bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Self‐Grooming Response of Meadow Voles to the Odor of Opposite‐Sex Conspecifics in Relation to the Dietary Protein Content of Both Sexes
Authors: Hobbs Nicholas J. , Aven Allen M. , Ferkin Michael H. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractMany animals self‐groom when they encounter the scent marks of opposite‐sex conspecifics. Self‐grooming transmits odiferous substances that contain information about the groomer’s condition, which is affected by its nutritional state. We tested the hypothesis that the amount of time that individuals self‐groom to opposite‐sex conspecifics is affected by the amount of protein in their diet and that of the scent donor. We did so by feeding meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) a diet containing 9%, 13%, or 22% dietary protein for 30 d and observing their self‐grooming behavior when they were exposed to bedding scented by an opposite‐sex conspecific (odor donor) fed one of the three diets, or fresh cotton bedding (control). The hypothesis was partially supported. We found that the protein content of the diet of male and female groomers did not affect the amount of time they self‐groomed. However, the protein content of the diet of male odor donors affected the amount of time that female voles spent self‐grooming. Female voles self‐groomed more in response to male odor donors fed a 22% protein‐content diet than to those produced by male odor donors fed either a 9% or a 13% protein‐content diet. Interestingly, the amount of time males self‐groomed was not affected by the protein content of the diet of the female odor donor. These results may, in part, be explained by the natural history of free‐living meadow voles, sex differences in costs associated with mate attraction and reproduction, and the direct or indirect benefits that females receive from males fed a diet high in protein content.
Genetic correlations between ewe reproduction and carcass and meat quality traits in Merino sheep
Authors: Safari E. , Fogarty N.M. , Hopkins D.L. , Greeff J.C. , Brien F.D. , Atkins K.D. , Mortimer S.I. , Taylor P.J. , Van Der Werf J.H.J. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryGenetic correlations between reproduction traits in ewes and carcass and meat quality traits in Merino rams were obtained using restricted maximum likelihood procedures. The carcass data were from 5870 Merino rams slaughtered at approximately 18 months of age that were the progeny of 543 sires from three research resource flocks over 7 years. The carcass traits included ultrasound scan fat and eye muscle depth (EMDUS) measured on live animals, dressing percentage and carcass tissue depth (at the GR site FATGR and C site FATC), eye muscle depth, width and area and the meat quality indicator traits of muscle final pH and colour (L*, a*, b*). The reproduction data consisted of 13 464 ewe joining records for number of lambs born and weaned and 9015 records for LS. The genetic correlations between reproduction and fat measurements were negative (range −0.06 ± 0.12 to −0.37 ± 0.12), with smaller correlations for live measurement than carcass traits. There were small favourable genetic correlations between reproduction traits and muscle depth in live rams (EMDUS, 0.10 ± 0.12 to 0.20 ± 0.12), although those with carcass muscle traits were close to zero. The reproduction traits were independent of meat colour L* (relative brightness), but tended to be favourably correlated with meat colour a* (relative redness, 0.12 ± 0.17 to 0.19 ± 0.16). There was a tendency for meat final pH to have small negative favourable genetic correlations with reproduction traits (0.05 ± 0.11 to −0.17 ± 0.12). This study indicates that there is no antagonism between reproduction traits and carcass and meat quality indicator traits, with scope for joint improvement of reproduction, carcass and meat quality traits in Merino sheep.
Changes in Actin Distribution of Ram Spermatozoa under Different Experimental Conditions
Authors: Colás C , Pérez‐Pé R , Muiño‐Blanco T , Cebrián‐Pérez JÁ 
Published: November 2008

ContentsThe purpose of this study was to determine the presence of actin in ejaculated ram spermatozoa and the changes of localization that actin undergoes as a consequence of certainin vitro‐induced physiological states. Using indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), three different patterns of staining (defined immunotypes) were established in ejaculated sperm. The three sperm immunotypes showed actin labelling in flagellum, neck and post‐acrosomal area, differing on the labelling in the acrosomal region that was complete in immunotype 1, partial (frequently concentrated in the apical area, punctuate form) in immunotype 2, and totally absent in immunotype 3. The main subpopulation in ejaculate was immunotype 1 that represented 68% of total sperm, while 21% corresponded to immunotype 2 and only 10% corresponded to immunotype 3. Selection of high‐quality sperm using a dextran/swim‐up procedure hardly influenced the proportion of each immunotype resulting in a slight increase in type 1 sperm. Cold‐shock treatment andin vitrocapacitation induced a partial loss of actin labelling in the acrosomal area, whereas the ionophore‐induced acrosomal exocytosis provoked a total loss of the acrosomal actin labelling, a phenomenon partially inhibited by phalloidin.
Re‐modelling the Piggery Breeding Unit May Affect the Farrowing Rate
Authors: Hälli O , Heinonen M , Munsterhjelm C , Valros A , Peltoniemi OAT 
Published: November 2008

ContentsThe objective of this retrospective cohort study was to clarify the effect of re‐modelling the breeding unit on farrowing rate. The original study population included 63 sow herds that participated in the Finnish herd surveillance system. In these herds, the breeding units were re‐modelled between 1995 and 2002. Information about the production system and other herd data for the last year before and the second year after re‐modelling were available for 47 herds. The herds had an average of 68.5 (SD 45) sows per herd. Data were collected during one farm visit per herd. Initially, all herds had individual cages in their breeding units. The piggeries had either re‐modelled their cages or switched to a group housing system with deep‐litter, solid or slatted (partly or totally) floors. Farrowing rates were gathered from the national database, and data were tested with a linear regression model. Re‐modelling did not have an effect on farrowing rate if initial reproductive performance of the herd was neglected. However, when farms were stratified according to performance prior to the beginning of study, namely into ‘farms with initially high farrowing rate’ (HF) and ‘farms with initially low farrowing rate’ (LF), the re‐modelling had a significant effect on farrowing rate. In the HF farms, re‐modelling caused a decrease in farrowing rate. Correspondingly, farrowing rate increased after remodelling in the LF farms. Farrowing rate was also influenced by mean parity of sows and by proportion of sows culled because of leg problems. This study could not show a profound impact of the design of the breeding unit on the fertility of the sow in the modern commercial production environment if the farm’s reproductive performance before re‐modelling was neglected. However, when initial performance was taken into account, re‐modelling revealed significant, although varying effects on farrowing rate.
Genetic Parameters for Semen Traits in AI Boars Estimated from Data on Individual Ejaculates
Authors: Wolf J 
Published: November 2008

ContentsSemen volume, sperm concentration, percentage progressive motility, percentage of abnormal spermatozoa and total number of sperms from 215 830 ejaculates were analysed. The ejaculates were collected between 2000 and 2005 and originated from 3675 boars of different breeds and crossbred combinations from 23 AI centres of the Czech Republic. Genetic parameters were estimated using multiple‐ and single‐trait animal models. Factors included in the models were: breed or crossbred combination, year–month, age class of the boar, interval between subsequent semen collections, joint effect of AI centre and year, permanent environment and additive genetic effect of the boar. The estimated heritabilities for semen volume and sperm concentration were approximately 0.20, whereas the estimates were somewhat lower for motility, percentage of abnormal sperm and total number of sperms. High negative genetic correlations were estimated between semen volume and sperm concentration (−0.68 for dam breeds, −0.69 for sire breeds) and between motility and percentage of abnormal sperm (−0.93 for dam breeds and −0.59 for sire breeds). The correlations between both semen volume or sperm concentration and motility or percentage of abnormal sperm were mostly small and negligible. Repeatabilities of 0.43–0.46, 0.37–0.38, 0.29–0.35, 0.42–0.50 and 0.29–0.30 were estimated for semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, percentage of abnormal sperm and the total number of sperms, respectively. On the basis of the estimated genetic parameters presented here, effective selection on sperm characteristics, especially for volume and concentration, should be possible using an animal model.
Cervical Ripening and Parturition in Cows are Driven by a Cascade of Pro‐Inflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Van Engelen E , De Groot MW , Breeveld‐Dwarkasing VNA , Everts ME , Van Der Weyden GC , Taverne MAM , Rutten VPMG 
Published: November 2008

ContentsThe final stages of cervical ripening and parturition resemble an inflammatory process. Although the role of cytokines in both spontaneous and experimentally induced parturitions has been described in several small laboratory animals and humans, the involvement of pro‐inflammatory and regulatory cytokines in physiologic parturition in cows has not been determined. In this study, the cytokine expression profiles were assessed in bovine cervical tissue at several stages of pregnancy and at parturition. Serial biopsy samples of the cervix were obtained from 10 cows on day 185 and day 275 of pregnancy (which was on average 5.4 days before parturition) and at parturition. Messenger RNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α were determined using real‐time polymerase chain reaction and the number of neutrophils and eosinophils was estimated by Luna and Sirius Red staining. At parturition, IL‐8 expression had increased 430‐fold (p < 0.001) when compared with that of the day 185 of pregnancy, large numbers of neutrophils had invaded the cervix while eosinophils remained scarce, IL‐1β had increased eightfold (p < 0.05) and IL‐6 had not changed significantly. Additionally, IL‐10 was increased by 10‐fold (p < 0.001) and TNFα decreased by 57% (p < 0.05) when compared with that of the day 185 of pregnancy. The large increase in expression of IL‐8, enabling the influx of neutrophils, is indicative of its important role in the final stage of cervical ripening and at parturition. As previous studies have shown that neutrophils excrete matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), this might contribute to softening of the cervix. In contrast, the only slightly increased levels of IL‐1, steady concentrations of IL‐6 and decreased TNFα, the potential consequences of increased IL‐10 expression, indicate that final cervical of cows in ripening at term parturition is an inflammatory process influenced by regulatory cytokines.
BENAZEPRIL, AN ANGIOTENSIN‐CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITOR, ALLEVIATES RENAL INJURY IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS BY INHIBITING ADVANCED GLYCATION END‐PRODUCT‐MEDIATED PATHWAYS
Authors: Liu Xue‐Ping , Pang Yue‐Jiu , Zhu Wei‐Wei , Zhao Ting‐Ting , Zheng Min , Wang Yi‐Bing , Sun Zhi‐Jian , Sun Siao‐Jing 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARY

Advanced glycation end‐products (AGE) and their receptors (RAGE) have been implicated in renal damage in diabetes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of benazepril, an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), on the formation of AGE, the expression RAGE and other associated components in the oxidative stress pathway in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).
Groups of SHR were treated with or without 10 mg/kg per day benazepril for 12 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and angiotensin (Ang) II levels were evaluated in SHR and control Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats. Renal function was investigated by determining levels of proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the rat renal cortex were analysed using an H2O2‐based hydroxyl radical‐detection assay and the renal content of AGE, RAGE, NADPH oxidase p47phox, nuclear factor (NF)‐κB p65, phosphorylated (p‐) NF‐κB p65, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)‐1 and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 was determined by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis.
Treatment with benazepril inhibited the formation of AngII, reduced SBP and alleviated renal lesions in SHR compared with both untreated SHR and control WKY rats. Benazepril treatment significantly suppressed the accumulation of AGE and expression of RAGE in the kidney of SHR. In addition, benazepril treatment reduced the upregulation of NADPH oxidase p47phox, ROS generation and NF‐κB p65, p‐NF‐κB p65, VCAM‐1 and TGF‐β1 expression in the kidney of SHR compared with both untreated SHR and control WKY rats.
The results of the present study provide new insights into the regulation by the renin–angiotensin system of AGE–RAGE, oxidative stress and nephropathy, increasing our understanding of the role of the RAS in nephropathy.
Coccidioidomycosis as a rare cause of pneumonia in non‐endemic areas: A short exposure history should not be ignored
Authors: KWOK Henry K.H. , CHAN Johnny W.M. , LI Iris W.S. , CHU Stephanie Y.Y. , LAM Chak Wah 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTCoccidioidomycosis is endemic in the south‐western USA. Two cases of infection in travellers returning to Hong Kong are described. A previously healthy patient who had travelled to an endemic area for a short time was successfully treated with fluconazole. A second patient with comorbidities and more prolonged exposure had disseminated and eventually fatal disease, despite prolonged administration of anti‐fungal agents. Although coccidioidomycosis is a rare disease in Hong Kong, it should always be considered when there is a relevant travel history. Even a short period of travel to an endemic area should alert clinicians to this possibility when managing patients with severe pneumonia, especially those with multi‐organ involvement. On the other hand, in patients with comorbidities, even aggressive and prolonged anti‐fungal therapy may not guarantee a successful outcome.
Changes in the proteome of human bronchial epithelial cells following stimulation with leucotriene E4 and transforming growth factor‐β1
Authors: ALTRAJA Siiri , JAAMA Juta , VALK Ervin , ALTRAJA Alan 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Activated bronchial epithelial cells exert considerable potential to maintain a microenvironment in the airway wall that promotes airway inflammation and remodelling. Cysteinyl leucotrienes (CysLT) and transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) are both increased in asthmatic airways and may influence the pathophysiology of disease. However, the consequences of activation of bronchial epithelial cells by these mediators are not fully understood. A proteomic‐based approach was used to characterize the inflammatory pathways in bronchial epithelial cells after stimulation with CysLT and TGF‐β1.Methods:  Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS‐2B) were stimulated with 1 ng/mL TGF‐β1 and 50 nmol/L leucotriene E4 (LTE4) for 48 h and whole‐cell lysates were subjected to two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. Proteins showing statistically significant differential expression were identified by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and database searching.Results:  Stimulation with LTE4 increased the expression of three proteins and five proteins showed decreased expression. Of the latter group, two were definitively identified as heat shock protein (Hsp90α) and stress‐70 protein. Hsp90α forms a heterocomplex with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and a significant decrease in GR following LTE4 stimulation was confirmed. TGF‐β1 downregulated 18 intracellular proteins, including lamin A/C, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, protein DJ‐1, voltage‐dependent calcium channel gamma‐7 subunit, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 and stress‐70 protein.Conclusions:  The current findings suggest that by downregulating GR and Hsp90α, CysLT may interfere with the action of glucocorticoids. Overall, the results confirm the complex role of bronchial epithelium in aspects of airway inflammation and remodelling.
Trends in COPD mortality and hospitalizations in countries and regions of Asia‐Pacific
Authors: TAN Wan C. , SEALE Paul , IP Mary , SHIM Young‐Soo , CHIANG Chi‐Huei , NG Tze‐Pin , ABISHEGANADAN John , CHAROENRATANAKUL Suchai , DeGUIA Teresita , MAHAYIDDIN Aziah , MANGUNNEGORO Hardiato , XU Yong‐Jian , ZHONG Nan‐Shan 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  The growing burden of COPD in the Asia‐Pacific region supports the need for more intensive research and analysis of the epidemiology of COPD to raise awareness of the disease and its causes, to ensure the development of effective national health policies and to facilitate equitable deployment of finite health‐care resources in the prevention and management of COPD. This study estimated and compared COPD mortality and hospital morbidity rates and trends in these rates over time across countries and regions of Asia‐Pacific.Methods:  Data consistent with standard definitions of COPD (ICD‐9/ICD‐10) for the period 1991–2004 were obtained from national health statistics agencies. For countries/regions with complete national mortality and hospitalization data (Australia, Pacific Canada (British Columbia, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan), annual age‐standardized mortality and hospitalization rates were calculated for men and women aged ≥ 40 years. Negative binomial regression modelling was used to estimate rate ratios for country/region, gender and age differences and general trends over time.Results:  Mortality rates per 10 000 population ranged 6.4–9.2 in men, 2.1–3.5 in women and 3.7–5.3 overall in 2003. Corresponding ranges for morbidity were 32.6–334.7, 21.2–129 and 28.1–207.3 per 10 000. Trend analysis of data since 1997 produced annual percentage changes in mortality versus hospitalization of −4.4% versus −0.7% in Australia, −3.6% versus 7.5% in Pacific Canada (British Columbia), −7.15% versus −5.6% in Hong Kong and −2.9% versus −4.2% in Taiwan.Conclusions:  In Asia‐Pacific, overall mortality and morbidity rates are high and trends in mortality and morbidity vary between countries/regions. Differences in rates and trends for men and women most likely reflect the different trends in historical and prevalent smoking profiles for COPD in the different countries and regions.
Does early pulmonary rehabilitation reduce acute health‐care utilization in COPD patients admitted with an exacerbation? A randomized controlled study
Authors: EATON Tam , YOUNG Pam , FERGUSSON Wendy , MOODIE Lisa , ZENG Irene , O'KANE Fiona , GOOD Nichola , RHODES Leanne , POOLE Phillippa , KOLBE John 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  In COPD, hospital admissions and readmissions account for the majority of health‐care costs. The aim of this prospective randomized controlled study was to determine if early pulmonary rehabilitation, commenced as an inpatient and continued after discharge, reduced acute health‐care utilization.Methods:  Consecutive COPD patients (n = 397), admitted with an exacerbation, were screened: 228 satisfied the eligibility criteria, of whom 97 consented to randomization to rehabilitation or usual care. Both intention‐to‐treat and per‐protocol analyses are reported with adherence being defined a priori as participation in at least 75% of rehabilitation sessions.Results:  The participants were elderly with severe impairment of pulmonary function, poor health‐related quality of life and high COPD‐related morbidity. The rehabilitation group demonstrated a 23% (95% CI: 11–36%) risk of readmission at 3 months, with attendees having a 16% (95% CI: 0–32%) risk compared with 32% (95% CI: 19–45%) for usual care. These differences were not significant. There were a total of 79 COPD‐related readmission days (1.7 per patient, 95% CI: 0.6–2.7, P = 0.19) in the rehabilitation group, compared with 25 (1.3 per patient, 95% CI: 0–3.1, P = 0.17) for the attendees and 209 (4.2 per patient, 95% CI: 1.7–6.7) for usual care. The BMI, airflow obstruction, dyspnoea and exercise capacity index showed a non‐significant trend to greater improvement among attendees compared with those receiving usual care (5.5 (2.3) and 5.6 (2.7) at baseline, improving to 3.7 (1.9) and 4.5 (2.5), respectively, at 3 months). No adverse effects were identified.Conclusions:  Early inpatient–outpatient rehabilitation for COPD patients admitted with an exacerbation was feasible and safe, and was associated with a non‐significant trend towards reduced acute health‐care utilization.
New insights into pneumococcal disease
Authors: FELDMAN Charles , ANDERSON Ronald 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) remains a common cause of disease and death throughout the world. Despite considerable research into various aspects of this infection, there still remain a number of unresolved issues, as well as considerable ongoing controversies, particularly with regard to its optimal management. Among the risk factors for pneumococcal pneumonia, cigarette smoking has been shown to play a major role, more recently among HIV‐infected individuals. Considerable recent research has focused on determining the role of the various protein virulence factors in disease pathogenesis. Among the ongoing controversies has been an appreciation of the true impact of antimicrobial resistance on the outcome of pneumococcal infections, as well an understanding of the role of combination antibiotic therapy in the more severely ill hospitalized cases. An important advance in the prevention of pneumococcal infections has been the introduction of the pneumococcal protein conjugate vaccine.
Quality, clinical influence and tolerance of computed tomography enteroclysis in patients with suspected small bowel disease
Authors: Moss A. , Parrish F. J. , Irving P. M. , Haines M. L. , Gibson P. R. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:  Computed tomography enteroclysis (CTE) may be superior to other small bowel imaging techniques, detecting subtle mucosal lesions and extraluminal pathology. This study aimed to define the technical success, clinical influence and tolerance of CTE in patients with suspected small bowel disease.Methods:  CTE scans of 42 consecutive patients (aged 21–78 years, 12 men) were reviewed by a single radiologist for technical adequacy and diagnosis. A panel of gastroenterologists reviewed clinical information. At a telephone interview, tolerance of CTE was graded numerically from 1 (unbearable) to 10 (excellent) and descriptively as unbearable, fair, good or excellent.Results:  Good or optimal distension of small bowel was achieved in 98%. The entire small bowel was imaged in 88%. Eighteen patients had a normal small bowel, whereas 12 (29%) had active small bowel Crohn disease, 4 intussusception, 3 small bowel diverticula and 7 having other diagnoses. Mesenteric lymphadenopathy was evident in 11 and fat stranding in 5. CTE resulted in a new or altered diagnosis in 13 (31%) patients and identified more extensive Crohn disease in a further 8 (19%). A change in management plan was instituted in 18 (43%) patients, with subsequent clinically significant improvement in 12. 33 (85%) described the procedure as ‘fair’ or ‘unbearable’ rather than ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. The median tolerance score was 3 out of 10.Conclusion:  CTE provided high‐quality images in nearly all patients and had an effect on diagnosis, management or outcome in most, but was not well tolerated.