bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of three maternal composite sheep breeds managed under pasture lambing and purebred or terminal mating systems: ewe body weight, reproductive efficiency, and longevity
Authors: Murphy Tom W , Freking Brad A , Bennett Gary L 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Extensive sheep systems have lower inputs (e.g., feed, labor, infrastructure) but, generally, lower outputs per ewe than intensively managed flocks. Average ewe prolificacy is low (&lt; 1.1 lambs per ewe) across the United States and traditional expectation is that costs required to support larger litters will not be recovered due to greater lamb mortality. The Composite-IV (C-IV) is a 50% Romanov, 25% Katahdin, and 25% White Dorper hair sheep developed and selected for enhanced reproductive efficiency at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center. Objectives of the current study were to compare productivity of C-IV ewes (N = 404) to Katahdin (N = 342) and Polypay (N = 390), two popular maternal composite breeds, in a lower-input system. Experimental ewes were exposed to either rams of their own breed or Texel rams for the first time at 7 mo of age and remained in the same mating system for up to 4 yr. Ewes lambed on pasture from May to June and were expected to rear their lambs in the absence of supplemental feed and with minimal intervention. The ewe age × breed interaction effect impacted all annually recorded traits (P &lt; 0.01) including number and total weight of lamb marketed at 25 wk per ewe exposed to mating (LS25 and LW25, respectively). Within all ages, LS25 of C-IV was greater (1.2 to 1.63 lambs; P &lt; 0.01) than Katahdin (0.71 to 1.17 lambs) and Polypay (0.68 to 1.26 lambs) which were similar. At 1, 2, and 3-yr of age, C-IV ewes had, on average, 12 to 17 kg greater LW25 (P ≤ 0.01) than other breeds. Polypay LW25 was similar to Katahdin at 1 yr of age, but 8 to 13 kg greater (P &lt; 0.01) at older ages. At 4 yr of age, LW25 was similar for C-IV and Polypay (63 and 62 kg, respectively). Overall, Texel mating improved LW25 by 3 kg compared to purebred mating (P &lt; 0.01). Twin litters were most common within mature ewes (&gt; 1 yr) of all breeds (52% to 65%); however, the proportion of triplet litters was numerically greater for C-IV (13%) than Katahdin (1%) or Polypay (4%). The frequency of mature ewes that gave birth to and reared twins (75% to 82%) was high for all breeds. Most triplet-bearing mature C-IV ewes reared twins (43%) though many reared triplets (39%). Ewe reproductive efficiency can be enhanced in lower-input systems by utilizing additive breed effects and heterosis in a complimentary crossbreeding program. More research is needed to identify indicator traits associated with lamb survival and to derive appropriate levels of prolificacy to fit specific management constraints.
One-carbon metabolite supplementation to heifers for the first 14 d of the estrous cycle alters the plasma and hepatic one-carbon metabolite pool and methionine-folate cycle enzyme transcript abundance in a dose-dependent manner
Authors: Crouse Matthew S , Freetly Harvey C , Lindholm-Perry Amanda K , Neville Bryan W , Oliver William T , Lee Robert T , Syring Jessica G , King Layla E , Reynolds Lawrence P , Dahlen Carl R , Caton Joel S , Ward Alison K , Cushman Robert A 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the dose of folate and vitamin B12 in beef heifers fed rumen protected methionine and choline required to maintain increased B12 levels and intermediates of the methionine-folate cycle in circulation. Angus heifers (n = 30; BW = 392.6 ± 12.6 kg) were individually fed and assigned to one of five treatments: 0XNEG: Total mixed ration (TMR) and saline injections at day 0 and 7 of the estrous cycle, 0XPOS: TMR, rumen protected methionine (MET) fed at 0.08% of the diet DM, rumen protected choline (CHOL) fed at 60 g/d, and saline injections at day 0 and 7, 0.5X: TMR, MET, CHOL, 5 mg B12, and 80 mg folate at day 0 and 7, 1X: TMR, MET CHOL, 10 mg vitamin B12, and 160 mg folate at day 0 and 7, and 2X: TMR, MET, CHOL, 20 mg B12, and 320 mg folate at day 0 and 7. All heifers were estrus synchronized but not bred, and blood was collected on day 0, 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 14 of a synchronized estrous cycle. Heifers were slaughtered on day 14 of the estrous cycle for liver collection. Serum B12 concentrations were greater in the 0.5X, 1X, and 2X, compared with 0XNEG and 0XPOS on all days after treatment initiation (P &lt; 0.0001). Serum folate concentrations were greater for the 2X treatment at day 5, 7, and 9 of the cycle compared with all other treatments (P ≤ 0.05). There were no differences (P ≥ 0.19) in hepatic methionine-cycle or choline analyte concentrations by treatment. Concentrations of hepatic folate cycle intermediates were always greater (P ≤ 0.04) in the 2X treatment compared with the 0XNEG and 0XPOS heifers. Serum methionine was greater (P = 0.04) in the 0.5X and 2X heifers compared with 0XNEG, and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) tended (P = 0.06) to be greater in the 0.5X heifers and the S-adenosylmethionine (SAM):SAH ratio was decreased (P = 0.05) in the 0.5X treatment compared with the 0XNEG, 0XPOS, and 2X heifers. The hepatic transcript abundance of MAT2A and MAT2B were decreased (P ≤ 0.02) in the 0.5X heifers compared with the 0XNEG, 0XPOS, and 2X heifers. These data support that beef heifers fed rumen protected methionine and choline require 20 mg B12 and 320 mg folate once weekly to maintain increased concentrations of B12 and folate in serum. Furthermore, these data demonstrate that not all supplementation levels are equal in providing positive responses, and that some levels, such as the 0.5X, may result in a stoichiometric imbalance in the one-carbon metabolism pathway that results in a decreased SAM:SAH ratio.
Evaluation of standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids and metabolic availability of methionine, using the indicator amino acid oxidation method, in black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) meal fed to growing pigs
Authors: Tansil Fiona , Pezzali Júlia G , Cargo-Froom Cara , Huber Lee-Anne , Kiarie Elijah G , Courtney-Martin Glenda , Levesque Crystal L , Shoveller Anna K 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Standardized ileal digestibility (SID, %) of crude protein (CP) and amino acid (AA) and the metabolic availability (MA) of Met using the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) method, in partially defatted black soldier fly larvae (PD-BSFL) meal were determined in growing pigs in 2 experiments. The Met SID value was then compared numerically with the Met MA to understand how different SID is compared with its MA value. In Exp. 1, 6 ileal-cannulated barrows (initial body weight [BW] = 18.03 ± 0.34 kg) were used in a 2-period switch back design and fed either a nitrogen-free diet (NFD) or test diet, with PD-BSFL meal as the sole source of AA, over two 11-d experimental periods, at a feeding level of 2.8 × estimated maintenance digestible energy requirement. Barrows were adapted for 9-d to the diet, followed by continuous 8-h ileal digesta collection on day 10 and 11. Digesta were pooled per pig within period. The SID of CP and Met of PD-BSFL meal were 76.1 ± 6.2% and 90.4 ± 3.9%, respectively. In Exp. 2, 7 barrows (initial BW = 18.77 ± 0.69 kg) were used in a 7 × 7 Latin square design with L-[1-13C]-Phe as the indicator AA. Each pig was randomly assigned to 1 of 7 dietary treatments over seven 3-d experimental periods. Two diet types were studied including reference (crystalline AA) and PD-BSFL test diets, each supplying graded intakes of Met at 55, 65, and 75% of the estimated SID requirement (NRC, 2012). The MA of Met was determined by comparing the IAAO response between the reference and PD-BSFL test diet using the slope-ratio method. Linear regression determined a negative slope of the best fit line for both the reference and test diets (P &lt; 0.05). The MA of Met in PD-BSFL meal was 53.3%, which is as expected lower than the SID value. While it is generally appreciated that MA will be less than SID, the use of SID is more practical. In cases where SID cannot explain physiological outcomes of feeding a novel ingredient, IAAO may provide additional insight into whether MA should be explored.
Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome in a Burned Child Treated with an Antimicrobial Foam Dressing: A Case Report
Authors: Coalson Elam S , Ghosh Kanad , Bartlett Allison H , Gottlieb Lawrence J , Vrouwe Sebastian Q 
Published: December 2022

AbstractStaphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a severe systemic disease characterized by fever, hypotension, desquamating rash, and multiorgan dysfunction. Attributed to bacterial exotoxins, TSS has been a known, though rare, complication in the field of pediatric burns for decades. The adoption of new antimicrobial burn dressings has allowed for the management of small to medium sized burns with minimal discomfort or inconvenience to the patient. In this report, we discuss a 3-year-old male with burns wounds dressed using a silver-impregnated foam who went on to develop TSS.
Sources of Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Their Associations With Serum Cotinine Levels Among US Children and Adolescents
Authors: Merianos Ashley L , Stone Timothy M , Jandarov Roman A , Mahabee-Gittens E Melinda , Choi Kelvin 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIntroductionWe assessed tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) levels based on private and public locations of TSE according to race and ethnicity among US school-aged children ages 6–11 years and adolescents ages 12–17 years.Aims and MethodsData were from 5296 children and adolescents who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2018. Racial and ethnic groups were non-Hispanic white, black, other or multiracial, and Hispanic. NHANES assessed serum cotinine and the following TSE locations: homes and whether smokers did not smoke indoors (home thirdhand smoke [THS] exposure proxy) or smoked indoors (secondhand [SHS] and THS exposure proxy), cars, in other homes, restaurants, or any other indoor area. We used stratified weighted linear regression models by racial and ethnic groups and assessed the variance in cotinine levels explained by each location within each age group.ResultsAmong 6–11-year-olds, exposure to home THS only and home SHS + THS predicted higher log-cotinine among all racial and ethnic groups. Non-Hispanic white children exposed to car TSE had higher log-cotinine (β = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.91% to 2.37%) compared to those unexposed. Non-Hispanic other/multiracial children exposed to restaurant TSE had higher log-cotinine (β = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.23% to 2.03%) compared to those unexposed. Among 12–17-year-olds, home SHS + THS exposure predicted higher log-cotinine among all racial and ethnic groups, except for non-Hispanic black adolescents. Car TSE predicted higher log-cotinine among all racial and ethnic groups. Non-Hispanic black adolescents with TSE in another indoor area had higher log-cotinine (β = 2.84, 95% CI = 0.85% to 4.83%) compared to those unexposed.ConclusionsTSE location was uniquely associated with cotinine levels by race and ethnicity. Smoke-free home and car legislation are needed to reduce TSE among children and adolescents of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.ImplicationsRacial and ethnic disparities in TSE trends have remained stable among US children and adolescents over time. This study’s results indicate that TSE locations differentially contribute to biochemically measured TSE within racial and ethnic groups. Home TSE significantly contributed to cotinine levels among school-aged children 6–11 years old, and car TSE significantly contributed to cotinine levels among adolescents 12–17 years old. Racial and ethnic differences in locations of TSE were observed among each age group. Study findings provide unique insight into TSE sources, and indicate that home and car smoke-free legislation have great potential to reduce TSE among youth of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
NEW IDEA FOR DETERMINING THE OPTIMAL NUMBER OF MEASUREMENTS IN ABSORBED DOSE-TO-WATER MEASUREMENT OF HIGH-ENERGY PHOTON BEAM
Authors: Tsuno Hayato , Sasaki Koji , Matsubayashi Fumiyasu , Koyama Tomio , Oosaka Akitane , Sakamoto Masataka , Hosoki Kazunori , Suzuki Hidekazu , Okano Emiko 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThis study presents a new idea for estimating the number of measurements required for determining the uncertainty in obtaining the desired water absorbed dose using the variation obtained from multicenter absorbed dose measurement data. The number of dose measurements depends on the performance of each linear accelerator (LINAC) tested and the dosimetry equipment and procedure used. However, optimising the number of data collected for the absorbed dose to water has been inadequately reported. Using the absorbed dose measurement data collected 10 times as a reference value, we will compare the changes in the variation of the measurement results caused by the difference in the number of repeated measurements of the absorbed dose. The number of measurements is determined statistically such that this variation would be smaller than the change in absorbed dose. Thus, we can determine the optimum number of measurements suitable for the variability of each LINAC.
DEVELOPING DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS FOR CT EXAMINATIONS IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
Authors: Dawd Jemal E , Uzun Ozsahin Dilber , Ozsahin Ilker 
Published: December 2022

AbstractDiagnostic reference level (DRL) is an appropriate instrument toward promoting radiation doses optimisation in medical imaging. The goal of this research is developing DRL to optimise computed tomography (CT) doses in patient examination. Parameters were collected in CT facilities for common procedures such as head, chest, pelvic and cervical spine (c-spine) imaging. The dose descriptors considered were volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIv) and dose length product (DLP). The DRLs were proposed at 75th percentile CTDIv for head (without and with contrast materials), chest (without and with contrast materials), pelvic and c-spine only without contrast materials; their values were 52, 52, 17, 14, 14 and 38 mGy, respectively. Whereas, DLP values for the aforementioned protocols were 1237, 1459, 625, 565, 605 and 1106 mGy.cm, respectively. This study fruitfully developed the DRLs for head, chest, pelvic and c-spine and can be accepted for clinical purposes.
DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS AND COMPLEXITY INDICES IN INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY
Authors: Vossou Marialena , Spiliopoulos Stavros , Palialexis Kostas , Antonakos John , Efstathopoulos Efstathios P 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe establishment of typical diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) values according to the complexity indices (CIs) for hepatic chemoembolisation (HC), iliac stent placement (ISP) and femoropopliteal revascularisation (FR) is reported in this study. To estimate patients’ stochastic effects, effective dose was calculated through dose area product (DAP) values of this study and E/DAP conversion factors derived from the literature. Data for DAP, Reference Air Kerma (Ka,r) and fluoroscopy time (FT) were collected for 218 patients and CIs were assigned to each procedure to extract DRLs. To estimate effective dose, conversion factors and DAP values were used for seven IR procedures. DRL values for DAP were 141, 130 and 28 Gy*cm2 for HC, ISP, and FR, respectively. The corresponding DRL values for Ka,r were 634.6, 300.1 and 112.0 mGy, and for FT were 15.3, 12.4 and 17.9 min, respectively. CIs in interventional radiology are a useful tool for the optimisation of DRLs since they contribute to patient’s doses.
EVALUATION OF THE OBSERVANCE OF RADIATION PROTECTION PRINCIPLES IN KERMANSHAH PROVINCE (WEST OF IRAN) 2020: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Authors: Tohidinia M R , Talaee O , Amiri F , Khateri H , Mohseni H 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIn this descriptive cross-sectional study by census method, the performance of 116 radiographers in the target centers was evaluated in relation to the observance of radiation protection principles with respect to patients, patient companion and radiographers. The data collection tool was a checklist containing 34 principles of radiation protection that were used after confirmation of its continuity and justifiability. The results showed that only in (39.2%) 45 radiographers the observance rate of the principles of radiation protection was acceptable. The highest and lowest levels in which radiographers observed protective principles were observance of protective principles with respect to themselves (60.8%) and protective principles respect of the patient companion (6.3%), respectively. According to the findings, radiation protection principles are not systematically designed, implemented, controlled and monitored by radiographers, and less than half of the radiographers observe the protection principles at the optimal level.
Impact of dietary supplementation of l-Arginine, l-Glutamine, and the combination of both on nursing performance of multiparous sows
Authors: Wessels Anna G , Simongiovanni Aude , Zentek Jürgen 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Dietary supplementation with arginine (Arg) or glutamine (Gln) has been considered as an option to improve nursing performance in reproductive sows. This study investigated whether a low-level supplementation of Arg or Gln or a blend of both could modify milk nutrients and improve piglets’ growth beyond weaning. Seventy-two multiparous sows were assigned to four groups: one group fed a control diet, three treatment groups fed the control diet supplemented with either 0.35% Arg, 0.35% Gln, or both, from day 108 of gestation until weaning at day 26 of lactation. Immediately after birth, the litters were cross fostered to 13 piglets and monitored until 2 wk after weaning. Sows body condition and litter growth were assessed. Colostrum and milk samples were collected for nutrient analyses. Plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) around weaning were determined in sows and two representative piglets per litter. Supplementing Gln or the combination of Arg and Gln had no effect on the parameters studied. Arg supplementation increased weaning weight, while decreasing the variation of piglet weights 2 wk after weaning. There was no correlation with plasma IGF-1 since the hormone was not altered in sows or piglets. The colostral concentration of fat tended to increase in the Arg-group, whereas protein, lactose, energy, and polyamine concentrations remained unaffected. Milk samples obtained on day 12 and 25 of lactation were not influenced by dietary treatment. The data indicate that there might be a window of opportunity, explicitly at the onset of lactation, for dietary intervention by maternal dietary Arg supplementation.
Expression of emotion in the British South Asian Diaspora: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Sharif Hira Salman , Miah Syed K , Ramanathan Amrita , Glover Naomi , Shaikh Madiha 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackground‘Expressed Emotion (EE)’ captures ways in which emotions are expressed within a family environment. Research has found that EE in families has an impact on psychiatric illness, in particular psychosis, such that it increases risk of relapse. EE was conceptualised by research conducted in the UK. Thus, behaviours defined as pathological were largely based on Caucasian samples adhering to UK norms. Cross-cultural variations have been found in the expression of EE and its relationship with clinical outcomes. A more culturally appropriate understanding of norms surrounding the expression of emotion across cultures is required.AimsThis study aims to use a bottom-up approach to provide a culturally specific understanding of family relationships and the expression of emotion across ‘non-clinical’ UK-based South Asian families.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 South Asian participants to explore their relationships with a significant other. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsFour main themes were generated: expression of love, setting boundaries, inter-generational differences and acceptance.ConclusionThe findings indicate considerable cultural variability within emotional expression and highlight the need to interpret EE in the context of socio-cultural norms. Whilst certain expressions of emotion that are considered pathological in Western contexts are present in the UK-based South Asian diaspora, these are perceived as less problematic, indicative of varying cultural norms.
NEK10 tyrosine phosphorylates β-catenin to regulate its cytoplasmic turnover
Authors: Dutt Previn , Haider Nasir , Mouaaz Samar , Podmore Lauren , Stambolic Vuk 
Published: December 2022

AbstractNek kinases are involved in regulating several different elements of the centrosomal cycle, primary cilia function, and DNA damage responses. Unlike the other members of the Nek family, which are serine-threonine kinases, Nek10 preferentially targets tyrosines. Nek10 appears to have a broad role in DNA damage responses, regulating a MAPK-activated G2/M checkpoint following UV irradiation and influencing the p53-mediated activation induced by genotoxicity. In an attempt to identify additional Nek10 functions, we characterized the effect of Nek10 deletion in lung cancer cells, where it is relatively highly expressed. Nek10 absence led to an increase in both the signaling and adherens junctions pools of β-catenin. Mechanistically, Nek10 associates with the Axin complex where it phosphorylates β-catenin at Tyr30, located within the regulatory region governing β-catenin turnover. In the absence of Nek10 phosphorylation, GSK3-mediated phosphorylation of β-catenin, a prerequisite for its turnover, was significantly impaired. Stabilization of β-catenin driven by Nek10 loss diminished the ability of cells to form tumorspheres in suspension, grow in soft agar, and colonize mouse lung tissue following tail vein injections.
Oxytocin enhances the triangular association among behavioral performance, resting state, and task-state functional connectivity
Authors: Zhang Haoming , Chen Kun , Bao Jin , Wu Haiyan 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe role of oxytocin (OT) in social behavior and social brain networks has been widely documented. However, the effect of OT on the association between social behavior and brain functional connectivity (FC) is yet to be comprehensively explored. In this study, using a face-perception task and multiple connectome-based predictive (CPM) models, we aimed to: 1) determine whether OT could enhance the association between task behavioral performance, resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC), and task-state functional connectivity (tsFC), and 2) if so, determine the role of OT in enhancing this triangular association. We found that both rsFC and tsFC could independently and significantly predict task performance in the OT group, but not in the placebo (PL) group. In addition, the correlation coefficient between rsFC and tsFC was substantially higher in the OT group than in the PL group. The strength of these associations could be partly explained by OT altering the brain’s FCs related to social cognition and face-perception in both resting and task states, mainly in brain regions such as the limbic system, prefrontal cortex (PFC), temporal poles (TP), and temporoparietal junction (TPJ). Together, these results suggest that neuropeptides can increase the consistency of individual differences in different modalities (e.g., behavioral and brain level data).