bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atomic force microscope (AFM) combined with the ultramicrotome: a novel device for the serial section tomography and AFM/TEM complementary structural analysis of biological and polymer samples
Authors: EFIMOV ANTON E. , TONEVITSKY ALEXANDER G , DITTRICH MARIA , MATSKO NADEZDA B. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryA new device (NTEGRA Tomo) that is based on the integration of the scanning probe microscope (SPM) (NT‐MDT NTEGRA SPM) and the Ultramicrotome (Leica UC6NT) is presented. This integration enables the direct monitoring of a block face surface immediately following each sectioning cycle of ultramicrotome sectioning procedure. Consequently, this device can be applied for a serial section tomography of the wide range of biological and polymer materials. The automation of the sectioning/scanning cycle allows one to acquire up to 10 consecutive sectioned layer images per hour. It also permits to build a 3‐D nanotomography image reconstructed from several tens of layer images within one measurement session. The thickness of the layers can be varied from 20 to 2000 nm, and can be controlled directly by its interference colour in water.Additionally, the NTEGRA Tomo with its nanometer resolution is a valid instrument narrowing and highlighting an area of special interest within volume of the sample. For embedded biological objects the ultimate resolution of SPM mostly depends on the quality of macromolecular preservation of the biomaterial during sample preparation procedure. For most polymer materials it is comparable to transmission electron microscopy (TEM).The NTEGRA Tomo can routinely collect complementary AFM and TEM images. The block face of biological or polymer sample is investigated by AFM, whereas the last ultrathin section is analyzed with TEM after a staining procedure. Using the combination of both of these ultrastructural methods for the analysis of the same particular organelle or polymer constituent leads to a breakthrough in AFM/TEM image interpretation. Finally, new complementary aspects of the object's ultrastructure can be revealed.
Routine fluorescence microscopy of single untethered protein molecules confined to a planar zone
Authors: GAI HONGWEI , GRIESS GARY A. , DEMELER BORRIES , WEINTRAUB SUSAN T. , SERWER PHILIP 
Published: May 2007

SummaryTo bypass limitations of ensemble averaging biochemical analysis, microscopy‐based detection and tracking are needed for single protein molecules that are diffusing in aqueous solution. Confining the molecules to a planar zone dramatically assists tracking. Procedures of microscopy should be routine enough so that effort is focused on the biochemistry. Fluorescence microscopy and partial planar confinement of single, untethered, aqueous protein molecules have been achieved here by use of a routine procedure. With this procedure, multiple thermally diffusing Alexa 488‐stained bovine serum albumin molecules were observed during partial confinement to a thin aqueous zone next to a cover slip. The procedure produces confinement by partial re‐swelling of a previously dried agarose gel on the microscope slide. Confinement was confirmed through analysis that revealed thermal motion lower in the third dimension than it was in the plane of observation.
Gross Morphological and Histological Features of Larynx, Trachea and Syrinx in Japanese Quail
Authors: ÇEvik‐Demirkan A. , Haziroğlu R. M. , Kürtül İ. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThis study aimed at observing gross morphological and histological characteristics of the larynx, trachea and syrinx in Coturnix coturnix japonicum (Japanese quail). Sixteen mature quails were divided into two groups. Eight animals were stained with 0.1% methylene blue for 15 min, followed by 50% and 70% ethyl alcohol solution for gross morphological examination. For the observation of histological characteristics the larynx, trachea and syrinx were fixed in 10% formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. Six‐micron sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. There were three rows of papillae which were located oral (one row) and aboral (two rows) aspects of the mound. The cricoid cartilage was triangular in shape. Only the inlet of the larynx was covered by the olfactory mucosa whereas the rest was covered by the respiratory mucosa. There were 83–91 tracheal rings which were gradually narrowed from the cranial to the caudal direction. No overlapping occurred between the rings. The last few tracheal rings did not fuse dorsally and formed the tympanium. The pessulus possessed connection with the last tracheal ring and the first bronchial ring. Moreover, it was like a semiprism in shape at the region of bifurcation being vertical in direction. The syrinx was formed by the paired, C‐shaped and incomplete bronchial syringeal cartilages. The mucosa of the syrinx was lined with a pseudo‐stratified layer of prism‐shaped epithelium. There were nine or 14 C‐shaped cartilaginous primary bronchi.
Size‐Dependent Female Mate Copying in the Guppy (Poecilia reticulata): Large Females are Role Models but Small Ones are not
Authors: Vukomanovic Jelena , Rodd F. Helen 
Published: May 2007

AbstractPrevious work on guppies has shown that small females copy the mate‐choice decisions of larger females, but not vice versa. We extended this work to ask, when put in a situation where they have little information available to distinguish between males, whether large females will also copy large females, and small females will copy small ones. Using Dugatkin's criteria, our study suggests that large females copy the mate‐choice decisions of large females, that small females might copy the decisions of large females, but that neither small nor large females copy small females. Our results provide support for the notion that females are more likely to copy when they perceive that there is an imbalance between their ability to assess a male's quality and the ability of another female to assess that male. However, we did not find evidence of mate copying using criteria used by other researchers.
Adjustment of Temporal Call Usage During Vocal Exchange of Coo Calls in Japanese Macaques
Authors: Sugiura Hideki 
Published: May 2007

AbstractJapanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) exchange coo calls with group members to maintain contact. I examined the relationship between the distance between group members and (1) the latency of vocal responses to spontaneous calls, and (2) the latency of spontaneous call repetition in the absence of vocal responses. After a subject monkey's spontaneous call, the latency of vocal response by another group member was longer when the subject was farther from the group members than when the subject was near the group members. Furthermore, subject repeated calls with longer intervals in the absence of vocal response, which suggests that they wait longer for the vocal responses of other group members when the expected response latency is longer. These results reveal that Japanese macaques flexibly alter the timing of their calls based on others’ vocal responses.
Egg Rejection and Brain Size among Potential Hosts of the Common Cuckoo
Authors: Avilés Jesús M. , Garamszegi László Z. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractInterspecific brood parasitism by the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) lowers host fitness, and has selected for discrimination and rejection of parasitic eggs in their commonly parasitized hosts. Cognitive demands needed to discriminate and reject cuckoo eggs may have led to augmentation of relative brain size among passerine hosts parasitized by cuckoos. This hypothesis predicts for across species positive relationships of brain size with rejection rate, host suitability and parasitism level. Here we test these predictions while controlling for phylogenetic, ecological and developmental factors known to affect brain size and egg rejection in a comparative study using the cuckoo and their hosts in Europe as a model system. Contrary to expected the rate of rejection of non‐mimetic cuckoo eggs covaried negatively with relative brain size across bird species. Either suitability as cuckoo host, which reflects long‐time duration of exposure to cuckoo parasitism, and level of parasitism, did not relate to brain size. Our results do not support the hypothesis that cuckoo parasitism was a main direct force affecting brain size variation across passerine hosts.
Regulation of Activity in Desert‐Living Striped Mice: The Importance of Basking
Authors: Schradin Carsten , Krackow Sven , Schubert Melanie , Keller Christina , Schradin Brigitte , Pillay Neville 
Published: May 2007

AbstractDeserts represent challenging, energy restricted environments for small mammals, but offer ample exposure to sunlight that might be used for energy saving during basking. The Succulent Karoo desert in southern Africa is a seasonal environment with cold moist winters, followed by maximum food availability in spring and dry hot summers with food shortage. The striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) from the Succulent Karoo desert is diurnal and its activity is influenced by photoperiod in captivity. However, in contrast to standardized laboratory conditions, it can be expected that several factors other than photoperiod influence its activity pattern in the field. We expected that striped mice behave in a way that indicates that they use basking to passively warm up and thus reduce endogenous energy expenditure. We studied activity and basking patterns in 56 social groups of striped mice for a period of 4 yr, comprising 1534 observation sessions at their nests. Mice generally started activity around the time the sun illuminated their nest and terminated activity when their nest was no longer sunlit, i.e. they were strictly diurnal. The onset of activity was delayed on days when ambient temperature was colder and when group sizes were smaller. During the breeding season when food availability was high, striped mice usually left the nest before it was sunlit without basking. Outside the breeding season, they emerged and basked in front of nests mainly after nests were sunlit. These findings concur with the view that striped mice trade‐off between active energy gain via foraging and passive energy acquisition by sun basking.
First Documentation of Cultural Transmission of Predator Recognition by Larval Amphibians
Authors: Ferrari Maud C. O. , Messier François , Chivers Douglas P. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractPredation is a pervasive selective agent shaping a prey's behaviour, morphology and life history. To survive, prey animals have to respond adaptively to predation threats and this can be achieved through learned predator recognition. Cultural transmission of predator recognition is likely a widespread means of learning in social animals, including mammals, birds and fishes. However, no studies have investigated the cultural transmission of predator recognition in amphibians. In our study, we examined whether naïve woodfrog (Rana sylvatica) tadpoles can acquire the recognition of the odour of a predatory tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) from experienced conspecifics. After conditioning some tutors to recognize salamander odour, we paired naïve observer tadpoles with either a salamander‐naïve or salamander‐experienced tutor and exposed the pairs to either salamander odour or a water control. Observers were subsequently tested alone for a response to salamander odour. We found that when given salamander odour, observer tadpoles that were paired with a salamander‐experienced tutor successfully learned to recognize the salamander odour as a threat, whereas the observers paired with salamander‐naïve tutors did not. Likewise, tadpoles exposed to the water control did not learn to recognize the salamander regardless of whether they were paired with a naïve or experienced tutor. This is the first study demonstrating cultural transmission of predator recognition in an amphibian species.
Ca2+ Cascade and Meiotic Resumption of the Caprine Primary Oocyte
Authors: Zhou HM , Jin SY 
Published: May 2007

ContentsIn this study, we investigated the fluctuations of concentration of intracytoplasmic free Ca2+ during in vitro maturation of caprine primary oocytes and its role in meiotic resumption. Oocytes that were extracted from caprine ovaries were cultured and allowed to mature in vitro to determine their developmental stages including germinal vesicle (GV), germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), metaphase of the first meiotic division (MI) and metaphase of the second meiotic division (MII). Intracytoplasmic free Ca2+ turnovers of caprine oocytes at these different developmental stages were measured using the calcium fluorescent probe Fura‐2/AM (C44H47N3O24) to investigate the dynamics of cytosolic free Ca2+ during in vitro maturation of oocytes and the role of Ca2+ in inducing the initiation of meiotic resumption of oocytes. Moreover, the oocytes were cultured in Ca2+ culture medium and Ca2+‐free culture medium to examine the effect of extracellular Ca2+ on the oocyte maturation. The results indicated that Ca2+ concentrations at GV, GVBD, MI and MII stages were 78.06, 147.41, 126.97 and 97.73 nmol/l, respectively, and that 86.30% of oocytes remained at the GV stage and no oocyte developed to MII in Ca2+‐free culture medium, and 1.1% of oocytes stayed at the GV stage and 83.5% of oocytes developed to MII in Ca2+ culture medium. These results suggest that the occurrence of GVBD and cell cycle progression to MI and MII stages are closely related to Ca2+, and that extracellular Ca2+ performs a specific function for the initiation of meiotic resumption in caprine oocytes.
Heparanase expression in gallbladder carcinoma and its correlation to prognosis
Authors: Wu Wujun , Pan Cheng'en , Yu Haibo , Gong Huilin , Wang Youli 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Heparanase is an endo‐β‐glucuronidase that cleaves heparan sulfate and has been implicated in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. The present study was to analyze the expression of and explore the prognostic value of heparanase and two important transcriptional factors, namely hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and nuclear transcriptional factor kappa B p65 (NF‐κB p65) in gallbladder cancer.Methods:  Heparanase, HIF‐1α and NF‐κB p65 protein levels in 38 patients with gallbladder carcinoma were detected by immunohistochemistry and analyzed for clinicopathological significance.Results:  The heparanase, HIF‐1α and NF‐κB p65 proteins were found in 24 (63.2%), 13 (34.2%) and 22 (57.9%) specimens, respectively. High heparanase expression was closely related to advanced TNM stage (P = 0.007), depth of tumor invasion (P = 0.016), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.040) and decreased postoperative survival at 3 years (50.0% vs 20.8%, P = 0.001). Both HIF‐1α and NF‐κB p65 proteins were correlated with tumor size (P = 0.039 and P = 0.027, respectively) and patients positive for HIF‐1α expression had a decreased survival rate compared with those negative for HIF‐1α expression (40.0% vs 15.4%, P = 0.035). In addition, heparanase‐positive cases had high expression of NF‐κB p65 compared with the heparanase‐negative cases (P = 0.047).Conclusion:  Heparanase and HIF‐1α are frequently expressed in gallbladder carcinoma and are associated with decreased survival. High expression of heparanase, combined with NF‐κB p65, may contribute to the highly invasive and metastatic behavior of gallbladder carcinoma.
Do paediatricians provide brief intervention for adolescents who smoke?
Authors: Milne Bronwyn , Towns Susan 
Published: May 2007

Aims:  This study aimed to describe the self‐reported practice of paediatricians in brief interventions for adolescents who smoke. We also aimed to compare practice with confidence, skills and knowledge of brief intervention and nicotine replacement therapy after a targeted training programme.Methods:  Medical staff at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead completed a questionnaire of clinical practice and confidence in brief intervention for smoking cessation. Data were analysed comparing self‐reported practice with confidence, skill and knowledge of brief interventions, based on Fiore’s 5A’s approach (Ask about smoking at every opportunity, Assess willingness to quit, Advise patients to quit smoking, Assist quit attempts and Arrange follow up).Results:  Fifty‐seven clinicians completed questionnaires, 55 (96%) recognised the importance of asking adolescents about smoking. Thirty‐one (54%) identified adolescent smokers all or most of the time, increasing to 50 (88%) if their presenting condition was associated with smoking. Twenty‐five (44%) clinicians assessed the stage of change, 33 (58%) advised the adolescent to quit smoking, nine (16%) assisted quit attempts and 10 (17.5%) arranged follow up. Clinicians more confident in brief intervention skills, motivational interviewing and relapse prevention were more likely to use the 5A’s (P < 0.05). Training increased clinician’s confidence in brief intervention skills and knowledge of nicotine replacement therapy (P < 0.01); however, there was no statistically significant change in clinical practice 1 month post training.Conclusion:  Training paediatricians in brief intervention skills, motivational interviewing and relapse prevention can increase the use of 5A’s brief intervention in clinical practice, potentially increasing quit attempts in adolescents who smoke.
Effect of number of BCG vaccination on tuberculin induration size
Authors: Gundogdu Zuhal , Aydogan Metin , Arisoy Emin Sami , Gokalp Ayse Sevim 
Published: May 2007

Aim:  The aim of this study is to interpret purified protein derivative (PPD) induration sizes with respect to the number of Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) scars.Methods:  We have considered 1879 school children between the ages of 7 and 14 years from seven primary schools in Kocaeli, Turkey. Children were injected with 5TU 0.1 mL PPD and induration sizes were measured at 72 h. Number of BCG scars, PPD application dates and induration sizes were recorded for each pupil. This study was also evaluated further for 312 households.Results:  The mean diameter of PPD induration size for 0, 1, 2 and 3 BCG vaccination scars were 1.43 mm (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.84–2.02), 6.39 mm (95% CI: 5.91–6.87), 10.46 mm (95% CI: 10.04–10.88) and 11.35 mm (95% CI: 9.36–13.34), respectively. Furthermore, 90% and 95% percentiles of PPD induration 0, 1, 2 and 3 vaccinations were 10 and 12 mm, 16 and 19 mm, 17 and 19 mm and 19.2 and 20 mm, respectively. There was evidence for a linear trend across from 0 to 3 BCG vaccinations, indicating that mean induration size increases with the number of vaccination scars. The size of indurations directly correlated with the number of vaccination scars, PPD induration size of children with no vaccination scar was quite small and it was generally less than 5 mm.Conclusion:  This study shows the importance of the number of BCG scars in the determination of PPD induration size limit when tuberculosis infection is evaluated.
Changing pattern of child bicycle injury in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Authors: Moyes Simon A 
Published: May 2007

Aim:  To determine if helmet laws and safety campaigns have had an impact on bicycle injuries in children.Methods:  A comparison of the number of bicycle injuries presented to Whakatane Hospital’s Emergency Department in the period 1982–1986 to the period July 1998–December 2005.Results:  In the first period there were 597 per 100 000 presentations per annum which increased to 890 per 100 000 per annum in the later period (P < 0.01). Fractures increased from 115 to 234 per 100 000 per annum respectively (P = 0.02). Injuries from a collision with a moving motor vehicle decreased from 72 to 30 per 100 000 per year and of those the proportion of serious head injuries dropped from 65% to 33%. There were four deaths in the earlier period but none in recent years.Conclusions:  Injuries from bicycle use have increased but there has been a marked reduction in collisions with motor vehicles. This is a result of the changing use of bicycles by children.
Potentially inappropriate prescribing among Australian veterans and war widows/widowers
Authors: Roughead E. E. , Anderson B. , Gilbert A. L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis study examined the extent of potentially inappropriate medicine, as defined by explicit criteria, dispensed to Australian veterans using the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Pharmacy Claims database. Twenty‐one per cent of the 192 363 veterans aged 70 years, with an eligible gold card, were dispensed at least one potentially inappropriate medicine in the first 6 months of 2005. Long‐acting benzodiazepines, amitriptyline, amiodarone, oxybutynin and doxepin were the medicines most commonly implicated. Strategies to support quality prescribing of medicines to the elderly must include a focus on these medicines.
Severe hypoglycaemia after long‐acting octreotide in a patient with an unrecognized malignant insulinoma
Authors: Healy M. L. , Dawson S. J. , Murray R. M. L. , Zalcberg J. , Jefford M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractInsulinomas are the most common hormone‐producing pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), and patients usually present with symptoms secondary to hypoglycaemia. Octreotide has been widely used in the symptomatic treatment of patients with pancreatic NETs, including insulinomas. We describe a case of a patient with a metastatic NET, subsequently identified as a malignant insulinoma, who developed severe hypoglycaemia after treatment with long‐acting octreotide.
Determinants of ejaculatory dysfunction in a community‐based longitudinal study
Authors: Gan Melanie , Smit Marij , Dohle Gert R. , Bosch J.L.H. Ruud , Bohnen Arthur 
Published: May 2007

Associate EditorMichael G. WyllieEditorial BoardIan Eardley, UKJean Fourcroy, USASidney Glina, BrazilJulia Heiman, USAChris McMahon, AustraliaBob Millar, UKAlvaro Morales, CanadaMichael Perelman, USAMarcel Waldinger, NetherlandsOBJECTIVETo analyse the incidence of ejaculatory dysfunction (EJD) and its associated bother, and to determine which factors predispose to incident EJD.SUBJECTS AND METHODSMen aged 50–78 years, registered in the general practices in Krimpen a/d Ijssel, the Netherlands, were recruited. Men were excluded if they had a history of prostatectomy, carcinoma of the bladder or prostate and neurogenic bladder disease. A baseline study and three follow‐up assessments (I‐III), all with questionnaires, i.e. the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia impact index, International Prostate Symptom Score, International Continence Society (ICS)male sex questionnaire, and additional measurements, e.g. prostate volume, prostate specific antigen, were made at a mean of 2.2‐year intervals. We assessed the objective variables of EJD as the ability to ejaculate, ejaculatory volume, painful ejaculation, and their associated bother (information extracted from the ICSmale sex questionnaire).RESULTSAt baseline 671 of 1661 (40.4%) men already had EJD; the cumulative incidence of EJD was 16.5%, 24.7% and 33.1% after follow‐up I, II and III, respectively. The mean percentage of men who were bothered with reduced ejaculatory volume or painful ejaculation was 18.3% and 40.6%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed age, Sickness Impact Profile ‘social’ (questions on social impairment) and erectile dysfunction to be predisposing factors of EJD (P < 0.05 and R2 = 0.048). When EJD was defined as a significantly reduced ejaculatory volume or anejaculation only, age and previous transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) were determinants of EJD (P < 0.05 and R2 = 0.083). Of the men who had TURP after the follow‐up, 51.6% already had EJD at baseline.CONCLUSIONSThe cumulative incidence of EJD after 6.5 years of follow‐up was significant (33.1%) and EJD was bothersome, especially in men with painful ejaculation. Determinants of EJD were age, social impairment and erectile dysfunction. Predisposing factors of significant reduction of ejaculatory volume and anejaculation were age and TURP, although 51.6% of men already had EJD before TURP. Age appears to be the most significant predisposing factor of EJD.