bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis of body condition in the sow during lactation, and its relation to piglet survival and growth
Authors: Grandinson K. , Rydhmer L. , Strandberg E. , Solanes F. X. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractA study seeking to estimate phenotypic and genetic parameters for sow body condition around lactation and their relationship with piglet growth and survival is described. It also investigates the genetic relationship between piglet growth and survival, including both direct and maternal effects for both traits. Records were available from 24 549 Swedish Yorkshire piglets born in 2198 litters. Sows had records of weight and backfat depth at farrowing and at weaning. Piglets had individual records for weight at birth and weaning and cause of death for those that failed to survive during lactation. Mixed linear bivariate models were used to estimate correlations between traits. The models for the sow traits took into account the random effects of permanent environment and the genetic effect of the sow, whereas the models for the piglet traits included a litter effect as well as direct and maternal genetic effects. Estimated heritabilities for sow weight and backfat at farrowing and change of weight and backfat during lactation were low to moderate (0·10 to 0·47). We found significant genetic correlations between change of weight and backfat during lactation and piglet survival and growth, indicating that sows with the genetic capacity for rapid early piglet growth and high survival rate may lose more body reserves during lactation. Negative direct-maternal correlations for early piglet growth and survival imply that both the piglet and the sow trait should be included in a genetic evaluation for these traits. Genetic correlations between piglet survival and growth were not clearly favourable. Selection for the direct effect of piglet survival may lead to a decrease in early growth rate. We conclude that in a selection programme aiming at improving piglet survival and growth, attention should be paid to the sow's body condition during lactation. A high enough level of body reserves needs to be maintained in the sow if the incidence of reproductive problems and involuntary culling is not to increase.
The effect of concurrent corticosteroid induced immuno-suppression and infection with the intestinal parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis on food intake and utilization in both immunologically naïve and competent sheep
Authors: Greer A. W. , Stankiewicz M. , Jay N. P. , McAnulty R. W. , Sykes A. R. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe nutritional cost of both the acquisition and maintenance of immunity to gastro-intestinal nematodes was investigated using immunologically naïve 5-month-old lambs and immunologically competent 17-month-old ewes. Within each age cohort, animals were either infected with the equivalent of 80 L3Trichostrongylus colubriformislarvae per kg live weight (LW) per day (IF), similarly infected and concurrently immuno-suppressed with weekly injections of 1·3 mg/kg LW of the glucocorticoid methylprednisolone acetate (ISIF), immuno-suppressed only (IS) or remained as controls (C). Body composition of all animals was estimated using X-ray computer tomography on days -14 and 76 relative to the start of infection. Body weight and faecal nematode egg counts (FEC; eggs per gram of fresh faeces (e.p.g.)) were taken weekly and blood samples for serum proteins and antibodies were obtained every 2 weeks. FEC in IF lambs peaked at 1250 e.p.g. before a typical decline as immunity developed to less than 100 e.p.g. by day 75. FEC of less than 100 e.p.g. in IF ewes indicated immunity was maintained. Successful immuno-suppression in ISIF lambs and ewes was indicated by FEC of 4000 e.p.g. on day 75 and was confirmed by comparative worm burdens and serum antibody titres. The typical reduction in voluntary food intake (VFI) as a consequence of infection was observed in IF lambs (proportionately 0·30,P< 0·001) but not in IF ewes, ISIF lambs or ISIF ewes. Gross efficiency of use of metabolizable energy for net energy deposition was reduced by proportionately 0·20 in lambs during acquisition of immunity and by 0·16 in ewes maintaining an established immunity. Infection in immuno-suppressed animals reduced efficiency by 0·05 and 0·15 for lambs and ewes, respectively. These findings allowed the hypothesis that the reduction in VFI and loss in performance in young parasitised sheep is caused by physiological signalling associated with the acquisition phase of the host immune response to infection, rather than simply the damage caused by the parasiteper se.
Starch digestion site : influence of ruminal and abomasal starch infusion on starch digestion and utilization in dairy cows
Authors: Abramson S. M. , Bruckental I. , Lipshitz L. , Moalem U. , Zamwel S. , Arieli A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe effect of site of starch digestion on glucose metabolism in dairy cows was studied. Four multiparous Israeli-Holstein cows in mid lactation were used in a 4 × 4 Latin-square design. Average body weight of cows was 580 ± 38 kg, and average milk yield was 28 ± 3 kg/day. The cows were fitted with ruminal cannula and flexible T-cannulae in abomasum and ileum. Treatments were as follows : CON (control) : water was infused to the rumen. SR (starch-rumen) : 1.5 kg/day of maize starch solution was infused into the rumen. SA (starch-abomasum) : 1.5 kg/day of maize starch solution was infused into the abomasum. SCA (starch-casein-abomasum) : 500 g/day sodium caseinate and 1.5 kg/day of maize starch solution was infused into the abomasum. Total intake of dry matter (DM), was similar in all treatments and averaged 19.9 kg/day. Total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) intake averaged in 6.8 kg/day. The average TNC digested in the rumen was 4.95 kg/day for CON and SR cows and 3.34 kg/day for the SA and the SCA cows. The average TNC digestion in the small intestine was 1.18 kg/day for CON and SR cows and 2.41 kg/day for the SA and SCA cows. TNC digestibility in the small intestine was highest for the SCA cows at 0.83 as compared with other treatments. Concentrations of plasma glucose and insulin were similar between treatments. No difference between treatments in total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration in ruminal fluids was observed. However, propionate proportion in total VFA was higher in the SR cows than in other treatments (P< 0.04). Milk yield and composition were not affected by treatments in the present study. It was concluded that the amount of dietary protein in the small intestine has a considerable effect on TNC digestibility. Under conditions of high milk production and high rumen-by-pass TNC flow, efficiency of TNC utilization might be greater since TNC is digested in the small intestine rather than in the rumen.
Exposure to Pro-Tobacco Messages: Results from the National Youth Tobacco Survey
Authors: Evans W. Douglas , Ulasevich Alec , Renaud Jeanette 
Published: February 2006

Objective: To test whether race/ethnicity, gender, and grade influence self-reported exposure to pro-tobacco messages among youth. Design: Multinomial logistic regression analyses of archival survey data (1999, 2000, and 2002 National Youth Tobacco Surveys). In separate analyses, demographic characteristics of the sample (race/ethnicity, gender, and grade) were regressed on responses to two questions regarding frequency of exposure to pro-tobacco messages. Analyses controlled for respondents' smoking status. Main outcome measures: Reported frequency of seeing tobacco point of sales (POS) advertisements in stores and self-reported frequency of seeing actors smoking. Results: Respondents reported generally high frequencies of seeing pro-tobacco messages either in the movies or as POS ads in stores. In comparison to Caucasian youth, African-American and Hispanic youth reported higher frequencies of seeing actors smoking. Surprisingly, non-Caucasian youth reported lower frequencies of seeing POS ads. Results by gender were mixed, but the magnitude of differences between genders was generally small. Youth in grades 6–10 were more likely to report seeing actors smoking and less likely to report seeing POS advertisements. Conclusions: This research demonstrates that students' demographics are related to exposure to pro-tobacco messages. Given the high prevalence of smoking in movies and television, and POS advertisements, future studies should investigate the extent to which environmental exposure or psychosocial factors predict higher self-reported exposure among demographic groups.
The Diophantine Equation 𝑥⁴+2𝑦⁴=𝑧⁴+4𝑤⁴
Authors: Elsenhans Andreas-Stephan , Jahnel Jörg 
Published: February 2006

We show that, within the hypercube

|

x

|

,

|

y

|

,

|

z

|

,

|

w

|

≤
2.5
⋅

10
6

|x|,|y|,|z|,|w| \leq 2.5 \cdot 10^6

, the Diophantine equation

x
4

+
2

y
4

=

z
4

+
4

w
4

x^4 + 2 y^4 = z^4 + 4 w^4

admits essentially one and only one nontrivial solution, namely

(
±
1

484

801
,
±
1

203

120
,
±
1

169

407
,
±
1

157

520
)

(\pm 1\,484\,801, \pm 1\,203\,120, \pm 1\,169\,407, \pm 1\,157\,520)

. The investigation is based on a systematic search by computer.
The multiple-channel cochlear implant: the interface between sound and the central nervous system for hearing, speech, and language in deaf people—a personal perspective
Authors: Clark Graeme M 
Published: February 2006

The multiple-channel cochlear implant is the first sensori-neural prosthesis to effectively and safely bring electronic technology into a direct physiological relation with the central nervous system and human consciousness, and to give speech perception to severely-profoundly deaf people and spoken language to children.Research showed that the place and temporal coding of sound frequencies could be partly replicated by multiple-channel stimulation of the auditory nerve. This required safety studies on how to prevent the effects to the cochlea of trauma, electrical stimuli, biomaterials and middle ear infection. The mechanical properties of an array and mode of stimulation for the place coding of speech frequencies were determined.A fully implantable receiver–stimulator was developed, as well as the procedures for the clinical assessment of deaf people, and the surgical placement of the device. The perception of electrically coded sounds was determined, and a speech processing strategy discovered that enabled late-deafened adults to comprehend running speech. The brain processing systems for patterns of electrical stimuli reproducing speech were elucidated. The research was developed industrially, and improvements in speech processing made through presenting additional speech frequencies by place coding. Finally, the importance of the multiple-channel cochlear implant for early deafened children was established.
Differential effect of leukaemogenic tyrosine kinases on cell motility is governed by subcellular localisation
Authors: Pierce Andrew , Lu Yuning , Hamzah Hajja G. , Thompson Suzanne , Owen‐Lynch P. J. , Whetton Anthony D. , Spooncer Elaine 
Published: February 2006

SummaryThe chemokine, stromal cell‐derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1) is a crucial regulator of stem cell homing and tethering, and potentiation of this pathway in leukaemias may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. A key second messenger in SDF‐1 signal/response coupling is phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5‐triphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3]. SDF‐1 elevated PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 levels markedly in the multipotent FDCP‐mix stem cell line. Similarly, transfection with BCR/ABL or TEL/PDGFRβ leukaemogenic tyrosine kinases chronically elevated PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 levels. However, whilst an SDF‐1 chemotactic response was observed in TEL/PDGFRβ‐transfected cells, in BCR/ABL cells this was markedly decreased, which was not due to Ras‐pathway activation. Thus, multipotent cells can respond to SDF‐1, despite chronic increases in this second messenger indicating that a discrete pool of SDF‐1‐stimulated PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 production drives the chemotactic response. To discern the mechanism for the differential effects of these oncogenes we considered subcellular localisation. As TEL/PDGFRβ has a cytosolic location whilst BCR/ABL associates with actin, we removed the actin‐binding domain from BCR/ABL. We observed relocation of BCR/ABL to the cytosol and increased SDF‐1 responses. We conclude that the localisation of BCR/ABL to the cytoskeleton is essential for effects on motility and moderating SDF‐1 responses is not essential in tyrosine kinase‐mediated leukaemic transformation.
Assessing the reading comprehension of adults with learning disabilities
Authors: Jones F. W. , Long K. , Finlay W. M. L. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground  This study’s aim was to begin the process of measuring the reading comprehension of adults with mild and borderline learning disabilities, in order to generate information to help clinicians and other professionals to make written material for adults with learning disabilities more comprehensible.Methods  The Test for the Reception of Grammar (TROG), with items presented visually rather than orally, and the Reading Comprehension sub‐test of the Wechsler Objective Reading Dimensions (WORD) battery were given to 24 service‐users of a metropolitan community learning disability team who had an estimated IQ in the range 50–79.Results & conclusions  These tests were demonstrated to have satisfactory spilt‐half reliability and convergent validity with this population, supporting both their use in this study and in clinical work. Data are presented concerning the distribution across the sample of reading‐ages and the comprehension of written grammatical constructions. These data should be useful to those who are preparing written material for adults with learning disabilities.
A revised sexual knowledge assessment tool for people with intellectual disabilities: is sexual knowledge related to sexual offending behaviour?
Authors: Talbot T. J. , Langdon P. E. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground  The aim of the current study was to update an existing short measure of sexual knowledge and generate some initial reliability and normative data. Comparisons of sexual knowledge across several groups were made to examine whether or not a lack of sexual knowledge is related to sexual offending.Methods  The Bender Sexual Knowledge Questionnaire (BSKQ) was revised, and a new questionnaire, the General Sexual Knowledge Questionnaire (GSKQ), was created and administered to four groups of participants: (1) sex offenders with an intellectual disability (ID) and a history of engagement in treatment (n = 12); (2) sex offenders with an ID and no history of treatment (n = 13); (3) non‐offenders with an ID (n = 28); and (4) non‐offenders without an ID (n = 10). Between‐group comparisons were made; internal consistency, split‐half reliability and correlations were examined.Results  The internal consistency and the split‐half reliability of the entire questionnaire was good. Non‐offenders without an ID scored significantly higher than non‐offenders with an ID on all sections of the GSKQ. Sex offenders who had undergone treatment scored significantly higher than non‐offenders with an ID on several sections of this questionnaire.Conclusions  The initial findings from this study suggest that the psychometric properties of the GSKQ are promising. The assumption that lower sexual knowledge may be related to the risk of committing a sexual offence by people with IDs is possibly erroneous, and further research is required to clarify this possibility.
Long‐term outcome from a medium secure service for people with intellectual disability
Authors: Alexander R. T. , Crouch K. , Halstead S. , Piachaud J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground  The purpose of this paper is to describe long‐term outcomes for patients discharged over a 12‐year period from a medium secure service for people with intellectual disabilities (ID).Methods  A cohort study using case‐notes analysis and a structured interview of current key informants.Results  Eleven per cent of the sample was reconvicted. Fifty‐eight per cent of the sample showed offending‐like behaviour that did not lead to police contact. Twenty‐eight per cent of the sample was currently detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act. The presence of a personality disorder, a history of theft or burglary, and young age increased the risk of reconviction. Contact with the police was less likely in those with schizophrenia. Re‐admission to hospital was associated with the presence of offending‐like behaviours, rather than any specific diagnosis.Conclusion  In terms of reconviction, these results are good compared with those from general forensic services; however, behavioural problems continue for many years and are managed without recourse to the criminal justice system. There is a borderline group whose needs are poorly defined and serviced.Declaration of interests  Horizon National Health Service Trust, the managing authority of the service, gave the grant for this study; the corresponding author was working in the service.
An audit of red cell and blood product use after the institution of thromboelastometry in a cardiac intensive care unit
Authors: Anderson L. , Quasim I. , Soutar R. , Steven M. , Macfie A. , Korte W. 
Published: February 2006

summary.  Cardiac surgery is estimated to use 20% of the UK blood supply. However, there has been much interest recently in decreasing red cell and blood product use not only to ease strain on blood stocks or avoid potential transmission of infection but also to decrease post‐operative transfusion‐related complications. Coagulopathies are not uncommon in cardiac surgical patients, but the time lapse for reporting conventional laboratory results has been highlighted as an obstacle to the appropriate use of blood products. Accordingly, much interest has arisen in rapid near‐patient testing of coagulation and, in January 2002, a thromboelastometer (ROTEM®, Pentapharm, Germany) was purchased for our unit.This audit sought to assess its impact by retrospective analysis of 990 sequential patients' demographic data and transfusion details covering 6 months prior to its introduction and 6 months after.In the 6 months prior to its introduction, red cells were used in 60% of patients and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets used in 17 and 16% of patients, respectively. In the following 6 months, red cell use had fallen to 53% and FFP and platelets to 12 and 11%, respectively (P < 0·05).Introduction of thromboelastometry has significantly decreased our use of red cells and blood products.
The emergency room transfusion score (ETS): prediction of blood transfusion requirement in initial resuscitation after severe trauma
Authors: Ruchholtz S. , Pehle B. , Lewan U. , Lefering R. , Müller N. , Oberbeck R. , Waydhas C. 
Published: February 2006

summary.  The presented study was initiated to develop a scoring system for the prediction of red blood cell transfusion requirement in the early care of trauma patients.All trauma patients admitted to our institution who needed trauma team activation were evaluated during a 4‐year period. A set of nine parameters with possible predictive value for the need of blood transfusion was recorded. All relevant data can be acquired during the first 10 min in the emergency room (ER). The data underwent multivariate logistic regression analysis for correlation and the calculation of predictive power. To transform the model into a practical score, we rounded all coefficients. The predictive power of the score was evaluated based on a linear regression equation.Of the 1103 patients (Injury Severity Score [ISS] 21 ± 16) included in the study, 116 (10·5%; ISS 39 ± 18) received blood in the ER. Early transfusion need was significantly correlated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) <90 mmHg (coefficient 2·5), SBP 90–120 mmHg (1·5), free fluid in abdominal ultrasound (2·0), clinically unstable pelvic ring fracture (1·5), age 20–60 years (0·5), age >60 years (1·5), admission from scene (1·0), traffic accident (1·0) and fall from >3 m (1·0). The probability for transfusion exponentially increased with the sum of points in the ER transfusion score, i.e. from 0·7% at one point to 5% at three points and 97% at 9·5 points maximum. To establish a practical cutoff point (risk <5%) a low‐risk group was defined at <points (64% of the whole study group).The presented ER transfusion score is based on rapidly assessable parameters. The score identifies patients in need for immediate red blood cell substitution. Cost effectiveness appears to be a further advantage of the score. For patients not in need of urgent transfusion (low‐risk group), the costs for transportation, cross‐matching and loss by maltreatment of blood products may be avoided.
Colonic pseudolipomatosis, microscopically classified into two groups
Authors: NAKASONO MASAHIKO , HIROKAWA MITSUYOSHI , MUGURUMA NAOKI , OKAMURA SEISUKE , ITO SUSUMU , IGA AKIKO , WADA SATOSHI , OKAZAKI MICHIYO , HORIE TAKAHIRO , FUKUDA TAMOTSU , SANO TOSHIAKI 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground:  Colonic pseudolipomatosis is rare and the pathogenesis is controversial. The purpose of the present paper was to clarify endoscopic and histological characteristics of colonic pseudolipomatosis and to discuss the etiology.Methods:  A total of 15 lesions from 14 patients was reviewed. They were able to be histologically classified into two groups on the basis of variety in size of the vacuoles: Group A, the ratio of largest vacuole to smallest vacuole in size is less than three, Group B, the ratio is more than four.Results:  Four of 15 lesions were group A, and were endoscopically polypoid or flat lesions covered with normal‐looking mucosa. They were microscopically characterized by (i) predominant location in the upper portion of the lamina propria; (ii) no submucosal involvement; (iii) less variation in vacuolar size; and (iv) no association with lymph follicles. The vacuoles of group A contained proteinaceous materials in two of four lesions. Group B (11 lesions) had small elevated mucosa with normal‐looking surface or non‐elevated reddish mucosa. Microscopically, the lesions were mainly located in the lower portion of the lamina propria, occasionally also in the submucosa, had variable‐sized vacuoles, and were related to lymph follicles.Conclusion:  It is suggested that the vacuoles in group A contain fluid, and may indicate an abnormal stagnation of interstitial fluid. Microscopic appearance of group B is essentially similar to that of pneumatosis coli. It is thought that group B probably results from penetration of gas from the crypts into the mucosa during colonoscopy. It is unclear why group B had a preference for ileocecal valve and an association with lymph follicles.