bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma Progesterone Profile in Ovariectomized Beef Cows after Intra‐vaginal Insertion of New, Once‐used or Twice‐used CIDR
Authors: Long ST , Yoshida C , Nakao T 
Published: June 2008

ContentsObjective of this study was to show plasma progesterone concentrations in ovariectomized beef cows after treatment with new, once‐used and twice‐used controlled internal drug‐releasing devices (CIDRs). Four ovariectomized beef cows were used for the experiment. Plasma concentrations of progesterone were quantified using a validated ELISA. The CIDR was inserted into vagina of cows by using a standard CIDR applicator and then removed 7 days after insertion. One week later, once‐used CIDR was inserted and removed on day 7. Twice‐used CIDR was, then inserted at an interval of 7 days. Mean plasma concentrations of progesterone 24 h after new CIDR insertion was 4.0 ± 0.1 ng/ml, which thereafter decreased gradually to 1.4 ± 0.1 ng/ml at day 7. In cows treated with once‐used CIDR or twice‐used CIDR, mean plasma progesterone concentrations at day 1 were 2.4 ± 0.2 or 1.8 ± 0.2 ng/ml and 1.0 ± 0 or 0.9 ± 0.1 ng/ml at day 7 respectively. The results suggest that once‐used CIDR may be still effective to produce luteal phase progesterone concentrations in plasma in non‐suckling beef cows.
Use of Luprostiol and Cloprostenol for Induction of Parturition in Pregnant Goats
Authors: Batista M , Niño T , Alamo D , González F , Santana M , Rodríguez N , Cabrera F , Gracia A 
Published: June 2008

ContentPregnant goats were induced to parturition on day 145 of pregnancy, with three different protocols: group Cl (n = 19) was injected intramuscularly (IM) with 75 μg of the prostaglandin analogue R‐Cloprostenol; group L (n = 20) was treated IM with 7.5 mg of the prostaglandin analogue Luprostiol; group L50 (n = 18) was injected IM with 3.75 mg of Luprostiol (IM); in addition, Group S (Control, n = 15) was injected IM with 1 ml of saline solution. Thereafter, goats were continuously observed to record the following parameters: parturition, dystocia incidence, placental delivery and kid and maternal survival. Moreover, blood sampling was performed around kidding and plasma progesterone concentrations were analyzed. The interval from injection to parturition (mean ± SEM) was not significantly different among the experimental groups: 35.1 ± 1.5 h, 33.3 ± 0.9 h and 34.1 ± 1.8 h (groups Cl, L and L50, respectively). In the control group, time to parturition was 99.4 ± 12.1 h (range: 34–166 h). All the goats expelled the foetal membranes within the first 2 h after the induction. The incidence of dystocia due to foetal posture was not significantly different between induced and control goats (21.1%, 20.0%, 22.0% and 20%, for groups Cl, L, L50 and S, respectively). The percentage of live kids was practically similar between induced goats (93.9%, 94.9% and 92.1%, for groups Cl, L and L50, respectively); in addition, there was a case of maternal mortality in control group (6.7%; 1/15), whereas there was no mortality in induced goats (0%; 0/57). Plasma concentrations of progesterone showed an intense drop (<2 ng/ml) at 24 h after induction. This study confirms the effectiveness of the luprostiol to induce the parturition in goats, within a narrow range (30–40 h) in most of the induced females (80.0%, 7.5 mg; 77.8%, 3.75 mg).
Efficiency of Two Enucleation Methods Connected to Handmade Cloning to Produce Transgenic Porcine Embryos
Authors: Li J , Villemoes K , Zhang Y , Du Y , Kragh PM , Purup S , Xue Q , Pedersen AM , Jørgensen AL , Jakobsen JE , Bolund L , Yang H , Vajta G 
Published: June 2008

ContentsThe purpose of our work was to establish an efficient‐oriented enucleation method to produce transgenic embryos with handmade cloning (HMC). After 41–42 h oocytes maturation, the oocytes were further cultured with or without 0.4 μg/ml demecolcine for 45 min [chemically assisted handmade enucleation (CAHE) group vs polar body (PB) oriented handmade enucleation (OHE) group respectively]. After removal of the cumulus cells and partial digestion of the zona pellucida, oocytes with visible extrusion cones and/or polar bodies attached to the surface were subjected to oriented bisection. Putative cytoplasts without extrusion cones or PB were selected as recipients. Two cytoplasts were electrofused with one transgenic fibroblasts expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP), while non‐transgenic fibroblasts were used as controls. Reconstructed embryos were cultured in Well of Wells (WOWs) with porcine zygote medium 3 (PZM‐3) after activation. Cleavage and blastocyst rates were registered on day 2 and day 7 of in vitro culture respectively. Meanwhile, the total blastocyst cell number was counted on day 7. We found that the difference was only observed between blastocyst rates (38.6 ± 2% vs 48.1 ± 3%) of cloned embryos with GFP transgenic fibroblast cells after CAHE vs OHE. With adjusted time‐lapse for zonae‐free cloned embryos cultured in WOWs with PZM‐3, it was obvious that in vitro developmental competence after CAHE was compromised when compared with the OHE method. OHE enucleation method seems to be a potential superior alternative method used for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) with transgenic fibroblast cells.
Cysticercus tenuicollis Vesicle in Fetal Structures: Report of a Case
Authors: Payan‐Carreira R , Silva F , Rodrigues M , Dos Anjos Pires M 
Published: June 2008

Contents Cysticercus tenuicollis is the larval stage of the canine tapeworm Taenia hydatigena, the presence of which has been reported in wild and domestic ruminants all over the world. It is a common parasite of small ruminants in the north of Portugal. C. tenuicollis is generally seen attached to the omenta, the mesenteries or also found in the liver. In the ewe, tissue lesions have been associated with degenerative cysts or with oncosphere migrations. Unusual locations of the cysticerci of T. hydatigena have been described. The most frequent unusual locations are in the lungs, the kidneys and the brain. Less common locations have been reported to occur in the ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina. In the case described here, and for the first time, an aberrant location of a C. tenuicollis vesicle was found inside the chorion‐allantoic membrane of a goat’s foetus, in a gemelar gestation of approximately 70 days. Finding a C. tenuicollis vesicle inside fetal membranes forewarns of the possibility of larval migrations into the fetal structures during pregnancy, which is particularly concerning in human populations that are infested.
Effects of Exogenous Tumour Necrosis Factor‐α on the Secretory Function of the Bovine Reproductive Tract Depend on Tumour Necrosis Factor‐α Concentrations
Authors: Skarzynski DJ , Piotrowska KK , Bah MM , Korzekwa A , Woclawek‐Potocka I , Sawai K , Okuda K 
Published: June 2008

ContentsThe aim of study was to correlate tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF) infused doses used with the TNF concentrations achieved and with the secretory function of both the ovary and the uterus in cows. We evaluated the concentrations of progesterone (P4), prostaglandin (PG)F2α, PGE2nitric oxide (NO) and TNF in the jugular vein andvena cava caudalisas parameters of exogenous TNF action on the female reproductive tract.Aortae abdominalisof cows (n = 18) were infused with saline or two doses of TNF (luteolytic – 1 μg or luteotrophic – 10 μg). In the peripheral blood, 1 μg TNF concentrations achieved within the range of 30–45 pg/ml, and 10 μg TNF provoked a sharp increase in achieved concentrations at a range of 250–450 pg/mL). The TNF concentrations achieved invena cava caudaliswere five to six times higher than that in peripheral blood (p < 0.001). One microgram TNF increased PGF2αand NO (p < 0.001) and decreased P4 (p < 0.05). The higher TNF dose stimulated P4 and PGE2(p < 0.01). TNF infusion at luteolytic dose achieved its concentrations at the physiological range previously observed in cows. Luteotrophic TNF dose achieved the concentrations invena cava caudalisthat are much higher than physiological level and were previously noted in pathological circumstances (i.e.mastitis,metritis).
Anthropometry and body composition in ethnic Japanese and Caucasian adolescent boys
Authors: Sampei Míriam A. , Novo Neil F. , Juliano Yara , Sigulem Dirce M. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground: The effect of environmental conditions on development, including growth, maturation and the fulfillment of genetic potential, can be identified through the study of the variations found among different ethnic groups in the same population. The objectives of the present study were: (i) to compare the various anthropometric and body composition parameters based on ethnicity and maturation stage in 31 Japanese and 99 Caucasian prepubescent boys and 50 Japanese and 98 Caucasian post‐pubescent boys; and (ii) to assess body mass index (BMI) and its relationship with other methods of body fat evaluation.Methods: The percentage of body fat was measured using bioelectrical impedance, near‐infrared interactance and Slaughter cutaneous skinfold equations.Results: Weight and height were statistically lower for the Japanese than the Caucasian subjects. There were no differences in body fat between the ethnic groups, but the Japanese subjects had statistically lower levels of fat‐free mass. The gain in fat‐free mass and the loss in body fat when attaining maturation were greater in the Caucasian subjects. The agreement of BMI with other methods was good in all of the groups but lower for the Japanese than for the Caucasian subjects.Conclusion: Height and weight differences between the ethnic groups indicated distinct genetic potential ranges. The body fat mass did not differ between the ethnic groups, but the degree of changes when attaining maturation in the Caucasian subjects was greater. If this difference were to be maintained between the groups then years later there would be a greater accumulation of fat in the Japanese subjects.
Clinical and electrophysiological features of Japanese pediatric long QT syndrome patients with KCNQ1 mutations
Authors: Yasuda Kenji , Hayashi George , Horie Akiyoshi , Taketani Takeshi , Yamaguchi Seiji 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the present paper was to determine the clinical and electrophysiological features of Japanese pediatric long QT syndrome (LQTS) patients with KCNQ1 mutations (LQT1).Methods: KCNQ1 mutations were analyzed in 13 Japanese pediatric patients with prolonged QT interval on electrocardiogram (ECG). These LQT1 patients were reviewed, retrospectively, for the presence of past and family histories of LQTS‐related cardiac events, other complications, and their ECG findings evaluated at rest and during exercise).Results: KCNQ1 mutations were identified in eight patients (61.5%) from six unrelated families. Four missense mutations were identified in seven patients and an insertion/deletion in one. The mutations were located in the transmembrane domain in four patients and the C‐terminal domain in four. Syncope did not occur in patients with the C‐terminal domain mutations up to the age of 6–9 years, but family members of patients with the C‐terminal domain mutations had a history of syncope in their elementary school days. Compared with a non‐LQTS control group, peak heart rate (HR) on exercise and the HR increase during exercise were significantly lower in the LQT1 group (LQT1 vs control, 155 ± 16 beats/min vs 182 ± 13 beats/min, P < 0.01, 66 ± 16 beats/min vs 99 ± 24 beats/min, P < 0.01, respectively).Conclusions: The risk of LQTS‐related cardiac events may not be different in pediatric LQT1 patients with C‐terminal domain mutations than in patients with transmembrane domain mutations. Possible sinus node dysfunction or a poor HR response to sympathetic stimulation has been suggested in pediatric LQT1 patients.
Pharmacokinetic study of mizoribine in child‐onset glomerulonephritis
Authors: Abe Yoshifusa , Mikawa Takeshi , Fuke Toshiya , Hisano Masataka , Tsuji Yuichiro , Watanabe Shuichiro , Itabashi Kazuo 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground: Mizoribine (MZR) has been successfully used without serious adverse effects in patients with various types of glomerulonephritis, but there are only a few pharmacokinetic studies of MZR. The purpose of the present paper was to report the results of a pharmacokinetic study of MZR in child‐onset glomerulonephritis.Methods: Nine patients were enrolled. MZR was administered orally at 60–300 mg/day (3.0–8.4 mg/kg bodyweight/day) divided in one or two daily doses. Blood samples were collected 7–10 times before and after drug administration. Urine samples were also collected during the blood sampling periods. Twenty‐three concentration curves of MZR were analyzed in the present study. Pharmacokinetic parameters for mizoribine were estimated using concentration–time profiles. The non‐parametric Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated to determine significant associations between variables. P < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The obtained pharmacokinetic values at a dose of 3.36 ± 1.91 mg/kg bodyweight were as follows: time to peak serum MZR concentration, 2.94 ± 0.82 h; peak serum MZR concentration, 1.59 ± 1.16 μg/mL; half‐life, 1.96 ± 0.92 h; area under the serum MZR concentration–time curve from time zero to infinity, 9.36 ± 6.58 μg h/mL; volume of the distribution of MZR at a steady state, 2.03 ± 0.80 L/kg; and rate of urinary excretion of MZR, 49.1 ± 18.7%.Conclusions: The parameters estimated in the present study may be useful for the MZR treatment of patients with child‐onset glomerulonephritis.
Complex regional pain syndromes in children and adolescents
Authors: Kachko Ludmyla , Efrat Rachel , Ben Ami Shiri , Mukamel Masha , Katz Jacob 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the present paper was to assess efficiency of treatment and long‐term functional outcome of complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS) in children who were treated in the chronic pain clinic at a major tertiary hospital in Israel.Methods: The files of 14 children with CRPS were analyzed retrospectively. Demographic data, initiating event, referring source, time needed for referral to pain clinic, clinical evaluation, treatment, recurrence and complications were recorded.Results: Fourteen children with CRPS types I and II were included in the study. Girls were affected in 71%. Lower extremities were affected in 57%. The median time from onset of symptoms to seeking medical help was 4.46 weeks (range 2–82 weeks). The median time to referral to pain clinic was 24.51 weeks (range 1.2–94). In 45% the referral source was the pediatrician. A total of 85.8% of patients were referred to various consultations before the pain clinic. Most children had reduced pain and improved function on non‐invasive treatment approach. Invasive treatments were used in 28.5%. Full or partial recovery was accomplished in 93%. Recurrence was observed in 29%.Conclusions: CRPS in children and adolescents is still underdiagnosed, although many of the epidemiologic features of pediatric CRPS are similar in different countries/cultures. Early recognition and management is the major factor in improving outcome and preventing resistant CRPS, but even children with delayed diagnosis still have a good outcome. The management of this disease by an experienced multidisciplinary team is recommended. Because psychosocial factors play an important role, it is recommended to provide psychological evaluation and cognitive behavioral treatment as soon as possible.
Effects of bodyweight on health‐related quality of life in school‐aged children and adolescents
Authors: Sato Hirokazu , Nakamura Nobue , Sasaki Nozomu 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of bodyweight on health‐related quality of life (QOL) in children.Methods: A questionnaire to assess health‐related QOL was developed and completed by 242 primary school children and 180 junior high school students in Morioka, Japan. Subjects were classified by obesity index into three groups as follows: underweight, ≤−20% obesity index (n = 13); normal weight, between +20% and −20% (n = 354); and overweight, ≥+20% (n = 55). The overall QOL score and the score of each domain were compared among the three groups and in each gender.Results: Overall QOL scores did not differ significantly among the three groups. The scores for the domain of ‘strength, diligence and self‐esteem’ in the underweight and overweight groups were significantly lower than those for the normal‐weight group overall and for girls (P < 0.01). Scores for the ‘school’ domain in the underweight group were significantly lower than those for the overweight group overall and for boys (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Children, except those of normal bodyweight, have low scores in some domains of health‐related QOL, suggesting the importance of considering the effects of bodyweight on QOL in programs aimed at further understanding under‐ or overweight children and adolescents.
Frequent methylprednisone pulse therapy is a risk factor for steroid cataracts in children
Authors: Nerome Yasuhito , Imanaka Hiroyuki , Nonaka Yukiko , Takei Syuji , Kawano Yoshifumi 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground: Pediatricians use corticosteroids for prolonged periods of time for the treatment of many diseases, including rheumatic disease. The side‐effects of corticosteroids, especially cataracts, are widely recognized, but the predictive risk factors for steroid‐induced cataracts have not yet been fully characterized.Methods: The relationship between the formation of cataracts and steroid therapy was evaluated in patients with rheumatic disease.Results: The initiation of steroid therapy in children under 12 years of age (P = 0.041) and i.v. methylprednisone pulse therapy (IVMP) (P = 0.046) are significant risk factors for inducing cataracts. In contrast, the cumulative corticosteroid dose, sex, and daily corticosteroid dose were not associated with cataract formation.Conclusions: Younger children, who need frequent IVMP to treat their rheumatic diseases, should be examined by ophthalmologists frequently to avoid developing amblyopia from cataracts.
Siesta and sleep patterns in a sample of adolescents in Greece
Authors: Paraskakis Emmanouil , Ntouros Thomas , Ntokos Michail , Siavana Ourania , Bitsori Maria , Galanakis Emmanouil 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground: Sleep behaviors and disturbances in adolescence are being increasingly investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the sleep habits of adolescents living in provincial Greece.Methods: Responses to pre‐constructed questionnaires on sleep habits and disturbances from 471 high‐school students (259 boys; 212 girls), aged 14–18 years, attending four high schools of rural and semi‐urban areas in north‐western Greece, were analyzed.Results: The median nocturnal and total sleep duration was 7.5 h (range, 2.5–11 h) and 8.5 h (range, 2.5–14 h), respectively, and the average bedtime was 23.55 hours. Male students, older adolescents and residents of towns went to bed later than female students, younger adolescents and residents of villages (P = 0.039, P = 0.0003 and P = 0.056, respectively). Siesta on a regular basis was reported by 43% and on an occasional basis by 46% of the students. Siesta median duration was 1.5 h (range 0.5–4.5 h). Daytime sleepiness, difficulties in morning awakening and in falling asleep, and night awakenings were reported by 26.3%, 17.4%, 17.2% and 11.2%, respectively. Students who had siestas reported less daytime sleepiness (P < 0.0001). Significant differences were observed between boys and girls regarding sleep disturbances.Conclusion: Adolescents in provincial Greece present with a different sleep pattern as compared to their northern European peers, characterized by late bedtime and midday siesta. Similarly to their peers in other countries, considerable rates of sleep disturbances were reported.
Infant injuries from child restraint safety seat misuse at British Columbia Children’s Hospital
Authors: Desapriya Ediriweera BR , Joshi Pamela , Subzwari Sayed , Nolan Mhairi 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground: Child restraint safety seats (CRS) are used to prevent injuries or deaths among child passengers involved in a motor vehicle crash. When used outside of a motor vehicle, CRS use could potentially place an infant at risk of injury. The objective of the current study was to describe the proportion of CRS misuse injuries among infants <12 months old and associated factors presenting to the British Columbia (BC) Children’s Hospital Emergency Department over 5 years (1997–2002).Methods: The Canadian Hospital Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) was the source for the emergency department injury surveillance data used in the present study. BC Children’s Hospital is the participating CHIRPP site in British Columbia. A search of individual level patient records was conducted to capture all injuries from CRS misuse taking place during the study period using a predetermined code for ‘child car seat‐related injuries’. A retrospective analysis of 87 infants <12 months old, who presented at BC Children’s Hospital for CRS‐related injuries between January 1997 and December 2002 was performed in order to describe the epidemiologic and background factors related to injury occurrence.Results: Infants aged 0–4 months accounted for approximately 59.7% of cases (52/87). Among all infants, falls were a common mechanism of injury resulting from CRS misuse (98.8%, 86/87). Falls from elevated surfaces (e.g. chairs, tables, counters) were also common among infants presenting to the emergency departments and accounted for 43% of all falls (37/86).Conclusions: Injury prevention efforts should be focused on reducing CRS outside the motor vehicle setting and preventing placement of the CRS at an elevated surface. Educating caregivers on the dangers of falls resulting from CRS misuse in a variety of care settings is also recommended.
Cytomegalovirus infection and wheezing in infants
Authors: Morisawa Yutaka , Maeda Akihiko , Sato Tetsuya , Hisakawa Hiroaki , Fujieda Mikiya , Wakiguchi Hiroshi 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground: Bronchial asthma‐like symptoms such as wheezing are commonly associated with respiratory tract infection including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in infants. No study on the association of wheezing with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in infancy has been reported, although CMV infection has been observed to play some role in prolonged and intractable wheezing in limited cases.Methods: The present study investigated 40 hospitalized infants who presented with first‐episode wheezing between October 2003 and September 2004. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were tested for RSV, and serum antibodies against CMV were measured. As controls, age‐matched infants with no wheezing were examined for CMV serostatus.Results: RSV‐antigen was detected in 21 subjects (53%), and seven (18%) were considered primary CMV infection serologically. Primary CMV infection was found more often in the wheezers than in the controls although the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). The incidence of splenomegaly was significantly higher in wheezers with CMV infection (86%) than in those with RSV infection or without either infection. The duration of wheezing, fever, and radiographic and laboratory findings during hospitalization were not significantly different.Conclusions: CMV infection based on serologic diagnosis should be considered in infants with first wheezing episode and particularly those with splenomegaly.