bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Two Different Programmes of Ovulation Synchronization in the Treatment of Ovarian Cysts in Dairy Cows
Authors: Gundling N , Drews S , Hoedemaker M 
Published: March 2009

ContentsIt was the aim of this field study to evaluate two different protocols of ovulation synchronization for the treatment of ovarian cysts and their effect on reproductive performance in dairy cows. In addition, factors with a possible influence on treatment success and pregnancy outcome as well as costs per pregnancy were analysed. The study was performed with 130 German Holsteins with ovarian cysts diagnosed on days 55 to 60 postpartum. Cows belonging to group 1 (n = 65) received a modified ovsynch protocol [day 0: 0.15 mg cloprostenol (PGF) + 0.02 mg buserelin acetate (GnRH); day 14: PGF; day 16: GnRH]. Group 2 (n = 65) was treated with the conventional ovsynch protocol (day 0: GnRH; day 7: PGF; day 9: GnRH). Timed artificial insemination was performed 20 to 24 h later. Cows without ovarian cysts served as controls. Treatment success (disappearance of the ovarian cyst) after the first ovsynch cycle was higher in group 1 (66.2%) than in group 2 (23.1%, p < 0.05). Reproductive measures in group 1 were comparable with those of the control group and, compared with group 2, were conspicuously better (66.2%, 76.9%, 83.1%, 59.5% vs. 40.0%, 50.7%, 60.0%, 27.5% for cumulative pregnancy rate after treatment cycle 1 to 3 and second service conception rate, respectively, p < 0.05). Overconditioned cows and cows with larger ovarian cysts showed a diminished treatment and pregnancy success. In group 1, costs per pregnancy were only slightly higher than in the control group (group 1: €352.44, group 2: €484.59, control group: €333.77). In conclusion, our results suggest that ovsynch protocols can be used in the treatment of ovarian cysts. The modified ovsynch protocol led to a better cure rate as well as a better reproductive performance, and was economically beneficial compared with a conventional ovsynch protocol.
Differential grazing of two heterotrophic nanoflagellates on marine Synechococcus strains
Authors: Zwirglmaier Katrin , Spence Ed , Zubkov Mikhail V. , Scanlan David J. , Mann Nicholas H. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryGrazing of heterotrophic nanoflagellates on marine picophytoplankton presents a major mortality factor for this important group of primary producers. However, little is known of the selectivity of the grazing process, often merely being thought of as a general feature of cell size and motility. In this study, we tested grazing of two heterotrophic nanoflagellates, Paraphysomonas imperforata and Pteridomonas danica, on strains of marine Synechococcus. Both nanoflagellates proved to be selective in their grazing, with Paraphysomonas being able to grow on 5, and Pteridomonas on 11, of 37 Synechococcus strains tested. Additionally, a number of strains (11 for Paraphysomonas, 9 for Pteridomonas) were shown to be ingested, but not digested (and thus did not support growth of the grazer). Both the range of prey strains that supported growth as well as those that were ingested but not digested was very similar for the two grazers, suggesting a common property of these prey strains that lent them susceptible to grazing. Subsequent experiments on selected Synechococcus strains showed a pronounced difference in grazing susceptibility between wild‐type Synechococcus sp. WH7803 and a spontaneous phage‐resistant mutant derivative, WH7803PHR, suggesting that cell surface properties of the Synechococcus prey are an important attribute influencing grazing vulnerability.
Mortality and risk stratification in patients with Clostridium difficile‐associated diarrhoea
Authors: Bhangu S. , Bhangu A. , Nightingale P. , Michael A. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAim  This study aimed to describe the mortality in hospital patients with a first documented episode of Clostridium difficile‐associated diarrhoea (CDAD) and to identify prognostic risk factors.Method  A cohort study of 158 patients was carried out with CDAD diagnosed over a 8‐month period in a large acute UK teaching hospital. Logistic multivariable regression aided construction of a scoring system to stratify risk of death. The main outcome measure was the 30‐day inpatient mortality.Results  Most affected patients were medical (n = 101, 64%), with general surgical (n = 30, 19%) and orthopaedic patients (n = 27, 17%) forming the rest. General surgical patients (mean age 78 years) were significantly younger than medical (82 years) or orthopaedic patients (85 years, P = 0.008). Overall 30‐day mortality was 38%. 30‐day mortality was higher in medical (46%) and orthopaedic patients (37%) compared with general surgical patients (13%, P = 0.006). Most surgical patients were those admitted as an emergency. A scoring system was devised and used within the first 72 h. A point was awarded for each of the following: age ≥ 80 years, clinically severe disease (sepsis, peritonitis, ≥ 10 episodes of diarrhoea in 24 h), WCC ≥ 20 or CRP ≥ 150, urea ≥ 15, albumin ≤ 20. Point counts of 0–1, 2–3 and 4–5 were associated with mortality rates of 22%, 55% and 89% respectively.Conclusion  Inpatient mortality from CDAD is high. Variability exists between different specialities. Patients at high risk of death can potentially be identified earlier using clinical and biochemical risk factors.
Paclitaxel incorporated in hydrophobically derivatized hyperbranched polyglycerols for intravesical bladder cancer therapy
Authors: Mugabe Clement , Hadaschik Boris A. , Kainthan Rajesh K. , Brooks Donald E. , So Alan I. , Gleave Martin E. , Burt Helen M. 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVETo develop paclitaxel incorporated into unimolecular micelles based on hydrophobically derivatized hyperbranched polyglycerols (dHPGs) for use as mucoadhesive intravesical agents against non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer.MATERIALS AND METHODSTwo different types of dHPGs (HPG‐ C10‐polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyethyleneimine (PEI)‐C18‐HPG) were synthesized and paclitaxel was loaded into these using a solvent evaporation method. After physicochemical characterization of the resulting nanoparticles, four human bladder cancer cell lines were incubated with various concentrations of paclitaxel incorporated in dHPGs and the results were compared with those of paclitaxel formulated in Cremophor‐EL (Taxol®, Bristol‐Myers‐Squibb). In vivo, nude mice with orthotopic KU7‐luc tumours were intravesically instilled with phosphate buffered saline, Taxol, or paclitaxel/HPG‐C10‐PEG.RESULTSdHPGs are mucoadhesive nanoparticles with hydrodynamic radii of <10 nm and incorporation of paclitaxel did not affect their size. The release profiles of paclitaxel from dHPGs were characterized by a rapid‐release phase followed by a slower sustained‐release phase. While the PEI‐C18‐HPG formulation released only ≈40% of the initially incorporated paclitaxel, up to 80% was released from HPG‐C10‐PEG. Moreover, only paclitaxel/HPG‐C10‐PEG was stable in acidic urine. In vitro, all paclitaxel formulations potently decreased bladder cancer proliferation although paclitaxel/HPG‐C10‐PEG was slightly less cytotoxic than standard Taxol. By contrast, in vivo, the mucoadhesive HPG‐C10‐PEG formulation of paclitaxel was significantly more effective in reducing orthotopic tumour growth than Taxol and was well tolerated.CONCLUSIONIntravesical administration of mucoadhesive nanoparticulate formulations of paclitaxel might be a promising approach for instillation therapy of patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer.
Assessment of voiding function of orthotopic neobladders in elderly patients with long‐term survival
Authors: Takenaka Atsushi , Soga Hideo , Terakawa Tomoaki , Kumano Masafumi , Furukawa Junya , Muramaki Mototsugu , Kurahashi Toshifumi , Miyake Hideaki , Tanaka Kazushi , Yamanaka Nozomu , Fujisawa Masato 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVETo compare the voiding status in elderly patients (aged ≥80 years) with that in younger patients undergoing orthotopic neobladder substitution during long‐term survival.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe voiding status was assessed in 111 patients (ileal neobladder in 62, ascending colonic neobladder in 14, sigmoid colonic neobladder in 21 and ileocolonic neobladder in 14) who lived for >5 years after radical cystectomy with an orthotopic neobladder, using a self‐completed questionnaire and uroflowmetry. According to the age at the time of these assessments, patients were divided into two groups (group 1, <80 years, 94; group 2, ≥80 years, 17). The voiding status was compared between the groups.RESULTSIn all, 78 patients (92%) in group 1 and 16 (94%) in group 2 were capable of spontaneous voiding. In group 1 and 2, respectively, daytime continence was achieved by 67 (74%) and 12 (75%) patients, but night‐time continence was achieved by 54 (60%) and six (38%), although the difference was not statistically significant. In groups 1 and 2, respectively, the median maximum flow rate was 13.3 and 11.7 mL/s and the median postvoid residual urine volume was 19 and 18 mL. The only statistically significant difference was for voiding posture, assessed in men.CONCLUSIONSThere was no significant difference in voiding status of patients with orthotopic neobladders except for voiding posture between patients aged <80 or carefully selected elderly patients aged ≥80 years during long‐term survival. However, night‐time continence might be clinically worse in the elderly than in the younger group.
Maternal age at childbirth and offspring disruptive behaviors: testing the causal hypothesis
Authors: D’Onofrio Brian M. , Goodnight Jackson A. , Van Hulle Carol A. , Rodgers Joseph Lee , Rathouz Paul J. , Waldman Irwin D. , Lahey Benjamin B. 
Published: March 2009

Background:  Recent studies suggest that the association between maternal age at childbearing (MAC) and children’s disruptive behaviors is the result of family factors that are confounded with both variables, rather than a casual effect of environmental factors specifically related to MAC. These studies, however, relied on restricted samples and did not use the strongest approach to test causal influences.Methods:  Using data on 9,171 4–9‐year‐old and 6,592 10–13‐year‐old offspring of women from a nationally representative sample of US households, we conducted sibling‐comparison analyses. The analyses ruled out all genetic factors that could confound the association, as well as all environmental confounds that differ between unrelated nuclear families, providing a strong test of the causal hypothesis that the environments of children born at different maternal ages influence mother‐ and self‐reported disruptive behaviors.Results:  When these genetic and environmental confounds were ruled out as alternative explanations, the relation between environments within nuclear families specifically associated with MAC and disruptive behaviors was robust, with the association being stronger for second‐ and third‐born children.Conclusions:  Environmental factors specifically associated with early MAC within nuclear families account for increased risk of offspring disruptive behaviors, especially in later‐born children.
Electrophysiological signs of supplementary‐motor‐area deficits in high‐functioning autism but not Asperger syndrome: an examination of internally cued movement‐related potentials
Authors: ENTICOTT PETER G , BRADSHAW JOHN L , IANSEK ROBERT , TONGE BRUCE J , RINEHART NICOLE J 
Published: March 2009

Aims  Motor dysfunction is common to both autism and Asperger syndrome, but the underlying neurophysiological impairments are unclear. Neurophysiological examinations of motor dysfunction can provide information about likely sites of functional impairment and can contribute to the debate about whether autism and Asperger syndrome are variants of the same disorder or fundamentally distinct neurodevelopmental conditions. We investigated the neurophysiology of internally determined motor activity in autism and Asperger syndrome via examination of movement‐related potentials (MRPs).Method  We used electroencephalography to investigate MRPs, via an internally cued movement paradigm, in the following three groups: (1) individuals with high‐functioning autism (14 males, one female; mean age 13y 1mo, SD 4y 2mo, range 7y 8mo to 20y 9mo; mean Full‐scale IQ 93.40, SD 20.72); (2) individuals with Asperger syndrome (10 males, two females; mean age 13y 7mo, SD 3y 9mo, range 8y 11mo to 20y 4mo; mean Full‐scale IQ 103.25, SD 19.37), and (3) a healthy control group (13 males, seven females; mean age 14y 0mo, SD 3y 11mo; range 8y 4mo to 21y 0mo; mean Full‐scale IQ 114.25, SD 11.29).Results  Abnormal MRPs can reflect disruption of motor‐related neural networks involving the basal ganglia, thalamus, and supplementary motor area. There was evidence for abnormal MRPs in autism (e.g. increased post‐movement cortical activity, abnormal peak time) but not in Asperger syndrome.Interpretation  The results support basal ganglia, thalamus, and supplementary motor area involvement as a likely source of motor dysfunction in autism, and provide further evidence for the neurobiological separateness of autism and Asperger syndrome.
The backbone of oral glucose‐lowering therapy: time for a paradigm shift?
Authors: Seufert Jochen 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe complex array of metabolic abnormalities associated with type 2 diabetes provides a number of new targets for therapeutic intervention. Although the established oral glucose‐lowering therapies, metformin and the sulfonylureas, continue to provide the backbone of therapeutic approaches, the thiazolidinediones (TZDs) also play an important role. Further, a new class of oral agents, the dipeptidyl peptidase‐IV (DPP‐IV) inhibitors, has recently become available with apparent utility in decreasing postprandial glucose excursions. This review examines how the TZDs and the DPP‐IV inhibitors might integrate into current treatment strategies, considering not only glycemic goals, but also longer‐term benefits such as durability of glycemic control, effect on metabolic parameters and cardiovascular outcomes. A practical approach is taken, reflecting potential clinical situations in which therapeutic intervention is required.
Alcohol Consumption, Alcohol Outlets, and the Risk of Being Assaulted With a Gun
Authors: Branas Charles C. , Elliott Michael R. , Richmond Therese S. , Culhane Dennis P. , Wiebe Douglas J. 
Published: March 2009

Background:  We conducted a population‐based case–control study to better delineate the relationship between individual alcohol consumption, alcohol outlets in the surrounding environment, and being assaulted with a gun.Methods:  An incidence density sampled case–control study was conducted in the entire city of Philadelphia from 2003 to 2006. We enrolled 677 cases that had been shot in an assault and 684 population‐based controls. The relationships between 2 independent variables of interest, alcohol consumption and alcohol outlet availability, and the outcome of being assaulted with a gun were analyzed. Conditional logistic regression was used to adjust for numerous confounding variables.Results:  After adjustment, heavy drinkers were 2.67 times as likely to be shot in an assault when compared with nondrinkers (p < 0.10) while light drinkers were not at significantly greater risk of being shot in an assault when compared with nondrinkers. Regression‐adjusted analyses also demonstrated that being in an area of high off‐premise alcohol outlet availability significantly increased the risk of being shot in an assault by 2.00 times (p < 0.05). Being in an area of high on‐premise alcohol outlet availability did not significantly change this risk. Heavy drinkers in areas of high off‐premise alcohol outlet availability were 9.34 times (p < 0.05) as likely to be shot in an assault.Conclusions:  This study finds that the gun assault risk to individuals who are near off‐premise alcohol outlets is about the same as or statistically greater than the risk they incur from heavy drinking. The combination of heavy drinking and being near off‐premise outlets resulted in greater risk than either factor alone. By comparison, light drinking and being near on‐premise alcohol outlets were not associated with increased risks for gun assault. Cities should consider addressing alcohol‐related factors, especially off‐premise outlets, as highly modifiable and politically feasible approaches to reducing gun violence.
Association of Markers in the 3′ Region of the GluR5 Kainate Receptor Subunit Gene to Alcohol Dependence
Authors: Kranzler Henry R. , Gelernter Joel , Anton Raymond F. , Arias Albert J. , Herman Aryeh , Zhao Hongyu , Burian Linda , Covault Jonathan 
Published: March 2009

Background:  Glutamate neurotransmission plays an important role in a variety of alcohol‐related phenomena, including alcohol self‐administration by both animals and humans. Because the risk for alcohol dependence (AD) is genetically influenced, genes encoding glutamate receptors are candidates to contribute to the risk for AD. We examined the role of variation in the 3′ region of GRIK1, the gene that encodes the GluR5 receptor subunit of the kainic acid glutamate receptor, on risk for AD. We focused specifically on this gene because topiramate, a glutamate modulator that binds to the GluR5 subunit, has shown robust efficacy in the treatment of AD.Methods:  We genotyped 7 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 3′‐half of GRIK1, which includes 3 differentially spliced exons, in a sample of EA control subjects (n = 507) and subjects with AD (n = 1,057).Results:  We found nominally significant evidence of association to AD for 3 SNPs (rs2832407 in intron 9, rs2186305 in intron 17, and rs2832387 in the 3′UTR). Empirical p‐value estimation revealed that only rs2832407 was significantly associated to phenotype (p = 0.043).Discussion:  These findings provide support for the hypothesis that variation in the 3′ portion of the gene encoding the GluR5 kainate receptor subunit contributes to the risk for AD. Further research is needed to ascertain whether this SNP is itself functional or whether the association reflects linkage disequilibrium with functional variation elsewhere in the gene and whether this SNP moderates topiramate’s effects in the treatment of AD.
Expanding the Utility of the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (BAES) and Initial Psychometric Support for the Brief‐BAES (B‐BAES)
Authors: Rueger Sandra Y. , McNamara Patrick J. , King Andrea C. 
Published: March 2009

Background:  The utility of one of the most widely used subjective alcohol assessment tools, the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (BAES) has been somewhat limited based on lack of psychometric studies in large and diverse samples, a range of alcohol doses, the length of the measure, and the original instructional set which precluded baseline measurement and disclosed to subjects that they received alcohol.Methods:  The current study investigated the factor structure of the BAES with a modified instructional set at pre‐drink baseline and after consumption of various doses of alcohol, in a sample of 190 men and women, heavy and light social drinkers. This study tested the psychometric properties of a brief version of the BAES (Brief‐BAES or B‐BAES).Results:  Results demonstrated robust support of the stimulant and sedative constructs across all conditions, and demonstrated strong psychometric support for the 6‐item B‐BAES.Discussion:  This is the first comprehensive study to expand the utility of the BAES by instructional set, baseline measurement, at various alcohol doses, and by drinking history and sex. In addition, the introduction of the B‐BAES may further increase the utility of this scale, particularly in paradigms with repeated measurement or time constraints.
Unbundling R&D and Manufacturing: Postindustrial Myth or Economic Reality?
Authors: Ketokivi Mikko , Ali‐Yrkkö Jyrki 
Published: March 2009

AbstractUnderstanding determinants of business location decisions is important from the point of view of economic policy. While the determinants of manufacturing and R&D location have been extensively covered in the literature, in this article we examine a largely neglected question: Under what conditions do manufacturing and R&D have to be physically colocated, that is, when is unbundling the two impossible? In a sample of 241 Finnish industrial firms, we find that unbundling R&D and manufacturing is possible for some companies but indeed a postindustrial myth of sorts for many others. The need for colocation correlates with knowledge intensity of activities: product complexity, process complexity, and industry rate of change, but interestingly enough, not with the size of the firm's R&D budget.
Age‐related efficacy of parathyroid hormone on osseointegration in the rat
Authors: Mair Birgit , Tangl Stefan , Feierfeil Johannes , Skiba Daniela , Watzek Georg , Gruber Reinhard 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjective: Aging is a physiological determinant that can distinguish the outcome of a pharmaceutical therapy to improve osseointegration of titanium implants. Here we examined the possible interaction of intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the age of the recipient on the parameters of osseointegration in a rat tibia implantation model.Material and methods: Twenty female Wistar rats aged 8 months and 20 female rats aged 2 months received PTH at 60 μg/kg body weight or a vehicle by a subcutaneous injection three times a week. After 4 weeks, histomorphometric analysis of the peri‐implant area was performed. The possible interaction of the two factors on ‘bone volume per tissue volume’ (BV/TV) and ‘bone‐to‐implant contact’ (BIC) was tested by two‐way analysis of variance.Results: Based on data from the medullary compartment, two‐way analysis of variance revealed that the effect of ‘intermittent PTH’ depends on the ‘age of the recipient’ when BV/TV is considered the dependent variable (P=0.04). Post hoc tests indicated that PTH leads to an increase of BV/TV of adult and young rats. However, when BIC was considered the dependent variable, no interaction was observed (P=0.14). PTH but not aging has a significant impact on BIC. In the cortical compartment, no effects of PTH on osseointegration were observed.Conclusions: The findings indicate that treatment with PTH is more effective on the peri‐implant bone regeneration in adult than in young animals, supporting the importance to consider the influences of age on the development of pharmaceutical therapies to increase the process of osseointegration.