bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitation of urinary glycosaminoglycans using dimethylene blue as a screening technique for the diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidoses - an evaluation
Authors: Gray George , Claridge Paul , Jenkinson Linda , Green Anne 
Published: June 2007

Background: The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are a group of inherited disorders due to defects in lysosomal enzymes catalysing the breakdown of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Usually they are detected using techniques to separate the accumulating GAGs in urine. However more recently an improved dye-based method measuring total urine GAG concentrations has become available. We have evaluated this method in the context of its application as a general screening technique in a routine metabolic laboratory. Method: An automated method for the quantitation of urinary GAGs using dimethylene blue was developed on a Cobas Fara analyser and evaluated in terms of its specificity, sensitivity and value in the diagnosis of the MPSs. The test was applied to 6156 anonymized urine samples received for tests for inherited metabolic diseases and to 121 samples from 85 patients with a variety of proven MPSs. Results: A substantial number of samples from unaffected individuals gave abnormal results while a significant number of samples from patients with MPSs gave results within normal limits. Conclusion: In the context of our laboratory, it was not appropriate for use as a screening technique when applied to all specimens received for metabolic tests or as a first-line screening test for samples where mucopolysaccharide analysis was requested. However it was retained and used in parallel with cellulose acetate electrophoresis to aid interpretation.
Parkinson's disease: the effect of L-dopa therapy on urinary free catecholamines and metabolites
Authors: Davidson D F , Grosset K , Grosset D 
Published: June 2007

Background: L-dopa is an important antiparkinsonian drug. It is a precursor of dopamine and the other catecholamines. Potentially, administration of L-dopa could lead to increased urinary excretion of catecholamines and their metabolites to abnormal amounts. The current study aimed to determine these excretions in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) receiving L-dopa compared with suitable controls. This is the first assessment of the effect of exogenous administration of L-dopa on urinary free metadrenalines. Methods: Using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), urine catecholamines and metabolites, expressed as mmol per mole creatinine, were compared in: patients with PD who were receiving L-dopa; patients with PD but not receiving L-dopa; and patients without PD who were being investigated for the presence of phaechromocytoma but were found not to have the disease. Results: Significantly higher values for urinary dopamine, homovanillic acid, free normetadrenaline and free metadrenaline were found in patients with PD receiving L-dopa compared with the other two control groups. In all the patients with PD, these four analytes were significantly correlated with daily dose of L-dopa. Conclusion: L-dopa therapy can result in production of false positives for urinary excretion of dopamine, homovanillic acid, free normetadrenaline or free metadrenaline and thereby decrease the diagnostic value of these measurements in identifying phaeochromocytoma and related tumours.
Genetic reliability of commercially-bred laboratory mice
Authors: Festing Michael F. 
Published: June 2007

An analysis of 20 mouse colonies from 10 different breeders sampled over a period of up to a year using the mandible-analysis technique revealed 3 major cases of lack of authenticity: supply of mice as a pure strain from a colony founded by an unidentified cross: blending of 2 or 3 stocks into a single colony the offspring of which were sold under 3 different names, none of which were authentic; differences between nominally identical stock from 2 sources. These findings are discussed in relation to previously published information using named strains, and a genetic monitoring scheme for commercial breeders is proposed.
Murine lymphocytic choriomeningitis: the history of a natural cross-infection from wild to laboratory mice
Authors: Skinner H. H. , Knight E. H. , Grove Rosemary 
Published: June 2007

A new locus of wild house mice tolerantly infected with the virus of lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) has been identified in the United Kingdom. Evidence is presented which indicates that these mice were the source of infection in a laboratory mouse breeding colony, the mode of transmission probably being bites on tails and limbs exposed through wire-grid flooring. The results of an experiment which simulated indirect exposure of SPF mice to tolerantly infected wild mice supported earlier observations that without injury to the epidermis the risk of spread of infection from the infective urine, saliva or faeces is low.
Influence of diet pellet hardness and particle size on food utilization by mice, rats and hamsters
Authors: Ford D. J. 
Published: June 2007

Increasing hardness of diet pellets reduced food wastage by each species. Also, less wastage occurred when pellets made from finely ground materials were given, an effect that was not related to hardness. The hardest diet reduced growth of the mice by reducing true food consumption and a poorer food conversion efficiency (true food consumption/growth) was obtained. Apparent food consumption increased with the softness of the diet and food utilization (apparent food consumption/growth) of the softest diets was less efficient than those of the others. Grinding of the raw materials prior to pelleting had no effect on food conversion, but food utilization was less efficient because of the greater wastage of pellets from coarsely ground materials and consequent apparent food consumption.
Effect of autoclaving and physical structure of diets on their utilization by mice
Authors: Ford D. J. 
Published: June 2007

A pelleted and 2 expanded rodent diets were autoclaved at 121°C for 20 minutes, and fed to DBA/1 and LACA strains of mice. Reproduction was not significantly different on any diet and autoclaving had no effect other than increasing the intervals between litters. However, apparent food consumption was greater and efficiency of food utilization (expressed as young weaned/diet consumed) was poorer in mice fed pelleted diets. Diet had no significant effect on growth, but food wastage and consequently apparent food consumption were less and food utilization more efficient when expanded diets were fed. In addition, true food consumption was lower and food conversion more efficient. Autoclaving had little effect on expanded diets but caused a significant reduction in wastage and in apparent and true consumption of the pelleted diet, perhaps because of increased hardness.
Respiratory pathogens in non-human primates with special refererence to Corynebacterium ulcerans
Authors: Panaitescu M. , Maximescu Paula , Michel Juliana , Potorac E. 
Published: June 2007

An investigation of 272 non-human primates (75 Macacca cynomolgus, 97 Macacca mulatta and 100 Cercopithecus aethiops) revealed a high incidence of respiratory disease caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans, Staphylococci, Diplococci and Streptococci. Escherichia coli was also found as a secondary invader. Most of the infections occurred during winter in Macaca cynomolgus and were caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans and Diplococcus pneumoniae. The C. ulcerans strains were phage type VI G. A phage type III C strain was isolated from a Macacca mulatta. The high incidence of C. ulcerans suggests that this organism plays a significant role in the pathology of respiratory disease in the non-human primate.
Humoral immune response to infection with Encephalitozoon cuniculi in rabbits
Authors: Waller T. , Morein B. , Fabiansson Eva 
Published: June 2007

Parenteral administration of Encephalitozoon cuniculi induced an antibody response within 7-11 days. Peroral administration was less effective since only 2 of 6 animals showed seroconversion; they became seropositive within 14-21 days. Sera from animals which became seropositive had high antibody titres during the whole test period. Immune sera from 3 animals were fractionated by gel filtration. With the india-ink immunoreaction test, antibodies to E. cuniculi were found only in the 7S fractions, while the indirect fluorescent-antibody test detected them in fractions 19S and 7S. The 7S fractions were identified as IgG and the 19S fractions as IgM. A program for eradication of encephalitozoonosis, based on these results, is discussed.
Ultrastructural features of spironucleosis (hexamitiasis) in x-irradiated rat small intestine
Authors: Gruber Helen E. , Osborne James W. 
Published: June 2007

Summary An alteration in the host response to the intestinal protozoan Spironucleus (Hexamita) muris was noted in x-irradiated rat small intestine. When few were present in the crypt lumina, the intestinal microvillar border was normal. However, when larger numbers were present, the microvilli were greatly reduced in numbers or entirely absent in some regions. The organism was identified in the base of the crypt lumen, in apical portions of mucous cells, and near the basement membrane. Spironucleus enclosed by digestive vacuoles occasionally appeared to be in the process of being extruded through the basement membrane. Not all intracellular protozoa were surrounded by such digestive vacuoles. Spironucleus was never seen in association with the digestive vacuoles of Paneth cells. Since it has been suggested that Paneth cells have a role as a fixed phagocyte, ingesting protozoa and other microorganisms, the results presented here suggest that this function may have been impaired in irradiated animals.
Evaluation of room cleaning procedures in a laboratory animal facility
Authors: Shields Robert P. , Schramm Barbara , Braune Norman E. 
Published: June 2007

Summary Animal room cleaning procedures were developed that could be used routinely and economically in this animal facility. Bacterial samples from the floors of rooms housing rabbits, rats and mice provided a useful way to evaluate the effectiveness of the cleaning procedures, and to determine the in-use effectiveness of disinfectant solutions.
Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) in the laboratory-bred and wild rat, Rattus norvegieus
Authors: Gregson R. L. , Davey M. Jean , Prentice D. E. 
Published: June 2007

Summary In juvenile wild rats, bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) development was similar to that seen in adult specified-pathogen-free rats. In adult wild rats the BALT was widespread. In one animal infected with a mycoplasma-like organism, a region of bronchoepithelium overlying a large BALT nodule was seen, through which lymphocytes appeared able to pass to make direct contact with the bronchial lumen: the significance of this observation is discussed. There was no evidence of infection in lungs from any of the specified-pathogen-free animals, where small foci of BALT were seen.
Diagnosis of Encephalitozoonosis: A Simple Method for Collection of Rabbit Blood
Authors: Waller T. , Lyngset Annelise , Morein B. 
Published: June 2007

Summary The blood was collected on filter paper, dried, put into an envelope and posted to the laboratory. One drop of blood extracted with 1 ml PBS was satisfactory for detecting natural cases of encephalitozoonosis by the india-ink immunoreaction.
Sensitivity of Encephalitozoon Cuniculi to Various Temperatures, Disinfectants and Drugs
Authors: Waller T. 
Published: June 2007

Summary Spores of Encephalitozoon cuniculi were exposed to various temperatures or to disinfectants, and their infectivity was then tested on monolayer cultures of canine kidney cells. The maximum survival time for spores suspended in medium 199 was 1 day at –20°C, 98 days at 4°C, 6 days at 22°C, and 2 days at 37°C. Only 2·5% survived 30 min at 56°C. Boiling for 5 min or autoclaving at 120°C for 10 min killed all spores. Dry spores survived less than a week at 4°C but at least 4 weeks at 22°C. Exposure for 30 min to recommended working concentrations of 9 of the 11 disinfectants tested killed all spores. The growth-inhibition effect of 7 antibiotics and chemotherapeutics was studied on canine kidney cell culture inoculated with E. cuniculi. None could completely inhibit growth. The most effective was chloroquine phosphate which, at a concentration of 12·5 mg per 1000 ml culture medium and during a test period of 8 weeks, reduced the harvest of E. cuniculi to 31% of that from inoculated, untreated cultures.
Exteroceptive Factors, Sexual Maturation and Reproduction in the Female Rat
Authors: Norris M. L. , Adams C. E. 
Published: June 2007

Summary Keeping a sexually mature male with a weanling female rat advanced neither the time of vaginal opening nor that of 1st oestrus. In 2 of 3 experiments females kept singly after weaning reached sexual maturity significantly earlier than did grouped females. The reproductive performance of females mated at 1st oestrus was not significantly different from that of older primiparae. 26 rats gave birth to an average of 9·3 young at 59·5 days of age, and 22 of them reared 96% of the young to weaning.
Simple Focus Assay for Encephalitozoon Cuniculi
Authors: Pye D. , Cox J. C. 
Published: June 2007

Summary In this in vitro infectivity assay for Encephalitozoon cuniculi, lesions due to the organism appeared as macroscopically distinct foci. The number of such foci was used as a direct measure of the number of infectious units in the original sample. The expected correlation between focus-forming units and 50% infectious doses was observed in limit dilution experiments.
Postnatal Development of Bronchus-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (Balt) in the Rat, Rattus Norvegicus
Authors: Gregson R. L. , Davey M. Jean , Prentice D. E. 
Published: June 2007

Summary The pattern of development of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) in specified-pathogen free and conventional (non-barrier maintained) rats over the initial 4 weeks of life appeared to be similar. BALT first appeared around the 2nd week of life and increased in amount over the following 2 weeks. Overlying large nodules of BALT the bronchial epithelium becomes infiltrated by lymphocytes to form a lymphoepithelium. This transformation occurs earlier in conventional rats, possibly because of the differing antigen levels to which they are exposed.
The Influence of Bacillus Piliformis (Tyzzer) Infections on the Reliability of Pharmacokinetic Experiments in Mice
Authors: Fries A. Schaich , Ladefoged O. 
Published: June 2007

Summary The half-lives of warfarin and trimethoprim were significantly longer in mice acutely infected with Bacillus piliformis and in mice which had clinically recovered from previous experimental infection with the organism. The volume of distribution of trimethoprim but not of warfarin was significantly greater in infected mice than in controls. Body clearance of warfarin was significantly reduced in both disease states. For trimethoprim this parameter was only reduced in the acute state of the disease. The importance of careful control of Tyzzer's disease in laboratory animals for use in pharmacological research is stressed.
Epidemiological investigation of an animal house based upon phage-typing and biotyping of Staphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Wierup Martin , Nord Carl Erik , SjÖberg Lennart 
Published: June 2007

Summary The value of biotyping and phage-typing coagulase-negative staphylococci in the epidemiological investigation of a laboratory animal house was clearly demonstrated. In the animal rooms in which conventional bacteriological methods revealed equal bacterial contamination between a conventional unit and one housing specified-pathogen-free rodents, biotyping identified Staphylococcus cohnii as the only species in the latter, compared to S. warneri, S. hominis, S. saprophytics, S. xylosus abd S. epidermidis as well as S. cohnii in the conventional unit. Similarly, phage-typing revealed 2 phage types in the specified-pathogen-free compared to 7 in the conventional unit. Thus biotyping and phage-typing provided evidence for the existence of a barrier between these units that had presented similar gross bacteriological findings.
Humoral immune response to natural infection with Encephalitozoon cuniculi in rabbits
Authors: Bywater J. E. C. , Kellett B. S. 
Published: June 2007

Sera from 4 generations of a family of rabbits having a natural Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection were investigated. Antibodies were demonstrated in a litter of newborn rabbits and in another litter 11 days old. Histological examination of the brains and kidneys of these animals failed to reveal lesions attributable to the disease. Sera from a further litter of 2 rabbits, taken at weekly intervals from 4 to 42 weeks of age, revealed a low initial antibody titre which regressed to an undetectable level. After an interval, titres rose and then plateaued to the end of the period of observation. Encephalitozoon cuniculi infections in the dams of all the litters were confirmed by antibody assay and by histology. Parallel titration of samples treated and not treated with 2-mercaptoethanol showed that the india-ink immunoreaction demonstrates only immunoglobulin G.
Short-term effects of aflatoxin B1 on serum lipids in subhuman primates
Authors: Bassir O. , Alozie T. C. 
Published: June 2007

Summary Aflatoxin B1 significantly depressed serum lipid levels in specimens of Cercopithecus aethiops, Cercopithecus mona, Erythrocebus patas and Papio enubis. Serum cholesterol, total phospholipids and total lipids were not affected to the same extent.
The ferret, Mustela putorius furo, as a new species in toxicology
Authors: Thornton P. C. , Wright Pauline A. , Sacra P. J. , Goodier T. E. W. 
Published: June 2007

Summary Comprehensive studies on the haematology, urine chemistry, serum chemistry and gross pathology have been carried out and reported. Seasonal weight changes were confirmed and were initiated, together with sexual activity, when ferrets were brought in to a constant temperature (18–19°C) and 14–hour daylight cycle during the winter months. Levels of haemoglobin, erythrocytes and haematocrit were higher than in most common laboratory species. Similarly, serum electrolytes and glucose levels were higher than in Wistar rats or beagle dogs. Ovaries, uteri and testes displayed a seasonal maturation and atrophy. All other parameters were similar to common laboratory species.
Chronic non-infective conjunctivitis in rabbits
Authors: Buckley Peter , Lowman Doreen M. R. 
Published: June 2007

Summary A high proportion (36%) of rabbits in a long-term experiment developed a severe chronic purulent conjunctivitis. Bacteriological examination failed to reveal an organism common to all cases, and the condition was only partially controlled by a neomycin and hydrocortisone eye ointment Cutting down the possibility of hay dust entering the rabbits' eyes led to marked improvement: the conjunctivitis was virtually eliminated when hay was given in a specially-designed solid-sided hopper which prevented the release of dust during feeding and which, being detachable, could be refilled away from the rabbit rooms to minimize general atmospheric dust.
Ultrastructure of normal monkey liver
Authors: Kennedy Sandra J. 
Published: June 2007

Summary The normal ultrastructure of the liver of rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys is described. A classification of type A and B periportal hepatocytes is introduced together with a discussion of the high incidence of mitochondrial abnormalities. It is suggested that the rhesus monkey is more suitable as an experimental model than the cynomolgus since its liver ultra-structure is less variable.
Mating post partum, concurrent lactation and reproduction in the laboratory rat
Authors: Norris M. L. , Adams C. E. 
Published: June 2007

Summary 32 of 35 sexually mature CFHB rats paired with proven males and thereafter allowed to mate post partum and nurse young concurrent with pregnancy, produced a total of 227 litters. The proportion of females producing litters decreased both with increasing age and parity, and with the number of young nursed. Litter size declined both as age and parity increased, and when gestation was extremely prolonged. The incidence and extent of delayed implantation (gestations >25 days) were affected by the number of young nursed but not by increasing age and parity. There was no evidence for the existence of implantation periods coinciding with multiples of oestrous cycles.
Eradication of the pinworm Syphacia obvelata from an animal unit by anthelmintic therapy
Authors: Owen Dawn , Turton Jon A. 
Published: June 2007

Summary Thiabendazole incorporated in the diet at a rate of 0·1%, fed to all animals over a period of 3 months, successfully eliminated the parasite from the colony. Samples taken 12 months after treatment were still negative for the parasite. During the period between the discovery of the organism and the preparation of the diet a course of piperazine citrate was administered at a rate of 2 g/litre in the drinking water in order to limit the spread of the infection.
Bacterial growth in ampholytic disinfectant solutions
Authors: Kellett B. S. 
Published: June 2007

Summary Large numbers of live bacteria were isolated from solutions of 2 ampholytic disinfectants supplied from a built-in predosing system. They were resistant to and proliferated in these disinfectants. Bacteria were eradicated by employing a 3rd type of ampholytic disinfectant in the system.
Normal values for some whole blood and serum components of grivet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops)
Authors: Hambleton P. , Harris-Smith Patricia W. , Baskerville A. , Bailey N. E. , Pavey K. J. 
Published: June 2007

Summary Normal values for a number of blood components of grivet monkeys are reported. Haematological data and values for glucose, cholesterol and urea are similar to those of rhesus monkeys. Activities of alkaline phosphatase (1526 U/l), glutamine oxaloacetate trans-aminase (30·9 U/l), glutamine pyruvate transaminase (13·7 U/l), lactate dehydrogenase (629 U/l), α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (175 U/l), creatine phosphokinase (227 U/l), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (38·7 U/l) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (14·2 U/l), and levels of lysozyme (178 mg/dl), zinc (162 μg/dl), copper (81·3 μg/dl) and iron (296·5 μg/dl) have not previously been reported for this animal. Values for serum amino acids, proteins, electrolytes, triglycerides and creatinine are compared with those of other primates.
Bacterial contamination in feed ingredients, formulated chicken feed and reduction of viable bacteria by pelleting
Authors: Furuta Kenji , Morimoto Shigeichi , Sato Shlzuo 
Published: June 2007

The number of bacteria in steam-pelleted or crumbled chicken food was compared with the number in individual ingredients and in mash. A few bacteria were detected in white-fish meal processed Alaska pollack. Highest yields were from alfalfa meal. Colonies numbering 3·5 × 103-4·2 × 105 were obtained by heart-infusion agar culture, and 2·1 × 102-7·0 × 104 with deoxycholate hydrogen sulphide lactose agar, from 1 g mash. After pelleting or crumbling the number of colonies in 1 g was reduced to 0-1·9 × 103 and 0-3·0 × 100 respectively. Bacteria in the lactose medium, mostly coliform, were observed in only 1 of 18 samples.