bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between adiposity and inflammatory markers in maternal and fetal blood in a group of Mexican pregnant women
Authors: Vega-Sanchez Rodrigo , Barajas-Vega Hector A. , Rozada Guadalupe , Espejel-Nuñez Aurora , Beltran-Montoya Jorge , Vadillo-Ortega Felipe 
Published: July 2010

In the present pilot study, we evaluated the effect of maternal adiposity on the plasma concentration of adipocytokines in pregnant women and their newborns. Twenty patients with term gestations without labour were initially selected by pregestational BMI and then classified into two study groups (n10 each), according to their median value of adiposity (total body fat). Concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, leptin and adiponectin in plasma of maternal peripheral blood and fetal cord blood were measured and correlated to maternal adiposity. Maternal adiposity showed a significant negative correlation with fetal adiponectin (r− 0·587,P = 0·01) and IL-6 (r− 0·466,P = 0·05), a significant positive correlation with maternal leptin (r0·527,P = 0·02) and no correlation with TNF-α or IL-1β. Adiponectin was higher in fetal plasma than in maternal plasma (P = 0·043), but significantly lower in newborns from women with high adiposity than in newborns from women with low adiposity (P = 0·040). Our results suggest that fetuses from obese women may be less able to control inflammation, due to lower circulating anti-inflammatory adipocytokines, which could limit their optimal development or even increase the risk of abortion or preterm labour.
Identification of Aegilops species with higher production of phytosiderophore and iron and zinc uptake under micronutrient-sufficient and -deficient conditions
Authors: Neelam Kumari , Tiwari Vijay K. , Rawat Nidhi , Tripathi Sangharsh K. , Randhawa Gursharn S. , Dhaliwal Harcharan S. 
Published: July 2010

Graminaceous plants including staple cereals secrete certain phytosiderophores (PS) in calcareous soils with lower iron and zinc availability to enhance their uptake and translocation to the leaves and grains. A few Triticum aestivum cultivars and accessions of six Aegilops species were investigated for release of PS in vitro under iron- and zinc-sufficient and -deficient conditions, and for root and shoot iron and zinc concentrations. All the Aegilops species had three to four times higher release of PS than the wheat cultivars under both nutrient-sufficient and -deficient conditions. The maximum rate of increase of PS was observed on days 11 and 14 under iron- and zinc-deficient conditions, respectively, which levelled off rapidly among the wheat cultivars and continued to be high among Aegilops species till the end of the experiment. The absolute amount of iron and zinc expressed on dry weight basis after 18 d under iron- and zinc-deficient conditions showed nearly three times higher concentration in both roots and shoots of Aegilops species than that of the wheat cultivars. A significantly high correlation between concentrations of iron (r = 0.94) and zinc (r = 0.91) in roots and the PS released was found. The higher grain iron and zinc contents in the Aegilops species reported earlier may be attributed to their diverse and efficient mechanism(s) for PS-mediated micronutrient uptake and translocation system, which could be exploited for biofortification of wheat.
Doing a Doc! – The thoughts, experiences and relationships of students undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Counselling
Authors: Silvester Anita 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAim: To explore the experiences of students undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Counselling. Method: The participants, students from years 1–6 on a Professional Doctorate programme within a UK university, were interviewed and the transcripts analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Themes identified include Personal Development, Expectations, Passion and Voice. However there is an overarching theme for these students' experiences of a ‘therapeutic edge’, which appears specific to them. Discussion: It seems clear that students undertaking this course of study will be challenged in a number of ways, as is also evidenced in the literature available. Conclusion: Students embarking on a Professional Doctorate in Counselling course may benefit from an understanding of the potential challenges they could face apart from the academic ones they perhaps anticipate. Such awareness might encourage them to identify good support systems to access throughout their studies.
Review article: β‐adrenoceptor blockers for the treatment of portal hypertension
Authors: BURROUGHS A. K. , SPRENGERS D. , McCORMICK P. A. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYβ‐Adrenoceptor blockers always change splanchnic haemodynamics in cirrhotic patients. Azygous blood flow, as a measure of collateral circulation including that through varices, is always reduced, but the effects on portal pressure, whether measured directly or by the wedged hepatic venous pressure, are variable. The initial correlations between a 25% reduction of resting pulse rate and similar percentage reduction in the wedge‐free hepatic venous gradient, has not been reproduced in subsequent studies. Therefore, to study the effect of changes in haemodynamic indices and the likelihood of variceal bleeding, direct measurements of such indices need to be made in clinical trials. At present there are no haemodynamic or clinical factors which can be used to select patients who will have a good therapeutic response to propranolol other than those documented in the first clinical trial of propranolol for the prevention of variceal re‐bleeding from Paris. Thus the hypothesis that β‐adrenoceptor blockers may lessen the incidence of bleeding in cirrhotics, by partially reducing portal pressure or flow or both, needs testing in further clinical studies. The selection criteria of the first clinical trial of propranolol in Paris need to be confirmed. Two subsequent trials, in which patients were not selected but in which many patients had similar clinical characteristics to the Paris patients, could not confirm a therapeutic effect of propranolol. No fatal complications due to propranolol administration have been reported in cirrhotic patients. Complications are reversible. Pharmacological treatment including β‐adrenoceptor blockade appears ideal for trials of primary prevention of variceal bleeding. Some preliminary results including use in decompensated cirrhotics are encouraging. However, as for trials for prevention of re‐bleeding, the design and analysis of such trials needs careful evaluation to take into account the outcome of patients who discontinue medication, whether due to simple non‐compliance or due to side‐effects, and also the influence of abstinence from alcohol on bleeding from varices.
Review: antisecretory drugs: cellular mechanisms of action
Authors: SOLL A. H. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYParietal cell secretory function may be inhibited by three mechanisms. (1) Receptors for gastrin, histamine and acetylcholine are present on the canine parietal cell, and parietal cell function may be directly inhibited by specific antagonists for each of these receptors. (2) Receptor activation of parietal cell function is mediated by cyclic AMP‐dependent (histamine) and calcium‐dependent (cholinergic agents and gastrin) mechanisms. The antisecretory action of prostaglandins reflect interference with histamine activation of adenylate cyclase. The current generations of calcium channel blockers have only weak antisecretory actionsin vivoand are unlikely to be useful in clinical practice. (3) A third mechanism of inhibition is blockade of H+/K+‐ATPase by substituted benzimidazoles, such as omeprazole. Each of these three mechanisms provides modalities of potential clinical usefulness for treating acid‐peptic disease. Gastrin and acetylcholine receptors are present on other fundic cells, in addition to the parietal cell. These other cells include the somatostatin cell in the dog fundic mucosa and the histamine‐containing enterochromaffin‐like (ECL) cell present in the fundic mucosa of several species. The relative impact of these receptors on different cell types on the regulation of acid secretion remains uncertain, and is probably variable among different species. One gastrin receptor of considerable importance is the gastrin receptor that exerts a trophic effect on the ECL cell in the fundic mucosa. Sustained hypergastrinaemia in response to profound hypochlorhydria is associated with hyperplasia of this cell type; the elucidation of the conditions that promote this hyperplasia and the clinical consequences of this association are pressing challenges.
Review: long‐acting somatostatin analogues
Authors: LONG R. G. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYThis article reviews the chemistry, actions and chemical applications of somatostatin and its analogues. At present, their gastroenterological use should be considered in patients with the carcinoid syndrome and functioning pancreatic endocrine tumours; in endocrinology there is interest in their use for the management of patients with resistant acromegaly. With these possible exceptions, somatostatin analogues should at present be used only in the context of clinical trials.
Gastrointestinal transit of an enteric‐coated delayed‐release 5‐aminosalicylic acid tablet
Authors: HARDY J. G. , HEALEY J. N. C. , LEE S. W. , REYNOLDS J. R. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYGastrointestinal transit of an enteric‐coated, delayed‐release 5‐aminosalicylic acid tablet radiolabelled with indium‐111 has been monitored in a preliminary study with eight healthy subjects using gamma scintigraphy. Gastric emptying of the tablet was delayed by the presence of food in the stomach. Disintegration occurred about 5 hours after the tablet left the stomach. There was close agreement between the tablet disintegration times and the initial detection of drug in the blood. The site of disintegration could be established in most instances; approximately 80% of the doses resulted in drug dispersion within the ascending colon. The coated tablets provide an effective means of drug delivery to the proximal colon.
Evaluation of an enteric‐coated delayed‐release 5‐aminosalicylic acid tablet in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: HARDY J. G. , HEALEY J. N. C. , REYNOLDS J. R. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYGastrointestinal transit of an enteric coated delayed release 5‐aminosalicylic acid tablet radiolabelled with III indium has been monitored in a total of 13 patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. More than 70% of the tablets disintegrated in the small intestine, on average 3.2 hours after emptying from the stomach. Dispersed preparation was detected in the proximal colon of all the patients, except one with an ileostomy. Mean peak plasma concentrations of 5‐aminosalicylic acid and its metabolite acetyl‐5‐aminosalicylic acid occurred 3–4 hours after gastric emptying. The tablets provide a reliable means of drug delivery to the ileum and proximal colon.
The effect of a long‐acting somatostatin analogue (SMS 201–995) on intermediary metabolism and gut hormones after a test meal in normal subjects
Authors: FUESSL H. S. , BURRIN J. M. , WILLIAMS G. , ADRIAN T. E. , BLOOM S. R. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYSMS 201–995 is an octapeptide analogue of somatostatin. The effect of a single subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of 50 μg SMS 201–995 on postprandial intermediary metabolism was investigated in normal subjects. In spite of a long‐lasting post‐prandial suppression of insulin secretion, there were no significant changes in the plasma concentration of alanine, glycerol, 3‐OH‐butyrate or lactate. However, SMS 201–995 impairs carbohydrate tolerance, probably due to inhibition of insulin secretion. Basal and post‐prandial plasma concentrations of the gut regulatory peptides pancreatic glucagon, motilin, pancreatic polypeptide, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, enteroglucagon, gastrin and peptide YY were suppressed up to 5 hours after subcutaneous administration of a single dose of SMS 201–995.
Cimetidine decreases aspirin‐induced gastric mucosal damage in humans
Authors: HOGAN D. L. , THOMAS F. J. , ISENBERG J. I. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYAspirin induces gastric mucosal damage in animals and humans. The purpose of this study was to examine whether cimetidine protects the human gastric mucosa from acute aspirin‐induced damage. Eight healthy subjects were studied on 4 separate days. Cimetidine, 400 mg, or placebo was given orally 1 hour before initial endoscopy. The stomach was isolated and atropine given to suppress basal acid secretion. Each study consisted of four 15 min periods during which an acidic test solution was instilled into the stomach. During the second period only, either aspirin (1300 mg, 36 mmol) or control for aspirin (36 mmol HCl) was added to the test solution. Ion fluxes and gastric mucosal potential difference were measured, and endoscopy performed following each test. After placebo, aspirin significantly altered hydrogen ion flux and potential difference versus basal and control. Cimetidine decreased the damaging effect of aspirin. Endoscopic scores increased after aspirin plus placebo, whereas they remained unchanged after aspirin plus cimetidine. Therefore, cimetidine decreased aspirin‐induced gastric mucosal damage in humans. As gastric acidity was identical during all studies, the effect of cimetidine was independent of gastric acid secretion.
A comparative study of the effect of cimetidine and ranitidine on the rate of gastric emptying of liquid and solid test meals in man
Authors: HOUGHTON L. A. , READ N. W. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYPaired studies were carried out on 18 healthy male volunteers (20.9 ± 1.9 years; mean ± S.D.) to compare the effect of oral doses of the H2‐receptor antagonists, ranitidine and cimetidine, on the rate of gastric emptying of radiolabelled solid and liquid test meals. Oral administration of ranitidine 300 mg accelerated the emptying of a liquid meal from the stomach, but it had no significant effect on the rate of emptying of a solid meal. Oral administration of either 400 or 800 mg cimetidine did not alter the rate of emptying of either the liquid or the solid meals from the stomach.
Review: pancreatic enzyme replacement—applied physiology and pharmacology
Authors: ZENTLER‐MUNRO P. L. , NORTHFIELD T. C. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYThe treatment of pancreatic steatorrhoea can often be improved by attention to the pathophysiological and pharmacological principles involved. Factors influencing the efficacy of pancreatic enzyme replacement include physiological characteristics of the individual patient and pharmaceutical characteristics of the supplement. Different patients may be best suited by different preparations and there is no overall ‘best buy’. The new enteric‐coated microsphere formulations are often most effective, but also more expensive than conventional preparations. Adjunctive H2‐blockade can help appropriately selected patients with resistant steatorrhoea. Knowledge of the underlying cause may guide the choice of supplement and its dose, but trials of different regimens may prove necessary. Successful management, particularly of malnourished patients, involves optimization of dietary fat intake in addition to enzyme replacement.
The effect of calcium channel blockade with nifedipine on splanchnic and systemic haemodynamics in cirrhosis
Authors: MACMATHUNA P. , O'REILLY T. , KELLEHER D. , BARRY M. , FEELY J. , KEELING P. W. N. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYThe splanchnic and systemic haemodynamic effects of a single sublingual dose of nifedipine (slow calcium channel blocker) in nine patients with cirrhosis of the liver and portal hypertension were studied. Nifedipine produced a significant reduction in the mean arterial blood pressure (98±53 vs. 86±5 mmHg, P < 0.05) but did not alter the mean heart rate, portal venous pressure or total liver blood flow. The systemic antihypertensive effect of nifedipine can be achieved without altering liver blood‐flow in patients with chronic liver disease and portal hypertension.
Significance of Campylobacter pylori
Authors: TYTGAT G. N. J. , RAUWS E. A. J. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYThere is an explosion of interest in the role of Campylobacter pylori as a cause of active chronic gastritis. This curved spiraled microorganism can readily be detected within the mucus gel covering the stomach mucosa, especially in patients suffering from peptic ulcer disease or non‐ulcer dyspepsia. To what extent this intriguing microorganism is causally related to peptic ulcer disease remains to be elucidated, but all the evidence which is available so far supports a pathogenetically important role. There appears to be a striking discordance between in‐vitro sensitivity and in‐vivo efficacy of antibiotic therapy. At present, the combination of colloidal bismuth subcitrate and amoxycillin or tinidazole appears most effective in temporary elimination of these microorganisms.
Review: the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: EPSTEIN O. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYConsiderable improvement in quality of life can be achieved by treating the complications of primary biliary cirrhosis. However, once fibrosis, cirrhosis, portal hypertension and hyperbilirubinaemia occur, it is unlikely that ‘medical’ treatment will cure the disorder. Trials of medical therapy should aim to delay or halt the progression of the early phase of the disease and clinicians should refer patients to centres conducting clinical trials. If the disease progresses, and the quality of life is seriously impaired, liver transplantation offers the realistic chance of a new life.
Pharmacological manipulation of adynamic ileus: controlled randomized double‐blind study of ceruletide on intestinal motor activity after elective abdominal surgery
Authors: SADEK S. A. , CRANFORD C. , ERIKSEN C. , WALKER M. , CAMPBELL C. , BAKER P. R. , WOOD R. A. B. , CUSCHIERI A. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYIn a double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial of patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery (n=91), a single intravenous infusion of ceruletide (2.5 ng kg−’min−1’for 1 hour) resulted in audible bowel sounds in 42/47 patients as opposed to 30/44 receiving placebo (P < 0.025). Excessive bowel sounds were noted in 16 patients in the ceruletide group and four receiving placebo (P < 0.01). Significantly more patients (P < 0.01) in the ceruletide group (22/45 versus 9/44) passed flatus per rectum between the second and third post‐operative day. Ceruletide infusion was accompanied by a significant increase in the incidence of nausea and vomiting (P < 0.005, P < 0.0025) but these side effects were short‐lived. These results indicate that ceruletide is likely to be a useful therapeutic agent for acute intestinal adynamic motility disorders.
Effect of oral testosterone treatment on serum concentrations of sex steroids, gonadotrophins and prolactin in alcoholic cirrhotic men
Authors: GLUUD C. , BENNETT P. , SVENSTRUP B. , MICIC S. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYThe aim of this study was to examine the serum concentrations of sex steroids and pituitary hormones in a randomly selected group of alcoholic cirrhotic men participating in a randomized, placebo‐controlled study on the efficacy of oral testosterone treatment on the liver. Before treatment, patients (n= 25) had median serum concentrations of testosterone, oestradiol, non‐protein bound oestradiol, non‐sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) bound oestradiol and oestrone sulphate which did not differ significantly from those of healthy controls (n= 16), but the patients had significantly (P < 0.01) higher median serum concentrations of oestrone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin.The patients were randomized to treatment with either oral micronized testosterone (200 mg t.d.s.) or placebo for a median duration of 1 year. In the placebo group (n= 8), hormone concentrations at follow‐up were not significantly different from those at entry apart from a significant (P < 0.05) increase in FSH concentrations. Median concentrations of testosterone, oestrone, and oestrone sulphate increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the testosterone‐treated group (n= 17) when compared with concentrations at entry and concentrations in the placebo group. The testosterone‐treated group had significantly (P < 0.05) higher serum concentrations of non‐protein bound and non‐SHBG bound oestradiol when compared with concentrations at entry, but no significant changes were observed regarding serum oestradiol and prolactin concentrations. Both LH and FSH concentrations decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the testosterone‐treated group when compared with concentrations at entry and concentrations in the placebo group.
Review: the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: DUNK A. A. , THOMAS H. C. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYSurgical resection offers the only realistic hope of cure in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but is usually not possible, either because the tumour is widespread throughout the liver at diagnosis, or because liver function is adversely affected by concomitant cirrhosis. The results of operation in early asymptomatic disease are, however, encouraging and efforts should be made to screen regularly the cirrhotic population at risk of HCC development.The prognosis for inoperable patients remains gloomy, though exciting new treatment methods exist which require extensive evaluation. An anthracycline given as single agent intravenous therapy is probably the current treatment of choice for inoperable patients, though only 20–30% will show a response. Intra‐arterial therapy has not yet been convincingly shown to have any advantages over intravenous therapy.The evaluation of clinical trials in HCC would be made easier if response criteria were standardized and universally adopted, and if trials were properly controlled and of sufficient sample size to test adequately the hypothesis in question.
Twenty‐four‐hour intragastric measurements in twenty healthy subjects: effect of enisoprost, a novel and potent antisecretory and antipeptic synthetic E1 prostaglandin
Authors: THOMSON A. B. R. , McCULLOUGH H. N. , KIRDEIKIS P. , ZUK L. , SIMPSON I. , COOK D. J. , WILDEMAN R. A. , BRUNET K. , FISHER D. , PINCHBECK B. , GOODFELLOW J. , WALKER K. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYGastric aspiration was performed continuously overnight and at hourly intervals during the daytime in 20 healthy male volunteers. Medications used included enisoprost 100, 200 or 400 μg, misoprostol 200 μg and placebo, given at bedtime. Each dose of enisoprost markedly inhibited nocturnal mean acid output, hydrogen ion activity, pH and peptic activity. The duration of these effects was up to 10 h. Misoprostol, given at bedtime, also decreased acid secretion, but the effect was significantly less than that observed with any of the doses of enisoprost. A dose—response effect for enisoprost was found for the mean nocturnal hydrogen ion activity and pH, as well as for maximum pH attained. Although enisoprost, given at bedtime, had a marked inhibitory effect on acid and pepsin secretion for the overnight interval, this did not result in rebound hyperacidity or a rise in serum total gastrin concentration. The results of this study suggest that enisoprost should be tested by clinical trial for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease.