bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Horses on pasture may be affected by equine motor neuron disease
Authors: MCGORUM B. C. , MAYHEW I. G. , AMORY H. , DEPREZ P. , GILLIES L. , GREEN K. , MAIR T. S. , NOLLET H. , WIJNBERG I. D. , HAHN C. N. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryReasons for performing study: Equine motor neuron disease (EMND) was diagnosed in 3 horses maintained on lush, grass‐based pasture. This contrasted with North American studies which identified limited or no access to green herbage as an important risk factor for EMND.Hypothesis: Grazing horses that have an apparently adequate intake of pasture herbage to meet normal equine vitamin E requirements can develop EMND.Methods: Owners of 32 European horses diagnosed with EMND completed a questionnaire regarding intrinsic, managemental, nutritional and environmental factors that could potentially be risk factors for EMND, and also regarding clinical signs, treatments and case outcome. Plasma/serum vitamin E data for these horses were supplied by the veterinarians. No control population was studied.Results: Thirteen of 32 horses (termed the ‘grazing’ group) had part‐ or full‐time access to grass‐based pasture at the onset of EMND (median duration at pasture 12 h/day, range 3–24 h). Five of these horses were at pasture for at least 23.5 h/day at the onset of EMND, 2 of which were at pasture for at least 23.5 h/day throughout the year. Despite grazing, all these horses had a low vitamin E status. The remaining 19 horses resembled those cases reported from North America, in that they had no or limited access to pasture.Conclusions and potential relevance: A diagnosis of EMND should not be discounted on the basis that a horse has access, even full‐time, to lush grass‐based pasture. Inadequate vitamin E intake was probably not the sole cause of either the EMND or the low vitamin E status in the grazing horses; the latter was probably the result of abnormal bioavailability or excessive utilisation of vitamin E.
The complex blood supply to the equine testis as a cause of failure in laparoscopic castration
Authors: VOERMANS M. , RIJKENHUIZEN A. B. M. , VAN DER VELDEN M. A. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryReasons for performing study: Intra‐abdominal ligation/transection of the spermatic cord may result in necrosis of the testis; castration of abdominal cryptorchids via laparoscopy has therefore become common. Notwithstanding some adaptations of the technique, a small percentage of operations fail, prompting research into the anatomical background and clinical relevance of the procedure.Hypothesis: That an alternate blood supply may prevent complete necrosis of the testis after spermatic cord transection.Objective: To establish the prevalence of the problem in normal and cryptorchid stallions.Methods: In a preliminary study, the spermatic cords of 8 normal stallions were ligated and transected at different sites and in various manners. Five weeks later the testes were removed and the vitality of both the testes and epididymes was evaluated. In a prospective clinical trial, intra‐abdominal spermatic cord transection was performed in 241 cryptorchid and normal stallions. In cases of surgical failure, the testes were removed and histology performed.Results: Examination of the specimen removed from the 8 animals of the preliminary study revealed that all epididymes were completely or largely spared. All except one testis were completely necrotic. In the patients that underwent surgery all abdominally retained testes (n = 123) were necrotic, while 5 out of 88 inguinally retained and 8 out of 236 normally descended testes had partially survived. The pattern of survival differed between inguinally retained and normally descended testes. The epididymes of these 13 horses were (largely) vital. The (partial) survival of the epididymes and inguinally retained testes was ascribed to an alternate blood supply via anastomosing vessels derived from the cremasteric artery. A tributary from the external pudendal artery was considered responsible for the partial survival of normally descended testes.Conclusions and potential relevance: After intra‐abdominal transection of the entire spermatic cord, 5.6% of inguinally retained and 3.4% of normally descended testes failed to become completely necrotic, as a result of an alternate blood supply via the cremasteric and/or external pudendal artery. Therefore, laparoscopic castration without orchidectomy cannot be recommended as a trustworthy method for castration of inguinal cryptorchids and normal stallions.
Histopathology in horses with chronic palmar foot pain and age‐matched controls. Part 1: Navicular bone and related structures
Authors: BLUNDEN A. , DYSON S. , MURRAY R. , SCHRAMME M. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryReasons for performing study: Causes of palmar foot pain and the aetiopathogenesis of navicular disease remain poorly understood, despite the high incidence of foot‐related lameness.Hypotheses: Abnormalities of the collateral sesamoidean ligaments (CSLs), distal sesamoidean impar ligament (DSIL), deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), navicular bone, navicular bursa, distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint or collateral ligaments (CLs) of the DIP joint may contribute to palmar foot pain.Methods: Feet were selected from horses with a history of unilateral or bilateral forelimb lameness of at least 2 months' duration that was improved by perineural analgesia of the palmar digital nerves, immediately proximal to the cartilages of the foot (Group 1, n = 32); or from age‐matched control horses (Group 2, n = 19) that were humanely destroyed for other reasons and had no history of forelimb foot pain. Eight units of tissue were collected for histology: the palmar half of the articular surface of the distal phalanx, including the insertions of the DDFT and DSIL; navicular bone and insertion of the CSLs; DDFT from the level of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint to 5 mm proximal to its insertion; synovial membrane from the palmar pouch of the DIP joint and the navicular bursa; CLs of the DIP joint and DSIL. The severity of histological lesions for each site were graded. Results were compared betweenGroups 1and2.Results: There was no relationship between age and grade of histological abnormality. There were significant histological differences between groups for lesions of the flexor aspect, proximal and distal borders, and medulla of the navicular bone; the DSIL and its insertion and the navicular bursa; but not for lesions of the CSLs, the dorsal aspect of the navicular bone, distal phalanx and articular cartilage, synovium or CLs of the DIP joint.Conclusions: Pathological abnormalities in lame horses often involved not only the navicular bone, but also the DSIL and navicular bursa. Abnormalities of the navicular bone medulla were generally only seen dorsal to lesions of the FFC.Potential relevance: Adaptive and reactive change may be occurring in the navicular apparatus in all horses to variable degrees and determination of the pathogenesis of lesions that lead to pain and biomechanical dysfunction should assist specific preventative or treatment protocols.
Mechanical nociceptive thresholds in the axial skeleton of horses
Authors: HAUSSLER K. K. , ERB H. N. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryReasons for performing study: An objective measure of neck, back and croup pain is needed in horses with musculoskeletal injuries, vague upper limb lameness or poor performance.Objectives: To establish mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) within the axial skeleton and evaluate the effects of subject status and ridden exercise.Methods: Thirty‐six mature horses (10 nonridden; 26 actively ridden) were used to assess MNTs evoked by a pressure algometer (PA) with a 1 cm2rubber plunger tip at 62 midline and bilaterally symmetrical anatomical landmarks along the axial skeleton. Pressure was applied at a uniform rate of application until a local avoidance reaction was noted. The repeatability of 3 consecutive measurements was evaluated. Left‐to‐right comparisons and the effects of subject status and ridden exercise on MNTs were assessed.Results: MNTs were repeatable and increased in a cranial‐to‐caudal gradient within the axial skeleton. Typically, there were no significant left‐to‐right differences. Within‐horse variability was less than between‐horse variability. Higher MNTs were measured in young, heavy, non‐Thoroughbred, castrated males, and in horses that were ridden and actively exercised.Conclusions and potential relevance: PA provides an objective, noninvasive, and repeatable tool to measure mechanical nociception in horses. MNTs vary in horses with differing subject status and ridden exercise level.
Evaluation of an in vitro sulphidoleukotriene release test for diagnosis of insect bite hypersensitivity in horses
Authors: BASELGIA S. , DOHERR M. G. , MELLOR P. , TORSTEINSDOTTIR S. , JERMANN T. , ZURBRIGGEN A. , JUNGI T. , MARTI E. 
Published: April 2007

Summary Reasons for performing study: Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is an IgE‐mediated allergic dermatitis caused by bites of Culicoides and Simulium species, and improved means of diagnosis are required. Objectives: The cellular antigen simulation test (CAST®) with C. nubeculosus and S. vittatum extracts was assessed in a population of IBH‐affected and healthy horses. Variations in test results over a one year period and possible cross‐reactivity between different insect extracts was studied. Methods: A total of 314 mature horses were studied using the CAST. Influence of severity of clinical signs, gender and age were evaluated, and 32 horses were tested repeatedly over one year. The kappa reliability test was used to assess agreement of the test results with different insect extracts. Results: Horses with IBH had significantly higher sLT release than controls with C. nubeculosus and S. vittatum. The highest diagnostic sensitivity and specificity levels were attained when using adult C. nubeculosus extracts with the CAST (78% and 97%, respectively), suggesting that most horses with IBH are sensitised against Culicoides allergens. A proportion of IBH‐affected horses was found to be sensitised to allergens of Simulium spp. in addition to those of C. nubeculosus. The CAST with C. nubeculosus had positive and negative predictive values ≥80% for a true prevalence of IBH of 12–52%. In the follow‐up study, the proportion of IBH‐affected horses with a positive test result ranged from 90% in November to 68% in March. Severity of clinical signs or age did not influence test results significantly. However, IBH‐affected males achieved significantly more positive test results than IBH‐affected females. Conclusions: The CAST with adult C. nubeculosus has high specificity and good sensitivity for diagnosis of IBH. Horses with IBH are mainly sensitised to Culicoides allergens, and some horses are additionally also sensitised to allergens in Simulium spp. Potential relevance: The CAST is likely to be a useful test for diagnosis of IBH, even allowing the identification of IBH‐affected but asymptomatic horses. This test may also help in further characterisation of allergens involved in this condition.
Effect of local analgesia on movement of the equine back
Authors: HOLM K. ROETHLISBERGER , WENNERSTRAND J. , LAGERQUIST U. , EKSELL P. , JOHNSTON C. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryReasons for performing study: Diagnostic infiltration of local anaesthetic solution is commonly used in cases of equine back pain. Evaluation is subjective and it is not known how local analgesia of the back affects horses without clinical signs of back pain.Objectives: To evaluate the effect of infiltration of local anaesthetics on the movement of the back in horses without clinical signs of back pain, and to evaluate the usefulness of kinematic studies as an objective and quantitative tool in evaluating local analgesia in clinical practice.Methods: The kinematics of the back in 10 clinically sound horses were measured on 2 occasions at walk and trot before and after injections with mepivacaine and sodium chloride around the interspinous spaces between T16 and L2. The kinematics were compared between the 2 occasions before injections and before and after each injection.Results: The range of motion (ROM) for dorsoventral flexion‐extension (FE) of the back was increased significantly in all measured segments other than T10 at walk, as was lateral bending (LB) at T10, L3 and L5 after injection of mepivacaine. For lateral excursion (LE), total movement increased at all measured segments. At trot the only affected segment was L3, where the injection with mepivacaine decreased the ROM for FE. After injection of sodium chloride the ROM for FE increased at T13 and T17 at walk. Lateral bending and LE were not affected at walk. At trot, LB increased at L3 and L5.Conclusions and potential relevance: Diagnostic infiltration of local anaesthetic solution affects the function of the back in clinically sound horses, which must be considered when interpreting the use of this clinical aid in assessing clinical cases of back dysfunction. Kinematics can qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the effect of local analgesia of the back.
One‐Step Synthesis of Ru(2,2′‐Bipyridine)3Cl2‐Immobilized Silica Nanoparticles for Use in Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Detection
Authors: Qian L. , Yang X.‐R. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOne‐step synthesis of Ru(bpy)3Cl2‐immobilized (bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine) silica nanoparticles (Ru–silica nanoparticles) for use in electrogenerated‐chemiluminescence (ECL) detection is reported. Ru–silica nanoparticles are prepared by using the Stöber method. Compared with free Ru(bpy)3Cl2, Ru–silica nanoparticles are seen to exhibit a red‐shift of the UV‐vis absorbance peak and a longer fluorescence lifetime, which are attributed to the electrostatic interaction of Ru(bpy)32+ and silica. Because silica nanoparticles are used as immobilization matrices, the surfaces of Ru–silica nanoparticles are easily modified or functionalized via the assembly of other nanoparticles, such as Au. For ECL detection, Au‐colloid‐modified Ru–silica nanoparticles are immobilized on a 3‐mercaptopropyl‐trimethoxysilane‐modified indium tin oxide electrode surface by Au–S interaction; the surface concentration of electroactive Ru(bpy)3Cl2 is obviously higher than that in silica films. The modified electrode exhibits excellent ECL signals and gives a good linear range over 5 × 10–7–1.4 × 10–3 M with a detection limit of 50 nM towards the tripropylamine (TPA) detection. Moreover, the electrode has better reproducibility and long‐term stability for the determination of TPA than electrodes modified with pure Nafion, Nafion–silica, Nafion–TiO2, or sol‐gel films containing Ru(bpy)3Cl2. Immobilization of Ru(bpy)3Cl2 on the electrode surface by this method is simple and easy, so it shows potential applications in the field of ECL analysis and detection.
Photo‐ and Rubbing‐Alignable Brush Polyimides Bearing Three Different Chromophores
Authors: Hahm S. G. , Lee T. J. , Ree M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThree new photoreactive brush polyimides (PSPIs), each bearing a different type of chromophore (cinnamoyl (CA), 3‐(2‐furyl)acryloyl (FA), and methacryloyl (MA)) in their bristles (i.e., side groups), are successfully synthesized, and are found to produce good‐quality films with smooth surfaces through conventional spin‐casting and drying processes. These PSPI polymers are thermally stable up to 320 °C. This is the first quantitative investigation of the photoaligning and rubbing‐aligning processabilities of PSPI polymer films, and of the abilities of the resultant films to control the orientation and anchoring of liquid‐crystal (LC) molecules. The chromophores of both poly(1‐cinnamoyloxy‐2,4‐phenylene hexafluoroisopropylidenediphthalimide) (6F‐DAP‐CA) and poly(1‐3‐(2‐furyl)acryloyloxy‐2,4‐phenylene hexafluoroisopropylidenediphthalimide) (6F‐DAP‐FA) PSPIs are found to undergo photodimerization in thin films and, to a lesser extent, photoisomerization, resulting in insoluble, crosslinked films. The MA chromophores of 6F‐DAP‐MA PSPI are found to undergo photopolymerization in thin films, which might include photodimerization to a lesser extent, resulting in insoluble, crosslinked films. Thin films of the PSPI polymer chains are found to have excellent unidirectional orientation ability as a result of either photoexposure with linearly polarized UV light (LPUVL) or rubbing. Both the photoaligned and the rubbing‐aligned polymer chains in the PSPI films are demonstrated to effectively induce the alignment of nematic LCs along their orientation directors by anisotropic interactions between the preferentially oriented polymer chain segments and the LCs. The contribution to LC alignment of the microgrooves developed in the rubbed films is found to be very low. The anchoring energies of the LCs on the photoaligned film surfaces are comparable to those on the rubbing‐aligned film surfaces; the anchoring energies are found to be in the range 0.45–2.25 × 10–5 J m–2, and to depend on which film treatment process is used and which chromophore bristle is present. In summary, the new PSPIs reported in this paper are promising LC alignment‐layer candidates with rubbing‐free processing for the production of advanced LC‐display (LCD) devices, including LCD televisions with large display areas.
Systematic comparison of perfusion‐CT and CT‐angiography in acute stroke patients
Authors: Tan Jessica C. , Dillon William P. , Liu Songling , Adler Felix , Smith Wade S. , Wintermark Max 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the accuracy of noncontrast computed tomography (NCT), perfusion computed tomography (PCT), and computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in determining site of occlusion, infarct core, salvageable brain tissue, and collateral flow in a large series of patients suspected of acute stroke.MethodsWe retrospectively identified all consecutive patients with signs and symptoms suggesting hemispheric stroke of < 48 hours in duration who were evaluated on admission by NCT, PCT, and CTA, and underwent a follow‐up CT/CTA or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) within 6 months of initial imaging. Two neuroradiologists evaluated NCT for hypodensity, PCT for infarct core and salvageable brain tissue, and CTA source images and maximal intensity projections for site of occlusion, infarct core, and collateral flow. Follow‐up CTA and MRA were assessed for persistent arterial occlusion or recanalization. Follow‐up CT and MRI were reviewed for final infarct location and volume, and used as a gold standard to calculate sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) of initial imaging.ResultsA total of 113 patients were considered for analysis, including 55 patients with a final diagnosis of stroke. CTA source images were the most accurate technique in the detection of the site of occlusion (SE = 95%; SP = 100%). Decreased cerebral blood volume on PCT was the most accurate predictor of final infarct volume (SE = 80%; SP = 97%), Increased mean transit time on PCT was predictive of the tissue at risk for infarction in patients with persistent arterial occlusion. CTA maximal intensity projections was the best technique to quantify the degree of collateral circulation.InterpretationThe most accurate assessment of the site of occlusion, infarct core, salvageable brain tissue, and collateral circulation in patients suspected of acute stroke is afforded by a combination of PCT and CTA. Ann Neurol 2007
Preparation and properties of waterborne polyurethane‐urea/sodium alginate blends for high water vapor permeable coating materials
Authors: Yun Jong‐Kook , Yoo Hye‐Jin , Kim Han‐Do 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo improve the water vapor permeability of coating materials, aqueous sodium alginate (SA) solution was blended with waterborne polyurethane‐urea (WBPU) dispersions synthesized by prepolymer mixing process. The content of SA for stable WBPU/SA dispersions was found to be below 30 wt %. As the SA content increased, the number and density of total micropores (tunnel‐like micropores/isolated micropores) formed after dissolution of SA in water increased, and the water vapor permeability of coated Nylon fabric also increased remarkably. These results clearly demonstrate that utilizing WBPU/water soluble polymer SA blends as coating materials and then dissolving SA in water surely facilitate obtaining prominent breathable fabrics. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Solution dynamics of the dextran/crosslinking agent systems
Authors: Özdemir Cemile , Çolak Nureddin , Güner Ali 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe interaction of some selective Cl‐ and N‐containing functional crosslinking agents such as epichlorohydrin (ECH), N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBAM), and bifunctional agents such as glutaraldehyde (GA) and glycidylmethacrylate (GM) with dextran (Dx) in aqueous solutions were studied by viscometric and spectroscopic methods. The dynamic viscosities of Dx‐crosslinker aqueous solutions have been measured at physiological temperature, 37°C and in the concentration range of 0.22–0.4 g/dL. Concentration of crosslinkers were kept constant at 0.001–0.35 mol/L. Viscosity behavior of the solutions was interpreted using the Huggins and Kraemer equations. Moreover, the interaction between hydroxyl groups of the Dx with crosslinkers in aqueous solutions, structure properties was also confirmed thereby use of Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. For the Dx/crosslinker systems, the decreasing order of interaction was determined as ECH > GA > MBAM > GM. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Biotechnological production of xylitol in a three‐phase fluidized bed bioreactor with immobilized yeast cells in Ca‐alginate beads
Authors: Fouad Sarrouh Boutros , Tresinari dos Santos Diego , Silvério da Silva Silvio 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCells of Candida guilliermondii entrapped in Ca‐alginate beads were used for xylitol production, from concentrated hemicellulose hydrolyzate of sugarcane bagasse, in a fluidized bed bioreactor (FBR). The maximum xylitol concentration 28.9 g xylitol/L was obtained at a high aeration rate of 600 mL/min after 70 h of fermentation, indicating that the use of high aeration rate in this system is favored for better oxygen transfer into the immobilized cells. The specific xylitol productivity and the xylitol yield were of 0.4 g xylitol/L.h and 0.58 g xylitol/g xylose respectively. The immobilization efficiency at the end of the fermentation was of 65 %. After 90 h of fermentation xylitol productivity and yield decreased to 0.25 g xylitol/L.h and 0.47 g xylitol/g xylose respectively, indicating the beginning of xylitol consumption by the yeast. The use of FBR system with immobilized cells presented high xylitol yield and productivity.