bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Novel Drug Therapy for Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injury Using T‐588
Authors: Mori Yuko , Shiotani Akihiro , Saito Koichiro , Araki Koji , Ikeda Ken , Nakagawa Masaya , Watabe Kazuhiko , Ogawa Kaoru 
Published: May 2007

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: We have previously shown that gene therapy using Insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I, glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), or a combination of these trophic factors, is a treatment option for recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy. However, there remain some difficulties preventing this option from becoming a common clinical therapy for RLN injury. Thus, we need to develop novel treatment option that overcomes the problems of gene therapy.R(—)‐1‐(benzothiophen‐5‐yl)‐2‐[2‐N,N‐diethylamino]ethoxy]ethanol hydrochloride (T‐588), a synthetic compound, is known to have neuroprotective effects on neural cells. In the present study, the possibility of new drug treatments using T‐588 for RLN injury was assessed using rat models.Study Design: Animal study.Methods: Animals were administered T‐588 for 4 weeks. The neuroprotective effects of T‐588 administration after vagal nerve avulsion and neurofunctional recovery after recurrent laryngeal nerve crush were studied using motoneuron cell counting, evaluation of choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity, the electrophysiologic examination, and the re‐mobilization of the vocal fold.Results: T‐588 administration successfully prevented motoneuron loss and ameliorated the choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity in the ipsilateral nucleus ambiguus after vagal nerve avulsion. Significant improvements of motor nerve conduction velocity of the RLN and vocal fold movement were observed in the treatment group when compared to controls.Conclusion: These results indicate that oral administration of T‐588 might be a promising therapeutic option in treating peripheral nerve injury.
Comparison of waveform inversion, part 2: phase approach
Authors: Bednar J. B. , Shin Changsoo , Pyun Sukjoon 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we take advantage of the natural separation into amplitude and phase of a logarithmic‐based approach to full‐wavefield inversion and concentrate on deriving purely kinematic approaches for both conventional and logarithmic‐based methods. We compare the resulting algorithms theoretically and empirically. To maintain consistency between this and the previous paper in this series, we continue with the same symbolism and notation and apply our new algorithms to the same three data sets. We show that both of these new techniques, although different in implementation style, share the same computational methodology. We also show that reverse‐time back‐propagation of the residuals for our new kinematic methods continues to be the basis for calculation of the steepest‐descent vector. We conclude that the logarithmic phase‐based method is more practical than its conventionally based counterpart, but, in spite of the fact that the conventional algorithm appears unstable, differences are not great.
Chronic intranasal administration of mould spores or extracts to unsensitized mice leads to lung allergic inflammation, hyper‐reactivity and remodelling
Authors: Denis Olivier , Van Den Brûle Sybille , Heymans Julie , Havaux Xavier , Rochard Christelle , Huaux François , Huygen Kris 
Published: May 2007

SummaryAllergic asthma is a serious multifaceted disease characterized by eosinophil‐rich airway inflammation, airway hyperreactivity and airway wall modifications known as remodelling. We previously demonstrated that the spores of two allergenic moulds, Alternaria alternata and Cladosporium herbarum, were potent inducers of immunoglobulin E (IgE) production. Moreover, mice sensitized by two intraperitoneal injections before intranasal challenge with A. alternata or C. herbarum spores developed an allergic lung inflammation and hyperreactivity. Here we report on the effect of chronic intranasal administration of C. herbarum spores or A. alternata extracts to unsensitized BALB/c mice. Our results demonstrate that this chronic treatment led to an increase of total serum IgE and the appearance of specific IgE and IgG1. Total cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from treated mice was highly increased compared to phosphate‐buffered‐saline‐treated mice because of the accumulation of macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils. Airway hyperreactivity appeared after 3 weeks (extract) and 7 weeks (spores) and was maintained during the whole treatment. Increased interleukin‐13 mRNA expression in the lungs and T helper type 2 cytokines (interleukin‐4, ‐5, ‐6 and ‐13) and transforming growth factor‐β secretion in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were also observed. Lung hydroxyproline and fibronectin contents indicated increased fibrosis in mice treated with mould allergen. These observations were confirmed by histological analysis demonstrating airway wall remodelling and strong mucus production. These observations show that this model, using chronic intranasal administration of relevant particulate allergens, is an interesting tool for the study of mechanisms leading to allergic pulmonary diseases and lung remodelling.
Predicting species distributions: a critical comparison of the most common statistical models using artificial species
Authors: Meynard Christine N. , Quinn James F. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim To test statistical models used to predict species distributions under different shapes of occurrence–environment relationship. We addressed three questions: (1) Is there a statistical technique that has a consistently higher predictive ability than others for all kinds of relationships? (2) How does species prevalence influence the relative performance of models? (3) When an automated stepwise selection procedure is used, does it improve predictive modelling, and are the relevant variables being selected?Location We used environmental data from a real landscape, the state of California, and simulated species distributions within this landscape.Methods Eighteen artificial species were generated, which varied in their occurrence response to the environmental gradients considered (random, linear, Gaussian, threshold or mixed), in the interaction of those factors (no interaction vs. multiplicative), and on their prevalence (50% vs. 5%). The landscape was then randomly sampled with a large (n = 2000) or small (n = 150) sample size, and the predictive ability of each statistical approach was assessed by comparing the true and predicted distributions using five different indexes of performance (area under the receiver‐operator characteristic curve, Kappa, correlation between true and predictive probability of occurrence, sensitivity and specificity). We compared generalized additive models (GAM) with and without flexible degrees of freedom, logistic regressions (general linear models, GLM) with and without variable selection, classification trees, and the genetic algorithm for rule‐set production (GARP).Results Species with threshold and mixed responses, additive environmental effects, and high prevalence generated better predictions than did other species for all statistical models. In general, GAM outperforms all other strategies, although differences with GLM are usually not significant. The two variable‐selection strategies presented here did not discriminate successfully between truly causal factors and correlated environmental variables.Main conclusions Based on our analyses, we recommend the use of GAM or GLM over classification trees or GARP, and the specification of any suspected interaction terms between predictors. An expert‐based variable selection procedure was preferable to the automated procedures used here. Finally, for low‐prevalence species, variability in model performance is both very high and sample‐dependent. This suggests that distribution models for species with low prevalence can be improved through targeted sampling.
Prediction of digestible energy content of extruded dog food by in vitro analyses
Authors: Hervera M. , Baucells M. D. , Blanch F. , Castrillo C. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThe aim of this study was to develop a simple and reproducible in vitro method for predicting the apparent energy digestibility of dry extruded dog foods. The proposed method is based on the two‐step multienzymatic incubation assay described by [Boisen, S., 1991: In Vitro Digestion for Pigs and Poultry, M. F. Fuller (ed.). CAB International, Wallingford, 135–146], with some modifications adapted to dogs’ digestion characteristics. The method consisted in two consecutives incubations, first one during 2 h with pepsin (10 mg/g of food sample) in acid pH and second one during 4 h with pancreatin (100 mg/g of food sample). The undigested residue obtained was collected in a filtration unit and then dried and ashed. The in vitro percentage of organic matter disappearance (in vitro dOM) of 54 dry extruded commercial dog foods was determined and used as predictor of the in vivo apparent organic matter (in vivo dOM) and energy digestibility (in vivo dE) and digestible energy (DE) content. There was a close linear relationship between the in vivo dOM and dE [r2 = 0.95, residual standard deviation (RSD) = 1.05 and coefficient of variation (CV) = 1.2%] and also between the in vitro and in vivo dOM (r2 = 0.92, RSD = 1.38 and CV = 1.6%), even if the in vitro dOM overestimated on average by 4% the in vivo dOM. When the in vitro dOM was used to predict the in vivo dE, the relationship between both variables was defined by the equation: in vivo dE (%) = −2.45 + 0.98 ± 0.04×in vitro dOM (%), (r2 = 0.92, RSD = 1.25 and CV = 1.5%). In addition, a close relationship between the in vivo and predicted DE (estimated dE × gross energy determined calorimetrically) was found (r2 = 0.97, RSD = 0.26 and CV = 1.4%). The accuracy of DE content prediction using the proposed in vitro method was higher than that obtained when the DE content of the same set of samples was predicted by the equation proposed by the NRC (1985) (r2 = 0.76, CV = 4.5%) and also slightly higher than that obtained when using the equation proposed by NRC (2006) (r2 = 0.95, CV = 2.1%).
Apparent nutrient digestibility and excreta quality in African grey parrots fed two pelleted diets based on coarsely or finely ground ingredients
Authors: Kalmar I. D. , Werquin G. , Janssens G. P. J. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryA feeding trial was performed to study the influence of particle size in extruded parrot pellets on apparent digestibility and excreta consistency and pH. Two test diets were alternately provided to eight African grey parrots according to a 2 × 2 cross‐over design. Both diets were similar in nutrient content and ingredient composition but differed in particle size of the composing particles of individual pellets. Apparent digestibility of macronutrients was studied using the total collection method. Next, the appearance of the excreta was studied by calculation of weight–surface ratio of individual excrements as an objective measurement of consistency. Last, excreta pH was measured directly on fresh excrements and on homogenized 10% excreta solutions. Neither apparent digestibility coefficients nor excreta pH values were significantly different in parrots fed the two diets. However, excreta consistency was significantly (p < 0.05) more solid when fed the coarse diet than when fed with the finely ground diet. The results of this study suggest that excreta consistency can be improved through larger particle size, without adverse effects on nutritive value of the diet.
Rice protein concentrate meal as potential dietary ingredient in practical diets for blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo)
Authors: Palmegiano G. B. , Costanzo M. T. , Daprà F. , Gai F. , Galletta M. G. , Maricchiolo G. , Micale V. , Peiretti P. G. , Genovese L. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate the performances and the flesh quality of Pagellus bogaraveo fed with diets containing rice protein concentrate [RPC, 70% crude protein (CP) and 10% ether extract]. Three isoproteic and isoenergetic (CP 47%, 22 MJ/kg DM) diets were formulated with an increasing level of RPC: 0%, 20% and 35%. The fish (mean weight 75 g) from the Messina Straits were randomly distributed in 12 tanks (3 diets × 4 replications, 10 fish/tank). The daily ratio (1.5% of the fish biomass) was updated every 15 days. Biomass gain showed an opposite trend to the RPC diet inclusion. No differences appeared in the somatic indexes. Differences appeared between fatty acid profiles of the dorsal muscle. Fatty acid of series n‐6 increased and fatty acid of series n‐3 decreased in fillets of fish fed with increasing levels of RPC. The inclusion of RPC in the diets, as a partial replacement of fish meal (20%), is possible without affecting the growth performance and fillet quality.
Comparison between plasma and milk levels of leptin during pregnancy and lactation in cow, a relationship with β‐lactoglobulin
Authors: Parola R. , Macchi E. , Fracchia D. , Sabbioni A. , Avanzi D. , Motta M. , Accornero P. , Baratta M. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryLeptin gene is expressed in the mammary tissue and the expression of both leptin and its receptor changes significantly during pregnancy and lactation, with high levels during the first half of pregnancy and a decrease at delivery. The aim of this work was to investigate into leptin concentration in plasma and in milk during pregnancy and the first week after parturition in dairy cow and to analyze the correlation between leptin and β‐lactoglobulin (β‐LG) concentrations in plasma and in milk. The trial was conducted on six Holstein dairy cows, reared in the same environmental conditions and evaluated with similar body condition score, during the complete reproductive cycle from insemination to the delivery. Blood from the jugular vein and milk samples were collected at weekly intervals. Plasma leptin concentration showed a lower level (p < 0.05) at the beginning of pregnancy. Milk leptin concentration showed a higher level (p < 0.01) than plasma level from week 23 to week 29 of pregnancy. Plasma β‐LG concentrations were higher (p < 0.01) compared to plasma concentrations during the first part of pregnancy, then milk levels rise and become higher than plasma levels during the last weeks before dry period. A positive correlation (p < 0.01) was observed between leptin and β‐LG both in plasma and in milk profiles.
Practical Techniques for Bovine Sperm Simultaneous Fluorimetric Assessment of Plasma, Acrosomal and Mitochondrial Membranes
Authors: Celeghini ECC , De Arruda RP , De Andrade AFC , Nascimento J , Raphael CF 
Published: May 2007

ContentsThis experiment was performed to develop and validate practical techniques for simultaneous evaluation of the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes, as well as mitochondrial function in bovine spermatozoa using associations of fluorescent probes. Four protocols of fluorescent probes association were defined: protocol 1: propidium iodide (PI), fluorescein isothiocyanate‐conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC‐PSA) and rhodamine 123; protocol 2: PI, FITC‐PSA and MitoTracker Green FM (MITO); protocol 3: PI, Hoechst 33342 (H342), FITC‐PSA and CMXRos; and protocol 4: PI, H342, FITC‐PSA and JC‐1. Three ejaculates from each of the four bulls (n = 12) were utilized, showing sperm motility ≥80% and abnormal morphology ≤10%. The semen was diluted in Modified Tyrode’s medium (TALP) (25 × 106 spermatozoa/ml) and split into two aliquots, one sample was flash‐frozen in liquid nitrogen and thawed. Samples for three treatments were prepared with the following ratio of fresh semen : flash‐frozen semen: 100 : 0, 50 : 50 and 0 : 100. Samples were stained in all four protocols and evaluated by epifluorescence microscopy. Protocol 1 did not result in a satisfactory stain, so it could not be validated. Protocols 2, 3 and 4 were validated and showed high determination coefficient to plasma membrane integrity (R2 = 0.95, 0.93 and 0.92, respectively), acrosome integrity (R2 = 0.95, 0.92 and 0.91, respectively) and mitochondrial function (R2 = 0.84, 0.93 and R2 = 0.93, respectively). These techniques are efficient for the simultaneous integrity evaluation of plasma and acrosomal membranes and mitochondrial function in bovine spermatozoa. However, JC‐1 has an advantage over MITO and CMXRos, as it separates two cell populations with high and low mitochondrial membrane potential.
Relationship Among Follicular Growth, Oestrus, Time of Ovulation, Endogenous Estradiol 17β and Luteinizing Hormone in Bos Indicus Cows After a Synchronization Program
Authors: Maquivar M , Verduzco A , Galina CS , Pulido A , Rojas S , Forster K , Van der Laan G , Arnoni R 
Published: May 2007

ContentsTo determine the pattern of follicular growth during oestrus and the relationship with estradiol and luteinizing hormone in ovulating and non‐ovulating cows, three groups of (n = 10), thirty cyclic, Bos indicus cows were synchronized with CIDR, consecutively at 9‐day intervals. Twenty‐four hours after implant withdrawal, all cows synchronized in the same group with other cows displaying estrous behaviour after implant withdrawal were subjected to an intensive period of ultrasonographic observations (every 6 h for 120 h). Blood samples were taken to evaluate LH surge and 17‐β estradiol. No differences were observed in follicular growth, ovulatory diameter and growth average in the three groups of synchronized cows. Cows ovulating (CO) had a better growth average in comparison with the group of cows not ovulating (CNO) (1.4 ± 0.7 mm vs 0.7 ± 0.5 mm, p < 0.06). The average time from estradiol release to LH surge was 39.3 ± 24.6 h. Differences were also observed between CO and CNO with respect to both the first concentration (27.7 ± 5.2 vs 58.6 ± 31.9, p < 0.004) and last concentration (79.3 ± 23.3 vs 99.2 ± 27.3, p < 0.05) of estradiol above 5 pg/ml. The average time from overt signs of oestrus to LH release was 8.4 ± 7.7 h. In the CNO, the increase in LH concentration was never above two SD from the basal average. In conclusion, there is a wide variability in follicular growth and ovulatory diameter between CO and CNO, which can affect the intervals of LH release, estradiol peak and ovulation. Yet, LH surge might be a good marker for timing ovulation in Zebu cows.
The Control of Hypertension In Pregnancy Study pilot trial
Authors: Magee LA , Von Dadelszen P , Chan S , Gafni A , Gruslin A , Helewa M , Hewson S , Kavuma E , Lee SK , Logan AG , McKay D , Moutquin J‐M , Ohlsson A , Rey E , Ross S , Singer J , Willan AR , Hannah ME ,   CHIPS Pilot Trial Collaborative Group
Published: May 2007

Objective  To determine whether ‘less tight’ (versus ‘tight’) control of nonsevere hypertension results in a difference in diastolic blood pressure (dBP) between groups.Design  Randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN#57277508).Setting  Seventeen obstetric centres in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and UK.Population  Inclusion: pregnant women, dBP 90–109 mmHg, pre‐existing/gestational hypertension; live fetus(es); and 20–33+6 weeks. Exclusion: systolic blood pressure ≥ 170 mmHg and proteinuria, contraindication, or major fetal anomaly.Methods  Randomisation to less tight (target dBP, 100 mmHg) or tight (target dBP, 85 mmHg) blood pressure control.Main outcome measures  Primary: mean dBP at 28, 32 and 36 weeks. Secondary: clinician compliance and women’s satisfaction. Other: serious perinatal and maternal complications.Results  A total of 132 women were randomised to less tight (n= 66; seven had no study visit) or tight control (n= 66; one was lost to follow up; seven had no study visit). Mean dBP was significantly lower with tight control: −3.5 mmHg, 95% credible interval (−6.4, −0.6). Clinician compliance was 79% in both groups. Women were satisfied with their care. With less tight (versus tight) control, the rates of other treatments and outcomes were the following: post‐randomisation antenatal antihypertensive medication use: 46 (69.7%) versus 58 (89.2%), severe hypertension: 38 (57.6%) versus 26 (40.0%), proteinuria: 16 (24.2%) versus 20 (30.8%), serious maternal complications: 3 (4.6%) versus 2 (3.1%), preterm birth: 24 (36.4%) versus 26 (40.0%), birthweight: 2675 ± 858 versus 2501 ± 855 g, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission: 15 (22.7%) versus 22 (34.4%), and serious perinatal complications: 9 (13.6%) versus 14 (21.5%).Conclusion  The CHIPS pilot trial confirms the feasibility and importance of a large definitive trial to determine the effects of less tight control on serious perinatal and maternal complications.
Investigation of an increase in postpartum haemorrhage in Canada
Authors: Joseph KS , Rouleau J , Kramer MS , Young DC , Liston RM , Baskett TF ,   Maternal Health Study Group of the Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System
Published: May 2007

Objective  To investigate the cause of a recent increase in hysterectomies for postpartum haemorrhage in Canada.Design  Retrospective cohort study.Setting  Canada between 1991 and 2004.Population  All hospital deliveries in Canada as documented in the database of the Canadian Institute for Health Information (excluding incomplete data from Quebec, Manitoba and Nova Scotia).Methods  Deliveries with postpartum haemorrhage by subtype were identified using International Classification of Diseases codes, while hysterectomies were identified using procedure codes. Changes in determinants of postpartum haemorrhage (all postpartum haemorrhage and that requiring hysterectomy) were examined, and crude and adjusted period changes were assessed using logistic models.Main outcome measures  Postpartum haemorrhage, postpartum haemorrhage with hysterectomy, postpartum haemorrhage with blood transfusion and postpartum haemorrhage by subtype.Results  Rates of postpartum haemorrhage increased from 4.1% in 1991 to 5.1% in 2004 (23% increase, 95% CI 20–26%), while rates of postpartum haemorrhage with hysterectomy increased from 24.0 in 1991 to 41.7 per 100 000 deliveries in 2004 (73% increase, 95% CI 27–137%). These increases were because of an increase in atonic postpartum haemorrhage, from 29.4 per 1000 deliveries in 1991 to 39.5 per 1000 deliveries in 2004 (34% increase, 95% CI 31–38%). Adjustment for temporal changes in risk factors did not explain the increase in atonic postpartum haemorrhage but attenuated the increase in atonic postpartum haemorrhage with hysterectomy.Conclusions  There has been a recent, unexplained increase in the frequency, and possibly the severity, of atonic postpartum haemorrhage in Canada.