field at the two stages, (a) early pod‐filling and (b) late pod‐filling, and subsequently analysed for stress injury in terms of electrolyte leakage (EL), 2,3,5‐triphenyl tetrazolium chloride reduction, relative leaf water content and total chlorophyll content in the leaves of control and cold‐stressed plants. Cold stress caused elevation of EL but reduced all the other parameters. Sucrose content decreased significantly in the leaves of cold‐stressed plants. The differences between the effects of stress at two stages on the total plant dry weight were small and insignificant. The seed growth rate, seed fill duration, seed number, and average seed weight and size decreased greatly in the plants cold‐stressed at the late pod‐filling stage than those stressed at the early pod‐filling stage. Greater reduction was observed in starch, proteins, soluble sugars, fat, crude fibre and storage protein fractions in the seeds of the plants cold‐stressed at the late pod‐filling stage. This coincided with a larger decrease in sucrose content, the activities of sucrose synthase, invertase and starch synthase observed at this stage. The germination and growth potential were, however, inhibited to a greater extent in seeds of plants stressed at the early pod‐filling stage.
Testing in Semiparametric Models with Interaction, with Applications to Gene–Environment Interactions
Authors: Maity Arnab , Carroll Raymond J. , Mammen Enno , Chatterjee Nilanjan 
Published: September 2008

SummaryMotivated from the problem of testing for genetic effects on complex traits in the presence of gene–environment interaction, we develop score tests in general semiparametric regression problems that involves Tukey style 1 degree-of-freedom form of interaction between parametrically and non-parametrically modelled covariates. We find that the score test in this type of model, as recently developed by Chatterjee and co-workers in the fully parametric setting, is biased and requires undersmoothing to be valid in the presence of non-parametric components. Moreover, in the presence of repeated outcomes, the asymptotic distribution of the score test depends on the estimation of functions which are defined as solutions of integral equations, making implementation difficult and computationally taxing. We develop profiled score statistics which are unbiased and asymptotically efficient and can be performed by using standard bandwidth selection methods. In addition, to overcome the difficulty of solving functional equations, we give easy interpretations of the target functions, which in turn allow us to develop estimation procedures that can be easily implemented by using standard computational methods. We present simulation studies to evaluate type I error and power of the method proposed compared with a naive test that does not consider interaction. Finally, we illustrate our methodology by analysing data from a case–control study of colorectal adenoma that was designed to investigate the association between colorectal adenoma and the candidate gene NAT2 in relation to smoking history.
Multiscale Methods for Data on Graphs and Irregular Multidimensional Situations
Authors: Jansen Maarten , Nason Guy P. , Silverman B. W. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryFor regularly spaced one-dimensional data, wavelet shrinkage has proven to be a compelling method for non-parametric function estimation. We create three new multiscale methods that provide wavelet-like transforms both for data arising on graphs and for irregularly spaced spatial data in more than one dimension. The concept of scale still exists within these transforms, but as a continuous quantity rather than dyadic levels. Further, we adapt recent empirical Bayesian shrinkage techniques to enable us to perform multiscale shrinkage for function estimation both on graphs and for irregular spatial data. We demonstrate that our methods perform very well when compared with several other methods for spatial regression for both real and simulated data. Although we concentrate on multiscale shrinkage (regression) we present our new ‘wavelet transforms’ as generic tools intended to be the basis of methods that might benefit from a multiscale representation of data either on graphs or for irregular spatial data.
PROBABILITY AND UNCERTAINTY: THE LEGACY OF GEORGESCU‐ROEGEN
Authors: Fontini Fulvio 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTIn this paper we consider Georgescu‐Roegen's approach to uncertainty, showing that his characterization of expectations cannot be reduced to any probabilistic decision‐making model. Drawing upon Georgescu‐Roegen's lesson a lexicographical utility function is proposed and analysed in the mark of his own peculiar scientific methodology. It is demonstrated that such a formulation can be useful in solving the usual failure of the expected utility model, such as the Ellsberg paradoxes. The epistemic limits of our re‐construction are considered.
On Critical Values of Tests against a Change in Persistence*
Authors: Hassler Uwe , Scheithauer Jan 
Published: September 2008

AbstractKim, Belaire‐Franch and Amador [Journal of Econometrics (2002) Vol. 109, pp. 389–392] and Busetti and Taylor [Journal of Econometrics (2004) Vol. 123, pp. 33–66] present different percentiles for the same mean score test statistic. We find that the difference by a factor 0.6 is due to systematically different sample analogues. Furthermore, we clarify which sample versions of the mean‐exponential test statistic should be correctly used with which set of critical values. At the same time, we correct some of the limiting distributions found in the literature.
A national review of assessment and monitoring of HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Lomax N , Curtis H , Johnson M ,   on behalf of the British HIV Association (BHIVA) and BHIVA Clinical Audit Subcommittee
Published: September 2008

ObjectivesThe British HIV Association (BHIVA) audit subcommittee aimed to survey UK clinic policy and practice regarding baseline assessment and immunization of newly diagnosed HIV‐positive patients, and frequency of follow‐up and testing in established patients in the UK.MethodsUK centres providing HIV care were requested to complete an online survey between October 2006 and March 2007.Results111 centres participated in the survey. 89.2% of centres routinely performed baseline HIV resistance testing. 99% of centres had a policy of routine screening for hepatitis B. Only 91% of centres were routinely offering a sexual health screen at diagnosis. Frequency of routine follow‐up for patients not requiring antiretroviral therapy (ART) and stable on ART varied between three and six months.DiscussionThis review showed variations in practice regarding the post diagnosis assessment and routine monitoring of HIV patients. It is of concern that not all centres perform baseline HIV resistance testing. It has also been noted that hepatitis B vaccination is not being offered to non‐immune patients at diagnosis. Less frequent follw‐up of stable patients (both on and off ART) should allow resources to be focussed on those with specific clinical needs.
PKU in Minas Gerais State, Brazil: Mutation Analysis
Authors: Santos L. L. , Castro‐Magalhães M. , Fonseca C.G. , Starling A. L. P. , Januário J. N. , Aguiar M. J. B. , Carvalho M. R. S. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThis work was undertaken in order to ascertain the PKU mutational spectrum in Minas Gerais, Brazil, the relative frequency of the mutations in the State and the origin of these mutations by haplotype determination. Minas Gerais is a trihybrid population formed by miscegenation from Europeans, Africans and Amerindians. All 13 exons of the PAH gene from 78 PKU patients were analyzed, including splicing sites and the promoter region. We identified 30 different mutations and 98% of the PAH alleles were established. A new mutation (Q267X) was identified as well. The most common mutations found were V388M (21.2), R261Q (16.0%), IVS10‐11G>A (15.3%), I65T (5.8%), IVS2+5G>C (5.8%), R252W (5.1%), IVS2+5G>A (4.5%), P281L (3.8%) and L348V (3.2%). These nine mutations correspond to 80% of the PKU alleles in the state. Haplotypes were determined to characterize the origin of the PAH alleles. The majority of the mutations found, with respective haplotypes, are frequent in the Iberian Peninsula. However, there were some mutations that are rare in Europe and four previously unreported mutation‐haplotype associations. I65T and Q267X were found in association with haplotype 38 and may be African in origin or the result of miscegenation in the Brazilian population.
An update on the taxonomy and geographic distribution of the cryptic species Mastomys kollmannspergeri (Muridae, Murinae) using combined cytogenetic and molecular data
Authors: Dobigny G. , Lecompte E. , Tatard C. , Gauthier P. , Bâ K. , Denys C. , Duplantier J. M. , Granjon L. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractMulti‐mammate rats (Muridae, Murinae, Mastomys spp.) are Sub‐Saharan pest rodents, the systematics of which has long remained confused due to poor morphologic differentiation. Cytotaxonomy and DNA sequencing have provided excellent diagnostic markers for species identification, thus improving the assessment of taxonomic diversity within the genus. In West and Central Africa, three species have been unambiguously identified and are now well documented: Mastomys erythroleucus, Mastomys natalensis and Mastomys huberti. However, recent studies suggest the existence of two other taxa on the basis of morphology, DNA sequencing (Mastomys verheyeni, from Nigeria and Northern Cameroon) or karyotypes (Mastomys cf. kollmannspergeri, from Northern Niger and Chad). In order to clarify the systematic status of the latter taxa, we collected all the available cytotaxonomic as well as cytochrome b sequencing data to which were added results obtained from recently trapped specimens in Northern Cameroon. Our combined molecular and cytogenetic analyses unambiguously confirm the presence of another Mastomys species inhabiting various habitats in Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Sudan. This taxon is clearly differentiated from M. erythroleucus, M. huberti and M. natalensis. Furthermore, the inclusion in our analysis of two M. verheyeni paratypes as well as individuals trapped in close vicinity to the type locality of M. kollmannspergeri supports the assignation of all specimens to M. kollmanspergeri, thus making M. verheyeni its junior synonym. Our study once again highlights the reliability of DNA‐ and karyotype‐based methods to accurately assess specific diversity in African rodents, particularly in the Mastomys genus, which shelters several species of agricultural and epidemiological importance.