bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time Empty and Ketone Body Status in the Early Postpartum Period of Dairy Cows
Authors: Koller A , Reist M , Blum JW , Küpfer U
Published: March 2003

Contents

This study aimed to assess the effect of ketone body status early postpartum on time empty in 74 multiparous dairy cows under field conditions. Animals were equally distributed across eight farms and were controlled by the same herd‐fertility‐monitoring programme. Cows were visited twice antepartum and six times postpartum at weekly intervals between 0530 and 0830 a.m. On these occasions, body condition scores and milk yields were measured, blood and milk samples were taken, cows were gynaecologically examined, and parameters of reproduction were recorded. Cows with a time empty of less or more than 80 days were classified as early and late conceiving cows (EC and LC, respectively). A time empty of 80 days results in calving‐to‐calving intervals of 1 year and classification based on this threshold value resulted in groups of equal size and equal distribution of EC and LC within farms. Ketone bodies measured were β‐hydroxybutyrate in blood and acetoacetate and acetone in blood and milk. Blood and milk ketone body concentrations, as well as the ratios of acetoacetate and acetone to β‐hydroxybutyrate, over the first 6 weeks postpartum were higher in LC than in EC, whereas plasma glucose and non‐esterified fatty acids and milk fat, protein and urea concentrations did not exhibit clear differences between groups. Ketone body concentrations were as good predictors of time empty as ketone body ratios and might have practical impact in herd‐fertility‐monitoring programmes.
Using therapeutic community principles to improve the functioning of a high care psychiatric ward in the UK
Authors: Mistral Willm , Hall Adam , McKee Patrick
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT:

The effects of interventions within a high‐care psychiatric ward, based upon the principles of a therapeutic community, were evaluated. Interventions included an enhanced physical environment, improved communication, clear rules and aims, and improved safety procedures. A Ward Atmosphere Scale, an Attitude Scale, and interviews with staff indicated improvements in ward atmosphere and staff attitudes. Ward records showed a substantial reduction in the use of seclusion for aggressive patient behaviour, and a 62% reduction over 2 years in short‐term staff illness. The authors conclude that similar interventions could be used to improve the functioning of other psychiatric wards.
Recombination signature of germline immunoglobulin variable genes
Authors: Weiller Georg F , Rothenfluh Harald S , Zylstra Paula , Gay Lynn M , Averdunk Holger , Steele Edward J , Blanden Robert V
Published: March 2003

In human and mouse, the germline contains a tandem array of highly homologous variable (V) gene elements which encode part of the antigen‐binding region of the antibody protein. During evolution this array apparently arose by gene duplication followed by diversification of duplicated genes via point mutation and recombination. Analysis of germline V gene sequences using a novel algorithm shows that major recombination sites coincide with the borders of the leader intron and the cap site, consistent with the hypothesis that over evolutionary time cDNA derived by reverse transcription of pre‐mRNA in B lymphocytes has recombined with germline DNA.
A unifying hypothesis for the molecular mechanism of somatic mutation and gene conversion in rearranged immunoglobulin variable genes
Authors: Blanden Robert V , Steele Edward J
Published: March 2003

We have reviewed available data concerning the mechanism of somatic hypermutation in rearranged variable genes of Ig in B lymphocytes of mice and the gene conversion process which generates diversity in these genes in the B lymphocytes of chickens. In our view, these data are consistent with a unifying hypothesis of diversity generating mechanisms involving reverse transcription to produce cDNA from RNA transcripts followed by homologous recombination into chromosomal DNA. Thus, seemingly different processes in the mouse and chicken may have a common molecular basis.
LFA‐1‐dependent tumoricidal activity of cisplatin‐treated macrophages
Authors: Singh Rana AK , Sodhi Ajit
Published: March 2003

The role of leucocyte function associated antigen‐1 (LFA‐1) (CD11a/18) in the tumoricidal activity of cisplatin‐treated macrophages was investigated. Anti‐LFA‐1 antibodies inhibited cisplatin‐induced macrophage cytotoxicity towards three different tumour cell lines. The decrease in tumoricidal activity of cisplatin‐treated macrophages was attributed to their decreased binding to tumour cells in the presence of anti‐LFA‐1 (CD11a/18) antibodies. Western blot analysis revealed that cisplatin treatment leads to the expression of LFA‐1 on macrophages which otherwise remains non‐detectable. Because there is no information regarding the mechanism of cisplatin‐induced LFA‐1 expression and tumour cell binding by macrophages, the role of various second messenger molecules in these processes was investigated. Results suggest that protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is not involved in these processes whereas protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) negatively regulate LFA‐1 expression and tumour‐cell binding of cisplatin‐treated macrophages. Inhibitors of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), protein kinase C (PKC), protein tyrosine kinase (PTK), calmodulin and calmodulin‐dependent kinase‐II (CamK II) prevented LFA‐1 expression on cisplatin‐treated macrophages. A comparison with earlier results indicated that LFA‐expression follows a distinct signalling pathway which is separate from the signalling pathway involved in NO or tumour necrosis factor/interleukin‐1 (TNF/IL‐1) expression in cisplatin‐stimulated macrophages.
Nature versus nurture: Contributions of developmental programming and the microenvironment to B cell tolerance
Authors: Fazekas de St Groth Barbara
Published: March 2003

The original Burnet–Lederberg and Bretscher–Cohn models of immunological tolerance are essentially incompatible, one considering tolerance to be the obligatory outcome of antigen recognition by an immature lymphocyte and the other considering it as one of two possible responses to antigen, the crucial determinant being interaction with a second antigen‐reactive cell. The early experimental evidence was confusing, in that it appeared to support both theories. In response to this situation, a hybrid model retaining some of the features of the original models was proposed. In particular, immature B cells were regarded as ‘hypersensitive to tolerance induction’, but could also make a positive response to antigen under some circumstances. More recent data from B cell transgenic mice have challenged even these hybrid models, stimulating renewed interest in the question of how B cell tolerance is regulated in vivo. This article presents a new interpretation of the data, in which the increased resistance of mature B cells to tolerance induction is postulated to result from partial receptor desensitization in response to environmental antigen, rather than from a developmentally programmed change in B cell signalling. Thus, it is suggested that Burnet's ‘window of tolerance induction’ is determined by the environment rather than developmental pre‐programming. If this postulate is accepted, induction of B cell self‐tolerance in both the bone marrow and periphery follows the simple and elegant rules originally laid down by Bretscher and Cohn.
c‐Cbl: A regulator of T cell receptor‐mediated signalling
Authors: Thien Christine BF , Langdon Wallace Y
Published: March 2003

The 120‐kDa protein product of the c‐Cbl proto‐oncogene is a ubiquitously expressed cytoplasmic protein that is especially abundant in the thymus, indicating an important role for Cbl in thymic signalling. c‐Cbl possesses a highly conserved N‐terminal phosphotyrosine binding domain, a C3HC4 RING finger motif, multiple proline‐rich motifs, and a number of potential tyrosine phosphorylation sites. Cbl is an early and prominent substrate of protein tyrosine kinases following stimulation of a variety of cell surface receptors, and forms constitutive and inducible associations with a wide range of signalling intermediates. Genetic studies of the Cbl homologue Sli‐1 in Caenorhabditis elegans predicted a role for Cbl as a negative regulator of protein tyrosine kinase‐mediated signalling pathways. Numerous studies have now shown that expression of Cbl and its oncogenic variants can indeed modulate signalling from activated protein tyrosine kinases. The present review highlights some of the recent developments in our understanding of Cbl function, with particular reference to its participation and possible roles in TCR‐mediated signalling.
Phenotypic and functional characteristics of macrophage‐like cells differentiated in pro‐inflammatory cytokine‐containing cultures
Authors: Hou Fan Fan , Boyce Joshua , Zhang Yan , Owen William F
Published: March 2003

Previous studies have demonstrated an infiltration of monocytes and increased levels of IL‐1β and TNF‐α in some chronic inflammatory tissues. Interleukin‐1β and TNF‐α are capable of protecting monocytes from spontaneous apoptosis and thus maintain their viability in vitro. To study the possible effects of these cytokines on the differentiation and function of recruited monocytes, a model has been developed in which monocytes isolated from human peripheral blood were differentiated into macrophages in serum in the presence or absence of IL‐1β or TNF‐α. Monocytes cultured with IL‐1β and TNF‐α underwent substantial changes in morphology, similar to those observed in monocytes undergoing differentiation into macrophages. The cultured cells increased in size and vacuolization and their content of acid phosphates increased 10‐fold. Although they exhibited the morphological characteristics of macrophages, monocytes matured in the cytokines differed functionally from those cultured in serum in a lower expression of HLA‐DR, lower ability for triggering the proliferation of allogeneic lymphocytes, higher expression of mannose receptor and greater production of superoxide and TNF‐α. This data suggests that IL‐1β and TNF‐α direct monocyte differentiation into macrophages with a reduced antigen‐presenting and an increased pro‐inflammatory factor‐releasing phenotype. Elevated levels of IL‐1β and TNF‐α in the inflammatory tissues may therefore not only prolong the survival of recruited monocytes, but maintain them in an inflammatory state.
Production of a recombinant form of early pregnancy factor that can prolong allogeneic skin graft survival time in rats
Authors: Morton H , McKay DA , Murphy RM , Somodevilla‐Torres MJ , Swanson CE , Cassady AI , Summers KM , Cavanagh AC
Published: March 2003

Early pregnancy factor (EPF), an extracellular chaperonin 10 homologue, has immunosuppressive and growth factor properties. In order to carry out more extensive studies on the in vivo characteristics of EPF, a recombinant form of the molecule has been prepared. Recombinant human EPF (rEPF) was expressed in Escherichia coli using the plasmid pGEX‐2T expression system. Potency of rEPF in vitro in the rosette inhibition test, the bioassay for EPF, was equivalent to that of native EPF (nEPF), purified from human platelets, and synthetic EPF (sEPF). However, the half‐life of activity (50% decrease in the log value) in serum, following i.p. injection, was significantly decreased (3.2 h, compared with nEPF 6.2 days, sEPF 5.8 days). This was thought to be due to modification of the N‐terminus of the recombinant molecule inhibiting binding to serum carrier proteins. Because EPF can modify Th1 responses, the ability of the recombinant molecule to suppress allogeneic graft rejection was investigated. Following skin grafts from Lewis rats to DA rats and vice versa, rEPF was delivered locally at the graft site and the effect on survival time of the allografts noted. Results demonstrated that rEPF treatment significantly prolonged skin graft survival time by as much as 55% in stringent models of transplantation across major histocompatibility barriers.
Adherence of human monocytes and NK cells to human TNF‐α‐stimulated porcine endothelial cells
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐Feng , Feng Mei‐Fu
Published: March 2003

Discordant xenograft models undergoing delayed rejection response are characterized by xenograft infiltration with host monocytes and NK cells, associated with the release of large quantities of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF‐α. In the present study, human monocytes (PBMo)/NK cells (PBNK) isolated from peripheral blood and cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC) treated with recombinant human TNF‐α (rhTNF‐α) were used to investigate their adhesive interactions and mAbs against porcine E‐selectin, human CD11a and CD49d were used to test their relative contributions to such intercellular adhesions. The PBMo exhibited significantly greater adherence to resting (unstimulated) PAEC than PBNK. The rhTNF‐α upregulated E‐selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) expression on PAEC and augmented the adhesiveness of PAEC for PBMo and PBNK in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. In mAb blocking assays, anti‐E‐selectin, anti‐CD11a and anti‐CD49d mAbs did not inhibit PBMo adherence to rhTNF‐α‐stimulated PAEC when used singly, but resulted in a maximal inhibitory effect when used in combination. Regarding PBNK, anti‐E‐selectin mAb had no marked influence on PBNK adherence. The combined use of anti‐CD11a and anti‐CD49d mAbs produced additive reduction in the PBNK binding to rhTNF‐α‐stimulated PAEC, even to far below baseline (unstimulated) levels. Therefore, it is concluded that human TNF‐α promotes the adhesiveness of PAEC for human monocytes and NK cells and that the mechanism underlying the increased adherence differs for PBMo and PBNK.
Cell surface expression of the 300 kDa mannose‐6‐phosphate receptor by activated T lymphocytes
Authors: Hindmarsh Elizabeth J , Staykova Maria A , Willenborg David O , Parish Christopher R
Published: March 2003

Phosphosugars, such as mannose‐6‐phosphate (M6P), have been shown previously to display anti‐inflammatory properties, notably inhibition of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and adjuvant‐induced arthritis in rats. It has been proposed that M6P exerts its anti‐inflammatory effect by displacing lysosomal enzymes, which are involved in T‐cell extravasation into inflammatory sites, from the 300 kDa mannose‐6‐ phosphate receptor (MPR‐300) on the surface of T cells. If this model is correct MPR‐300 should be selectively expressed on the surface of activated T cells, as T cell entry into the central nervous system in EAE depends on the T cells being in an activated state. Thus, the present study examines whether cell surface expression of MPR‐300 by T lymphocytes correlates with their state of activation and whether T cells in inflammatory sites express the receptor. Flow cytometric studies showed MPR‐300 to be absent from the surface of unstimulated rat T cells isolated from peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues, and T cells resident within the peritoneal cavity. In contrast, MPR‐300 was expressed on activated T cells derived from an inflammatory peritoneal exudate. In vitro studies demonstrated transient expression of MPR‐300 on the surface of splenic T cells following stimulation with Con A. MPR‐300 was also induced on T‐cell lines by antigen stimulation. These data demonstrate that T cells in inflammatory sites express MPR‐300 on their surface and activation of T lymphocytes induces cell surface expression of MPR‐300. Such findings are consistent with the hypothesis that cell surface MPR‐300 is required for the entry of T cells into inflammatory sites.
Quantifying complement‐mediated phagocytosis by human monocyte‐derived macrophages
Authors: Chan Hiu‐Tat , Kedzierska Katherine , O'Mullane Jonathan , Crowe Suzanne M , Jaworowski Anthony
Published: March 2003

The present study demonstrates that SRBC can be opsonized with untreated human serum such that lysis by active complement components is minimal but sufficient opsonization occurs to permit high rates of complement‐mediated phagocytosis. Phagocytosis of SRBC opsonized with 2% whole human serum by human monocyte‐derived macrophages was quantified in a colourimetric assay. Ingestion of SRBC was shown to occur solely via complement receptors because no phagocytosis was observed when SRBC were coated with heat‐ inactivated human serum, phagocytosis was augmented by the phorbol ester, PMA, and phagocytosis was inhibited by a protein kinase C (PKC)‐specific inhibitor RO 31‐8220. This method was used to demonstrate directly that HIV‐1 infection of human monocyte‐derived macrophages inhibits complement‐mediated phagocytosis and will provide a useful tool for pharmacological investigations on complement‐mediated phagocytosis by adherent macrophages.
Costimulation of T cell receptor‐triggered IL‐2 production by Jurkat T cells via fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 upon its engagement by CD56
Authors: Kos Ferdynand J , Chin Cynthia S
Published: March 2003

Recent studies have demonstrated that neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is involved in multiple adhesive interactions with several different classes of ligands on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. One of these ligands is fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) that is expressed on neural cells. While it is known that CD56 is a molecular isoform of NCAM expressed on human NK cells and a subset of T cells, it remains poorly characterized, with its ligand unidentified. Therefore, we were prompted to examine if CD56 molecules on NK cells interact with FGFR expressed on T cells. We demonstrate that ligation of FGFR1β on J.C2‐14 Jurkat T cells by CD56 on fixed NK‐92 cells costimulates TCR/CD3‐triggered IL‐2 production. CD56‐binding mAbs inhibited the costimulatory effect of NK‐92 cells in 50−75%. Flow cytometric analysis and cell adhesion assays showed that FGFR1β/Fc and FGFR2β/Fc chimeric proteins bind to NK‐92 cells. The binding of FGFR1β/Fc protein to CD56 molecules was verified by immunoprecipitation of CD56 with anti‐CD56 mAb followed by Western blotting with FGFR1β/Fc. These findings suggest that ligation of FGFR1 by CD56 may contribute to the interaction between NK cells and T cells that we have postulated in our previous studies.
Nurses’ views on reporting medication incidents
Authors: Walker Sandra Beverley , Lowe Megan Jane
Published: March 2003

Walker SB, Lowe MJ. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1998; 4: 97–102

Nurses’ views on reporting medication incidents

The purpose of this project was to identify nurses’ beliefs about medication incident reporting. A new medication incident form was developed and trialled in six clinical units. Forty‐three nurses from these areas were recruited to participate in the project, with a 20‐point self‐reporting questionnaire and focus group discussions being used to collect the data. Theme analysis of the data was undertaken with the results of the project indicating nurses report medication incidents that are life threatening to patients, but do not want identifying information collected about themselves. This situation represents nurses’ fear of reprimand from those in authority and may also indicate an unwillingness to accept responsibility for errors in which they may be merely the final player in a complex series of events. The results of the project also highlight problems associated with self‐reported medication incident monitoring and challenge its effectiveness in gathering data required by managers and staff development educators.
Nursing competencies: Ground work in aged and extended care
Authors: Ballantyne  , Cheek  , O’Brien  , Pincombe
Published: March 2003

Ballantyne A, Cheek J, O’Brien B, Pincombe J. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1998; 4: 156–165

Nursing competencies: Ground work in aged and extended care

Competencies have been formulated for entry level nurses. Specialist and generic advanced nursing competencies are also being developed. This paper describes exploratory groundwork on aged and extended care nursing competencies derived from interviews with nurses, allied health staff, residents and their families from one setting. Critical Incident Technique1 was used to guide semistructured interviews with 29 participants. A thematic analysis of the data suggests that the Australian Nursing Council Inc.2 competencies make a useful but incomplete contribution to understanding the perceived role of nursing in aged and extended care. A conceptual framework developed from the data illustrates the interdependence of competencies with the context in which they are observed. The framework proposes a number of elements which have the potential to offer a means to better interpret nursing competence (critical aspects) in aged and extended care contexts.
Exploring the precursors of outcome evaluation in Australia: Linking structure, process and outcome by peer review
Authors: Middleton Sandy , Lumby Judy
Published: March 2003

Middleton S & Lumby J. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1998; 4: 151–155

Exploring the precursors of outcome evaluation in Australia: Linking structure, process and outcome by peer review

Reviews of the structure of the health system and the processes that contributed to them were the main forms of evaluation within nursing in Australia during the 1970s and 1980s. The documentation of the end result of care, or outcome evaluation, was rarely undertaken until more recent times. The development and implementation of formal assessment tools such as Qualpacs, the Phaneuf Nursing Audit, the Rush Medicus Nursing Process Methodology, Monitor, and Senior Monitor indicated the focus on structure and process evaluation. This paper examines how nursing care delivered to patients during the l970s and 1980s was evaluated, and explores why structure and process review were necessary precursors to outcome evaluation in the nineties. The necessity of linking structure and process analysis is discussed, in order to perform effective outcome evaluation to close the feedback loop between quality assessment and quality improvement. Peer review is one mechanism that can be used to achieve this. How this may also be a form of evidence‐based practice which results in health gains for patients is also explored.
The social situation in Thailand: The impact on elderly people
Authors: Choowattanapakorn Tassana
Published: March 2003

Most Thai people are Buddhists who believe in the concept of repayment for their parents’ goodness and usually live with their parents. Currently, a growing number of older Thai people, as well as the changing Thai society, is affected by the need for more health‐care services and social support. The intention of this paper is to describe the social situations in Thailand that impact on support for Thai people aged 60 years and older. The paper covers demographic change, socio‐economic change, family structure, Buddhism and the health of elderly people. The information presented is based on socio‐economic knowledge and former research studies, and is intended to be used as the basis for better nursing care and health‐care services in Thailand.
Locked up: Researching in an unfamiliar environment
Authors: Beale Barbara , Martin Karen , Jarvis Lynda Ann
Published: March 2003

This paper describes the personal experiences of three nurse researchers who entered a new field, one they would not normally encounter. The experiences occurred during a research project involving detainees in Juvenile Justice Centres in New South Wales, Australia. The Healthy Lifestyle Check computerized health screening program was used to seek responses regarding the detainees’ health behaviours, knowledge of health services and health education needs. Physical assessment was conducted and counselling and referral was provided. The researchers’ best endeavours to prepare for the field were not enough for the reality of the controlled environment, fears for personal safety and the stamina required to complete the project. The researchers’ completion of the project enriched their professional lives with a sense of achievement and a new confidence in their ability to work in uncharted fields. Implications for future nursing research that incorporates fieldwork in this environment include: (i) ensuring adequate knowledge of security protocols; (ii) securing access to participants; and (iii) ensuring adequate physical assistance for fieldworkers to enter.
More than time and place: Using historical comparative research as a tool for nursing
Authors: Yuginovich Trudy
Published: March 2003

Views of history often seem to be inextricably intertwined with assumptions about past and present political systems and the kind of pressure groups they generate. This fact is important when comparing the history of nursing across different time periods. This paper addresses the relevance of the historical comparative method for nurse historians as it applies to remote area nursing in Australia. The method is an under‐utilized but legitimate and important methodological approach in health research, particularly when the research involves more than just content analysis of documents from the past. Specifically, when researching the history of nursing in Australia across different time periods, this method has much to contribute to our understanding of health‐care practice and policy. Its contribution lies in allowing a student of nursing history to find the lessons from the past, which are many in health care. The historical comparative research method provides the way for comparisons of certain times and events as they relate to the scope of practice of nursing today.
Jurassic and Early Cretaceous Radiolaria of the Lower Amurian Terrane: Khabarovsk region, far east of Russia
Authors: Popova I. M. , Baumgartner P. O. , Filippov A. N. , Khanchuk A. I.
Published: March 2003

New data on biostratigraphy, sedimentology and tectonics of the Russian Far Eastern region (Lower Amurian terrane) are presented. This study shows that sedimentary sequence of the terrane consists of interbedded Radiolaria‐bearing siliceous and volcaniclastic sediments spanning an interval of over 90 million years. It is shown that accumulation of radiolarian deposits on an oceanic plate was associated with alkaline (intraplate) volcanism in the Jurassic, while the plate was drifting, and with some arc volcanism during the Early Cretaceous. The younger siliceous rocks contain volcaniclastic material and indicate that the studied sequence approached the trench in the Early Cretaceous (Hauterivian‐Barremian) and became accreted in the late Albian–early Cenomanian. We describe and illustrate radiolarian species extracted from 21 samples. A taxonomic list of 194 taxa and nine plates of Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Radiolaria are presented.
Two contrasting petrotectonic domains in the Kokchetav megamélange (north Kazakhstan): Difference in exhumation mechanisms of ultrahigh‐pressure crustal rocks, or a result of subsequent deformation?
Authors: Theunissen K. , Dobretsov N. L. , Korsakov A. , Travin A. , Shatsky V. S. , Smirnova L. , Boven A.
Published: March 2003

Abstract In northern Kazakhstan the WNW striking Kokchetav megamélange includes different crustal sequences with high‐pressure/ultrahigh‐pressure (HP/UHP) remnants of their 540–520 Ma subduction metamorphism. Two domains separated by the north‐east trending Chaglinka fault are distinguished. The western domain exhibits NE–SW structures within a single Kumdy–Kol megaunit of diamond‐bearing UHP metasediments and high‐temperature (HT) eclogites. The eastern domain consists of the composite Kulet megaunit with the Kulet UHP unit (coesite‐bearing metasediments, whiteschists and eclogites), the Enbek–Berlyk medium‐pressure (MP) unit (kyanite‐bearing, high‐alumina rocks with interleaved coronitic metagabbro), and ortho‐ and paragneisses with eclogites and amphibolites included. All eclogites in the eastern domain are of the relatively low temperature (LT) type. Sillimanite is common and appears after kyanite in the sheared MP unit. A regional and moderately ESE plunging linear fabric coincides with the fold‐axis of the foliation poles from the eastern domain. Whether this also reflects a regional top to the WNW transport, as inferred from the dextral strike‐slip on steeply to SSW dipping foliation, needs further study. Top to the WNW shear is shown by weakly inclined low pressure (LP) cordierite rocks that flank the eastern domain in the south. Some new 39Ar/40Ar mica cooling ages (519, 521 Ma) from the Kulet UHP micaschists reflect the same early stage evolutionary event as was previously shown for the Kumdy–Kol UHP rocks (515, 517 Ma) in the west. Similar 39Ar/40Ar ages (500, 517 Ma) are recorded by micas and amphibole that outline a top to NNW shear fabric in the non‐subducted Proterozoic basement, north of the megamélange. A 447 Ma overprint of the MP sequences is considered to reflect the strike‐slip deformation with sillimanite and the reworking of an early kyanite‐bearing tectonite. Biotites from the LP cordierite rocks yielded approximately 400 Ma 39Ar/40Ar ages. In case they reflect the WNW shear deformation, the latter is considered to be associated with a regional granite magmatism (420–460 Ma) extending south of the eastern domain. In their present different structural domains the Kulet and Kumdy–Kol UHP units display a similar early stage event. Subsequent LP deformation, which is likely to be associated with regional granite magmatism (420–460 Ma), is assumed to have obliterated any common or uniform early exhumation structure for the whole megamélange. The north‐east structured Kumdy–Kol domain is assumed to have preserved the most information about the early stage exhumation. This domain is at an angle to the regional WNW strike of the megamélange.
Geological and microbial anomalies in the extinct submarine volcano, Shiribeshi Seamount, in the eastern margin of the Japan Sea
Authors: OGAWA MARI , TAKEUCHI AKIRA , HATTORI MUTSUO , OKANO MASAHARU , AOKI MISUMI , IMAMURA MAKIKO , KSUBOI TOYOKI , TSUBOI TOMONORI , TANIMOTO DAISUKE , NAGANUMA TAKESHI
Published: March 2003

Abstract  The manned submersible Shinkai 2000 investigated yellow patches on the near‐summit slope of Shiribeshi Seamount in the Japan Sea. Yellowish patches are often associated with seepage, and the possibility of seepage at Shiribeshi Seamount was tested by the following four lines of observation: (i) high subsurface temperature was measured at a ring‐like patch, although no increase in subsurface temperature was observed at other patches; (ii) high gamma ray (γ‐ray) intensity from the thorium series was recorded in the patch zone; (iii) the yellowish deposit was composed of calcite, quartz and amorphous iron compound, as seen at the yellowish patches in other seeps and volcanoes; (iv) lipid phosphate, a measure of microbial abundance, in sediments of the ring‐like patch was determined, and the recorded microbial abundance was higher inside the patch than outside it. The four lines of observation are explained consistently by postulating that the seepage of warm fluid contained Fe and γ‐ray sources. A hydrothermal origin of the yellow patches is not ruled out for the extinct but young (0.9 Ma) arc volcano.
Paleomagnetism of Pleistocene widespread tephra deposits and its implication for tectonic rotation in central Japan
Authors: Iwaki Hiromi , Hayashida Akira
Published: March 2003

Abstract  A single layer of widespread tephra deposits possibly can provide an instantaneous record of the past geomagnetic field and potentially can indicate even a small‐scale tectonic rotation compared to a range of geomagnetic secular variations. We report paleomagnetic data of the Ebisutoge–Fukuda tephra, which is dated at approximately 1.8 Ma and is distributed in central Japan between the Osaka–Kyoto area and the Boso Peninsula. The Fukuda volcanic ash layer and its correlative ash deposits in the Osaka–Kyoto area, near Lake Biwa and in the Mie and Niigata areas yield identical site mean declinations of approximately −170° after tilt correction, whereas moderate inclination shallowing is observed in the upper unit at several localities. Anisotropy measurements both of low‐field magnetic susceptibility and of anhysteretic remanent magnetization suggest that the inclination shallowing results from the biased alignment of magnetic grains, which were deposited in the fluvial environment. The source volcanic unit, Ebisutoge pyroclastic deposits in the Takayama area, yields a mean declination of approximately −155°, showing clockwise deflection from the magnetic directions of the correlative tephra deposits. These results suggest that no significant rotation occurred between the Osaka–Kyoto, Mie and Niigata areas, but that the Takayama area suffered a clockwise rotation in respect to the other areas during the Quaternary. This rotation might have been caused under an east–west stress field associated with the collision of the Okhotsk Plate with the Eurasia Plate.
Mechanisms of drug resistance and novel approaches to therapy for chronic hepatitis C
Authors: LOCARNINI STEPHEN A
Published: March 2003

Abstract  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is now the major cause of transfusion‐associated and parenterally transmitted viral hepatitis and accounts for a significant proportion of hepatitis cases worldwide. The majority of infections become persistent and approximately 20% of chronically infected individuals develop cirrhosis, which is strongly associated with progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. Molecular biological investigations into the structure and function of HCV and its genes has led to the identification of a number of potential targets for selective antiviral intervention. The present review summarizes current research activity into these novel drug targets and addresses the basis for clinical non‐response in the current interferon‐α‐based therapies. Future therapeutic strategies that utilize HCV‐specific antiviral agents should prove effective in controlling active viral replication, but the risk of emergence of drug‐resistance will need to be addressed due to the quasispecies feature of HCV replication.

© 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Relationship of angiographic finding with neovascular structure detected by immunohistochemical staining of α‐smooth muscle actin in small hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: IKEDA KENJI , SAITOH SATOSHI , SUZUKI YOSHIYUKI , KOBAYASHI MASAHIRO , TSUBOTA AKIHITO , KOIDA ISAO , KOBAYASHI MIZUHO , ARASE YASUJI , CHAYAMA KAZUAKI , MURASHIMA NAOYA , KUMADA HIROMITSU
Published: March 2003

To elucidate the relationship between angiographic features and histological findings, an immunohistological study of α‐smooth muscle actin was performed in 106 patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma. Arterial dominance or portal blood paucity were found in 73 patients (68.9%) on digital subtraction angiography, 88 (83.0%) on computerized tomographic arterial portography and 87 (82.1%) on carbon dioxide‐enhanced ultrasonography. Among 73 patients with hypervascularity on angiography, 57 (78.1%) had thick‐walled, nuclei‐rich and slender‐shaped vessels (type II), eight (11, 0%) had thin‐walled, nuclei‐poor and oval‐shaped vessels (type I) and the remaining eight had a mixed type of II and I. Conversely, among 33 patients without hypervascularity, five (15.2%) had a type II, 21 (63.6%) had a type I, five had a mixed type and two had no positive vessel. Tumour size, histological classification and amount of non‐triadal vessels were also associated with the angiographic appearance of the tumours. Among varied aspects of the cancer including tumour size, tumour multiplicity, microscopic portal invasion, histological classification, amount of α‐smooth muscle actin‐positive vessels and shape of α‐smooth muscle actin‐positive vessels, multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the shape of α‐smooth muscle actin‐positive vessels was solely associated with angiographic hypervascularity independently (P < 0.0001). Although the existence of non‐triadal vessels characterized hepatocellular carcinoma, angiographic hypervascularity was closely associated with the type II vessel. A morphological change of non‐triadal vessel from type I to type II was considered to occur in an early stage of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Growth inhibition and differentiation of the human colon carcinoma cell line, Caco‐2, by constitutive expression of insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3
Authors: Macdonald Richard , Schaffer Beverly , Kang Il‐Jun , Hong Soon , Kim Eun , Park Jung
Published: March 2003

The human colon carcinoma cell line, Caco‐2, produces insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3), the secretion of which correlates with markers of enterocyte differentiation. To investigate whether IGFBP‐3 inhibits proliferation or induces differentiation, Caco‐2 cells were stably transfected with an IGFBP‐3 cDNA expression construct or pcDNA3 vector as a control. Accumulation of IGFBP‐3 mRNA and secretion of the protein into conditioned medium 9 days after plating were readily detected in the transfected cells, whereas these parameters were undetectable in pcDNA3‐transfected cells. Insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3‐expressing cells grew at a rate similar to the controls for 6 days after plating, but achieved a much lower final density between days 10 and 12. By day 9 of culture, accumulation of sucrase‐isomaltase mRNA, a marker of enterocytic differentiation of Caco‐2 cells, was evident in the IGFBP‐3‐expressing cells, but was undetectable in the controls. These results indicate that IGFBP‐3 may inhibit proliferation and induce early differentiation of Caco‐2 cells.
Effects of pantoprazole, a novel H+/K+‐ATPase inhibitor, on duodenal ulcerogenic and healing responses in rats: A comparative study with omeprazole and lansoprazole
Authors: Takeuchi Koji , Konaka Akira , Nishijima Masato , Kato Shinichi , Yasuhiro Tetsuya
Published: March 2003

Background: Pantoprazole, 2‐[(2‐pyridylmethyl) sulphinyl] benzimidazole, is a new substituted benzimidazole that inhibits the parietal cell H+/K+‐ATPase.

Methods: In the present study, the anti‐secretory and anti‐ulcer activities of pantoprazole were compared with those of omeprazole and lansoprazole in rats.

Results: Pantoprazole (0.3–3 mg/kg, p.o.) as well as omeprazole (1–10 mg/kg, p.o.) and lansoprazole (1–10 mg/kg, p.o.) dose‐dependently decreased both basal acid secretion in pylorus‐ligated rats and the stimulated acid secretion induced by mepirizole in acute fistula rats, and the effects of pantoprazole were more potent than those of omeprazole and lansoprazole, the ED50 values for the stimulated acid secretion being 0.8, 2.0 and 1.2 mg/kg, respectively. Neither of these drugs had any effect on duodenal HCO3– secretion. These pump inhibitors prevented the development of duodenal lesions in response to mepirizole in a dose‐related manner, the ED50 values for pantoprazole, omeprazole and lansoprazole being 0.4, 2.0 and 1.3 mg/kg, respectively. Likewise, pantoprazole showed the healing promoting action on chronic duodenal ulcers induced by acetic acid, and this effect was also more potent when compared to omeprazole or lansoprazole.

Conclusions: We conclude that pantoprazole exhibited both anti‐ulcer and healing promoting effects on duodenal ulcers in rats, and the effects may be attributable to its potent anti‐secretory action. Other pump inhibitors such as omeprazole and lansoprazole were almost equally effective as pantoprazole, yet this drug was most potent on the basis of ED50 values.
Increased intestinal non‐substance P tachykinin concentrations in malignant midgut carcinoid disease
Authors: Makridis Charlie , Theodorsson Elvar , Åkerström Göran , Öberg Kjell , Knutson Lars
Published: March 2003

Background: Diarrhoea is an important feature of the carcinoid syndrome, and various agents which may be released from carcinoid tumours have been considered to contribute pathophysiologically. The aim of the present study was to determine luminal concentrations of possible chemical mediators in an uninvolved small intestinal segment using a two‐balloon six‐channel tube in nine patients with malignant midgut carcinoid disease.

Methods: All patients were treated with interferon and/or octreotide to alleviate the most severe flush. Ion transport was measured during luminal perfusion and luminal perfusate concentrations of calcitonin gene‐related peptide, neurotensin, prostaglandin E (PGE)2, neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P and other tachykinins (neurokinin A, neurokinin B, neuropeptide K, eledoisin) were determined by separate assays.

Results: Carcinoid patients showed decreased absorption of Cl–, Na+, K+ and water and increased luminal content of non‐substance P tachykinins to 424.5 fmol/cm per h, compared with 255.5 fmol/cm per h in control subjects. There were also increased luminal concentrations of PGE2, commonly claimed as a more general mediator of diarrhoea.

Conclusions: The observed increase in intestinal tachykinins may involve extended activity from tachykinin‐containing intrinsic neurones in the enteric nervous system, contributing to enhanced intestinal motility and secretory diarrhoea in patients with carcinoid syndrome.
Imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Frazer Christopher
Published: March 2003

Recent improvements in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have resulted in a need to identify the disease at an early stage. The wide range of imaging techniques available reflects the difficulty in demonstrating small HCC, particularly in the cirrhotic liver. This article reviews the current imaging techniques available for the diagnosis of HCC.
Helicobacter pylori in Africa: Observations on an ‘enigma within an enigma’
Authors: Kidd Mark , Louw Japie A , Marks Israel N
Published: March 2003

Background
: We conducted a retrospective literature review of all the data published on Helicobacter pylori in Africa in order to test whether the prevalence of diseases associated with this organism differs from that in developed nations.

Methods
: Both sero‐epidemiological (n = 8) as well as prospective endoscopic studies in subjects with either dyspepsia or epigastric pain (n = 23) and one retrospective study were available for analysis.

Results
: Sero‐epidemiology confirmed both the early age of acquisition in children (50% by 10 years) as well as the high prevalence of the organism (61%) in adult asymptomatic individuals. Endoscopic studies in dyspeptic individuals revealed the presence of the organism in 72%. Duodenal ulceration was noted in 26% of 3473 cases and in these, H. pylori was present in 90%. An association of gastric metaplasia with duodenal ulceration was identified in the one study in which it was investigated. Gastric ulceration occurred approximately four‐fold less frequently (7% of 2286 cases) than duodenal ulceration and the organism was evident in 75% of the gastric ulceration cases. Findings of intestinal metaplasia (14%) and gastric cancer (3.4%) were not infrequent, but the paucity of accurate epidemiological data made it difficult to establish a correlation between the two.

Conclusion
: It would appear that prospective endoscopic‐based studies in African subjects may question the standard dogma of a low prevalence of H. pylori‐associated diseases in Africa. Further research is clearly required.
Three‐dimensional endoscopic ultrasonography of lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract using a radial‐linear switchable thin ultrasound probe
Authors: Tokiyama Hiroshi , Yanai Hideo , Nakamura Hiroki , Takeo Yoshifumi , Yoshida Tomoharu , Okita Kiwamu
Published: March 2003

Background
: The objective of three‐dimensional (3‐D) endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is to recognize lesions stereoscopically.

Methods and Results
: We investigated a total of 43 lesions in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract by regenerating 3‐D images in eight cases of oesophageal cancer, two cases of oesophageal submucosal tumour, two oesophageal varices, two cases of achalasia, 27 gastric cancers, one gastric carcinoid, and one duodenal submucosal tumour. Using a prototype system (Fujinon, Omiya, Japan), we reconstructed 3‐D images from conventional EUS images taken by a thin ultrasound probe (Sonoprobe, SP‐701, Fujinon) having a radial–linear scanning mode. The basic 3‐D images could be obtained in a short period during EUS performed using the conventional thin‐ultrasound probe. The acceptable quality level of the reconstructed 3‐D images was 37% (57% in the oesophagus, 25% in the stomach and 100% in the duodenum). Deterioration of 3‐D images was due to a wobbling of linear scanning mainly caused by peristalsis of the GI tract, cardiac impulses, and respiration.

Conclusions
: Our study has proved that the simple and speedy 3‐D display system built using the existing linear–radial switchable probe is easily applicable to clinical cases.

© 1999 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd
HELICOBACTER PYLORI POSITIVITY IN NSAID PATIENTS
Authors: Marwoto Wirasmi , Krinuhoni Ening , Yuwono Vera , Antono Dono , Isbagio Harry , Manan Chudahman
Published: March 2003

Research has been done to correlate mucous thickness of gastric mucosa and gastrocopy in NSAID patients.

There was correlation between mucous thickness of gastric mucosa and gastroscopy and the result seems promising.

Aim of the study

is to see Hp positivity in NSAID patients.

Material and methods

Patients using NSAID per oral from rheumatology policlinic; cases were collected starting from 1998 August ‐ 1998 December.

Result

Four patient is Hp positive (cases number 23, 27, 28, and 32) out of 37 cases.

Conclusions

Hp positivity in NSAID cases is lower (10%) than other population (20%‐40%). The reason why is lower has to be clarified with further research.
POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION DETECTION OF Helicobacter pylori vacA GENOTYPES OBTAINED FROM DIFFERENT UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES IN FILIPINO PATIENTS
Authors: Villarama Jose Maria M. , Reyes Jerly Anne Silvia R. , Manguiat Jose Sebastian Z. , Faustino Liza P. , Narciso Francisco V. , De Guzman Blanquita B. , Matias Ronald R. , F. Natividad Filipinas
Published: March 2003

Objective

The predominant vacA genotype among Filipino patients has yet to be determined. This study aims to determine these common vacA genotypes via Polymerase Chain Reaction detectin using specific primers for each possible genotypes.

Materials and methods

DNA was obtained from 48 paraffin embedded gastrointestinal tissues from 31 patients of St. Lukeîs Medical Center from 1998 to 1999. Twenty‐three (23) patients were diagnosed with chronic active gastritis; 5 with chronic gastritis; one with chronic ulcer; and 2 with gasto‐intestinal cancer.

Results

From the PCR results, the signal sequence allele having the highest number among the samples was s1b (35%) while m2 was the common midregion type (42%). Among 12 samples completely genotypes, s1bm2 was most prevalent (50%). One samples from a cancer patient had multiple genotypes (s1am1, s1am2,s1bm1, s1bm2)

Conclusion

The vacA genotypes s1bm2 is the common genotype detected among the gastric biopsy samples obtained from Filipino patients.
HELICOBACTER PYLORI IN DYSPEPSIA PATIENTS, IN DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE,M.DJAMIL HOSPITAL PADANG
Authors: Zubir Nasrul , Elfina Dona , Julius
Published: March 2003

Objective

Helicobacter pylori infection is probably the most common infection caused by pathogenic bacteria in the world and affected more than a half of the world population. This bacteria caused ‐ many gasroduodenal pathology causing chronic dyspepsia including chronic active gastritis,peptic ulcer and gastric malignancy. Investigation in dyspepsia patients for helicobacter pylori infections.

Material & Method

Forty‐dyspeptic patients were examined for endoscopy upper gastrointestinal tract, biopsy for histopathology ‐ examination.

Result

The symptom of dyspepsia patients were epigastric tenderness (100%), Abnormalities endoscopically were found on 39 (97.5%) cases, the gastric abnormalities were chronic antral gastritis 24 (60%), esophagogastritis 7(17.5%), gastric ulcer 3(7.5%). Twenty‐fourt from 40 patients were anti‐helicobacter pylori positive.( 60%) and histopathology examination were positive 18 ( 45% ).The histopathology examination found atrophy 18(45%), MN 18‐(45%),PMN 18(45%),metaplastic 4 (10%).

Conclusion

The prevalence of helicobacter pylori in dyspeptic patients were 60% (serology) and 45% (histopathology).