bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement of transgenic cloning efficiencies by culturing recipient oocytes and donor cells with antioxidant vitamins in cattle
Authors: Wongsrikeao Pimprapar , Nagai Takashi , Agung Budiyanto , Taniguchi Masayasu , Kunishi Miho , Suto Shizuyo , Otoi Takeshige 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe present study was conducted to investigate effects of antioxidants during maturation culture of recipient oocytes and/or culture of gene‐transfected donor cells on the meiotic competence of recipient oocytes, and the developmental competence and quality of the reconstructed embryos after nuclear transfer (NT) in cattle. Gene‐transfected donor cells had negative effects on the proportions of blastocyst formation, total cell numbers, and DNA fragmentation indices of reconstructed embryos. Supplementation of either vitamin E (α‐tocopherol: 100 µM) or vitamin C (ascorbic acid: 100 µM) during maturation culture significantly enhanced the cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes and subsequent development of embryos reconstructed with the oocytes and gene‐transfected donor cells, but did not have synergistic effects. The supplementation of vitamin E during maturation culture of recipient oocytes increased the proportions of fusion and blastocyst formation of gene‐transfected NT embryos, in which the proportions were similar to those of nontransfected NT embryos. When the gene‐transfected donor cells that had been cultured with 0, 50, or 100 µM of vitamin E were transferred into recipient oocytes matured with vitamin E (100 µM), 50 µM of vitamin E increased the proportion of blastocyst formation and reduced the index of DNA fragmentation of blastocysts. In conclusion, gene‐transfected donor cells have negatively influenced the NT outcome. Supplementation of vitamin E during both recipient oocyte maturation and donor cell culture enhanced the blastocyst formation and efficiently blocked DNA damage in transgenic NT embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 694–702, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rabbit oviductal glycoprotein 1 gene: Genomic organization polymorphism analysis and mRNA expression
Authors: Merchán Maribel , Peiró Rosa , Santacreu M. Antonia , Francino Olga , Folch Josep M. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe OVGP1 is an oviductal glycoprotein that has positive effects on fertilization and early embryo development. We have amplified and sequenced the rabbit OVGP1 gene, which spans 13 kb and it is formed by 11 exons and 10 introns. To find polymorphisms, a region encompassing the promoter to intron 1 has been sequenced in 22 rabbits of the H, V, R, and A Spanish lines. We have identified five SNPs and one triallelic microsatellite in the promoter region, and three SNPs and one dinucleotide INDEL in intron 1. The 10 polymorphic sites cosegregate forming two haplotypes. The allelic frequencies of the microsatellite have been analyzed in 98 rabbits belonging to the four lines and the three alleles were found in all the lines. The relative quantification of the OVGP1 mRNA in liver, kidneys, lungs, skeletal muscle, ovary, uterus, and oviduct reveals that the OVGP1 expression in the oviduct is 5,500 higher than in the uterus or ovary, whereas a low level of basal expression is detected in non‐reproductive tissues. We have also compared the mRNA expression between samples of oviducts taken from non‐mated rabbit and samples of oviducts at different stages of the early pregnancy, but no significant differences were found. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 687–693, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development and pattern of mRNA relative abundance of bovine embryos cultured in the isolated mouse oviduct in organ culture
Authors: Rizos D. , Pintado B. , de la Fuente J. , Lonergan P. , Gutiérrez‐Adán A. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the development of bovine zygotes in isolated mouse oviducts (IMO) and the quality of the blastocysts produced. In vitro produced bovine zygotes were transferred into the ampullae of the IMO and cultured in SOF or KSOM. Control embryos were cultured in droplets of the same media. Following 6 days of culture, blastocysts were processed for nuclei counts or mRNA abundance. Culture in the IMO did not affect the proportion of zygotes developing to the blastocyst stage compared to the respective control droplets (SOF: 17.7 ± 3.2% vs. 18.8 ± 2.7%; KSOM: 20.7 ± 2.6% vs. 22.2 ± 2.8%). Culture in the IMO in KSOM resulted in an increased number of inner cell mass (ICM) nuclei; however, total nuclei number or incidence of apoptosis was unaffected. Culture in the IMO in SOF resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in abundance of transcripts in blastocysts for Oct‐4 and SOX, and reduced abundance of Glut‐1, Na/K, Cx43, and survivin compared to blastocysts derived from culture in SOF alone. In contrast, culture in the IMO in KSOM resulted in increased abundance of transcripts for Glut‐1, Cx43, Oct‐4, and survivin and reduced expression of Na/K and SOX compared to KSOM alone. Transcripts for G6PDH, IFN‐τ, and E‐Cad were unaffected. These data confirm that the IMO is capable of supporting development of bovine embryos. Depending on the basal medium used, the pattern of transcript abundance in embryos derived from the IMO is similar to that of in vivo derived embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 716–723, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase pathway regulates sperm viability but not capacitation on boar spermatozoa
Authors: Aparicio I.M. , Bragado M.J. , Gil M.C. , Garcia‐Herreros M. , Gonzalez‐Fernandez L. , Tapia J.A. , Garcia‐Marin L.J. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractPhosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3‐K) plays an important role in cell survival in somatic cells and recent data pointed out a role for this kinase in sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction (AR). This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of PI3‐K pathway on porcine spermatozoa capacitation, AR, and viability using two unrelated PI3‐K inhibitors, LY294002 and wortmannin. In boar spermatozoa, we have identified the presence of PDK1, PKB/Akt, and PTEN, three of the main key components of the PI3‐K pathway. Incubation of boar sperm in a capacitating medium (TCM) caused a significant increase in the percentage of capacitated (25 ± 2 to 34 ± 1% P < 0.05, n = 6) and acrosome reacted (1 ± 1 to 11 ± 1% P < 0.01, n = 6) spermatozoa compared with sperm in basal medium (TBM). Inhibition of PI3‐K did affect neither the capacitation status nor AR nor protein p32 tyrosine phosphorylation of boar spermatozoa incubated in TBM or TCM. Boar sperm viability in TBM was significantly decreased by 40 and 20% after pretreatment with LY294002 or wortmannin, respectively. Similar results were observed after incubation of boar spermatozoa in TCM. Treatment of boar spermatozoa with the analog of cAMP, 8Br‐cAMP significantly prevented the reduction on sperm viability. Our results provide evidence for an important role of the PI3‐K pathway in the regulation of boar sperm viability and suggests that other signaling pathways different from PI3‐K must be activated downstream of cAMP to contribute to regulation of sperm viability. Finally, in our conditions the PI3‐K pathway seems not related with boar sperm capacitation or AR. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 1035–1042, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Leptin in the bovine corpus luteum: Receptor expression and effects on progesterone production
Authors: Nicklin L.T. , Robinson R.S. , Marsters P. , Campbell B.K. , Mann G.E. , Hunter M.G. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractIn cattle, leptin has been implicated in the control of ovarian function and has been shown to modulate steroid production by theca and granulosa cells in a number of species. However, a direct effect of leptin on bovine luteal function has not been demonstrated. This study was conducted to determine if the leptin receptor (OB‐R) is expressed in the bovine corpus luteum (CL), and to examine the effects of leptin on progesterone production by dispersed luteal cells in vitro. RT‐PCR was used to detect the presence of OB‐R and, more specifically, the long, biologically active isoform (OB‐Rb), in CL, collected on days 2–18 of the oestrous cycle (n = 18). The effects of leptin on progesterone production were investigated in dispersed luteal cells prepared from CL collected on days 5 and 8 (n = 14) of the cycle. The dispersed luteal cells were cultured for 24 hr with recombinant human leptin and/or LR3‐IGF‐1 and/or LH. OB‐Rs, in particular, OB‐Rb, were expressed in the CL at all stages of development. Progesterone production by luteal cells was increased (P < 0.001) by treatment with LH (10 ng/ml) but treatment with leptin alone had no effect. However, in the presence of IGF‐1 (100 ng/ml), leptin (10 ng/ml) caused a significant (P < 0.005) increase in progesterone production. In conclusion, we have shown that the leptin receptor is expressed in the bovine CL and have demonstrated a modulatory effect of leptin on luteal progesterone production in vitro. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 724–729, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polymorphisms of the human PUMILIO2 gene and male sterility
Authors: Kusz K. , Ginter‐Matuszewska B. , Ziolkowska K. , Spik A. , Bierla J. , Jedrzejczak P. , Latos‐Bielenska A. , Pawelczyk L. , Jaruzelska J. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe highly conserved Pumilio protein plays crucial roles in fertility of many organisms acting as a repressor of translation, and causing infertility when mutated. Although one of two human Pumilio homologs, PUMILIO2 is expressed mainly in the germ line, its role in mammalian germ cell development has not been reported yet. To shed light on the role of PUMILIO2 in development of the human male germ line, we screened this gene for mutations in 137 patients presenting a variety of phenotypes with spermatogenic failure. The first variant, we identified was a single base substitution within intron 15 (IVS15 + 6G > A). This variant was found in three azoospermic males, the second allele being the wild type. However, this variant was also present among fertile males, as frequently as in the patients. Although location of IVS15 + 6G > A substitution in close proximity to the canonical donor splice site GT, indicates that its influence on splicing cannot be excluded, our preliminary cDNA analysis has not revealed evidence of a splicing abnormality of PUMILIO2 pre‐mRNA carrying this variant. Nevertheless, this study provides new interesting variant containing a donor splice site variant, which can be relevant for understanding of splicing mechanism of mammalian genes. The second variant, c.774 C > T transversion (Y258Y) in exon 6 was found only in one patient, but an influence on PUMILIO2 function is not obvious. Altogether, this study shows that variation in the PUMILIO2 gene is very low and it seems improbable that mutations of this gene significantly contribute to male infertility in humans. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 795–799, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
One‐pot synthesis of 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline‐containing quasi‐diblock copoly(2‐oxazoline)s under microwave irradiation
Authors: Hoogenboom Richard , Thijs Hanneke M. L. , Fijten Martin W. M. , van Lankvelt Bart M. , Schubert Ulrich S. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe microwave‐assisted statistical copolymerization of 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline with 2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline or 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline is discussed in this contribution. Kinetic studies of these statistical copolymerizations as well as reactivity ratio determinations were performed to investigate the monomer distribution in these copoly(2‐oxazoline)s, demonstrating the formation of quasi‐diblock copolymers. In addition, the synthesis of copolymer series with monomer concentrations ranging from 0 to 100 mol % is described. These copolymer series were characterized with 1H NMR spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and gel permeation chromatography. Moreover, the glass‐transition temperatures and solubility of these copolymers were studied, and this revealing better mixing of poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) (pMeOx) with poly(2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline) (pPhOx) than poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) (pEtOx) with poly(2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline) (pPhOx). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 416–422, 2007.
Determination of miglitol in human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Xin , Wang Yingwu , Wang Jiang , Fawcett J. Paul , Zhao Limei , Gu Jingkai 
Published: December 2006

AbstractA rapid and sensitive method for the determination of miglitol in human plasma using voglibose as internal standard has been developed and validated. Samples of plasma were deproteinated with acetonitrile and washed with dichloromethane before being analyzed by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Separation was carried out on a short Nucleosil C18 column (5 µm, 50 × 4.6 mm i.d.) using 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate at 1.0 mL/min as mobile phase. The detector was an Applied Biosystems Sciex API 4000 mass spectrometer using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) for ion production. The instrument was operated at unit resolution in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The assay was linear over the range 5.00–2000 ng/mL with a limit of detection of 1.00 ng/mL. Intra‐ and inter‐day precision were <2.82% and <2.92%, respectively, with accuracy of 93.3–106%. The assay was successfully applied to a clinical pharmacokinetic study of miglitol given as a single oral dose (50 mg) to healthy volunteers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural assignment of disialylated biantennary N‐glycan isomers derivatized with 2‐aminopyridine using negative‐ion multistage tandem mass spectral matching
Authors: Ito Hiroki , Yamada Kuriko , Deguchi Kisaburo , Nakagawa Hiroaki , Nishimura Shin‐Ichiro 
Published: December 2006

AbstractTo investigate the possibility of structural assignment based on negative‐ion multistage tandem mass (MSn) spectral matching, four isomers of disialylated biantennary N‐glycans (α2‐6 and/or α2‐3 linked sialic acid on α1‐6 and α1‐3 antennae) derivatized with 2‐aminopyridine (PA) were analyzed by employing high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization linear ion trap time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI‐LIT‐TOFMS), which uses helium gas for ion trapping and collision‐induced dissociation (CID). It is shown that the MS2 spectra derived from each precursor ion [M−2H]2− are reproducible and useful for distinguishing the four isomers. Thus, they can be assigned by negative‐ion MS2 spectral matching based on correlation coefficients. In addition, MS3 spectra derived from D‐type fragment ions clearly differentiate the α2‐3‐ or α2‐6‐linked sialic acid on the α1‐6 antenna due to their characteristic spectral patterns. The C4‐type fragment ions, which are produced from both the α1‐6 and α1‐3 antennae, show the characteristic MS3 spectra reflecting α2‐3‐ or α2‐6‐ linkage type or a mixture of both types. Thus, the differentiation and assignment of these disialylated biantennary N‐glycan isomers can also be supported with the MS3 spectra of C4‐ and D‐type ions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Individuation and parents as people: Measurement concerns regarding two aspects of autonomy☆
Authors: Andersen Brian , LaVoie Joseph C. , Dunkel Curt S. 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACTThe focus of this study was on examining two assumed components of adolescent autonomy—individuation and perceiving parents as people and the validity of their measurement. Participating in the study were 67 students in grades 9 and 11 (ages 14–17 years) and 118 college students (ages 18–27 years). Each student completed two measures of individuation and two measures of parents as people. The sample was divided into four data sets for analyses based on gender and age grouping. Neither the two measures of individuation nor the two measures of parents as people correlated with each other indicating a problem with concurrent validity. The problems with adequate grounding in theory and validity for the measures are discussed.
Changes in diet, exercise and stress behaviours using the stages of change model in cardiac rehabilitation patients
Authors: Mckee Gabrielle , Bannon Jo , Kerins Mary , Fitzgerald Geraldine 
Published: December 2006

The behavioural changes initiated during Phase III cardiac rehabilitation programmes were recorded using Prochaska and Diclemente's “stages of change” model. This study aimed to ascertain if changes were initiated, maintained or further developed during Phase III programmes and 6 months after the programmes with a view to ascertaining the usefulness of this tool in providing stage matched individualised care. The risk factors examined were: exercise, diet and stress. The stages were recorded quantitatively and were numerically designated a value of 1–5. The results were analysed using SPSS. The sample number was one hundred and eighty seven patients. Significant improvements were made by the end of the programme (6 or 8 weeks) indicating that most patients had modified their behaviour during the programme. There was no significant additional improvement in the risk factors 6 months later. These results are a further indication of the need for support post Phase III programmes. Patients entered Phase III rehabilitation at different stages in their risk behaviours and with regard to exercise this stage at commencement influences the final stage achieved. “Stages of change” is a useful simple method of recording behavioural change and this type of routine monitoring of a patient could be used effectively as part of the individual care plan during the programme.
Clinical syndrome suggestive of heart failure is frequently attributable to non‐cardiac disorders — population‐based study
Authors: Azevedo Ana , Bettencourt Paulo , Pimenta Joana , Friões Fernando , Abreu‐Lima Cassiano , Hense Hans‐Werner , Barros Henrique 
Published: December 2006

AbstractAim:To assess how often the clinical syndrome (CS) of heart failure is attributable to alternative, including non‐cardiac, explanations.Methods and results:Cross‐sectional evaluation of 739 community participants aged ≥45 years. Subjects with ≥2 symptoms or signs (dyspnoea or fatigue, orthopnoea, nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnoea, third heart sound, jugular venous distension, rales and lower limb oedema) or who were receiving loop diuretics were considered to have the clinical syndrome of heart failure. Attributable fractions were derived based on adjusted odds ratios and the prevalence of underlying disorders among cases. CS was present in 28.0% of women and in 15.2% of men, p<0.001. The multivariate‐adjusted fraction of CS attributable to female gender was 40.6%, to age≥65 years 28.5%, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular dilatation or moderate–severe valvular disease 4.9%, diastolic dysfunction or atrial fibrillation 13.0%, obesity 22.6%, coronary heart disease 7.2% and chronic lung disease 6.9%. When additionally adjusting for depressive symptoms, the association with gender and age became much weaker, and 32% of cases were attributable to depressive symptoms. Forty‐two percent of subjects with CS had cardiac abnormalities.Conclusion:In less than half of subjects with CS was systolic or diastolic heart failure confirmed. Female gender, older age, obesity and depressive symptoms accounted for the largest fraction of CS.
The spinal cord connections of the myofascial trigger spots⋆,⋆⋆
Authors: Kuan Ta‐Shen , Hong Chang‐Zern , Chen Jo‐Tong , Chen Shu‐Min , Chien Chi‐Hsien 
Published: December 2006

AbstractBackground:Recent electrophysiological studies revealed that endplate noise (EPN) could be specifically recorded from a myofascial trigger point (MTrP) region. EPN has been considered as the focal graded potentials due to excessive acetylcholine release in neuromuscular junction. A recent histological study has demonstrated a free nerve ending at the vicinity of the site, from where EPN could be recorded in an MTrP region. However, the sensory (afferent) and the motor (efferent) connections between an MTrP and the spinal cord still has never been fully studied.Aims:The aim of this study was to delineate both motor and sensory connections between an MTrP and the spinal cord by applying the stain with horseradish peroxidase (HRP).Methods:Nine Wistar rats were studied. When the rat was anesthetized, its biceps femoris muscles were exposed for localizing the myofascial trigger spot (MTrS, equivalent to MTrP in human). In one side, a monopolar Teflon‐coated, hollow‐needle electrode was used for searching EPN in an MTrS region, and then HRP was injected via this hollow‐needle electrode into the site where EPN was recorded. HRP was also injected into a normal (non‐taut band, non‐MTrS) site in the contralateral side to obtain the control data. Two days after HRP injection, the rats were sacrificed and their spinal cords and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were sectioned for the identification of the sites where neurons were labeled with HRP.Results:The HRP‐labeled neurons were found in the ventral horn of the spinal cord and in the DRG over L3, L4, and L5, while most were found in the L5 level. The mean numbers of HRP‐labeled neurons in the EPN side looked smaller than that in the control side, but the difference did not reach statistically significant level (P> 0.05). The mean values of the diameters of the HRP‐labeled neurons in the DRG were not significantly different between the EPN side and the control side (P> 0.05). However, HRP‐neurons in the ventral horn of the spinal cord in the EPN side showed mild tendency to be smaller than that in the control side.Conclusions:The spinal cord connections of an MTrS are basically similar to that for a normal tissue region. The motor neurons related to MTrS tended to be smaller in their diameters. The findings in this study further supported the previously proposed hypotheses for the pathogenesis of an MTrP.
Cardiovascular risk factors in cognitively impaired nursing home patients: A relationship with pain?
Authors: Achterberg W.P. , Scherder E. , Pot A.M. , Ribbe M.W. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractCardiovascular risk factors (CRF) such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus favour the development of both vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The resulting deafferentation may increase the experience of pain in VaD and in AD. The goal of the present study was to examine the relationship between CRF and pain in a sample of 107 cognitively impaired nursing home patients who had also a chronic pain condition. The prevalence of pain in patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus was higher (25/41 = 61% of them had pain) than those without diabetes or hypertension (of whom 24/66 = 36.4% had pain, p = 0.017). In a multivariate logistic regression model (adjusted for gender, age and depression) the presence of diabetes or hypertension was a risk indicator for pain: odds ratio: 3.48, p = 0.005, 95% CI: 1.45–8.38. This finding supports the hypothesis that as a result of CRF, disruptions of cortico–cortico and cortico–subcortical pathways occur, and consequently, enhances pain in this group of patients.