bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Fertilization and Development of OPU Derived Goat and Sheep Oocytes
Authors: Cox JF , Alfaro V 
Published: January 2007

ContentsThe recent upgrade in IVP technology seen in cattle can be adapted to embryo production in small ruminants to overcome limitations exhibited by surgical procedures on preserving the reproductive potential of donors and the efficiency of embryo production. The aim of the present study was to assess the current procedures used in cattle for the production of IVP embryos in goats and sheep based on laparoscopic‐aided ovum pick‐up (LOPU) supplied oocytes. Sexually matured goat and sheep donors were treated during the breeding season with FSH and subjected to laparoscopic‐guided follicular puncture under general anaesthesia. The collected cumulus‐oocyte complexes were matured in medium 199 and fertilized by frozen‐thawed spermatozoa using Talp medium supplemented with heparin and oestrus‐sheep serum. Cleaved ova were either cultured in sheep in vitro fertilization medium plus amino acids or transferred to sheep oviducts. Blastocyst rate, hatching rate and development rate up to term were used as markers of embryo function. The results obtained for goat and sheep involving 30 and 35 donors respectively (10 and 9 LOPU sessions) were 81.2% and 85.2% of oocyte collection rate; 88.3% and 98.6% oocyte incubation rate; 85.6% and 76.0% fertilization rate; 82.4% and 93.4% of cleavage rate; 50.0% and 61.5% IVP blastocyst rate; 42.1% and 45.5% blastocyst rate in oviducts; 73.0% and 66.7% embryo survival up to term, respectively. The results are comparable to those obtained in small ruminants and in bovines suggesting that requirements for embryo production and development are similar.
DETECTION OF SHIGELLA SONNEI IN SELECTED FOODS BY FLOW‐THROUGH IMMUNOCAPTURE FOLLOWED BY REAL‐TIME POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION OR ISOLATION ON MACCONKEY AGAR
Authors: WARREN BENJAMIN R. , YUK HYUN‐GYUN , SCHNEIDER KEITH R. 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT This study compared flow‐through immunocapture (FTI), using the Pathatrix, followed by plating on MacConkey (MAC) agar (FTI‐MAC) or analysis by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (FTI‐PCR) to the Food and Drug Administration's Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) Shigella culture method for the detection of Shigella sonnei on tomatoes, in potato salad and in ground beef. For tomatoes, FTI‐MAC and FTI‐PCR achieved significantly improved detection (P < 0.05) of S. sonnei over the BAM. For potato salad, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) among the three methods. For ground beef, FTI‐MAC was not significantly different (P > 0.05) than the BAM for the detection of S. sonnei; however, FTI‐PCR was superior (P < 0.05). No tomato and only one potato salad sample resulted in the isolation of background microflora by FTI‐MAC. In contrast, the analysis of ground beef by FTI‐MAC resulted in consistent isolation of background microflora with or without co‐isolation of S. sonnei.
RAPID ISOLATION AND DETECTION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 IN FRESH PRODUCE
Authors: PRENTICE NICOLE , MURRAY JOHN S. , SCOTT MICHAEL F. , COOMBS J. PHILIP , PARTON ADRIAN 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT This study describes a rapid method for the isolation and detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 present at low levels (0.04–0.4 cfu/g) in fresh salad produce. Following a short enrichment (5 h at 42C), samples were processed using Pathatrix, a novel recirculating immunomagnetic capture system, linked to real‐time polymerase chain reaction and/or selective agar plating. Processing of post‐enrichment sample aliquots (10 mL diluted 1:25) and the use of preblocked paramagnetic anti‐E. coli O157:H7 beads enhanced target pathogen recovery on selective agar plates in cases where a high microbial load of nontarget microflora was present. This is of particular relevance to the testing of bean sprouts. This method has the potential to provide a result within 7 h. The speed of result offers significant benefits for outbreak investigations and allows the rapid screening of salad produce for E. coli O157:H7 contamination prior to product entering the distribution chain.
Evaluation of the Merlin MICRONAUT System for Rapid Direct Susceptibility Testing of Gram-Positive Cocci and Gram-Negative Bacilli from Positive Blood Cultures
Authors: Wellinghausen Nele , Pietzcker Tim , Poppert Sven , Belak Syron , Fieser Nicole , Bartel Melanie , Essig Andreas 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT

Bloodstream infections are life-threatening conditions which require the timely initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. We evaluated the automated Merlin MICRONAUT system for rapid direct microtiter broth antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli from BACTEC 9240 bottles with positive blood cultures in comparison to the standard method for the Merlin MICRONAUT system. This prospective study was conducted under routine working conditions during a 9-month period. Altogether, 504 isolates from 409 patients and 11,819 organism-antibiotic combinations were evaluated for comparison of direct and standard AST methods. For gram-negative bacilli, direct and standard AST of 110 isolates was evaluated and MIC agreement was found for 98.1% of 2,637 organism-antibiotic combinations. Category (susceptible, intermediate susceptible, resistant [SIR]) agreement was found for 99.0%, with results for 0.04% of combinations showing very major errors, those for 0.2% showing major errors, and those for 0.8% showing minor errors. For gram-positive cocci, 373 isolates were evaluated and MIC agreement was found for 95.6% of 8,951 organism-antibiotic combinations. SIR agreement was found for 98.8%, with results for 0.3% of combinations showing very major errors, those for 0.4% showing major errors, and those for 0.5% showing minor errors. Although the number of tested isolates was limited (
n
= 33), direct AST of streptococci was performed for the first time, yielding promising results with SIR agreement for 98.6% of 363 organism-antibiotic combinations. In conclusion, direct AST of gram-negative bacilli and gram-positive cocci from positive blood cultures with the MICRONAUT system is a reliable technique that allows for the omission of repeat testing of subcultured isolates. Thereby, it reduces the time to results of blood culture testing and may have a positive impact on patient care.
Cultivation-Independent Analysis of Changes in Bacterial Vaginosis Flora Following Metronidazole Treatment
Authors: Ferris Michael J. , Norori Johana , Zozaya-Hinchliffe Marcela , Martin David H. 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT

PCR was used to survey bacterial vaginosis flora before and after metronidazole treatment. The species composition for pretreatment patients was variable.
Lactobacillus iners
was prominent in all patients posttreatment.
Atopobium vaginae
concentrations were highest for patients who failed or responded incompletely to treatment and lowest for patients who were cured.
Retrieval of Cirrus Microphysical Properties with a Suite of Algorithms for Airborne and Spaceborne Lidar, Radar, and Radiometer Data
Authors: Zhang Yuying , Mace Gerald G. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAlgorithms are developed to convert data streams from multiple airborne and spaceborne remote sensors into layer-averaged cirrus bulk microphysical properties. Radiometers such as the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) observe narrowband spectral radiances, and active remote sensors such as the lidar on the Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) satellite and the millimeter radar on CloudSat will provide vertical profiles of attenuated optical backscatter and radar reflectivity. Equivalent airborne remote sensors are also routinely flown on the NASA WB-57F and ER-2 aircraft. Algorithms designed to retrieve cirrus microphysical properties from remote sensor data must be able to handle the natural variability of cirrus that can range from optically thick layers that cause lidar attenuation to tenuous layers that are not detected by the cloud radar. An approach that is adopted here is to develop an algorithm suite that has internal consistency in its formulation and assumptions. The algorithm suite is developed around a forward model of the observations and is inverted for layer-mean cloud properties using a variational technique. The theoretical uncertainty in the retrieved ice water path retrieval is 40%–50%, and the uncertainty in the layer-mean particle size retrieval ranges from 50% to 90%. Two case studies from the Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers (CRYSTAL) Florida Area Cirrus Experiment (FACE) field campaign as well as ground-based cases from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) are used to show the efficacy and error characteristics of the algorithms.
Quality Assessment Of Clinical Trials
Authors: Moher David 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Clinical trialists share several similarities with airline pilots. Many of them are investigators (and principal investigators) of large multi‐center randomized controlled trials (RCTs). It is not uncommon for these studies to cost millions of dollars to complete, and they are typically the end stage of a long development process that can easily cost in excess of $100 million dollars. Clinical trialists have often completed advanced training, such as clinical epidemiology, and very definitely have the safety and welfare of trial participants uppermost in their minds. What seems to be missing from the trialist's arsenal is standardization to the process of conducting such studies. More recently, some consensus has developed on how RCTs should be reported, although only a very small percent (2.5%) of the approximately 20,000 health care journals have bought into such reporting standards.
Association of acquired von Willebrand syndrome with AL amyloidosis
Authors: Kos Cynthia A. , Ward Jennifer E. , Malek Karim , Sanchorawala Vaishali , Wright Daniel G. , O'Hara Carl , Connors Lawreen , Skinner Martha , Seldin David C. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAcquired loss of functional von Willebrand factor (VWF) has been termed the acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS). AVWS is a rare adult‐onset bleeding diathesis that is clinically similar to congenital von Willebrand disease (VWD), and occurs with a variety of autoimmune, lymphoproliferative, or myeloproliferative disorders. We have identified four patients with AVWS in association with immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis. These patients, lacking any pre‐existing or family history of abnormal bleeding, developed cutaneous, mucosal, or gastrointestinal bleeding in the course of their disease without deficiency of clotting factor X or other factors; the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was prolonged in three out of the four cases. Despite normal VWF antigen levels, VWF ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:RCo) was low. Electrophoresis patterns of high molecular weight (HMW) VWF multimers were abnormal in two of the four cases. Two of the patients were treated with high‐dose intravenous melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (HDM/SCT) and achieved hematologic remission. In these two patients, the bleeding diathesis improved and the coagulation parameters normalized, confirming a causal relationship between the plasma cell dyscrasia and the AVWS. AVWS should be considered in AL amyloidosis patients with hemorrhagic diatheses and normal clotting factor levels. Am. J. Hematol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Non-patient factors related to rates of ruptured appendicitis
Authors: Sicard N , Tousignant P , Pineault R , Dubé S 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackgroundAdult rates of ruptured appendicitis vary from 13·2 to 41·9 per cent in urban hospitals, despite controlling for individual factors. This suggests an effect of hospital organization. Surgeons report that appendicectomies may be delayed because of lack of access to operating rooms.MethodsCombining interviews with hospital personnel and information from medical records for 1998–1999, a cross-sectional study using logistic regression, taking hospital clustering of patients into account, was conducted on 861 patients from 12 hospitals. Hospitals were grouped into organizational models. The diagnostic information was recoded to ensure interhospital validity.ResultsHospitals with high activity and volumes of patients, but without an operating room designated for urgent surgery, were associated with a significantly higher risk of peritonitis (P &lt; 0·050). Time to surgery was very long in all hospitals, particularly time after departure from the emergency department and for elderly patients.ConclusionOrganizational characteristics, in unfavourable combinations, influence the course of time-dependent diseases such as appendicitis. Difficulties in gaining access to operating rooms, even for urgent operations, have emerged. Delays in treatment must be addressed when planning healthcare reforms.
A protocol is not enough to implement an enhanced recovery programme for colorectal resection
Authors: Maessen J , Dejong C H C , Hausel J , Nygren J , Lassen K , Andersen J , Kessels A G H , Revhaug A , Kehlet H , Ljungqvist O , Fearon K C H , von Meyenfeldt M F 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

Background
Single-centre studies have suggested that enhanced recovery can be achieved with multimodal perioperative care protocols. This international observational study evaluated the implementation of an enhanced recovery programme in five European centres and examined the determinants affecting recovery and length of hospital stay.

Methods
Four hundred and twenty-five consecutive patients undergoing elective open colorectal resection above the peritoneal reflection between January 2001 and January 2004 were enrolled in a protocol that defined multiple perioperative care elements. One centre had been developing multimodal perioperative care for 10 years, whereas the other four had previously undertaken traditional care.

Results
The case mix was similar between centres. Protocol compliance before and during the surgical procedure was high, but it was low in the immediate postoperative phase. Patients fulfilled predetermined recovery criteria a median of 3 days after operation but were actually discharged a median of 5 days after surgery. Delay in discharge and the development of major complications prolonged length of stay. Previous experience with fast-track surgery was associated with a shorter hospital stay.

Conclusion
Functional recovery in 3 days after colorectal resection could be achieved in daily practice. A protocol is not enough to enable discharge of patients on the day of functional recovery; more experience and better organization of care may be required.
MicroRNAs and cancer
Authors: Wijnhoven B P L , Michael M Z , Watson D I 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small sequences of RNA, 21 to 22 nucleotides long, that have been discovered recently. They are produced from areas of the human genome that were previously thought to have no function. These sequences now appear to be important in the regulation of many fundamental processes. Evidence has recently emerged that deregulated miRNA activity is associated with human cancers.

Methods
The English literature was searched using PubMed for publications relevant to miRNAs and cancer. Relevant references from identified publications were also sourced. These publications were reviewed to identify existing evidence for the role of miRNAs in cancer.

Results
miRNAs inhibit the translation of mRNA from many target genes involved in cancer development. This leads to changes in the levels of protein encoded by these target genes and drives the development of cancer. The genes that produce miRNAs are frequently located in regions of the genome that are either lost, or amplified, in cancer cells.

Conclusion
Determination of the miRNA expression profile in cancer tissues should lead to a better understanding of the genetic pathways involved in tumour development.
Alkyl Abstraction from a Trialkylyttrium Complex [YR3(thf)2] (R = CH2SiMe3) Using a Group‐13 Element Lewis Acid ER3 (E = B, Al, Ga, In) – Structural Characterisation of the Ion Pair [YR2(thf)4]+[GaR4]– and of ER3 (E = B, Al, Ga)
Authors: Kramer Mathias U. , Robert Dominique , Nakajima Yumiko , Englert Ulli , Spaniol Thomas P. , Okuda Jun 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe alkyl abstraction reaction of [YR3(thf)2] (R = CH2SiMe3) with group‐13 trialkyl complexes [(ER3)n] (E = B, Ga, In: n = 1; E = Al: n = 2) forming cationic yttrium species [YR2(thf)4]+[ER4]– (E = Al, Ga, In) shows a strong dependence on the Lewis acidic metal centre E and on the solvent basicity. Whilst the boron compound does not react with [YR3(thf)2], the heavier homologues form the ion pairs [YR2(thf)4]+[ER4]– (E = Al, Ga, In) which dissociate to give the neutral compounds in apolar solvents such as benzene. Single‐crystal structure analysis of the gallate [YR2(thf)4]+[GaR4]– shows the presence of an ion pair with cis‐arranged alkyl ligands in the octahedral yttrium cation and a tetrahedral gallate anion. Group‐13 trialkyl compounds [(ER3)n] (E = B, Al, Ga), all liquids at room temperature, and [Li(12‐crown‐4)2]+[AlR4]– were characterised by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Capillary electrophoretic method for nucleotide analysis in cells: Application on inherited metabolic disorders
Authors: Friedecký David , Tomková Jana , Maier Vitězslav , Janošt'áková Anna , Procházka Martin , Adam Tomáš 
Published: January 2007

AbstractPurine and pyrimidine nucleotides influence many metabolic pathways and their analogs have been widely used in medicine. A capillary electrophoretic method was developed for measuring intracellular nucleotides. The final BGE consisted of 40 mM citric acid with addition of 0.8 mM CTAB titrated by γ‐aminobutyric acid to pH 4.4. The electrophoretic separations were carried out in an uncoated silica capillary (id/od – 75/375 µm; effective/total length – 90/97 cm). The method allows a complete separation of 21 nucleotides and deoxynucleotides within 15 min with separation efficiencies up to 400 000 theoretical plates per meter. Due to the use of an acidic separation medium, the method offers a high selectivity toward the studied analytes versus possible interferences from matrices. Sample preparation was optimized in order to shorten work‐time and prevent analyte degradation. The method was applied for analyzing nucleotides in human erythrocytes and Chinese hamster ovary cells. Diagnostic potential for inherited metabolic disorders of nucleotide metabolism is presented.
Systemic LPS causes chronic neuroinflammation and progressive neurodegeneration
Authors: Qin Liya , Wu Xuefei , Block Michelle L. , Liu Yuxin , Breese George R. , Hong Jau‐Shyong , Knapp Darin J. , Crews Fulton T. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractInflammation is implicated in the progressive nature of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. A single systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5 mg/kg, i.p.) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα, 0.25 mg/kg, i.p.) injection was administered in adult wild‐type mice and in mice lacking TNFα receptors (TNF R1/R2−/−) to discern the mechanisms of inflammation transfer from the periphery to the brain and the neurodegenerative consequences. Systemic LPS administration resulted in rapid brain TNFα increase that remained elevated for 10 months, while peripheral TNFα (serum and liver) had subsided by 9 h (serum) and 1 week (liver). Systemic TNFα and LPS administration activated microglia and increased expression of brain pro‐inflammatory factors (i.e., TNFα, MCP‐1, IL‐1β, and NF‐κB p65) in wild‐type mice, but not in TNF R1/R2−/− mice. Further, LPS reduced the number of tyrosine hydroxylase‐immunoreactive neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) by 23% at 7‐months post‐treatment, which progressed to 47% at 10 months. Together, these data demonstrate that through TNFα, peripheral inflammation in adult animals can: (1) activate brain microglia to produce chronically elevated pro‐inflammatory factors; (2) induce delayed and progressive loss of DA neurons in the SN. These findings provide valuable insight into the potential pathogenesis and self‐propelling nature of Parkinson's disease. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring the binding site of the human muscarinic M3 receptor: Homology modeling and docking study
Authors: Ostopovici Liliana , Mracec Maria , Mracec Mircea , Borota Ana 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe human muscarinic M3 receptor (hM3) and its interactions with selective agonists and antagonists were investigated by means of combined homology and docking approach. Also, two pharmacophoric models for the hM3 agonist and antagonist binding sites were proposed. The three‐dimensional (3D) structure of hM3 receptor was modeled based on the high‐resolution X‐ray structure of bovine rhodopsin from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). To validate the reliability of the model obtained, the main chain torsion angles phi (Ψ) and psi (Φ) were examined in a Ramachandran plot, and all omega angles were measured for peptidic bond planarity. The characteristics of the active site, the position, and the orientation of ligands in situ, as well as the binding modes of the representative agonists and antagonists, were analyzed by applying a molecular docking technique using the AutoDock 3.0.5 program. Specific interactions responsible for recognition of the hM3 receptor, like ionic bond formed between protonated amine of the ligands and the Asp3.6 side chain were identified. Structure–reactivity relationships have been explained by analyzing the 3D structure of the hM3 model and the ligand conformations resulted from molecular docking simulation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
FAB MS/MS for phosphatidylinostitol,‐glycerol,‐ethanolamine and other complex phospholipids
Authors: Jensen Nancy J. , Tomer Kenneth B. , Gross Michael L. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractFast atom bombardment (FAB) of phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, cardiolipin, phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylglycerol produces a limited number of very informative negative ions. Especially significant is the formation of (M−H)− ions and ions that correspond to the carboxylate portions of these molecules. FAB desorption in combination with collisional activation allows for characterization of fragmentation and determination of structural features. Collisional activation of the carboxylate anion from complex lipids is especially informative. Structural characterization of the fatty acids can be achieved as the released saturated carboxylate anions undergo highly specific charge remote fragmentations that are entirely consistent with the chemistry of carboxylate anions desorbed from free fatty acids. This permits both identification of the modification and assignment of its location on the acid chain. FAB‐desorbed alkyl acetyl glycerophosphocholines (platelet‐activating factor) do not produce (M−H)− ions. However, significant high mass ions are formed, and these can be collisionally activated for structural characterization.