bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hormonal and Metabolic Profiles of High‐yielding Dairy Cows Prior to Ovarian Cyst formation or First Ovulation Post Partum
Authors: Vanholder T , Leroy JLMR , Dewulf J , Duchateau L , Coryn M , de Kruif A , Opsomer G 
Published: August 2005

ContentsThe present study aimed to investigate the pathogenesis of cystic ovarian disease (COD) in high‐yielding dairy cows postpartum (pp). Hormonal and metabolic profiles during the first 3 weeks pp as well as during the final week prior to ovulation/cyst formation, were compared between dairy cows that developed either an ovulatory follicle (OV) or a cyst (CYST) < day 60 pp. Thirty‐four lactations of 28 high‐yielding (9500 kg/305 days) Holstein–Friesian dairy cows were studied. Ovaries of cows were scanned twice a week from day 10 pp on, until ovulation/cyst formation. Milk yield data, body condition scores and blood samples, for determination of oestradiol‐17β, insulin,β‐OH‐butyrate and non‐esterified fatty acids, were collected simultaneously. Milk samples for progesterone analysis were collected daily. Four lactations were excluded from further analysis because of irregular pp ovarian cyclicity, excluding COD. Eight lactations (26.7%) developed a cyst, while 22 lactations ovulated <days 60 pp. Ovulation and cyst formation occurred at similar times pp. Metabolic and hormonal profiles did not differ between CYST and OV lactations during the first 3 weeks pp. In the final week prior to cyst formation/ovulation, insulin concentrations were lower in CYST than in OV lactations while no differences were observed for any of the other parameters tested. In two lactations, cyst formation was preceded by suprabasal progesterone and increased oestradiol‐17βconcentrations. These results suggest that cyst formation in high‐yielding dairy cows pp is associated with lower insulin levels but not with other distinct hormonal and metabolic alterations. However from this study, we cannot exclude the involvement of subtle hormonal and metabolic changes in the pathogenesis of ovarian cysts. Suprabasal progesterone, and altered oestradiol‐17βconcentrations, seem to play a minor role in cyst formation.
Repeat Ovum Pick‐up and In Vitro Embryo Production from Adult Ewes with and without FSH Treatment
Authors: Morton KM , de Graaf SP , Campbell A , Tomkins LM , Chis Maxwell WM , Evans G 
Published: August 2005

ContentsOvum pick‐up (OPU) was performed three times on adult ewes after synchronization with (n = 4) or without (n = 4) FSH treatment to investigate the effects of FSH treatment on the number of ovarian follicles, oocytes recovered, oocyte quality and development in vitro. FSH treatment increased the number of ovarian follicles (85 vs 162) and oocytes recovered (33 vs 91), although recovery rate was similar for ewes with and without FSH (91/162, 56.2% and 33/85, 38.8% respectively). Of the oocytes recovered, those classified as grades I and II were similar between ewes with (78/91, 85.7%) and without FSH treatment (27/33, 81.8%). The number of ovarian follicles was similar after repeated OPU for ewes treated with FSH, but for ewes not treated with FSH the number of ovarian follicles decreased with repeated OPU. The number of oocytes recovered decreased for FSH‐treated ewes only, while the oocyte recovery rate and proportion of oocytes classified as grades I and II were not affected by repeated OPU. Oocyte cleavage (46/78, 58.9% and 19/24, 79.2%) and blastocyst formation (35/46, 76.1% and 12/19, 63.2% respectively) were similar for ewes with and without FSH treatment. The number of ovarian follicles varied between ewes (p < 0.05) although the number of oocytes recovered and oocyte development in vitro were similar between ewes.
Follicle Turnover and Pregnancy Rates Following Oestrus Synchronization Protocols in Mediterranean Italian Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Presicce GA , Senatore EM , De Santis G , Bella A 
Published: August 2005

ContentsAn ultrasound assessment of follicle turnover following two different protocols for synchronization of oestrus and ovulation, as well as an assessment of achieved synchronization between ovulation and AI and conception rates in nulliparous and pluriparous buffaloes were carried out during months of increasing day length. Nulliparous buffaloes (n = 30) were subjected only to Ovsynch protocol whereas pluriparous buffaloes (n = 31) were assigned to Ovsynch (n = 14) or to PRID®‐pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) (n = 17) protocol according to the presence of functional CL confirming cyclic and acyclic conditions. Ultrasound examination of ovarian follicular dynamics at critical days in the course of synchronization treatments was employed to monitor the fate of the largest available follicles at the beginning of treatments. Such available dominant follicle would persist throughout the protocol as ovulating follicle (no‐follicle shift) or would regress giving way to a new follicle to become dominant and ovulate (follicle shift). Furthermore, ultrasound monitoring would determine the degree of synchronization of ovulation and final outcome represented by pregnancy rates. Pregnancy rate following Ovsynch protocol was 40% (12/30) and 42.8% (6/14) in nulliparous and pluriparous buffaloes respectively (p = 0.8575). Most ovulations were synchronized and recorded at AI and the following day in nulliparous (24/30; 80%) and pluriparous (12/14; 85.7%) buffaloes respectively (p = 1.000). A follicle shift was recorded in 14 of 30 (46.6%) and 11 of 14 (78.5%) in nulliparous and pluriparous buffaloes respectively (p = 0.0466). Among established pregnancies: eight derived from follicle shift (66.6%) and four from no‐follicle shift (33.3%) in nulliparous buffaloes, p = 0.0729 whereas in pluriparous buffaloes five (83.3%) derived from follicle shift and one from no‐follicle shift (16.6%), p = 0.6154. Collectively, from 18 pregnancies in nulliparous and pluriparous buffaloes following Ovsynch protocol, 13 derived from follicle shift (72.2%) and five from no‐follicle shift (27.7%), p = 0.0860. Pregnancy rate in pluriparous buffaloes following PRID®‐PMSG protocol was 70.5% (12/17). The majority of ovulations were synchronized and recorded at first, second AI and following day (13/17; 76.4%). A follicle shift occurred in 15/17 buffaloes (88.2%) and among the 12 recorded pregnancies, 11 derived from follicle shift (91.6%), p = 0.5147. In conclusion, pregnancy rates following Ovsynch protocol were similar in nulliparous and pluriparous cyclic buffaloes. A progestagen treatment on acyclic buffaloes but still displaying some ovarian follicular dynamics, resulted in significantly higher pregnancy rate compared with Ovsynch (p = 0.0376). According to the time of scheduled AI, a high degree of synchronized ovulations were recorded following the implementation of both protocols.
Field Experiences on Post‐cervical Artificial Insemination in the Sow
Authors: Roberts PK , Bilkei G 
Published: August 2005

ContentsThe present study was performed in order to evaluate the effects of post‐cervical artificial insemination (post‐CAI) in eastern European continental climate with multiparous sows. The sows were randomly allocated into two groups, and were AI by using CAI with 3 × 109 spermatozoa per dose (group 1, n = 859) or by post‐CAI, using pooled semen with 1 × 109 spermatozoa per dose (group 2, n = 924). Wean‐to‐oestrus intervals, duration of oestrus, day 24 pregnancy rates, farrowing rates, and total pigs born were evaluated. Wean‐to‐oestrus intervals (CAI 114.3 ± 4.1 h; post‐CAI 115.2 ± 5.2 h), duration of oestrus (CAI 64.1 ± 4.1 h; post‐CAI 65.0 ± 5.2 h), day 24 pregnancy rates (CAI 90.2 ± 1.7%; post‐CAI 89.3 ± 1.8%) and farrowing rates (CAI 88.1  ± 2.3%; post‐CAI 87.8 ± 2.9%) did not differ significantly between CAI and post‐CAI inseminated sows. The total number of pigs born differed significantly (p < 0.01) between the groups (CAI 12.3 ± 1.1; post‐CAI 10.2 ± 0.9).
Fluoride exposure from ingested toothpaste in 4–5‐year‐old Malaysian children
Authors: Siew Tan Bee , Razak Ishak Abdul 
Published: August 2005

Abstract –  Objective:  The aim of this study was to assess (by direct determination) the fluoride (F) exposure from ingested toothpaste among 4–5‐year‐old Malaysian children.Methods:  This was part of a larger study to determine fluorosis status and F exposures. A total of 1343 10–11‐year‐old subjects were sampled by two‐stage systematic random sampling for assessment of fluorosis. Two hundred 4–5‐year‐old siblings of these index subjects were subsampled for determination of F exposures from ingested toothpastes and other sources. Estimations of F ingested from toothpaste (FI) was made by the method of difference between ‘F in toothpaste taken for use’ and the ‘F in toothpaste used but not swallowed’, by the duplicate technique under normal home conditions. F ions were determined with the combination selective ion electrode.Results:  The subjects ingested 32.9% of the toothpaste placed on the brush. Fluoride exposure from ingested toothpaste was highly variable and the mean was 426.9 ± 505.5 μg (SEM 38.9)/48 h, or 213.5 μg/day and 131.9 μg per brushing.Conclusions:  The amount of ingested fluoride (FI) per brushing in this study was the lowest of all studies reporting this parameter and was within the pea‐size range of 125–250 μg. Because of the highly statistically significant correlations between the FI from toothpaste and the amount of toothpaste dispensed (Pearson's correlation coefficient 0.647, P = 0.000), parents should assume responsibility for placement of toothpaste and limit the amount of toothpaste used.
GeV gamma-rays and TeV neutrinos from very massive compact binary systems: the case of WR 20a
Authors: Bednarek W. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
Massive Wolf—Rayet stars in a compact binary system are characterized by very strong winds which collide, creating a shock wave. If the wind nuclei, from helium up to oxygen, accelerated at the shock can reach large enough energies, they suffer disintegration in collisions with soft thermal radiation from the massive stars injecting relativistic protons and neutrons. Protons collide with the matter of the wind and a fraction of neutrons collide with the massive stars producing γ-rays and neutrinos via decay of pions. We calculate γ-ray fluxes from inverse Compton e± pair cascades initiated by primary γ-rays and leptons, which are produced by protons, and the neutrino fluxes, produced by protons and neutrons, for the example compact massive binary WR 20a. From normalization of these cascade γ-ray spectra to the fluxes of the EGRET sources 2EG J1021 − 5835 and 2EG J1049 − 5847 observed in the direction of WR 20a, we conclude that this massive binary can be detected by the IceCube type of neutrino detector. The estimated muon neutrino event rate inside the 1-km2 detector during 1 year is between a few and a few tens, depending on the spectrum of accelerated nuclei.
Sources of variation in Affymetrix microarray experiments
Authors: Zakharkin Stanislav O , Kim Kyoungmi , Mehta Tapan , Chen Lang , Barnes Stephen , Scheirer Katherine E , Parrish Rudolph S , Allison David B , Page Grier P 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackgroundA typical microarray experiment has many sources of variation which can be attributed to biological and technical causes. Identifying sources of variation and assessing their magnitude, among other factors, are important for optimal experimental design. The objectives of this study were: (1) to estimate relative magnitudes of different sources of variation and (2) to evaluate agreement between biological and technical replicates.ResultsWe performed a microarray experiment using a total of 24 Affymetrix GeneChip®arrays. The study included 4thmammary gland samples from eight 21-day-oldSprague Dawley CDfemale rats exposed to genistein (soy isoflavone). RNA samples from each rat were split to assess variation arising at labeling and hybridization steps. A general linear model was used to estimate variance components. Pearson correlations were computed to evaluate agreement between technical and biological replicates.ConclusionThe greatest source of variation was biological variation, followed by residual error, and finally variation due to labeling when *.cel files were processed with dChip and RMA image processing algorithms. When MAS 5.0 or GCRMA-EB were used, the greatest source of variation was residual error, followed by biology and labeling. Correlations between technical replicates were consistently higher than between biological replicates.
Dynamic covariation between gene expression and proteome characteristics
Authors: Sharabiani Mansour Taghavi Azar , Siermala Markku , Lehtinen Tommi O , Vihinen Mauno 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
Background
Cells react to changing intra- and extracellular signals by dynamically modulating complex biochemical networks. Cellular responses to extracellular signals lead to changes in gene and protein expression. Since the majority of genes encode proteins, we investigated possible correlations between protein parameters and gene expression patterns to identify proteome-wide characteristics indicative of trends common to expressed proteins.

Results
Numerous bioinformatics methods were used to filter and merge information regarding gene and protein annotations. A new statistical time point-oriented analysis was developed for the study of dynamic correlations in large time series data. The method was applied to investigate microarray datasets for different cell types, organisms and processes, including human B and T cell stimulation, Drosophila melanogaster life span, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell cycle.

Conclusion
We show that the properties of proteins synthesized correlate dynamically with the gene expression profile, indicating that not only is the actual identity and function of expressed proteins important for cellular responses but that several physicochemical and other protein properties correlate with gene expression as well. Gene expression correlates strongly with amino acid composition, composition- and sequence-derived variables, functional, structural, localization and gene ontology parameters. Thus, our results suggest that a dynamic relationship exists between proteome properties and gene expression in many biological systems, and therefore this relationship is fundamental to understanding cellular mechanisms in health and disease.
Dalhousie dyspnea scales: construct and content validity of pictorial scales for measuring dyspnea
Authors: McGrath Patrick J , Pianosi Paul T , Unruh Anita M , Buckley Chloe P 
Published: August 2005

Abstract

Background
Because there are no child-friendly, validated, self-report measures of dyspnea or breathlessness, we developed, and provided initial validation, of three, 7-item, pictorial scales depicting three sub-constructs of dyspnea: throat closing, chest tightness, and effort.

Methods
We developed the three scales (Throat closing, Chest tightness, and Effort) using focus groups with 25 children. Subsequently, seventy-nine children (29 children with asthma, 30 children with cystic fibrosis. and 20 children who were healthy) aged 6 to 18 years rated each picture in each series, using a 0–10 scale. In addition, each child placed each picture in each series on a 100-cm long Visual Analogue Scale, with the anchors "not at all" and "a lot".

Results
Children aged eight years or older rated the scales in the correct order 75% to 98% correctly, but children less than 8 years of age performed unreliably. The mean distance between each consecutive item in each pictorial scale was equal.

Conclusion
Preliminary results revealed that children aged 8 to 18 years understood and used these three scales measuring throat closing, chest tightness, and effort appropriately. The scales appear to accurately measure the construct of breathlessness, at least at an interval level. Additional research applying these scales to clinical situations is warranted.
Right ventricular dyssynchrony in patients with pulmonary hypertension is associated with disease severity and functional class
Authors: López-Candales Angel , Dohi Kaoru , Rajagopalan Navin , Suffoletto Matthew , Murali Srinivas , Gorcsan John , Edelman Kathy 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackgroundAbnormalities in right ventricular function are known to occur in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.ObjectiveTest the hypothesis that chronic elevation in pulmonary artery systolic pressure delays mechanical activation of the right ventricle, termed dyssynchrony, and is associated with both symptoms and right ventricular dysfunction.MethodsFifty-two patients (mean age 46 ± 15 years, 24 patients with chronic pulmonary hypertension) were prospectively evaluated using several echocardiographic parameters to assess right ventricular size and function. In addition, tissue Doppler imaging was also obtained to assess longitudinal strain of the right ventricular wall, interventricular septum, and lateral wall of the left ventricle and examined with regards to right ventricular size and function as well as clinical variables.ResultsIn this study, patients with chronic pulmonary hypertension had statistically different right ventricular fractional area change (35 ± 13 percent), right ventricular end-systolic area (21 ± 10 cm2), right ventricular Myocardial Performance Index (0.72 ± 0.34), and Eccentricity Index (1.34 ± 0.37) than individuals without pulmonary hypertension (51 ± 5 percent, 9 ± 2 cm2, 0.27 ± 0.09, and 0.97 ± 0.06, p < 0.005, respectively). Furthermore, peak longitudinal right ventricular wall strain in chronic pulmonary hypertension was also different -20.8 ± 9.0 percent versus -28.0 ± 4.1 percent, p < 0.01). Right ventricular dyssynchrony correlated very well with right ventricular end-systolic area (r = 0.79, p < 0.001) and Eccentricity Index (r = 0.83, p < 0.001). Furthermore, right ventricular dyssynchrony correlates with pulmonary hypertension severity index (p < 0.0001), World Health Organization class (p < 0.0001), and number of hospitalizations (p < 0.0001).ConclusionLower peak longitudinal right ventricular wall strain and significantly delayed time-to-peak strain values, consistent with right ventricular dyssynchrony, were found in a small heterogeneous group of patients with chronic pulmonary hypertension when compared to individuals without pulmonary hypertension. Furthermore, right ventricular dyssynchrony was associated with disease severity and compromised functional class.
Shedding light on walking in the dark: the effects of reduced lighting on the gait of older adults with a higher-level gait disorder and controls
Authors: Kesler Anat , Leibovich Gregory , Herman Talia , Gruendlinger Leor , Giladi Nir , Hausdorff Jeffrey M 
Published: August 2005

Abstract

Objective
To study the effects of reduced lighting on the gait of older adults with a high level gait disorder (HLGD) and to compare their response to that of healthy elderly controls.

Methods
22 patients with a HLGD and 20 age-matched healthy controls were studied under usual lighting conditions (1000 lumens) and in near darkness (5 lumens). Gait speed and gait dynamics were measured under both conditions. Cognitive function, co-morbidities, depressive symptoms, and vision were also evaluated.

Results
Under usual lighting conditions, patients walked more slowly, with reduced swing times, and increased stride-to-stride variability, compared to controls. When walking under near darkness conditions, both groups slowed their gait. All other measures of gait were not affected by lighting in the controls. In contrast, patients further reduced their swing times and increased their stride-to-stride variability, both stride time variability and swing time variability. The unique response of the patients was not explained by vision, mental status, co-morbidities, or the values of walking under usual lighting conditions.

Conclusion
Walking with reduced lighting does not affect the gait of healthy elderly subjects, except for a reduction in speed. On the other hand, the gait of older adults with a HLGD becomes more variable and unsteady when they walk in near darkness, despite adapting a slow and cautious gait. Further work is needed to identify the causes of the maladaptive response among patients with a HLGD and the potential connection between this behavior and the increased fall risk observed in these patients.
Molecular Classification of Multiple Myeloma: A Distinct Transcriptional Profile Characterizes Patients Expressing CCND1 and Negative for 14q32 Translocations
Authors: Agnelli Luca , Bicciato Silvio , Mattioli Michela , Fabris Sonia , Intini Daniela , Verdelli Donata , Baldini Luca , Morabito Fortunato , Callea Vincenzo , Lombardi Luigia , Neri Antonino 
Published: August 2005

Purpose The deregulation of CCND1, CCND2 and CCND3 genes represents a common event in multiple myeloma (MM). A recently proposed classification grouped MM patients into five classes on the basis of their cyclin D expression profiles and the presence of the main translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus (IGH) at 14q32. In this study, we provide a molecular characterization of the identified translocations/cyclins (TC) groups. Materials and Methods The gene expression profiles of purified plasma cells from 50 MM cases were used to stratify the samples into the five TC classes and identify their transcriptional fingerprints. The cyclin D expression data were validated by means of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis; fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to investigate the cyclin D loci arrangements, and to detect the main IGH translocations and the chromosome 13q deletion. Results Class-prediction analysis identified 112 probe sets as characterizing the TC1, TC2, TC4 and TC5 groups, whereas the TC3 samples showed heterogeneous phenotypes and no marker genes. The TC2 group, which showed extra copies of the CCND1 locus and no IGH translocations or the chromosome 13q deletion, was characterized by the overexpression of genes involved in protein biosynthesis at the translational level. A meta-analysis of published data sets validated the identified gene expression signatures. Conclusion Our data contribute to the understanding of the molecular and biologic features of distinct MM subtypes. The identification of a distinctive gene expression pattern in TC2 patients may improve risk stratification and indicate novel therapeutic targets.