bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mineral absorption in tapirs (Tapirus spp.) as compared to the domestic horse
Authors: Clauss M. , Lang‐Deuerling S. , Kienzle E. , Medici E. P. , Hummel J. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryTo test whether mineral recommendations for horses are likely to guarantee adequate mineral provision for tapirs (Tapirus spp.), we investigated the apparent absorption (aA) of macro and micro‐minerals in 18 tapirs from five zoological institutions in a total of 24 feeding trials with total faecal collection. Samples of feeds and faeces were analysed for Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu and Zn. The resulting aA coefficients and the linear relationships of apparently absorbable dietary mineral content to total dietary mineral content (per 100 g dry matter) were compared with data for domestic horses. While there were no apparent differences in the absorption patterns for P, K, Na, Fe, Cu or Zn, the absorption of both Ca and Mg was distinctively higher in tapirs than in horses. Tapirs are browsers that are adapted to a diet of higher Ca content and higher Ca:P ratio than equids, and high absorptive efficiency for Ca might have evolved to ensure that high dietary Ca concentrations do not lead to the binding of dietary P in the intestine, making it unavailable for hindgut microbes. Similar to other hindgut fermenters, in tapirs, absorption coefficients for Ca increased with dietary Ca:P ratio, and urinary Ca:creatinine ratios increased with dietary Ca. Several zoo diets used were deficient in one or more minerals. When compared with faeces of free‐ranging animals, faeces of zoo animals had higher concentrations of most minerals, probably indicating a lesser diluting effect of indigestible fibre in zoo animals.
Isolation and Culture of Ovine and Bubaline Small and Large Pre‐antral Follicles: Effect of Cyclicity and Presence of a Dominant Follicle
Authors: Nandi S , Girish Kumar V , Ramesh HS , Manjunatha BM , Gupta PSP 
Published: January 2009

ContentsStudies were conducted to examine the effects of the cyclicity and the presence of a dominant follicle (DF) in ovary on the recovery and in vitro growth of pre‐antral follicles (PFs) in sheep and buffalo. Small pre‐antral follicles (SPFs, 100–250 μm) and large pre‐antral follicles (LPFs, 250–450 μm) were isolated from slaughterhouse ovaries in the breeding seasons by a mechanical and enzymatic method. The sheep and buffalo PFs were cultured in vitro for 6 and 15 days, respectively, and examined for their growth, survival and antrum formation rates and growth rates of oocytes in cultured pre‐antral follicles. The follicles of the sheep and buffalo were recovered and cultured simultaneously within replicates. The recovery rates (number per ovary) of both SPFs and LPFs were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in cyclic ewes (SPFs: 22.0 ± 3.3 vs 12.1 ± 2.6 and LPFs: 16.0 ± 3.6 vs 9.2 ± 1.8) and buffaloes (SPFs: 9.2 ± 1.3 vs 4.1 ± 1.0 and LPFs: 10.3 ± 2.7 vs 5.4 ± 0.7) compared with those recovered from acyclic ones. Presence of a DF in ovary significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the recovery rates of LPFs in ewes (9.06 ± 2.7 vs 16.4 ± 3.8) but had no effect in buffalo. Cyclicity of animals or follicular dominance had no effects on in vitro growth, survival and antrum formation rates and growth rates of oocytes in cultured PFs of SPFs and LPFs in both sheep and buffalo. The in vitro growth, survival and antrum formation rates of LPFs and growth rates of oocytes in cultured LPFs were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those observed in SPFs in both sheep and buffalo. The overall recovery and growth rates of the PFs were lower in buffaloes compared with ewes.
Information provision to clients with stroke and their carers: Self‐reported practices of occupational therapists
Authors: Gustafsson Louise , Hodge Anna , Robinson Mia , McKenna Kryss , Bower Kylie 
Published: January 2009

Background:  The literature promotes the use of a wide range of educational materials for teaching and training clients with chronic conditions such as stroke. Client education is a valuable tool used by occupational therapists to facilitate client and carer ability to manage the stroke‐affected upper limb. The aim of this study was to identify what information was provided to clients and carers, how this information was delivered, when the information was delivered and the client factors that influenced the method of information provision. Methods:  Convenience and snowball sampling was used to recruit occupational therapists working in stroke. Twenty‐eight participants completed the study questionnaire anonymously and their responses were summarised descriptively. Results:  There was a clinically important trend for carers to receive less information than clients. Written and/or verbal information was the favoured method for delivering information related to handling (57%), soft‐tissue injury minimisation (46.4%) and oedema management (50%). Information was delivered with decreasing frequency from admission (86%) to discharge (64%). More than 90% of participants indicated that the client's cognitive ability, visual ability, level of communication, primary language and perceptual ability were considered prior to the delivery of information. Discussion:  Participants regularly conveyed information to clients and carers with respect to management of the stroke‐affected upper limb. However, an increased emphasis on the development of practical self‐management skills, awareness of the impact of personal factors and a timeline for information provision may prove useful.
Hepatitis B virus genotypes and hepatitis B surface antigen mutations in family contacts of hepatitis B virus infected patients with occult hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Kumar Gollapudi Tarun , Kazim Syed Naqui , Kumar Manoj , Hissar Syed , Chauhan Ranjit , Basir Seemi Farhat , Sarin Shiv Kumar 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground:  The association and profile of surface gene mutations with viral genotypes have been studied in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) but not in subjects with occult HBV infection.Aim:  This study aimed to investigate the association of surface gene mutations with viral genotypes in occult HBV infection.Materials & Methods:  Of 293 family contacts of 90 chronic HBV index patients, 110 consented for the study. Of 110 subjects, 97 were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative. HBV genotyping was done using direct DNA sequencing. The S‐gene was also sequenced in 13 chronic hepatitis B patients to serve as controls.Results:  Twenty‐eight (28.8%) of the 97 subjects had occult HBV infection. Bidirectional sequencing of partial S‐gene was successful in 13 of them. Seven (53.8%) of the viral sequences are genotype A1, two (15.3%) each having genotypes D5&D2 and one each (7.6%) having D1&G genotypes. Seven (53.8%) of the 13 HBsAg positive patients, had genotype D&6 (46.1%) genotype A. A128V & T143M mutations were observed in 5 of 13 (38.4%) subjects and A128V & P127S in 2 of 13 (15.3%) patients (P = 0.385). A128V mutation was seen in two (15.3%) subjects with D2 genotype, while T143M mutation was seen in three (23.07%) subjects with A1genotype. At aa125, three (23.07%) subjects with D5 genotype had methionine instead of threonine. There were wild type sequences in five (38.4%) subjects, one each of D1, G genotypes (20%) and four A1 (80%) genotypes. None of the subjects had G145R mutation.Conclusions:  Occult HBV infection may be common in household contacts of chronic HBV infected patients. Equal prevalence of A&D sub‐genotypes was present in occult HBV subjects and in chronic HBV patients. Mutations of the S‐gene are genotype specific in both occult as well as chronic HBV infection.
Differential effect of oleic and palmitic acid on lipid accumulation and apoptosis in cultured hepatocytes
Authors: Ricchi Matteo , Odoardi Maria Rosaria , Carulli Lucia , Anzivino Claudia , Ballestri Stefano , Pinetti Adriano , Fantoni Luca Isaia , Marra Fabio , Bertolotti Marco , Banni Sebastiano , Lonardo Amedeo , Carulli Nicola , Loria Paola 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Studies have shown monounsaturated oleic acid to be less toxic than palmitic acid and to prevent/attenuate palmitic acid hepatocites toxicity in steatosis models in vitro. However, to what degree these effects are mediated by steatosis extent is unknown.Methods:  We evaluated whether steatosis per se is associated with hepatocytes apoptosis and determined the role of oleic and palmitic acid, the most abundant fatty acids in western diets, on triglyceride accumulation and apoptosis in an in vitro model of steatosis induced in three hepatocytic cell lines (HepG2, HuH7, WRL68). The impact of incubation for 24 h with oleic (0.66 and 1.32 mM) and palmitic acid (0.33 and 0.66 mM), alone or combined (molar ratio 2 : 1) on steatosis, apoptosis, and insulin signalling, was evaluated.Results:  Concurrent with PPARγ and SREBP‐1 gene activation, steatosis extent was larger when cells were treated with oleic than with palmitic acid; the latter fatty acid was associated with increased PPARα expression. Cell apoptosis was inversely proportional to steatosis deposition. Moreover, palmitic, but not oleic acid, impaired insulin signalling. Despite the higher amount of fat resulting from incubation of the two fatty acids combined, the apoptosis rate and impaired insulin signalling were lower than in cells treated with palmitic acid alone, indicating a protective effect of oleic acid.Conclusions:  Oleic acid is more steatogenic but less apoptotic than palmitic acid in hepatocityc cell cultures. These data may provide a biological basis for clinical findings on dietary patterns and pathogenetic models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Hepatitis B vaccination in haemodialysis patients: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: BOCK MARILENE , BARROS ELVINO , VERONESE FRANCISCO JV 
Published: January 2009

SUMMARYAim:  A short vaccination protocol against hepatitis B was compared to the standard approach in patients under haemodialysis who were primarily non‐responsive to the vaccine.Methods:  This randomized, controlled open trial included 51 chronic haemodialysis subjects previously vaccinated against hepatitis B and with anti‐HBs levels of less than 10 IU/mol/L. Twenty‐six patients received 20 µg i.m. once a week for 8 weeks (short protocol) and 25 subjects three doses of 40 µg i.m. at months 0, 1 and 6 (standard protocol). Clinical and laboratory data were compared between responders and non‐responders. A logistic regression model included selected parameters to assess risk factors for non‐seroconversion.Results:  Seroconversion rates to vaccine at 2 months were 80% and 78% in the short and standard protocol groups, respectively (P = 0.99). Median of anti‐HBs levels were similar up to 6 months of follow up, but patients in the standard protocol showed a trend to higher anti‐HBs in month 3 and a more steady decline in antibody titres. Non‐responders were older, had longer duration of dialysis and a higher prevalence of a prior renal transplant and hepatitis C. In multivariate analysis, only advanced age and hepatitis C remained independently associated with non‐responsiveness to vaccination.Conclusion:  In haemodialysis patients, a short vaccination protocol against hepatitis B did not provide any benefit compared to the standard approach with respect to peak anti‐HBs titres or a higher rate of seroprotection at the end of follow up. Other strategies to increase seroconversion rates should be explored, especially in the elderly and in patients with hepatitis C.
Serenoa repens extract targets mitochondria and activates the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in human prostate cancer cells
Authors: Baron Antonella , Mancini Mariangela , Caldwell Elizabeth , Cabrelle Anna , Bernardi Paolo , Pagano Francesco 
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Serenoa repens extract (Sr) in human PC3 and LNCaP prostate cancer and MCF7 breast cancer cells, with specific emphasis on the role of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, as the molecular pathway through which Sr, a natural product of plant origin, induces death of prostate cancer cells in culture is still unknown.MATERIAL AND METHODSCellular and mitochondrial structure and function, and the cell cycle, were analysed using light, electron and fluorescence microscopy, spectrophotometry and flow cytometry. Apoptosis was evaluated using biochemical and cytohistochemical methods.RESULTSCells treated with Sr underwent massive vacuolization and cytosolic condensation, followed by cell death only in the prostate lines. Within minutes of adding Sr to prostate cells, it caused opening of the permeability transition pore (PTP), which led to complete mitochondrial depolarization within 2 h, and to the appearance of small, pycnotic mitochondria. Release of cytochrome c and SMAC/Diablo to the cytosol was detectable after 4 h of treatment, while caspase 9 activation and poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 cleavage occurred at 16 h, followed by appearance of a sub‐G1 peak and apoptosis at 24 h.CONCLUSIONSr selectively induces apoptotic cell death of prostate cancer cells through the intrinsic pathway, and activation of the mitochondrial PTP might play a central role in this process.
A double‐blind randomized controlled trial of electromagnetic stimulation of the pelvic floor vs sham therapy in the treatment of women with stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Gilling Peter J. , Wilson Liam C. , Westenberg Andre M. , McAllister William J. , Kennett Katie M. , Frampton Christopher M. , Bell Deborah F. , Wrigley Patricia M. , Fraundorfer Mark R. 
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of extracorporeal electromagnetic stimulation (ES) of the pelvic floor for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI) vs sham ES.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 70 women with urodynamically confirmed SUI were randomized to receive active (35) or sham (35) ES. The NeoControl chair (NeoTonus, Marietta, GA, USA) was used, and treatment consisted of three sessions per week for 6 weeks. data were collected before and after treatment on all women, including a 20‐min provocative pad‐test with a predetermined bladder volume (primary outcome measure), a 3‐day bladder diary and 24 h pad‐test. Circumvaginal muscle (CVM) rating score, perineometry using two separate instruments and video‐urodynamics were also used, and the Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I‐QOL) and King’s Health Questionnaires. Patients were fully re‐evaluated 8 weeks after treatment, and the bladder diary, pad‐test and questionnaires were repeated at 6 months. The urotherapist and physician were unaware to which treatment group the patient was assigned.RESULTSIn the overall group of 70 patients there were significant improvements in each of the primary and secondary outcome measures at 8 weeks. There were also significant improvements in primary and secondary outcome measures in the active treatment group when compared with baseline measures. At 8 weeks, there were improvements in the mean (sd) values for the 20‐min pad‐test, of 39.5 (5.1) vs 19.4 (4.6) g (P < 0.001); the 24‐h pad‐test, of 24.0 (4.7) vs 10.1 (3.1) g (P < 0.01); the number of pads/day, of 0.9 (0.1) vs 0.6 (0.1) (P < 0.01), the I‐QOL score, of 63.7 (2.8) vs 71.2 (3.3) (P < 0.001); and King’s Health Questionnaire score, of 9.6 (0.8) vs 6.9 (0.7) (P < 0.001). However, these improvements were not statistically significant when compared with the sham‐treatment group. In those patients on active treatment who had a poor pelvic floor contraction at the initial assessment (defined by the CVM score and perineometry), there was a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the 20‐min pad‐test leakage when compared with the sham‐treatment group.CONCLUSIONSES was no more effective overall than sham treatment in this patient group. However, in those women who were unable to generate adequate pelvic floor muscle contractions, there was an objective improvement in provocative pad testing when compared to sham treatment.
Urological symptom clusters and health‐related quality‐of‐life: results from the Boston Area Community Health Survey
Authors: Hall Susan A. , Link Carol L. , Tennstedt Sharon L. , Mollon Patrick , Aiyer Lalitha Padmanabhan , Chapple Christopher R. , Wein Alan J. , Rosen Raymond C. 
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVETo determine whether urological symptom clusters, as identified in previous studies, were associated with health‐related quality‐of‐life (HRQoL) and use of healthcare.SUBJECTS AND METHODSThe Boston Area Community Health Survey is a population‐based epidemiological study of 2301 male and 3201 female residents of Boston, MA, USA, aged 30–79 years. Baseline data collected from 2002 to 2005 were used in this analysis. Data on 14 urological symptoms were used for the cluster analysis, and five derived symptom clusters among men and four among women were used in multivariate linear regression models (adjusted for age group, race/ethnicity, and comorbidity) to determine their association with physical (PCS‐12) and mental health component scores (MCS‐12) calculated from the Medical Outcomes Study 12‐item Short Form Survey.RESULTSFor both men and women, being in the most symptomatic cluster was associated with decrements in the PCS‐12 score (men, cluster 5, −10.42; women, cluster 4, −9.80; both P < 0.001) and the MCS‐12 score (men, cluster 5, −9.35; women, cluster 4, −6.24; both P < 0.001) compared with the asymptomatic groups. Both men and women in these most symptomatic clusters appeared to have adequate access to healthcare.CONCLUSIONFor men and women, those with the most urological symptoms reported poorer HRQoL in two domains after adjusting for age and comorbidity, and despite adequate access to care.
Reliability and validity of the modified Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score in diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy
Authors: Bril V. , Tomioka S. , Buchanan R. A. , Perkins B. A. ,   the mTCNS Study Group
Published: January 2009

AbstractIntroduction  A reliable and valid clinical tool to capture symptoms and signs of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSP) for use in clinical research trials is urgently needed. The validated Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (TCNS) was modified to improve sensitivity to early DSP changes. We aimed to assess the reproducibility of this modified tool, the mTCNS and to determine its validity relative to the precursor TCNS.Methods  Sixty‐five patients (six Type 1, 59 Type 2 diabetes) with diabetes duration 13 ± 8 years were accrued from four study sites and examined on 2 days for internal consistency and inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability of the mTCNS. In the absence of a single quantitative gold‐standard measure for DSP, results of the mTCNS were compared with the precursor TCNS for the purpose of estimating validity.Results  Internal consistency of the two domains within the mTCNS was good (Cronbach's alpha 0.78). Very good inter‐rater reliability for the mTCNS was demonstrated by an intra‐class correlation coefficient for the mTCNS of 0.87 (95% confidence interval, 0.79–0.91), which was similar in magnitude to that of the TCNS (0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.75–0.89). Intra‐rater reliability testing of the mTCNS showed moderate to good correlation for individual symptoms and sensory tests (Cohen's kappa values of 0.54–0.73). The mTCNS shared moderate correlation with the precursor TCNS (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.58).Discussion  The mTCNS, a clinical score with higher face validity for tracking mild to moderate DSP, has sufficient reliability and validity relative to its precursor TCNS for use in clinical research.
The functional, rheological and sensory characteristics of ice creams with various fat replacers
Authors: KARACA OYA BERKAY , GÜVEN MEHMET , YASAR KURBAN , KAYA SEVIM , KAHYAOGLU TALIP 
Published: January 2009

The effects of fat replacers (Simplesse® D‐100, N‐Lite D, and inulin) on the melting characteristics, overruns, hardness, rheological parameters and sensory attributes of reduced (RF, 60.0 g/kg), low (LF, 40.0 g/kg), and nonfat (NF, 1.0 g/kg) ice creams were investigated. The magnitudes of the melting rates were in the order RF>LF>NF for samples that contained Simplesse® D‐100 or inulin, but the reverse order was found for samples with N‐Lite D. The nonfat ice creams had lowest overrun values of around 10%. Inulin‐containing ice creams possessed higher overrun values than others (P > 0.05). The use of fat replacer decreased the hardness of ice creams. All ice cream samples showed pseudoplastic (shear‐thinning) behavior. The addition of N‐Lite D and inulin decreased the flow behaviour index of ice cream samples. The reduced and low fat ice cream samples were rated as similar to the control by a sensory panel. On the other hand, no correlations (P > 0.05) were observed between rheological parameters and sensory texture and mouthfeel.
Methodology of QT‐Interval Measurement in the Modular ECG Analysis System (MEANS)
Authors: Kors Jan A. , Van Herpen Gerard 
Published: January 2009

Background: QT prolongation as can be induced by drugs, signals the risk of life‐threatening arrhythmias. The methodology of QT measurement in the modular ECG analysis system (MEANS) is described. Methods: In the simultaneously recorded leads of the standard 12‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG), the QRS complexes are detected by a spatial velocity function. They are typed as dominant or nondominant, and a representative complex per lead is obtained by averaging over the dominant complexes. QRS onset and T end are determined by a template technique, and QT is measured. MEANS performance was evaluated on the 125 ECGs of the common standards for quantitative electrocardiography (CSE) multilead database, of which the waveform boundaries have been released. Results: MEANS detected correctly all 1445 complexes of the CSE library, with one false‐positive detection due to a sudden baseline jump. All dominant complexes were correctly typed. The average of the differences between MEANS and reference was less than 2 ms (=1 sample) for both QRS onset and T end, and 2.1 ms for QT duration. The standard deviation of the differences was 3.8, 8.4, and 10.4 ms, respectively. Conclusions: A standard deviation of 10.4 ms for QT measurement seems large when related to the regulatory requirement that a prolongation as small as 5 ms should be detected. However, QT variabilities as encountered in different individuals will be larger than when measured in one individual during pharmacological intervention. Finally, if the U wave is part of the total repolarization, then T and U form a continuum and the end of T becomes questionable.