bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of emamectin benzoate against sea lice infestations of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.: evaluation in the absence of an untreated contemporary control
Authors: Gustafson L , Ellis S , Robinson T , Marenghi F , Endris R 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe efficacy of emamectin benzoate (SLICE®) against sea lice infestations of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., is typically assessed using untreated fish, or fish treated with alternative therapeutants, as controls. The State of Maine, USA, is currently under active management for the OIE‐notifiable pathogen, infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV); consequently, neither control group is feasible in this region. Untreated salmon risk extensive damage from the ectoparasites, and threaten to increase vector‐borne exposure or susceptibility of farms to ISAV; and the only treatment presently available in Maine is SLICE®. However, because sea lice infestations are unlikely to resolve spontaneously, and response to treatment occurs within weeks, use of a pretreatment baseline is a reasonable alternative for confirmatory studies. We evaluated SLICE® efficacy on Atlantic salmon farms in Cobscook Bay 2002–2005, in the absence of untreated controls, using pretreatment lice loads as a reference for calculation. Maximum efficacy ranged from 68% to 100% reduction from initial levels. Time‐to‐maximum efficacy ranged from 1 to 8 weeks after treatment initiation. Efficacy duration, measured between first reduction and first progressive rise in counts, ranged from 4 to 16 weeks.
Identification and Characterization of Secretagogin Promoter Activity
Authors: Skovhus K. V. , Bergholdt R. , Erichsen C. , Sparre T. , Nerup J. , Karlsen A. E. , Pociot F. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSecretagogin is a newly identified calcium‐binding protein selectively expressed in neuroendocrine tissue and pancreatic β‐cells. The function of secretagogin is unknown, but it has been suggested in β‐cells to influence calcium‐influx, insulin secretion and proliferation, and has been observed downregulated in diabetes‐prone BB rat islets exposed to cytokines. In the present study, we identified and characterized promoter activity of a human 1498 bp sequence upstream the transcription start site. The promoter sequence showed subtle but significant regulation by glucose within the normo‐physiological range. Glucose also led to changes in expression of secretagogin protein in INS‐1e cells, but not in primary cells from non‐diabetes‐prone Wistar Furth rats. No effects of cytokines neither on promoter activity nor protein expression were observed. The promoter region was furthermore screened by direct sequencing, and 11 polymorphisms were identified. Genotyping in a large homogenous Type 1 diabetes (T1D) family collection did not reveal association with T1D.
The allergy‐associated chemokine receptors CCR3 and CCR5 can be inactivated by the modified chemokine NNY‐CCL11
Authors: Manns J. , Rieder S. , Escher S. , Eilers B. , Forssmann W.‐G. , Elsner J. , Forssmann U. 
Published: October 2006

Background: CC chemokine ligand 11 (CCL11) is the outstanding member of all described CC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3) ligands and is shown to be selective for this receptor. However, it also activates CCR5 but only in the micromolar range. Thein vivoactivity of CCL11 is expected to be temporally restricted, as it is degraded by specific proteases such as the dipeptidyl‐peptidase IV (DP4), also termed CD26. Based on the approach to inactivate chemokine receptors in allergic disease models as has been demonstrated for DP4‐resistantn‐nonanoyl (NNY)‐CCL14 and for amino‐oxypentane (AOP)‐CCL5, it is tempting to study similar compounds derived from CCL11.Methods: Synthesis of NNY‐CCL11 was performed and it was characterized for biological functions in human and mouse eosinophils as well as in cell lines stably transfected either with human CCR3 or CCR5. Resistance to DP4 treatment was also investigated.Results: The functional activities of NNY‐CCL11 mediated via CCR3 show an almost identical pattern to CCL11 with respect to intracellular calcium mobilization and CCR3 internalization. N‐terminal cleavage of CCL11 by preincubation with DP4 results in a reduced capacity to internalize CCR3, while preincubation of NNY‐CCL11 shows no influence. In contrast to CCL11, NNY‐CCL11 also activates CCR5+cell lines and human monocytes in the nanomolar range, being about 100 times more potent than CCL11.Conclusions: n‐Nonanoyl‐CCL11 represents a compound with dual activity restricted to CCR3 and CCR5. Because of its receptor‐inactivating capacity and stability against DP4 degradation, NNY‐CCL11 is a suitable tool for the decoding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of allergic diseases.
The Development of Local Song Preferences in Female Cowbirds (Molothrus ater): Flock Living Stimulates Learning
Authors: West Meredith J. , King Andrew P. , White David J. , Gros‐Louis Julie , Freed‐Brown Grace 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe carried out two experiments across 2 yr on song perception in female cowbirds (Molothrus ater). In the first experiment, juvenile and adult female brown‐headed cowbirds, living in same‐sex flocks in outdoor aviaries, were periodically tutored with recordings of local male cowbirds’ songs. In the spring, four adult male cowbirds were placed with half of the females for a 12‐d period. We then tested song preferences of all females by measuring copulation solicitation displays during the breeding season. We found that the females exposed only to tape‐tutor songs preferred those songs to those of the unfamiliar males used as companions and that the females allowed to interact with males preferred their songs over the familiar tape‐tutor songs. These data establish the modifiability of female cowbirds’ song preferences at the level of local song. In a second experiment, we studied the playback responses of juvenile females, hand‐reared from the egg, who were tape‐tutored only in the spring in the presence or absence of adult females. There were no differences between the responses of juveniles housed with or without adult females and the hand‐reared juveniles were significantly less responsive to song than adult females. Adult females responded more to familiar songs than to the unfamiliar songs: juvenile females made no such distinction. Taken as a whole, these data are the first to document that female cowbirds’ song preferences for local song can be reshaped by post‐natal experience. These data complement recent study in cowbirds and other species showing that socially more complex contexts reveal plasticity in female song preferences that are not apparent when learning opportunities are constrained by impoverished laboratory settings.
Fox Odour Increases Vigilance in European Rabbits: A Study under Semi‐Natural Conditions
Authors: Monclús Raquel , Rödel Heiko G. , Von Holst Dietrich 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe recognition of predator odours is a well‐known mechanism in many prey species which may lead to various behavioural and physiological responses. This has been shown for many mammal species under laboratory conditions, but efforts to validate the results in the field often have led to inconclusive results. We investigated the behavioural reactions and the physiological stress response of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) to the odour of a mammalian predator (red fox, Vulpes vulpes) under semi‐natural conditions. The study was conducted on a rabbit population living in an outdoor enclosure of 2 ha. We compared the rates of vigilance and exploration, the time allocated to self‐directed behaviours, the home range sizes and the physiological responses of an experimental and a control group. Only animals from the experimental group were confronted with fox faeces. These animals increased their vigilance rate whereas the control animals did not respond. The increase did not differ between adult and subadult individuals. Furthermore, the experimental animals frequently approached the odour of the predator which might indicate an increase in investigative behaviour. Home‐range size, feeding and other self‐directed behaviours did not change in response to fox odour. Moreover, the animals of the experimental and the control group did not differ in serum corticosterone concentrations (measured after adrenocorticotrophic hormone challenge) that we determined in the beginning and in the end of the experiment. We suggest that the observed behavioural responses represent a low‐cost strategy for lowering the individual risk of predation.
A prospective evaluation of occult disorders in obstructed defecation using the ‘iceberg diagram’
Authors: Pescatori M. , Spyrou M. , Pulvirenti d'Urso A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractObjective  Surgical treatment of constipation and obstructed defecation (OD) carries frequent recurrences, as OD is an ‘iceberg syndrome’ characterized by ‘underwater rocks’ or occult diseases which may affect the outcome of surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate occult disorders in order to alert the clinician of these and minimize failures.Method  One hundred consecutive constipated patients with OD symptoms, 81 female patients, median age 52 years, underwent perineal examination, proctoscopy, anorectal manometry, and anal/vaginal ultrasound. Anorectal physiology and imaging tests were also carried out when indicated, as well as psychological and urogynaecological consultation. Symptoms were graded using a modified 1–20 constipation score. Both evident (e.g. rectocele) and occult (e.g. anismus) diseases were prospectively evaluated using a novel ‘iceberg diagram’. The type of treatment, whether conservative or surgical, was also recorded.Results  Fifty‐four (54%) patients had both mucosal prolapse and rectocele. All patients had at least two occult OD‐related diseases, 66 patients had at least three: anxiety‐depression, anismus and rectal hyposensation were the most frequent (66%, 44% and 33% respectively). The median constipation score was 11 (range 2–20), the median number of ‘occult disorders’ was 5 (range 2–8). Conservative treatment was carried out in most patients. Surgery was carried out in 14 (14%) patients.Conclusion  The novel ‘iceberg diagram’ allowed the adequate evaluation of OD‐related occult diseases and better selection of patients for treatment. Most were managed conservatively, and only a minority were treated by surgery.
Intermediate sized adenomas may represent an increased cancer risk
Authors: Pearson T. E. , Lewis G. , Bugg W. , Bright P. , Lillie J. , Marks C. 
Published: October 2006

Objective:  The purpose of colonoscopic polypectomy is cancer prevention. Multiple or large adenomas require intensive follow up but solitary or smaller lesions are considered safer and less frequent examinations are necessary. The aim of this study was to test if these principles are supported in practice.Method:  Individuals with polyps but no family history of colorectal cancer (CRC), where pathology and endoscopy reports could be cross‐referenced to confirm size, number and histological classification were included. Cases of colorectal cancer were identified from records of repeat examinations. Follow‐up interval and number of subsequent examinations was determined. A control population of individuals with a normal initial colonoscopy were also studied.Results:  In total 0.05% of individuals with a normal initial colonoscopy developed CRC. The cancer incidence following numerous or large polyps was not significantly higher than the controls although on average more examinations were performed (see table). Individuals with a single small adenoma did not appear to have increased risk of cancer with fewer colonoscopies, but there were significantly higher numbers of cancers where intermediate sized polyps had been identified.Conclusion:  Risk of cancer is reduced in large or numerous polyps by frequent examinations. Intermediate sized polyps appear to need more intensive follow‐up protocols than small single adenomas for effective cancer prevention.

First exam result
Number
Follow up (months)
Number of exams
Metachronous cancers

Normal
4935
88.7 (1–201)
1.2
24 (0.05%)

Single (< 5 mm)
74
64.3 (7–148)
1.3
1 (1.4%)
χ2 = 1.1 P = 0.29

Between 5 and 10 mm
73
73.4 (6–165)
1.5
3 (4.1%)
χ2 = 17.61 P < 0.0001

> 3 mm
27
68.1 (6–152)
2.5
0 (0%)
χ2 = 0.13 P = 0.72

Larger than 10 mm
114
73.7 (3–170)
2.9
1 (0.9%)
χ2 = 0.35 P = 0.56
Magnetic resonance imaging predicts circumferential resection margin status in patients receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer
Authors: Hancock L. , Forde C. , Bradbury J. , Mortensen N. , Gleeson F. 
Published: October 2006

Objective:  Accurate tumour re‐assessment after down‐sizing preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for locally advanced middle and lower rectal cancer provides valuable prognostic information prior to surgical resection. (1) We assessed the accuracy of post‐CRT magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting circumferential resection margin status. (2) The accuracy of MRI in staging chemoradiation down‐sized rectal tumours was also assessed.Method:  Patients from a single tertiary referral centre who received preoperative CRT for biopsy‐proven rectal cancer between January 2003 and February 2005 were identified from a database. All patients received long‐course CRT (50 Gy over 5 weeks and 5‐fluorouracil/leucovorin) prior to surgery. A comprehensive MRI reporting proforma was completed for each patient and results were compared directly with histological specimens.Results:  Fifty patients were eligible for the study. The overall accuracy for predicting circumferential resection margin status was 76% (38/50, P = 0.006, sensitivity = 96.9%, specificity = 73.8%, negative predictive value = 96.9%). For T staging, MRI was accurate in 52% (26/50) and for nodal staging MRI was correct in 60% (30/50). Venous invasion was predicted in 66% (33/50, P = 0.04). A radiological rectal cancer regression grade was derived and this correlated with histological rectal cancer regression grade in 65% (32/49).Conclusion:  This study demonstrates that post‐CRT MRI is accurate in predicting the circumferential resection margin status, which provides useful prognostic information prior to surgery.
Vascular endothelial growth factor‐C expression in bladder transitional cell cancer and its relationship to lymph node metastasis
Authors: Zu Xiongbing , Tang Zhengyan , Li Yuan , Gao Ning , Ding Jian , Qi Lin 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor‐C (VEGF‐C) in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), examining VEGF‐C expression in bladder TCC tissue and the association of VEGF‐C with clinicopathological features, as the expression of VEGF‐C in several carcinomas is significantly associated with angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and regional lymph node metastasis, but there are few reports of VEGF‐C expression in bladder TCC.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included 45 patients with bladder TCC; VEGF‐C expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and the association between VEGF‐C expression and angiogenesis, as evaluated by microvessel density (MVD), was examined.RESULTSThere was VEGF‐C expression in the cytoplasm of tumour cells, but very little in the normal transitional epithelium. VEGF‐C expression was significantly associated with tumour size, pathological T stage, pathological grade, lymphatic‐venous involvement and pelvic lymph node metastasis (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that VEGF‐C expression was an exclusive independent factor influencing pelvic lymph node metastasis. Moreover, the patients with high VEGF‐C expression had a markedly poorer prognosis than those with no or low VEGF‐C expression (P = 0.014). A multivariate analysis based on the Cox proportional hazard model showed that lymph node metastasis was only an independent prognostic factor in the multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model (P = 0.010).CONCLUSIONThe present study provides evidence supporting the involvement of VEGF‐C expression in the promotion of lymph node metastasis in bladder TCC. Examination of VEGF‐C expression in biopsy specimens might be beneficial in predicting pelvic lymph node metastasis.
Challenges in a larger bladder replacement with cell‐seeded and unseeded small intestinal submucosa grafts in a subtotal cystectomy model
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Frimberger Dominic , Cheng Earl Y. , Lin Hsueh‐kung , Kropp Bradley P. 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVETo evaluate small intestinal submucosa (SIS), unseeded or seeded, as a possible augmentation material in a canine model of subtotal cystectomy.MATERIALS AND METHODSIn all, 22 male dogs had a 90% partial cystectomy and were then divided into three groups. At 1 month after the initial cystectomy, dogs in group 1 (unseeded, six) and group 2 (seeded, six) received a bladder augmentation with a corresponding SIS graft. The dogs in group 3 (ten) received no further surgery and were considered the surgical control group. All dogs were evaluated before and after surgery with blood chemistry, urine culture, intravenous urography, cystograms and cystometrograms. After surgery (at 1, 5 and 9 months), the bladders were examined using routine histology and immunohistochemistry.RESULTSAll 22 dogs survived the subtotal cystectomy, and 18 survived their intended survival period. One dog, in group 2 (seeded), was killed at 1 month after augmentation due to bladder perforation caused by a large piece of incompletely absorbed SIS. Three other dogs (group 1, two; and group 2, one) were killed within 2 months after augmentation due to bladder obstruction by stones. Group 1 and group 2 SIS grafts had moderate to heavy adhesion, graft shrinkage, and some had bone and calcification at the graft site. Histologically, there was limited bladder regeneration in both groups. Interestingly, dogs in group 3 at 1 month after cystectomy (when group 1 and 2 received their augmentations) had severely shrunken bladders and histologically had severe inflammation, fibroblast infiltration and muscle hypertrophy. These results verify the subtotal cystectomy model.CONCLUSIONSThe use of seeded or unseeded SIS in a subtotal cystectomy model does not induce the same quality and quantity of bladder regeneration that is seen in the 40% non‐inflammatory cystectomy model. This study provides important insights into the process of regeneration in a severely damaged bladder. The results led us to re‐evaluate the critical elements required for a complete bladder replacement using tissue‐engineering techniques.
One week of ciprofloxacin before percutaneous nephrolithotomy significantly reduces upper tract infection and urosepsis: a prospective controlled study
Authors: Mariappan Paramananthan , Smith Gordon , Moussa Sami A. , Tolley David A. 
Published: October 2006

Urosepsis after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a severe complication, and its avoidance can sometimes be difficult despite antibiotic prophylaxis. Authors from the UK with a considerable experience in this procedure describe a prospective controlled study using ciprofloxacin for 1 week before PCNL, and found that it significantly reduces the risk of urosepsis.OBJECTIVETo evaluate whether 1 week of ciprofloxacin before percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in patients with stones of ≥ 20 mm or pelvicalyceal dilatation, reduces urosepsis, as we previously reported that such patients have four times the risk of urosepsis after PCNL.PATIENTS AND METHODSPatients undergoing PCNL, and who fulfilled strict selection criteria, were recruited prospectively into a study which was conducted in two phases. The study methods were similar to those previously described; patients with dilated pelvicalyceal systems and/or stones of ≥ 20 mm from phase 1 (previously published) acted as controls. In the subsequent phase, the same selection criteria applied and only those with stones of ≥ 20 mm and/or dilated pelvicalyceal systems were given ciprofloxacin 250 mg twice daily for 1 week before PCNL and comprised the treatment arm. Midstream urine samples, renal pelvic urine and fragmented stones were collected to assess culture and sensitivity. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was used to define urosepsis after PCNL. The urologists monitoring the patients after PCNL and conducting the analysis were all unaware of the characteristics of the stones or intravenous urography findings before PCNL. In all, 115 patients (54 in phase 1 and 61 in phase 2) were recruited, of whom 46 in phase 1 and 52 in phase 2 had stones of ≥ 20 mm and/or a dilated pelvicalyceal system, and became the control and treatment arms, respectively.RESULTSThe patient demographics were similar in both arms. There was three times less risk of upper tract infection (relative risk 3.4, 95% confidence interval 1.0–11.8, P = 0.04) and SIRS (2.9, 1.3–6.3, P = 0.004) in the patients receiving ciprofloxacin (treatment arm).CONCLUSIONSThe administration of oral ciprofloxacin for 1 week before PCNL in patients with stones of ≥ 20 mm or dilated pelvicalyceal systems significantly reduced the risk of urosepsis.
Carefully selected intratesticular lesions can be safely managed with serial ultrasonography
Authors: Connolly Stephen S. , D’Arcy Frank T. , Gough Niall , McCarthy Peter , Bredin Hugh C. , Corcoran Michael O. 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVETo evaluate a policy of conservative non‐operative management for incidental, impalpable, <1 cm, intratesticular pathology.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed all scrotal ultrasonograms within an 8‐year period to identify all radiological lesions of <1 cm within the testis. All palpable lesions and those accompanied by elevated tumour markers or disseminated malignancy were managed surgically. The remaining incidentally detected lesions were followed with a protocol of serial ultrasonography (US).RESULTSOf 1544 scans reviewed, 12 (0.8%) lesions suitable for observational management were identified. The mean (range) age of the patients was 54 (34–76) years. The indication for US was suspected epididymitis in five, contralateral epididymal cyst in five and infertility in two patients. The mean (range) size of the lesion was 4.9 (1.5–9.8) mm. Three anechoic lesions were consistent with intratesticular cysts, and each was followed with no change to a mean (range) follow‐up of 26 (12–48) months. Eight hypoechoic lesions were followed to a mean of 34 (4–72) months, and only one showed growth on repeat US after an interval of 4 months, and was diagnosed as a 1.0‐cm seminoma after orchidectomy. One hyperechoic lesion remains unchanged at 6 months of follow‐up.CONCLUSIONSupported by previous reports suggesting that most testis lesions of <1 cm are benign, we managed a series of carefully selected intratesticular lesions conservatively, the behaviour in most being in keeping with benign pathology.