bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Group Size on Feeding Rate when Patches are Exhaustible
Authors: Beauchamp G. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractOne benefit of group foraging is that individual foragers can join the food discoveries of companions and thus increase encounter rate with food patches. When food patches are exhaustible, however, individual shares of each patch will decrease with group size negating the effect of increased encounter rate. Mean feeding rate may actually decrease with group size as a result of aggression or time wasted joining already depleted patches, or when searching to join the food discoveries of others, which is referred to as scrounging, precludes finding food. I examined the relationship between mean feeding rate and group size in captive flocks of zebra finches (Taenopygia guttata) foraging for small clumps of seeds. Finches in groups of two or four fared better than solitary birds in terms of mean feeding rate despite the fact that birds in groups scrounged a large proportion of their food. Solitary birds initiated feeding activity after a longer delay, which led to their lower success. Early departures by food finders from food patches joined by others may have lessened the impact of scrounging on mean feeding rate. As a result of benefits from the presence of companions, group foraging in zebra finches appears a viable alternative to foraging alone despite the cost of sharing resources.
Influence of Age and Prior Experience on Territorial Behavior and the Costs of Defense in Male Collared Lizards
Authors: Schwartz Andrew M. , Baird Troy A. , Timanus Dusti K. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIn polygynous species where males maintain strong interseasonal philopatry to the same breeding territories, older individuals have prior experience defending their areas, whereas younger individuals are defending a territory for the first time. Theoretical and empirical studies predict that under such conditions the cumulative costs of defense may be lower for older experienced males as a consequence of familiarity with environmental and/or social conditions in their particular local habitats. We used quantitative data from focal observational studies and introduction experiments to test the hypothesis that older collared lizard males (Crotaphytus collaris) with prior territorial experience (3 yr+ males) acquire larger territories allowing them to court more, different females, with greater frequency without incurring higher defense costs. Consistent with this hypothesis, 3 yr+ males controlled significantly larger territories and courted more females, without having significantly higher rates of territory patrol, frequencies of advertisement display, or aggressive interactions with same‐sex competitors. Moreover, the intensity of responses to size‐ and age/experience‐matched tethered intruders by 3 yr+ males was lower than that by 2 yr males in their first season of territory defense. Our results support the hypothesis that age/prior occupancy of territories lowers defense costs allowing males to defend larger areas and increase opportunities to court females, perhaps increasing mating opportunities. By contrast, 2 yr males may need to respond more aggressively to intruders because their ownership of territories is tenuous as a consequence of shorter territory occupancy.
Spatial Heterogeneity and Nestmate Encounters Affect Locomotion and Foraging Success in the Ant Dorymyrmex goetschi
Authors: Torres‐Contreras Hugo , Vásquez Rodrigo A. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe spatial structure of habitats contains physical barriers that restrict the performance of diverse behavioural tasks. In heterogeneous habitats, information acquisition may allow animals to improve the performance of diverse activities such as foraging and locomotion. Nonetheless, changes in locomotion performance and their effects on the foraging success of animals have been scarcely studied. We examined these relationships in the harvester ant Dorymyrmex goetschi (subfamily Dolichoderinae) under laboratory conditions. In an experimental arena, we offered a food patch located at a fixed distance from the nest entrance. Landscape heterogeneity was created using wooden cubes arranged in different types of spatial distribution. We video recorded the behaviour of different colonies and quantified the number of active foragers, number of head contacts per capita per inbound trip, path length by workers that transported a food load from the resource patch to the nest, time invested in inbound travels, and the number of prey captured per colony. During the initial phase of patch exploitation, the number of foragers and prey captured were significantly lower than during the half and final phases of the experiment. Landscapes with greater spatial heterogeneity increased travel time and diminished locomotion velocity. A multiple regression analysis revealed that greater antennal contacts and locomotion velocities increased prey removal. Therefore, in this study, we documented a formal link between variables that characterize the movement paths of individuals and the foraging success of a colony. Information transfer between individuals generated a collective work with a concomitant improvement of food exploitation.
Diet type affects viscosity of ileal digesta of dogs and simulated gastric and small intestinal digesta
Authors: Dikeman C. L. , Murphy M. R. , Fahey G. C. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryTwo experiments were conducted to determine effects of diet type on viscosity of ileal digesta of dogs and simulated gastric and small intestinal digesta. In experiment 1, three canned and three dry dog foods were surveyed for effects on ileal digesta viscosity. Experiment 2 evaluated the same six diets for effects on simulated gastric and small intestinal digesta. Canned diets and dry diets contained an average 22.7% and 89.9% dry matter (DM) respectively. Concentrations of total dietary fibre (TDF) in the diets ranged from 1.8% to 26.5%. Ileal digesta viscosities ranged from 1326 to 46 641 and 7748 to 10 208 cP for canned and dry treatments respectively. Ileal DM concentrations ranged from 8.2% to 16.2% and 15.4% to 15.8% for canned and dry treatments respectively. Dry matter intake ranged from 224 to 290 and 295 to 325 g/day for canned and dry treatments respectively. During gastric digestion simulation, viscosity peaked at 2 and 4 h for all three canned diets and dry diets respectively. During small intestinal digestion simulation, viscosity peaked between 6 and 12 h for most diets except one canned diet and one dry diet, which contained high concentrations of TDF (25.1% and 26.5% respectively). Viscosity of these solutions peaked between 12 and 18 h. Viscosity of ileal digesta and simulated gastric and small intestinal digesta was the lowest after consumption of canned diets with the exception of the canned diet containing very high concentrations of dietary fibre (25.1% TDF). Ileal digesta viscosity of dogs appears to be responsive to the diet type characteristics.
Effect of vitamin A and/or E on plasma enzymatic antioxidant systems and total antioxidant capacity of broiler chickens challenged with carbon tetrachloride
Authors: Mahmoud K. Z. , Hijazi A. A. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryThis study was conducted to investigate the effect of vitamin A and E supplementation on the antioxidant defences of broiler chickens against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced oxidative stress at 4 weeks of age. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities as well as total antioxidant (TAO) level were analysed before and after CCl4 challenge. Day‐old Lohman broiler chickens (n = 144) were randomly assigned to six factorially arranged dietary treatments consisting of vitamin A [1.35 (control) or +20 mg/kg] and vitamin E [20 (control), +40 or +60 mg/kg]. The background of vitamins A and E in the basal diet was 4500 IU (1.35 mg) and 30 IU (20 mg) respectively. At 4 weeks of age, eight chickens from each treatment were bled before interperitoneal injection with 1 ml of CCl4 (mixed with olive oil in a ratio of 1:1) and bled again 24 h post‐injection. Vitamin E supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) the activity of both SOD and GPX and showed a tendency (p = 0.07) for TAO reduction. CCl4 attenuated SOD and GPX activities as well as TAO level. The decrease was profound (p < 0.05) in chickens fed the basal diet as well as those fed basal diet supplemented with 20 mg vitamin A. TAO levels behaved similarly when chickens were challenged with CCl4. After CCl4 injection, SOD activities of all experimental groups were equivalent. The presence of vitamin A decreased (p < 0.05) plasma GPX activity in chickens fed the basal diet supplemented with 40 mg/kg of vitamin E. Results of this experiment suggested that vitamin E supplementation elevated antioxidant enzyme activities while vitamin A supplementation attenuated this effect. Vitamin E supplementation improved the total reducing power by maintaining comparable levels of TAO upon CCl4 challenge. Further experiments need to be carried out to investigate the role of vitamin A in oxidative stress and to evaluate the lipid peroxidation products.
Diversity and Geographical Distribution of Phytoplasmas infecting China‐tree in Argentina
Authors: Arneodo J. D. , Marini D. C. , Galdeano E. , Meneguzzi N. , Bacci M. , Domecq C. , Nome S. F. , Conci L. R. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractYellows diseases associated with phytoplasmas cause high mortality in China‐tree (Melia azedarach) in Argentina, but there has been no previous large‐scale survey to determine their diversity and geographical distribution. To assess the presence and identity of phytoplasmas affecting this species throughout the country, 425 samples of symptomatic trees collected at different geographic locations were analysed by a polymerase chain reaction (using universal and group‐specific primers) and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Phytoplasmas belonging to 16SrIII‐B group were detected at almost every location sampled, whereas 16SrXIII‐C group phytoplasmas, reported for the first time in Argentina, were only found in two regions sharing similar agro‐ecological characteristics (Northeast provinces and Tucumán). Double infections with 16SrIII‐B and 16SrXIII‐C group phytoplasmas were also recorded. Nucleotide sequencing of the 16S rDNA of three Argentinian 16SrXIII‐C group phytoplasma isolates revealed high identity (99.6–99.3%) with the CbY1 isolate reported from Bolivia.
Genetic Relationship of Pyrenophora graminea, P. teres f. maculata and P. teres f. teres Assessed by RAPD Analysis
Authors: Bakonyi J. , Justesen A. F. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBarley‐pathogenic Pyrenophora isolates are P. graminea (PG), P. teres f. maculata (PTM) and P. teres f. teres (PTT), which cause foliar leaf stripe, spot blotch and net blotch lesions, respectively. However, the species are often indistinguishable by morphological and cultural characteristics. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis has been used to study the genetic relationship amongst 11 PG, 9 PTM and 23 PTT isolates from distant geographical locations. Using seven primers, 55 (52.38%) polymorphic DNA bands were detected out of 105 different fragments amplified in the three pathogens. Genotypic diversity was high as all but two PTT strains had distinct multilocus RAPD fingerprints. Unweighted pair‐group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) clustering separated the isolates into three main clusters, corresponding to the three pathogens studied. No clear geographical substructuring was found. Nei's gene diversity analysis detected only small differences (max. 6.6%) in band frequencies but considerable levels of differentiation were observed among the pathogen species/forms. However, the variability among the Pyrenophora species/forms (max. 42.0%) was less than within species/forms (max. 58%). Nei's unbiased genetic distance values were in agreement with UPGMA clustering and gene diversity analysis: the two forms of P. teres showed higher divergence from one another (D = 0.132) than the distance found between PG and PTM (D = 0.094). The results suggest that the present taxonomical classification of these morphological taxa may not correspond to their phylogenetic relationship and that there is a very close genetic relationship amongst barley‐pathogenic Pyrenophora species, but genetic exchanges between them could be infrequent.
Occurrence and Distribution of Grapevine Leafroll‐associated Viruses 1, 2, 3 and 7 in Turkey
Authors: Akbaş B. , Kunter B. , Ilhan D. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractGrapevines in central Anatolia region of Turkey were surveyed for the prevalence of grapevine leafroll viruses. The field study and collection of samples were conducted in nine major grapevine‐growing areas. Samples collected from 622 vines were tested for Grapevine leafroll‐associated virus 1, 2, 3 and 7 (GLRaV‐1, ‐2, ‐3 and ‐7). According to diagnostic tests and surveys, 27 of 41 cultivars and 95 of 622 samples (15.27%) were found to be infected at least one virus. GLRaV‐1 (8.36%) was found to be the most frequently encountered virus associated with leafroll disease of grapes, followed by GLRaV‐3 (5.78%), GLRAV‐7 (3.86%) and GLRAV‐2 (2.41%).
Discrimination between ureteral stent and stone by non‐contrast helical computed tomography in the clinical setting
Authors: Yoshida Soichiro , Hayashi Tetsuo , Okada Takemichi , Osada Hisato , Honda Norinari , Yamada Takumi 
Published: January 2007

Objective:  In urolithiasis with indwelling ureteral stent, an adequate visualization of retained stone is often obscured by the stent. In functional solitary kidney, it is essential to detect retained fragments before stent removal. We examined the capability of non‐contrast helical computed tomography (NCHCT) in discriminating stone from stent.Patients and Methods:  We assessed the CT of 21 radiopaque stones of 3–5 mm and four stents, and compared their attenuation values. In addition, two other cases with stent, in which only NCHCT by manipulating the setting could detect retained fragments.Results:  No overlaps of attenuation value were found between the stones and stents. Although they had the same appearance in NCHCT with abdominal‐window setting, in bone‐window setting the contrasts of stones were reduced, while stents were still bright white.Conclusions:  We would discriminate the residual stone from the stent by manipulating window and level setting, and bone‐window setting is easy to use.
Significance of prostate‐specific antigen‐doubling time on survival of patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer and bone metastasis: Analysis on 56 cases of cancer‐specific death
Authors: Tomioka Susumu , Shimbo Masaki , Amiya Yoshiyasu , Nakatsu Hiroomi , Murakami Shino , Shimazaki Jun 
Published: January 2007

Objective:  Most of the metastatic diseases initially respond to maximum androgen blockade, but then relapse and lose response, and finally die. After relapse, the disease progresses in various courses. The present study was aimed to establish the predicting factors influencing the survival period of patients at prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) relapse (entering the hormone refractory state).Materials and Methods:  Fifty‐six patients with prostate cancer and bone metastasis, who were treated during the entire disease period at the same hospital and died were studied. To calculate PSA‐doubling time, assay of PSA was carried out every 3 months or less.Results:  The period between PSA relapse and death was related with PSA‐doubling time at relapse, nadir PSA and the period between the start of treatment and PSA relapse. The PSA‐doubling time of 2 months or less at relapse was suggestive of a poor outcome. Final PSA‐doubling time was not correlated with the survival period after PSA relapse.Conclusion:  The PSA‐doubling time at relapse is one of the relevant factors for predicting the survival period after PSA relapse.
Laparoscopic nephrectomy for a single‐system ectopic ureter draining a small, dysplastic and poorly functioning kidney in children
Authors: Jeong Byong Chang , Lim Dae Jung , Lee Sang Chul , Choi Hwang , Kim Hyeon Hoe 
Published: January 2007

Purposes:  To assess the efficacy of laparoscopic nephrectomy for a single‐system ectopic ureter draining a dysplastic kidney in children.Patients and Methods:  Between February 1999 and September 2005, 16 girls with a mean age of 6.2 years (range: 2–15 years) presented with urinary incontinence accompanied by regular voiding since birth (15 patients) and vaginitis (one patient). Ultrasonography, intravenous urography and a 99mTc‐DMSA renal scan showed the presence of only a single kidney in all cases. Computed tomography (CT) showed a dysplastic kidney definitely in nine patients, structures suspicious of dysplastic kidney in three cases, and no dysplastic kidney in four cases. Magnetic resonance imaging was carried out in the four cases with non‐visualized dysplastic kidneys by CT, and showed a suspicious lesion in only one case, and no lesion in the other three patients. All patients underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy for a dysplastic kidney.Results:  Laparoscopy identifies all dysplastic kidneys easily, even in those cases in which dystrophic kidney could not be identified by preoperative imaging. Dysplastic kidneys and ectopic ureters were removed successfully in all 16 patients. Mean operative time was 109 min (range: 40–155 min) with little intraoperative bleeding. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.6 days (range: 2–4 days). No intraoperative complication was encountered, except in one single case, in which a small bowel injury occurred during open Hasson’s procedure. All patients became dry soon after the operation.Conclusion:  Laparoscopic nephrectomy for an ectopic ureter draining into a dysplastic kidney is a safe and effective method, and can be carried out successfully, despite a failure by preoperative imaging studies to localize the dysplastic kidney.
Impact of unilateral interposition sural nerve graft on the recovery of sexual function after radical prostatectomy in Japanese men: A preliminary study
Authors: Saito Seiichi , Namiki Shunichi , Numahata Kenji , Satoh Makoto , Ishidoya Shigeto , Ito Akihiro , Nakagawa Haruo , Kaiho Yasuhiro , Sanada Takehiko , Yamada Atsushi , Arai Yoichi 
Published: January 2007

Purpose:  To determine the effect of an interposition nerve graft on sexual function after radical prostatectomy.Methods:  This study includes 64 patients, without hormonal therapy, who underwent a radical prostatectomy and intraoperative electrophysiological confirmation of cavernous nerve preservation. Twelve patients underwent a unilateral interposition sural nerve graft (UNG) for the resected neurovascular bundle. Twenty‐one and 31 patients underwent bilateral nerve‐sparing (BNS) and unilateral nerve‐sparing (UNS) surgery without a nerve graft, respectively. As the age of patients was significantly younger in the UNG group than in the other groups, age‐matched analysis also was conducted. Sexual function, evaluated by a self‐administered questionnaire using the University of California Los Angeles‐Prostate Cancer Index, was compared statistically among the three groups.Results:  In the age‐matched analysis, the postoperative sexual function (SXF) score of the UNG group showed an intermediate level of recovery between those of the BNS and UNS groups at 12 months and reached the same level as the score at 12 months of the BNS group at 18 months postoperatively. The difference in the SXF score between the UNG and UNS groups began to appear after 6 months postoperatively and increased steadily with time. However, the background factors, such as the baseline SXF score, the usage rate of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, and the rate of comorbidities were different between the UNG and UNS groups.Conclusions:  The difference of the SXF score between the UNG and UNS groups increased with time after 6 months postoperatively. However, it might be difficult at present to attribute a better recovery of the SXF score to the nerve graft because of the difference in the background factors between the groups.
A pilot study of the assessment of the quality of life, functional results, and complications in patients with an ileal neobladder for invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Harano Masahiko , Eto Masatoshi , Nakamura Motonobu , Hasegawa Yoshihiro , Kano Motonori , Yamaguchi Akito , Naito Seiji 
Published: January 2007

Objective:  To assess the functional results, health‐related quality of life (QOL) outcomes, and complications in patients with an ileal neobladder in comparison to those with cutaneous diversion (ileal conduit and cutaneostomy).Methods:  Between September 1992 and February 2003, we consecutively performed an ileal neobladder (the Studer method) in 30 patients and cutaneous diversion in 38 patients. In August 2004, questionnaires were mailed to 54 patients. The questionnaire included the validated health‐related quality of life (QOL) questionnaire, SF‐36 General Health Survey, and a urinary incontinence questionnaire. We also evaluated the functional results in patients with an ileal neobladder and the postoperative complications in patients with both urinary diversions.Results:  The data from 41 patients (21 ileal neobladder procedures and 20 cutaneous diversions) were available for the analysis. No differences in the overall QOL were observed between the two groups. Complete daytime and night‐time urinary continence was achieved in the 21 patients (100%) and 13 patients (61.9%), respectively. The mean value of the maximum flow rate was 15 ± 12 mL/min in the 21 neobladder patients. There were 19 early complications in 18 patients (60.0%) and seven late complications in six patients (20.0%) with an ileal neobladder. However, there were 15 early complications in 14 patients (36.8%) and eight late complications in six patients (15.8%) with cutaneous diversions.Conclusion:  The findings regarding the health‐related QOL and the frequency of complications in the neobladder group and those in the cutaneous diversion group were similar. However, the functional results and the status of urinary continence in the neobladder patients were satisfactory.
Anorectal cancer following topical formalin application for haemorrhagic radiation proctitis
Authors: Stern D. R. , Steinhagen R. M. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractObjective  Topical formalin has been used as an effective treatment for haemorrhagic radiation proctitis. In the course of reviewing our experience with this modality, we identified two patients who developed anorectal cancer during the follow‐up period.Method  From 2001 to 2005, 49 patients who received pelvic radiation for treatment of prostate, rectal or endometrial cancer subsequently developed haemorrhagic radiation proctitis. Four percent formalin was applied in the office setting under direct visualization with a rigid proctoscope and without sedation. Response to treatment was then reviewed.Results  Seventy‐eight per cent of patients reported a complete response to formalin application. Only 14% were refractory to formalin treatment. Two patients subsequently presented with anorectal cancer.Conclusion  Topical formalin application in the outpatient setting appears to be an effective first‐line treatment for haemorrhagic radiation proctitis. We report the first cases of anorectal cancer which developed subsequent to formalin application. Pelvic irradiation is known to increase the risk of developing a second malignancy, therefore it is impossible to determine what, if any, role formalin application played in the development of the second malignancies.