bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dietary crude protein has minimal effect on the activity of selected enzymes of methionine catabolism in kittens fed diets near‐limiting in methionine*
Authors: Strieker M. J. , Morris J. G. , Avery E. H. , Freedland R. A. , Rogers Q. R. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryPrevious experiments have shown that increasing the dietary crude protein (CP) of cats does not increase urea cycle enzymes or alanine amino transferase as occurs in rats. Also when an essential amino acid (EAA) is limiting in a diet for growing kittens, the kittens do not exhibit an amino acid imbalance when other EAAs are added to the diet. To study the metabolic basis for these observations which are different from that found in omnivores and herbivores, the hypothesis that increased dietary CP decreases methionine catabolism, so more is spared for growth, was tested. Fifteen male kittens were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments. Each diet contained 2.5 g l‐methionine/kg diet and 200, 300 or 500 g CP/kg diet. The livers and kidneys were removed and assayed for methionine transaminase (MTA), cystathionase (CASE) and cystathionine synthase (CS). Free amino acid concentrations were determined in liver, kidney and plasma. The 300 and 500 g CP/kg groups had significantly greater kidney weights and body weight gains than the 200 g CP/kg group. Hepatic MTA activity was lower in the 300 than the 200 or 500 g CP/kg groups (p < 0.05). Renal MTA and CASE activities were 35% and 50% greater, respectively, for the 500 g CP/kg group than for the 200 g CP/kg diet group (p < 0.05). Renal CS activities for the 300 and 500 g CP/kg groups were 29% (p > 0.05) and 38% (p < 0.05) greater, respectively, than the 200 g CP/kg group. Cyst(e)ine concentrations were lower in the livers of the 500 g CP/kg group than the 200 g CP/kg group (p < 0.05). Cystathionine was lower in plasma and kidney from the 500 g CP/kg diet group than from the 200 g CP/kg diet group (p < 0.05). It was concluded that the metabolic basis for the increased growth of kittens fed diets marginally limiting in methionine, with increasing concentrations of dietary CP, was not mediated through decreased enzyme activity associated with the catabolism of methionine, but was the result of an increase in food (methionine) intake.
The absorption, tissue distribution and excretion of enteraly administered α‐ketoglutarate in rats
Authors: Filip R. , Pierzynowski S. G. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryThe absorption, tissue distribution and excretion of enteral alpha‐ketoglutarate (AKG) was studied in four experiments. Six male Sprague Dawley rats were used to investigate the excretion of AKG in urine and faeces. Thirty rats, randomly assigned to five groups, were used to investigate the distribution of AKG in body tissues. They were gavaged with AKG enriched with 3 μCi/kg BW of 14C uniformly marked AKG. Fourteen male Sprague Dawley rats were used to study the absorption of AKG (duodenum vs. ileum). Intestinal recovery of NaAKG vs. CaAKG was investigated in 36 rats. There was no significant excretion of non‐metabolized AKG in the urine and faeces. There was no significant difference in the systemic levels of AKG when comparing the proximal to distal small intestine infusion. Up to 50%, 30% and 20% of gastrically delivered AKG was recovered in the stomach, 0.5, 1 and 2 h after gavage; the jejunal recovery achieved a maximum of 3%, 30 min after gavage, and was not detectable 2 h later. There was a relatively high distribution of 14C‐AKG in the tissues (e.g. liver, brain, bones, skin, muscles), 3 h after gavage, up to 70% of the administered dose. In conclusion, the high rate of retention of the carbon from AKG allows the postulation that there is a non‐energetic mode of metabolism of intragastrically administered AKG. After conversion to final metabolites, AKG penetrates into all tissues and organs of rats, including the bone tissue. Intestinal absorption of AKG does not depend on the type of AKG salt administered.
Isolation of Sporothrix schenckii from the environmental sources of cutaneous sporotrichosis patients in Himachal Pradesh, India: results of a pilot study
Authors: Mehta Karan Inder Singh , Sharma Nand Lal , Kanga Anil K. , Mahajan Vikram K. , Ranjan Nitin 
Published: July 2007

SummaryHimachal Pradesh, India is a known endemic area for cutaneous sporotrichosis. No attempt has been made to isolate Sporothrix schenckii, the causative fungus, from environmental sources in this region or in India as such. This prospective study was carried out to isolate Sporothrix schenckii from different environmental samples collected from the vicinity of cutaneous sporotrichosis patients. All patients of cutaneous sporotrichosis diagnosed during March 2005–February 2006 were studied. Twenty‐one biopsy specimens and 62 environmental samples of soil, various thorns, corn‐stalk, grass‐blades and sphagnum moss were subjected to mycologic culture on Sabouraud’s glucose agar. Sporothrix schenckii was identified by colony characteristics, lacto‐phenol cotton blue mounts and demonstration of temperature dimorphism. These patients (F : M 15 : 6) were between 12 and 72 years of age and had cutaneous lesions for 45 days to 4 years. Lymphocutaneous and fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis was seen in 14 (66.6%) and 7 (33.3%) patients respectively. Extremities were involved in 16 (76.2%); and 5 (23.8%) patients had facial lesions. Ten (47.4%) biopsy specimens and six environmental (three soil, three corn‐stalk) samples were culture‐positive, which showed morphological characteristics suggesting Sporothrix schenckii. No variation in colony characteristics and mycelial morphology was observed in growth isolates from clinical or environmental samples. Temperature dimorphism was observed in all the 10 isolates obtained from the clinical specimens and in two isolates cultured from corn‐stalk. Corn‐stalks are evidently important sources of Sporothrix schenckii infection although subsequent contamination of wounds appears more important for development of clinical disease. Culture of Sporothrix schenckii from environmental sources may not be always possible to correlate with profile of injuries.
Amphotericin B‐induced cutaneous leucocytoclastic vasculitis: case report
Authors: Cagatay A. Atahan , Taranoglu Ozer , Alpay Nilufer , Tufan Fatih , Karadenız Asli , Kapmaz Mahir , Buyukbabanı Nesimi 
Published: July 2007

SummaryA 37‐year‐old female patient was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 8 months ago and medical treatment with oral azathioprine, low‐dose corticosteroids and 5‐ASA was started. Following 3 months without any symptoms, the patient had total colectomy and ileostomy. After this period, liposomal amphotericin B (3 mg kg−1 day−1) was given with the diagnosis of probable fungal infection. Palpable purpuric skin lesions on the anterior surface of both legs appeared on the 55th day of amphotericin B treatment. Histological examination of a skin biopsy was consistent with leucocytoclastic vasculitis. We present a case of cutaneous leucocytoclastic vasculitis in which amphotericin B might presumably be the aetiological factor.
Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation of Japanese lawngrass (Zoysia japonicaSteud.) containing a syntheticcryIA(b)gene fromBacillus thuringiensis
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wu D. , Zhang Li , Yang C. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractTransgenic Japanese lawngrass plants containing a syntheticcryIA(b)gene fromBacillus thuringiensisunder the control of a maize ubiquitin promoter were developed byAgrobacterium‐mediated transformation. A total of 1540 embryogenic calluses derived from dormancy‐removal mature seeds were co‐cultured with the disarmed strain EHA105 harbouring the binary vector pKUB. Three days after co‐culture with EHA105 in the dark at 21°C, transientβ‐glucuronidase (GUS) expression frequency was 74.2%. After selection with 100 mg/l hygromycin B, a total of over 50 independent resistant cell clones and 25 regenerated plants were obtained. The integration and expression of thecryIA(b)gene into the genome was confirmed in 22 regenerated plants by the GUS histochemical assay, PCR amplification, Southern blotting and Western blotting analysis, with a transformation efficiency of 1.4%. The entire process from callus induction of mature seeds to production of transgenic plantlets was 80–100 days. T1progeny segregation analysis of these transgenic lines demonstrated that 59.1% of the transgenic events were inherited in a typical Mendelian fashion.
SPINAL α‐AMINO‐3‐HYDROXY‐5‐METHYL‐4‐ISOXAZOLEPROPIONIC ACID RECEPTORS MAY MEDIATE THE ANALGESIC EFFECTS OF EMULSIFIED HALOGENATED ANAESTHETICS
Authors: Hang Li‐Hua , Shao Dong‐Hua , Yang Ying‐Hong , Dai Ti‐Jun , Zeng Yin‐Ming 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARY

The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between spinal cord α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors and the analgesic effects of emulsified halogenated anaesthetics.
After having established the mouse model of analgesia by intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injections of appropriate doses of emulsified enflurane, isoflurane or sevoflurane, we injected different doses of AMPA intrathecally and observed effects on the pain threshold using the hot‐plate and acetic acid‐induced writhing tests.
The results showed that intrathecal injection of AMPA (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 ng) did not affect the pain threshold on the hot‐plate test or the writhing times in conscious mice. In contrast, AMPA (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 ng intrathecally) significantly and dose‐dependently decreased the pain threshold on the hot‐plate test and increased the writhing times in mice treated with emulsified anaesthetics.
These results suggest that spinal AMPA receptors may be important targets for the analgesic effects of emulsified enflurane, isoflurane and sevoflurane.
NITRIC OXIDE MODULATES AIR EMBOLISM‐INDUCED LUNG INJURY IN RATS WITH NORMOTENSION AND HYPERTENSION
Authors: Liu Yen Chin , Kao Shang Jyh , Chuang I Chun , Chen Hsing I 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARY

Air embolism the in lungs induces microvascular obstruction, mediator release and acute lung injury (ALI). Nitrite oxide (NO) plays protective and pathological roles in ALI produced by various causes, but its role in air embolism‐induced ALI has not been fully investigated.
The purpose of the present investigation was to elucidate the involvement of NO and pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of ALI following air infusion into isolated perfused lungs from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats.
The extent of ALI was evaluated by changes in lung weight, Evans blue dye leakage, the protein concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage and pathological examination. We also measured nitrite/nitrate (NOx), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin (IL)‐1β concentrations in lung perfusate and determined cGMP in lung tissue.
The NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME) and l‐N6‐(1‐iminoethyl)‐lysine (l‐Nil), as well as the NO donors sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and s‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), were administered 30 min before air embolism at a concentration of 10−3 mol/L in the lung perfusate.
Air embolism‐induced ALI was enhanced by pretreatment with l‐NAME or l‐Nil, but was alleviated by SNP or SNAP pretreatement, in both SHR and WKY rats. In both SHR and WKY rats, AE elevated levels of NOx (2.6 and 28.7%, respectively), TNF‐α (52.7 and 158.6%, respectively) and IL‐1β (108.4 and 224.1%, respectively) in the lung perfusate and cGMP levels in lung tissues (35.8 and 111.2%, respectively). Pretreatment with l‐LAME or l‐Nil exacerbated, whereas SNP or SNAP abrogated, the increases in these factors, except in the case of NOx (levels were decreased by l‐LAME or l‐Nil pretreatment and increased by SNP or SNAP pretreatment).
Air embolism caused increases in the lung weight (LW)/bodyweight ratio, LW gain, protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage and Evans blue dye leakage. These AE‐induced changes were less in lungs isolated from SHR compared with normotensive WKY rats.
The results suggest that ALI and associated changes following air embolism in lungs isolated from SHR are less than those in WKY rats. Nitric oxide production through inducible NOS isoforms reduces air embolism‐induced lung injury and associated changes. Spontaneously hypertensive rats appear to be more resistant than WKY rats to air embolism challenge.
Processing of melodic contours in urethane‐anaesthetized rats
Authors: Ruusuvirta Timo , Koivisto Kalle , Wikgren Jan , Astikainen Piia 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe human brain can automatically detect changes even in repeated melodic contours of spectrally varying sounds. However, it is unclear whether this ability is specific to humans. We recorded event‐related potentials (ERPs) in urethane‐anaesthetized Wistar rats presented with rare pairs of tones (‘deviants’) interspersed with frequently repeated ones (‘standards’). The frequency of the tones varied nonsystematically across their pairs so that deviants stood out from standards only in the melodic ordering (ascending or descending) of the tones of a pair. We found that the absolute amplitude of the ERP was significantly higher to deviants than standards between 106 and 136 ms from the onset of the deviance, suggesting that the ability to automatically detect changes in higher‐order invariant attributes that emerge from consecutive sounds is not specific to humans.
Ketamine is effective in decreasing the incidence of emergence agitation in children undergoing dental repair under sevoflurane general anesthesia
Authors: ABU‐SHAHWAN IBRAHIM , CHOWDARY KHALID 
Published: July 2007

SummaryBackground:  Emergence agitation or delirium is a known phenomenon that may occur in children undergoing general anesthesia with inhaled agents. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that the addition of a small dose of ketamine at the end of sevoflurane anesthesia will result in a decrease in the incidence and severity of such phenomenon.Methods:  We performed a randomized double blind study involving 85 premedicated children 4–7 years old undergoing dental repair. Children were premedicated with acetaminophen and midazolam. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane in N2O/O2. Group K received ketamine 0.25 mg·kg −1 and Group S received saline. We evaluated recovery characteristics upon awakening and during the first 30 min using the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale.Results:  Eighty of the 85 enrolled children completed the study. There were 42 children in Group I. Emergence agitation was diagnosed in seven children in the ketamine group (16.6%) and in 13 children in the placebo group (34.2%). There was no difference in time to meet recovery room discharge criteria between the two groups.Conclusions:  We conclude that the addition of ketamine 0.25 mg·kg−1 can decrease the incidence of emergence agitation in children after sevoflurane general anesthesia.
Urban Housing as an Issue of Redistribution through Planning? The Case of Dhaka City
Authors: Begum Anwara 
Published: July 2007

Abstract The rapid growth of population, the mushrooming of poor settlements and unplanned urbanization have crucial implications for the efficiency and equity of urban services. The resultant infringements of critical human rights throw into focus the importance of housing as a social policy issue. Urban services are strained in Dhaka city. Urban management has been disrupted as a result of spatial encroachment and environmental degradation. In addition to land scarcity, land speculation and endemic corruption, the high price of land is also a product of the system of land registration. The dearth of valuable urban land, together with delays in urban planning and its implementation, have made the acquisition of land for housing prohibitively expensive for middle and low‐income households. Consequently, the quality of the housing environment is deteriorating. The problem of housing finance is intrinsically linked to its affordability, being currently the prerogative only of the affluent. This article delineates the inherent lack of integrated urban planning, the lacunae within institutions responsible for urban management – and, contextually, the nature of housing as a social policy issue, where reinforced, coordinated planning and administration could ensure distributive benefits even to the poor.
Reward prediction error signals associated with a modified time estimation task
Authors: Holroyd Clay B. , Krigolson Olave E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe feedback error‐related negativity (fERN) is a component of the human event‐related brain potential (ERP) elicited by feedback stimuli. A recent theory holds that the fERN indexes a reward prediction error signal associated with the adaptive modification of behavior. Here we present behavioral and ERP data recorded from participants engaged in a modified time estimation task. As predicted by the theory, our results indicate that fERN amplitude reflects a reward prediction error signal and that the size of this error signal is correlated across participants with changes in task performance.
Studies on UV reflection in feathers of some 1000 bird species: are UV peaks in feathers correlated with violet‐sensitive and ultraviolet‐sensitive cones?
Authors: MULLEN PETER , POHLAND GEORG 
Published: July 2007

Nine hundred and sixty‐eight bird species, covering all orders, were studied in search of distinctive ultraviolet reflections. All species in the following orders were completely surveyed: Struthioniformes, Tinamiformes, Craciformes, Turniciformes, Galbuliformes, Upupiformes, Coliiformes, Apodiformes and Musophagiformes. The coloured plumage regions in particular exhibited high proportions of UV‐reflecting feathers. Bird orders with species which are believed to possess VS (violet‐sensitive) cone types mostly had their UV maxima between 380 and 399 nm while orders with species which are assumed to have UVS (ultraviolet‐sensitive) cone types contained significantly species which had their UV maxima between 300 and 379 nm. With an emphasis on non‐passerine birds the present study provides evidence that birds of many more groups may see UV light than have been studied to date. Ecological aspects related to UV reflection and perception, as well as sexual dimorphism visible only in the UV, are discussed.
Anthropogenic and environmental determinants of Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus breeding numbers and productivity in the Camargue (Rhone delta, southern France)
Authors: BECHET ARNAUD , JOHNSON ALAN R. 
Published: July 2007

Predicting how bird populations may respond to climate change is a major challenge which could be addressed by understanding how past environmental processes have driven the variations of breeding population size and productivity. In inhabited regions, this issue may be complicated by the interference associated with heterogeneous levels of habitat management. Here, we have explored how several hydrological variables influenced the breeding of the Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus in the Camargue (Rhone delta, southern France) over a 28‐year period (1974–2001). In this region, Flamingos breed in a commercial salt pan. They forage in both salt pans and adjacent brackish lagoons. We hypothesized that breeding numbers, productivity and body condition of chicks at fledging were influenced positively by water levels of the Vaccares, the main lagoon of the delta, in spring (water and food availability) and the Rhone discharge in winter (nutrient availability in the salt pans). We controlled for variations of the flooding date of the breeding salt pan by the salt company and the size of the breeding island. We first found the Vaccares water levels and Rhone discharge to be negatively correlated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Secondly, the number of Flamingo breeding pairs (range 3560–22 200) increased by 1767 ± 1418 (95% CI) with a 10‐day advance of the flooding date of the breeding salt pan and by 1146 ± 1081 per 10‐cm water level rise in the Vaccares. Productivity was 0.46 ± 0.41 chicks per pair and could not be explained by any of the variables considered. Finally, chick body condition decreased with the number of breeding pairs and Rhone discharge. Our results show that (1) this intensely managed system remains sensitive to large‐scale climate variations, (2) the breeding of the Greater Flamingo is affected by both climate variations and management of the salt pan, and (3) the expected enhancement of delta productivity by high river discharge was absent, probably prevented by dykes and embankments along the river. The response of bird populations to climate variations can thus be complex in intensely managed biological systems as found in the Mediterranean. We encourage pursuing such analyses incorporating anthropogenic variables explicitly in order to expand our capacity to make inference on the future of these systems.
Rare Adverse Medical Events in VA Inpatient Care: Reliability Limits to Using Patient Safety Indicators as Performance Measures
Authors: West Alan N. , Weeks William B. , Bagian James P. 
Published: July 2007

Objective. To assess Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) as performance measures using Veterans Administration hospitalization data.Data Sources Study Setting. Nine years (1997–2005) of all Veterans Health Administration (VA) administrative hospital discharge data.Study Design. Retrospective analysis using diagnoses and procedures to derive annual rates and standard errors for 13 PSIs.Data Collection/Extraction Methods. For either hospitals or hospital networks (Veterans Integrated Service Networks [VISNs]), we calculated the percentages whose PSI rates were consistently high or low across years, as well as 1‐year lagged correlations, for each PSI. We related our findings to the average annual number of adverse events that each PSI represents. We also assessed time trends for the entire VA, by VISN, and by hospital.Principal Findings. PSI rates are more stable for VISNs than for individual hospitals, but only for those PSIs that reflect the most frequent adverse events. Only the most frequent PSIs yield significant time trends, and only for larger systems.Conclusions. Because they are so rare, PSIs are not reliable performance measures to compare individual hospitals. The most frequent PSIs are more stable when applied to hospital networks, but needing large patient samples nullifies their potential value to managers seeking to improve quality locally or to patients seeking optimal care.