bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Growth Performance of Clarias gariepinus Fed with Cooked and Uncooked Moringa oleifera Seed Diets
Authors: P.C. Akwuaka, , C.I. Nsofor, , B.U. Ononye, , A.C. Umeaniebue, , I.E. Azaka, , S.I. Okpani, , C.S. Olisa, 
Published: February 2025

This research was carried out to evaluate the effects of complete and partial replacements of fishmeal with M. oleifera seed meal (MSM) on the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. One hundred and forty (140) C. gariepinus fingerlings were used for this study. The fingerlings reared were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments namely: control or T1 (0% MSM); T2 (20% cooked MSM), T3 (20% uncooked MSM); T4 (40% cooked MSM); T5 (40% uncooked MSM), T6 (100% cooked MSM), and T7 (100% uncooked MSM) respectively. Each treatment was replicated thrice, in a completely randomized design. The experiment lasted for 10 weeks during which the parameters monitored included proximate composition, weight gain, length increase, specific growth rate, and protein efficiency ratio. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance at 5% significant level. The result showed that diet T7, T1, TU5, TU3 had the highest dry matter (94.64%), crude protein (49.63%), ash (11.35). The highest fibre (3.73) and lipid was recorded in diet T4 and nitrogen free extract (43.43%). There was a significant difference between the dry matter, crude protein, fibre, lipid, ash and nitrogen extract of the experimental diets (p=0.00). The results revealed that the highest weight gain was recorded by the fingerlings fed diet T1 (128.40±0.66) followed by diet T2 (120.70± 0.17) while least in those of diet T4 (56.87± 0.71). There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the weight gain. The highest length increase was recorded by the fingerlings fed diet T2 (18.90±4.72) followed by diet T1 (17.57± 2.62) while least in those of diet T7 (10.73± 0.61). There was significant differences (P<0.05) in the length increase. The fingerlings fed with diet T1 had the highest specific growth rate (6.94±0.01) followed by those fed with diet T2 (6.85±0.00) while least in those fed with T4 (5.77±0.02). There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the specific growth rate. The best value for protein efficiency ratio was recorded in the C. gariepinus fingerlings fed with diet T2 (2.98) while poorest in those fed diet TC4 (1.23). There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the protein efficiency ratio (p=0.00) of C. gariepinus fingerlings fed varying percentage inclusions of MSM (P=0.54). It was concluded that fish farmers could replace fishmeal up to 20% cooked M. oleifera seed meal in formulating Clarias gariepinus diets.
Spectrum, Treatments and Outcomes of Shock in Acutely-ill Children Seen at the Emergency Room of a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Nigeria
Authors: Abiodun Moses Temidayo , Sadoh Wilson Ehidiamen 
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Shock is a state of inadequate tissue perfusion. The emergency care of shock in children is dynamic but fluid therapy remains its cornerstone, with variable effectiveness. We evaluated the spectrum, therapies and outcomes of shock in our Children Emergency Room.
Methods: This was an analytic, cross-sectional study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising demography, clinical features, shock diagnoses, emergency care and outcomes. Co-existing morbidities in the participants were mainly infection-related. Both descriptive and inferential analyses were done; prognostic factors in children with shock were identified, using odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results: Five hundred and fifty-four acutely-ill children participated in the study. Their mean duration of illness was 13.5 days (± 4.7). The incidence of shock was 83 (15.0%). For the types of shock recorded (n = 42), hypovolemic shock was the commonest, 24 (57.1%). Septic shock occurred in 14 (33.3%) children, while cardiogenic shock was seen in 4 (9.6%) children. Among the affected children, 17 (40.5%) were fluid responsive, 5 (11.9%) were fluid refractory, and 20 (47.6%) were fluid refractory and dopamine dependent. The case fatality rate of shock was 57.8%. Children who presented with shock were more likely to die compared to others (OR = 11.811, 95% CI = 6.976–19.998, p < 0.001). Dopamine infusion was significantly associated with lower mortality risk, with an odds ratio of 0.039 (95% CI 0.008-0.196, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Circulatory failure especially hypovolemic shock is common in acutely-ill children with dire consequences. Fluid therapy and catecholamine infusion can improve survival in the emergency setting.
Impact of Shade and Water Stress on Chinese Potato (Colocasia esculenta L.) Growth and Yield
Authors: Lasso-Rivas Nilsen , Calimeño Emirtan Valencia , Cruz Mauren Mosquera 
Published: February 2025

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of shade levels and deficit irrigation on the growth and physiological responses of Chinese potato (Colocasia esculenta), providing insights into optimal agronomic practices for improving crop performance under abiotic stress.
Study Design: A factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with two factors: shade levels (35%, 65%, and 100% daylight) and irrigation regimes (100% and 50% of field capacity). Eight replicates were used for each treatment for a total of 48 plants.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Experimental Plot of the University of the Pacific, located in Buenaventura D.E., Valle del Cauca, Colombia, between July 2023 and September 2023.
Methodology: Morphological and physiological parameters, including plant height, leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), dry mass accumulation, and relative water content (RWC), were measured. Data were analyzed using ANOVA to assess the main and interaction effects of shade and irrigation.
Results: Plants grown under 35% daylight exhibited greater height, LA, and SLA compared to those under higher light intensities, reflecting adaptive responses to low-light conditions. Fully irrigated plants accumulated higher dry mass and LA than deficit-irrigated plants, highlighting the importance of water availability for maintaining productivity. However, no significant interaction effects were observed between shading and irrigation, suggesting that these factors independently influence growth.
Conclusion: These findings underscore the adaptability of Chinese potato to varying environmental conditions and provide insights for optimizing its cultivation under abiotic stress, particularly in resource-limited settings. The findings of this study have practical relevance for agroforestry systems where shade management can improve crop performance.
Maternal and fetal serum nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in normal pregnancy, pre‐eclampsia and eclampsia
Authors: Shaamash A.H. , Elsnosy E.D. , Makhlouf A.M. , Zakhari M.M. , Ibrahim O.A. , EL‐dien H.M. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractObjectives: To measure the maternal and fetal serum concentrations of total nitrites and nitrates (as an index of nitric oxide production) in normal pregnancy, pre‐eclampsia and eclampsia. Design: Three groups of women were studied cross‐sectionally: late pregnant women with pre‐eclampsia and eclampsia (n=31); normal late pregnant women (n=32); and age‐matched healthy non‐pregnant women (n=21). Venous blood samples were collected from all women and both maternal and umbilical venous samples were collected from pregnant women. Methods: Blood samples were assayed for nitric oxide (NO) production by Greiss reaction which measures the combined oxidation products of NO (total nitrites and nitrates). Results: There was a significant increase in serum total nitrites and nitrates concentrations in normal pregnant women than in the serum of age‐matched normal non‐pregnant women (P<0.0001). Significantly higher total nitrites and nitrates levels were found in the maternal sera of the pre‐eclamptic and eclamptic women compared with those of normal pregnant women (P<0.0001). Also, fetal blood levels of total nitrites and nitrates were significantly increased in pre‐eclampsia and eclampsia compared with those of normal pregnancy (P<0.0001). Conclusions: (1) Serum nitric oxide (NO) production is increased in normal pregnancy than in the normal non‐pregnancy. (2) Maternal and fetal serum NO levels are increased significantly in pre‐eclampsia and eclampsia, which possibly represents a compensatory/protective mechanism to maintain blood flow and limit platelets aggregation in the fetal–maternal circulations. (3) The increase in NO production is directly related to the severity of pre‐eclampsia; this would be of diagnostic significance for the prediction of the severity of this syndrome.
Nutritional antioxidants as antidegenerative agents
Authors: De Ruvo Caterina , Amodio Rosalba , Algeri Sergio , Martelli Nicola , Intilangelo Assunta , D'Ancona Gabriel Maximo , Esposito Ennio 
Published: July 2002

AbstractIn this study, primary cultures of cerebellar granule neurons were prepared from eight‐day‐old Wistar rats, and maintained in an appropriate medium containing a high (25 mM) concentration of KCl. All experiments were performed with fully differentiated neurons (eight days). To induce apoptosis, culture medium was replaced with a serum‐free medium (containing 5 mM KCl) eight days after plating. In another series of experiments, apoptosis was induced by application of glutamate (50 μM) to the cell cultures. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry, the TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP‐fluorescein nick end‐labeling) method, and by the classical method of DNA fragmentation. Since there is evidence that an increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is involved in the apoptosis induced by both low K+ concentrations and glutamate, a series of natural antioxidants and a red wine lyophilized extract (which is rich in antioxidant compounds) were tested in our experimental model. It was found that ascorbic acid (30 μM) and a red wine lyophilized extract (5 μg/ml) were capable of blocking the apoptotic process. Addition of the following natural antioxidants did not have any protective effect on apoptosis induced by low K+ concentrations: trans‐ and cis‐resveratrol (5–200 μM), α‐tocopherol (100–200 μM), reduced glutathione (100–400 μM), 3‐hydroxytirosol (25–100 μM), epicatechin (25–100 μM), or quercetin (25–50 μM). It is concluded that only a limited number of natural antioxidants are provided with antiapoptotic activity in cultured cerebellar granule neurons. This effect is probably exerted by reducing ROS formation, and by blocking caspase‐3 activity.
Phosphorylated MAP‐1B isoforms in the developing mouse barrel cortex
Authors: Majewska Barbara , Skangiel‐Kramska Jolanta 
Published: July 2002

AbstractDevelopmental expression of two phosphorylation modes of microtubule‐associated protein 1B (MAP‐1B) has been studied in the barrel cortex of mice at postnatal days (P)5, P12, P21 and P90 using immunocytochemistry with antibodies 125 and 150 that recognize phosphorylation modes II and I, respectively. The antibody 125 immunoreactive processes, identified as dendrites, are not yet detectable at P5; they are already present at P12 and become more evident at P21. In the barrel cortex of P90 animals the antibody 125 immunopositive dendrites are still present, although they are much less pronounced. The antibody 150 punctate immunostaining seen at P5 is not detectable at P12. At P21, however, thin immunopositive fibres appear, implicating a re‐expression of the microtubule‐associated protein 1B phosphorylation mode I in a portion of axons. The antibody 150 immunopositive axons are no longer present in the P90 barrel cortex. The re‐expression of the MAP‐1B phosphorylation mode I, which is a juvenile isoform characteristic for growing axons, may imply induction of mechanisms providing mouse barrel cortex neurons with the potency for plastic changes at a terminal stage of synaptogenesis.
Swelling Induced Detachment of Chondrocytes Using RGD‐Modified Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogel Beads
Authors: Kim Mee Ryang , Jeong Ji Hoon , Park Tae Gwan 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThermally sensitive poly( N‐isopropylacrylamide, NIPAAm) hydrogel beads conjugated with a cell adhesive motif, GRGDY, were prepared and utilized as cell culture substrate for chondrocytes. They were produced to be uniform in size and distribution by using calcium alginate as a temporal mold. The RGD moieties were introduced, in a spatially selective manner, to the surface of the beads by conjugating GRGDY under the precollapsed state at a higher temperature above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). These RGD‐conjugated polyNIPAAm beads demonstrated a reversible swelling and deswelling behavior around the LCST, which enabled the chondrocytes attached on the surface of collapsed beads at 37 °C to readily detach when the temperature was shifted below 37 °C. The cell detachment percentage was largely affected by the temperature‐dependent reswelling extent of the collapsed RGD‐modified beads.
Optimization Study of Escherichia coliTB1 Cell Disruption for Cytochrome b5 Recovery in a Small‐Scale Bead Mill
Authors: Belo I. , Santos J. A. L. , Cabral J. M. S. , Mota M. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe recovery of a recombinant intracellular protein, cytochrome b5, from Escherichia coli TB1 cells was carried out by bead mill disintegration in a discontinuous small‐scale instrument. This process was optimized by the use of experimental factorial design. Several parameters were studied: operating time, amount and size of beads, cellular suspension concentration, and presence of toluene and lysozyme. For the experimental conditions used, only the time of treatment and bead load had significant effects. The optimal values of these variables were found by applying the response surface methodology.
Diel vertical migrations of zooplankton in a shallow, fishless pond: a possible avoidance‐response cascade induced by notonectids
Authors: Gilbert John J. , Hampton Stephanie E. 
Published: July 2002

1. Day (noon) and night (midnight) vertical distributions of zooplankton and phytoplankton in the water column (1.5 m) of a Vermont pond were determined on two consecutive days from 470 mL water samples taken at three depths (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 m) at three sites. There was little variation across depths in temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration and phytoplankton. All individuals of each zooplankton species (a small copepod, Tropocyclops extensus and six rotifers) were counted.2. A three‐way ANOVA on the zooplankton data showed no effect of date or time of day on the abundance of any species. Significant diel shifts in vertical distribution (depth × time‐of‐day interactions) were found for T. extensus (nauplii, as well as copepodites and adults) and Polyarthra remata, but not for Hexarthra mira, Keratella cochlearis, Anuraeopsis fissa, Ascomorpha ovalis and Plationus patulus. Tropocyclops extensus showed a pronounced, typical diel vertical migration, avoiding the surface and occurring most abundantly near the bottom during the day. Polyarthra remata showed an equally pronounced, reverse diel vertical migration, avoiding the bottom and being most abundant near the surface during the day.3. The diurnal descent of Tropocyclops is interpreted as an avoidance response to Buenoa macrotibialis, a notonectid which feeds on this copepod at the surface during the day but not at night. The diurnal ascent of Polyarthra is thought to be an avoidance response to Tropocyclops, which strongly suppresses this rotifer in field enclosures and laboratory vessels. Thus, these out‐of‐phase migrations may be coupled and represent a behavioural cascade initiated by Buenoa.4. At night, Tropocyclops and Polyarthra both were uniformly distributed across depths. This is believed to reflect the absence of appreciable depth‐related variation in temperature, algal food resources (biovolume of cryptomonads and chrysophyte flagellates) and predation risk at this time.5. The five rotifer species that did not exhibit diel vertical migrations may be less susceptible to Tropocyclops predation than Polyarthra.
Mammary carcinoma with prominent cytoplasmic lipofuscin granules mimicking melanocytic differentiation
Authors: Shin S J , Kanomata N , Rosen P P 
Published: July 2002

We report a case of mammary carcinoma with striking cytoplasmic pigmentation in a 60‐year‐old Japanese woman who presented with a self‐evident nodular lesion in the left breast.Methods and results:After a fine needle aspiration revealing atypical clusters of cells, an excisional biopsy was performed. Histologically, a partially cystic 18 mm lesion containing a 5‐mm mural nodule was present. The mural nodule and adjacent thickened epithelium were comprised of atypical cells focally invading into the cyst wall. Striking abundant granular brown pigment resembling melanin was present in some of the neoplastic cells. The differential diagnosis included metastatic melanoma and mammary carcinoma with melanocytic differentiation. After a series of special stains and immunohistochemical studies, the diagnosis of mammary carcinoma with extensive cytoplasmic lipofuscin pigment was rendered.Conclusion: Mammary carcinoma with lipofuscin pigment to the degree seen in this case which mimics melanocytic differentiation has not, to our knowledge, previously been documented.
Intravitreal triamcinolone and elevated intraocular pressure
Authors: Fracs R J B Wingate , Fracs P E Beaumont 
Published: July 2002

Purpose: To ascertain whether intravitreal triamcinolone given for subretinal neovascularization is associated with an ocular pressure rise. Methods: A total of 113 patients with angiographically proven subretinal neovascularization were enrolled into a prospective study of the effects of intravitreal triamcinolone. Intraocular pressure was one of the parameters studied. Results: Approximately 30% of the study group developed a significant rise (≥ 5 mmHg) in intraocular pressure above baseline during the first 3 months. Conclusions: Patients considering this form of treatment should be fully informed of the known risks of intraocular injections of steroids.
Quality assurance in a Radiation Oncology Unit: The Chart Round experience
Authors: Fogarty Gerald B , Hornby Colin , Ferguson Heather M , Peters Lester J 
Published: July 2002

SUMMARYQuality assurance ensures that planned treatments eventuate. Programmes must include feedback loops to promptly correct any shortfall in predetermined standards. In March 1999, a weekly Chart Round was introduced to verify that certain items relevant to quality care were being completed for patients of the Head and Neck Radiotherapy Unit at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute. The experience was reviewed after 1 year and it was found that the initiation of Chart Rounds has assisted in raising the level of item completion from 80% to 99% in similar groups of patients treated before and after the initiation of the Chart Round. Initiation of the Chart Round has also provided a useful forum for in‐house peer‐review, education and effective real‐time communication between medical and allied health personnel, all of which has further added to the quality of patient care.
Rates of cholesterol esterification and esterified cholesterol net mass transfer between high‐density lipoproteins and apolipoprotein B‐containing lipoproteins in Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Valabhji J. , Donovan J. , McColl A. J. , Schachter M. , Richmond W. , Elkeles R. S. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractAims Type 1 diabetes is associated with a high incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) despite paradoxically normal or high high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations. Triglyceride (TG) concentrations have been shown to be important determinants of two aspects of HDL metabolism: cholesterol esterification rate and esterified cholesterol (EC) net mass transfer rate between HDL and the apolipoprotein B‐containing lipoproteins. In order to try to explain the paradox, we aimed to assess the relationships between plasma TG and these two processes in Type 1 diabetic compared with non‐diabetic subjects.Methods Rates of cholesterol esterification and EC net mass transfer between HDL and the apolipoprotein B‐containing lipoproteins were assessed by incubating whole plasma at 37°C; intra‐assay coefficients of variation were 6% and 30%, respectively.Results Ten Type 1 diabetic and 10 non‐diabetic subjects, with similar ages, sex distributions, body mass indices and total cholesterol and TG concentrations, were assessed. Apolipoprotein A1, HDL unesterified cholesterol, and HDL phospholipid concentrations were greater in the Type 1 diabetic subjects. There were no significant differences in the rates of cholesterol esterification or EC net mass transfer between the groups. There were strong associations between plasma TG and the rate of cholesterol esterification and between plasma TG and the rate of EC net mass transfer in Type 1 diabetic subjects (r = 0.83, P = 0.0027 and r = 0.88, P = 0.0009, respectively) and in non‐diabetic subjects (r = 0.91, P = 0.0002 and r = 0.79, P = 0.0070, respectively). However, the slopes of the associations with plasma TG were significantly steeper in the Type 1 diabetic subjects (analyses of covariance P = 0.0053 and P = 0.0146, respectively).Conclusions Increases in TG may therefore promote more EC enrichment of atherogenic apolipoprotein B‐containing lipoproteins in Type 1 diabetes while also promoting more cholesterol esterification, thereby maintaining HDL cholesterol concentrations. This could contribute to the paradox of high CHD incidence despite normal or high HDL cholesterol concentrations in Type 1 diabetes.Diabet. Med. 19, 424–428 (2002)
Optometric correlates of Meares–Irlen Syndrome: a matched group study
Authors: Evans Bruce J. W. , Busby Anne , Jeanes Rebecca , Wilkins Arnold J. 
Published: July 2002

SummaryPeople who report visual perceptual distortions, typically when reading, that are alleviated by using coloured filters are described as suffering from ‘Meares–Irlen Syndrome’. A recent double‐masked placebo‐controlled trial showed that this condition cannot be solely explained as a placebo effect and that the beneficial filter is idiosyncratic and sometimes needs to be highly specific. Several mechanisms have been suggested for Meares–Irlen Syndrome including ocular motor (binocular and accommodative) anomalies, a sensitivity to patterned stimuli (pattern glare), and a deficit of the transient visual sub‐system. We investigated these hypotheses by comparing 16 children, who reported the symptoms described above and who showed a sustained benefit from coloured filters, with 25 control children who came from the same school and were matched for age, reading performance and intelligence. The ‘Meares–Irlen Syndrome’ group had slightly, but significantly, reduced vergence and accommodative amplitudes and stereo‐acuity; they also demonstrated significantly more pattern glare. The two groups did not differ significantly in their visual acuities, refractive error, dissociated or associated heterophoria, AC/A ratio, or ability to perceive 20 Hz flicker. It appears that certain ocular motor factors are correlates of Meares–Irlen Syndrome, rather than the primary underlying cause of the symptoms. The results support the hypothesis that pattern glare may be involved in the mechanism of Meares–Irlen Syndrome.