bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age‐related changes in serum insulin‐like growth factor‐I, insulin‐like growth factor‐I binding protein‐3 and articular cartilage structure in Thoroughbred horses
Authors: FORTIER L. A. , KORNATOWSKI M. A. , MOHAMMED H. O. , JORDAN M. T. , O'CAIN L. C. , STEVENS W. B. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryReasons for performing study: Structural changes in articular cartilage associated with the ageing process require definition for investigators performing developmental and age‐related studies, for which information is lacking.Objectives: To 1) determine the onset and end of puberty as defined by serum insulin like growth factor (IGF‐I) and IGF‐binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) concentrations and 2) correlate articular‐epiphyseal cartilage complex structural changes with the onset and end of puberty.Methods: IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐3 were measured in serum samples from normal female and male horses age 9‐715 days to determine peak and steady‐state values for horses transitioning through puberty. Osteochondral tissue sections were obtained from horses age 120‐840 days (4‐28 months) and examined histologically for cartilage canals and tidemark formation.Results: In male and female horses, serum IGF‐1/IGFBP‐3 concentrations peaked at approximately 225 days, defining the onset of puberty. Cartilage canals were absent from articular cartilage just prior to this time point. IGF‐1/IGFBP‐3 concentrations declined to steady‐state levels at approximately age 450 days, signalling exit from puberty and therefore the beginning of ageing. This time point correlated to initial formation of a tidemark in the osteochondral tissue sections.Conclusions: Horses may be considered pubescent at age 225‐450 days, and post pubescent and ageing after age 450 days.Potential relevance: Defining the normal post natal to post pubescent concentrations for serum IGF‐I and serum IGFBP‐3 establishes subsets of animals for age‐related studies and may be used to monitor horses for abnormally high IGF‐1 concentrations due to natural disease or subsequent to systemic growth hormone administration.
Arterial lactate concentration, hospital survival, sepsis and SIRS in critically ill neonatal foals
Authors: CORLEY K. T. T. , DONALDSON L. L. , FURR M. O. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryReasons for performing study: Blood lactate concentration has been shown to be a useful clinical indicator in human patients, but has not been formally investigated in critically ill foals.Objective: To investigate the association of blood lactate with hospital survival, markers of cardiovascular status, metabolic acid base status, sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).Methods: A database containing clinical, haematological, plasma biochemical and hospital outcome data on neonatal foals referred to an intensive care unit in 2000‐2001 was analysed. Seventy‐two foals for which arterial lactate was measured at admission were included in the study.Results: Sixty‐one foals had an admission lactate concentration >2.5 mmol/1. Admission lactate was statistically associated with hospital survival, mean arterial pressure, blood creatinine concentration, bacteraemia, anion gap, lactate concentration at 18‐36 h after admission and evidence of SIRS, but not with packed cell volume or heart rate. Lactate at 18‐36 h was also associated with survival and evidence of SIRS. Anion gap, base excess, base excess due to unidentified anions (BEua), simplified strong ion gap or bicarbonate correctly classified foals for presence of hyperlactaemia (>5 mmol/1) in 80% of animals.Conclusions: Admission blood lactate gives important prognostic information. Lactate should be measured rather than assumed from the anion gap, base excess, BEua, simplified strong ion gap or bicarbonate.Potential relevance: Blood lactate concentrations at admission are clinically relevant in neonatal foals and warrant further investigation. This should include the clinical value of measuring changes in lactate in response to treatment.
A graphic framework for teaching critical appraisal of randomised controlled trials
Authors: ATTIA J. , PAGE J. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryStudents of evidence‐based medicine often try unsuccessfully to commit to memory a particular critical appraisal framework (often lengthy), or they have to depend on pocket cards and are lost without them. We have described a pedagogic aid: a flow diagram of an RCT, which has been developed over years of teaching residents. This diagram focuses on the steps in an RCT, and by drawing arrows, it highlights the biases possible at each step. This diagram serves as a framework on which the list of critical appraisal questions can be hung and is easy to remember.
Pressure algometry for the detection of induced back pain in horses: a preliminary study
Authors: HAUSSLER K. K. , ERB H. N. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryReasons for performing study: Pressure algometry (PA) is a potential modality for objectively measuring mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) in horses. Its ability to differentiate musculoskeletal pain sites from nonpain sites is unknown and must be assessed prior to its clinical application.Objectives: To assess the ability of PA to detect induced musculoskeletal pain.Methods: Twenty clinically normal mature horses (2 groups of 10 horses, over 2 years) were used to measure MNTs before and after implantation and removal of 2 fixation half‐pins in the dorsal spinous processes of 2 adjacent vertebrae. To assess hyperalgesia, MNTs near the surgical sites were pooled and compared to surrounding landmarks. MNTs were also compared on 2 consecutive days immediately after surgical implantation. To assess longer‐term adaptation or sensitisation, changes from the beginning to the end of the study were evaluated.Results: The precise surgical sites could be recognised due to substantial and localised decreases in the MNTs compared with surrounding landmarks. At most sites distant to the surgical sites, the distribution of the median percentage change in MNTs was centred around 0 (suggesting unbiased repeatability). MNTs compared from the beginning to the end of this study did not demonstrate obvious adaptation or sensitisation.Conclusions and potential relevance: PA provides a quantitative and repeatable method for assessing the presence of musculoskeletal pain. Further studies are needed to evaluate PA clinically for assessing musculoskeletal injuries and pain management strategies in horses.
Histopathology in horses with chronic palmar foot pain and age‐matched controls. Part 2: The deep digital flexor tendon
Authors: BLUNDEN A. , DYSON S. , MURRAY R. , SCHRAMME M. 
Published: April 2007

Summary Reasons for performing study: Causes of palmar foot pain and the aetiopathogenesis of navicular disease remain poorly understood, despite the high incidence of foot‐related lameness. Hypotheses: Abnormalities of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) may contribute to palmar foot pain; ageing degenerative changes may be seen in horses free from lameness; and horses with lameness are likely to have a greater severity of abnormalities than age‐matched horses with no history of foot pain. Methods: Feet were selected from horses with a history of uni‐ or bilateral forelimb lameness of at least 2 months' duration. Histology of the DDFT from the level of the proximal interphalangeal joint to its insertion were examined and the severity of lesions for each site graded. Associations between lesions of the navicular bone, collateral sesamoidean ligaments (CSL), distal sesamoidean impar ligament, navicular bursa, distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint synovium and collateral ligaments of the DIP joint and DDFT were assessed. Results: There was no relationship between age and grade of histological abnormality of the DDFT. There were significant histological differences between groups for lesions of the dorsal layers of the DDFT, but not for lesions of the palmar aspect. There were significant associations between histological grades for the superficial dorsal layer of the DDFT and flexor aspect of the navicular bone; and between the deep dorsal layer of the DDFT and the proximal border and medulla of the navicular bone. The navicular bursa grade was correlated with grades for the superficial dorsal, deep dorsal and deep palmar layers of the DDFT. The histological grades for the CSL and the superficial dorsal layer of the DDFT were also associated. Conclusions: Pathological abnormalities in lame horses often involved the DDFT in addition to the navicular bone. Vascular and matrix changes may precede changes in the fibrocartilage of the navicular bone. Potential relevance: Identification of factors leading to vascular changes within the interstitium of the DDFT and changes in matrix composition, may help in future management of palmar foot pain.
Germ Layer Induction in ESC—Following the Vertebrate Roadmap
Authors: Smith Jim , Wardle Fiona , Loose Matt , Stanley Ed , Patient Roger 
Published: April 2007

AbstractControlled differentiation of pluripotential cells takes place routinely and with great success in developing vertebrate embryos. It therefore makes sense to take note of how this is achieved and use this knowledge to control the differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). An added advantage is that the differentiated cells resulting from this process in embryos have proven functionality and longevity. This unit reviews what is known about the embryonic signals that drive differentiation in one of the most informative of the vertebrate animal models of development, the amphibian Xenopus laevis. It summarizes their identities and the extent to which their activities are dose‐dependent. The unit details what is known about the transcription factor responses to these signals, describing the networks of interactions that they generate. It then discusses the target genes of these transcription factors, the effectors of the differentiated state. Finally, how these same developmental programs operate during germ layer formation in the context of ESC differentiation is summarized. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 1:1D.1.1‐1D.1.22. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
pH‐Tunable Endosomolytic Oligomers for Enhanced Nucleic Acid Delivery
Authors: Kang H. C. , Bae Y. H. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOligomeric sulfonamides (OSAs) are explored as a tool for the effective endosomal release of polyplexes or delivery of nucleic acid. The OSAs tested in this study show varying proton‐buffering regions and pH‐dependent solubility transitions within the endosomal pH range, and are influenced by the pKa value and hydrophobicity of a given sulfonamide group. In addition, OSA presents negligible toxicity. The oligomers are added to the nucleic acid solution for polyplex formation with positively charged polymeric nucleic acid carriers. The resulting nanoscale, positively charged, and OSA‐incorporated poly(L‐lysine) (PLL)/DNA complexes (OSA‐polyplexes) show a 4–55‐fold increase in in vitro gene expression compared to PLL/DNA (control), depending upon the cell line and the nature of the used OSA. In cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking studies using pH‐sensitive or pH‐insensitive dye‐labeled DNAs, there is no significant difference in the amount of DNA uptake using OSA polyplexes and PLL/DNA. However, OSA–polyplexes induce a broader intracellular distribution of the DNA than PLL/DNA complexes do. These results, coupled with the enhanced DNA transfection using OSA–polyplexes, indicate a mechanism by which OSA induces endosomal release of polyplexes and/or nucleic acids. The findings suggest that OSA could enhance polymer‐based nucleic acid delivery. Furthermore, such materials offer significant potential for effective cytosolic delivery of chemical, biological, and diagnostic therapeutics.
Observations of daytime births in two groups of red‐handed howlers (Alouatta belzebul) on an Island in the tucuruí reservoir in Eastern Brazilian Amazonia
Authors: Camargo Carolina C. , Ferrari Stephen F. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBirths were observed in two free‐ranging groups of red‐handed howlers (Alouatta belzebul) in eastern Brazilian Amazonia. Both events occurred in the early afternoon, and were relatively rapid and discrete. No other group members approached the females during parturition, nor attempted to interfere with the neonate in any way. Only one of the mothers ingested the placenta. This same female carried the neonate ventrally during the first month of life and then it was carried dorsally. The other infant was carried by its mother in a dorsal position from birth onward. Both infants survived their first month, but subsequently disappeared, in the second and fourth months of life. The precise causes of their death are unknown. In one case, we speculate that the infant's death was due to infestation by botfly larvae. Am. J. Primatol. 69:1075–1079, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Variation in fecal testosterone levels, inter‐male aggression, dominance rank and age during mating and post‐mating periods in wild adult male ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)
Authors: Gould L. , Ziegler T.E. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn primate species exhibiting seasonal reproduction, patterns of testosterone excretion in adult males are variable: in some species, peaks correlate with female receptivity periods and heightened male–male aggression over access to estrous females, in others, neither heightened aggression nor marked elevations in testosterone have been noted. In this study, we examined mean fecal testosterone ( f T) levels and intermale aggression in wild adult male ring‐tailed lemurs residing in three groups at Beza Mahafaly Reserve, Madagascar. Results obtained from mating and post‐mating season 2003 were compared to test Wingfield et al. [1990. Am Nat 136:829–846] “challenge hypothesis”, which predicts a strong positive relationship between male testosterone levels and male–male competition for access to receptive females during breeding season. f T levels and rates of intermale aggression were significantly higher during mating season compared to the post‐mating period. Mean f T levels and aggression rates were also higher in the first half of the mating season compared with the second half. Number of males in a group affected rates of intermale agonism, but not mean f T levels. The highest‐ranking males in two of the groups exhibited higher mean f T levels than did lower‐ranking males, and young males exhibited lower f T levels compared to prime‐aged and old males. In the post‐mating period, mean male f T levels did not differ between groups, nor were there rank or age effects. Thus, although male testosterone levels rose in relation to mating and heightened male–male aggression, f T levels fell to baseline breeding levels shortly after the early mating period, and to baseline non‐breeding levels immediately after mating season had ended, offsetting the high cost of maintaining both high testosterone and high levels of male–male aggression in the early breeding period. Am. J. Primatol. 69:1325–1339, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Orientation of the human sacrum: Anthropological perspectives and methodological approaches
Authors: Peleg Smadar , Dar Gali , Medlej Bahaa , Steinberg Nili , Masharawi Youssef , Latimer Bruce , Jellema Lyman , Peled Nathan , Arensburg Baruch , Hershkovitz Israel 
Published: April 2007

AbstractDiscovering the nature of sacral orientation is of considerable anthropological importance. Therefore, this study aims at presenting a new anthropologically based definition for sacral anatomical orientation (SAO) angle, establishing standards of SAO for human population; examining the relationship between pelvic incidence (PI) and SAO; and associating SAO with demographic parameters. The study population consisted of 424 adult and 14 sub‐adult (13–18 years, for SAO only) pelvises. Sacral orientation was measured using two different definitions: a) SAO is the angle created between the intersection of a line running parallel to the superior surface of the sacrum and a line running between the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the anterior‐superior edge of the symphysis pubis; b) PI is the angle created between the perpendicular to the sacral plate at its midpoint and the line connecting this point to the middle of the axis of the acetabulum. SAO was measured using a specially designed mechanical measurement tool and a 3D digitizer. PI was measured via the 3D digitizer. The methods developed by us for measuring SAO and PI in skeletal material are valid and reliable. SAO and PI measures were highly correlated (r = −0.824, P < 0.001). The average SAO was 49.01° (SD = 10.16), and the average PI 54.08° (SD = 12.64). SAO was independent of ethnicity and sex, yet age dependent. This study establishes a methodology for estimating SAO and PI in skeletal material and furnishes the anthropological milieu with base line data regarding these parameters. Future studies in human evolution can greatly benefit from this study. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
North Indian Muslims: Enclaves of foreign DNA or Hindu converts?
Authors: Terreros Maria C. , Rowold Diane , Luis Javier R. , Khan Faisal , Agrawal Suraksha , Herrera Rene J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe mtDNA composition of two Muslim sects from the northern Indian province of Uttar Pradesh, the Sunni and Shia, have been delineated using sequence information from hypervariable regions 1 and 2 (HVI and HVII, respectively) as well as coding region polymorphisms. A comparison of this data to that from Middle Eastern, Central Asian, North East African, and other Indian groups reveals that, at the mtDNA haplogroup level, both of these Indo‐Sunni and Indo‐Shia populations are more similar to each other and other Indian groups than to those from the other regions. In addition, these two Muslim sects exhibit a conspicuous absence of West Asian mtDNA haplogroups suggesting that their maternal lineages are of Indian origin. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the maternal lineage data indicates differences between the Sunni and Shia collections of Uttar Pradesh with respect to the relative distributions of Indian‐specific M sub‐haplogroups (Indo Shia > Indo Sunni) and the R haplogroup (Indo Sunni > Indo Shia), a disparity that does not appear to be related to social status or geographic regions within India. Finally, the mtDNA data integrated with the Y‐chromosome results from an earlier study, which indicated a major Indian genetic (Y‐chromosomal) contribution as well, suggests a scenario of Hindu to Islamic conversion in these two populations. However, given the substantial level of the African/Middle Eastern YAP lineage in the Indo‐Shia versus its absence in the Indo‐Sunni, it is likely that this conversion was somewhat gender biased in favor of females in the Indo‐Shia. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Niger‐Congo speaking populations and the formation of the Brazilian gene pool: mtDNA and Y‐chromosome data
Authors: Hünemeier Tábita , Carvalho Cláudia , Marrero Andrea Rita , Salzano Francisco Mauro , Junho Pena Sérgio Danilo , Bortolini Maria Cátira 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe analyzed sequence variation in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable segment I (HVS‐I) from 201 Black individuals from two Brazilian cities (Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre), and compared these data with published information from 21 African populations. A subset of 187 males of the sample was also characterized for 30 Y‐chromosome biallelic polymorphisms, and the data were compared with those from 48 African populations. The mtDNA data indicated that respectively 69% and 82% of the matrilineages found in Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre originated from West‐Central/Southeast Africa. These estimates are in close agreement with historical records which indicated that most of the Brazilian slaves who arrived in Rio de Janeiro were from West‐Central Africa. In contrast to mtDNA, Y‐chromosome haplogroup analysis did not allow discrimination between places of origin in West or West‐Central Africa. Thus, when comparing these two major African regions, there seems to be higher genetic structure with mtDNA than with Y‐chromosome data. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of gamma‐irradiation on midgut proteolytic activity of the mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Andres Victoria San , Ortego Félix , Castañera Pedro 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), is a key pest of citrus in Spain because of significant yield losses and to quarantine restrictions. Biologically based control methods, such as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), which relies on the sterilization by irradiation of large numbers of insects, is gaining an increasing role in the control of medfly in Mediterranean areas. However, gamma‐irradiation might damage the midgut epithelium cells, causing a lowering of nutritive assimilation that can negatively affect adult performance. Irradiation effects on digestive physiology are well established for a number of insect pests, but there is no information on medfly. Our aim was to determine the effects of gamma‐irradiation on C. capitata digestive protease activity. Both larvae and adults were found to use a similar proteolytic system based on aspartyl‐, trypsin‐, chymotrypsin‐, amino peptidase‐, and carboxypeptidase A‐ and B‐like activities. Pupae of the Vienna‐7 (tsl) strain were irradiated at 70 or 140 Gy, two days before emergence, and the adults fed during 5 days on sugar‐protein (4:1) diets. Protease activity was measured in midgut extracts and compared with males non‐irradiated reared in the same conditions. The results showed that the irradiation doses tested had no effect on the digestive proteolytic activities of medfly adults. Moreover, the longevity of irradiated medflies at the highest dose (140 Gy) was similar to that of controls. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 65:11–19, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of Y chromosomal PCR marker and production of a selected strain for molecular sexing in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Kobayashi Tetsuya , Noda Hiroaki 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA laboratory colony was established in order to enable molecular sexing in premature stages in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. We found four male‐specific amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) in the planthopper, and sequenced one of the AFLPs along with its 5′ flanking region (1,423 bp in total). PCR primers were designed based on the nucleotide sequence information so that the PCR product was present in male planthoppers and absent in female planthoppers. However, we could not completely distinguish males from females, because the PCR amplification product was absent in some of the males screened. We, therefore, established a laboratory colony, in which all males carried this sequence. We can directly sex pre‐adult stages in this colony using our PCR primers, making this strain of considerable value for studies that require sex separation in egg and nymphal stages. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 65:1–10, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.