bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of supplementary pollination on cropping success and fruit quality in pistachio
Authors: Vaknin Y. , Gan‐Mor S. , Bechar A. , Ronen B. , Eisikowitch D. , Grunewaldt J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe effects of pollen supplementation in pistachio orchards using an electrostatic pollination device were investigated in a 3‐year study (1996‐98) in San Joaquin Valley, California, USA. Both yield and fruit quality (per cent split fruit) were tested in several experiments. Applying smaller amounts of pollen (1.5 g per tree in early application only in 1996 or 0.5 g in two applications in 1997) resulted in higher yields than with open pollination or supplementary pollination using larger amounts of pollen (1.5 g per tree in four applications in 1996 or 1.0 g in two applications in 1997). Applying 1.0 g pollen in two applications in 1998 resulted in decreased yields compared with open pollination or non‐electrostatic pollination. Pollen germinability on the stigma was greatest for open pollination suggesting that overloading the stigmas with pollen in supplementary pollination may not only reduce yield but also increase competition between pollen grains. The per cent split fruit significantly increased only once in 1996. When pollination is a limiting factor, electrostatic pollination of pistachio can increase yield and may even increase fruit quality. However, when pollination is not a limiting factor, electrostatic pollination may even reduce yield.
Identification of Brassica oleracea germplasm with improved resistance to Verticillium wilt
Authors: Happstadius I. , Ljungberg A. , Kristiansson B. , Dixelius C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractTwo hundred and ninety‐nine accessions representing 11 cultivar groups of Brassica oleracea and eight additional accessions of the wild species B. cretica, B. incana, B. insularis and B. villosa were screened for resistance to Verticillium wilt. A disease index (DI) was calculated for each accession, and a correction of the DI was carried out to compensate for a fluctuating infection level between 11 independent trials. A total of 235, or 77% of the accessions tested, had a DIcorr less or equal to the oilseed rape cv. ‘Express’ (DIcorr= 2.81), the reference cultivar. Only one accession of the wild species, B. incana, showed an enhanced level of resistance (DIcorr= 2.01). Twenty‐four accessions, distributed over eight cultivar groups of B. oleracea were selected for subsequent crosses involving B. rapa. Hybrid plants with 14 accessions were resultant and seed was obtained from crosses where the cultivar groups acephala, alboglabra, botrytis, capitata, gemmifera, italica and sabellica were used as female parents. When progeny of the produced resynthesized rapeseed lines were evaluated for Verticillium wilt resistance, three lines showed a significantly lower disease index (P ≥ 0.01) compared with the cv. ‘Express’. This source of resistance is now being crossed to advanced breeding material of oilseed rape.
Cryopreservation of Embryos of Farm Animals
Authors: Massip A. 
Published: March 2003

This review contains two parts.The first part is devoted to the significant steps in cryopreservation of mammalian embryos with emphasis on cattle and sheep that serve as models of reference. These steps are: (1) shortening of cooling and warming processes; (2) addition and dilution of cryoprotectant in one step; (3) introduction of plastic straw as a freezing and dilution container; (4) the choice of ethylene glycol as the quite universal cryoprotectant because of its low toxicity and high permeability; (5) vitrification, a cryopreservation method which enable passage from the liquid to the solid state by extreme elevation of viscosity due to high concentration of cryoprotectants and very rapid cooling. There are several vitrification solutions which contain dimethyl sulphoxide, glycerol, ethylene glycol, or a mixture of them, as basic cryoprotectants.The second part considers some factors affecting the efficiency of cryopreservation concerning (i) the origin of embryos and (ii) the stage of development and species.The origin of embryos (in vivo versus in vitro): in vitro embryos show a chilling and freezing sensitivity associated with their lipid content which can be modified by the culture conditions. Both conventional freezing and vitrification have been used and it seems that vitrification is more adapted to in vitro embryos when some modifications of initial protocols are carried out, particularly the rate of cooling. Thus considerable progress has been achieved by using the open pulled straw method of Vajta which enables the use of a minimum volume of freezing medium (0.5 μl) and a very high cooling rate that permits rapid traversal of the damaging temperature zone, corresponding to chilling sensitivity.The stage of development and species: not only are there differences between species at the same stage of development but in the same species all stages of development do not survive equally under the same freezing protocol. In cattle for example, oocytes and early stages of development in vivo or in vitro do not survive whereas compacted morulae and blastocysts survive very well. In the pig hatched blastocysts survive better than the other stages. Horse embryos have special characteristics that pose problems for successful freezing.In conclusion, a lot of work remains to be done to define fundamental characteristics of embryos of certain species (pig, horse) and of embryos of some stages or of oocytes.
Vital Aspects of Fallopian Tube Physiology in Pigs
Authors: Hunter RHF 
Published: March 2003

ContentsThis essay reviews four topical aspects of Fallopian tube physiology that bear on either successful fertilization or early development of the zygote. An initial focus is on glycoprotein secretions of the duct that accumulate as a viscous mucus in the caudal isthmus. Because this is the site of the pre‐ovulatory sperm reservoir, an involvement of the secretions is considered in: preventing uterine and ampullary tubal fluids from entering the functional sperm reservoir; removing residual male secretions from the sperm surface; deflecting spermatozoa towards endosalpingeal organelles and reducing flagellar beat before ovulation. The subtle prompting of flagellar movement with impending ovulation is examined in terms of potential reactivation mechanisms, with overall control attributed to increasing secretion of progesterone. The site of full capacitation and the acrosome reaction in a fertilizing spermatozoon is then debated, with strong arguments pointing to completion of these processes in the specific fluids at the ampullary‐isthmic junction. Finally, the synthetic activity of cumulus cells released at ovulation as a paracrine tissue in the Fallopian tube is highlighted with reference to steroid hormones, peptides and cytokines. Not only does the suspension of granulosa‐derived cells influence the process of fertilization, but also it may amplify oocyte or embryonic signals to the endosalpinx and ipsilateral ovary.
Comparison of Stereoscopy, Light Microscopy and Ultrastructural Methods for Evaluation of Bovine Embryos
Authors: Aguilar MM , Galina CS , Merchant H , Montiel F , Canseco R , Márquez YC 
Published: March 2003

ContentsThe most important point in embryo transfer success is the evaluation of the stage of development and quality of embryos. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the morphological evaluation of embryos using stereoscopy, light microscopy and electron microscopy in order to establish the accuracy of former method compared with more invasive and accurate procedures. For this purpose, 23 Brahman × Swiss cows were used and synchronized with Norgestomet 6 mg plus, 5 mg Estradiol valerate (Syncromate B®, Rhone Merieux, Mexico, Mexico City) and superovulated with Folltropin‐V 240 mg (Vetrepharm, Mexico, Mexico City). Non‐surgical embryo collection was performed 7.5 days after insemination. Descriptive statistics analysis was used to assess the data. Seventy‐eight embryos were collected and classified by stereoscopic microscopy, finding 51.2% (40) of good quality, 25.6% (20) fair and 24.3% (19) poor. Later, under light microscopy observation, evaluation of the same embryos resulted in 25.6% (20) good, 32.0% (25) fair and 42.3% poor quality. Finally, in the evaluation of embryos under electron microscopy 24.3% (19) were found to be of good quality, 29.3% (23) fair and 46.1% (36) poor. Evaluation of embryos with stereoscopic microscopy was found to be very subjective, as nearly 50% of embryos classified by this method as good quality, showed features of degenerative stages under light and electron microscopy. Embryos with these features are generally frozen and transferred, which could be one of the reasons for having low fertility rate in embryo transfer programmes.
The Use of HOS Test to Evaluate Membrane Functionality of Boar Sperm Capacitated in vitro
Authors: Lechniak D , Kedzierski A , Stanislawski D 
Published: March 2003

ContentsThe functional and structural integrity of sperm membrane are crucial for the viability of spermatozoa. The commonly used staining test (eosin + nigrosin) for assessing sperm membrane measures only its structural integrity. The hypoosmotic swelling test (HOS) originally developed for human sperm (Jeyendran et al. 1984) has been also applied to several species of domestic animals (bull, pig, horse, dog). The test enables to evaluate the functional status of the sperm membrane. The principle of HOS is based on water transport across the sperm tail membrane under hypoosmotic conditions. It has previously been used to assess the semen quality (Revell and Mrode 1994), to analyse fertilizing capacity (Rota et al. 2000; Perez‐Llano et al. 2001) and also to detect viable, immotile cells for ICSI (Intra‐cytoplasmic sperm injection) in human (Zeyneloglu et al. 2000).There are two procedures commonly used for sperm capacitation in the pig‐sperm washing and incubation before insemination (Nagai 1994). Capacitation involves several changes like removing molecules coating the sperm head membrane, changes in membrane fluidity and intracellular ion concentration (Green and Watson 2001). Thus the membrane integrity as well as functionality may be affected as shown by Harrison (1996).The aim of the present study was to analyse changes in sperm membrane integrity after in vitro capacitation by use of the HOS test.
New approaches to health and well‐being for dementia day‐care clients, family carers and day‐care staff
Authors: Kilstoff Kathleen , Chenoweth Lynn 
Published: March 2003

Kilstoff K, Chenoweth L. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1998; 4: 70–83 New approaches to health and well‐being for dementia day‐care clients, their family carers and day‐care staffThis study was conducted in one multicultural dementia day‐care centre over a period of 18 months. It introduced a gentle hand treatment for clients using three essential oils. The study evolved out of the process of action research where the family carers and day‐care staff participated with the researchers to choose, design, develop and evaluate a hand treatment programme. Data was collected through in‐depth interviews pre‐and post‐treatment, focus group discussions, client observation logbooks and a disability scale. The findings indicate a positive strengthening of the relationship between the person with dementia and their family carer, and an improvement in feelings of health and well‐being for both. The specific improvements for clients include increased alertness, self‐hygiene, contentment, initiation of toileting, sleeping at night and reduced levels of agitation, withdrawal and wandering. Family carers have reported less distress, improved sleeping patterns and feelings of calm. They also found the treatment useful in helping them manage the difficult behaviours exhibited by their relative with dementia. The benefits of this treatment for nursing practice are that it is safe, effective and easily administered by staff in any setting.
Analysis of the stressful effects of hospitalisation and source isolation on coping and psychological constructs
Authors: Gammon  
Published: March 2003

Gammon J. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1998; 4: 84–96 Analysis of the stressful effects of hospitalisation and source isolation on coping and psychological constructsThis quantitative research has attempted to investigate the psychological effects of hospitalisation and source isolation, and assessed whether were they influential in affecting a patient’s cognitive coping with these two stressors. The research evaluated whether isolating a person because of an infection was a more stressful event (causing negative effects on four measured psychological constructs) than routine hospital admission. The research was conducted in two large District General Hospitals and one elderly care hospital. Individuals admitted to one of the research sites, and who satisfied the sample criteria, were adopted. The total number of subjects was 40. The research design was quasi experimental (post test only control group design), using a quantitative approach. Following a period of hospitalisation or isolation subjects in the control group (Group 1, hospitalised subjects, n=20) and subjects in the experimental group (Group 2, isolated subjects, n=20) were given the following to complete: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale1, the Health Illness (Powerlessness) Questionnaire2, and the Self Esteem Scale3. These measured four psychological constructs: anxiety, depression, self esteem and sense of control. The quantitative data generated were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Student’s t‐test. The findings confirmed and validated previous research that hospitalisation results in many negative feelings that have detrimental effects on psychological well being and coping. However, more significantly, infected subjects who were isolated demonstrated feelings of anxiety, and depression that were significantly higher, and feelings of self esteem and sense of control that were significantly lower than those demonstrated by hospitalised subjects. Thus it could be argued that isolation has an even greater negative effect on their coping. Further research therefore needs to examine how specific nurse interventions can ameliorate the identified negative effects of isolation and so facilitate effective coping and positive psychological well being.
The transforming power of research on practice: Involving practitioners in analysis
Authors: Stainton M. Colleen , Harvey Sheila , McNeil Deborah , Emmanuel Elizabeth , Johnson Caroline M. 
Published: March 2003

The transforming power of research on practice: Involving practitioners in analysis Nurses were invited to participate in the interpretation of transcribed interviews during the data analysis phase of a phenomenological study. They worked with the investigators in learning and using hermeneutic methods to identify and interpret meanings embedded in exemplars. Their expert clinical knowledge of the field of practice added rigor to the analytical process and depth to the understanding achieved. As the analysis progressed, the nurses began to spontaneously describe transformation occurring in their practice. Involving nurses in data analysis has transformative power on practice.
K–Ar ages of the Akan‐Shiretoko volcanic chain lying oblique to the Kurile trench: Implications for tectonic control of volcanism
Authors: Goto Yoshihiko , Funayama Atsushi , Gouchi Nobuo , Itaya Tetsumaru 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe Akan‐Shiretoko volcanic chain, situated in the Southwestern Kurile arc, consists mainly of nine subaerial andesitic stratovolcanoes and three calderas. The chain extends in a SW–NE direction for 200 km, situated oblique to the Kurile trench at an angle of 25 degrees. Thirty‐seven new K–Ar ages, plus previous data, suggest that volcanic activity along the Akan‐Shiretoko volcanic chain began at ca 4 Ma at Akan, at the southwestern end of the chain, and systematically progressed northeastward, resulting in the southwest‐northeast‐trending volcanic chain. This spatial and temporal distribution of volcanoes can be explained by anticline development advancing northeastward from the Akan area, accompanied by magma rising through northeast‐trending fractures that developed along the anticlinal axis. The northeastward development of the anticline caused uplifting of the Akan‐Shiretoko area and changed the area from submarine to subaerial conditions. Anticline formation was likely due to deformation of the southwestern Kurile arc, with southwestward migration of the Kurile forearc sliver caused by oblique subduction of the Pacific plate. The echelon topographic arrangement of the Shiretoko, Kunashiri, Etorofu and Urup was formed at ca 1 Ma.
Management of viral hepatitis C
Authors: LEUNG NANCY WY 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe hepatitis C virus was first identified in 1989. It causes chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Global anti‐HCV prevalence is 1–3%. Contaminated blood product, dirty needles and instruments, and injection drug use are the main parenteral routes of transmission. Cultural practices, such as acupuncture, tattoo, body piercing and scarring, also play a role. Universal precaution is the mainstay for prevention before vaccine is developed. Therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with interferon (IFN) is not satisfactory. Non‐response and early relapse reduce sustained response (SR). In 1997, National Institute of Health consensus recommended IFN therapy only for selected patients with compensated CHC, raised ALT and moderate to severe histologic disease activity; 15–20% SR is expected. Major advances in CHC therapy is combination therapy. Ribavirin in combination with IFN significantly increases SR to 30–40%. Even patients with high viral load, genotype 1, significant fibrosis or cirrhosis respond better. EASL and APASL Consensus in 1999 recommended IFN‐ribavirin combination as the first line therapy. Recent data on pegylated IFN showed very encouraging results. Combined with ribavirin, 60% SR was achieved. It benefits patients with severe bridging necrosis and also cirrhosis. However, 23–27% of patients receiving combination therapy with either IFN type, experienced adverse events and required therapy discontinuation. Many important issues remained unsolved. Therapy for children, the elderly, patients with comorbidity and extra–hepatic syndromes need to be addressed. Therapy is too expensive and not affordable to the majority of patients in developing countries.
New optical technologies for earlier endoscopic diagnosis of premalignant gastrointestinal lesions
Authors: DACOSTA RALPH S , WILSON BRIAN C , MARCON NORMAN E 
Published: March 2003

AbstractGastrointestinal malignancies continue to be the second leading cause of cancer‐related deaths in the developed world. The early detection and treatment of gastrointestinal preneoplasms has been demonstrated to significantly improve patient survival. Conventional screening tools include standard white light endoscopy (WLE) and frequent surveillance with biopsy. Well‐defined endoscopic surveillance biopsy protocols aimed at early detection of dysplasia and malignancy have been undertaken for groups at high risk. Unfortunately, the poor sensitivity associated with WLE is a significant limitation. In this regard, major efforts continue in the development and evaluation of alternative diagnostic techniques. This review will focus on notable developments made at the forefront of research in modern gastrointestinal endoscopy based on novel optical endoscopic modalities, which rely on the interactions of light with tissues. Here we present the ‘state‐of‐the‐art’ in fluorescence endoscopic imaging and spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography, light scattering spectroscopy, chromoendoscopy, confocal fluorescence endoscopy, and immunofluorescence endoscopy. These new developments may offer significant improvements in the diagnosis of early lesions by allowing for targeted mucosal excisional biopsies, and perhaps may even provide ‘optical biopsies’ of equivalent histological accuracy. This enhancement of the endoscopist’s ability to detect subtle preneoplastic changes in the gastrointestional mucosa in real time and improved staging of lesions could lead to curative endoscopic ablation of these lesions and, in the long term, improve patient survival and quality of life.
CASE REPORT: Intra‐abdominal angiosarcomatosis after radiotherapy
Authors: Suzuki Fujihiko , Saito Akira , Ishi Kazuhisa , Koyatsu Junichi , Maruyama Toshihide , Suda Koichi 
Published: March 2003

Background: We report a case of a 61‐year‐old Japanese woman who developed intra‐abdominal angiosarcomatosis 20 years after receiving radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Methods and Results: The surgically resected portion of the ileum showed diffuse proliferating angiosarcoma, with irregular channels lined by atypical vascular endothelial cells. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the tumour cells were positive for Factor VIII‐related antigen and ulex europaeus agglutinin 1. At autopsy, the tumour had disseminated to the peritoneum and invaded into the right thoracic cavity. Conclusions: These findings were compatible with radiation‐induced angiosarcomatosis.
[14C]‐Urea breath test to confirm eradication of Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Sharma Brijesh , Bhasin Deepak , Pathak Chander , Sinha Saroj , Ray Pallab , Kim  , Singh Kartar 
Published: March 2003

Background: Treatment for Helicobacter pylori reduces ulcer recurrence. Eradication rates of the organism vary with different drug regimens from 30% to 90%. There is a need to identify patients who have failed treatment. [14C]‐Urea breath test (UBT) is non‐invasive, sensitive, safe and highly reliable test for diagnosis of H. pylori infection. As there is a paucity of reports on the utility of [14C]‐UBT in confirming H. pylori eradication, this study was undertaken. Methods: Thirty‐eight patients (age 34 ± 17 years, range 16–84 years, 27 men) with upper gastrointestinal symptoms underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Baseline H. pylori infection was diagnosed by identification of the organism on antral biopsies and positive rapid urease test (RUT). After 1 month of completion of treatment, repeat RUT and histological examination of antral endoscopic biopsies were performed. Eradication of H. pylori was defined as absence of the organism on histology, and negative RUT. The [14C]‐UBT was performed using 185 kBq [14C]‐urea dissolved in 300 mL water. Breath samples were collected once before ingestion of [14C]‐urea, and subsequently at 5 and 15 min. Results were expressed as 14CO2/mmol CO2 exhaled as per cent of administered urea. Results: Endoscopy revealed antral gastritis (n = 14), duodenal ulcer (n = 8), duodenitis (n = 2), oesophagitis (n = 1), antral gastritis and duodenal ulcer (n = 3), antral gastritis and duodenitis (n = 7) and normal upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (n = 3). All the 20 patients who were negative for H. pylori on RUT and histology, tested negative for H. pylori on [14C]‐UBT. However, of 18 patients shown to have H. pylori infection on RUT and histology, 16 were positive for H. pylori on [14C]‐UBT. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of [14C]‐UBT were 100, 89, 91, 100 and 95% respectively. Conclusions: The [14C]‐UBT is a reliable indicator of H. pylori eradication after treatment. It can obviate the need for antral biopsies to confirm eradication of H. pylori after completion of treatment.