bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum Profiles of Pregnancy‐Associated Glycoprotein, Oestrone Sulphate and Progesterone During Gestation and Some Factors Influencing the Profiles in Ethiopian Borana and Crossbred Cattle
Authors: Lobago F , Bekana M , Gustafsson H , Beckers JF , Yohannes G , Aster Y , Kindahl H 
Published: November 2008

ContentsThis study presents serum concentrations of pregnancy‐associated glycoprotein (PAG), oestrone sulphate (E1‐S) and progesterone (P4), and the effects of some dam and foetus‐related factors on these profiles during gestation in Borana and crossbred cattle. The PAG concentrations at 4th week post‐conception ranged from 1.5–5.5 and 2.1–4.7 ng/ml in Borana (n = 6) and crossbred (n = 8) cattle, respectively. The mean PAG concentrations increased progressively from 4th to 33rd week of gestation (from 3.3–173 ng/ml for Borana and 4.2–240 ng/ml for crossbred cattle) and reached peak around calving. Breed, parity status, dam body weight, foetal sex and foetal birth weight significantly influenced the PAG concentrations. After delivery, the PAG concentrations declined steadily to 5.7 ng/ml in Borana (n = 7) and 3.9 ng/ml in crossbred (n = 6) cattle 10 weeks post‐partum. The serum E1‐S concentrations at 17th week of pregnancy ranged from 0.3–2.6 and 0.9–5.7 ng/ml in Borana (n = 8) and crossbred (n = 9) cattle, respectively. The mean E1‐S concentrations increased progressively from 17th to 33rd week of gestation (from 1.1–4.6 ng/ml for Borana and 2.7–10.8 ng/ml for crossbred). Breed, parity status, dam body weight and foetal sex significantly influenced E1‐S concentrations. The P4 concentrations at 4th week of pregnancy ranged from 3.2–5.1 and 1.7–8.9 ng/ml in Borana (n = 6) and crossbred (n = 8) cattle, respectively. The P4 level remained elevated throughout pregnancy. This study indicated that the serum PAG and P4 concentrations at 4th and E1‐S approximately 17th week of pregnancy were above the cut‐off value for pregnancy test and the hormonal profiles observed were comparable to the previous reports. Furthermore, the PAG and E1‐S profiles were considerably influenced by factors such as breed, weight and parity status of the dam, and foetal sex and foetal birth weight (only PAG).
An Abortion of Monozygotic Twins in a Warmblood Mare
Authors: Govaere J , Hoogewijs M , De Schauwer C , Van Zeveren A , Smits K , Cornillie P , De Kruif A 
Published: November 2008

ContentsNaturally occurring monozygotic twins are extremely rare in the horse. This paper describes an abortion in a mare after 260 days of pregnancy with monozygotic twins, one a fresh foal and the other a mummified foal.
Systemic Concentrations of Endogenous and Exogenous FSH in Anoestrous Ewes Superstimulated with Folltropin®‐V
Authors: Bartlewski PM , Fuerst KJ , Alexander BD , King WA 
Published: November 2008

ContentsThe synchronization of follicular waves with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) and oestradiol‐17β (E2‐17β) prior to ovarian superstimilation in anoestrous ewes reduces the variability in superovulatory responses by an unknown mechanism. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a primary promoter of antral follicular development, but the relevance of circulating FSH concentrations to the superovulation performance in ewes has not been examined. Eighteen anoestrous Rideau Arcott ewes (May–June) were superovulated with Folltropin®‐V (porcine FSH), with (n = 8; treated ewes) or without (n = 10; control ewes) a single i.m. dose of 350 μg of E2‐17β, given on the sixth day of a 14‐day treatment with MAP‐releasing intravaginal sponges (60 mg). The superovulatory treatment, begun 6 days after E2‐17β injection, consisted of six i.m. applications of Folltropin®‐V given twice daily (at 08:00 and 16:00 h), followed by an i.m. injection of GnRH (50 μg). Blood samples collected every 8 h throughout the 3‐day treatment, were analysed by radioimmunoassays for concentrations of ovine and porcine FSH, using species‐specific standards and primary antibodies. Serum concentrations of oFSH were greater (p < 0.05) in the controls compared to treated ewes at 40, 64 and 72 h and the variability in mean oFSH concentrations was greater (p < 0.05) in control ewes at 40, 48, 64 and 72 h after the 1st Folltropin®‐V injection. There were no differences (p > 0.05) between the two groups in serum concentrations of pFSH. Significant correlations were recorded between the number of corpora lutea (CL) and oFSH concentrations at 8 h (r = 0.72, p < 0.05), 16 h (r=0.63, p < 0.05) and 64 h (r = 0.84, p < 0.01) after the 1st Folltropin®‐V injection. The total number of recovered embryos was positively correlated to oFSH concentrations at 56 h (r = 0.69, p < 0.05). We concluded that changes in endogenous FSH concentrations during ovarian superstimulation with pFSH might contribute to the variability in superovulatory responses in ewes.
Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Pre‐antral Follicle Population and Ultrastructural Characterization of Antral Follicle Oocyte
Authors: Mondadori RG , Santin TR , Fidelis AAG , Porfírio EP , Báo SN 
Published: November 2008

ContentsThe main objectives of the present study were to determine the ultrastructural modifications occurring in the oocyte during late folliculogenesis and to estimate pre‐antral follicle population in buffalo. Half the collected ovaries were fixed and prepared for optic microscopy; the antral follicles from the other ovaries were measured and individually punctured. The cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were processed for transmission electron microscopy. The number of pre‐antral follicles in buffalo ovaries was estimated at 19 819 structures. Cumulus–oocyte complexes derived from 1‐mm antral follicle had an eccentrical nucleus and compact corona radiata, ooplasm vilosities were fully embedded in zona pellucida (ZP) and a well‐defined junction could be observed. Mitochondria were predominantly round and well distributed in ooplasm, as were small lipid vacuoles. In COCs derived from 2‐mm antral follicles, the initial formation of perivitelline space was observed. The nucleus was peripherally located and the number of pleomorphic mitochondria increased. Cortical granules were clustered at oocyte periphery and lipid vacuoles increased in number and size. In COCs derived from 6‐mm antral follicles, the organelles were located mainly in the perinuclear region. Golgi complexes and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) were more developed. Mitochondria migrated to the cortical region and lipid vacuoles migrated to the medullar region. In COCs derived from 10‐mm antral follicles, the lipid vacuoles coalesced and occupied the medullar region of the oocyte, together with a well‐developed SER. Mitochondria were pleomorphic and located at the oocyte periphery. In conclusion, the morphological differences described in this paper could be responsible for some functional differences observed in in vitro embryo production and follicular dynamics for buffalo, when compared with cattle.
INVOLVEMENT OF MITOCHONDRIAL PERMEABILITY TRANSITION, GLUTATHIONE STATUS, PENTOSE PHOSPHATE PATHWAY AND OXIDATIVE DAMAGE IN THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF FASTING ON THE ISCHAEMIC‐REPERFUSED RAT HEART
Authors: Marina Prendes María G , González Marcela S , Torresín María E , Hermann Romina , Pascale Natalia G , Del Mar Jaitovich María , Savino Enrique A , Varela Alicia 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARYFasting, which increases the catabolism of fatty acids, gives functional protection to the ischaemic–reperfused heart. To obtain further knowledge of this cardioprotective effect, changes in mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) were measured by the entrapment of 2‐deoxy‐[3H]‐glucose (2‐DG). We also assessed whether MPT is associated with changes in glutathione status, the activity of glucose‐6‐phosphate‐dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and tissue oxidative damage, estimated by the measurement of Thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS).Spontaneously beating hearts of fed and 24 h fasted rats were Langendorff perfused with Krebs’–Ringer bicarbonate solution (10 mmol/L glucose) and exposed to 25 min global ischaemia, followed by 30 min reperfusion.Ischaemia–reperfusion resulted in a fourfold increase in mitochondrial entrapment of 2‐DG in the fed group. This response was 29% lower in the fasted group, but there were no concomitant changes in total retention of 2‐DG in the heart. Fasting increased the activity of G6PDH by a factor of 1.4 and caused a 2.8‐fold increase in the ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione (GSH : GSSG) at the end of the pre‐ischaemic period. Ischaemia–reperfusion did not affect G6PDH activity, but reduced the GSH : GSSG ratio in both the fed and fasted groups by 50%. Therefore, the GSH : GSSG ratio remained higher in the fasted group. Fasting also decreased cellular levels of TBARS by approximately 25%. Lipolysis of endogenous triacylglycerol was increased during the pre‐ischaemic period in the fasted group.These data suggest that the enhancement of fatty acid catabolism that occurs in fasting activates mechanisms that tend to reduce oxidative damage and limit MPT.
ROLE OF l‐ARGININE IN NITRIC OXIDE PRODUCTION IN HEALTH AND HYPERTENSION
Authors: Rajapakse Niwanthi W , Mattson David L 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARY

l‐Arginine is the substrate for vascular nitric oxide (NO) formation. Under normal physiological conditions, intracellular l‐arginine levels far exceed the Km of NO synthase for l‐arginine. However, endogenous NO formation is dependent on extracellular l‐arginine concentrations, giving rise to the concept of the ‘l‐arginine paradox’.
Nitric oxide production in epithelial and endothelial cells is closely coupled to cellular l‐arginine uptake, indicating that l‐arginine transport mechanisms play a major role in the regulation of NO‐dependent function.
Consistent with the data in endothelial and epithelial cells are functional data indicating that exogenous l‐arginine can increase renal vascular and tubular NO bioavailability and thereby influence kidney perfusion, function and arterial pressure. The integrated effect of increased cellular l‐arginine transport is to lower arterial pressure. Therefore, the use of l‐arginine in the treatment of hypertension warrants investigation.
Low NO bioavailability is central to the development and maintenance of hypertension and to related endothelial dysfunction and target organ damage. We propose that l‐arginine can interrupt the vicious cycle that initiates and maintains low NO in hypertension by increasing the formation of NO.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ENHANCES OSTEOPONTIN EXPRESSION AND MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE ACTIVITY IN AORTIC VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS
Authors: Hu Tao , Luan Ronghua , Zhang Haifeng , Lau Wayne B , Wang Qiong , Zhang Yao , Wang Hai‐Chang , Tao Ling 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARY

Restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a major clinical complication. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The present aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species (ROS) enhance osteopontin (OPN) expression and increase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 activity (two major factors that contribute to restenosis) in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), thus facilitating restenosis.
Primary cultured rat aortic VSMC were exposed to different concentrations (10, 50 and 100 µmol/L) of H2O2. The expression of OPN mRNA and protein was determined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. The activity of MMP‐2 was determined by gelatin zymography.
The expression of OPN mRNA and protein in VSMC was enhanced by H2O2 in a dose‐dependent manner. In addition, H2O2 at all concentrations tested (which are comparable to those seen in diabetic vascular tissues) significantly increased MMP‐2 activity in VSMC.
Because vascular ROS production is significantly increased in patients with ischaemic disease and OPN and MMP‐2 have been shown to play critical role in restenosis, the results of the present study strongly suggest that a ROS‐initiated and OPN‐ and MMP‐2‐mediated signalling pathway may play an important role in accelerated restenosis after PCI in patients with ischaemic disease. Therefore, the H2O2–OPN/MMP‐2 system may be a new therapeutic target in reducing restenosis in patients undergoing PCI.
PREVENTIVE AND CURATIVE EFFECTS OF ETIFOXINE IN A RAT MODEL OF BRAIN OEDEMA
Authors: Girard Philippe , Pansart Yannick , Gillardin Jean‐Marie 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARY

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that increasing GABAergic neurotransmission is involved in the prevention or treatment of brain oedema. The study was conducted in the well‐established rat triethyltin (TET) model of brain oedema and examined the effects of etifoxine, a compound that increases GABAergic neurotransmission through multiple mechanisms, including neurosteroid synthesis.
Daily oral administration of 3 mg/kg per day TET for 5 consecutive days strongly perturbed rat behaviour and induced reproducible cerebral oedema. Coadministration of etifoxine (2 × 25 or 2 × 50 mg/kg per day, p.o.) over the 5 days of TET treatment blocked the development of brain oedema and the increase in brain sodium content induced by TET, as well as reducing the increase in brain chloride content. Moreover, etifoxine inhibited the decrease in bodyweight, the neurological deficit and the altered locomotor activity induced by TET. At a lower dose (2 ↔ 10 mg/kg per day, p.o.), etifoxine did not have any preventive effects.
To examine the curative effects of etifoxine, it was administered from the 4th day of TET treatment for 5 consecutive days, when brain oedema was already established. In these experiments, etifoxine (2 ↔ 50 mg/kg per day, p.o.) significantly reduced cerebral oedema and the outcomes induced by TET treatment. Moreover, etifoxine reduced the mortality in response to TET treatment.
In conclusion, because etifoxine has a good safety profile as an anxiolytic, the results of the present study suggest that it is worth further clinical investigation as a neuroprotectant.
ANGIOTENSIN‐CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITORS IMPROVE HEPATIC STEATOSIS BY MODULATING EXPRESSION OF TUMOUR NECROSIS FACTOR‐α, INTERLEUKIN‐6 AND ADIPONECTIN RECEPTOR‐2 IN RATS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES
Authors: Zhang Xia , Li Zhong‐Zhuan , Liu Dong‐Fang , Xu Xin , Mei Zhe‐Chuan , Shen Wei 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARY

Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) are hypotensive drugs that have been shown to prevent Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in high‐risk individuals. However, in T2DM, the effects of ACEI on hepatic steatosis are not known. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of ACEI on changes in liver histology and hepatic mRNA expression of adipokines in rats with T2DM.
Thirty‐six rats were divided into a normal control group, a T2DM group and a fosinopril‐treated group. After six weeks of treatment with 5 mg/kg per day fosinopril, an ACEI, changes in liver histology, serum fasting glucose (FG), insulin, triglyceride (TG), total cholersterol (TC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6, adiponectin were evaluated, as was hepatic TNF‐α, IL‐6 and adiponectin receptor‐2 (adipoR2) mRNA expression.
The degree of hepatic steatosis and inflammation, serum FG, insulin, TG, TC, ALT, TNF‐α and IL‐6 concentrations and hepatic TNF‐α and IL‐6 mRNA expression were significantly higher in rats with T2DM than in normal controls. Serum adiponectin concentrations and hepatic adipoR2 mRNA expression in rats with T2DM were significantly lower than in normal controls. Fosinopril significantly reduced the degree of hepatic steatosis, serum FG, insulin, ALT, TNF‐α and IL‐6 concentrations and hepatic TNF‐α and IL‐6 mRNA expression. Fosinopril significantly increased serum adiponectin concentrations and hepatic adipoR2 mRNA expression.
In conclusion, the ACEI improved insulin sensitivity and hepatic steatosis in rats with T2DM by increasing circulating adiponectin and hepatic adipoR2 levels, in addition to reducing pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels in the circulation and liver.
Probiotic administration alters the gut flora and attenuates colitis in mice administered dextran sodium sulfate
Authors: Nanda Kumar Navalpur S , Balamurugan Ramadass , Jayakanthan Kabirdoss , Pulimood Anna , Pugazhendhi Srinivasan , Ramakrishna Balakrishnan S 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:  Probiotics are used in the therapy of inflammatory bowel disease. This study aimed to determine whether prior administration of probiotic lactobacilli and bifidobacteria would prevent disease and change gut flora in an animal model of colitis.Methods:  Swiss albino mice received a probiotic mixture (four Lactobacillus and four Bifidobacterium species) or medium (control) for a week prior to induction of colitis by oral 4% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for seven days. Appropriate non‐colitis controls were used. Histological damage was assessed (n = 5 per group), as was expression of mRNA for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interferon (IFN)‐γ, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 and SOCS‐1 in the colonic mucosa (n = 6 per group). Secretion of TNF‐α was measured in distal colon organ culture (n = 5–6 per group). Levels of Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus acidophilus in feces were quantified by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 16S rDNA.Results:  Compared to untreated DSS colitis, probiotic treatment significantly reduced weight loss (P < 0.05), shifted histological damage to lesser grades of severity (P < 0.001), reduced mRNA expression of TNF‐α and TGF‐β1 (P < 0.05), and down‐regulated production of TNF‐α from distal colon explants (P < 0.05). Colitis induced a significant reduction in the relative proportions of Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides and Lactobacillus acidophilus group bacteria in feces, and these levels were significantly increased in probiotic‐treated mice compared to DSS mice (P < 0.001).Conclusion:  Prior administration of probiotic bacteria reduced mucosal inflammation and damage in DSS‐induced colitis. DSS colitis was associated with significant changes in the fecal anaerobic bacterial flora and these changes were modulated by administration of probiotic bacteria.
The Modified Wöhler Curve Method applied along with the Theory of Critical Distances to estimate finite life of notched components subjected to complex multiaxial loading paths
Authors: SUSMEL L. , TAYLOR D. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper is concerned with the use of the Modified Wöhler Curve Method (MWCM) applied in conjunction with the Theory of Critical Distances (TCD) to estimate fatigue lifetime of mechanical components subjected to multiaxial cyclic loading and experiencing stress concentration phenomena. In more detail, our engineering approach takes as its starting point the idea that accurate estimates can be obtained by simply assuming that the value of the critical length, LM, to be used to evaluate fatigue damage in the medium–cycle multiaxial fatigue regime is a function of the number of cycles to failure, Nf. In other words, the MWCM, which is a bi‐parametrical critical plane approach, is suggested here to be applied by directly post‐processing the linear‐elastic stress state damaging a material point whose distance from the notch tip increases as Nf decreases. According to the main feature of the TCD, the above LM versus Nf relationship is assumed to be a material property to be determined experimentally: such an hypothesis results in a great simplification of the fatigue assessment problem because, for a given material, the same critical length can be used to estimate fatigue damage independent of the considered geometrical feature. The accuracy of the devised approach was checked by analysing about 150 experimental results we generated by testing V‐notched cylindrical samples made of a commercial cold‐rolled low‐carbon steel. The above specimens were tested under in‐phase and out‐of‐phase combined tension and torsion, considering the damaging effect of superimposed static stresses as well. Moreover, in order to better check its accuracy in assessing notched components subjected to complex loading paths, our method was also applied to several data sets taken from the literature. This extensive validation exercise allowed us to prove that the MWCM applied along with the TCD is successful in estimating medium‐cycle multiaxial fatigue damage (Nf values in the range 104–106), resulting in predictions falling within the widest scatter band between the two used to calibrate the method itself. Such a high accuracy level is very promising, especially in light of the fact that the proposed approach predicts multiaxial fatigue lifetime by post‐processing the linear elastic stress fields in the fatigue process zone: this makes our method suitable for being used to assess real components by performing the stress analysis through simple linear‐elastic FE models.
How does climate warming affect plant‐pollinator interactions?
Authors: Hegland Stein Joar , Nielsen Anders , Lázaro Amparo , Bjerknes Anne‐Line , Totland Ørjan 
Published: November 2008

AbstractClimate warming affects the phenology, local abundance and large‐scale distribution of plants and pollinators. Despite this, there is still limited knowledge of how elevated temperatures affect plant‐pollinator mutualisms and how changed availability of mutualistic partners influences the persistence of interacting species. Here we review the evidence of climate warming effects on plants and pollinators and discuss how their interactions may be affected by increased temperatures. The onset of flowering in plants and first appearance dates of pollinators in several cases appear to advance linearly in response to recent temperature increases. Phenological responses to climate warming may therefore occur at parallel magnitudes in plants and pollinators, although considerable variation in responses across species should be expected. Despite the overall similarities in responses, a few studies have shown that climate warming may generate temporal mismatches among the mutualistic partners. Mismatches in pollination interactions are still rarely explored and their demographic consequences are largely unknown. Studies on multi‐species plant‐pollinator assemblages indicate that the overall structure of pollination networks probably are robust against perturbations caused by climate warming. We suggest potential ways of studying warming‐caused mismatches and their consequences for plant‐pollinator interactions, and highlight the strengths and limitations of such approaches.