bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acquired renal cysts after pediatric liver transplantation: Association with cyclosporine and renal dysfunction
Authors: Calvo‐Garcia M. A. , Campbell K. M. , O’Hara S. M. , Khoury P. , Mitsnefes M. M. , Strife C. F.
Published: March 2008

Abstract:  ACKD has been observed in children on dialysis and with chronic renal insufficiency. In one report, ACKD was observed in 30% of pediatric liver transplant recipients after 10 yr. We retrospectively reviewed all renal imaging and measurements of GFR of 235 childhood liver transplant recipients with no known risk for renal cyst formation, no evidence of renal cyst(s) at the time of transplantation and renal imaging at least one yr post‐transplant. Twenty‐six patients (11%) developed one or more cyst(s). Mean GFR was significantly lower in patients with renal cyst(s). Two (1.4%) of the 146 patients treated with tacrolimus and 24 (27%) of the 89 patients treated with CsA acquired renal cyst(s) (p < 0.001). CsA‐treated patients had significantly lower GFR. Multivariate analysis identified CsA as the only independent variable associated with ACKD. These results confirm that ACKD can be a late complication of pediatric liver transplantation. Those at most risk are at least 10‐yr post‐liver transplantation, have been treated with CsA and have impaired renal function. We speculate that ACKD in these patients is the result of calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity. Whether patients with ACKD will be prone to develop solid renal tumors is unknown.
Clinical significance of peripheral blood Epstein–Barr viral load monitoring using polymerase chain reaction in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Toyoda Mieko , Moudgil Asha , Warady Bradley A. , Puliyanda Dechu P. , Jordan Stanley C.
Published: March 2008

Abstract:  PTLD is a complication of EBV infection. We examined the efficacy of EBV‐PCR monitoring to detect early replication in an attempt to prevent EBV‐associated PTLD. Blood EBV levels in 156 renal transplant recipients (58 children) from three institutions over nine yr were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who were asymptomatic and at high risk for PTLD were monitored for EBV infection by PCR or serology followed by PCR at the time of EBV seropositivity. More children than adults had positive EBV‐PCR (12/58 vs. 2/98, p < 0.001). Adults remained asymptomatic and viremia resolved post‐therapy. 3/12 EBV‐PCR positive children developed PTLD (3/12 children vs. 0/2 adults, p = NS). Two out of three with PTLD were initially monitored by serology, and later by PCR. PTLD resolved post‐therapy in all three patients. The remaining 9/12 EBV‐PCR positive children stayed asymptomatic. None of the children and adults with negative EBV‐PCR developed PTLD. EBV‐PCR monitoring in high‐risk renal transplant recipients, especially in children, may allow early diagnosis and intervention, and therefore may help in preventing EBV‐associated PTLD.
Lipoprotein profile changes in children after renal transplantation in the modern immunosuppression era
Authors: Sgambat Kristen , He Jianping , McCarter Robert J. , Moudgil Asha
Published: March 2008

Abstract: There are little data on prevalence of dyslipidemia in pediatric kidney TX recipients in the modern IS era. LP profiles of 38 TX recipients receiving triple IS with MMF, prednisone, and tacrolimus were compared with those of 11 children on HD using mixed model multiple linear regression analysis of repeated measures after adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, duration of ESRD, and BMI. TC and LDL levels were significantly higher in TX compared with HD, whereas there was no difference in the HDL, VLDL, and TG levels. TC and LDL in TX children had no association with age, sex, ethnicity, and duration of ESRD, stage of chronic kidney disease, DM, BMI percentile, and gain in percentage IBW. Five children treated with atrovastatin had a significant reduction in TC, LDL, VLDL, and TG at 3–6 months post‐treatment compared with pretreatment levels, whereas there was no difference in HDL or tacrolimus levels after treatment. No side effects of therapy were observed. Although dyslipidemia remains a significant problem in pediatric renal TX recipients in the modern era, the prevalence may have decreased with use of newer IS drugs.
Decreases in circulating CD4+CD25hiFOXP3+ cells and increases in intragraft FOXP3+ cells accompany allograft rejection in pediatric liver allograft recipients
Authors: Stenard Fabien , Nguyen Christine , Cox Ken , Kambham Neeraja , Umetsu Dale T. , Krams Sheri M. , Esquivel Carlos O. , Martinez Olivia M.
Published: March 2008

Abstract:  We examined CD4+CD25hiFOXP3+ cells Treg in children following liver transplantation and determined the relationship between Treg cell levels in the blood and in the graft. Peripheral blood was obtained from pediatric liver transplant patients at sequential time points: pre‐transplant, one month, 3–4 months, 6–7 months, and 11–12 months post‐transplant. PBMC were isolated, labeled for CD4, CD25 and FOXP3 expression and analyzed by flow cytometry for CD4+CD25hiFOXP3+ cells. Sorted CD4+CD25hi cells were assessed for functional activity. Pretransplant blood levels of CD4+CD25hiFOXP3+ Treg cells were not significantly different from post‐transplant blood levels of CD4+CD25hiFOXP3+ Treg cells. However, the blood levels of CD4+CD25hiFOXP3+ Treg cells were significantly decreased during acute rejection compared with levels when graft function was stable. Immunohistochemistry revealed that FOXP3+ cells were increased in the portal region of livers with histopathologic evidence of acute graft rejection compared with livers without evidence of rejection and were localized primarily within the inflammatory infiltrate. These data indicate that Treg cells are found at the site of allograft rejection and may play a role in regulation of alloreactivity. Moreover, monitoring peripheral CD4+CD25hiFOXP3+ Treg cell levels may be useful in improving the post‐transplant management of pediatric liver allograft recipients.
Equivalent pore radii of hydrophilic foliar uptake routes in stomatous and astomatous leaf surfaces – further evidence for a stomatal pathway
Authors: Eichert Thomas , Goldbach Heiner E.
Published: March 2008

Foliar uptake pathways for hydrophilic solutes were studied by the analysis of co‐uptake of 15N‐labelled urea, NH4+ or NO3− and 13C‐labelled sucrose across leaf surfaces of various plant species. Uptake of N (y) and sucrose (x) were strongly correlated. Curvilinear regression revealed significantly positive intercepts with the y‐axis indicating the involvement of a sucrose‐excluding pathway consisting of small pores with radii <0.5 nm. Depending on plant species, N source, leaf side and aperture of stomata, these small pores accounted for 6–62% of total N uptake. Regression analysis revealed that in stomatous leaf surfaces of Vicia faba L., Coffea arabica L. and Prunus cerasus L., the remaining N uptake occurred via another pathway with an estimated average pore radius (rP) greater than 20 nm. This is two orders of magnitude greater than previous estimations of cuticular rP, indicating that this pathway, which was only found in stomatous leaf surfaces, was probably not located in the cuticle but at the surfaces of the stomatal pores. In astomatous leaf surfaces of C. arabica and Populus × canadensis Moench, average rP was 2.0 and 2.4 nm, respectively, which is four to eight times larger than previous estimations of cuticular rP. These results indicate that for polar solutes, the size exclusion limits of plant surfaces can be considerably larger than previously estimated. The far‐reaching implications of these findings are discussed.
Annual rainfall does not directly determine the carbon isotope ratio of leaves of Eucalyptus species
Authors: Turner Neil C. , Schulze Ernst‐Detlef , Nicolle Dean , Schumacher Jens , Kuhlmann Iris
Published: March 2008

Leaf carbon isotope discrimination (δ13C) was widely considered to directly reflect the rainfall environment in which the leaf developed, but recent observations have queried this. The relationship between δ13C and rainfall was explored in Eucalyptus species growing along a rainfall gradient in Australia. The leaves of 43 species of Eucalyptus and the closely related Corymbia species produced in 2003 were sampled in September 2004 at 50 sites and grouped into 15 locations along a rainfall gradient in southwest Western Australia. At 24 sites, the same species and same trees were sampled as in a study in September 2003 when leaves produced in 2002 were sampled. The rainfall in 2004 was on average 190 mm (range 135–270 mm) higher at all locations than in 2003. In the leaves sampled in 2004, the mean carbon isotope discrimination (δ13C) across the 15 locations decreased 2.9‰ per 1000 mm of rainfall, the specific leaf area (SLA) increased by 2.9 m2 kg−1 per 1000 mm of rainfall and the nitrogen (N) content decreased by 1.56 g m−2 per 1000 mm of rainfall. In contrast, a comparison between the leaves produced in the drier 2002 year compared with the wetter 2003 year showed that there was a strong correlation (r2= 0.85) between the SLA values between years and a trend for higher values with increasing SLA, but the values of δ13C were on average only 0.38‰ lower (more negative) at all locations in the wetter year, equivalent to a decrease of 2.0‰ per 1000 mm of rainfall. The results suggest that while there may be constitutive differences in leaf morphology, SLA and N content per unit area, increasing rainfall or cloudiness associated with higher rainfall increases SLA and decreases N content per unit area. We conclude that rainfall does not directly influence δ13C, but induces leaf morphological and physiological changes that affect the resultant δ13C.
Low leaf hydraulic conductance associated with drought tolerance in soybean
Authors: Sinclair Thomas R. , Zwieniecki Maciej A. , Holbrook Noel Michele
Published: March 2008

Lack of water is the most serious environmental constraint on agricultural production. More efficient use of water resources is a key solution for increased plant productivity in water‐deficit environments. We examined the hydraulic characteristics of a ‘slow wilting’ phenotype in soybean (Glycine max Merr.), PI 416937, which has been shown to have relatively constant transpiration rates above a threshold atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD). The VPD response of PI 416937 was confirmed. Three experiments are reported to examine the hypothesis that the VPD response was a result of low hydraulic conductance in leaves as compared to two other soybean genotypes. Results are reported from experiments to measure transpiration response to VPD when xylem water potential was maintained at zero, leaf rehydration response and leaf carbon assimilation response to petiole cutting. Major interspecific differences in leaf hydraulic properties were observed. The observed low leaf hydraulic conductance in PI 416937 is consistent with an increased water use efficiency, and an increased water conservation by limiting transpiration rates under high evaporative conditions but allowing normal gas exchange rates under more moderate evaporative conditions.
Antioxidant enzymatic activity is linked to waterlogging stress tolerance in citrus
Authors: Arbona Vicent , Hossain Zahed , López‐Climent María F. , Pérez‐Clemente Rosa M. , Gómez‐Cadenas Aurelio
Published: March 2008

Soil flooding constitutes a seasonal factor that negatively affects plant performance and crop yields. In this work, the relationship between oxidative damage and flooding sensitivity was addressed in three citrus genotypes with different abilities to tolerate waterlogging. We examined leaf visible damage, oxidative damage in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, leaf proline concentration, leaf and root ascorbate and glutathione contents and the antioxidant enzyme activities superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) and glutathione reductase (EC 1.8.1.7). No differences in the extent of oxidative damage relative to controls were found among genotypes. However, a different ability to delay the apparition of oxidative damage was associated to a higher tolerance to waterlogging. This ability was linked to an enhanced activated oxygen species’ scavenging capacity in terms of an increased antioxidant enzyme activity and higher content in polar antioxidant compounds. Therefore, the existence of a direct relationship between stress sensitivity and the early accumulation of MDA is proposed. In addition, data indicate that the protective role of proline has to be considered minimal as its accumulation was inversely correlated with tolerance to the stress. The positive antioxidant response in Carrizo citrange (Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf. × Citrus sinensis L. Osb.) and Citrumelo CPB 4475 (Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf. × Citrus paradisi L. Macf.) might be responsible for a higher tolerance to flooding stress, whereas in Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reshni Hort. Ex Tan.), the early accumulation of MDA seems to be associated to an impaired ability for H2O2 scavenging.
Patch clamp characterization of a non‐selective cation channel of ER membranes purified from Beta vulgaris taproots
Authors: Brito‐Argáez Ligia , Canto‐Canché Blondy , Teresa Hernández‐Sotomayor Soledad Maria , Martínez‐Estevez Manuel , Pottosin Igor I.
Published: March 2008

The ER fraction from red beet taproot was purified on sucrose gradient and giant liposomes, suitable for patch clamping, were formed by dehydration–rehydration of the lipid film. Single‐channel recordings on excised and attached patches revealed a large conductance (165 pS) cation (PCl−/PK+ < 0.03) channel with equal conductance and relative permeability for Na+ and K+. This non‐selective cation channel was also highly permeable for Ca2+. We failed to detect any single‐channel currents activated by a direct application of d‐myo‐inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate, despite the fact that the ER membranes were native.
Characterization of genes controlling stamen identity and development in a parthenocarpic tomato mutant indicates a role for the DEFICIENS ortholog in the control of fruit set
Authors: Mazzucato Andrea , Olimpieri Irene , Siligato Francesca , Picarella Maurizio Enea , Soressi Gian Piero
Published: March 2008

The development of the ovary into a fruit depends on pollination and fertilization. It has been proposed that the restriction of ovary growth before pollination is because of the stamens acting as negative regulators. Accordingly, the silencing of genes responsible for stamen identity has been correlated with parthenocarpy in different species. The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) parthenocarpic fruit (pat) mutation associates autonomous ovary development with homeotic transformation of the anthers and aberrancy of ovules in the ovary. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that stamen aberrations and parthenocarpy in pat are driven by cues coming from the altered expression of class B MADS box genes. The data showed that the Pat locus is not allelic to either of the two tomato mutations putatively involved in the B function, stamenless (sl)‐2 and pistillate (pi) or to genes encoding class B transcription factors. Whereas pat pi double mutants were not recovered because of tight linkage, pat sl‐2 double mutants showed mainly epistatic effects. The developmental regulation of the Sl DEFICIENS (DEF) gene in the wild‐type (WT) at anthesis as well as its differential transcription in the pat ovary suggest that it plays a role in the control of ovary growth. Accordingly, when compared with the WT, the gene was also differentially expressed in the parthenocarpic fruit‐2 (pat‐2) mutant, that is not allelic to pat and has normal ovule development. Altogether the results indicate that in tomato SlDEF plays a role in the control of ovary growth and that the pat mutation is located upstream of this regulatory cascade.
Effects of long‐term chilling on ultrastructure and antioxidant activity in leaves of two cucumber cultivars under low light
Authors: Xu Pei‐Lei , Guo Yan‐Kui , Bai Ji‐Gang , Shang Li , Wang Xiu‐Juan
Published: March 2008

Cucumber (Cucumis sativusL.) cv. Xintaimici (a chilling‐resistant cultivar) and cv. Jinyan no. 4 (a chilling‐sensitive cultivar) were subjected to two temperatures (15/15 and 25/18°C) under low light (100 μmol m−2 s−1) to understand the relationship between ultrastructural changes and the antioxidant abilities caused by low temperature (15/15°C). We also aimed to find indicators for chilling resistance that could be used on a routine basis in breeding programs of greenhouse crops. At the 15/15°C treatment, the membranes of chloroplast, mitochondrion, ER and plasma were not significantly changed in Xintaimici, whereas they were seriously affected in Jinyan no. 4. This result was consistent with the changes of malonaldehyde in chilling‐stressed cucumber leaves. The antioxidant activities were changed under low temperature according to cultivar‐expected resistance, relating in part to the described ultrastructural changes. The activities of superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) and guaiacol peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) increased in chilling‐stressed leaves of both cultivars, but the two enzymes were not responsible for the difference between cucumber cultivars. At 15/15°C, contents of GSH and activities of glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) increased more in leaves of Xintaimici than in those of Jinyan no. 4, while catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) activities decreased less. GSH, GR and CAT were affected by low temperature and cultivars and correlated with the difference in ultrastructure between chilling‐stressed cucumber cultivars. We propose that the three antioxidants might be therefore used as biochemical indicators to screen chilling‐resistant cucumber cultivars.
Purification, cloning and functional differences of a third fructan 1‐exohydrolase (1‐FEHw3) from wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: Van Riet Liesbet , Altenbach Denise , Vergauwen Rudy , Clerens Stefan , Kawakami Akira , Yoshida Midori , Van den Ende Wim , Wiemken Andres , Van Laere André
Published: March 2008

A third fructan exohydrolase isoform (1‐FEHw3) was purified from wheat stems by a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation, ConA affinity and ion‐exchange chromatography. Homogeneity of the preparation was indicated by the presence of a single band (70 kDa) after SDS‐PAGE. The enzyme hydrolyzed mainly β2‐1 linkages in fructans and was inhibited by sucrose. A cDNA could be obtained after reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR)‐based strategies and screening of a cDNA library. Functionality tests of the cDNA performed after heterologous expression in the yeast Pichia pastoris showed that the encoded protein has essentially the same characteristics as the native enzyme. Homology with previously described 1‐FEH isoforms from wheat was high (97% identity), and the enzyme showed minor differences to the previously published enzymes. The relative abundance of 1‐FEH transcripts in different tissues was investigated by using quantitative RT‐PCR.
Anti‐Gal antibody‐mediated skin graft rejection requires a threshold level of Gal expression
Authors: Murray‐Segal Lisa , Gock Hilton , Cowan Peter J. , D’Apice Anthony J.F.
Published: March 2008

Abstract:  Background:  Despite overcoming xenograft hyperacute rejection (HAR), Gal (galactose‐α1,3‐galactose) expression may not be completely eliminated from the α1,3‐galactosyltransferase gene knockout (Gal KO) pig because of alternative galactosyltransferases. Whether low levels of “residual” Gal are still susceptible to either complement fixing or non‐complement fixing antibody beyond the HAR barrier remains unknown. Furthermore, it would be impossible to analyze the immune response specific to low‐level Gal in a xenograft setting given the multitude of xenoantigens that could induce a recipient response. To investigate this question, we therefore used a skin graft model in BALB/c mice where the sole difference between donor and recipient was the expression of Gal, where rejection is caused by passively administered anti‐Gal monoclonal antibody and where HAR does not occur.

Methods:  Gal expression over time was examined by immunohistochemistry in wildtype‐to‐Gal KO skin grafts. Graft rejection in response to passively administered anti‐Gal monoclonal antibody at early and late time points was studied to determine changes in susceptibility to antibody. To independently test the effect of reduced Gal expression on antibody‐mediated rejection, we used two separate lines of α1,2‐fucosyltransferase transgenic mice as skin donors in the model. These mice have known reduced but different levels of Gal as determined by flow cytometry on peripheral blood leukocytes.

Results:  Gal expression on skin grafts diminished with time with a corresponding reduction in susceptibility to antibody‐mediated rejection. Skin grafts at day 30 (n = 7) and 150 (n = 11) had a rejection rate of 100% and 45% respectively in response to non‐complement fixing anti‐Gal antibody administered to the recipient. Similar results were demonstrated with a complement fixing anti‐Gal antibody. When α1,2‐fucosyltransferase transgenic mice skin was used in the model, the line with lowest level of Gal expression was resistant to antibody‐induced rejection with a rate 0% (n = 9) vs. 60% (n = 5) in the alternative line with relatively more Gal expressed but still much less than normal mice.

Conclusions:  Resistance to anti‐Gal antibody‐mediated damage in the model was observed in skin grafts 100 to 150 days post‐grafting but not earlier and was associated with a reduction in Gal expression. It is possible that below a threshold level of Gal expression, the grafts were not susceptible to anti‐Gal antibody.
Effects of pharmacological intervention on coagulopathy and organ function in xenoperfused kidneys
Authors: Ramackers Wolf , Friedrich Lars , Tiede Andreas , Bergmann Sabine , Schuettler Wolfgang , Schuerholz Tobias , Mengel Michael , Goudeva Lili , Ganser Arnold , Klempnauer Jürgen , Piepenbrock Siegfried , Winkler Michael
Published: March 2008

Abstract:  Background:  Following pig to primate kidney transplantation, xenogenic activation of the coagulation (XAC) system of the recipient eventually leading to organ dysfunction and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) can be observed.

Methods:  Using an ex‐vivo perfusion circuit based on low‐dose heparin‐mediated anticoagulation and exogenous complement inhibition by C1‐ Inhibitor (C1‐Inh), we have analysed XAC following contact of human blood with porcine endothelium. Porcine kidneys (n = 23) were recovered following in situ cold perfusion with histidine‐tryptophan‐ketoglutarate (HTK) solution and were connected to a perfusion circuit utilizing freshly drawn pooled human AB blood.

Results:  Kidney survival during organ perfusion with human blood, CI‐Inh, heparin but without any further pharmacological intervention was 126 ± 78 min. XAC was observed with significantly elevated levels of D‐dimer and thrombin antithrombin complexes (TAT). Pharmacological intervention with nitroprusside and prostacycline resulted in increased organ survival (220 ± 28 min and 180 ± 85 min respectively) but failed to inhibit XAC. In contrast, addition of activated protein C (APC) significantly reduced the increase in D‐dimer and TAT and prolonged organ survival to 240 min (±0). On histology, no remarkable signs of XAC were observed.

Conclusions:  We conclude that exogenous APC is able to reduce XAC in this ex vivo perfusion model.
Light and Scanning Electron Microscopic Study on the Blood Vascular System of the Donkey Placenta
Authors: Saber A. , Abd‐Elnaeim M. , Hembes T. , Pfarrer C. , Salim A. , Leiser R.
Published: March 2008

The donkey placenta is diffuse and epitheliochorial with numerous microplacentomes consisting of a fetal microcotyledonary and a maternal microcaruncular part. The microplacentomal vasculature during the last third of pregnancy has been investigated by light microscopy in comparison to scanning electron microscopy of the materno‐fetal contact surface and corrosion casts of blood vessels after plastic instillation from either the microcotyledonary or the microcaruncular side, and, for the first time in a perissodactyle, from both sides. Morphological data were semiquantitatively evaluated. The supplying parts of both, the microcotyledonary and the microcaruncular vascular system are strictly proximo‐distally oriented, thus reaching the capillary systems or working parts in the shortest way possible. The straight course of the vasculature, particularly on the fetal side, suggests the occurrence of venulo‐arteriolar back diffusion. The fetal capillary system consists of convolutes confronting the maternal septal capillary complexes in a countercurrent way. This materno‐fetal blood flow interrelationship is highly efficient in terms of placental exchange, which is further supported (1) by dilations and increasing coiling of the fetal venular capillary limbs in particular and (2) by a decrease in the interhaemal distance from 12.5 to 7.2 μm between the two capillary systems. Besides the countercurrent blood flow interrelationship, some maternal branch arterioles reach the septal capillary system from the maternally oriented pole of the microplacentome or microcaruncle, respectively, resulting in the less efficient crosscurrent blood flow. Hence, in the donkey placenta fetal and maternal blood vessels meet in a mix of countercurrent and crosscurrent flow patterns.
Adaptation of protein oxidation to protein intake in the domestic cat
Authors: Green A. S. , Ramsey J. J. , Villaverde C. , Asami D. , Fascetti A. J.
Published: March 2008

It is well‐accepted that cats require more dietary protein than omnivores and herbivores. Work on hepatic enzyme activities showed that cats lack the ability to regulate the urea cycle enzymes in response to the dietary supply of protein. It was thus hypothesized that the high protein requirement of cats is due to an inability to regulate these enzymes, limiting adaptation to a low protein diet. We used indirect respiration calorimetry to assess the in vivo ability of cats to adapt substrate oxidation to different levels of dietary protein, including one below their protein requirement. In random order, eight cats consumed each of four semi‐purified diets containing 7.7% (LP), 14.6% (AP), 27.3% (MP) and 51.1% (HP) of ME from protein. Cats consumed each diet for at least 14 days and then completed a 5‐day nitrogen balance trial and at least 2, 12‐hour indirect calorimetry measurements. The data were analyzed by anova using the Mixed procedure of SAS and are expressed as mean ± SEM. There was a significant effect of diet on protein oxidation (p < 0.0001), measuring 9.8 ± 0.5%, 13.4 ± 0.9%, 23.5 ± 0.8% and 49.0 ± 1.8% of total energy expenditure on the LP, AP, MP and HP diets, respectively. The ratio of protein oxidation/protein intake was significantly higher with the LP diet (1.27 ± 0.07) than the other three diets (AP, 0.92 ± 0.06; MP, 0.86 ± 0.03; HP, 0.96 ± 0.04; p < 0.0001), indicating a net loss of protein on the LP diet. Thus, cats adapted to a wide range of dietary protein concentrations, but were unable to fully adapt to the LP diet.
Cell proliferation of feline and human breast cancer cell types is inhibited by pomegranate juice
Authors: Tanner A. E. , Saker K. E. , Ju Y. , Lee Y. W. , O’Keefe S. , Robertson J. , Tanko J. M.
Published: March 2008

Mammary cancer, a devastating disease in both humans and companion animals, has been associated with numerous factors including diet. Polyphenolic antioxidants found in pomegranate fruits have been shown to reduce tumor burden and inhibit angiogenesis and cell growth.(Kim et al., 2002; Afaq et al., 2005; Malik et al., 2005) Feline mammary carcinomas (FMC) are known to have similar invasive behavior, histologic appearance, and overall poor prognosis to estrogen receptor negative (ER‐) invasive human mammary cancer.(Porrello et al., 2004; Zappulli et al., 2005) In this study, supplementation with an antioxidant‐rich whole food (pomegranate) was evaluated for anti‐cancer properties in an ER‐ human breast cancer cell line (MDA‐MB‐231) as a model for FMC. Antioxidant capacity and polyphenolic content of pomegranate juices (PJ) were characterized by reportable methods. ER‐ cells were exposed to PJ at various concentrations (0.5%, 1%, 5%) and to Cisplatin (5 ug/ml, 10 ug/ml, 15 ug/ml) doses for 48 and 72 h. MTT assays were performed to evaluate the ability of PJ to inhibit tumor cell growth. Statistical significance was determined using PROC GLM (SAS 9.1) with alpha = 0.05. Cell proliferation of the ER‐ cancer cells was inhibited by pomegranate juice in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner (p < 0.0001).Maximal inhibition was seen for pomegranate juice formulations at the 5% dose, and the response was comparable to that of high‐dose Cisplatin. This first phase study shows that PJ may be a useful nutrient‐based, non‐chemotherapeutic treatment alternative for the inhibition of ER‐ breast cancer cell proliferation.
Rapid evolution of the Eocene accretionary complex (Hyuga Group) of the Shimanto terrane in southeastern Kyushu, southwestern Japan
Authors: Saito Makoto
Published: March 2008

Abstract  Detailed geologic examination of the Eocene accretionary complex (Hyuga Group) of the Shimanto terrane in southeastern Kyushu revealed that the oceanic plate was composed of Paleocene to Lower Eocene mudstone and siliceous mudstone, lower Middle Eocene red mudstone, and mid‐Middle Eocene trench‐fill turbidite with siltstone breccia, successively overlying the pre‐Eocene oceanic plate. This oceanic plate sequence was overlain by Upper Eocene siltstone. Deposition of the lower Middle Eocene red mudstone was accompanied by basalt flows and it is interbedded with continental felsic tuff, which indicates that the basalt and red mudstone were deposited near the trench just before accretion. The Hyuga Group has very similar geological structure to that of the chert–clastic complexes found in the Jurassic accretionary complexes in Japan: that is, a decollement fault formed in the middle of an oceanic plate sequence, and an imbricate structure formed only in the upper part of the sequence. Thus, it appears that the Hyuga Group was formed by the same accretionary process as the Jurassic accretionary complexes. No accretion occurred before the Middle Eocene, and the rapid accretion of the Hyuga Group was commenced by the supply of coarse terrigenous sediments in the mid‐Middle Eocene, when the direction of movement of the Pacific Plate changed. The pre‐Eocene oceanic basement and lower Middle Eocene volcanic activity suggest that the oceanic plate partly preserved in the Hyuga Group was very similar to the northern part of the present West Philippine Sea Plate.
Echo‐Doppler measurements of portal vein and superior mesenteric artery blood flow in humans: Inter‐ and intra‐observer short‐term reproducibility
Authors: IWAO TADASHI , TOYONAGA ATSUSHI , SHIGEMORI HIROYUKI , OHO KAZUHIKO , SUMINO MICHIHIRO , SATO MASAHIRO , TANIKAWA KYUICHI
Published: March 2008

The reproducibility of echo‐Doppler measurements of portal vein and superior mesenteric artery blood flow has not been extensively studied. In the present study, two groups of subjects were examined to test inter‐ and intra‐observer reproducibility. Each study population consisted of 15 non‐portal hypertensive and 15 portal hypertensive subjects. With a standardized technique, the cross‐sectional area and velocity of blood flow in the portal vein and superior mesenteric artery were recorded in triplicate by skilled operators. The flow volume of each vessel was calculated by multiplying the cross‐sectional area by the velocity of blood flow. The measurements were performed in a blind fashion over a 60 min period. The reproducibility of measurements was assessed by calculation of intraclass correlation coefficients and coefficients of variation. The intra‐observer intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.77 for portal vein blood flow and 0.84 for superior mesenteric artery blood flow, suggesting good reproducibility. The intra‐observer coefficient of variation was 11 and 9%, respectively. In contrast, the interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.49 for portal blood vein blood flow and 0.57 for superior mesenteric artery blood flow, indicating fair reproducibility. In addition, the interobserver coefficients of variation were calculted to be 20 and 18%, respectively. These data suggest that intra‐observer reproducibility in echo‐Doppler measurements of portal vein and superior mesenteric artery blood flow is acceptable but inter‐observer reproducibility is not. Examination by a single operator, rather than multiple operators, is therefore advisable. Even when measurements are performed by a single investigator an approximate variance of 10% in the measurement in a single subject should be expected.
Treatment of gastric fundal varices by balloon‐occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration
Authors: KANAGAWA HIROSHI , MIMA SATOAKI , KOUYAMA HARUKAZU , GOTOH KENICHIROH , UCHIDA TOSHIKAZU , OKUDA KUNIO
Published: March 2008

Although less common than oesophageal varices in portal hypertension, gastric fundal varices carry a higher mortality rate when they rupture. They are less amenable to sclerotherapy. We have developed a minimally invasive balloon‐occluded retrograde transverse obliteration (B‐RTO) procedure to treat gastric fundal varices. B‐RTO involves inserting a balloon catheter into an outflow shunt (gastric‐renal or gastric‐vena caval inferior) via the femoral or internal jugular vein. Blood flow is then blocked by inflating the balloon, and 5% ethanolamine oleate iopamidol is injected in a retrograde manner. The embolized gastric varix subsequentlyl disappears. B‐RTO was performed in 32 patients with gastric varices. Follow‐up endoscopies were performed at intervals of 2–4 months for an average observation period of 14 months. Eradication of the varices has been confirmed in 31 of 32 patients. No recurrence occurred in any patients in the follow‐up period. There were no significant changes in liver function after the procedure. We conclude that B‐RTO is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of gastric fundal varices.
Prevalence of gastric ulcer in cirrhotic patients and its relation to portal hypertension
Authors: CHEN LING‐SHENG , LIN HAN‐CHIEH , HWANG SHINN‐JANG , LEE FA‐YAUH , HOU MING‐CHIH , LEE SHOU‐DONG
Published: March 2008

The prevalence of gastric ulcer and its relationship to the severity of cirrhosis and degree of portal hypertension was evaluated in 245 cirrhotic patients, and compared with 245 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy subjects. Portal and systemic haemodynamic studies were performed in cirrhotic patients. The prevalence of gastric ulcer in cirrhotic patients was 20.8%, which was significantly higher than the 4.0% found in healthy controls. Using a multivariate logistic regression model, the hepatic venous pressure gradient was found to be the only predictor of the prevalence of gastric ulcer in cirrhotic patients to present with gastric ulcer. The hepatic venous pressure gradient was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients with gastric ulcer than in those without (17.3 ± 4.4 vs 15.5 ± 5.0 mmHg, P= 0.01). Other variables, including sex, smoking, cardiac output and severity or aetiology of cirrhosis did not show significant differences between the two patient groups. The prevalence of gastric ulcer in cirrhotic patients whose hepatic venous pressure gradient was below 12 mmHg (4.5%) was similar to that observed in the healthy controls (4.0%). However, when the hepatic venous pressure gradient was > 12 mmHg, the prevalence of gastric ulcer (24.4%) was significantly higher than that in control subjects. However, the incidence of gastric ulcer was not related to the degree of portal hypertension. In conclusion, the prevalence of gastric ulcer in cirrhotic patients was found to be significantly higher than in the age‐ and sex‐matched healthy subjects. Portal hypertension with a hepatic venous pressure gradient > 12 mmHg may be an important factor contributing to the increased prevalence of gastric ulcer observed in patients with liver cirrhosis.
A comparative study of the influence of differing barley brans on DMH‐induced intestinal tumours in male Sprague‐Dawley rats
Authors: MCINTOSH GRAEME H. , LE LEU RICHARD K. , ROYLE PETER J. , YOUNG GRAEME P.
Published: March 2008

The influence of barley brans on the incidence and burden of intestinal tumours in rats induced by 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine (DMH) was studied in a 7 month feeding experiment. The basic diet was American Institute of Nutrition (AIN) 76 modified by adjustment to 20% fat and 40% starch; brans were added so as to supply 5% dietary fibre. The barley brans studied were commercial barley bran (BB1; 13.0% dietary fibre) from the aleurone/subaleurone layer, outerlayer barley bran (BB2) including the germ (25.5% dietary fibre) and spent barley grain bran (SBG; a by‐product of the brewery and including the hull; 47.7% dietary fibre). They were compared with wheat bran (WB; 44% dietary fibre) and cellulose (or control; 98% dietary fibre). Commercial barley bran and wheat bran were most effective in reducing tumour incidence and burden. The incidence of tumours fell significantly from 70% (BB2) and 50% (SBG) to 10% (BB1) and 20% (WB) and tumour burden and tumour mass index (TMI) were also reduced by similar orders of magnitude. There were significantly higher short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations in WB‐ and BBl‐fed rat faecal pellets relative to cellulose‐ and BB2‐fed rat faeces; butyrate, in particular, was affected. Regression analysis of butyrate against tumour incidence showed a trend (r=‐0.898; P=0.055), but the concentration of butyrate alone could not account for the reduction in tumour incidence observed. In a second experiment, when two brans (BB1 and SBG) were introduced after DMH dosing, there were higher incidences and burdens of tumours, indicating that protection by such brans was not as effective under these circumstances. Commercially available barley bran and wheat bran appear to significantly reduce tumour incidence and burden in this model relative to other brans, influencing both the initiatory as well as promotional stages of chemically induced carcinogenesis.
Endoscopic management of postoperative bile leak
Authors: SARASWAT VA , CHOUDHURI G. , SHARMA BC , AGARWAL DK , GUPTA R. , BAIJAL SS , SIKORA SS , SAXENA R. , KAPOOR VK
Published: March 2008

Significant bile leak is an uncommon but serious complication of biliary tract surgery. Of twenty‐five patients presenting with postoperative bile leak, 11 had complete tie‐off of common bile duct and required surgery, while the remaining 14 had injury without complete obstruction and could be managed by endoscopic methods. Of these 14 cases, bile leak occurred from the cystic duct in 11 patients and from the common hepatic duct, right hepatic duct and left hepatic duct in one patient each. Endoscopic procedures performed included sphincterotomy alone (four patients), sphincterotomy and stent placement (seven patients) and sphincterotomy followed by nasobiliary catheter drainage (three patients). There was no technical failure and bile leak was stopped in all patients. One patient died of haemobilia 5 days after stent placement. When technically feasible, postoperative bile leak can be managed safely and effectively by endoscopic methods, obviating the need for surgical reexploration.
Relationship between hepatocellular carcinoma and subtypes of hepatitis C virus: A nationwide analysis
Authors: TAKADA AKIRA , TSUTSUMI MIKIHIRO , ZHANG SHUN‐CAI , OKANOUE TAKESHI , MATSUSHIMA TAKASHI , FUJIYAMA SHIGETOSHI , KOMATSU MASAFUMI
Published: March 2008

Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) has now been classified into several subtypes, the clinical significance of HCV subtypes is not well known. Typing of HCV is now routinely performed in Japan. In the present study, HCV subtypes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients were analysed from nationwide data collected in Japan using a standard questionnaire. Answers to the questionnaire concerning HCV subtypes in patients with chronic hepatitis (CH), liver cirrhosis (LC) and HCC were obtained from 14 hospitals. The prevalence of the 1b‐related subtype, which includes the mixed subtype of 1b and 2a or 2b, in patients with LC and HCC in each hospital was higher than in patients with CH, with few exceptions. However, the differences were not statistically significant because of the small number of patients in each hospital. In summarized data from all 14 hospitals, the 1b‐related subtype was found in 1370 of 1922 patients with CH (71.2%). In 356 LC and 426 HCC patients, the prevalence of the 1b‐related subtype was 79.8 and 80.5%, respectively. The prevalence of the 1b‐related subtype in patients with LC and HCC was significantly higher than in patients with CH. There was no significant difference between the prevalence of the 1b‐related subtype in patients with HCC and LC. These results indicate that the oncogenic activity of subtype 1b, although not yet clearly characterized, may be stronger than subtypes 2a and 2b.
Acute pancreatitis induced by hypercalcaemia associated with adult T‐cell leukaemia: A case report
Authors: ONO YASUHIRO , KIMURA TOSHINARI , NAKANO ITSURO , FURUKAWA MASAYUKI , ITO TETSUHIDE , SAKAMOTO SHIGERU , KONOMI KOHKI , NAWATA HAJIME
Published: March 2008

Abtsract

A 44 year old Japanese woman with adult T‐cell leukaemia (ATL) was admitted to Kyushu University hospital to receive a course of α‐interferon treatment. She experienced a sudden onset of hypercalcaemia and epigastric pain associated with an increase in the level of pancreatic enzymes. Her serum parathyroid hormone related protein level was above normal although her high sensitive PTH level was within the normal range. Ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed enlargement of the pancreas with indistinct margins and massive accumulation of extrapancreatic fluid. Cullen's sign was observed. A few days after the onset of acute pancreatitis, the serum amylase level increased to 3400 IU/L, and the serum calcium level fell to 4.2 mg/dL from 13.3 mg/dL. Her fasting blood glucose level increased to 242 mg/dL. Although the first episode of pancreatitis appeared to respond to treatment, she experienced a second episode of pancreatitis accompanied by an elevation of the serum calcium level. These findings suggest that acute pancreatitis was caused by hypercalcaemia associated with ATL.
Distribution of the different subtypes of hepatitis C virus in Japan and the effects of interferon: A nationwide survey
Authors: TAKADA AKIRA , TSUTSUMI MIKIHIRO , OKANOUE TAKESHI , MATSUSHIMA TAKASHI , KOMATSU MASAFUMI , FUJIYAMA SHIGETOSHI
Published: March 2008

Interferon (IFN) is now commonly used for the treatment of type C hepatitis; however, its effects differ depending upon the subtype of hepatitis C virus (HCV) being treated. It has been recently confirmed in many studies in Japan that the effectiveness of IFN treatment is poor in patients having type 1b and better in patients having type 2a HCV. However, the effects of IFN treatment on other subtypes of HCV were not clear because of the small number of patients in each hospital. In the present study, the effects of IFN treatment in patients with other HCV subtypes were analysed from nationwide data collected in Japan using a standard questionnaire. From this questionnaire, local differences in the distribution of HCV subtypes in Japan were also analysed. A standard questionnaire, consisting of questions about the number of patients with chronic type C hepatitis with different HCV subtypes and the number of patients showing different responses to IFN treatment, was sent to over 40 study groups in Japan, Answers to the questionnaire concerning HCV subtyes and the effects of IFN treatment were obtained from 26 and 22 hospitals, respectively, throughout Japan. The incidence of HCV type 1b was highest in the Kinki area (south‐central Japan). The incidence of type 1b HCV decreased in parallel with distance from this area. The mortality rates of hepatic cancer in different areas were significantly corrclated with the incidence of HCV type 1b. The efficacy of IFN treatment was significantiy better for both types 2a and 2b HCV than for type 1b HCV; the efficacy of IFN treatment was poor in the mixed type of 1b and 2a and tended to be better in type 1a. The efficacy of IFN treatment for other types of HCV was also better. These results indicate that there are local differences in the distribution of HCV subtypes in Japan and that these differences may be closely associated with the clinical features of HCV‐related liver disease. The efficacy of IFN treatment was significantly poorer in patients with the 1b‐related type HCV than in patients with other types of HCV.
Hepatic HCV‐RNA as a predictor of outcome after interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: KONDO MASAAKI , TANAKA KATSUAKI , IKEDA MASANORI , ARATA SHINJU , SAITO SATORU , SAKAGUCHI TAKASHI , MORIMOTO MANABU , FUJII TAKANDO , MITSUI KONOMI , OKAZAKI HIROSHI , HOSHINO MASATO , SEKIHARA HISAHIKO
Published: March 2008

Measurement of serum HCV‐RNA is a useful index for evaluating the antiviral effect of interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C. In the present study, we investigated whether the detection of hepatic HCV‐RNA after interferon treatment, using a polymerase chain reaction assay, predicted long‐term response to therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Thirty‐three patients underwent liver biopsies before and after interferon therapy. Histology and clinical courses were compared after treatment. Before therapy, serum and hepatic HCV‐RNA was detected in specimens from 32 (97%) and 33 (100%) patients, respectively. Serum HCV‐RNA became undetectable in samples from 22 (67%) patients; however, in 10 of these patients (45%), serum HCV‐RNA levels relapsed after therapy. Hepatic HCV‐RNA became undetectable in 14 patients after therapy and the serum aminotransferase concentration remained within normal limits during and following (24–92 weeks) therapy in 12 of these patients (86%). All 11 patients with detectable hepatic HCV‐RNA also had serum HCV‐RNA and elevated aminotransferase concentrations refractory to therapy. The absence of hepatic HCV‐RNA at the end of interferon treatment thus predicted a long‐term complete response to therapy with a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 90% and an accuracy of 94%. We conclude that hepatic rather than serum HCV‐RNA is a more useful index for the prediction of the long‐term efficacy of interferon therapy.