bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Season on Semen Characteristics and Freezability in Bos indicus and Bos taurus Bulls in the Southeastern Region of Brazil
Authors: Koivisto MB , Costa MTA , Perri SHV , Vicente WRR 
Published: December 2008

ContentsThe objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of season in southeast of Brazil comparing genotypes on semen characteristics, freezability and peripheral plasma concentrations of testosterone. Ejaculates of five Bos indicus bulls and six Bos taurus bulls were evaluated over a period of 27 months, which was divided into winter (July, August, September), spring (October, November, December), summer (January, February, March) and autumn (April, May, June). Semen was evaluated according to standard procedures for ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, gross‐motility, progressive motility and sperm morphology. After preparing and freezing the ejaculates according to commercial procedures, the straws were stored in liquid N2 until post‐thaw evaluation. Ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, gross‐motility, progressive sperm motility, vigor and morphological sperm defects were significantly influenced by season and genotype (p < 0.05). Heat tolerance was better in B. indicus bulls than in B. taurus bulls characterized by lower values of sperm abnormalities throughout the observation period. The highest values were recorded for abnormal heads followed by cytoplasmatic droplets in B. taurus bulls. The proportion of ejaculates which were eliminated before freezing for reasons of bad quality was lower in the B. indicus bulls. Temporal changes in peripheral plasma testosterone concentrations were higher in B. indicus bulls than in B. taurus bulls not revealing seasonal influences. The results of this study show clear genotype differences regarding semen quality. Freezability of B. taurus semen varies considerably throughout the year, leading to a high proportion of eliminated ejaculates. Collecting semen from B. taurus bulls during the summer in an artificial insemination centre may not be profitable.
Effects of Superovulation with oFSH and Norgestomet/GnRH‐Controlled Release of the LH Surge on Hormone Concentrations, and Yield of Oocytes and Embryos at Specific Developmental Stages
Authors: Knijn HM , Fokker W , van der Weijden GC , Dieleman SJ , Vos PLAM 
Published: December 2008

ContentsThe objective of this study was to evaluate a new superovulation procedure with oFSH after temporary suppression of the endogenous LH surge by norgestomet followed by administration of GnRH, to collect bovine oocytes and embryos at specific developmental stages. Since 1999, our research group applies this superovulation procedure with controlled release of the endogenous LH surge. The objective of this study is to verify if this procedure is reliable for collection of oocytes and embryos at specific time points of development and if it produces a sufficient number of both oocytes and embryos of good quality. This procedure was validated regarding to hormonal characteristics, superovulatory response and both oocyte and embryo yield at different times of in vivo development. The results demonstrate that the procedure used to control the occurrence of the pre‐ovulatory LH surge was effective in 92% of the animals (n = 238) and even in 99% of the animals the oocytes and embryos were collected at the intended stage of development. The superovulatory response and both oocyte, embryo yield and quality were similar to the average yield in Europe reported by Association Européenne de transfert embryonnaire (AETE). In conclusion, this superovulation procedure provides a valid tool to collect oocytes and embryos at specific time points of development.
Determination of displacements around fatigue cracks using image analysis of in‐situ scanning electron microscope images
Authors: JACOBSSON L. , PERSSON C. , MELIN S. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTA technique to in‐situ measure the displacements in the vicinity of the crack tip during fatigue crack propagation has been developed. High‐resolution images of the crack tip were taken continuously throughout the fatigue load cycles with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and an image analysis program was used to determine the displacements at different positions with respect to the crack tip. The displacements were then used to determine crack shapes and compliance curves. The measured crack shapes show a general √r dependence versus the distance to the crack tip. However, close to the crack tip the crack shape is clearly affected by plastic deformation, even in cases when small scale yielding prevails. The compliance curve measurements close to the crack tip can be used to determine the global stress level when the crack surfaces are separated, so that the exact opening and closure stresses can be determined.
Is diabetes a coronary risk equivalent? Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bulugahapitiya U. , Siyambalapitiya S. , Sithole J. , Idris I. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAims  To determine whether patients with diabetes without prior myocardial infarction (MI) have the same risk of total coronary heart disease (CHD) events as non‐diabetic patients with previous myocardial infarction.Methods  Using medline, embase, Cochrane and MeSH in this systematic review and meta‐analysis, extensive searching was carried out by cross‐referencing from original articles and reviews. The study consisted of cohort or observational studies with hard clinical endpoints, including total CHD events (fatal or non‐fatal myocardial infarction), stratified for patients with diabetes but no previous myocardial infarction, and patients without diabetes but with previous myocardial infarction. Studies with less than 100 subjects, follow‐up of less than 4 years and/or without provisions for calculating CHD event rates were excluded. The review of articles and data extraction was performed by two independent authors, with any disagreements resolved by consensus.Results  Thirteen studies were included involving 45 108 patients. The duration of follow‐up was 5–25 years (mean 13.4 years) and the age range was 25–84 years. Patients with diabetes without prior myocardial infarction have a 43% lower risk of developing total CHD events compared with patients without diabetes with previous myocardial infarction (summary odds ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.53–0.60).Conclusion  This meta‐analysis did not support the hypothesis that diabetes is a ‘coronary heart disease equivalent’. Public health decisions to initiate cardio‐protective drugs in patients with diabetes for primary CHD prevention should therefore be based on appropriate patients’ CHD risk estimates rather than a ‘blanket’ approach of treatment.
Ethnic variation in the correlation between random serum glucose concentration and glycated haemoglobin
Authors: Bleyer A. J. , Hire D. , Russell G. B. , Xu J. , Divers J. , Shihabi Z. , Bowden D. W. , Freedman B. I. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAims  To determine if the relationship between serum glucose concentration and glycated haemoglobin is different between African‐Americans and whites.Methods  Retrospective cross‐sectional study comparing the association between glycated haemoglobin and serum glucose levels, based upon ethnicity. Two databases were evaluated: (i) 4215 African‐American and 6359 white outpatients who had simultaneous glycated haemoglobin, random serum glucose and creatinine concentration measurements between 2000 and 2007 at the North Carolina Baptist Hospital and (ii) 1021 white and 312 African‐American Diabetes Heart Study (DHS) participants.Results  In North Carolina Baptist Hospital clinic attendees, a given glycated haemoglobin was associated with higher serum glucose concentrations in African‐Americans compared with whites. In a multivariate model with glycated haemoglobin as the outcome variable, racial differences remained significant after adjustment for serum glucose, age, gender and kidney function. For individuals with a serum glucose between 5.6 and 8.3 mmol/l, the glucose : glycated haemoglobin ratio was 1.03 ± 0.16 mmol/l/% in white individuals and 0.99 ± 0.17 mmol/l/% in African‐Americans (P < 0.0001). For a glycated haemoglobin value of 7.0%, there was a 0.98‐mmol/l difference in predicted serum glucose concentration in 50‐year‐old African‐American men, relative to white. Results were replicated in the DHS, where in a best‐fit linear model, after adjustment for glucose, African‐American race was a significant predictor of glycated haemoglobin (P < 0.0001).Conclusions  African‐Americans have higher glycated haemoglobin values at given serum glucose concentrations relative to whites. This finding may contribute to the observed difference in glycated haemoglobin values reported between these race groups.
Validation of an algorithm combining haemoglobin A1c and fasting plasma glucose for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in UK and Australian populations
Authors: Manley S. E. , Sikaris K. A. , Lu Z. X. , Nightingale P. G. , Stratton I. M. , Round R. A. , Baskar V. , Gough S. C. L. , Smith J. M. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAim  To determine whether glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) can be used in combination with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) for the diagnosis of diabetes in patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and in a broader spectrum of patients.Methods  An algorithm was derived from oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) capillary samples in 500 consecutive UK patients with IFG by World Health Organization criteria. It was validated in a further 500 UK patients and, with venous specimens, in 1175 unselected Australian patients.Results  The derivation cohort was aged 61 years (50–69 years) (median IQ range) with 52% male and 12% South Asian. Diabetes Control and Complications Trial‐aligned HbA1c was 6.2% (5.8–6.6%) (reference interval < 6.0%) and FPG 6.7 mmol/l (6.3–7.2 mmol/l). FPG was in the diabetes range in 36% of patients, with an OGTT identifying a further 12% with diabetes. The derived algorithm, (HbA1c ≥ 6.0% with FPG < 7.0 mmol/l) identified those patients requiring an OGTT to diagnose diabetes. When applied to the UK validation cohort, sensitivity was 97% and specificity 100%. The algorithm was equally effective in the unselected group, aged 59 years (49–68 years) and 54% male, with sensitivity 93% and specificity 100%. HbA1c was 6.0% (5.6–6.6%) and FPG 6.0 mmol/l (5.3–6.8 mmol/l), with 26% having IFG. Use of the algorithm would reduce the number of OGTTs performed in the UK validation cohort by 33% and by 66% in the Australian patients studied.Conclusions  Use of this algorithm would simplify procedures for diagnosis of diabetes and could also be used for monitoring pre‐diabetes. Validation is now required in other populations and patient groups.
Individual Producer Responsibility: A Remaining Challenge under the WEEE Directive1
Authors: Roller Gerhard , Führ Martin 
Published: December 2008

The regulatory approach of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive explicitly places ‘producer responsibility’ on the centre stage. The producer is obliged to ‘take into full account and facilitate’ primarily function‐maintaining measures, such as ‘repair’ and ‘upgrading’ as well as ‘reuse’; only subsequently are material‐maintaining measures mentioned in the form of ‘disassembly and recycling’. The main incentive established by the Directive is the allocation of costs. Every producer ‘shall be responsible for financing the operations . . . relating to the waste from his own products’. In practice, however, individual producer responsibility is transferred to a collective system in which the financial incentive for function‐maintaining measures only has a minimal effect. If one wants to encourage the producer to decide in favour of individual producer responsibility, the machine‐readable identification of products is needed to allocate costs according to the polluter‐pays principle. At the same time, it also allows for improved monitoring of product and waste flows, on the basis of which illegal waste shipments would also become easier to detect. This article describes the basic legislative provisions of product responsibility and their practical implementation using the example of Germany. It also shows the ways in which a machine‐readable identification and information system is needed to support the environmental effectiveness of the WEEE system and discusses the necessary legal adaptation that is required.
E‐waste Management Programmes and the Promotion of Design for the Environment: Assessing Canada's Contributions
Authors: Deathe Ashley L.B. , MacDonald Elaine , Amos William 
Published: December 2008

In recent years, legislatures across the world have turned their attention to the escalating amount of electronic and electrical waste, and their accompanying environmental threats. Increasing consumption of electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) and the indiscriminate disposal of used products contribute to the problem furthered by designs that ignore durability and support the limitless use of toxic substances. One proposed method of changing this trend is to stimulate producers to design for the environment (DFE). In many ways DFE breaks the traditional physical barriers for design and requires a vision of the product for its entire life cycle. As Canada's provincial and federal governments move to respond to the problem of e‐waste, their chosen approaches are critically analysed. In particular, this article investigates how the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Ontario conceptualize the problem of e‐waste. In addition, the extent to which the policy goals and financing mechanisms incorporated in each programme adequately consider the role of DFE is evaluated.
Comparison of coagulation factor XIII content and concentration in cryoprecipitate and fresh‐frozen plasma
Authors: Caudill Jonathan S.C. , Nichols William L. , Plumhoff Elizabeth A. , Schulte Sandra L. , Winters Jeffrey L. , Gastineau Dennis A. , Rodriguez Vilmarie 
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUND: For patients with plasma coagulation factor XIII (pFXIII) deficiency, recommended means of replacement include infusions of fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP), cryoprecipitate, or (where available) factor (F)XIII concentrates. Quantitative differences in pFXIII concentration in FFP and cryoprecipitate are not well defined and were, therefore, the subject of this study.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: FFP and cryoprecipitate (10 bags each from blood group O donors) were analyzed to quantify pFXIII activity and antigen. Coagulation FVIII, fibrinogen, and von Willebrand factor (VWF) were also quantitated.RESULTS: Mean (±SD) pFXIII activity in cryoprecipitate and FFP bags was 60 ± 30 and 288 ± 77 U per bag, respectively, and pFXIII antigen and activity levels were concordant. Other comparisons (mean ± SD) between cryoprecipitate and FFP, respectively, were as follows: coagulation FVIII activity, 133 ± 37 and 265 ± 83 U per bag; fibrinogen content (Clauss kinetic assay), 183 ± 44 and 725 ± 199 mg per bag; VWF antigen content, 181 ± 53 and 218 ± 70 U per bag; VWF ristocetin cofactor activity, 168 ± 34 and 221 ± 65 U per bag; VWF collagen‐binding activity, 164 ± 40 and 208 ± 71 U per bag; and fluid (plasma) volumes per bag, 21.3 ± 2.7 and 245 ± 29 mL.CONCLUSION: In contrast to other cryoprecipitable coagulation proteins, pFXIII is only mildly enriched in cryoprecipitate when compared with FFP (approx. two‐ to threefold). Although both products can provide effective pFXIII replacement, FFP may be preferred when infusion volume is not a major consideration and pFXIII concentrates are not available. VWF is substantially enriched in cryoprecipitate (approx. ninefold compared with its concentration in FFP), with VWF activity content exceeding that of FVIII by approximately 26 percent on average.
Electroconvulsive therapy versus transcranial magnetic stimulation for major depression: a review with recommendations for future research
Authors: Rasmussen Keith G. 
Published: December 2008

Objective:To review the literature comparing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for major depression.Methods:Data from the six randomised, prospective studies were agglutinated into one data set. Special attention was given to the methods of both TMS and ECT as well as data pertaining to differential outcomes in subgroups such as psychotic depressives and the elderly.Results:There is a highly significant advantage for ECT in the prospective, randomised trials. The two non-randomised, retrospective comparative trials found the treatments to be equal in one study and superior for ECT in another. However, sample sizes are small in these studies, and both TMS and ECT may have been used suboptimally. Furthermore, the possibilities of differential efficacy of ECT or TMS for psychotic depressives or as a function of age have yet to be fully explored.Conclusions:The data to date do not support the contention that TMS is equivalent in efficacy to ECT. It is recommended that a large-scale trial be undertaken using aggressive forms of both TMS and ECT with sample sizes sufficiently large to detect effects of moderating variables such as age and psychosis status.
Foraging technique and prey‐handling time in black‐necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus)
Authors: MAHESWARAN Gopinathan , RAHMANI Asad R. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe foraging technique and prey‐handling time of the black‐necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) was studied in Dudhwa National Park, India, from January 1996 to June 1997. The habitat in which the storks foraged played an important role in selecting a particular technique to procure food. Black‐necked storks mostly foraged using a tactile technique (>90%), but sometimes foraged visually. When the water level was estimated to be less than 60 cm, the storks foraged using tactile techniques. There was no difference in the feeding techniques of male and female storks. Foraging attempt rates varied between the sexes in summer (May) and during late winter (February) in 1997. The search time for prey increased when the water level was high and fish were widely distributed. Decreases in water level resulted in concentration offish in certain areas and this contributed to high fish‐catching rates by black‐necked storks. Males had a higher success rate offish capture than females. However, females captured longer fish than males. Prey‐handling time increased in both sexes as fish length increased. Fish 4–6 cm long were most frequently taken by the foraging storks.
Hepatic endogenous defense potential of propolis after mercury intoxication
Authors: BHADAURIA Monika , SHUKLA Sangeeta , MATHUR Ramesh , AGRAWAL Om P. , SHRIVASTAVA Sadhana , JOHRI Sonia , JOSHI Deepmala , SINGH Varsha , MITTAL Deepak , NIRALA Satendra Kumar 
Published: December 2008

AbstractExposure to mercuric chloride (HgCl2; 5 mg kg−1 body weight; i.p.) induced oxidative stress in mice and substantially increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels, decreased the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and various antioxidant enzymes in liver and also increased the activities of liver marker enzymes in serum. Therapy with propolis extract, a resinous wax‐like beehive product (200 mg kg−1 orally, after mercury administration), for 3 days inhibited LPO and the formation of GSSG and increased the level of GSH in the liver. Release of serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase were significantly restored after propolis treatment. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, that is, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione‐S‐transferase and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, were also concomitantly restored towards normal levels after propolis administration. These observations clearly demonstrate that propolis treatment augments antioxidant defense against mercury‐induced toxicity and provide evidence that propolis has therapeutic potential as a hepatoprotective agent.
Presence–absence surveys of prey and their use in predicting leopard (Panthera pardus) densities: a case study from Armenia
Authors: KHOROZYAN Igor G. , MALKHASYAN Alexander G. , ABRAMOV Alexei V. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIt is important to predict how many individuals of a predator species can survive in a given area on the basis of prey sufficiency and to compare predictive estimates with actual numbers to understand whether or not key threats are related to prey availability. Rugged terrain and low detection probabilities do not allow for the use of traditional prey count techniques in mountain areas. We used presence–absence occupancy modeling and camera‐trapping to estimate the abundance and densities of prey species and regression analysis to predict leopard (Panthera pardus) densities from estimated prey biomass in the mountains of the Nuvadi area, Meghri Ridge, southern Armenia. The prey densities were 12.94 ± 2.18 individuals km−2 for the bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus), 6.88 ± 1.56 for the wild boar (Sus scrofa) and 0.44 ± 0.20 for the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The detection probability of the prey was a strong function of the activity patterns, and was highest in diurnal bezoar goats (0.59 ± 0.09). Based on robust regression, the estimated total ungulate prey biomass (720.37 ± 142.72 kg km−2) can support a leopard density of 7. 18 ± 3.06 individuals 100 km−2. The actual leopard density is only 0.34 individuals 100 km−2 (i.e. one subadult male recorded over the 296.9 km2), estimated from tracking and camera‐trapping. The most plausible explanation for this discrepancy between predicted and actual leopard density is that poaching and disturbance caused by livestock breeding, plant gathering, deforestation and human‐induced wild fires are affecting the leopard population in Armenia.
Biphasic Modulation of Apoptotic Pathways in
Cryptosporidium parvum
-Infected Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Liu Jin , Deng Mingqi , Lancto Cheryl A. , Abrahamsen Mitchell S. , Rutherford Mark S. , Enomoto Shinichiro 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT

The impact of
Cryptosporidium parvum
infection on host cell gene expression was investigated by microarray analysis with an in vitro model using human ileocecal HCT-8 adenocarcinoma cells. We found changes in 333 (2.6%) transcripts at at least two of the five (6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h) postinfection time points. Fifty-one of the regulated genes were associated with apoptosis and were grouped into five clusters based on their expression patterns. Early in infection (6 and 12 h), genes with antiapoptotic roles were upregulated and genes with apoptotic roles were downregulated. Later in infection (24, 48, and 72 h), proapoptotic genes were induced and antiapoptotic genes were downregulated, suggesting a biphasic regulation of apoptosis: antiapoptotic state early and moderately proapoptotic state late in infection. This transcriptional profile matched the actual occurrence of apoptosis in the infected cultures. Apoptosis was first detected at 12 h postinfection and increased to a plateau at 24 h, when 20% of infected cells showed nuclear condensation. In contrast, experimental silencing of Bcl-2 induced apoptosis in 50% of infected cells at 12 h postinfection. This resulted in a decrease in the infection rate and a reduction in the accumulation of meront-containing cells. To test the significance of the moderately proapoptotic state late in the infection, we inhibited apoptosis using pancaspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. This treatment also affected the progression of
C. parvum
infection, as reinfection, normally seen late (24 h to 48 h), did not occur and accumulation of mature meronts was impaired. Control of host apoptosis is complex and crucial to the life of
C. parvum
. Apoptosis control has at least two components, early inhibition and late moderate promotion. For a successful infection, both aspects appear to be required.