bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Haematology, Blood Chemistry and Urine Parameters of Free‐Ranging Plains Viscachas (Lagostomus maximus) in Argentina Determined by Use of a Portable Blood Analyser (i‐STAT®) and Conventional Laboratory Methods
Authors: Wenker C. J. , Hunziker D. , Lopez J. , Oppliger H. , Forrer R. , Lutz H. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryHaematology, blood chemistry and urine values were determined for 44 adult free‐ranging plains viscachas (Lagostomus maximus; Rodentia, Chinchillidae) in their pampas habitat in central Argentina. The study animals were captured in the wild and anaesthetized with a ketamine–xylazine combination for physical examination and sampling. Blood was obtained by venipuncture of the saphenous vein. Results for many of the blood parameters fall within the reference ranges for pet chinchillas. Differentiation of white blood cells revealed a predominantly neutrophil count for plains viscachas, while chinchillas have predominantly lymphocytes. Mean values for blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase and sodium were higher than the upper limit of the reference range for pet chinchillas. The results of seven analytes (haematocrit, haemoglobin, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, sodium, potassium, chloride) were compared by using both a portable blood analyser (i‐STAT®) in the field and conventional laboratory methods. In general, correlation and agreement between the two methods were low for most parameters.
Genotyping Glycogen Storage Disease Type II and Type V in Cattle Reared in the Czech Republic
Authors: Čítek J. , ŘEhout V. , Večerek L. , Hájková J. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryGenotyping was carried out for glycogen storage disease type II and type V in seven cattle breeds. The analysis was carried out using the polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) method. In the breeds analysed [Charolais, Czech Spotted (Czech Simmental), Belgian Blue, Limousine, Blonde d'Aquitaine, Aberdeen Angus, and Beef Simmental sires reared in the Czech Republic], the recessive allele was not found in thePYGM(phosphorylase glycogen, muscle) responsible for the glycogen storage disease type V. In the same panel, the recessive allele in exon 7, exon 9 and exon 13 of theGAA(glucosidase alpha, acid), causing the glycogen storage disease type II was not found. Therefore, we have not revealed the recessives outside previous reported breeds. The knowledge of the breed‐specific occurrence of inherited disorders facilitates focusing and reduces the costs of detecting the heterozygous carriers of recessive inherited disorders.
Ultrastructural Findings in Porcine Hearts After Extracorporeal Long‐term Preservation with a Modified Langendorff Perfusion System
Authors: Aupperle H. , Garbade J. , Ullmann C. , Krautz C. , Barten M. J. , Dhein S. , Schoon H.‐A. , Gummert F. J. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryPreserved ultrastructure is an important precondition for functional regeneration after heart transplantation. We investigated the effectiveness of a newly developed modified Langendorff system in extracorporeal heart perfusion. (Experiment I) Cardioplegia and cold ischaemia were performed in six pigs. Hearts were connected to a modified Langendorff system, and perfused with leucocyte depleted autologous blood. (Experiment II) The untreated hearts of three healthy pigs served as controls. Forty‐seven myocardial biopsies at different timepoints (I: n = 29, II: n = 18) were investigated by transmission electronmicroscopy. Cardioplegia/hypothermia (I) induced mild‐to‐moderate mitochondrial swelling, mild myofibrillar degeneration in cardiomyocytes and moderate endothelial oedema. After 4 h reperfusion cardiomyocytes showed moderate myofibrillar and mild sarcolemmal damage. Moderate endothelial degeneration, mild interstitial oedema and haemorrhages appeared. Untreated hearts (II) showed severely damaged mitochondria and nuclei after 30 min while the myofibrillar structure remained unaffected until 4 h later. This is a promising model for extracorporeal heart perfusion. However, ultrastructural findings indicated that some necessary modifications to prevent cellular damages during reperfusion were needed.
Use of infliximab in pyoderma gangrenosum
Authors: Hewitt Daniel , Tait Clare 
Published: May 2007

SUMMARYA 57‐year‐old man, with a 2‐year history of Crohn's disease, presented with a rapidly progressive abdominal ulcer. It was clinically and histologically consistent with pyoderma gangrenosum but it did not respond to either high‐dose oral prednisolone or intravenous hydrocortisone. Infliximab resulted in an early, dramatic and sustained improvement. His bowel symptoms, which flared a few weeks prior to the onset of pyoderma gangrenosum, only partially improved. Despite six infliximab infusions, the inflammatory bowel disease is poorly controlled, whereas the pyoderma gangrenosum remains healed.
Sweet's syndrome associated with cellulitis
Authors: Dinh Hope , Murugasu Anand , Gin Douglas 
Published: May 2007

SUMMARYA 38‐year‐old woman developed an acute, painful cutaneous eruption on her lower legs, neck, chest and fingers while receiving a number of oral and intravenous antibiotics for left leg cellulitis caused by trauma. Clinically and histopathologically, she was diagnosed with Sweet's syndrome with typical pseudovesicular skin changes in conjunction with erythema nodosum‐like lesions on her lower legs. She responded quickly to oral prednisolone. We propose Staphylococcal cellulitis as a cause of Sweet's syndrome.
Heterozygous prothrombin gene mutation associated with livedoid vasculopathy
Authors: Anavekar Namrata S , Kelly Robert 
Published: May 2007

SUMMARYA 53‐year‐old woman presented with a chronic history of recurrent, painful ulcers, predominantly involving her lower legs. Both her clinical picture and histopathological findings were consistent with a diagnosis of livedoid vasculopathy, although she did have unusual findings of deep tender nodules and the presence of lesions over her elbows. Multiple investigations were undertaken, the only abnormality being a heterozygous mutation of the prothrombin G2021A gene. Although various coagulopathic states have been associated with livedoid vasculopathy, the finding of an associated prothrombin gene mutation is quite rare. Warfarin has ameliorated the clinical course when anti‐inflammatory drugs and other anticoagulants were unhelpful.
Rapid onset bilateral palmar keratoderma in a psoriasis patient wearing orthopaedic hand splints
Authors: Ooi Colin G , Gordon Lynette A , Marshman Gillian 
Published: May 2007

SUMMARYA 37‐year‐old man with a history of chronic stable plaque psoriasis fractured both hands during a fall on his outstretched hands. Ten days later, following surgery and the application of tight fitting orthopaedic hand splints, the splints were removed because of a 7‐day history of painful and pruritic palms. It was evident that the injury to his hands and the firm application of his splints had resulted in a dramatic flare of his psoriasis. This manifested in two clinical forms that he had not developed previously. He had a strikingly symmetrical palmar keratoderma that had köbnerized maximally in the regions where the splints apposed his palms firmly. In addition, he had pustular psoriasis affecting the fingertips of both hands. After removal of the splints he responded to a combination of oral acitretin, and 6% coal tar and 6% salicylic acid in aqueous cream applied topically.
Collision tumour of trichofolliculoma and basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Boran Cetin , Parlak Ali Haydar , Erkol Hayri 
Published: May 2007

SUMMARYA 52‐year‐old woman presented with a 2‐year history of a reddish nodule on the right nasolabial sulcus. Histopathological examination revealed that the nodule was composed of trichofolliculoma and basal cell carcinoma. There was no transitional zone between the two neoplasms. The diagnosis was made as a collision tumour of trichofolliculoma and basal cell carcinoma.
Helicobacter pylori and mitogen‐activated protein kinases regulate the cell cycle, proliferation and apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells
Authors: Ding Song‐Ze , Smith Michael F , Goldberg Joanna B 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Helicobacter pylori infection activates mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) and modulates cell proliferation and apoptosis. However, the relationship between H. pylori infection and MAPK signaling in controlling cell proliferation and apoptosis is not clear, nor has the role of MAPK on the gastric epithelial cell cycle and proliferation been established. Therefore, we investigated the effects of H. pylori infection and MAPK inhibition on these processes.Methods:  Gastric epithelial cell lines (AGS and MKN45) were infected with H. pylori and/or treated with MAPK inhibitors. Cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. Cell cycle proteins and proliferation were monitored by western blot and cell count, respectively.Results:  Infection with H. pylori resulted in dose‐dependent MAPK activation, cell cycle arrest, reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis. The effect of H. pylori and MAPK at various cell cycle checkpoints was noted: MEK1/2 and p38 inhibition increased H. pylori‐induced cell cycle G1 arrest, while JNK inhibition reduced G1 arrest. MEK1/2 inhibition increased p21, p27 and cyclin E and JNK inhibition additionally increased cyclin D1 expression. Both inhibitors decreased cell proliferation. All inhibitors enhanced apoptosis after H. pylori infection. We also detected MAPK cross‐talk in AGS cells: p38 and JNK inhibitors increased ERK activation. The p38 inhibitor increased JNK and the MEK1/2 inhibitor decreased JNK activation only during H. pylori infection.Conclusions:  These results suggest H. pylori and MAPK differentially regulate the cell cycle, proliferation and apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells. The imbalance between H. pylori infection and MAPK activation likely contributes to the H. pylori‐induced pathogenesis.
Modified allele‐specific primer–polymerase chain reaction method for analysis of susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori strains to clarithromycin
Authors: Furuta Takahisa , Soya Yoshihiro , Sugimoto Mitsushige , Shirai Naohito , Nakamura Akiko , Kodaira Chise , Nishino Masafumi , Okuda Masumi , Okimoto Tadayoshi , Murakami Kazunari , Fujioka Toshio , Hishida Akira 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Most clarithromycin‐resistant strains of Helicobacter pylori have a mutation from adenine (A) to guanine (G) at position 2142 or 2143 of the 23S rRNA gene. Our aim in this study was to develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based assay that could determine these mutations in a single reaction tube.Methods:  We designed the forward primer FP2143G and the reverse primer RP2142G, which specifically anneal with the 2143G‐ and 2142G‐mutated sequences, respectively, of the 23S rRNA gene of H. pylori. We also designed the forward primer FP‐1 and reverse primer RP‐1 upstream and downstream from the positions 2142 and 2143, respectively, to distinguish the wild‐type A2142G and A2143G mutations from each other by amplicon sizes. DNA was extracted from 292 gastric tissue samples positive for rapid urease test, and the DNA underwent the PCR reaction. The results were compared with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for clarithromycin.Results:  Helicobacter pylori strains with A2142G, A2143G and wild type could be distinguished by amplicon sizes by a single PCR reaction. The genotyping results were correlated well with the MIC values for clarithromycin. The median MIC for clarithromycin of the wild‐type strains was <0.015 μg/mL. Those of strains with 2142G or 2143G were ≥1.0 μg/mL.Conclusion:  Our new PCR‐based assay for 23S rRNA mutations of H. pylori is a useful method for detecting clarithromycin‐resistant strains of H. pylori easily.
Reference values of diffusing capacity of non‐smoking Chinese in Hong Kong
Authors: IP Mary S.M. , LAM Wai‐Kei , LAI Agnes Y.K. , KO Fanny W.S. , LAU Arthur C.W. , LING Sai‐On , CHAN Johnny W.M. , CHAN‐YEUNG Moira M.W. 
Published: May 2007

Background and objective:  This study was conducted to define normal reference values and lower limits of normal (LLN) for single‐breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco) and DLco per unit of alveolar volume (Kco) for Chinese adults in Hong Kong.Methods:  Healthy non‐smoking men and women aged 18–80 years were recruited by random digit dialling. DLco and Kco were measured according to American Thoracic Society standards. Reference equations were obtained by multiple linear regression; LLN were derived by distribution‐free method for estimation of age‐related centiles.Results:  Tests from 568 subjects (259 men, 309 women) were analysed. DLco declined with age in both genders, and increased with height and the interaction term of height and age in men and women, respectively. Considering Hb values did not improve the reference equations. Kco declined with age and increased with weight in both genders, while height and its interaction term with age were additional determinants in women. The reference DLco was lower than some Caucasian values, and was only explained partially by a smaller body size and alveolar volume in Chinese. The distribution‐free method yielded better overall approximation to the fifth percentile compared with the traditional method of determining LLN.Conclusions:  The equations for reference values and LLN of diffusing capacity derived in this study are of clinical relevance to Chinese subjects.
Adjuvant effect of vitamin A on recurrent lower urinary tract infections
Authors: YILMAZ AYGEN , BAHAT ELIF , YILMAZ GULSUN GULAY , HASANOGLU ALEV , AKMAN SEMA , GUVEN AYFER GUR 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the present paper was to investigate the effects of vitamin A supplementation on recurrent lower urinary tract infections (RUTI).Methods: Twenty‐four patients with non‐complicated RUTI were included in a placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded study. Twelve patients received a single dose of 200 000 IU vitamin A in addition to antimicrobial therapy. Patient and control groups (each containing 12 patients) were followed for up to 1 year and were evaluated for eradication and frequency of lower urinary tract infections (UTI). Serum levels of vitamin A and β‐carotene were determined periodically.Results: During the first 6 months follow‐up period the infection rate of the vitamin A‐supplemented group reduced from 3.58 to 0.75 per 6 months, and in the subsequent 6 months the infection rate was 1.75 per 6 months. These values were calculated as 2.75, 2.83 and 2.66, respectively, in the placebo group.Conclusion: Vitamin A supplementation may have an adjuvant effect on the treatment of RUTI.
Low‐dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy in Chinese children with steroid resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Authors: CHANG JEI‐WEN , YANG LING‐YU , WANG HSIN‐HUI 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a primary glomerular disease that usually progresses to renal failure. Although high‐dose pulse methylprednisolone therapy (PMT) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of steroid‐resistant FSGS, adverse effects have caused parents to hesitate in approving the treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate whether low‐dose PMT based protocol for treatment of young children with steroid resistant FSGS would effectively induce remission of proteinuria and prevent the progression of renal insufficiency.Methods: This is a retrospective study. The authors treated eight children with steroid‐resistant FSGS with intravenous methylprednisolone pulse 10 mg/kg per day for three consecutive days weekly for 8 weeks. Partial responders were treated with the addition of chlorambucil or cyclosporine (CsA) and four fortnightly and eight monthly pulses of high‐dose PMT (30 mg/kg per day).Results: Of the eight patients, six attained complete remission initially. The median urinary protein excretion in 24 h decreased from 4.25 to 0.39 g following 8 weeks of low dose (P = 0.012). Marked decrease in urinary protein‐creatinine ratio was noted soon after treatment (P = 0.012). There was a significant increase in serum albumin level after treatment compared to the pretreatment condition (median, 3.35 vs 4.1 mg/dL, P = 0.018). Five of the eight patients remained in complete remission, and one of the eight patients relapsed during follow up. Relapse responded to repeated treatments of PMT and cyclosporine. The two patients with partial remission initially progressed to renal insufficiency in one patient and end‐stage renal disease in the other patient.Conclusions: Low‐dose PMT caused a significant decrease in the proteinuria of Chinese children with steroid‐resistant FSGS with a low frequency of intolerance.
Montelukast decreased exhaled nitric oxide in children with perennial allergic rhinitis
Authors: HUNG CHIH‐HSING , HUA YI‐MING , HSU WAN‐TING , LAI YUAN‐SHENG , YANG KUENDER D , JONG YUH‐JYH , CHU YU‐TE 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground: Measurement of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is a simple and noninvasive method for assessment of inflammatory airway diseases. eNO is elevated in adolescent patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and related to bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The aim of this study was to investigate whether oral loratadine, montelukast, nasal budesonide or nasal sodium cromoglycate could reduce airway inflammation as indicated by decrease of eNO in children with perennial allergic rhinitis as demonstrated by eNO levels.Methods: A randomized and investigator‐blinded study was conducted in a hospital‐based outpatient clinic. Children with perennial allergic rhinitis were divided into four groups and treated by loratadine, loratadine with nasal sodium cromoglycate, loratadine with oral montelukast, and loratadine with nasal budesonide, respectively. Allergic rhinitis scores, eNO and peak expiratory flow were measured before and 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after treatment.Results: Results showed that eNO in children with perennial allergic rhinitis was reduced by nasal budesonide and oral montelukast within 2 weeks (24.56 ± 14.42 vs 18.42 ± 12.48, P < 0.001, in budesonide group; 27.81 ± 13.4 vs 19.09 ± 10.45, P < 0.001, in montelukast group), but not in the loratadine and cromoglycate groups. In contrast, loratadine or sodium cromoglycate also did not decrease eNO levels although they could decrease the symptom scores.Conclusions: It was concluded that four common treatment modalities could effectively release symptom scores, but decrease of airway inflammation as determined by decrease of eNO might be only achieved by nasal budesonide and montelukast, but not nasal sodium cromoglycate and loratadine. Children with perennial allergic rhinitis with high eNO levels may require oral montelukast or nasal budesonide treatment to prevent airway hyperresponsiveness.
Clinical and epidemiologic features of invasive group A streptococcal infections in children
Authors: MULLA ZUBER D 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground: Invasive group A streptococcal infection (IGASI) is a disease of public health importance. The clinical epidemiology of IGASI in children has not been studied extensively in Florida, USA. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiologic features of children hospitalized for IGASI in Florida, USA, during a 4‐year period.Methods: Data from a previous retrospective cohort study of IGASI were analyzed. The study subjects were children and adults who had been hospitalized throughout Florida for IGASI between 1996 and 2000 and reported to the Florida Department of Health. A total of 25 patients who were 0 to 17 years of age were identified and included in the current pediatric case series.Results: The median age at the time of admission was 4 years (range, 0.05–17 years). A total of 14 cases (56%) were boys. In total, 18 of the pediatric patients had group A streptococcal bacteremia and three children were diagnosed with group A streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis. Various antibiotic regimens were used. A total of 33% (7/21) of the patients received clindamycin during their hospital stay. Data on mortality were available for 23 pediatric IGASI cases and 205 adult IGASI cases. The mortality rate was 4.4% in children as compared to 19.5% in adults (Fisher’s two‐sided P = 0.087).Conclusions: The low case‐fatality in children was consistent with other pediatric series of IGASI.
In vitro production of bilirubin photoisomers by light irradiation using neoBLUE
Authors: OKADA HITOSHI , ABE TAE , ETOH YOKO , YOSHINO SHUJI , KATO IKUKO , IWAKI TAKUMA , OKUBO KENSUKE , YASUDA SANEYUKI , KAWADA KOU , KUSAKA TAKASHI , NAMBA MASANORI , NISHIDA TOMOKO , IMAI TADASHI , ISOBE KENICHI , ITOH SUSUMU 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground: The light‐emitting diode is used as one of the new light sources for phototherapy. NeoBLUE (Atom Medical, Tokyo, Japan) incorporates blue light‐emitting diodes for the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The authors compared the in vitro efficacy of neoBLUE with conventional phototherapy devices.Methods: The three light devices used included neoBLUE and two conventional phototherapy devices with six blue–white (BW) or six green (GR) fluorescent tubes. A bilirubin/human serum albumin solution (15 mg/dL) in 200 × 300 mm elliptical bag was irradiated with each three light device. The average light intensity of neoBLUE, BW and GR was 22.5, 10.2 and 2.6 μW/cm2 per nm, respectively, for the irradiated area. Bilirubin photoisomers and native bilirubin were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography.Results: In neoBLUE, BW and GR, the respective production rate of cyclobilirubin was 6.0, 3.7 and 3.9 × 10−2 mg/dL/min, and the respective (4Z, 15E)‐bilirubin/(4Z, 15Z)‐bilirubin ratio after irradiation was 0.44, 0.33 and 0.12; the (4Z, 15Z)‐bilirubin reduction rate at 20 min after irradiation was 60, 68 and 82%, respectively. The reduction rate of (4Z, 15Z)‐bilirubin correlated with the (4Z, 15E)‐bilirubin/(4Z, 15Z)‐bilirubin ratio.Conclusion: Phototherapy using the neoBLUE under high level may be clinically more effective than therapy using the conventional light source from the results of the production rate of cyclobilirubin.
Side‐effects of long‐term prostaglandin E1 treatment in neonates
Authors: TÁLOSI GYULA , KATONA MÁRTA , TÚRI SÁNDOR 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground: In some neonates suffering from ductus arteriosus dependent congenital heart defect, a Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) therapy longer than 2 weeks may be needed. However, PGE1 analogue compounds may produce several adverse effects.Methods: The authors retrospectively analyzed the data of nine patients who underwent a PGE1 treatment lasting longer than 14 days.Results: The leukocyte count of the patients remained high throughout the treatment period, and the proportion of neutrophils was over 50%. Transient feeding difficulty and abdominal distension, and possible signs of gastric‐outlet obstruction, were observed in two cases. In the case of three patients, cortical hyperostosis developed after different cumulative doses (1584, 3384 and 4320 μg/kg). Significant correlations were found between the doses of PGE1 and serum K+ levels (r=−0.770, P < 0.05) and between the blood standard bicarbonate levels and PGE1 doses (r= 0.889, P < 0.01). Bartter syndrome‐like condition developed in those three patients who received the largest cumulative doses.Conclusions: Fluid‐electrolyte parameters must be controlled frequently in the case of each patient treated with PGE1 for longer than 2 weeks. Although the dose, the length of the therapy and individual susceptibility may be equally important, fluid‐electrolyte disturbances and the development of pseudo‐Bartter syndrome seem to be more dose‐dependent than cortical hyperostosis.