bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of in vitro production techniques on the expression of X‐linked genes in bovine (bos taurus) oocytes and pre‐attachment embryos
Authors: Nino‐Soto Maria I. , Basrur Parvathi K. , King W. Allan 
Published: September 2006

AbstractOur previous studies showed that expression patterns of X‐linked genes in cultured cells are different from those of their tissues of origin. This investigation analyses the transcription pattern of the X‐linked genes BIRC4, GAB3, MECP2, RPS4X, SLC25A6, and XIST in bovine in vitro matured oocytes and in vitro fertilized embryos, and their in vivo counterparts. In vitro‐derived pools of mature oocytes and pre‐attachment embryos were obtained by: (a) TCM‐199/serum with bovine oviductal epithelial cells as co‐culture, and (b) synthetic oviductal fluid/BSA. Pools of in vivo‐derived morulae and blastocysts were provided by a commercial embryo transfer operation. Total RNA was extracted for quantification of gene‐specific transcript levels using real‐time quantitative PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using a mixed model factorial ANOVA with α = 0.05. The effect of the in vitro environmental conditions on X‐linked gene transcription was most evident during the fourth cell cycle, at the period of activation of the embryonic genome, and seemed to be less pronounced at later developmental stages, with the exception of BIRC4. The levels of X‐linked genes transcripts in in vivo‐derived embryos were lower relative to their in vitro counterparts for all genes tested. Finally, the pattern of expression of XIST in bovine oocytes and embryos was similar to that reported in humans. These results highlight the possibility that X‐linked gene expression analysis is a useful tool to monitor the impact of reproductive biotechnologies on the developmental potential of embryos and aid in their improvement. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
F‐actin involvement in guinea pig sperm motility
Authors: Azamar Yenia , Uribe Salvador , Mújica Adela 
Published: September 2006

AbstractSperm motility is a must for natural fertilization to occur. During their travel through the epididymis, mammalian spermatozoa gradually acquire the ability to move. This is accomplished through a sliding movement of the outer doublet microtubules of the axoneme which is energized by the dynein ATPase. Within its complex structure, the mammalian sperm flagellum contains F‐actin and thus, we decided to test in the guinea pig sperm flagellum the role of F‐actin in motility. During maturation, capacitation, and the acrosome reaction, a gradual decrease of the relative concentration of F‐actin was observed. Motility increased as spermatozoa became able to fertilize. Gelsolin, phalloidin, and KI inhibited sperm motility. Gelsolin canceled sperm motility within 20 min of treatment while 0.6 M KI had immediate effects. Phalloidin diminished hyperactive sperm motility slightly. All three compounds significantly increased the relative concentration of F‐actin. Latrunculins are conventional drugs that destabilize the F‐actin cytoskeleton. Latrunculin A (LAT A) did not affect sperm motility; but significantly increased F‐actin relative concentration. The results suggested that in guinea pig spermatozoa, randomly severing F‐actin filaments inhibits flagellar motility; while end filament alteration does not. Thus, specific filament regions seem to be important for sperm motility. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Targeting the exogenous htPAm gene on goat somatic cell beta‐casein locus for transgenic goat production
Authors: Shen Wei , Lan Guocheng , Yang Xueyi , Li Lan , Min Lingjiang , Yang Zhengtian , Tian Liyuan , Wu Xiaojie , Sun Yujiang , Chen Hong , Tan Jinghe , Deng Jixian , Pan Qingjie 
Published: September 2006

AbstractCombining gene targeting of animal somatic cells with nuclear transfer technique has provided a powerful method to produce transgenic animal mammary gland bioreactor. The objective of this study is to make an efficient and reproducible gene targeting in goat fetal fibroblasts by inserting the exogenous htPAm cDNA into the beta‐casein locus with liposomes or electroporation so that htPAm protein might be produced in gene‐targeted goat mammary gland. By gene‐targeting technique, the exogenous htPAm gene was inserted to milk goat beta‐casein gene sequences. Fetal fibroblasts were isolated from Day 35 fetuses of Guanzhong milk goats, and transfected with linear gene‐targeting vector pGBC4htPAm using Lipefectamin™‐2000 and electoporation, respectively. Forty‐eight gene‐targeted cell colonies with homologous recombination were obtained, and three cell colonies were verified by DNA sequence analysis within the homologous recombination region. Using gene‐targeted cell lines as donor cells for nuclear transfer, a total of 600 reconstructed embryos had been obtained, and 146 developed cloned embryos were transferred to 16 recipient goats, and finally three goats showed pregnancy at Day 90. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 428–434, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plasticity of epidermal adult stem cells derived from adult goat ear skin
Authors: Yang Xueyi , Qu Lei , Wang Xin , Zhao Ming , Li Wei , Hua Jinlian , Shi Mingyan , Moldovan Nicanor , Wang Hongfeng , Dou Zhongying 
Published: September 2006

AbstractHere we report the isolation and characterization of pluripotent stem cells from adult goat skin. We found that these primary cells have the properties of embryonic stem cells (ESC), including the expression of appropriate immunological markers and the capability of forming embryoid bodies. The subcultured cells also show the characteristics of stem cells, such as the expression of CK19, β1‐integrin, P63, and formation of holo‐clones in culture. Therefore, we termed these cells epidermal adult stem cells (EpiASC), although their origin was not identified. We have shown that clones of individual EpiASC proliferate and differentiate in culture to produce neurons, cardiomyocytes, osteoblasts, and occytes. Further, we cultivated EpiASC on bioengineered dermis and denuded human amniotic membrane (HAM), to reconstruct artificial skin and corneal epithelium. We successfully transplanted those artificial tissues in goats with acute full‐thickness skin defect (AFTSD) and limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), respectively. Our results showed that indeed EpiASC reconstructed the skin (hair was observed in restored areas), and repaired the damaged cornea of goats with total LSCD. These data confirm that EpiASC can differentiate into different functional cell types in vivo or in vitro. Due to their high degree of inherent plasticity, and to their easy accessibility for collection from the skin, EpiASC are excellent candidate sources for diverse cell therapies. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sex‐specific windows for high mRNA expression of DNA methyltransferases 1 and 3A and methyl‐CpG‐binding domain proteins 2 and 4 in human fetal gonads
Authors: Galetzka Danuta , Weis Eva , Tralau Tim , Seidmann Larissa , Haaf Thomas 
Published: September 2006

AbstractDNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and 5‐methyl‐CpG‐binding domain proteins (MBDs) are involved in the acquisition of parent‐specific epigenetic modifications in human male and female germ cells. Reverse Northern blot analyses demonstrated sex‐specific differences in mRNA expression for the maintenance DNMT1 and the de novo DNMT3A in developing testis and ovary. In fetal testis DNMT1 and DNMT3A expression peaked in mitotically arrested spermatogonia around 21 weeks gestation. In fetal ovary transcriptional upregulation of DNMT1 and DNMT3A occurred during a very brief period at 16 weeks gestation, when the oocytes proceeded through meiotic prophase. Fetal gonads showed several fold higher DNMT3A expression levels than fetal brain and adult tissues. The most abundant DNMT3A isoform in fetal testis and ovary was DNMT3A2, whereas in all other analyzed tissues DNMT3A1 predominated. The catalytically inactive DNMT3A3 isoform was also present at relatively high levels in developing gonads and may perform a regulatory function(s). In both male and female fetal gonads expression of genes for MBD2 and MBD4, which may be implicated in chromatin remodeling of methylated genomic DNA sequences, was tightly linked to DNMT expression. We propose that the sex‐specific time windows for concomitant upregulation of DNMT1, DNMT3A, MBD2, and MBD4 are associated with prenatal remethylation of the human male and female germ line. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential expression of oxygen‐regulated genes in bovine blastocysts
Authors: Harvey A.J. , Santos A. Navarrete , Kirstein M. , Kind K.L. , Fischer B. , Thompson J.G. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractLow oxygen conditions (2%) during post‐compaction culture of bovine blastocysts improve embryo quality, which is associated with a small yet significant increase in the expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT‐1), suggesting a role of oxygen in embryo development mediated through oxygen‐sensitive gene expression. However, bovine embryos to at least the blastocyst stage lack a key regulator of oxygen‐sensitive gene expression, hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF1α). A second, less well‐characterized protein (HIF2α) is, however, detectable from the 8‐cell stage of development. Here we use differential display to determine additional gene targets in bovine embryos in response to low oxygen conditions. While development to the blastocyst stage was unaffected by the oxygen concentration used during post‐compaction culture, differential display identified oxygen‐regulation of myotrophin and anaphase promoting complex 1 expression, with significantly lower levels observed following culture under 20% oxygen than 2% oxygen. These results further support the hypothesis that the level of gene expression of specific transcripts by bovine embryos alters in response to changes in the oxygen environment post‐compaction. Specifically, we have identified two oxygen‐sensitive genes that are potentially regulated by HIF2 in the bovine blastocyst. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular identities of human sperm proteins reactive with antibodies in sera of immunoinfertile women
Authors: Bhande Satish , Naz Rajesh K. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAntisperm antibodies (ASA) can cause infertility in both men and women. It is important to delineate the sperm antigens against which these ASA are directed. Sperm proteins were separated by 2D gel electrophoresis and transferred to nitrocellulose membrane and incubated with sera from fertile women or immunoinfertile women having ASA. The corresponding immunoreactive peptide spots were cored from the gel and analyzed by the two‐dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis/matrix‐assisted laser desoprtion ionization‐time of flight‐mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS/LC‐MS). A total of 68 spots belonging to 38 different proteins and their isomers were identified. Fourteen of these proteins and their isomers reacted with both the fertile and immunoinfertile sera. Twenty‐four of these proteins reacted specifically only with the immunoinfertile sera and not with the fertile sera. Among them was a novel protein designated as a hypothetical protein FLJ32704 (accession # Q96MA6). An immunodominant sequence (amino acid 151‐159) of this protein was identified and a nonamer peptide based upon this sequence (IQTLG1TPR) was synthesized and examined for its immunoreactivity. This synthetic peptide reacted with 90% (36/40) of immunoinfertile sera and not with any of the fertile sera (0/40) in the enzyme‐linked immnosorbent assay (ELISA). In conclusion, using the 2D gel electrophoresis/MALDI‐TOF‐MS/LC‐MS procedure, we have identified several known and at least one novel antigen against which the antibodies are present in sera of immunoinfertile but not fertile women. Some of these antigens may find applications in specific diagonsis and treatment of infertility/immunoinfertility, and in the development of new generation of contraceptive modalities including contraceptive vaccines. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oxidative stress reduces the muscarinic receptor function in the urinary bladder
Authors: de Jongh Rik , Haenen Guido R.M.M. , van Koeveringe Gommert A. , Dambros Miriam , De Mey Jo G.R. , van Kerrebroeck Philip E.V. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAimsSeveral pathophysiological conditions in the urinary bladder, for example, ischemia/reperfusion and inflammation are characterized by the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS are highly toxic because they can destroy proteins, DNA, and lipids. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of oxidative stress on excitation‐contraction coupling of detrusor smooth muscle.Materials and MethodsSmooth muscle strips were dissected from pig urinary bladder and mounted in organ baths. Oxidative stress was mimicked by the addition of Cumene hydroperoxide (CHP), a lipophilic hydroperoxide, to the organ baths. Contractile responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS: 4–32 Hz), carbachol (10−8–3 × 10−5 M), potassium (65.3 mM), and ATP (1 mM) were monitored before and after the addition of CHP.ResultsResponses of detrusor strips to EFS were for the greater part based on neurogenic stimulation and the release of acetylcholine. CHP diminished contractile responses to EFS and carbachol to the same extent. The pD2 value of the carbachol concentration‐response curve decreased significantly after exposure to 0.1 mM, 0.4 mM, 0.8 mM CHP. Furthermore the maximal effect obtained with carbachol was significantly reduced after 0.1 mM, 0.4 mM, and 0.8 mM CHP treatment. Contractions induced by potassium and ATP were significantly less affected by oxidative stress compared to EFS‐ and carbachol‐induced responses of comparable amplitude.ConclusionsThe results of our study demonstrate that oxidative stress induced by CHP affects pig bladder contractility. The muscarinic receptor signaling system is severely damaged. L‐type calcium channels and the contractile system are less affected and cholinergic nerves remain largely unaffected. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:302–308, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preoperative erectile function is one predictor for post prostatectomy incontinence
Authors: Wille S. , Heidenreich A. , Hofmann R. , Engelmann U. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAimsThe precise etiology of post prostatectomy incontinence (PPI) is not fully understood and risk factors are not yet comprehensively defined. It has been reported that sparing of the neurovascular bundle during prostatectomy improves postoperative erectile function, whereas the influence on urinary control is unclear. From daily clinical experience we made the impression that patients who are in the best shape have better erections and better continence. We therefore searched our database for a possible correlation between the preoperative erectile function and the incidence of PPI.Patients and MethodsFour hundred three patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy between January 2000 and May 2003 were enrolled into this retrospective study. Data of 327 patients (response rate 81%) at a median follow‐up of 26 months were analyzed using the validated International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF 5), the validated Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI6) and a standardized urinary symptom inventory. Continence was defined as usage of no or one pad daily. Erectile Dysfunction (ED) was defined as none/mild or moderate/severe with an IIEF 5 score of 17 or more or less than 17, respectively.ResultsUnivariate and mulitvariate logistic regression analysis including preoperative IIEF 5 scores, age and nerve sparing prostatectomy, identified preoperative erectile function as significant predictor for PPI (P = 0.024), whereas age (P = 0.759) and nerve sparing prostatectomy (P = 0.504) did not predict PPI.ConclusionErectile function is a predictor of PPI and should be recorded preoperatively. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Long‐term patient satisfaction following cadaveric pubovaginal sling incontinence surgery using the UDI and IIQ‐7 questionnaires
Authors: Pianezza Michael L. , Joffe Robert , Chugh Taher , Radomski Sidney B. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAimsThe goal of any incontinence surgery is overall long‐term patient satisfaction. The purpose of our study was to assess long‐term patient satisfaction following cadaveric fascia lata pubovaginal sling surgery using the urogenital distress inventory (UDI) and the short form of the incontinence impact questionnaire (IIQ‐7).Materials and MethodsA total of 47 patients who underwent pubovaginal sling incontinence surgery with a minimum follow‐up of 2 years were sent by mail the UDI (total score = 300) and the IIQ‐7 (total score = 100). Thirty‐seven responses (78.7%) were obtained, with a mean follow‐up of 3.8 years (range 2.0–6.2).ResultsOf the 37 patients who responded, the mean UDI score was 75.8 and the mean IIQ‐7 score was 21.4. There was no difference in the mean IIQ‐7 score for patients with more than 4 years follow‐up as compared to the entire group (28.8, P = 0.22). In contrast, the mean UDI score for patients with more than 4 years follow‐up was greater compared to the entire group (99.1, P = 0.04). UDI subscale analysis revealed that patients mainly complained of both irritative and stress symptoms as opposed to obstructive/discomfort symptoms (P < 0.01). Patients with pre‐operative mixed incontinence had greater mean UDI and IIQ‐7 scores compared to patients with pre‐operative pure stress incontinence (96.7 vs. 58.0, P = 0.04; 32.5 vs. 11.9, P = 0.03).ConclusionsOverall long‐term scores assessing quality of life (IIQ‐7) were good and those assessing symptom distress (UDI) were satisfactory following pubovaginal sling surgery. Patients with pre‐operative mixed incontinence are at greatest risk for post‐operative dissatisfaction. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:185–189, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Age‐related variation in isotopic indicators of diet at medieval Kulubnarti, Sudanese Nubia
Authors: Turner B. L. , Edwards J. L. , Quinn E. A. , Kingston J. D. , Van Gerven D. P. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis study compares trends in dietary composition in two large cemetery populations from the site of Kulubnarti (AD 550–800) in Sudanese Nubia. Bone collagen and bone apatite carbonate were analysed to characterise stable carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotopes. Previous research on these cemeteries has suggested marked differences in nutritional status and health between the populations. Contrary to expectations, there were no significant relationships between any isotopic indicators related to sex or cemetery of burial, suggesting no isotopically‐measurable differences in diet. However, collagen δ13C and δ15N were significantly related to age, suggesting age‐related differences in protein intake or other factors.Weaning trends are gradual and variable, with the range in δ15N values exceeding 4‰ among infants/young children (0–3 yrs) and standard deviations exceeding 1‰ in collagen δ13C and δ15N for both infants/young children and subadults (4–17 yrs). This suggests varied weaning strategies among both populations and variable diets prior to adulthood. Also observed was a distinct range of isotopic carbon and nitrogen values among individuals classified as subadults (4–17 yrs), who are depleted in collagen δ13C and δ15N relative to adults. However, both infants/young children and subadults are slightly enriched in δ18O relative to adults, which suggests the presence of non‐local individuals or age‐related variation in water sources. While most isotopic studies of age‐related dietary trends have focused on reconstructing the weaning process, this study presents findings that indicate tripartite isotopic trends distinguishing infancy, subadulthood and adulthood as separate dietary categories. Broad similarities are evident between the results presented here and those from several earlier studies of smaller populations and to nutritional studies of modern communities. These findings suggest that further research into health disparities at Kulubnarti should focus on non‐dietary causal factors, and more generally, that greater attention should be paid to subadulthood in palaeodiet studies. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnostic osteology and analysis of the Mid‐ to Late Holocene dynamics of shags and cormorants in Tierra del Fuego
Authors: Causey D. , Lefèvre C. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWe present here illustrated characteristics and anatomical descriptions of features that can be used to discriminate between four common skeletal elements (i.e. humerus, coracoid, femur, tarsometatarsus) of the five species of shags and cormorants known to occur in southern South America. We also present a detailed study of their distribution and abundance from about 6000 years before present to historical times as revealed by identification of faunal material excavated earlier and by re‐analysis of material published previously. Our results present a high‐resolution examination of the avian resource base used by early human hunters, and provide a foundation for future studies on the palaeoavifauna of Tierra del Fuego during the Mid‐ to Late Holocene. On the broadest scales, species diversity of the Phalacrocoracidae is qualitatively stable over space and time, a pattern that is also reflected in the larger marine bird community. On a finer scale, however, our results indicate that the abundance and distribution of cormorants and shags in Mid‐ and Late Holocene zooarchaeological deposits varied in a complex manner through time. These patterns do not appear to be related to proximity effects of hunters to colonies, but to other factors possibly associated with environmental change. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimation of adult skeletal age‐at‐death: statistical assumptions and applications
Authors: Samworth R. , Gowland R. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWe examine the statistical assumptions underlying different techniques of estimating the age‐at‐death of a skeleton from one or more age indicators. The preferred method depends on which property of the distribution of the data in the reference sample is preserved in the skeleton to be aged. In cases where the conditional distribution of age given indicator is preserved, we provide ‘look‐up’ tables giving essentially unbiased age estimates and prediction intervals, using a large reference sample and the auricular surface and pubic symphysis age indicators. Where this assumption is violated, but the conditional distribution of indicator given age is preserved, we find that an alternative model which attempts to capture the biological process of development of an individual has some attractive features, which may make it suitable for further study. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An optimal regulator for linear systems with multiple state and input delays
Authors: Basin Michael , Perez Joel 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis paper presents an optimal regulator for a linear system with multiple state and input delays and a quadratic criterion. The optimal regulator equations are obtained reducing the original problem to the linear‐quadratic regulator design for a system without delays. Performance of the obtained optimal regulator is verified in the illustrative example against the best linear regulators available for the linear system without delays and for two rational approximations of the original time‐delay system. Simulation graphs demonstrating better performance of the obtained optimal regulator with respect to the criterion value are included. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.