bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Three‐Step Statistical Procedure to Identify Sperm Kinematic Subpopulations in Canine Ejaculates: Changes after Cryopreservation
Authors: Núñez‐Martínez I , Moran JM , Peña FJ 
Published: July 2006

ContentsStrong evidences suggest that many different sperm subpopulations co‐exist within the mammalian ejaculate. These subpopulations have been identified in a number of species; however, to the best of our knowledge, no data exist regarding the existence of sperm subpopulations within the canine ejaculate. Ejaculates were obtained by masturbation from four mongrels and processed using a standard freezing protocol. Motility data were analysed before and after cryopreservation using a computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system ISAS©. On raw data, a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to reduce the number of motility descriptors to a few informative variables, and then aK‐means cluster procedure was performed and then a regression analysis to validate the clusters obtained in the second analysis.anovas and chi‐squared analyses were used to compare clusters and males. PCA revealed that two principal components represented more that the 88% of the variance with eigenvalues of 3.25 and 3.02, respectively. The clustering and discriminant analysis using curvilinear velocity and linear velocity as variables revealed the existence of 11 sperm subpopulations – four of them characterized by high velocities, two by medium values and five by low velocities. After freezing–thawing, nine subpopulations were found – four of high velocities, two of medium and three of low velocities. It is concluded that freezing–thawing not only impairs sperm motility but also produces changes in the sperm subpopulation structure in the canine ejaculate, that the evaluation of the sperm structure subpopulations is a better indicator of semen quality and freezeability than the use of mean values, and that two sperm motility quality indexes can be used to resume of the variables obtained from the CASA analysis.
Accuracy of Trans‐abdominal Ultrasound Pregnancy Diagnosis in Sows using a Linear or Sector Probe
Authors: Maes D , Dewulf J , Vanderhaeghe C , Claerebout K , De Kruif A 
Published: July 2006

ContentsThe assessment of an early and reliable pregnancy diagnosis in sows is very important for limiting the number of non‐productive days in sow herds. The aim of the present study was to investigate the accuracy of trans‐abdominal ultrasound detection for early pregnancy diagnosis in sows under field conditions. Particular attention was paid to the time when a reliable diagnosis can be made, and to possible differences between two commonly used types of scanners. In total, 202 sows from two herds were tested daily with scanners A (linear transducer of 5 MHz) and B (sector transducer of 3.5 MHz) from day 16 until 25 after insemination. Ninety‐three percentage of the sows were pregnant 36 days after insemination. Using ultrasound, the first pregnancy could be detected already 18 days after insemination. The sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy were higher than 95% from day 24 (scanner A) or day 23 (scanner B) post‐insemination onwards. The positive predictive values from day 19 onwards were consistently higher than 95% with both types of scanners, whereas the negative predictive values were consistently low for both scanners during the entire period. The sensitivity of testing tended to be slightly lower in sows with a litter size of <10 total born piglets, compared to sows with 10 or more piglets. In conclusion, pregnancy diagnosis in sows using trans‐abdominal ultrasound testing can be assessed quickly and reliably under field conditions from day 23 of gestation onwards. Predictive values of positive test results were high in these herds, whereas those of negative test results were low. This implies that sows with a negative test result early in pregnancy should be retested later.
Vitrification of In Vitro‐produced Bovine Embryos by Addition of Ethylene Glycol in One‐step
Authors: Walker DJ , Campos‐Chillon LF , Seidel GE 
Published: July 2006

ContentsThe objective of this study was to simplify two‐step addition of cryoprotectant for vitrification of bovine embryos by developing a one‐step procedure. Survival was calculated as a percentage of non‐vitrified controls developed from the same batch of oocytes. In experiment 1, bovine blastocysts were vitrified following one‐ or two‐step addition of cryoprotectant. Exposure of embryos to cryoprotectant in one‐step resulted in survival rates not significantly lower (p > 0.1) than those obtained by two‐step addition (85% vs 98%, respectively). Based on these results, experiments 2–4 were designed to test one‐step addition of cryoprotectant more rigorously. Experiment 2 exposed day 7 blastocysts to 6, 7 or 8 m ethylene glycol for 2.5 or 3.5 min. At 24 h post‐vitrification, survival of embryos was similar, irrespective of ethylene glycol concentration or exposure time (6 m 38%, 7 m 51%, 8 m 59%; 2.5 min 54%, 3.5 min 45%). In experiment 3, blastocysts were exposed to 7 m ethylene glycol for shorter times (30 or 60 s); 30 s exposure resulted in decreased survival (8% vs 31%, p < 0.05). Experiment 4 concerned one‐step addition of cryoprotectant to day 6 bovine morulae, exposed to 7 m ethylene glycol for 1 or 1.5 min. There was no difference in survival between exposure times of 1 or 1.5 min (28% vs 45%, respectively; p > 0.1). It is unclear why many embryos survive vitrification with one‐step addition of cryoprotectant, but others do not. Although, one‐step addition of cryoprotectant simplifies the vitrification procedure, survival rates were inadequate for routine cryopreservation of in vitro‐produced bovine embryos.
Retinoblastoma in Turkey: survival and clinical characteristics 1981–2004
Authors: ÖZKAN ALP , PAZARLI HALİT , CELKAN TİRAJE , KARAMAN SERAP , APAK HİLMİ , KANER GÜLTEKİN , UZEL ÖMER , YİLDİZ INCİ 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground: In this study, the authors aim to describe the survival and clinical characteristics of 141 retinoblastoma cases treated at Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey, between 1981 and 2004.Method: The authors retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 141 children (177 eyes) diagnosed with retinoblastoma and treated between 1981 and 2004. Information on gender, laterality, age at diagnosis, presenting signs, spread of tumor, treatment modality, survival rate, and family history were collected.Results: A total of 105 cases (74.5%) were unilateral and 36 cases (25.5%) were bilateral. The mean age overall at the time of diagnosis was 25 months; in unilateral cases, 29 months; and in bilateral cases, 16 months. The most common presenting signs were leukocoria (116 cases, 82%), strabismus (14 cases, 10%) and proptosis (11 cases, 8%). A total of 28 cases had orbital extension, nine patients had central nervous system invasion, and five cases exhibited bone marrow involvement. In total, 16 patients (11%) had a family history of retinoblastoma. One case developed a secondary neoplasm. The 3 year cumulative survival rate of 141 patients was 89.69% (unilateral, 90.74%; bilateral 87.35% P = 0.9371, P > 0.05, log rank test).Conclusion: The study’s survival rate was similar to developed countries. The success in higher survival rates is based on the authors multidisciplinary team approach done by the same group and the support of the authors’ clinic and government in sponsoring the medical insurance of all patients.
Environmental tobacco smoke exposure in school children: parent report and urine cotinine measures
Authors: BOYACI HASIM , ETILER NILAY , DUMAN CAN , BASYIGIT ILKNUR , PALA AYSE 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in the home continues to be a major health risk for children around the world. Measuring ETS is a central feature of clinical and epidemiological studies, with children’s exposure often assessed through parental estimates. The authors examined the relationship between parent‐reported estimates of children’s exposure to ETS and children’s urinary cotinine levels and evaluated the ETS exposure and its effect on respiratory health in children.Methods: A total of 188 school children were included in the study. Parents were asked to complete a questionnaire about their smoking habits, their children’s respiratory morbidity status and housing conditions. Urinary cotinine levels were measured in children.Results: According to the responses, 72.3% of the children came from households with smokers, and 34.6% had daily exposure to ETS. When urine cotinine levels of >10 ng/mL were used as the yardstick of exposure, 76% of the children were identified as ETS exposed. No relation was detected between the symptoms of respiratory tract diseases and ETS exposure. To determine the amount of ETS exposure, the contribution of parental reports was low.Conclusion: To evaluate the level of ETS exposure of children, the parents’ reports were not reliable. The addition of a biological measure results in a more informative estimate of ETS exposure in children.
Labor Market Information Acquisition and Downsizing
Authors: Jeon Doh‐Shin , Laffont Jean‐Jacques 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe study the optimal mechanism for downsizing the public sector which takes into account different informational constraints (complete versus asymmetric information on each worker’s efficiency) and political constraints (mandatory versus voluntary downsizing). Under complete information, the optimal structure of downsizing (who is laid‐off and who is not) does not depend on the political constraint and is determined by the (marginal) cost of retaining a worker in the public sector. Since this cost includes his opportunity cost in the private sector, information acquisition on opportunity costs affects the structure of downsizing. Under asymmetric information, the political constraints determine which workers obtain information rents and therefore affect the structure of downsizing. An increase in the precision of the information on workers’ opportunity costs may increase or decrease social welfare depending on its impacts on the information rents.
The Determination of the Equilibrium Exchange Rate in a Simple General Equilibrium Model
Authors: Van Cuong Le , Couharde Cécile , Luong Thai Bao 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIn this article, we develop an analytical general equilibrium model of the equilibrium exchange rate for emerging countries. This theoretical framework allows us to identify a relevant set of variables which determinate the equilibrium exchange rate and to explore how these variables influence the trajectory of the equilibrium exchange rate.
Aid Disaggregation and the Public Sector in Aid‐Recipient Economies: Some Evidence from Cote D’Ivoire
Authors: Mavrotas George , Ouattara Bazoumana 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe present paper examines the impact of different aid types, namely project aid, program aid, technical assistance, and food aid on the fiscal sector of the aid‐recipient economy by using time‐series data for Côte d’Ivoire over the period 1975–99. Our empirical results show that when a single value (or aggregated) for aid is used, foreign aid is fully consumed in the case of Côte d’Ivoire. However, results obtained under the assumption of aid heterogeneity clearly suggest that the government responds differently according to the nature of the aid inflows. Our approach tries to illuminate the response of the aid‐recipient government to different categories of foreign aid inflows and the empirical findings clearly demonstrate the importance of the aid disaggregation approach for delving deeper into aid effectiveness issues.
Heritability for Plasma VEGF Concentration in the Stanislas Family Study
Authors: Berrahmoune Hind , Herbeth Bernard , Lamont John V. , Masson Christine , Fitzgerald Peter S. , Visvikis‐Siest Sophie 
Published: July 2006

SummaryVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key regulator of blood vessel function during angiogenesis, has been related to various diseases including atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders and cancers. However, data about genetic determinants of its concentration in blood are scarce. The present study aimed at estimating additive genetic heritability, household component effect and the influence of 3 common VEGF polymorphisms on plasma VEGF concentration. A random sub‐sample of 160 nuclear families (647 individuals), aging from 5 to 57, was obtained from the Stanislas Family Study. Plasma VEGF concentration was measured by a multiplexing ELISA and genotyping of the polymorphisms C(−460)T, G(405)C and C(936)T of the VEGF gene was carried out by RFLP. After adjustment for the influence of known environmental covariates, significant familial correlations were observed for plasma VEGF concentration (P≤ 0.01 and P≤ 0.001) for all the various pairs of relatives, except between spouses. In addition, variance component analysis showed no significant household common environment contribution to variability of this trait, while the genetic contribution accounted for 60.6% regardless of the 4 classes of relatives. Taking the three polymorphisms into account did not modify the variance components. These results show that plasma VEGF concentrations are under genetic control in healthy families and that none of the 3 candidate polymorphisms significantly altered heritability.
The Impact of ACE Genotype on Serum ACE Activity in a Black South African Male Population
Authors: Payne J. R. , Dhamrait S. S. , Gohlke P. , Cooper J. , Scott R. A. , Pitsiladis Y. P. , Humphries S. E. , Rayner B. , Montgomery H. E. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryThe strong association between the angiotensin I‐converting enzyme (ACE) gene I/D polymorphism with serum ACE activity appears lacking in Nigerians and Kenyans, but has not previously been well assessed in others of African origin. This study addressed this issue in an ethnically well defined black South African population. A putative association for the A22982G ACE gene variant, a QTL likely to impact on serum ACE activity, was also sought.Subjects were 200 healthy male black South African volunteers from the Xhosa ethnic group. Venous blood was obtained from all subjects for DNA extraction. ACE I/D and A22982G genotypes were determined and serum ACE activity measured. Age and blood pressure were recorded. For the group as a whole (mean ± SD age 38.5 ± 9.8 years, SBP 119.6 ± 14.1 mmHg, DBP 78.2 ± 10.1 mmHg) serum ACE activity was 38.2 ± 11.2 nmol ml−1min−1. ACE I/D genotype was not significantly associated with serum ACE activity. In contrast, the A22982G variant was significantly associated with serum ACE activity, being 35.9 ± 9.6, 38.1 ± 10.6 and 42.4 ± 15.3 nmol ml−1min−1 for AA, AG and GG genotypes respectively; p = 0.03 by ANOVA and p = 0.01 by linear trend.In keeping with the findings in some other African populations, the ACE I/D polymorphism is not strongly associated with serum ACE activity in Xhosa South Africans. As such, it cannot be used as a marker of ACE activity in these subjects. In this regard the use of the A22982G gene variant may be more appropriate.
Influence of the Angiotensin II Type I Receptor Gene 1166A > C Polymorphism on BP and Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity Among Malays
Authors: Rehman A. , Rasool A. H. G. , Naing L. , Roshan T. M. , Rahman A. R. A. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryAngiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGT1R) gene 1166A > C polymorphism has been shown to be associated with essential hypertension and aortic stiffness as measured by carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). This study was carried out to investigate the association of the 1166A > C polymorphism with blood pressure (BP) and PWV among Malay hypertensive and normotensive subjects.Two hundred and one hypertensive subjects without evidence of cardiovascular (CV) complications and 201 age‐ and sex‐matched normotensive subjects were studied in a cross‐sectional design. Blood pressures (BP) and PWV were measured, and 1166A > C genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction enzyme digestion.The 1166C allele frequency was 7.96% and 7.73% among Malay hypertensive and normotensive subjects, respectively. There was no association of the 1166A > C polymorphism with BP in the hypertensive, normotensive or overall Malay populations. PWV was significantly higher among 1166C allele carriers as compared to non‐carriers (10.52 ± 1.82 vs. 10.15 ± 1.80, p = 0.040) in the overall population, but not in the hypertensive and normotensive populations separately. In conclusion, the frequency of 1166C polymorphism is similar among Malay hypertensive and normotensive subjects. This polymorphism has no association with BP but may have an influence on PWV in Malays, which needs further investigation.
ANALYTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ROMAN PLASTERS OF THE ‘DOMUS FARINI’ IN MODENA*
Authors: BARALDI P. , BONAZZI A. , GIORDANI N. , PACCAGNELLA F. , ZANNINI P. 
Published: July 2006

The paper refers to the analytical characterization of Roman painted plasters dating back to the second century ad. The following techniques were used: optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM–EDS), micro‐Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies (µ‐Raman and FT–IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRPD), colorimetry and thermal analyses (TG/DTA).  The investigation analysed the chemical composition and structure of the plasters, the chemical composition of the pigment layers, the use of binders and any chemical alteration of pigments as well as deterioration of the samples. Stratigraphic analysis of plasters allowed identification of their individual components, which proved helpful in finding out more about the mural painting technique employed.
Alcohol and Indinavir Adversely Affect Protein Synthesis and Phosphorylation of MAPK and mTOR Signaling Pathways in C2C12 Myocytes
Authors: Hong‐Brown Ly Q. , Brown C. Randell , Huber Danuta S. , Lang Charles H. 
Published: July 2006

Background: Alcohol and the antiretroviral drug indinavir (Ind) decrease protein synthesis in skeletal muscle under in vivo and in vitro conditions. The goal of the present study was to identify signaling mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory effect of ethanol (EtOH) and Ind on protein synthesis.Methods: C2C12 mouse myocytes were incubated with EtOH, Ind, or a combination of both for 24 hours. The rate of protein synthesis was determined by [35S]methionine/cysteine incorporation into cellular protein. Phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation and elongation factors were quantitated by Western blot analysis to identify potential mechanisms for regulating translation.Results: Treatment of myocytes with Ind or EtOH for 24 hours decreased protein synthesis by 19 and 22%, respectively, while a 35% decline was observed in cells treated simultaneously with both agents. Mechanistically, treatment with EtOH or Ind decreased the phosphorylation of the S6 ribosomal protein, and this reduction was associated with decreased S6K1 and p90rsk phosphorylation. Ethanol also decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, mTOR, and 4EBP1, while Ind only suppressed ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Both agents inhibited the phosphorylation of Mnk1 and its upstream regulator p38 MAPK, and they decreased the amount of the active eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4G/eIF4E complex. Finally, EtOH and/or Ind increased phosphorylation of the eukaryotic elongation factor (eEF)‐2 by 1.6‐ to 6‐fold. The effects of these agents were not additive, although the combination did exert a greater effect on S6K1 and eEF2 phosphorylation.Conclusions: Ethanol and Ind decreased protein synthesis in myocytes and this response was associated with changes in the phosphorylation of proteins that regulate translation initiation and elongation.
DOVER and QUVER—New Marker Combinations to Detect and Monitor At‐risk Drinking
Authors: Berner Michael M. , Bentele Michael , Kriston Levente , Mänz Constantin , Clement Hans‐Willi , Härter Martin , Mundle Götz 
Published: July 2006

Background: At‐risk drinking is a common medical problem. “Objective” laboratory tests are widely used, especially in situations where it might be favorable for the patient to dissimulate the existing alcohol problem. In this study, we report a new approach to combine the biological markers % carbohydrate‐deficient transferrin (%CDT) and γ‐glutamyltransferase (γGT) to increase diagnostic properties to identify patients with at‐risk drinking behavior.Methods: Fifty‐eight general practitioners (GPs) participated in the study at 2 study sites in South‐West Germany. Patients filled in a questionnaire that included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and gave a blood sample. The GP recorded his assessment about the presence of an alcohol‐related disorder in the patient. Screening results of 1 test center were used as a calculation sample. The results at the other site were used to cross‐validate the study outcomes. The markers were combined by 2 methods. The first approach used the AUDIT (QUestionnaire VERified; QUVER), and the second was performed using the clinical judgment of the treating GP (DOctor VERified; DOVER). The formulas were calculated using linear and logistic regression models, respectively.Results: A total of 2,940 patients participated in the study, of whom 2,496 completed data sets that could be used for further analysis. In the receiver‐operating characteristics (ROC) curves with the reference standard of an AUDIT8, the area under the curve (AUC) of 78.8% for DOVER and 80.6% (QUVER) are in a higher range than the values for γ‐%CDT (75.4%) or γ‐GT (66.3%) and %CDT (74.3%) and suggest a clear superiority of the proposed marker combinations. Regarding the combinations DOVER and QUVER, the cross‐validation results were almost identical, with 78.4/78.8% and 80.6/79.5%, respectively.Conclusion: Our study is to date the largest practice‐based trial that examines the value of the markers CDT and γ‐GT and their combinations for the screening of at‐risk drinking in general practice under routine conditions. Our ROC analysis clearly demonstrated that the combination of the markers γ‐GT and %CDT under routine conditions with a behaviorally oriented reference standard leads to an improvement of diagnostic performance, more so than the use of single markers.
Alcohol Attenuates Load‐related Activation During a Working Memory Task: Relation to Level of Response to Alcohol
Authors: Paulus Martin P. , Tapert Susan F. , Pulido Carmen , Schuckit Marc A. 
Published: July 2006

Background: A low level of response to alcohol is a major risk factor for the development of alcohol dependence, but neural correlates of this marker are unclear.Method: Ten healthy volunteers were classified by median split on level of response to alcohol and underwent 2 sessions of functional magnetic resonance imaging following ingestion of a moderate dose of alcohol and a placebo. The blood oxygen level–dependent activation to an event‐related visual working memory test was examined.Results: The subjects exhibited longer response latencies and more errors as a function of increasing working memory load and showed a load‐dependent increase in activation in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, posterior parietal cortex, and visual cortex. Alcohol did not affect performance (errors or response latency), but attenuated the working memory load–dependent activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. During the placebo condition, individuals with a low level of response to alcohol showed greater activation in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior parietal cortex than those with a high level of response to alcohol. During the alcohol condition, groups showed similar attenuation of load‐dependent brain activation in these regions.Conclusion:
Low‐level responders relative to high‐level responders exhibited an increased working memory load–dependent activation in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior parietal cortex when not exposed to alcohol. This increase in brain response was attenuated in low‐level responders after ingesting a moderate dose of alcohol.