bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Histological and Histomorphometrical Alterations of the Periodontal Ligament in Gerbils Submitted to Teeth Extraction
Authors: Iyomasa M. M. , Issa J. P. M. , De Moura Leite Naves L. , Regalo S. C. H. , Siéssere S. , Pitol D. L. , Watanabe I.‐S. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThis study verified the effect of unilateral teeth extraction on the periodontal ligament in gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Ten adult male gerbils weighing about 50 g had induced occlusal alterations by upper left molar extractions while the other ten animals, only submitted to surgical stress, were considered as controls. The periodontal ligament was characterized by qualitative and quantitative analysis, histological description and histomorphometric quantification. Significant alterations were observed on the left side of the experimental group (P < 0.05), the hypofunctional region, when it was compared with the contralateral side and the corresponding region of the control group. Two months after occlusal alterations induced by unilateral teeth extraction, atrophic histological alterations and a decrease in the periodontal space on the ipsilateral side characterized the periodontal ligament. In this study it was possible to conclude that the gerbil can be used in experimental models attempting to correlate the periodontium’s biological response to various mechanical stresses, as the periodontal ligament was shown to be highly sensitive to occlusal alterations.
Changes in luteinizing hormone‐containing gonadotrophs after moulting induced by fasting and zinc in laying hens (Gallus domesticus)
Authors: Sandhu M. A. , Rahman Z. U. , Hasan I. J. , Rahman S. U. , Yousaf M. S. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe purpose of the present study was to investigate egg production performance, immunohistochemical (IHC) identification, localization and morphological characterization of moulted hen’s pars distalis luteinizing hormone (LH) gonadotrophs. This system has been validated for chicken LH by immunodetection of purified hormones on dot blots, western blotting and by specific labelling of cells on sagittal sections of chicken pituitaries. This study showed that egg production and egg weight increased significantly after zinc‐induced moult when compared with fasting‐induced moult. Luteinizing hormone‐gonadotrophs are of numerous shapes and distributed throughout the adenohypophysis, with densely populated regions on the margins of pars distalis. Moulting of laying hens was associated with a significant increase in immunoreactive LH gonadotroph cell count and cell size, which peaked at the subsequent production stages. Zinc‐induced moulting also caused a significant increase in LH gonadotroph cell size as compared with fasting‐induced moulting. The nuclear size of LH‐positive cells was distinct during decreased egg production. Our results validate the use of ovine LHβ antibodies for the IHC localization of chicken LH gonadotrophs. This technology was further applied to the characterization of the shape and morphological changes of gonadotrophs as a function of the egg production status of the birds.
Plasma lipoprotein concentrations in the dog: the effects of gender, age, breed and diet
Authors: Pasquini A. , Luchetti E. , Cardini G. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryEarlier studies of canine lipoprotein metabolism have frequently not taken into account such variables as age, gender, lifestyle or feeding status. In the last years, many changes to lifestyle and feeding of dogs have occurred. In this study, C‐tot, C‐HDL, C‐LDL, triglycerides and lipoprotein fractions were determined in 251 healthy dogs by means of enzymatic methods and through the electrophoretic technique. All data were analysed by multifactor anova test to determine which factors (age, gender, breed and diet) have a statistically significant effect (p < 0.05) on the determined parameter and subsequently Bonferroni’s test was applied where necessary. Gender, age, breed and diet can significantly affect lipid metabolism, in particular lipoproteins involved in cholesterol plasma transport; on the contrary, triglycerides are not influenced by the same factors. The most important observation about age is the high level of C‐LDL in puppies under 1 year of age. The highest cholesterol concentrations are found in Rottweiler but high values of plasma cholesterol are found also in Pyrenees Mountain dog and a great level of C‐LDL in Labrador. Diet has shown a great influence on lipidic metabolism: dogs fed with different high‐quality dry foods had significant differences in plasma cholesterol values (C‐tot, C‐HDL, C‐LDL,), in particular, dogs fed with a diet rich in fish and fish‐by‐products have shown the lowest levels of C‐tot, C‐HDL and C‐LDL.
Comparison of the fast‐induced and high dietary zinc‐induced molting: trace elements dynamic in serum and eggs at different production stages in hens (Gallus domesticus)
Authors: Yousaf M. S. , Rahman Z. U. , Sandhu M. A. , Bukhari S. A. , Yousaf A. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryA number of 252, 70 week old, single comb white leghorn hens at the end of their first production cycle were divided into two groups: group‐I; molted by fasting and group‐II; by high dietary zinc to obtain the second and third production cycle. Sampling was carried out at 5%, peak and end of the second production cycle and at 5% and peak of the third production cycle. Serum zinc decreased at the peak of the second production cycle, while increased at the 5% of the third production cycle in zinc‐molted group. Serum copper and manganese increased at the 5% and peak of the second production cycle in zinc‐molted group. Egg albumin zinc and copper increased at the 5% and peak of the second as well as third production cycles in zinc‐molted group. Egg albumin manganese increased at 5% during the second production cycle in fasting molted group. Egg yolk zinc increased at the peak of the second production cycle in zinc‐molted group. Egg yolk copper increased at the 5% of second production cycle but decreased during the third production cycle in zinc‐molted group. Egg yolk manganese increased at the 5% and at the end of the second production cycle in zinc molted group. Egg yolk manganese and iron decreased during the third production cycle in zinc‐molted group. Eggshell zinc decreased at the end of the second production cycle in the zinc‐molted group, while eggshell copper increased at the peak of the second as well as third production cycles in fasting molted group.
Nutritive defaunation of the rumen in steers with subsequent refaunation using a cryopreserved monoculture of Entodinium caudatum
Authors: Marcin A. , Südekum K.‐H. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThis study evaluated a technique for the nutritive defaunation of the rumen of cattle with subsequent single species refaunation using a cryopreserved monoculture of Entodinium caudatum (family Ophryoscolecidae). Four mature steers were nutritionally defaunated in two periods using two steers in each period. A diet containing (dry matter basis) 68% ground wheat grain, 7% wheat bran, 8% soybean oil and 17% wheat straw was used to decrease the pH of ruminal contents and to eliminate rumen ciliate protozoa. Protozoa‐free rumens were observed on day 8 and 9 in the first and second period, respectively, after the start of defaunation. A monoculture of E. caudatum (34/89/94) was transported from the Institute of Animal Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences in Košice to the University of Kiel (Germany) in liquid nitrogen in October 1996. The inoculation was accomplished on day 15 in the second period by applying 30 ml culture medium with a monoculture of E. caudatum (34/89/94; average concentration of protozoal cells 2 650/ml) into the rumen of a defaunated steer via the ruminal fistula. The mono‐faunated steer was successfully inoculated with an average concentration of E. caudatum cells at 4.1 × 103/ml (SD = 0.2) on day 2 after the inoculation.
High methanogenic potential of sucrose compared with starch at high ruminal pH
Authors: Hindrichsen I. K. , Kreuzer M. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe role of ruminal pH with respect to the expression of a differentiation in the methanogenic potential of easily fermentable carbohydrates was determined using the rumen simulation technique. The target pH at 21 h after feed supply was set to 6.0 and 7.0 through a specific buffer management. A basal diet was supplemented with crystalline sucrose or steamflaked maize starch. With sucrose instead of starch, the decline in fermenter fluid pH, 4 h after introducing new feed, was more pronounced at both buffer levels, and degradability of all nutrients, including fibre was higher too. At low pH, molar propionate proportion was higher with sucrose. Methane quantity depended on the combination of pH and source of easily fermentable carbohydrate as sucrose, compared with starch, enhanced methanogenesis (+40%), but only at the high pH. The concomitant increase in organic matter degradability with sucrose at high target pH did not completely explain this phenomenon, as the effects on methane were still significant when related to apparently fermented organic matter. However, differences caused by pH and carbohydrate type decreased when methane was related to degraded fibre, suggesting that there was a mutual supportive effect of high pH and sucrose on fibre degradation.
Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis using MTB12 and 38‐kDa antigens
Authors: LEE Ji‐Sook , JO Eun‐Kyeong , NOH Yeon‐Kyeong , SHIN A‐Rum , SHIN Dong‐Min , SON Ji Woong , KIM Hwa‐Jung , SONG Chang‐Hwa 
Published: February 2008

Background and objective:  Mycobacterium tuberculosis MTB12 protein plays an essential role in pro‐inflammatory responses during the early stages of human pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), even though the T‐cell immunoreactivity of MTB12 is weaker than that of the 30‐kDa antigen (Ag). The objective of this study was to evaluate the humoral immune responses induced by MTB12 Ag during human TB.Methods:  Using an ELISA, anti‐MTB12 IgG levels in the sera of TB patients and healthy controls were compared with those induced by the 30‐kDa Ag and 38‐kDa Ag, or both.Results:  In TB patients, the sensitivity and specificity of MTB12 Ag were similar to those of other antigens at 53.0% and 95.4%, respectively. However, the sensitivity increased to 73.0% when the combination of MTB12 and 38‐kDa Ag was measured. Specificity remained high when a combination of the individual antigens was used. ELISA results showed that after anti‐tuberculosis treatment, the mean IgG levels against MTB12 alone or MTB12 plus 38‐kDa Ag were significantly increased in the TB patients, while those against MTB12 plus 30‐kDa Ag were not (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Collectively, these data suggest that MTB12, in combination with 38‐kDa Ag, can be used to increase the accuracy of pulmonary TB diagnosis.
The presence of a virulence locus discriminates Fusarium oxysporum isolates causing tomato wilt from other isolates
Authors: Van Der Does H. Charlotte , Lievens Bart , Claes Loes , Houterman Petra M. , Cornelissen Ben J. C. , Rep Martijn 
Published: February 2008

Summary Fusarium oxysporum is an asexual fungus that inhabits soils throughout the world. As a species, F. oxysporum can infect a very broad range of plants and cause wilt or root rot disease. Single isolates of F. oxysporum, however, usually infect one or a few plant species only. They have therefore been grouped into formae speciales (f.sp.) based on host specificity. Isolates able to cause tomato wilt (f.sp. lycopersici) do not have a single common ancestor within the F. oxysporum species complex. Here we show that, despite their polyphyletic origin, isolates belonging to f.sp. lycopersici all contain an identical genomic region of at least 8 kb that is absent in other formae speciales and non‐pathogenic isolates, and comprises the genes SIX1, SIX2 and SHH1. In addition, SIX3, which lies elsewhere on the same chromosome, is also unique for f.sp. lycopersici. SIX1 encodes a virulence factor towards tomato, and the Six1, Six2 and Six3 proteins are secreted in xylem during colonization of tomato plants. We speculate that these genes may be part of a larger, dispensable region of the genome that confers the ability to cause tomato wilt and has spread among clonal lines of F. oxysporum through horizontal gene transfer. Our findings also have practical implications for the detection and identification of f.sp. lycopersici.
The effects of low‐shear stress on Adherent‐invasive Escherichia coli
Authors: Allen Christopher A. , Niesel David W. , Torres Alfredo G. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe impact of low‐shear stress (LSS) was evaluated on an Adherent‐invasive Escherichia coli clinical isolate (AIEC strain O83:H1) from a Crohn's disease patient. High‐aspect ratio vessels (HARVs) were used to model LSS conditions to characterize changes in environmental stress resistance and adhesion/invasive properties. Low‐shear stress‐grown cultures exhibited enhanced thermal and oxidative stress resistance as well as increased adherence to Caco‐2 cells, but no changes in invasion were observed. An AIEC rpoS mutant was constructed to examine the impact of this global stress regulator. The absence of RpoS under LSS conditions resulted in increased sensitivity to oxidative stress while adherence levels were elevated in comparison with the wild‐type strain. TnphoA mutagenesis and rpoS complementation were carried out on the rpoS mutant to identify those factors involved in the LSS‐induced adherence phenotype. Mutagenesis results revealed that one insertion disrupted the tnaB gene (encoding tryptophan permease) and the rpoS tnaB double mutant exhibited decreased adherence under LSS. Complementation of the tnaB gene, or medium supplemented with exogenous indole, restored adhesion of the rpoS tnaB mutant under LSS conditions. Overall, our study demonstrated how mechanical stresses such as LSS altered AIEC phenotypic characteristics and identified novel functions for some RpoS‐regulated proteins.
A low incidence of Type 1 diabetes between 1977 and 2001 in south‐eastern Sweden in areas with high population density and which are more deprived
Authors: Holmqvist B.‐M. , Lofman O. , Samuelsson U. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAims  To explore how socioeconomic factors and population density may contribute to the geographical variation of incidence of Type 1 diabetes in children in south‐eastern Sweden.Method  All children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in south‐eastern Sweden during 1977–2001 were defined geographically to their place of residence and were allocated x and y coordinates in the national grid. The population at risk and socioeconomic data were aggregated in 82 000 200‐m squares and geocoded likewise. A socioeconomic index was calculated using a signed χ2 method. Rural–urban gradients were defined by overlay analysis in a geographic information system.Results  The incidence during the past 25 years has been rising steadily, particularly in the last 6 years. The incidence was highest in areas with a high proportion of small families, of families with a high family income and better education, and this was found both at the time of diagnosis and at the time of birth. In the rural–urban analysis, the lowest incidence was found in the urban area with > 20 000 inhabitants, where there was also a higher frequency of deprivation.Conclusions  Our findings indicate that geographical variations in incidence rates of Type 1 diabetes in children are associated with socioeconomic factors and population density, although other contributing factors remain to be explained.
No association between routinely recorded infections in early life and subsequent risk of childhood‐onset Type 1 diabetes: a matched case–control study using the UK General Practice Research Database
Authors: Cardwell C. R. , Carson D. J. , Patterson C. C. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAims  To determine whether children with infections in early life (recorded routinely in general practice) have a reduced risk of Type 1 diabetes, as would be expected from the hygiene hypothesis.Methods  Children with Type 1 diabetes and up to 20 matched (on year of birth, sex and region) control subjects were selected from a cohort of children born in the UK at General Practice Research Database practices. For each child, the frequency of general practitioner consultations for infections and prescriptions for antibiotics in the first year of life were determined. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression.Results  The main analysis included 367 case and 4579 matched control subjects. There was no evidence of any reduction in the subsequent risk of Type 1 diabetes in children with at least one infection in the first year of life (OR = 1.03, 95%CI 0.79, 1.34) or in children prescribed antibiotics in the first year of life (OR = 1.03, 95%CI 0.82, 1.29). Further analyses also revealed little evidence of a difference in subsequent risk of Type 1 diabetes after different types of infection in the first year of life (including gastrointestinal, conjunctivitis, otitis media and upper and lower respiratory tract). Analyses of infections in the first 2 years of life reached similar conclusions.Conclusions  This study provides no evidence of an association between infections in early life and subsequent risk of childhood‐onset Type 1 diabetes and therefore does not support the hygiene hypothesis.
Impaired glucose regulation, elevated glycated haemoglobin and cardiac ischaemic events in vascular surgery patients
Authors: Feringa H. H. H. , Vidakovic R. , Karagiannis S. E. , Dunkelgrun M. , Elhendy A. , Boersma E. , Van Sambeek M. R. H. M. , Noordzij P. G. , Bax J. J. , Poldermans D. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAims  Cardiac morbidity and mortality is high in patients undergoing high‐risk surgery. This study investigated whether impaired glucose regulation and elevated glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels are associated with increased cardiac ischaemic events in vascular surgery patients.Methods  Baseline glucose and HbA1c were measured in 401 vascular surgery patients. Glucose < 5.6 mmol/l was defined as normal. Fasting glucose 5.6–7.0 mmol/l or random glucose 5.6–11.1 mmol/l was defined as impaired glucose regulation. Fasting glucose ≥ 7.0 or random glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/l was defined as diabetes. Perioperative ischaemia was identified by 72‐h Holter monitoring. Troponin T was measured on days 1, 3 and 7 and before discharge. Cardiac death or Q‐wave myocardial infarction was noted at 30‐day and longer‐term follow‐up (mean 2.5 years).Results  Mean (± sd) level for glucose was 6.3 ± 2.3 mmol/l and for HbA1c 6.2 ± 1.3%. Ischaemia, troponin release, 30‐day and long‐term cardiac events occurred in 27, 22, 6 and 17%, respectively. Using subjects with normal glucose levels as the reference category, multivariate analysis revealed that patients with impaired glucose regulation and diabetes were at 2.2‐ and 2.6‐fold increased risk of ischaemia, 3.8‐ and 3.9‐fold for troponin release, 4.3‐ and 4.8‐fold for 30‐day cardiac events and 1.9‐ and 3.1‐fold for long‐term cardiac events. Patients with HbA1c > 7.0% (n = 63, 16%) were at 2.8‐fold, 2.1‐fold, 5.3‐fold and 5.6‐fold increased risk for ischaemia, troponin release, 30‐day and long‐term cardiac events, respectively.Conclusions  Impaired glucose regulation and elevated HbA1c are risk factors for cardiac ischaemic events in vascular surgery patients.
Immigrants from the Middle‐East have a different form of Type 2 diabetes compared with Swedish patients
Authors: Glans F. , Elgzyri T. , Shaat N. , Lindholm E. , Apelqvist J. , Groop L. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAims  To compare the clinical characteristics of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) between immigrants from the Middle‐East and Swedish patients.Methods  The study group included 450 consecutive patients with T2DM, 379 Swedish‐born aged 61 ± 12 years and 71 patients originally from the Middle‐East aged 50 ± 11 years from the diabetes clinic of Malmo University Hospital.Results  Onset of diabetes had occurred 12 years earlier in the Middle‐East immigrants compared with the Swedish‐born patients (43 ± 10 vs. 55 ± 12 years, P < 0.001). Immigrants had lower fasting serum C‐peptide [0.7 (0.1–2.6) vs. 0.9 (0.1–4.0) nmol/l, P = 0.013], lower homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)‐β[1.7 (0.1–9.1) vs. 2.7 (0.1–59.0), P = 0.010], lower HOMA‐IR [0.4 (0.02–1.19) vs. 0.4 (0.01–2.8), P = 0.005] than the Swedish group. A first‐degree family history of diabetes was reported in 61% of immigrants, compared with 47% of Swedish‐born (P = 0.022).Conclusions  Immigrants from the Middle‐East have an earlier onset, stronger family history and more rapid decline of pancreatic B‐cell function than Swedish patients, suggesting that they have a different form of T2DM compared with Swedish patients.
Association between depression and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in patients with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Spitzer C. , Völzke H. , Barnow S. , Krohn U. , Wallaschofski H. , Lüdemann J. , John U. , Freyberger H. J. , Kerner W. , Grabe H. J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAims  Recent studies have suggested an association between depression and subclinical atherosclerosis as measured by presence of carotid atherosclerotic plaque and increased intima‐media thickening in non‐clinical populations. Given the high prevalence of depression in patients with Type 1 diabetes and the diabetes‐related risk factors for atherosclerosis, we hypothesized that this relation might also be of special relevance in Type 1 diabetic patients.Methods  Intima‐media thickness (IMT) and the presence of plaques in the carotid arteries were quantitatively assessed by high‐resolution ultrasound in 175 adults (89 men, 86 women) with an established diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. Having been treated for depression or current Beck Depression Inventory scores > 10 were considered to indicate depression.Results  In men, the risk of plaque was higher in depressed subjects relative to non‐depressed participants after adjustment for age, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, dyslipidaemia and body mass index [odds ratio (OR) 5.19; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29, 20.81]. Depressed women did not have an increased risk of plaque compared with non‐depressed women (OR 0.97; 95% 95% CI 0.22, 4.34). We did not observe an association between depression and IMT, in men or in women.Conclusions  In line with previous research, our findings suggest a link between depression and subclinical atherosclerosis in Type 1 diabetic men, but not in women.