bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flow Cytometric Analysis for the Evaluation of the Rat Sperm Viability and Number in the Male Reproductive Toxicity Studies
Authors: TAKIZAWA Setsuko , KATOH Chiaki , FUKATSU Nobuko , HORII Ikuo 
Published: May 2008

Abstract We investigated the application of flow cytometric analysis to evaluate the rat sperm viability and number in the male reproductive toxicity studies. Flow cytometric procedure has been developed to evaluate sperm number and viability that uses fluorescent dye (propidium iodide, PI) to distinguish between viable (negative staining) and dead (positive staining) sperm. Sperm samples were collected from the caudal epididymides of SD rats (13–21 weeks old). PI staining patterns/viabilities were compared among several ranges of sperm concentrations, and several kinds of sperm viability. Viabilities determined by flow cytometry (FC) were also compared with motility by direct microscopical observation in several kinds of sperm viability. No notable changes in the PI staining patterns/viabilities were observed in the range from 1 × 105 to 6 × 106 sperm/ml. Essentially similar results were obtained from both FC and microscopical analyses for three degrees of viability sperm: live sperm (general preparation as a control), weakly viable sperm (mixed by vortex mixer for 30 seconds), and dead sperm (treated with 90°C or Triton X‐100).Viabilities of normal rat samples were 95.0 ± 4.0% in FC and 93.7 ± 4.6% in microscopical observation, indicating good correlation in both analyses. Sperm numbers with FC analysis were approximately 0.8 × 106 to 1.8 × 106 sperm per mg indicating good correlation with those by microscopy.It was concluded that the present flow cytometric procedure was objective, rapid and reliable, and that it was one of the useful methods for measuring the number and evaluating the viability of sperm collected from the caudal epididymides of rats in the male reproductive toxicity studies.
Maternal Hyperthermia and the Formation of Cataracts in the Lens of the Embryonic and Fetal Guinea Pig.
Authors: SMITH Murray , EDWARDS Marshall , WAUGH Patrick 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe effects of maternal hyperthermia on the prenatal development of the guinea pig lens is described with particular reference to cataract formation. Cataracts were observed at birth most commonly following maternal hyperthermia in early pregnancy (E11‐25) but also at mid‐pregnancy (E39‐46) and in late pregnancy (E56‐60). Cell death was observed in the lens and neural retina up to 8 hours following heating at E21 and vacuoles were frequently found in the lens fibres immediately beneath the anterior lens epithelium. After heating at E18 and observation at E26 the vesicles in the anterior part of the lens fibres were of varying sizes with the smaller appearing to coalesce into larger vesicles. These vacuoles may be an example of compromised lens fibres whose cellular changes may remain latent and form cataracts in later life following any event which alters fluid balance of the lens.
Delay in the Development of the Secondary Palate in Ay/a Mouse Embryos
Authors: HATAKENAKA Noriyuki , AOYAMA Hiroaki , KANEDA Masahiro , TERAMOTO Shoji 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe effects of the Ay gene on the normal development were investigated by using a inbred strain of C57BL/6 (a/a) and its congenic strain of C57BL/6‐Ay (Ay/a) mice. Three mating groups (female× male), i. e., group I, a/a × a/a; group II, a/a × Ay/a; and group III, Ay/a × a/a, were set, and the rating of normal development was compared among the groups on gestation days 13, 14, 15 or 16 with special attention to the secondary palate. On day 13, the palates were wide‐open and the palatal shelves were vertical in all embryos in all groups. In group I, both shelves became horizontal in 63.3% of the embryos on day 14. The incidences of embryos having completely closed palates were 95.8% and 100% on days 15 and 16, respectively. In group II, in which half of the embryos were expected to carry the Ay gene, the frequencies of shelf horizontalization on day 14 (31.1%) and of the complete closure on day 15 (74.3%) were significantly lowered as compared with those in group I, although the external morphological rating was comparable. On day 16, however, the palatal closure was completed in almost all embryos. In group III, in which maternal mice as well as half of their embryos carried the Ay gene, the external morphological rating was delayed as compared with that in either group I or II, and the frequencies of shelf horizontalization on day 14 and of the complete closure on day 15 were as low as 10.9% and 39.6%, respectively. The palatal closure was not yet completed in 15.3% of the embryos on day 16. These results indicate that the Ay gene causes a delay in shelf horizontalization and closure of the secondary palate of mouse embryos as compared with the a gene.
Collaborative Behavioral Teratology Study of Phenytoin: A Test Battery for Neurobehavioral Developmental Toxicity in Rats.
Authors: FUKUNISHI Katsuhiro , TERADA Yoshiki , TACHIBANA Toshiaki , TANIMURA Takashi 
Published: May 2008

Abstract: At the Behavioral Teratology Meeting (BTM) of the Japanese Teratology Society in 1992, a core test battery was proposed from a practical and simple point of view as an estimation of developmental neurobehavioral toxicity for use in pharmaceutical drug screening. The validity of the core test battery is being examined in a new series of collaborative studies. The present study is the first such study; phenytoin, a well‐known behavioral teratogen, was selected as the test compound, and 32 laboratories took part in a behavioral teratology study of phenytoin using the new test battery.Sprague‐Dawley strain rats from four breeds were used. Phenytoin (200 mg/kg) was administered orally to pregnant rats from days 10 to 14 of gestation (sperm detection = day 0), and in the male offspring, the survival rate, development of physical landmarks, functional developments, open field test scores, and Biel water maze test results were assessed and the brain weights were measured. The shuttle box conditioned avoidance test was also performed in some laboratories.In the present collaborative study, by taking an aggregate of the relative values converted from the measured values of each breed (providing a much larger sample size than that recommended by reproduction toxicity study guidelines), a high detectability level for phenytoin's effects was established.Under these conditions, the effects of phenytoin on eye opening, incisor eruption, the surface righting reflex, the negative geotaxis reflex, and performance of the open field test, Biel water maze test and shuttle box conditioned avoidance test were observed. It was found that present collaborative study made it possible to evaluate the detectable capacity of each of these test battery items. In addition, the critical period of abnormalities demonstrated in many test items was identified, and the results of several previous reports were confirmed. Furthermore, a breed difference in the effect of phenytoin for several test items was found.The present results established that the core test battery accurately detected the effects of phenytoin.
Prenatal developmental toxicity studies of 1,1,1‐trichloro‐2,2‐bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)ethane (methoxychlor) in rats and rabbits
Authors: Shimizu Naoko , Aoyama Hiroaki , Hojo Hitoshi , Takahashi Ken L. , Kikuta Masayuki , Kushida Hiromi , Kawakatsu Hisao , Teramoto Shoji 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT  The studies were conducted in rats and rabbits to elucidate the potential developmental toxicity of methoxychlor in general accordance with the improved Japanese MAFF guidelines (12‐Nousan‐No. 8147, 2–1–18, 2000). Methoxychlor dissolved in corn oil was administered orally to pregnant Jcl:SD rats on gestational days (GD) 6–19 at a dose of 0,1,50, or 150 mg/kg/day and to pregnant Kbl:JW rabbits on GD 6–27 at a dose of 0,1, 15, or 45 mg/kg/day. Maternal animals were killed on the day after the last day of administration for morphological examination of their fetuses with special attention to the reproductive organs.Adverse effects on maternal animals were found at 2 higher doses in both species; i.e. vaginal red discharge (rat only), abortion or premature delivery (rabbit only), and significantly decreased body weight gains and food consumption. While the numbers of corpora lutea and implants were comparable between the control and treated groups in both species, slight increase in the percent resorptions and fetal deaths in rats and a reduction of fetal weights in both species were observed at the highest dose. Anogenital distance and testicular histology were not affected in rats. Although fetal examination revealed significant increase in the incidences of 27 presacral vertebrae at 2 higher doses in rabbits, there was no treatment‐related increase in the incidence of malformations in rats and rabbits.Based on these results, it is concluded that methoxychlor causes no malformations, including male reproductive organ abnormalities, in either rats or rabbits, although it results in decreased fetal weights and an increased incidence of fetal resorptions or skeletal variations at maternally toxic doses.
Enrichment of fetal cells from maternal blood by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) with fetal cell specific antibodies: One‐step versus two‐step MACS
Authors: Zhao Xaio Xi , Ozaki Yasuhiko , Suzumori Nobuhiro , Sato Tsuyoshi , Suzumori Kaoru 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT  We report here the results of fetal cell enrichment from maternal blood in 58 pregnant women by the use of magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) with erythroblast‐specific and/or maternal cell specific antibodies. Two approaches were compared; one‐step MACS to enrich CD71+ (a membrane‐bound marker) or GPA+ (another marker, glycophorin A) fetal cells versus two‐step MACS to deplete CD14+ maternal cells and subsequently to enrich fetal (CD71+ or GPA+) cells. The existence of fetal cells was ensured by both FISH with Y‐specific probes and karyotyping of respective anuniotic and/or chorionic vullus cells, the results being applied for comparison of detection rate for XY fetuses between the two MACS procedures.In 24 (38.8%) of the 58 blood samples examined, Y‐positive cells were observed by FISH, whereas there were 38 true XY fetuses later confirmed by karyotyping, including two cases of 47, XY,+21. On the other hand, in Y‐negative cells by FISH, there were two cases of 47, XX,+18. The average number of cells sorted did not differ among one‐step MACS procedures with anti‐CD14, anti‐CD71 and anti‐GPA antibodies. With the latter, 12 (75%) of 16 Y‐positive fetuses were detected, while only one (20%) of 5 Y‐positive fetuses was detected by two‐step MACS with anti‐CD14/anti‐GPA antibodies. The detection rate significantly varied (p = 0.0024) between the two procedures, although the numbers of cases examined were small. There was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between one‐step and two‐step MACS with other combinations of antibodies. These findings indicate that one‐step MACS using the anti‐GPA antibody is more effective than two step MACS for enrichment of fetal cells from maternal blood.
Flowering Patterns in a Seasonal Tropical Lowland Forest in Western Amazonia
Authors: Stevenson Pablo R. , Castellanos Maria Clara , Cortés Ana Isabel , Link Andrés 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe phenological behavior of many tropical plant species is highly dependent on rainfall, but these plants may also respond to changes in photoperiod. Without a better knowledge of the proportion of species responding to different factors, it is difficult to predict how global climate change may affect natural ecosystem processes. The aim of this study was to describe flowering patterns for more than 100 species in Tinigua Park, Colombia, and to propose which factors may trigger flower production (e.g., rainfall, temperature, cloud cover, and photoperiod). Data gathered in 5.6 km of phenological transects during 4 yr and complementary information indicated that the vast majority of species showed intraspecific synchronization, and annual production was the most common pattern, followed by episodic frequency. The annual patterns were common in tree species, while episodic patterns were common in lianas. Simple and multiple regression analyses suggested several aspects of photoperiod as the most likely triggers for flowering in most species. However, the fact that many of these species produce flowers in different periods each year, suggests that the proportion of species responding to photoperiodic cues is less that 23 percent in this community. The flowering times of taxonomically related species seldom showed significantly staggered distributions; however they do not necessarily occur at the same time, suggesting that flowering patterns are not strongly constrained by phylogeny.
Estimating Fine Root Turnover in Tropical Forests along an Elevational Transect using Minirhizotrons
Authors: Graefe Sophie , Hertel Dietrich , Leuschner Christoph 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTGrowth and death of fine roots represent an important carbon sink in forests. Our understanding of the patterns of fine root turnover is limited, in particular in tropical forests, despite its acknowledged importance in the global carbon cycle. We used the minirhizotron technique for studying the changes in fine root longevity and turnover along a 2000‐m‐elevational transect in the tropical mountain forests of South Ecuador. Fine root growth and loss rates were monitored during a 5‐mo period at intervals of four weeks with each 10 minirhizotron tubes in three stands at 1050, 1890, and 3060 m asl. Average root loss rate decreased from 1.07 to 0.72 g/g/yr from 1050 to 1890 m, indicating an increase in mean root longevity with increasing elevation. However average root loss rate increased again toward the uppermost stand at 3060 m (1.30 g/g/yr). Thus, root longevity increased from lower montane to mid‐montane elevation as would be expected from an effect of low temperature on root turnover, but it decreased further upslope despite colder temperatures. We suggest that adverse soil conditions may reduce root longevity at high elevations in South Ecuador, and are thus additional factors besides temperature that control root dynamics in tropical mountain forests.
The energy cascade from warm dark matter decays
Authors: Valdés M. , Ferrara A. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
We use a set of Monte Carlo simulations to follow the cascade produced by a primary electron of energy Ein in the intergalactic medium. We choose Ein= 3–10 keV as expected from the decay of one of the most popular warm dark matter (WDM) candidates, sterile neutrinos. Our simulation takes into account processes previously neglected such as free—free interactions with ions and recombinations, and uses the best available cross-sections for collisional ionizations and excitations with H and He and for electron—electron collisions. We precisely derive the fraction of the primary electron energy that heats the gas, ionizes atoms and produces line and continuum photons as a function of the ionization fraction. Handy fitting formulae for all the above energy depositions are provided. By keeping track of the individual photons, we can distinguish between photons in the Lyα resonance and those with energy E &lt; 10.2 eV that do not interact further with gas. This separation is important because a Lyα background can heat or cool the gas depending on the nature of the photons, and can have effects on the 21-cm radiation emitted by neutral H, which will probably become detectable at z &gt; 6 in the near future by the next generation radio interferometers.
Patient satisfaction with nurse practitioner care in emergency departments in Canada
Authors: Thrasher Christine , Purc‐Stephenson Rebecca 
Published: May 2008

AbstractPurpose: To measure patient satisfaction with care delivered by nurse practitioners (NPs) in emergency departments (EDs) in Canada using a psychometrically valid survey.Data sources: All patients who received care from an NP in six participating EDs in Ontario province over a 1‐week period were asked to complete a self‐administered patient satisfaction survey designed specifically to assess satisfaction with NP care in EDs.Conclusions: One hundred and thirteen patients completed the survey. Principal components analysis of the survey revealed three factors or subscales: Attentiveness, Comprehensive care, and Role clarity. Scores on the three subscales indicated that patients were satisfied with Attentiveness (M = 3.72, SD = 0.38) and Comprehensive care (M = 3.52, SD = 0.49) and had a moderate understanding of Role clarity (M = 2.99, SD = 0.66). Participants with higher income levels reported higher levels of satisfaction with the attentiveness they received, whereas patients with previous experience with an NP reported higher levels of satisfaction with the comprehensive care they received. There was no appreciable increase in patient satisfaction with the NP based on age, gender, education, or health status.Implications for practice: These findings indicate that attentiveness, comprehensive care, and role clarity are reflected by the NP in emergency healthcare settings as indicated by the patient‘s responses to the survey. This study supports that meeting expectations is a critical component of patient satisfaction.
Characterizing nurse practitioner practice by sampling patient encounters: An APRNet study
Authors: Deshefy‐Longhi Terry , Swartz Martha K. , Grey Margaret 
Published: May 2008

AbstractPurpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize nurse practitioners’ (NPs’) practice by using reports of patient encounters to more accurately reflect practice patterns than has been previously performed. This study was part of a larger primary care practice survey by a consortium of 20 practice‐based research networks (PBRNs). Therefore, comparisons, when appropriate, were also made between this network of NPs (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Network, APRNet) and the other 19 physician‐run research networks.Data sources: A descriptive survey was developed by the 20 PBRN consortium under grants from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The consortium’s goal was to collect primary care data over a 6‐month period and to document and compare primary care practice in the United States. The data were collected immediately following members’ encounters with patients rather than from billing spreadsheets. Nineteen PBRNs may have had NPs in the practices that comprised their networks. However, the data from these NPs were collected under the study ID numbers of the physician owners of each practice. APRNet, therefore, was the sole research network comprised exclusively of NPs who collected and reported data under their own study ID numbers.Conclusions: Acute health problems comprised 45% of all episodes treated by NPs compared to 30% of episodes for exacerbations of chronic conditions and 24.5% for nonillness and health promotion visits. In addition, our findings suggest that NPs provide counseling in 84% (vs. 61% for physicians) of their primary care visits, regardless of the reason for visit, and the type of counseling varies by the type of NP.Implications for practice: Despite many studies on the comparability and outcomes of NP practice, the need to identify, clarify, and document the practices of NPs in primary care settings remains. The present survey provides an important and useful first step in providing a systematic way to characterize these practices through a survey of APRNs immediately following their patient encounters.
Overweight and obesity in nurses, advanced practice nurses, and nurse educators
Authors: Miller Sally K. , Alpert Patricia T. , Cross Chad L. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractPurpose: To quantify the incidence of overweight and obesity in nursing professionals and assess nurses’ knowledge of obesity and associated health risks.Data sources: A mailed survey to 4980 randomly selected registered nurses from one state in each of six geographic regions. Response rate was 15.5% (n= 760). Descriptive statistics were calculated for continuous variables; categorical variables were summarized with frequency counts.Results: The grand mean body mass index (BMI) of nurses surveyed was 27.2. Almost 54% were overweight or obese. Fifty‐three percent of these nurses report that they are overweight but lack the motivation to make lifestyle changes. Forty percent are unable to lose weight despite healthy diet and exercise habits. Only 26% of respondents use BMI to make clinical judgments of overweight and obesity. Although 93% of nurses acknowledge that overweight and obesity are diagnoses requiring intervention, 76% do not pursue the topic with overweight and obese patients.Discussion: Many nurses provide weight‐related health information to the public. These data suggest that they may benefit from continuing education on obesity and its risks. Because 76% of nurses do not pursue the topic of obesity with patients, they may benefit from education on pursuing sensitive topics during a professional encounter. Nurse practitioners may play a key role in the education of both patients and registered nurses.
Characterization of the Photochromic Pigments in Red Fluorescent Proteins Purified from the Gut Juice of the Silkworm Bombyx mori L.
Authors: Sunagar Santosh G. , Lakkappan Vinod J. , Ingalhalli Susheela S. , Savanurmath Chandrashekar J. , Hinchigeri Shivyogeppa B. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractMultiple forms of red fluorescent proteins (RFPs) were observed in the gut juice of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. It is to be noted that only one RFP band is reported in the literature so far. However, we report here three electrophoretically separated RFPs (A, B and C) found to be heterogeneous with respect to their components, namely the protein part and the fluorescent tetrapyrrole pigment moiety. Of the three RFPs, band C was found to be a glycoprotein. The absorption extinction coefficients and fluorescence quantum yields of the three RFPs were estimated. Further, this is the first communication demonstrating the presence of three different chlorophyll derivatives associated with the three different RFPs. The pigments were analyzed by thin layer chromatography followed by their elution to characterize the pigments by spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric methods. Spectral characteristics have led to the identification of monovinyl chlorophyllide a, divinyl protochlorophyllide a and monovinyl pheophytin a as being associated with RFP bands A, B and C, respectively. These three purified RFPs can serve as the source of the three pigments as the standards.