bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of the nongenomic effects of estrogen on intestinal myeloperoxidase activity following trauma-hemorrhage: up-regulation of the PI-3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Yu Huang-Ping , Hsieh Ya-Ching , Suzuki Takao , Choudhry Mashkoor A , Schwacha Martin G , Bland Kirby I , Chaudry Irshad H 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAs studies indicate that genomic and nongenomic pathways are involved in mediating the salutary effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) following trauma-hemorrhage, we examined if the nongenomic effects of E2 on attenuation of intestinal injury after trauma-hemorrhage involve the PI-3K/Akt pathway. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (∼300 g body weight) underwent trauma-hemorrhage (mean blood pressure 40 mmHg for 90 min), followed by resuscitation. E2 conjugated to BSA (E2-BSA; 1 mg/Kg E2), with or without an estrogen receptor antagonist (ICI 182,780), a PI-3K inhibitor (Wortmannin), or vehicle, was injected i.v. during resuscitation. At 2 h after trauma-hemorrhage or sham operation, intestinal myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, ICAM-1, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-1, CINC-3, and IL-6 levels were measured (n=6 rats/group). Intestinal PI-3K, phosphorylation of Akt (p-Akt), and Akt protein expressions were also determined. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test were used for statistical analysis. The results indicated that trauma-hemorrhage increased intestinal MPO activity and ICAM-1, CINC-1, CINC-3, and IL-6 levels. These parameters were improved significantly in the E2- or E2-BSA-treated rats subjected to trauma-hemorrhage. Although trauma-hemorrhage decreased intestinal PI-3K and p-Akt protein expressions, E2 or E2-BSA treatment following trauma-hemorrhage prevented such decreases in intestinal PI-3K and p-Akt protein expressions. Coadministration of ICI 182,780 or Wortmannin abolished the beneficial effects of E2-BSA on attenuation of intestinal injury following trauma-hemorrhage. Thus, the PI-3K/Akt pathway plays a critical role in mediating the nongenomic, salutary effects of E2 on attenuation of shock-induced intestinal tissue damage.
Reduction of friction torque in vane pump by smoothing cam ring surface
Authors: Inaguma Y , Hibi A 
Published: June 2007

This work deals with the influence of surface roughness of cam contours on friction torque in a hydraulic balanced vane pump and it is verified that smoothing the surface of the cam contour can reduce friction torque. In the vane pump, the friction torque arising from the friction between a cam contour and vane tips is significant. In this article, first, the values of the coefficient of friction between the vane tip and its sliding surfaces were measured by using cylindrical test rings with various kinds of surface roughness. Then the torque characteristics of vane pumps having cam ring contours with various values of surface roughness were measured and their results compared with the results of an analysis of the coefficient of friction investigated using test rings. As a result, the friction torque caused by the friction between the cam contour and the vane tip was reduced by lessening the surface roughness of the cam contour, resulting in an improvement of the mechanical efficiency. The coefficient of friction measured by using the test rings could be applied to the actual vane pumps.
The atomic-scale finite-element modelling of single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Ding H , Chen S-J , Cheng K 
Published: June 2007

In this paper, an atomic-scale finite-element (AFE) model is proposed for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), which are considered to behave like space-frame structures when subjected to loadings. To create the AFE models, three-dimensional beam elements are used to model the bonds between carbon atoms as loading-carrying elements, while the nodes are placed at the locations of carbon atoms to connect the loading-carrying elements. The material properties of beam elements can be determined by using a linkage between molecular and continuum mechanics. In order to evaluate the AFE model and its performance, the influence of tube wall thickness on Young's modulus of SWCNTs is investigated. It is found that the selection of wall thickness significantly affects the magnitude of the Young's modulus. For the values of wall thickness used in this study, the obtained values of Young's modulus agree well with the corresponding theoretical results. Furthermore, the results also illustrate that Young's modulus is inversely proportional to the wall thickness. The presented results demonstrate that the proposed AFE model can be used as a valuable tool for studying the mechanical behaviour of carbon nanotubes.
Diet, mucosal architecture and epithelial cell production in the small intestine of specified-pathogen-free and conventional rats
Authors: Clarke Rufus M. 
Published: June 2007

Upper jejunum and terminal ileum were examined in specified-pathogen-free (SPF), conventional and conventional after SPF rearing (ex-SPF) rats. The effect of 2 different diets on the last 2 groups was examined. Ex-SPF rats had taller villi and deeper crypts than SPF rats, but similar crypt to villus ratios and cell production rates. Ex-SPF rats had similar crypt depth and jejunal villus height to conventional rats on the same diet, but taller ileal villi and a lower cell production rate. Even after 6-8 weeks in a conventional environment, ex-SPF rat intestine was still not identical with conventional rat intestine. Diet had a significant effect on mucosal architecture, and a smaller effect on cell production rate. It is concluded that diet, microbiological status of colony of origin, and environment after weaning, can all affect mucosal architecture and epithelial cell production, and should be properly controlled in experimental studies.
The microbiological and parasitological colonisation of specified-pathogen-free mice maintained in a conventional animal house
Authors: Taylor R. J. , Doy T. G. 
Published: June 2007

2 groups of 44 specified-pathogen-free (SPF) mice, caged in groups of 4, were housed at weaning either in isolation in a building housing conventionally-reared animals, or in contact with those animals. 4 mice from each group were examined for microbiological flora and 4 for parasites at intervals for up to 90 days after transfer. Proscribed bacteria were isolated from the 'in contact' group after 42 days and endoparasites were observed by 16 days and thereafter. No proscribed bacteria were isolated from the other group, although some endoparasites were observed by 16 days. Proscribed bacteria were shown to be present in the conventionally-reared animals at weaning and ecto- and endoparasites by day 16 and thereafter. It is suggested that it may be possible to maintain SPF animals outside a SPF Unit for short periods of time, and that with great care the animals remain free of proscribed microflora.
Growth of Nosema cuniculi in established cell lines
Authors: Waller T. 
Published: June 2007

Growth patterns of Nosema cuniculi ( Encephalitozoon cuniculi) in cell cultures of bovine kidney, canine kidney, feline lung, and rabbit kidney were studied. All cell cultures used were easy to manage and the last 3 are commercially-available established cell lines. The dog kidney cells were the most suitable for large-scale production of Nosema. When grown in plastic flasks with a bottom area of 75 cm2, the weekly yield from Nosema-infected canine kidney cells during the 10th to 17th week after inoculation was between 4·1 x 107 and 9·9 x 107 spores per flask. An equilibrium was obtained between the Nosema infection and the kidney cells during this time. A simple method for estimating the numbel of harvested spores is also described.
Effect of litter size on milk yield in the rat
Authors: Morag M. , Popliker F. , Yagil R. 
Published: June 2007

The amount of milk removed from rats during 1 hour's suckling after a separation period of 8 hours was estimated by weighing their pups. In the 1st experiment litters of 9 pups were suckled by all rats. At test sucklings held daily on days 6-15 of lactation, pups were reallocated to give 3, 6, 9, 12 or 15 pups per dam. The largest amount of milk was removed at suckling by groups of 12 pups. In a 2nd experiment, rats were constantly sucked by litters of either 3, 6, 9, 12 or 15 pups from birth to slaughter at 15 days post partum. Rats with 12 and 15 pups yielded the most milk, nearly twice as much as those suckling only 6 or 9 pups. Litters of 3 pups consumed less than 1/3 of the amount consumed by litters of 6 or 9 pups.
When high achievers and low achievers work in the same group: The roles of group heterogeneity and processes in project‐based learning
Authors: Wing‐yi Cheng Rebecca. , Lam Shui‐fong. , Chung‐yan Chan Joanne. 
Published: June 2007

Background. There has been an ongoing debate about the inconsistent effects of heterogeneous ability grouping on students in small group work such as project‐based learning.Aim. The present research investigated the roles of group heterogeneity and processes in project‐based learning. At the student level, we examined the interaction effect between students' within‐group achievement and group processes on their self‐ and collective efficacy. At the group level, we examined how group heterogeneity was associated with the average self‐ and collective efficacy reported by the groups.Sample. The participants were 1,921 Hong Kong secondary students in 367 project‐based learning groups.Method. Student achievement was determined by school examination marks. Group processes, self‐efficacy and collective efficacy were measured by a student‐report questionnaire. Hierarchical linear modelling was used to analyse the nested data.Results. When individual students in each group were taken as the unit of analysis, results indicated an interaction effect of group processes and students' within‐group achievement on the discrepancy between collective‐ and self‐efficacy. When compared with low achievers, high achievers reported lower collective efficacy than self‐efficacy when group processes were of low quality. However, both low and high achievers reported higher collective efficacy than self‐efficacy when group processes were of high quality. With 367 groups taken as the unit of analysis, the results showed that group heterogeneity, group gender composition and group size were not related to the discrepancy between collective‐ and self‐efficacy reported by the students.Conclusions. Group heterogeneity was not a determinant factor in students' learning efficacy. Instead, the quality of group processes played a pivotal role because both high and low achievers were able to benefit when group processes were of high quality.
Medical and Economic Long-term Effects of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Testing in Patients with Acute Dyspnea
Authors: Breidthardt Tobias , Laule Kirsten , Strohmeyer Anne-Henny , Schindler Christian , Meier Sophie , Fischer Michael , Scholer André , Noveanu Markus , Christ Michael , Perruchoud André P , Mueller Christian 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground: The objective of this prospective study was to assess the medical and economic long-term effects of using B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations in the management of patients with acute dyspnea.Methods: We performed follow-up analysis of the B-Type Natriuretic Peptide for Acute Shortness of Breath Evaluation, a randomized study including 452 patients who presented to the emergency department with acute dyspnea. Participants were randomly assigned to a diagnostic strategy involving the rapid measurement of BNP concentrations (n = 225) or standard assessment (n = 227). Mortality was assessed at 720 days, morbidity and economic data at 360 days.Results: BNP testing induced several important changes in initial patient management, including a reduction in the initial hospital admission rate, the use of intensive care, and initial time to discharge. At 720 days, 172 deaths had occurred. Cumulative all-cause 720-day mortality was not different between the BNP group (37%) and the control group (36%, P = 0.6). Morbidity as reflected by days spent in-hospital at 360 days was significantly lower in the BNP group [median 12 days ([interquartile range 2–28 days)] compared with the control group [median 16 (7–32)] days, P = 0.025]. Functional status was similar in both groups. Economic outcome as quantified by total treatment cost at 360 days was significantly improved in the BNP group (mean $10 144 vs $12 748 in the control group, P = 0.008).Conclusions: Rapid BNP testing in patients with acute dyspnea has no effect on long-term mortality. However, morbidity as quantified by days spent in-hospital and economic outcome are still improved at 360 days.
Experimental Hyperhomocysteinemia Reduces Bone Quality in Rats
Authors: Herrmann Markus , Wildemann Britt , Claes Lutz , Klohs Stefan , Ohnmacht Michael , Taban-Shomal Omid , Hübner Ulrich , Pexa Anette , Umanskaya Natalia , Herrmann Wolfgang 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground: Recently, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY) has been suggested as a new risk factor for osteoporosis. This study investigated if HHCY is a causal osteoporotic factor in vivo.Methods: We used 3 groups of rats: a control group (n = 20), a moderate HHCY group (induced by a 2.4% methionine-enriched diet, n = 10), and an intermediate HHCY group (induced by a 2% homocystine-enriched diet, n = 10). We measured bone fragility [maximum force of an axial compression test (Fmax)], bone area as percentage of total area (BAr/TAr, histomorphometry), and biochemical bone turnover markers [osteocalcin (OC) and collagen I C-terminal crosslaps (CTx)].Results: Compared with controls, 3 months of moderate or intermediate HHCY increased mean (SD) bone fragility at the femoral neck by 18% (6%) in methionine-fed (P = 0.001) and 36% (13%) in homocystine-fed rats (P &lt;0.001). Mean (SD) BAr/TAr at the distal femur in methionine and homocystine groups was decreased by 45% (21%; P = 0.001) and 93% (9%; P = 0.001), respectively. At the femoral neck, BAr/TAr was decreased by 19% (11%; P &lt;0.001) and 55% (19%; P &lt;0.001). At the lumbar spine, the reduction of BAr/TAr was 17% (23%; P = 0.099) and 44% (19%; P &lt;0.001). Plasma OC (bone formation marker) was decreased by 23% (20%; P = 0.006) and 34% (21%; P &lt;0.001). Plasma CTx (bone resorption marker) did not differ between groups.Conclusion: Bone quality is consistently decreased in the presence of increased circulating homocysteine. The results provide evidence that HHCY is a causal osteoporotic factor.
Development of a Sensitive Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase PCR Assay with an Internal Control to Detect and Quantify Chikungunya Virus
Authors: Laurent Philippe , Le Roux Karin , Grivard Philippe , Bertil Gérard , Naze Florence , Picard Miguel , Staikowsky Frédérik , Barau Georges , Schuffenecker Isabelle , Michault Alain 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground: The chikungunya virus (CHIKV; Alphavirus, Togaviridae) has emerged in the south Western Indian Ocean since early 2005. A major outbreak of CHIKV infection occurred in Réunion Island, where the virus is transmitted by Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Facing an outbreak of unprecedented magnitude, we developed a rapid, sensitive, and reliable assay for the detection and quantification of CHIKV in plasma samples.Methods: A dual-color TaqMan 1-step reverse transcriptase PCR assay was developed in a LightCycler 2.0 system. A coextracted and coamplified chimerical RNA sequence was used as an internal control (IC) to eliminate false-negative results. The CHIKV-specific and IC probes were labeled with 6-carboxyfluorescein (530 nm) and the wide span dye DYXL (705 nm), respectively, eliminating the need for color compensation. A synthetic RNA was used as an external calibrator for CHIKV absolute quantification.Results: The detection limit was 350 copies/mL (3 copies/capillary). A further improvement to ∼40 copies/mL was obtained by use of a larger volume of plasma. The assay specificity was confirmed in vitro and in silico. CHIKV in 343 patients was present at viral loads &gt;108 copies/mL, mainly in newborns and seniors &gt;60 years old. Long viremic phases of up to 12 days were seen in 6 patients.Conclusions: The assay is rapid, CHIKV-specific, and highly sensitive, and it includes an IC. It proved useful to detect and quantify CHIKV during the Réunion Island epidemic. The assay might be applicable to other CHIKV epidemics, especially in the Indian subcontinent, where an extensive outbreak is ongoing.
Assessing Quality and Functionality of DNA from Fresh and Archival Dried Blood Spots and Recommendations for Quality Control Guidelines
Authors: Sjöholm Malin Ida Linnea , Dillner Joakim , Carlson Joyce 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground: Dried blood spots (DBS) are a convenient and inexpensive method for biobanking. Although many countries have established population-based DBS biobanks from neonatal screening programs, the quality and usefulness of DNA from DBS have not been extensively assessed.Methods: We compared 4 common DNA extraction methods (Qiagen, EZNA, Chelex 100, and alkaline lysis) in a pilot study using fresh DBS with known lymphocyte count. We assessed suitability for multiple displacement amplification (MDA) and subsequent single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses. We selected the EZNA method for DNA extraction from archival samples up to 27 years old, stored at room temperature or −20 °C, and SNP analyses were performed after MDA.Results: Extraction using alkaline lysis failed in most tests, and Chelex 100 was unsuccessful in real-time PCR, whereas the EZNA and Qiagen methods were successful by all evaluated quality indices. DNA extraction by EZNA, MDA, and SNP analyses were successful for the archival samples stored at −20 °C.Conclusion: Routine protocols for evaluation of the quality and functional integrity of DNA based on DNA yield, DNA size, and quantification of amplifiable DNA allow use of sufficient template for MDA and successful SNP analyses from both primary DBS extract and MDA product. A single 3-mm disc can yield sufficient DNA for several thousand SNP analyses. DNA from DBS is thus suitable for genetic epidemiology studies.
Editorial
Authors: Spranger Tade M 
Published: June 2007

AbstractNot only the Korean “stem cell scandal” showed that particularly sensitive questions are connected to oocyte donation: A couple of months ago, the British Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has decided that women will be allowed to donate their egg cells to research, both as an altruistic donor or in conjunction with their own IVF treatment; given that the medical risks of donating for research purposes are no higher than for treatment, it should be the woman's choice of how her donated eggs should be used. In addition to that, as
Small-Scale System for the Mass Production of Rotifers Using Algal Paste
Authors: Pfeiffer Timothy J , Ludwig Gerald M 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Rotifers are a dominant zooplankton that are a preferred prey for some larval fish and are used by culturists during larval fish culture. The rotifer Brachionus plicatilis is a brackish-water species suited for mass culture because it is prolific and can tolerate a wide variety of environmental conditions. Although the culture of this rotifer has been well documented, little information is available regarding the use of concentrated algal paste for the production of B. plicatilis. Thus, we investigated algal paste for rotifer production. Rotifers were cultured in four translucent, low-density polyethylene tanks with a culture volume of 45 L of artificial seawater. The feed solution was a mixture of commercially available Nannochloropsis algal paste and artificial seawater. During a 21-d culture period, the rotifer population in each of four tanks was maintained between 500 and 1,500 rotifers/mL. A volume of 15 L was harvested when the rotifer count was 1,500 rotifers/mL or more. The results indicated that the simple and inexpensive use of a concentrated algal paste as a food source is suitable for the production of rotifers.
The Use of Black Fly Larvae as a Food Source for Hatchery-Reared Lake Sturgeon
Authors: Klassen Cheryl N , Peake Stephan J 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Live and frozen black fly larvae (Diptera: Simuliidae) were incorporated into the diets of larval lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens in 2002 and 2005 for a 6-week period to determine whether fish would accept this invertebrate diet more readily than conventional bloodworm (Diptera: Chironomidae) diets. In 2002, daily feedings of live black fly larvae within an 8-h period resulted in a mean survival rate of 37%. Adjusting the diet regime in 2005 (i.e., initial diet of brine shrimp Artemia spp., two daily feedings within a 14-h period, and diet transition periods of 3, 5, and 7 d) resulted in overall mean survival rates greater than 80%. Survival of lake sturgeon transitioned to black fly larvae was significantly better than that of control groups transitioned to bloodworms over 3 d and statistically similar to that of bloodworm-fed groups transitioned over 5 and 7 d. Fewer feedings and lower daily rations of black fly larvae in comparison with bloodworms did not result in differences between the final mean mass of fish in 2005. We conclude that frozen black fly larvae can reduce the effort required to transition lake sturgeon from an initial diet of brine shrimp without compromising current survival and growth standards achieved with bloodworm diets.
Effects of Dietary Protein Concentration and l-Carnitine on Growth, Processing Yield, and Body Composition of Channel Catfish × Blue Catfish F1 Hybrids
Authors: Li Menghe H , Robinson Edwin H , Bosworth Brian G 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
A study was conducted in earthen ponds to evaluate effects of dietary protein concentration and l-carnitine supplementation on feed consumption, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), processing yield, and body composition of hybrid catfish (female channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus × male blue catfish I. furcatus). Hybrid catfish fingerlings with a mean initial weight of 66 g/fish were stocked into twenty 0.04-ha earthen ponds at a density of 17,290 fish/ha. Five ponds were randomly allotted to each dietary treatment in a complete randomized design. Fish were fed one of three practical diets containing 28, 32, or 36% crude protein without l-carnitine and a 28% protein diet containing l-carnitine at 500 mg/kg once daily to apparent satiation for a 151-d growing season. Dietary protein levels ranging from 28% to 36% did not affect feed consumption, weight gain, or FCR of catfish hybrids fed to apparent satiation. Fish fed the 36% protein diet had a higher fillet yield than fish fed the 28% protein diet, whereas fish fed the 32% protein diet had intermediate fillet yield and fillet fat, which were not different from those of fish fed the 28% and 36% protein diets. The fillet fat concentration was lower in fish fed the 36% protein diet than in those fed lower-protein diets. Supplementation of l-carnitine at 500 mg/kg in the diet did not affect feed consumption, weight gain, FCR, or processing yield, but there was a trend toward a reduction in fillet fat level. Results from this study indicate that body fatness of channel catfish × blue catfish hybrids was reduced by feeding them a high-protein (36%) diet and that l-carnitine had a mild effect on fat reduction in hybrid catfish fed a 28% protein diet.