bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced Fertility in High‐yielding Dairy Cows: Are the Oocyte and Embryo in Danger? Part I  The Importance of Negative Energy Balance and Altered Corpus Luteum Function to the Reduction of Oocyte and Embryo Quality in High‐yielding Dairy Cows*
Authors: Leroy JLMR , Opsomer G , Van Soom A , Goovaerts IGF , Bols PEJ 
Published: March 2008

ContentsFertility in high yielding dairy cows is declining, and there is increasing evidence to presume that oocyte and embryo quality are major factors in the complex pathogenesis of reproductive failure. In this report we present an overview of possible mechanisms linking negative energy balance (NEB) and deficiencies in oocyte and embryo developmental competence; specifically, in the high producing dairy cow. Changes in follicular growth patterns during a period of NEB can indirectly affect oocyte quality. The endocrine and biochemical changes, which are associated with NEB, are reflected in the microenvironment of the growing and maturing female gamete, and likely result in the ovulation of a developmentally incompetent oocyte. Even after an oocyte is successfully ovulated and fertilized, a full‐term pregnancy is still not guaranteed. Inadequate corpus luteum function, associated with reduced progesterone, and probably also low insulin‐like growth factor concentrations, can cause a suboptimal microenvironment in the uterus that is incapable of sustaining early embryonic life. This may partly account for the low conception rates and the high incidence of early embryonic mortality in high yielding dairy cows.
Reduced Fertility in High‐yielding Dairy Cows: Are the Oocyte and Embryo in Danger? Part II  Mechanisms Linking Nutrition and Reduced Oocyte and Embryo Quality in High‐yielding Dairy Cows*
Authors: Leroy JLMR , Van Soom A , Opsomer G , Goovaerts IGF , Bols PEJ 
Published: March 2008

ContentsDairy cow fertility has been declining during since the mid‐80s and this has given rise to numerous scientific studies in which important parts of the pathogenesis are elucidated. Reduced oocyte and embryo quality are acknowledged as major factors in the widely described low conception rates and in the high prevalence of early embryonic mortality. Apart from the importance of the negative energy balance (NEB) and the associated endocrine and metabolic consequences, there is a growing attention towards the effect of the milk yield promoting diets which are rich in energy and protein. Starch‐rich diets can improve the energy status and thus the ovarian activity in the early postpartum period but the oocyte and embryo quality can suffer from such insulinogenic diets. Supplementation of dietary fat has a similar dual effect with a beneficial stimulation of the ovarian steroid production while the oocyte and the embryo display an altered energy metabolism and excessive lipid accumulation. High‐protein diets can elevate the ammonia and urea concentrations in the blood, leading to changed intrafollicular, oviductal and uterine environments. Oocytes and embryos are highly sensitive to such changes in their microenvironment, possibly leading to a disturbed maturation, fertilization or early cleavage. Several nutrition‐linked mechanisms, through which oocyte and/or embryo quality can be affected in modern dairy cows, well after the period of NEB, are proposed and comprehensively reviewed in the present report.
TREATMENT OF UNRESECTABLE HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA WITH RADIOLABELLED LIPIODOL
Authors: Kanhere Harsh A. , Leopardi Lisa N. , Fischer Louise , Kitchener Michael I. , Maddern Guy J. 
Published: March 2008

Background:  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common solid organ tumours, with approximately 500 000 new cases being reported each year. It has a very high prevalence in Asia, and almost two‐thirds of all cases occur in this region. The incidence of this tumour in Australia has nearly doubled in the past decade. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment, but only 10–30% of HCC are amenable to surgical resection at the time of diagnosis. The prognosis for patients with unresectable HCC remains dismal. Internal radiotherapy with radiolabelled lipiodol has been used with some success in treatment of HCC. Several studies have validated its usefulness in an adjuvant setting, but it also appears to have a role in treating unresectable tumours.Methods:  Twenty‐two patients with proven HCC, not amenable to or having failed surgical treatment, were evaluated for radiolabelled lipiodol treatment. Of these, 10 patients were excluded after initial evaluation and 12 patients underwent treatment. Patients were followed up every 3 months with physical examination, computed tomography scan and α‐fetoprotein levels. Overall survival, change in tumour size and α‐fetoprotein levels were used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment.Results:  The median overall survival in patients undergoing lipiodol therapy was 15 months. Tumour size was stabilized in most patients and very few side‐effects of the treatment were observed.Conclusion:  This study has shown that radiolabelled lipiodol is an effective method for the treatment of unresectable locally advanced HCC.
Cardiac sarcoidosis
Authors: Habersberger J. , Manins V. , Taylor A. J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractCardiac sarcoidosis can have a variety of manifestations including conduction disease, congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease, pericardial effusions, tamponade, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. In patients with sarcoidosis, the reported incidence of cardiac involvement ranges from 20% in US autopsy studies to nearly 60% in Japan, where it accounts for the majority of deaths as a result of sarcoidosis. Despite this, the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis remains difficult and no single diagnostic test has emerged that combines a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Recent evidence suggests that gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging can potentially offer high sensitivity and specificity for both disease presence and activity. It may also be possible to track response to treatment of cardiac sarcoidosis with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for cardiac sarcoidosis as with systemic sarcoid but at present no prospective trial has shown a survival benefit. Pharmacological treatment of heart failure should follow standard heart failure guidelines, whereas anti‐arrhythmic treatment is problematic. The role of implantable cardiac defibrillators in sarcoid has not been well defined, although the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death are high. Cardiac transplantation remains an option for younger patients, although overall cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis carries a relatively poor prognosis.
Warfarin‐induced allergic interstitial nephritis and leucocytoclastic vasculitis
Authors: Kapoor K. G. , Bekaii‐Saab T. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWarfarin sodium has been associated with leucocytoclastic vasculitis and has once been associated with allergic interstitial nephritis. Hypersensitivity to warfarin sodium simultaneously resulting in allergic interstitial nephritis and leucocytoclastic vasculitis has not yet been previously reported. We present a 48‐year‐old man who was on warfarin sodium for 2 months and presented with acute renal failure and reddish purplish macules on his hypogastric regions and lower extremities bilaterally. Kidney biopsy showed allergic interstitial nephritis and punch skin biopsy showed leucocytoclastic vasculitis. Both biopsies also showed high eosinophil count, highly suggestive of a drug‐induced reaction. After a negative comprehensive work‐up and the absence of other recent medication changes, our patient was determined to have allergic interstitial nephritis and leucocytoclastic vasculitis secondary to warfarin sodium.
Stress intensity factors for slanted through‐wall cracks based on elastic finite element analyses
Authors: HUH N.‐S. , SHIM D.‐J. , CHOI S. , WILKOWSKI G. M. , YANG J.‐S. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTBased on detailed 3‐dimensional (3‐D) elastic finite element (FE) analyses, the present paper provides stress intensity factors (SIFs) for plates with slanted through‐wall crack (TWC) and cylinders with slanted circumferential TWC. Regarding loading conditions, axial tension was considered for the plates, whereas axial tension, global bending and internal pressure were considered for the cylinders. To cover a practical range, the geometric variables affecting the SIF were systematically varied. Based on FE results, SIFs along the crack front, including the inner and outer surface points, were provided. The present results can be used to evaluate the fatigue crack growth or stress corrosion cracking behaviour of a slanted TWC and furthermore to perform detailed Leak‐Before‐Break analysis considering a more realistic crack shape.
Ammonium alters creatine transport and synthesis in a 3D culture of developing brain cells, resulting in secondary cerebral creatine deficiency
Authors: Braissant Olivier , Cagnon Laurène , Monnet‐Tschudi Florianne , Speer Oliver , Wallimann Theo , Honegger Paul , Henry Hugues 
Published: March 2008

AbstractHyperammonemic disorders in pediatric patients lead to poorly understood irreversible effects on the developing brain that may be life‐threatening. We showed previously that some of these NH4+‐induced irreversible effects might be due to impairment of axonal growth that can be protected under ammonium exposure by creatine co‐treatment. The aim of the present work was thus to analyse how the genes of arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT) and guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT), allowing creatine synthesis, as well as of the creatine transporter SLC6A8, allowing creatine uptake into cells, are regulated in rat brain cells under NH4+ exposure. Reaggregated brain cell three‐dimensional cultures exposed to NH4Cl were used as an experimental model of hyperammonemia in the developing central nervous system (CNS). We show here that NH4+ exposure differentially alters AGAT, GAMT and SLC6A8 regulation, in terms of both gene expression and protein activity, in a cell type‐specific manner. In particular, we demonstrate that NH4+ exposure decreases both creatine and its synthesis intermediate, guanidinoacetate, in brain cells, probably through the inhibition of AGAT enzymatic activity. Our work also suggests that oligodendrocytes are major actors in the brain in terms of creatine synthesis, trafficking and uptake, which might be affected by hyperammonemia. Finally, we show that NH4+ exposure induces SLC6A8 in astrocytes. This suggests that hyperammonemia increases blood–brain barrier permeability for creatine. This is normally limited due to the absence of SLC6A8 from the astrocyte feet lining microcapillary endothelial cells, and thus creatine supplementation may protect the developing CNS of hyperammonemic patients.
Differential tonic influence of lateral habenula on prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens dopamine release
Authors: Lecourtier Lucas , DeFrancesco Alicia , Moghaddam Bita 
Published: March 2008

AbstractConditions of increased cognitive or emotional demand activate dopamine release in a regionally selective manner. Whereas the brief millisecond response of dopamine neurons to salient stimuli suggests that dopamine's influence on behaviour may be limited to signalling certain cues, the prolonged availability of dopamine in regions such as the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens is consistent with the well described role of dopamine in maintaining motivation states, associative learning and working memory. The behaviourally elicited terminal release of dopamine is generally attributed to increased excitatory drive on dopamine neurons. Our findings here, however, indicate that this increase may involve active removal of a tonic inhibitory control on dopamine neurons exerted by the lateral habenula (LHb). Inhibition of LHb in behaving animals transiently increased dopamine release in the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens and dorsolateral striatum. The inhibitory influence was more pronounced in the nucleus accumbens and striatum than in the prefrontal cortex. This pattern of regional dopamine activation after LHb inhibition mimicked conditions of reward availability but not increased cognitive demand. Electrical or chemical stimulation of LHb produced minimal reduction of extracellular dopamine, suggesting that in an awake brain the inhibition associated with tonic LHb activity represents a near‐maximal influence on dopamine neurotransmission. These data indicate that LHb may be critical for functional differences in dopamine neurons by preferentially modulating dopamine neurons that project to the nucleus accumbens over those neurons that primarily project to the prefrontal cortex.
Somal positioning and dendritic growth of horizontal cells are regulated by interactions with homotypic neighbors
Authors: Poché Ross A. , Raven Mary A. , Kwan Kin Ming , Furuta Yasuhide , Behringer Richard R. , Reese Benjamin E. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRetinal neurons extend their dendritic fields to achieve a degree of dendritic overlap with homotypic neighbors that is cell‐type specific. How these neurons regulate their dendritic growth is unclear. The dendritic field of a retinal horizontal cell varies inversely with horizontal cell density across different strains of mice, suggesting that proximity to neighboring cells regulates dendritic growth. To test this directly, we have employed the Cre‐loxP conditional gene targeting strategy to achieve inactivation of Lim1 function in developing horizontal cells. Through this approach, Lim1 function was prevented within a subset of horizontal cells that in turn fail to migrate to the horizontal cell layer and differentiate normally. For those remaining horizontal cells with Lim1 intact (about half of the normal population in these mice), we show that they spread themselves out tangentially and differentiate a dendritic morphology that is essentially normal but for the fact that it has nearly doubled in area. Such larger horizontal cells, sampling from an area of retina containing twice their normal afferent number, differentiate a dendritic field with nearly double the number of higher order branches and terminal clusters. These results demonstrate directly that positioning and dendritic growth are regulated by interactions with homotypic neighbors, whereas afferents instruct the differentiation of dendritic patterning.
Right hemisphere contributions to imitation tasks
Authors: Biermann‐Ruben Katja , Kessler Klaus , Jonas Melanie , Siebner Hartwig Roman , Bäumer Tobias , Münchau Alexander , Schnitzler Alfons 
Published: March 2008

AbstractHumans imitate biological movements faster than non‐biological movements. The faster response has been attributed to an activation of the human mirror neuron system, which is thought to match observation and execution of actions. However, it is unclear which cortical areas are responsible for this behavioural advantage. Also, little is known about the timing of activations. Using whole‐head magnetoencephalography we recorded neuronal responses to single biological finger movements and non‐biological dot movements while the subjects were required to perform an imitation task or an observation task, respectively. Previous imaging studies on the human mirror neurone system suggested that activation in response to biological movements would be stronger in ventral premotor, parietal and superior temporal regions. In accordance with previous studies, reaction times to biological movements were faster than those to dot movements in all subjects. The analysis of evoked magnetic fields revealed that the reaction time benefit was paralleled by stronger and earlier activation of the left temporo‐occipital cortex, right superior temporal area and right ventral motor/premotor area. The activity patterns suggest that the latter areas mediate the observed behavioural advantage of biological movements and indicate a predominant contribution of the right temporo‐frontal hemisphere to action observation–execution matching processes in intransitive movements, which has not been reported previously.
Historical distribution of right whales in the North Pacific
Authors: Josephson Elizabeth , Smith Tim D , Reeves Randall R 
Published: March 2008

AbstractFisheries records provide some of the only information on pre‐fishing distribution and abundance for species that were depleted before the advent of modern scientific investigations. This paper interprets records of the early history of whaling for North Pacific right whales (Eubalaena pacifica). The current population occupies only a fraction of its historical range. Historical distributions of several whale species have been inferred from charts prepared by Matthew Fontaine Maury in the early 1850s and Charles Haskins Townsend in the 1930s based on data from American whalers’ logbooks. In the North Pacific, Maury’s chart has been interpreted to show that right whales occurred continuously across the entire basin. However, we find plotting errors when we compare the North Pacific chart to the corresponding data worksheets prepared for Maury (the ‘Maury Abstracts’) and the chart appears to have misled historians and biologists. Although these charts and those in the North Atlantic are wrong, the Maury Abstracts themselves appear largely consistent with the original whaler logbooks. Our analysis shows that right whales were likely not distributed continuously across the North Pacific, but instead had a pronounced longitudinally bimodal distribution and were encountered infrequently in the central‐northern North Pacific. This work shows how valuable information can be obtained by examining original source material. The American whaling logbooks are extensive and have been largely overlooked in studies of whale populations.
Soybean WRKY‐type transcription factor genes,GmWRKY13, GmWRKY21, andGmWRKY54, confer differential tolerance to abiotic stresses in transgenicArabidopsisplants
Authors: Zhou Qi‐Yun , Tian Ai‐Guo , Zou Hong‐Feng , Xie Zong‐Ming , Lei Gang , Huang Jian , Wang Chun‐Mei , Wang Hui‐Wen , Zhang Jin‐Song , Chen Shou‐Yi 
Published: March 2008

SummaryWRKY‐type transcription factors have multiple roles in the plant defence response and developmental processes. Their roles in the abiotic stress response remain obscure. In this study, 64GmWRKYgenes from soybean were identified, and were found to be differentially expressed under abiotic stresses. Nine GmWRKY proteins were tested for their transcription activation in the yeast assay system, and five showed such ability. In a DNA‐binding assay, three proteins (GmWRKY13, GmWRKY27 and GmWRKY54) with a conserved WRKYGQK sequence in their DNA‐binding domain could bind to the W‐box (TTGAC). However, GmWRKY6 and GmWRKY21, with an altered sequence WRKYGKK, lost the ability to bind to the W‐box. The function of three stress‐induced genes,GmWRKY13,GmWRKY21andGmWRKY54, was further investigated using a transgenic approach.GmWRKY21‐transgenicArabidopsisplants were tolerant to cold stress, whereasGmWRKY54conferred salt and drought tolerance, possibly through the regulation ofDREB2AandSTZ/Zat10. Transgenic plants over‐expressingGmWRKY13showed increased sensitivity to salt and mannitol stress, but decreased sensitivity to abscisic acid, when compared with wild‐type plants. In addition,GmWRKY13‐transgenic plants showed an increase in lateral roots. These results indicate that the threeGmWRKYgenes play differential roles in abiotic stress tolerance, and thatGmWRKY13may function in both lateral root development and the abiotic stress response.
The Quality of Industrial Relations and Unemployment in Developing Countries
Authors: Feldmann Horst 
Published: March 2008

AbstractUsing data from 45 countries for six years in the period 1995 to 2003, the author analyses whether the quality of industrial relations affects unemployment in developing countries. To measure the quality of industrial relations, the author uses the results of surveys in which senior business executives characterized the industrial relations of their countries of residence. According to the regression results, cooperative (confrontational) industrial relations are likely to lower (increase) unemployment. In general, the magnitude of the effect appears to be moderate. It seems to be small among women. The results are robust to variations in specification.
TRANSLOCATION IN MACROCYSTIS. III. COMPOSITION OF SIEVE TUBE EXUDATE AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE MAJOR C14‐LABELED PRODUCTS1
Authors: Parker Bruce C. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The major C14‐labeled substance in sieve tube exudate of M. pyrifera is D‐mannitol, comprising 3.6% (w/v). No sugars are detectable. Certain amino acids also possess some CWabeling and occur in significantly high concentrations in exudate. The exudate contains negligible ether‐soluble lipid, but has a large amount of protein and a high concentration of K+. Neither protein nor lipid become labeled significantly in sieve tubes during short‐term translocation experiments with C14. In general the chemical composition of the assimilate stream is comparable to that of vascular plants and does not, consequently, necessitate a different mechanism for translocation.
THECATE HETEROPHIC DINOFLAGELLATES: FEEDING BEHAVIOR AND MECHANISMS1
Authors: Jacobson Dean M. , Anderson Donald M. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe feeding of 18 species of thrcale hetrophi dinoflagellates from three genera (Protoperidininm, Oblea, Zygabikodinium) can all be described within one general framework. These species engulf diatoms and other prey with a pseudopod (herein terned a “Pallium”)which originates at the flagellar pore in the sulcus. The pallium is a highly plastic, membranous organ which rasily strethes to accommodate spines and many as 58 diatom cells in a chain. The contents of the phytoplanklon prey are liquified and transporued throughthe pallioum typically within 7 to 30 minutes of capture (although feeding may last 2 h) teaving an intact but empty cell wall or frustule. Thus far, with few exceptions, Protoperidinium specises have been observed feeding inly on diatoms, whereas two diplopsaloid species feed on dinoflagellates and prasinophytes as well. In four species from the three genera studied. a capture filament has been observed that connects the food to the dinoflagellate prior to extension of the pallium, sometimes allowing the cell to pull the food while swimming. A distinctive precapture swimming behavior is also deseribed foe six species, suggesting that the dinoflagellates are selective grazers.
SPECIALIZATION OF ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM ARCHITECTURE IN RESPONSE TO A BACTERIAL SYMBIOSIS IN PERIDINIVM BALTICUM (PYRRHOPHYTA)1
Authors: Chesnick Joby Marie , Cox Elenor R. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT Transmission elrctron microscopy (TEM) and rapid freeze‐fracture analyses were used to provide data for a more accurate description of the relationship of Peridinium balticum (Levander) Lemmermann to endosymbiotic bacteria present in the dinoflagellate's cytoplasm. Bacteria were found in all of the cells observed and were present in both gamete and zygote life cycle stages. Analysis of micrographs showed that bacteria were tightly clustered in the posterior portion of the dinoflagellate cell in numbers of 50‐200/ section. Rapid freeze‐fracture replicas re‐vealed a specialization of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). ER surrounded each bacterium and consisted of a series of infoldings which contacted the bacterial plasma membrane in several places. Extensions of ER were common between adjacent bacteria. We have interpreted the development and specialization of endoplasmic reticulum of the dinoflagellate host as an example of a cellular response of one organism to another, supportive of the serial endosymbiotic theory. Intramembrane particles (IMP) were seen on both protoplasmic (P) and exoplasmic (E) faces of the bacterial plasma membrane. Aquisition of the bacterial symbiont and the effects of long term culturing are discussed.