bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrogastrography as a diagnostic tool for delayed gastric emptying in functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Van Der Voort I. R. , Osmanoglou E. , Seybold M. , Heymann‐Mönnikes I. , Tebbe J. , Wiedenmann B. , Klapp B. F. , Mönnikes H.
Published: September 2003

Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed in functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, e.g. altered GI motility and sensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate gastric electrical activity (GEA) in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) compared with healthy controls (HC), and to assess if abdominal symptoms and delayed gastric emptying are associated with alterations in GEA, as determined by electrogastrography (EGG). Forty patients with FD, IBS or both were compared with 22 HC. EGG was performed before and after a standard meal. Frequencies and amplitudes pre‐ and post‐prandially were analysed. Furthermore, gastric emptying and symptom scores were assessed. Eight of 40 patients (20%; three FD, three IBS, two FD and IBS) had delayed gastric emptying. Disturbed gastric emptying and lack of a postprandial increase in the EGG amplitude were significantly correlated (r = 0.8; P < 0.005). No differences between controls and patients were observed in the distribution of EGG frequencies. Treatment with the prokinetically active macrolide erythromycin improved gastric emptying, GEA and symptoms (n = 4). The data suggest that EGG could be useful as a diagnostic tool in patients with FD and IBS to identify a subgroup of patients with delayed gastric emptying.
Cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript: distribution and function in rat gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Ekblad E. , Kuhar M. , Wierup N. , Sundler F.
Published: September 2003

Cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART) peptide, originally isolated from brain, is also expressed in the peripheral nervous system. The distribution, origin and projections of CART‐expressing enteric neurones by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization in rat gastrointestinal (GI) tract were studied. Possible motor functions of CART were studied in vitro using longitudinal muscle strips from stomach, ileum and colon. Cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript peptide was found in numerous myenteric neurones throughout the GI tract while CART‐expressing submucous neurones were scarce. Cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript was also expressed in the antral gastrin cells. Myenteric CART‐expressing neurones in both small and large intestine issued short descending projections. In atrophic ileum, CART mRNA‐expressing neurones increased in number while neurones containing CART peptide decreased. In hypertrophied ileum, no change in CART peptide or CART mRNA containing myenteric neurones was detected. Cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript 55–102 (10−9–10−7 mol L−1) did not induce any contractile or relaxatory responses in the muscle strips, neither did it affect responses induced by vasoactive intestinal peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating peptide or neuronal stimulation. In colonic, but not in ileal, strips addition of CART attenuated nitric oxide (NO) donor‐induced relaxations. Although CART does not seem to play a pivotal role in classic neurotransmission to the longitudinal muscle, it may serve a modulatory role in NO transmission. It may, moreover, be involved in intestinal adaptation, and an additional hormonal role is also possible.
Copper accumulation, synthesis of ascorbate and activation of ascorbate peroxidase in Enteromorpha compressa (L.) Grev. (Chlorophyta) from heavy metal‐enriched environments in northern Chile
Authors: RATKEVICIUS N. , CORREA J. A. , MOENNE A.
Published: September 2003

Enteromorpha compressa is the dominant species in coastal areas of northern Chile receiving copper mine wastes. Copper remains as the main heavy metal in these coastal waters and it is accumulated in E. compressa growing at the impacted sites. Algae from these sites showed higher levels of lipoperoxides than from non‐impacted sites, which suggests the occurrence of cellular damage resulting from oxidative stress. The strong activation of ascorbate peroxidase detected in this study probably occurs in order to buffer this oxidative stress. Unexpectedly, the activity of glutathione reductase, normally coupled to ascorbate peroxidase activity, was not affected by the chronic exposure to the mine wastes. Moreover, catalase, dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione peroxidase, commonly reported to buffer oxidative stress in plants and algae, were not detected in E. compressa from any of the studied sites. Levels of total glutathione and phenolic compounds decreased in algae from mine‐impacted sites. In contrast, high levels of dehydroascorbate were found in algae from impacted sites, whereas ascorbate remained unchanged. Therefore, it is suggested that E. compressa tolerates a copper‐enriched environment, and the accompanying oxidative stress, through the accumulation of copper, activation of ascorbate peroxidase, synthesis of ascorbate (accumulated as dehydroascorbate) and consumption of glutathione and water‐soluble phenolic compounds.
The effect of temperature on stigmatic receptivity in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.)
Authors: HEDHLY A. , HORMAZA J. I. , HERRERO M.
Published: September 2003

Plant reproduction is highly vulnerable to environmental conditions such as temperature and, consequently, planet warming may have significant consequences on the reproductive phase with serious implication in agricultural crops. Although pollen tube growth is clearly affected by temperature, little information is available on its effect on the female side and on flower receptivity. In this work, the effect of temperature has been evaluated on stigmatic receptivity of sweet cherry in vivo, in the laboratory, and in planta, in the field. Results herein show that temperature has a clear effect on the duration of stigmatic receptivity. Thus, whereas high temperature reduced stigmatic receptivity, low temperature enlarged it. The stigma lost the capacity to offer support first for pollen penetration, second for pollen germination and, finally, for pollen adhesion. The effect of temperature was more pronounced on pollen germination and penetration than on pollen adhesion. High temperature reduced the germination capacity of the pollen as early as the first day after anthesis, a time when no apparent signs of stigma degeneration are apparent. This clear effect of temperature on stigmatic receptivity and pollen performance may have clear implication in crop performance and in establishing screening criteria of best‐adapted genotypes.
High‐temperature inhibition of photosynthesis is greater under sunflecks than uniform irradiance in a tropical rain forest tree seedling
Authors: LEAKEY A. D. B. , PRESS M. C. , SCHOLES J. D.
Published: September 2003

The survival of dipterocarp seedlings in the understorey of south‐east Asian rain forests is limited by their ability to maintain a positive carbon balance. Photosynthesis during sunflecks is an important component of carbon gain. Field measurements demonstrated that Shorea leprosula seedlings in a rain forest understorey received a high proportion of daily photon flux density at temperatures supra‐optimal for photosynthesis (72% at ≥30 °C, 14% at ≥35 °C). To investigate the effect of high temperatures on photosynthesis during sunflecks, gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements were made on seedlings grown in controlled environment conditions either, under uniform, saturating irradiance (approximately 539 µmol m−2 s−1) or, shade/fleck sequences (approximately 30 µmol m−2 s−1/approximately 525 µmol m−2 s−1) at two temperatures, 28 or 38 °C. The rate of light‐saturated photosynthesis, under uniform irradiance, was inhibited by 40% at 38 °C compared with 28 °C. However, during the shade/fleck sequence, photosynthesis was inhibited by 59% at 38 °C compared with 28 °C. The greater inhibition of photosynthesis during the shade/fleck sequence, when compared with uniform irradiance, was driven by the lower efficiency of dynamic photosynthesis combined with lower steady‐state rates of photosynthesis. These results suggest that, contrary to current dogma, sunfleck activity may not always result in significant carbon gain. This has important consequences for seedling regeneration processes in tropical forests as well as for leaves in other canopy positions where sunflecks make an important contribution to total photon flux density.
Higher amounts of anthocyanins and UV‐absorbing compounds effectively lowered CPD photorepair in purple rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: HADA H. , HIDEMA J. , MAEKAWA M. , KUMAGAI T.
Published: September 2003

Growth of a near‐isogenic line (NIL) for the purple leaf gene Pl of rice with a genetic background of Taichung 65 (T‐65) rice was significantly retarded by supplementary ultraviolet‐B radiation (UV‐B), despite the fact that the amounts of UV‐absorbing compounds and anthocyanins in NIL were significantly higher than those in T‐65. In order to understand the role of flavonoids in UV‐B induced damage protection in T‐65 and the NIL, both the (1) relationships between changes in the steady state of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) levels and changes in accumulation of anthocyanins and UV‐absorbing compounds in leaves with leaf age, and (2) the susceptibility to CPD induction by UV‐B radiation and the ability to photorepair CPD were examined. Although supplementary UV‐B elevated the steady state of CPD levels in leaves in both strains, the level in the leaf of the NIL was higher than that in T‐65 at any time. The susceptibility to CPD induction by short‐term (challenge) UV‐B exposure was lower in the NIL than in T‐65. On the other hand, the CPD photorepair was also lower in the leaves of the NIL than in those of T‐65. The decrease in CPD‐photorepair in the NIL was due to a lowering of the leaf‐penetrating blue/UV‐A radiation, which is effective for photoreactivation by photolyase, by anthocyanins. Thus, accumulation of anthocyanins and UV‐absorbing compounds did not effectively function as screening against damage caused by elevated UV‐B radiation in the NIL, and the retardation of growth in the NIL resulted from its lower ability to photorepair CPD by higher amounts of anthocyanins.
Functional characterization and expression analysis of a glutathione transporter, BjGT1, from Brassica juncea: evidence for regulation by heavy metal exposure
Authors: BOGS J. , BOURBOULOUX A. , CAGNAC O. , WACHTER A. , RAUSCH T. , DELROT S.
Published: September 2003

Glutathione and its derivatives play an important role in the tolerance of plants against heavy metals. A glutathione transporter, BjGT1 (AJ561120), was cloned and functionally characterized from Brassica juncea, a plant which may be used for phytoremediation. The full‐length BjGT1 cDNA showed homology with the high affinity glutathione transporter HGT1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and shares 92% identity with a putative glutathione transporter from A. thaliana (At4g16370). When expressed in the S. cerevisiae hgt1Δ strain, BjGT1 complemented the mutant on medium with glutathione as the only sulphur source and mediated the uptake of [3H]GSH. Immunoblot analysis with a peptide‐specific antiserum directed against a C‐terminal sequence revealed high BjGT1 expression in leaf tissue and relatively low expression in stem tissue, whereas BjGT1 protein was not detectable in root tissue. The amounts of BjGT1 mRNA and protein were analysed during a 6 d exposure of B. juncea to 25 µm Cd(NO3)2. BjGT1 mRNA was strongly induced by cadmium in stems and leaves. Unexpectedly, the amount of BjGT1 protein in leaves showed a pronounced decrease with a minimum after 96 h of Cd exposure, followed by partial recovery. The strong regulation of BjGT1 by cadmium suggests a role of this glutathione transporter during heavy metal exposure.
Aerenchyma formation and radial O2 loss along adventitious roots of wheat with only the apical root portion exposed to O2 deficiency
Authors: MALIK A. I. , COLMER T. D. , LAMBERS H. , SCHORTEMEYER M.
Published: September 2003

This study investigated aerenchyma formation and function in adventitious roots of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) when only a part of the root system was exposed to O2 deficiency. Two experimental systems were used: (1) plants in soil waterlogged at 200 mm below the surface; or (2) a nutrient solution system with only the apical region of a single root exposed to deoxygenated stagnant agar solution with the remainder of the root system in aerated nutrient solution. Porosity increased two‐ to three‐fold along the entire length of the adventitious roots that grew into the water‐saturated zone 200 mm below the soil surface, and also increased in roots that grew in the aerobic soil above the water‐saturated zone. Likewise, adventitious roots with only the tips growing into deoxygenated stagnant agar solution developed aerenchyma along the entire main axis. Measurements of radial O2 loss (ROL), taken using root‐sleeving O2 electrodes, showed this aerenchyma was functional in conducting O2. The ROL measured near tips of intact roots in deoxygenated stagnant agar solution, while the basal part of the root remained in aerated solution, was sustained when the atmosphere around the shoot was replaced by N2. This illustrates the importance of O2 diffusion into the basal regions of roots within an aerobic zone, and the subsequent longitudinal movement of O2 within the aerenchyma, to supply O2 to the tip growing in an O2 deficient zone.
Intracellular phosphorylation of benzyladenosine is related to apoptosis induction in tobacco BY‐2 cells
Authors: MLEJNEK P. , DOLEŽEL P. , PROCHÁZKA S.
Published: September 2003

Treatment of tobacco BY‐2 cells with micromolar concentration of benzyladenosine ([9R]BA) resulted in the loss of cell viability in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. Cell death induced by [9R]BA exhibited typical apoptotic hallmarks including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation and degradation of nuclear DNA to characteristic high molecular weight (HMW) as well as nucleosomal size fragments. Externally added [9R]BA was very rapidly and almost quantitatively phosphorylated within BY‐2 cells. Accumulation of [9R]BA‐monophosphate was accompanied by massive production of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS), intracellular ATP depletion, and these events were followed by the loss of cell viability. Inhibition of intracellular phosphorylation of [9R]BA by adenosin kinase inhibitor, 5′‐amino‐5′‐deoxyadenosine (AdAs), diminished ROS production, ATP depletion, and consequently prevented cells from death. Selective inhibition of ROS production without restoring ATP production, however, did not provide any protection to cells. In contrast, even enhanced phosphorylation of [9R]BA caused by adenosine that simultaneously revived ATP synthesis reduced the number of dying cells. This is the first evidence of a direct relationship between intracellular phosphorylation of [9R]BA and apoptosis induction in BY‐2 cells. ATP depletion but not ROS production is the key secondary event that determines the cellular decision between life and death.
Cellular responses of developing Fucus serratus embryos exposed to elevated concentrations of Cu2+
Authors: NIELSEN H. D. , BROWN M. T. , BROWNLEE C.
Published: September 2003

Elevated concentrations of Cu2+ can have inhibitory effects on early development in plants and algae by targeting specific cellular processes. In the present study the effects of elevated Cu2+ on developmental processes in embryos of the brown algae Fucus serratus (Phaeophyceae) were investigated. Elevated Cu2+ was shown to inhibit fixation of the zygotic polar axis but not its formation. Actin localization was unaffected by elevated Cu2+ but polarized secretion, which occurs downstream, was inhibited. Significant differences in tolerance to Cu2+ were observed for polarization and rhizoid elongation of embryos derived from adults from Cu2+‐contaminated and uncontaminated locations. Moderate Cu2+ exposure inhibited the generation of cytosolic Ca2+ signals in response to hypo‐osmotic shocks. In contrast, cytosolic Ca2+ was elevated by treatments with high [Cu2+] and this coincided with production of reactive oxygen species. The results indicate that direct effects on signalling processes involved in polarization and growth may in part explain complex, concentration‐dependent effects of Cu2+ on early development.
Axial‐to‐radial water permeability of leaf major veins: a possible determinant of the impact of vein embolism on leaf hydraulics?
Authors: SALLEO S. , RAIMONDO F. , TRIFILÒ P. , NARDINI A.
Published: September 2003

The leaf hydraulic conductance (KL) was measured in Prunus laurocerasus L. and Juglans regia L. in which previous measurements had revealed different impacts of dehydration on KL. Leaves of P. laurocerasus lost 8% of their KL at water potentials (ΨL) of −2.0 MPa. Leaflets of J. regia showed KL losses of 40% at ΨL = −1.0 MPa. When major veins were blocked using cyanoacrylate to simulate their embolism, the KL of P. laurocerasus was reduced by 57% but that of J. regia leaflets was reduced by 80%. Such differences were hypothesized to be due to different axial‐to‐radial permeabilites of major veins. Infiltration of leaves with Phoxine B revealed that P. laurocerasus major veins were largely leaky in the radial direction whereas those of J. regia leaflets showed prevailing axial water transport. Differences between species in terms of axial‐to‐radial water permeability were confirmed by measurements of changes of hydraulic resistance along the midrib. The two hydraulic models are discussed in terms of leaf vulnerability to embolism and plant adaptation to dry habitats.
Do the capacity and kinetics for modification of xanthophyll cycle pool size depend on growth irradiance in temperate trees?
Authors: NIINEMETS Ü. , KOLLIST H. , GARCÍA‐PLAZAOLA J. I. , HERNÁNDEZ A. , BECERRIL J. M.
Published: September 2003

The present study investigated the interaction of growth irradiance (Qint) with leaf capacity for and kinetics of adjustment of the pool size of xanthophyll cycle carotenoids (sum of violaxanthin, antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin; VAZ) and photosynthetic electron transport rate (Jmax) after changes in leaf light environment. Individual leaves of lower‐canopy/lower photosynthetic capacity species Tilia cordata Mill. and upper canopy/higher photosynthetic capacity species Populus tremula L. were either illuminated by additional light of 500–800 µmol m−2 s−1 for 12 h photoperiod or enclosed in shade bags. The extra irradiance increased the total amount of light intercepted by two‐fold for the upper and 10–15‐fold for the lower canopy leaves, whereas the shade bags transmitted 45% of incident irradiance. In control leaves, VAZ/area, VAZ/Chl and Jmax were positively associated with leaf growth irradiance (Qint). After 11 d extra illumination, VAZ/Chl increased in all cases due to a strong reduction in foliar chlorophyll, but VAZ/area increased in the upper canopy leaves of both species, and remained constant or decreased in the lower canopy leaves of T. cordata. The slope for VAZ/area changes with cumulative extra irradiance was positively associated with Qint only in T. cordata, but not in P. tremula. Nevertheless, all leaves of P. tremula increased VAZ/area more than the most responsive leaves of T. cordata. Shading reduced VAZ content only in P. tremula, but not in T. cordata, again demonstrating that P. tremula is a more responsive species. Compatible with the hypothesis of the role of VAZ in photoprotection, the rates of photosynthetic electron transport declined less in P. tremula than in T. cordata after the extra irradiance treatment. However, foliar chlorophyll contents of the exposed leaves declined significantly more in the upper canopy of P. tremula, which is not consistent with the suggestion that the leaves with the highest VAZ content are more resistant to photoinhibition. This study demonstrates that previous leaf light environment may significantly affect the adaptation capacity of foliage to altered light environment, and also that species differences in photosynthetic capacity and acclimation potentials importantly alter this interaction.
Anomalous unradiogenic 87Sr//86Sr ratios in ultrahigh‐pressure crustal carbonates – evidence for fluid infiltration during deep subduction?
Authors: Romer R. L. , Wawrzenitz N. , Oberhänsli R.
Published: September 2003

Marbles from Changpu (Dabie Shan, eastern China), subducted to 4.4 GPa, have 87Sr/86Sr values < 0.7040. These low 87Sr/86Sr values, which would imply a sedimentation age > 2 Ga if considered as primary signature, reflect fluid–rock interaction with a fluid from a low‐87Sr/86Sr source. The introduction of low‐87Sr/86Sr was paralleled by introduction of Mg and loss of Si, K and Na in such a way that carbonates from the purest marbles have the least evolved Sr isotopic composition. Introduction of Mg is also indicated by the distribution of calcite and dolomite. Calcite forms inclusions in garnet, whereas dolomite is restricted to the matrix. These chemical changes, inferred from the mineralogy, in combination with textural evidence require a mobile metamorphic fluid. P–T–X constraints for fluid generation and for permeability increase related to mineral reactions and phase transitions suggest that the marbles acquired their anomalous Sr‐isotopic composition during subduction below 60 km. The marbles with the least radiogenic Sr isotopic composition demonstrate that crustal rocks may lose their isotopic fingerprint during deep subduction.
Do seismic slip deficits indicate an underestimated earthquake potential along the Vienna Basin Transfer Fault System?
Authors: Hinsch R. , Decker K.
Published: September 2003

Seismic slip rates of about 0.2 mm yr−1calculated from cumulative seismic moments of earthquakes along the Vienna Basin Transfer Fault (VBTF) between the Alps and the Carpathians are very low compared to geologically and geodetically determined slip rates of 1–2 mm yr−1, proving a significant seismic slip deficit. Additional seismic slip calculations for arbitrarily selected fault sectors reveal large differences along strike ranging fromc. 0.02 to 0.5 mm slip yr−1. As the earthquake frequency distribution suggests seismically coupled deformation, these variations might indicate locked fault segments. Results suggest that (1) the seismic cycle of the VBTF exceeds the length of available seismological observation, and (2) larger earthquakes than those recorded may occur along the fault. Thus, current local seismic hazard estimates, which are solely based on this historical database, probably underestimate the earthquake potential of the fault system.
Tearing up Rodinia: the Neoproterozoic palaeogeography of South American cratonic fragments
Authors: Cordani U. G. , D'Agrella‐Filho M. S. , Brito‐Neves B. B. , Trindade R. I. F.
Published: September 2003

Rodinia was initially defined as a long‐lived supercontinent that assembled all the continental fragments around Laurentia and remained stable from 1000 up to 750 Ma. Nonetheless, recent work has cast doubt on the Rodinia palaeogeography and even on the timing of its assembly and break‐up. The geochronological and palaeomagnetic databases accumulated for South America and Africa in the last decade show that most of these continental fragments were not part of Rodinia. A wide Brasiliano Ocean separated most of the South American and African cratons from the Laurentia − Amazonia − Rio Apa −West Africa margin. This ocean was closed between 940 and 630 Ma along the Pampean–Paraguay–Araguaia–Pharusian mobile belts. Moreover, accretion along the South American and African platforms was a diachronous and long‐lived process that involved several intra‐oceanic and continental magmatic arcs and microcontinents. This evolution started at around 1000 Ma and ended at around 520 Ma with the final assembly of Gondwana.
Osteodystrophy in Indonesian haemodialysis patients
Authors: SANTOSO DJOKO , YOGIANTORO MOH , TOMINO YASUHIKO
Published: September 2003

SUMMARY:  A preliminary study of the intact‐parathyroid hormone (i‐PTH) measurements from haemodialysis patients was conducted to determine the prevalence of renal bone diseases at the Dr Soetomo Hospital. The objective of this study is to evaluate the osteodystrophy renal pattern in haemodialysis patients using i‐PTH and radiological parameters. The selected populations of 48 (32 males and 16 females), the mean age 48 ± 10.3 years, was evaluated to conduct a cross‐sectional study. The calorimetric method was applied to measure serum P and Ca, while a radioimmunoassay was used to assay the i‐PTH level. Of those 48 patients receiving haemodialysis, with a duration ranging from 4 to 432 weeks, 61% had hypocalcaemia and 10% had hypercalcaemia. The i‐PTH levels below 100 pg/mL (normal, 10–65 pg/mL) suggested ‘aplastic’ bone, and values of 100–200 pg/mL most commonly indicated ‘normal’ bone turnover. The i‐PTH levels over 200 pg/mL suggested hyperparathyroidism. The results of this study demonstrated that 42% of those patients had <100 pg/mL (low turnover bone presumed, no biopsy), 23% had 100 − <200 pg/mL (‘normal’ bone turnover) and 35% of them had >200 pg/mL (‘hyperparathyroidism’). In addition, the radiological study showed that 10% of those patients were positive for renal bone diseases. In conclusion, this study shows that the common type of renal osteodystrophy was of a low turnover type, which was different from the findings in other previous studies. It is postulated that this difference is likely to be caused by some factors such as the general health condition of the population those patients belong to and, in particular, the nutritional status of those patients.
Accumulation of cholesterol in the lesions of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Authors: LEE HYUN SOON , KRUTH HOWARD S
Published: September 2003

SUMMARY:  Intraglomerular deposition of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and oxidized LDL has been described in various human glomerular diseases. Yet it is not clear whether esterified cholesterol (EC) and unesterified cholesterol (UC) carried in LDL are mobilized from deposited LDL particles or accumulate in the diseased human glomeruli, particularly in the segmentally sclerotic lesions. To address this issue, frozen sections of renal biopsies were first immunostained to localize apolipoprotein B (apo B) and then oil red O (ORO) stained to colocalize neutral lipids. By using 124 ORO‐positive biopsies and nine ORO‐negative ones, UC was visualized directly with filipin staining, and EC was visualized after its enzymatic hydrolysis and staining with filipin. Seventy‐seven biopsies (58%) showed filipin staining of accumulated EC and/or UC in the glomeruli. Of these, 11 showed heavy filipin staining for both EC and UC in the segmentally sclerotic lesions. In a group with UC deposits in the sclerotic segments, the percentage of the glomeruli affected by sclerosis and the intensity of filipin fluorescence for UC were significantly higher than biopsies with only mesangial UC deposits. Most filipin‐positive biopsies showed apo B staining mainly in the mesangium. Yet in the sclerotic segments, apo B staining was rarely noted. Accumulated apo B‐stained lipoprotein was not coincident with ORO‐stained lipid in the diseased glomeruli. These results suggest that both EC and UC accumulate in the sclerotic glomerular segments as the glomerular lesions are advanced, and that these EC and UC appear to be derived from altered LDL with progressive loss of apo B.
Simple estimation of the glomerular filtration rate in sick Thai children
Authors: VACHVANICHSANONG PRAYONG , SAETEU PIRUN , GEATER ALAN
Published: September 2003

SUMMARY:  The objective of this study was to establish an appropriate formula for the estimation of creatinine clearance (CCr) in sick Thai children, and to evaluate the accuracy of using the Schwartz formula. Children aged between 0 and 19 years with various diseases and varying levels of renal function (but remained stable) were studied. Height in centimetres (L) and weight in kilograms (W), time of urine collection and urine volume were measured to provide urine flow (mL/min (V)) measurements. Body surface area (m2; SA) was also assessed. Quantitative urinary and plasma creatinine concentration (UCr and PCr, respectively) were determined. Creatinine clearance was calculated by using the following formula: UCr × V × 1.73/(PCr × SA). The linear association between CCr and L/PCr derived from these data was compared with the Schwartz formula by using bootstrap statistics. One‐hundred and sixty children were studied. A least squares straight‐line regression through the origin of CCr against L/PCr provided a good fit to the data. Our dataset revealed no evidence of an age or sex affect on the relationship. Creatinine clearance was estimated by using the following formula: 0.465 × (L/PCr), in which the calculated 95% confidence interval of the coefficient was 0.44–0.49. A comparison of this coefficient with that for the Schwartz formula for children aged ≥1 year (0.55), using 1000 bootstrapped resamples, showed an incompatibility between the two coefficients (P < 0.00005). In conclusion,  we  suggest  estimating  CCr  in  sick  Thai  children  of  either  sex  by using a modification of the Schwartz formula in which the coefficient equals 0.465.
Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and related risk factors among Iranian haemodialysis patients
Authors: ALAVIAN SEYED MOAYED , EINOLLAHI BEHZAD , HAJARIZADEH BEHZAD , BAKHTIARI SIAMAK , NAFAR MOHSEN , AHRABI SADEGH
Published: September 2003

SUMMARY:  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common among patients undergoing haemodialysis, and liver disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. Management of HCV‐related liver disease is a major health concern in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing haemodialysis. To investigate the prevalence of HCV infection in patients on haemodialysis and its associated risk factors, we conducted a prospective case series study of 838 patients on haemodialysis in Tehran, Iran. Patients were selected randomly (cluster sampling) and all were screened for anti‐HCV antibodies, using ELISA 3rd generation and confirmed by using RIBA 2nd generation. We found that 111 patients (13.2%) were infected. By applying univariate analysis, longer duration on haemodialysis (P = 0.000), more weekly dialysis sessions (P = 0.03), history of blood transfusion (P = 0.03) and history of previous renal transplantation (P = 0.01) were found to be associated with a higher rate of HCV infection. Multivariate analysis revealed that only length of time on dialysis (P = 0.000) and history of blood transfusion (P = 0.02) were significantly associated with HCV infection. The more the units transfused, the higher the rate of HCV infection. Our results suggest that early transplantation and avoidance of blood transfusion, as much as possible, are the two most important practical interventions to reduce the HCV exposure rate in our patients on haemodialysis.
Monoclonal antibody against rat podocyte‐derived macrophagic cells reacts with crescent‐forming cells in an experimental model
Authors: ORIKASA MICHIAKI , IWANAGA TOSHIHIKO , KAWACHI HIROSHI , OYANAGI AKIHISA , LI PING , SU QIAN , KOBAYASHI HIDEO , NAKAYAMA HITOSHI , KIKUCHI HIROSHI , SHIMIZU FUJIO
Published: September 2003

SUMMARY:  The origin of crescent‐forming cells in crescentic glomerulonephritis has not been clarified in spite of the application of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against glomerular epithelial cells or monocytes/macrophages. This study was undertaken to characterize the cellular composition of crescents using a new marker, mAb OS‐3, produced against macrophagic cells derived from podocytes in normal rat glomerular culture. Monoclonal antibody OS‐3 was confirmed to be reactive with some normal epithelial cells of Bowman's capsule. Female Wistar Kyoto rats were injected with rabbit antiglomerular basement membrane (GBM) serum and killed at 2 h, 1, 3, 7, 14 days and 2 months, respectively. The mAb OS‐3‐positive cells were segmentally observed in glomeruli at 3 days, increased at 14 days, but decreased at 2 months. These cells lacked reactivity with antipodocalyxin in double immunofluorescence (IF) staining. In immunoelectron microscopy of a glomerulus on day 3 and 7, however, reaction products were observed within cells located on the outer surface of the GBM, which were considered to be podocyte in terms of its localization. In conclusion, we have shown a possibility that damaged podocytes partly constitute crescent‐forming cells with phenotypic changes, visualized by positive staining with mAb OS‐3. We propose a novel concept of crescent formation, suggesting that crescents may be partly composed of phenotypically changed cells, which could not be detected by typical markers for glomerular epithelial cells or monocytes/macrophages.
Chronic renal vein thrombosis in a renal allograft
Authors: LIM WAI H , VAN SCHIE GREG , WARR KEVIN
Published: September 2003

SUMMARY:  Acute renal vein thrombosis in a renal allograft is uncommon and usually occurs in the post‐transplant period. Chronic renal vein thrombosis can occur insidiously many years after transplant without significant deterioration in renal allograft function or symptoms.
Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐negative pauci‐immune crescentic glomerulonephritis associated with rheumatoid arthritis: An unusual case report
Authors: Hsieh HSIU‐SHIN , Chang CHAO‐FU , Yang AN‐HAN , Kuo HSIAO‐LING , Yang WU‐CHANG , Lin CHIH‐CHING
Published: September 2003

SUMMARY:  Clinically relevant renal lesions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are not common. More often renal involvement is related to complications of therapy than the disease itself. The most common forms of primary renal disease in RA are membranous glomerulonephropathy and a pure mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. Some studies have described the association between crescentic glomerulonephritis (crescentic GN) and RA, but they were all found to be perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (p‐ANCA) positive. However, RA associated with ANCA negative pauci‐immue crescentic GN has not been reported. This is a case report of a 37‐year‐old female with RA who initially presented with general oedema and acute deterioration of renal function. The renal biopsy revealed ANCA negative pauci‐immune crescentic GN. The patient was treated with steroid pulse and plasmapheresis, but not cyclophosphamide because of severe urosepsis. Despite the use of aggressive therapy, her renal function was not improved and she underwent maintenance haemodialysis thereafter. Because ANCA negative crescentic GN may occur in RA patients without frank systemic vasculitis, but with severe clinical manifestation, a heightened suspicion for a relatively ‘silent’ crescentic GN would have led to the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
New treatments in age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Hooper Claire Y , Guymer Robyn H
Published: September 2003

Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness in individuals 50 years and older in the developed world. Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in exudative AMD is responsible for the majority of severe vision loss. Until recently, laser photocoagulation was the only well‐established and widely accepted treatment for CNV. However, it is beneficial only for a small subset of patients, has a high rate of CNV persistence and recurrence and results in iatrogenic, collateral damage to the overlying retina. These issues make it difficult to recommend in the case of subfoveal lesions. Consequently, numerous experimental therapeutic interventions are under investigation with the common objective of destroying the CNV but leaving the foveal neurosensory retina intact. Treatment modalities can be grouped into five major categories: photodynamic therapy; radiotherapy; transpupillary thermotherapy; anti‐angiogenic and angiostatic agents; and surgical intervention. The present review aims to explain the rationale behind these new treatments, analyse the evidence for their safety and efficacy, determine their stage of development and indicate in which patients they are potentially useful.
Sarcoma and familial retinoblastoma
Authors: Chen Celia S , Suthers Graeme , Carroll Jacqueline , Rudzki Zbigniew , Muecke James
Published: September 2003

Background: Retinoblastoma is the most common malignant ocular tumour of childhood. It results from mutations in the retinoblastoma gene, RB1, which may be sporadic or heritable. Only 10−25% of patients have a family history of retinoblastoma and can be assumed to have a heritable RB1 mutation. A small proportion of the remaining patients may have a heritable mutation despite the lack of relatives with retinoblastoma. Heritable RB1 mutations are associated with an increased risk of sarcoma. Described herein are three patients with a past history of retinoblastoma, no family history of retinoblastoma, and a first‐degree relative with sarcoma. Mutation analyses were performed on DNA samples from these patients to test for heritable RB1 mutations.

Methods: A genomic DNA analysis of RB1 gene.

Results: Heritable mutations in the RB1 gene were identified in two of the three cases. In these two cases, Bayesian risk calculation indicated that the chance of the affected relatives having the familial RB1 mutation was greater than 90%. In the case without an identified mutation, Bayesian risk analysis indicated that the chance of there being an unidentified familial RB1 mutation was low (16%) but could still be clinically significant in managing the family.

Conclusion: The risk of non‐ocular malignancies and the availability of genetic testing for heritable RB1 mutations have important clinical implications for the management of children with retinoblastoma.
Further evidence for proinflammatory nature of perfluorohexyloctane in the eye
Authors: Vote Brendan , Wheen Lyndsae , Cluroe Alison , Teoh Heng , McGeorge Archibald
Published: September 2003

Background: The authors present a clinicopathological report of their initial experience with perfluorohexyloctane (F6H8), a novel semifluorinated liquid fluorocarbon developed as a long‐term vitreous substitute.

Methods: A retrospective observational review was performed of five patients in whom F6H8 had been used for management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Surgical specimens taken from two patients at the time of F6H8 removal were also submitted for histopathological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic analysis.

Results: Clinical and histological analysis of the present small case series confirmed the propensity of F6H8 to emulsify, and suggested a probable biological reaction to F6H8. Surrounding and engulfing the F6H8 were numerous cells morphologically in keeping with macrophages. Immuno­histochemistry confirmed macrophage phenotype but electron microscopic evaluation showed epithelial ultra­structural features. It is suggested that the finding of macrophagic phenotype in cells with epithelial ultra­structure provides further evidence for a continuum of phenotypic differentiation of the pigment epithelial cells as part of the repair and regeneration that is the proliferative vitreo­retinopathy (PVR) response.

Conclusions: The data do not indicate any benefit of F6H8 over other perfluorocarbons for use in short‐term post­operative intraocular tamponade. Although early experience suggests that F6H8 use in primary vitrectomy with minimal PVR is acceptable and produces temporary inflammatory effects only, these cases can often be successfully managed by conventional scleral buckling techniques, or vitrectomy with standard tamponading agents, without the need for F6H8 and subsequent extra surgical procedures. Furthermore in eyes already predisposed to inflammation through prior surgery and/or presence of PVR, the inflammatory effects were not insignificant. The use of F6H8 is not recommended in the clinical setting, except as part of a controlled trial subject to the approval of an ethics committee and informed consent.
Primary malignant tumours of eye and adnexa in Eastern Nepal
Authors: Thakur Sanjay Kumar Daulat , Sah Shatrughan Prasad , Lakhey Mamta , Badhu Badri Prasad
Published: September 2003

Background: The purpose of the present paper was to report the spectrum of primary malignant tumours of eye and adnexa at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal, from 1995 to 2000.

Methods: A retrospective study of medical records with histopathological confirmation of malignant tumours of the eye and adnexa was done for the years 1995−2000. A total of 116 consecutive medical records from the Department of Pathology at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences were retrieved. All those patients with primary ophthalmic malignancies were included and non‐malignant cases were excluded.

Results: There were 80 patients of which 39 (48.8%) were male and 41 (51.2%) were female. Four patients had bilateral involvement. The most common malignancy was retinoblastoma (45.2%), followed by basal cell carcinoma (22.6%).

Conclusion: Retinoblastoma is the most common eye cancer. The incidence of melanomas is correspondingly lower than that reported in the West. The present pilot study, the first of its kind, will lay the foundation for the monitoring of the future pattern of ophthalmic malignancies in Nepal and provide a basis for comparison elsewhere.
Early surgical intervention as definitive treatment for ocular adnexal capillary haemangioma
Authors: Slaughter Kate , Sullivan Timothy , Boulton Jonathon , O'Reagan Peter , Gole Glen
Published: September 2003

Background: Capillary haemangioma is the most common orbital and eyelid tumour of childhood, with a prevalence ranging from 1 to 3%. Periorbital haemangiomas can cause amblyopia secondary to anisometropia, induced astigmatism, strabismus or occlusion of the visual axis. Oral and intralesional steroids are considered to be the most accepted form of primary treatment. The authors have been performing early surgery as definitive treatment in selected lesions and believe it has an important role.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 17 infants (2−20 months old) seen between 1996 and 2002 was carried out. Indications for surgery in the present series were astigmatism, rapid growth, anisometropic amblyopia and obscuration of the visual axis. Thirteen were treated primarily with surgery and the other four were treated with other methods prior to considering surgery. Preoperative computed tomography scans were obtained when indicated.

Results: Fourteen lesions were completely excised; residual tissue was deliberately left in order to preserve vital structures in three cases. No major surgical complications were noted. One child with residual tissue after surgery, who had proliferation of the remaining tissue, developed anisometropic amblyopia and ptosis. One child had a mild ptosis postoperatively that resolved after 6 months. Follow up was for an average 11.1 months.

Conclusions: Early surgical intervention should be considered in a multidisciplinary team approach as a primary treatment option with selected, isolated haemangiomas, without a significant cutaneous component. Surgery is a safe, effective treatment for selected lesions, provides a definitive early treatment, and prevents astigmatism and occlusion‐related amblyopia.
Genetic analysis in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy using the comparative genomic hybridization technique
Authors: Yen May‐Yung , Chen Yann‐Jang , Lin Chi‐Hung , Wang An‐Guor , Wei Yau‐Huei
Published: September 2003

Background: Nuclear genes are suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) but it has not been confirmed. The aim of the present study was to investigate chromosomal abnormalities associated with LHON.

Methods: In a prospective study, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was used to analyse genetic changes in five patients with LHON with an 11778 mitochondrial DNA mutation and three asymptomatic maternal relatives.

Results: There were no significant genetic copy number alterations detected in the five visually affected patients or in the three unaffected maternal relatives as compared to unrelated normal controls.

Conclusion: The CGH technique did not detect any chromo­somal abnormalities in LHON patients or in unaffected relatives. Nuclear gene involvement, however, cannot be ruled out.
Endoscopic papillectomy: Is there room for this procedure in clinical practice?
Authors: Fujita Naotaka , Noda Yutaka , Kobayashi Go , Kimura Katsumi , Ito Kei
Published: September 2003

It has been 20 years since the development of endoscopic papillectomy (snare excision of the papilla of Vater). The accepted indication for this procedure is adenoma of the duodenal papilla. As for the evaluation of tumor extent, there is room for improvement of the diagnostic accuracy. Due to the high incidence of coexistent cancer detected by histological examination of surgically resected specimens in biopsy‐proven adenoma of the papilla of Vater, ablation techniques should essentially be avoided in order to preserve a specimen that is amenable to reliable histological examination. Otherwise, there may be a risk of retained coexistent cancer. It is not always possible to leave a safety margin when removing a tumor of the papilla of Vater by the snare excision technique and careful follow up is mandatory after the treatment. Consensus has not been reached as to the interval and the method of biopsy during follow up. When endoscopic biopsy from the site of the papilla of Vater at follow‐up endoscopy proves malignancy, the remnant needs to be resected surgically. An adequate follow‐up interval should be determined before this technique is established as the treatment of choice for ampullary tumors.
Endoscopic findings of the duodenal papilla in patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction
Authors: Miyazaki Ryo , Ikeda Seiyo
Published: September 2003

Background:  To our knowledge this is the first report describing the relation between the form of the duodenal papilla and the pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM).

Methods:  The duodenal papilla was studied endoscopically in 46 patients with PBM and in 80 patients without PBM.

Results:  The duodenal papilla was classified into three types by three independent endoscopists.

Conclusion:  The oral protrusion of the duodenal papilla in patients with PBM was shorter or absent compared with the duodenal papilla in patients without PBM.