bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oocyte Recovery by Ovum Pick Up and Embryo Production in River Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Manjunatha BM , Ravindra JP , Gupta PSP , Devaraj M , Nandi S 
Published: February 2008

SummaryOvum pick up (OPU) was conducted twice a week for 12 weeks in six cycling, non‐descriptive (local breed), Indian buffaloes to study the efficiency of OPU on recovery of oocytes for embryo production. OPU was performed using an ultrasound equipment with a 5‐MHz transvaginal transducer, a single‐lumen, 18‐gauge, 55‐cm‐long needle and a constant vacuum pressure of 110 mmHg. The number and size of follicles were determined before puncture. The recovered oocytes were graded, washed, matured for 24 h and then fertilized with frozen–thawed semen, followed by embryo culture on the oviductal monolayer. The mean number of follicles observed per animal per session did not differ between animals or between puncture sessions. A mean number of 3.62 ± 0.32 mm follicles were observed, 2.90 ± 0.15 mm follicles were punctured and 1.21 ± 0.07 oocytes were recovered per animal per session, with an average recovery rate of 42%. Of the total oocytes recovered, 64% were suitable for in vitro embryo production (grade A + B) whereas 36% were classified to be of grades C + D. A mean number of 0.25 ± 0.2 transferable embryos was produced in vitro per buffalo per session with a transferable embryo production rate of 32%. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that twice‐a‐week OPU could be applied repeatedly, without any adverse effects on the follicular growth and oocyte recovery and that recovered oocytes could be used for in vitro embryo production in buffaloes.
Induction of Parturition with Daily Low‐dose Oxytocin Injections in Pregnant Mares at Term: Clinical Applications and Limitations
Authors: Villani M , Romano G 
Published: February 2008

ContentsThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical applications and limitations of daily low‐dose oxytocin injections for the induction of parturition in pregnant at term mares, the attention was focussed on the efficacy of the treatment and on its possible negative effects on mare and foal. Three‐hundred and fifty pregnant full term Standardbred mares were used: 176 were allowed to foal spontaneously, 174 were treated daily with 3.5 IU of oxytocin i.m. when mammary secretion showed a calcium concentration ≥ 200 ppm. For each mare, gestational length, outcome and duration of foaling, placenta expulsion time were recorded. Physical and behavioural characteristics of each foal were also recorded. Administration of oxytocin resulted in the delivery of a normal foal within 120 min in 68.9% of treated mares: 51.3% responded to the first oxytocin administration, 14.2% to the second and 3.4% to the third. No significant difference between treated and control mares was observed in the gestational length (340 ± 8 days vs 337 ± 7 days), duration of foaling (10 ± 5.6 min vs 11 ± 4.9 min), incidence of dystocia (1.4% vs 1.7%) and failure of rupture of the allantochorion (0% vs 0.6%). No significant difference was observed in the incidence of placental retention between treated and control groups (8.1% vs 6.3%). Physical and behavioural characteristics were normal in foals of both groups. In conclusion, daily injections of low doses of oxytocin in at term mares showed only moderate efficacy for inducing parturition. However, the easy applicability and the complete safety for both mare and foal, of this method of foaling induction makes it a useful tool to simplify the management of mares in commercial stud farms.
Influence of Postpartum Cloprostenol Treatment in Sows on Subsequent Reproductive Performance under Field Conditions
Authors: Vanderhaeghe C , Dewulf J , Daems A , Van Soom A , De Kruif A , Maes D 
Published: February 2008

SummaryDuring the previous decade several studies focused on postpartum treatment with prostaglandin for improvement of reproductive performance in sows. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of administration of a prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) analogue in sows within 24–48 h after farrowing on sow and litter performance. In five commercial farms, the sows were randomly assigned to either treatment A (2 ml cloprostenol, PlanateIM) or treatment B (2 ml physiological saline solution, i.m.). Fifteen per cent of all sows were at random selected for progesterone analysis. Litter performance was assessed by measuring pre‐weaning mortality and average daily weight gain (ADG). Sow performance was assessed by measuring weaning‐to‐oestrus interval (WOI), the percentage of sows returning to oestrus and litter size during subsequent farrowing. Administration of a PGF2α analogue within 24–48 h postpartum had no effect on the rate of progesterone decline measured over 24 h compared with that of the controls. Litter performance and WOI were not affected by treatment. The subsequent litter size in sows of parity seven and more showed a significant difference of 1.98 piglets (p < 0.01) between both groups, to the benefit of the cloprostenol group. In conclusion, administration of a synthetic PGF2α analogue, cloprostenol, within 24–48 h after farrowing improved litter size at next farrowing in older (≥7 parity) sows.
A molecular investigation of polymorphism in the North Atlantic red algaChondrus crispus(Gigartinales)*
Authors: Chopin Thierry , Bird Carolyn J. , Murphy Colleen A. , Osborne Jane A. , Patwary Moshin U. , Floc'h Jean‐Yves 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARYSeven samples ofChondrus crispusStackhouse, representing widely contrasting forms from both sides of the North Atlantic, were compared by restriction digestion of their plastid DNA. The similar banding patterns confirmed that the seven forms were conspecific and distinct fromChondrus ocellatusHolmes f.ocellatusfrom Japan, used as an outgroup. Nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS21 and the intervening 5.8S rRNA gene of the nuclear rRNA operon were investigated as a potential indicator of genetic divergence among morphological variants ofC. crispus.The combined ITS regions were relatively short inChondrus(between 719 and 731 base pairs [bp] inC. crispusand 724 bp inC. ocellatusf.ocellatus), and the sequence of the 5.8s rDNA fragment (152 bp) was identical in both species. In the aligned ITS regions, there were 0–18 base pair differences (0–2.18% divergence) in pairwise comparisons of the seven forms ofC. crispusbut no consistent pattern of variation according to gross morphology or geographic origin. However, the ITS sequence differed at 41–54 sites (6.22‐7.56%) betweenC. crispusandC. ocellatusf.ocellatus, again illustrating the genetic distinctiveness of the latter species.
Avrainvillea rotumensis sp. nov. (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta), a peltate species from the South Pacific
Authors: N'Yeurt Antoine D. R. , Littler Diane S. , Littler Mark M. 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARYA new species of Avrainvillea was found on the South Pacific island of Rotuma, Fiji. Avrainvillea rotumensis sp. nov. occurs 1.5‐3.0 m deep in a high energy current area of the Hoféa Passage, one of the few openings in the fringing reef that surrounds the island. The distinctive peltate growth habit of A. rotumensis is unique for the genus and facilitates quick and accurate field identification. The peltate blade (7–9 cm in diameter at maturity) is unusually thick (34 mm) tapering toward a short (up to 6 cm in length), thick (1.5‐2.0 cm in diameter) stipe.
Morphology and life history of Scytosiphon canaliculatus comb. nov. (Scytosiphonales, Phaeophyceae) from Japan*
Authors: Kogame Kazuhiro 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARYMorphology of field material and life history in culture were studied in Scytosiphon canaliculatus (Setchell et Gardner) comb. nov. from northern Japan. Erect gametophytes of S. canaliculatus are cylindrical, tubular, up to 7 mm wide and 40 cm long, and without regular constrictions. S. canaliculatus has pronounced anisogamy and ascocysts accompanied with plurilocular gametangia. The life history of S. canaliculatus showed an alternation between erect gametophytes and crustose prostrate sporophytes bearing unilocular sporangia. Since field sporophytes of S. canaliculatus were found to be identical with Hapterophycus canaliculatus Setchell et Gardner (Ralfsiaceae, Phaeophyceae), it is proposed to transfer H. canaliculatus to the genus Scytosiphon. In the field, gametophytes with plurilocular gametangia appeared in spring and disappeared in summer. Sporophytes with unilocular sporangia were collected in late autumn and winter. Unilocular sporangia were produced at 15°C in short‐day culture conditions and unispores developed into erect gametophytes at 5–15°C. It is suggested that the seasonal Occurrence of gametophytes in the field is due to the seasonal formation of unilocular sporangia, which is regulated by temperature and photoperiod.
Architectural models for apical patterns in Gelidium (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta): hypothesis of growth
Authors: Vargas Dení Rodríguez , Collado‐Vides Ligia 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARYThe great morphological variation in the apical region of main axes and branches in species of Gelidium and Pterocladia suggests different patterns of growth. Those patterns have been reconstructed from the ontogenetic sequence of morphological stages and regeneration of the apex. Using the architectural approach, models for four species of Gelidium from the Pacific coast of central Chile and the Pacific coast of Mexico's tropical region, were constructed based on the following criteria: growth pattern, specialization of laterals, symmetry, apical dominance and rhythm of apical and lateral growth. Those models allow for a formal evaluation of apical differences between species.
Observations on Japanese species of the genus Martensia (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta), with the description of Neomartensia gen. nov.
Authors: Yoshida Tadao , Mikami Hideo 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARYThe morphology of vegetative and reproductive structures of Martensia fragilis Harvey, Martensia australis Harvey and Martensia flabelliformis Harvey ex J. Agardh was studied based on material collected from Japan. M. fragilis and M. australis have cystocarps with terminal carposporangia, and their membranous portions are composed of cell layers with regularly stacked flat cells of similar size. M. flabelliformis has the following combination of characters: (i) carposporangia are formed in short chains; and (ii) the membranous portion is composed of irregularly arranged flat cells of various sizes. These characters are distinctly different from those of Martensia and warrant the establishment of Neomartensia gen. nov., with the type species Neomartensia flabelliformis comb. nov.
Parietochloris incisa comb. nov. (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta)
Authors: Watanabe Shin , Hirabayashi Seishiro , Boussiba Sammy , Cohen Zvi , Vonshak Avigad , Richmond Amos 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARYA coccoid green alga, Myrmecia incisa Reisigl, was isolated from the soil of Mt Tateyama, Japan. Electronmicroscopy revealed that the organism has pyrenoids sparsely covered with starch segments and traversed by many parallel thylakoid membranes, and zoo‐spores with counterclockwise basal body orientation. Due to the presence of these features, we have proposed a reclassification of M. incisa into the genus Parietochloris, Trebouxiophyceae.
Osmoprotectors in some species of Japanese mangrove macroalgae
Authors: Karsten Ulf , Mostaert Anika S. , King Robert J. , Kamiya Mitsunobu , Hara Yoshiaki 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARYThe macroalgae asSociated with the mangrove vegetation of the Japanese Islands Okinawa, Ishigaki and Iriomote were investigated. The flora includes members of the red algal genera Bostrychia, Caloglossa and Catenella, as well as the brown alga Dictyotopsis propagulifera Troll, which may be considered typical of mangrove forests. The distribution of the low molecular weight carbohydrates sorbitol, dulcitol, mannitol and floridoside was studied in the mangrove algae. Their physiological role as osmoprotectors was assessed by investigating the effect of salinity on the intracellular sorbitol and dulcitol concentration in Bostrychia pinnata J. Tanaka et Chihara and on the mannitol content in D. propagulifera. In both species the polyol values increased with increasing salinity.
The role of macroalgae in epiphytism of the toxic dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus (Dinophyceae)
Authors: Nakahara Hiroyuki , Sakami Tomoko , Chinain Mireille , Ishida Yuzaburo 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARYPopulations of the toxic, epiphytic dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus Adachi et Fukuyo are asSociated closely with Jania sp. on Hitiaa and Papara fringing reefs in Tahiti. Small populations were also observed to be asSociated with Amphiroa sp. and Halimeda opuntia (L.) Lamouroux. The cells attached themselves to the thallus by means of a short thread. When the thalli were irradiated, the cells began to detach from them and swim around the branches. The swimming cells stopped and attached to substrata when a disturbance occurred. The attached cells began to swim within a short time under light conditions when the thallus of Jania sp. were placed near the attached cells. Amphiroa sp. and H. opuntia also induced this re‐commencement of swimming of the attached cells. These observations suggest that G. toxicus usually swims around macroalgal thalli on coral reefs. When sudden disturbance or strong water motion occurs, they attach to the surface of macroalgae and are not dispersed. Soon after water motion becomes slow, the cells begin to swim into the water around the thalli. The epiphytism of G. toxicus is different from epiphytic pennate diatoms, most of which adhere to the thallus all the time. The population of G. toxicus is maintained as an asSociation to a limited number of species of macroalgae which support the re‐commencement of swimming after disturbance.
The Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR)
Authors: Tan Wan C 
Published: February 2008

The Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR) is holding its fourth congress on 4–8 October 1996 in Beijing. The APSR is the only respiratory society formed entirely in the Asia‐Pacific region. The society is affiliated with the national thoracic societies from all the countries in the Asian Pacific region. Countries here have the fastest economic growth in the world and a commitment to social and health changes.An Asian Pacific Society, devoted to pulmonary medicine and science in this region, was first conceived when a steering committee of distinguished pulmonary physicians and scientists from the region met, with the participation of the American Thoracic Society, in Tokyo in August 1985. It had amongst its founding members many international experts in the respiratory field, such as Michiyoshi Harasawa, Shiro Kira, James Hogg, Ann Woolcock, Ken Moser, John Murray and Peter Macklem, to name but a few. The official name is the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology, as this word means the science of respiration and includes all aspects of breathing. Dr Harasawa was the first president (1985–93); Dr Wan C Tan, the second president (1993–96).
Non‐surgical treatment of advanced non‐small cell lung cancer in Japan
Authors: KUNITOH Hideo 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The cisplatin‐based conventional combination chemotherapy has been shown to prolong survival of patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the treatment effect is only modest and of little clinical significance. Several promising ‘new‐generation’ anti‐cancer drugs, such as taxanes, vinorelbine, gemcitabine and irinotecan, have offered both chance and challenge to develop effective chemotherapy against NSCLC. In Japan, large‐scale phase III trials of cisplatin‐irinotecan combination regimen vs. conventional chemotherapy have been conducted; patient accrual has been completed and the final results will be presented in a couple of years. Other new agents will also be available by the end of 1999, and it will be our important task to evaluate those drugs efficiently.The current standard treatment strategy against unresectable stage III NSCLC is chemoradiotherapy. However, there remain many questions to be answered through well‐designed clinical trials. Those include optimal timing and schedule of the chemoradiotherapy, dose and fractionation of radiation and best chemotherapy regimen. An important randomized trial of concurrent vs. sequential chemoradiotherapy has been conducted in Japan, which has suggested that the concurrent schedule has survival benefit. Many trials of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with the new agents are currently performed or planned, but potential toxicity of the concurrent chemoradiotherapy must be carefully evaluated.
Comparative clinical and physiological features of Maori, Pacific Islanders and Europeans with sleep related breathing disorders
Authors: BALDWIN DAVID R. , KOLBE JOHN , TROY KIRSTY , BELCHER JOHN , GIBBS HELEN , FRANKEL ANTHONY , EATON TAM , CHRISTMAS TIM , VEALE ANDREW 
Published: February 2008

AbstractRecent studies have suggested that there is a familial association of sleep apnoea syndrome and that this is not entirely explained by inheritance of known risk factors. Maori (M) and Pacific Islanders (PI) have many of the body habitus features associated with sleep apnoea and therefore might be expected to exhibit more severe disease than Europeans (E).Objective:To compare the clinical and physiological characteristics of the different ethnic groups and to determine if race was an independent predictor of severity of sleep apnoea.Methodology:A prospective evaluation of patients attending the Sleep Disordered Breathing Clinic which serves the whole of Auckland (population 1.1 million), New Zealand was conducted for the period July 1994 to August 1995. The evaluation included history including a 26 question questionnaire, Epworth sleepiness score, examination, and where indicated, full polysomnography.Results:A total of 233 patients (154 E, 48 M AND 33 PI), underwent full polysomnography. Forty‐one (85%) of the M and 31 (94%) of PI had obstructive or mixed sleep apnoea compared with only 74 (49%) of the E (P< 0.0001; x2). There were few racial differences in the responses to the sleep questionnaire. M and PI were shown to have much greater neck and waist circumference and body mass indices. Severity parameters (apnoea‐hypopnoea index, wake and minimum oxygen saturation, and apnoea duration) were greater for both M and PI compared with E (P< 0.001; Mann‐Whitney U‐test). Stepwise regression identified neck size, body mass index and age as independent predictors of severity.Conclusion:When other factors were controlled for, race was not an important independent predictor of severity of sleep apnoea.
How do symptoms have an impact on the prognosis of renal cell carcinoma?
Authors: Kawata Nozomu , Nagane Yusuke , Yamaguchi Kenya , Ichinose Taketo , Hirakata Hitoshi , Takahashi Satoru 
Published: February 2008

Aim:  Symptomatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is well known to have a characteristic behavior. We therefore evaluated the impact of systemic symptoms on the prognosis of RCC.Methods:  Patard's criteria were used to classify symptoms before operation into three groups defined as: S1 (incidental tumor), S2 (localized symptoms) and S3 (systemic symptoms). Selected clinicopathological factors including gender, maximum tumor diameter, clinical stage, hemoglobin, C‐reactive protein (CRP) and immunosuppressive acidic protein, nuclear grade and venous invasion were measured preoperatively in 252 patients. To determine impacts of them on the prognosis of RCC, we compared quantitative results using Cox multivariate analysis.Results:  The cancer‐specific five‐year survival rates were 93.1%, 71.0%, and 20.2% for S1 (144 patients), S2 (80 patients) and S3 (28 patients), respectively (P < 0.0001). By the univariate analysis, S2 and S3 were significant prognostic factors (risk ratio 4.5, P = 0.0003, risk ratio 19.15, P < 0.0001, respectively). By the multivariate analysis limited to preoperative clinical characteristics, S3 and CRP were independent factors (risk ratio 7.05, P = 0.0006, risk ratio 3.53, P = 0.0052, respectively). When pathological factors as well as preoperative clinical features were included on multivariate analysis, S3 and CRP remained to be independent predictive factors (risk ratio 6.01, P = 0.0031, risk ratio 2.64, P = 0.0040, respectively). Among pathological factors, only nuclear grade was a significant prognostic factor (risk ratio 2.92, P = 0.013).Conclusion:  The presence of systemic symptoms is an independent prognostic factor along with nuclear grade and CRP.
The potential role of prebiopsy magnetic resonance imaging combined with prostate‐specific antigen density in the detection of prostate cancer
Authors: Kubota Yasuaki , Kamei Shingo , Nakano Masahiro , Ehara Hidetoshi , Deguchi Takashi , Tanaka Osamu 
Published: February 2008

Aim:  Two‐thirds of patients with a gray‐zone prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level undergo unnecessary biopsy. Sensitivity is not yet sufficient to permit the use of modified PSA parameters or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging alone for prostate cancer screening. Thus, we evaluated the combination of MR imaging and PSA density (PSAD) for specificity and sensitivity.Methods:  During the period April 2004 through March 2006, 185 patients with a PSA level of 4.0–10.0 ng/mL underwent MR imaging and transrectal ultrasonography‐guided 8‐core biopsy (systemic sextant biopsy of the peripheral zone plus two cores of transition zone). All MR images were interpreted prospectively by two radiologists. An image was considered positive for prostate cancer if any feature indicated a cancerous lesion. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the usefulness of the PSA level, PSAD and PSA transitional zone density (PSATZ) for the detection of prostate cancer.Results:  Of the 185 patients, 62 had prostate cancer. Sensitivity and specificity of the axial T2‐weighted MR imaging findings for cancer detection were 79.0% and 59.4%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.590 for the PSA level, 0.718 for PSAD and 0.695 for PSATZ. MR imaging findings and PSAD were shown by multivariate analysis to be statistically significant independent predictors of prostate cancer (P < 0.001). With a PSAD cut‐off value of 0.111, sensitivity was 96.8%, but specificity was 19.5%. Combining MR imaging findings with PSAD increased the specificity to 40% and retained 95% sensitivity.Conclusion:  MR imaging findings combined with PSAD provide high sensitivity and improve the specificity for the early detection of prostate cancer.