bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in Ovarian Follistatin Levels During the Oestrous Cycle in Sheep may Serve as an Intraovarian Regulator
Authors: Xia Y , O’Shea T , Almahbobi G , McFarlane JR 
Published: November 2008

ContentsThe expression and concentration of follistatin and activin change during oestrous cycle suggesting their involvement in the regulation of follicular development. The aim of this study was to determine the level, source and potential role of follistatin in the sheep ovary. Follistatin in ovarian venous blood, measured by radioimmunoassay, remained at its low level from follicular phase (day −1 and 0) to mid‐luteal phase (days 11–13) phase but were significantly elevated during the late luteal phase (days 14 and 15) when corpora lutea underwent regression. Western blot analyses of follicular fluid at day 15 of the cycle showed two strong bands at 42 and 45 kDa and weakly stained bands at 39 and 31 kDa. At day 0, these bands became weaker and the 39 kDa band became undetectable. However, there were no differences in follistatin concentrations between ovaries with and without functional corpus luteum (CL) during the whole luteal phase. In addition, although the ovaries of Booroola ewes normally contain more corpora lutea than those of normal merino ewes, follistatin concentrations in both jugular and ovarian venous blood were similar in Booroola and normal merino ewes. It is concluded that the secretion of follistatin from the ovary is not related to the formation of CL or high ovulation rate of Booroola ewes. The elevation in follistatin concentration in follicular fluid and ovarian blood during late luteal phase may indicate a dual role of follistatin in the luteolysis of existing CL and development of new follicle cohort.
Loss of hepatic B cells following lipopolysaccharide injection and polymicrobial sepsis
Authors: Matsumoto Atsushi , Tsujimoto Hironori , Ono Satoshi , Kinoshita Manabu , Habu Yoshiko , Kawabata Toshinobu , Shinomiya Nariyoshi , Seki Shuhji 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  B cells possess pleiotropic functions and are important for both humoral as well as cellular immune responses. However, there is little information about how hepatic B cells respond to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and/or sepsis.Methods:  We evaluated the changes in the number of hepatic and splenic B cells, and the expression of immunoglobulins after injecting pathogens, such as LPS, flagellin and CpG oligonucleotides in mice. In addition, we examined the role of natural killer (NK) cells in these changes using mutant bg/bg mice with genetically impaired NK cell functions.Results:  Significant temporal loss of hepatic B cells, but not splenic B cells, was seen following LPS treatment. We have shown that bacterial components other than LPS were also responsible for such decline in hepatic B cells. However, loss of hepatic B cells was not seen following LPS treatment in bg/bg mice. In addition, loss of hepatic B cells and systemic immunoglobulin G2a production after LPS treatment was at least in part mediated by interleukin‐12, γ‐interferon and tumor necrosis factor‐α, all of which substantially enhanced the NK cell activity.Conclusion:  Hepatic B cells play an essential role during sepsis by synergistically interacting with NK cells. However, whether decline of hepatic B cells after LPS treatment and/or polymicrobial sepsis is simply a phenomenon or has a substantial clinical importance is yet to be determined.
The preoperative positivity for serum hepatitis B e antigen did not affect overall survival after curative resection of hepatitis B virus‐related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Choi Gi Hong , Kim Dong Hyun , Choi Sae Byeol , Kang Chang Moo , Kim Kyung Sik , Choi Jin Sub , Lee Woo Jung , Han Kwang Hyub , Chon Chae Yoon , Kim Byong Ro 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Previous studies have reported different risk factors for early and late intrahepatic recurrence after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the prognostic significance of the risk factors for early and late recurrence has not been clarified.Methods:  A total of 190 Hepatitis B surface antigen‐positive patients who received curative resection for HCC were reviewed. We investigated prognostic factors for disease‐free and overall survival after resection, and further analyzed the relationship between significant prognostic factors and risk factors for early (≤14 months) and late (>14 months) intrahepatic recurrence.Results:  The 5‐year disease‐free and overall survival rates were 43.9% and 71.5%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, adverse prognostic factors for disease‐free survival were presence of serum HBeAg, perioperative transfusion, and the presence of portal vein invasion (PVI) and/or intrahepatic metastasis (IM). Multivariate analysis revealed that overall survival was associated with ICG R15, serum albumin, Edmondson–Steiner grade, and the presence of PVI and/or IM. Independent risk factors for early intrahepatic recurrence were perioperative transfusion and PVI and/or IM, whereas positivity for HBeAg was the only risk factor for late recurrence. In addition, post‐recurrence survival in patients with late intrahepatic recurrence was completely comparable to that of patients who never experienced recurrence.Conclusions:  The presence of serum HBeAg, the risk factor for late intrahepatic recurrence did not affect overall survival after resection because late recurrence was relatively well controlled by current available treatments. To further improve long‐term surgical outcomes, effective treatment and preventive methods for early intrahepatic recurrence should be investigated.
Are repeat upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy necessary within six months of capsule endoscopy in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding?
Authors: Gilbert David , O'Malley Sue , Selby Warwick 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Medicare reimbursement for capsule endoscopy for the investigation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in Australia requires endoscopy and colonoscopy to have been performed within 6 months. This study aims to determine the diagnostic yield of repeating these procedures when they had been non‐diagnostic more than 6 months earlier.Methods:  Of 198 consecutive patients who were referred for the investigation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, 50 underwent repeat endoscopy and colonoscopy solely to enable reimbursement (35 females and 15 males; mean age 59.4 [range: 21–82] years). The average duration of obscure bleeding was 50.16 (range: 9–214) months. The mean number of prior endoscopies was 3 (median: 2) and 2.8 colonoscopies (median: 2). The most recent endoscopy had been performed 18.9 (median: 14; range: 7–56) months, and for colonoscopy, 19.1 (median 14; range 8‐51) months earlier.Results:  A probable cause of bleeding was found at endoscopy in two patients: gastric antral vascular ectasia (1) and benign gastric ulcer (1). Colonoscopy did not reveal a source of bleeding in any patient. Capsule endoscopy was performed in 47 patients. Twenty four (51%) had a probable bleeding source identified, and another five (11%) a possible source. These included angioectasia (17 patients), mass lesion (2), non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug enteropathy (2), Cameron's erosions (2), and Crohn's disease (1). Four patients undergoing repeat capsule endoscopy had a probable bleeding source detected.Conclusion:  The yield of repeat endoscopy and colonoscopy immediately prior to capsule endoscopy is low when these procedures have previously been non‐diagnostic. Such an approach is also not cost‐effective.
Natural history of hepatic fibrosis progression in chronic hepatitis C virus infection in India
Authors: Hissar Syed S , Kumar Manoj , Tyagi Pankaj , Goyal Ankur , PV Suneetha , Agarwal Sriram , Rastogi Archana , Sakhuja Puja , Sarin Shiv K 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The rate of fibrosis progression per year can predict the time for the development of cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). We assessed the rate of fibrosis progression and the predictors of disease severity in Indian CHC patients.Methods:  Of the 355 treatment‐naïve, histologically‐proven CHC patients, the precise duration of infection (from the time of exposure to HCV until liver biopsy) could be determined in 213 patients (age = 41.6 ± 14.7 years, male : female = 139 : 74, genotype 3 = 75%). The rate of fibrosis progression per year was calculated. The correlation of the advanced degree of fibrosis and age, duration of infection, age at the onset of infection, sex, mode of infection, hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype, histological activity index (HAI), and the presence of diabetes mellitus were studied.Results:  The median rate of fibrosis progression per year was 0.25 (0.0–1.5) fibrosis units. The fibrosis progression rate was higher in patients who acquired infection at > 30 years of age, those < 30 years (0.33 vs 0.15; P < 0.001), and those who acquired HCV infection with a history of blood transfusion than with other modes of transmission (0.25 vs 0.19; P = 0.04). The median time to progress to cirrhosis was 16 years. The multivariate analysis found that the HAI score (odds ratio [OR]= 14.03; P < 0.001) and the duration of infection > 10 years (OR = 4.83; P < 0.001) correlated with severe liver disease (fibrosis ≥ 3).Conclusion:  The median rate of fibrosis progression per year in Indian CHC patients is 0.25 fibrosis units. A higher HAI and longer duration of infection are associated with a significant risk of advanced liver disease, and merit early therapeutic interventions.
Dose comparison study of pegylated interferon‐α‐2b plus ribavirin in naïve Japanese patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 2: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Kawaoka Tomokazu , Kawakami Yoshiiku , Tsuji Keiji , Ito Hiroyuki , Kitamoto Mikiya , Aimitsu Shiomi , Kawakami Hiroiku , Jeong Soo Cheol , Imamura Michio , Aikata Hiroshi , Takahashi Shoichi , Chayama Kazuaki 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  To compare the efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon (PEG‐I) at 1 and 1.5 µg/kg, and in combination with ribavirin (RBV) for 24 weeks in naïve Japanese patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 2.Methods:  The present study was an open‐label, randomized trial of 55 patients receiving PEG‐I (1 or 1.5 µg/kg body weight [BW], subcutaneously, once a week) and RBV for 24 weeks. The patients were followed up for 24 weeks without treatment.Results:  The intention‐to‐treat analyses showed that the proportion of patients with a sustained virological response (SVR) in the 1‐µg/kg PEG‐I–RBV group (38.5%, 10/26) was lower than that of the 1.5‐µg/kg PEG‐I–RBV group (74.1%, 20/27; P = 0.013). The PEG‐I dose was reduced in two of the 26 patients of the 1‐µg/kg PEG‐I–RBV group (one because of thrombocytopenia at 2 weeks, and one because of generalized fatigue at 20 weeks), and four of the 27 patients of the 1.5‐µg/kg PEG‐I–RBV group (one because of neutropenia at 20 weeks, and three because of generalized fatigue at 1, 5, and 8 weeks). The multivariate analysis identified age (< 60 years) and dose of PEG‐I (1.5 µg/kg) as significant determinants of SVR.Conclusion:  The dose of PEG‐I to be used at the start of therapy should be 1.5‐µg/kg BW in naïve Japanese patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 2.
Proliferating cell nuclear antigen shRNA treatment attenuates chronic proliferative cholangitis in rats
Authors: Li Fu‐Yu , Cheng Nan‐Sheng , Cheng Jing‐Qiu , Mao Hui , Zhou Yong , Jiang Li‐Sheng , Li Ning 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Chronic proliferative cholangitis (CPC) is currently considered as a pathological basis and major cause for the high recurrence rate of intrahepatic stones. Since CPC is a form of chronic proliferative disease, this study was designed to preliminarily investigate the inhibitory effect of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) shRNA on the hyperplastic behavior and lithogenic potentiality of CPC.Methods:  The rat model of CPC was given an intralumenal administration of 0.5 mL PCNA shRNA through a 20‐gauge venous retained needle. PCNA shRNA‐mediated effects on CPC‐associated hyperplastic behavior and lithogenic potential were assessed by investigating histological changes, immunohistochemistry for Ki‐67, biochemistry for β‐glucuronidase, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analysis of PCNA, procollagen I, and mucin‐3.Results:  PCNA shRNA treatment could efficiently inhibit the mRNA and protein expressions of the proliferation‐related gene, PCNA, and Ki‐67, which efficiently inhibited the hyperplastic behavior of the biliary epithelium, submucosal gland, and collagen fibers in the diseased bile duct wall. This novel treatment could efficiently inhibit the formation of acidic mucus glands, the expression of mucin‐3 mRNA, and the secretion of endogenous β‐glucuronidase, thus effectively inhibiting the lithogenic potentiality of CPC. A further analysis revealed that PCNA shRNA‐1 might display a more robust inhibitory effect on CPC‐associated hyperplastic behavior and lithogenic potential than other gene sequences targeted in this study.Conclusions:  PCNA shRNA‐1 treatment could effectively inhibit the hyperplastic behavior and lithogenic potentiality of CPC, which might facilitate the prevention of stone recurrence and biliary restenosis.
Visualizing jet lag in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus and peripheral circadian timing system
Authors: Davidson Alec J. , Castanon‐Cervantes Oscar , Leise Tanya L. , Molyneux Penny C. , Harrington Mary E. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractCircadian rhythms regulate most physiological processes. Adjustments to circadian time, called phase shifts, are necessary following international travel and on a more frequent basis for individuals who work non‐traditional schedules such as rotating shifts. As the disruption that results from frequent phase shifts is deleterious to both animals and humans, we sought to better understand the kinetics of resynchronization of the mouse circadian system to one of the most disruptive phase shifts, a 6‐h phase advance. Mice bearing a luciferase reporter gene for mPer2 were subjected to a 6‐h advance of the light cycle and molecular rhythms in suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), thymus, spleen, lung and esophagus were measured periodically for 2 weeks following the shift. For the SCN, the master pacemaker in the brain, we employed high‐resolution imaging of the brain slice to describe the resynchronization of rhythms in single SCN neurons during adjustment to the new light cycle. We observed significant differences in shifting kinetics among mice, among organs such as the spleen and lung, and importantly among neurons in the SCN. The phase distribution among all Period2‐expressing SCN neurons widened on the day following a shift of the light cycle, which was partially due to cells in the ventral SCN exhibiting a larger initial phase shift than cells in the dorsal SCN. There was no clear delineation of ventral and dorsal regions, however, as the SCN appear to have a population of fast‐shifting cells whose anatomical distribution is organized in a ventral–dorsal gradient. Full resynchronization of the SCN and peripheral timing system, as measured by a circadian reporter gene, did not occur until after 8 days in the advanced light cycle.
Background sodium current underlying respiratory rhythm regularity
Authors: Chevalier Marc , Ben‐Mabrouk Faiza , Tryba Andrew K. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractRhythm‐generating neural circuits underlying diverse behaviors such as locomotion, sleep states, digestion and respiration play critical roles in our lives. Irregularities in these rhythmic behaviors characterize disease states – thus, it is essential that we identify the ionic and/or cellular mechanisms that are necessary for triggering these rhythmic behaviors on a regular basis. Here, we examine which ionic conductances underlie regular or ‘stable’ respiratory activities, which are proposed to underlie eupnea, or normal quiet breathing. We used a mouse in vitro medullary slice preparation containing the rhythmogenic respiratory neural circuit, called the preBötzinger complex (preBötC), that underlies inspiratory respiratory activity. We varied either [K+]o or [Na+]o, or blocked voltage‐gated calcium channels, while recording from synaptically isolated respiratory pacemakers, and examined which of these manipulations resulted in their endogenous bursting becoming more irregular. Of these, lowering [Na+]o increased the irregularity of endogenous bursting by synaptically isolated pacemakers. Lowering [Na+]o also decreased the regularity of fictive eupneic activity generated by the ventral respiratory group (VRG) population and hypoglossal motor output. Voltage clamp data indicate that lowering [Na+]o, in a range that results in irregular population rhythm generation, decreased persistent sodium currents, but not transient sodium currents underlying action potentials. Our data suggest that background sodium currents play a major role in determining the regularity of the fictive eupneic respiratory rhythm.
Prenatal stress reduces postnatal neurogenesis in rats selectively bred for high, but not low, anxiety: possible key role of placental 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2
Authors: Lucassen P. J. , Bosch O. J. , Jousma E. , Krömer S. A. , Andrew R. , Seckl J. R. , Neumann I. D. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractPrenatal stress (PS) produces persistent abnormalities in anxiety‐related behaviors, stress responsivity, susceptibility to psychopathology and hippocampal changes in adult offspring. The hippocampus shows a remarkable degree of structural plasticity, notably in response to stress and glucocorticoids. We hypothesized that PS would differentially affect hippocampal neurogenesis in rats selectively bred for genetic differences in anxiety‐related behaviors and stress responsivity. Pregnant dams of high anxiety‐related behavior (HAB) and low anxiety‐related behavior (LAB) strains were stressed between days 5 and 20 of pregnancy. The survival of newly generated hippocampal cells was found to be significantly lower in 43‐day‐old HAB than in LAB male offspring of unstressed pregnancies. PS further reduced newly generated cell numbers only in HAB rats, and this was paralleled by a reduction in doublecortin‐positive cell numbers, indicative of reduced neurogenesis. As maternal plasma corticosterone levels during PS were similar in both strains, we examined placental 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β‐HSD2), which catalyses rapid inactivation of maternal corticosterone to inert 11‐dehydrocorticosterone and thus serves as a physiological ‘barrier’ to maternal glucocorticoids. PS significantly increased placental 11β‐HSD2 activity in LAB, but not HAB, rats. We conclude that PS differentially affects the number of surviving newly generated cells and neurogenesis in HAB and LAB rats. The high sensitivity of hippocampal neurogenesis to PS in HAB rats is paralleled by a failure to increase placental 11β‐HSD2 activity after stress rather than by different maternal corticosterone responses. Hence, stress‐induced placental 11β‐HSD2 expression may be critical in protecting the fetal brain from maternal stress‐induced effects on adult neurogenesis.
Do rats with retrosplenial cortex lesions lack direction?
Authors: Pothuizen Helen H. J. , Aggleton John P. , Vann Seralynne D. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe retrosplenial cortex is seen as a convergence point for different classes of spatial cue, yet aside from allocentric processing, little is known about other cue types that depend on the integrity of this area. Rats with bilateral retrosplenial cortex lesions were, therefore, trained on a sequence of reinforced spatial alternation tasks designed to isolate different spatial strategies. Using a standard T‐maze alternation procedure, which could be solved using multiple strategies, only a marginal lesion effect was observed. Next, by using two T‐mazes set side‐by‐side in the light, and then the dark, it was possible to examine alternation around a fixed bearing (direction alternation). Retrosplenial cortex lesions only disrupted the latter (direction alternation) condition. Direction alternation is of particular interest as it presumably taxes head‐direction information, and so provides a way of behaviourally assessing the contribution of this navigation system. Finally, rats were tested on a spatial working memory task in a radial‐arm maze. A retrosplenial lesion deficit appeared when the maze was rotated mid‐trial, as repeatedly found in previous studies. The pattern of findings in the present study strongly indicates that retrosplenial cortex lesions impair the use of direction cues for alternation, in addition to previously established impairments for allocentric‐based navigation and path integration.
CLINICAL AND METABOLIC OBSERVATIONS ON OSTEOMALACIA FOLLOWING URETEROSIGMOIDOSTOMY1
Authors: Harrison A. R. 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARYThree cases of osteomalacia following ureterosigmoidostomy are described. At the time of diagnosis all had a hyperchlorzmic acidosis, a low plasma inorganic phosphate, a low or normal plasma calcium, and a raised plasma alkaline phosphatase.Radiological evidence of osteomalacia was present in all three cases. In two cases the presence of a long‐continued acidosis could be confirmed by biochemical investigations; in one there was strong presumptive evidence that such a state had also existed.Methods of obtaining calcium balance data are described and the results of calcium balance studies recorded.The absence of nephrocalcinosis and the impossibility of separating urine and fzcal calcium outputs are discussed in relation lo pathogenesis. The evidence is in favour of the view that osteomalacia is the result of a long‐continued acidosis, and the calcium balance studies lend some support to this view.The early symptoms of osteomalacia are not pathognomonic of the disease, and diagnosis depends on biochemical and radiological investigations.Treatment consists in correction of the acidosis and administration of vitamin D. The balance studies reveal the importance of vitamin D in treatment.
The Angiographic Evaluation of Renal Pelvic Carcinoma
Authors: POLLEN J. J. , LEVINE E. , BLERK P. J. P. VAN 
Published: November 2008

SummaryThe angiographic findings are described in 6 cases of renal pelvic carcinoma.An angiographic finding which has not hitherto been emphasised is a diminished branching of arteries in the kidney segment related to the pelvi‐calyceal tumour—the “pruned‐tree” appearance. This is generally associated with a deficiency of the nephrogram in the same segment. These appearances may be due to invasion of the renal parenchyma by tumour.However, the findings may occur also in the absence of parenchymal invasion by the tumour and therefore do not necessarily reflect the stage of the disease.
The Value of Intestinal Valves in Urinary Diversion — an Experimental Study
Authors: KNOX A. J. S. , JAGO R. H. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryIt has been shown in experimental animals that an ileorectal valve incorporated into the operation of uretero‐ileosigmoidostomy cannot be relied upon to prevent ascending urinary tract infection.However, a colorectal valve, not previously described, has been effective in preventing the development of a metabolic acidosis in piglets in whom this method of urinary diversion has been carried out.
In‐vivo Determination of Error in the Measurement of Urethral Pressure by the Method of Brown and Wickham
Authors: BROWN MALCOLM 
Published: November 2008

SummaryA method of determining the error caused by the infusion of water into the urethra during urethral wall pressure and urethral pressure profile measurements is described and discussed. The test is conducted in vivo and the measured pressure is related to the actual urethral wall pressure. The “intrinsic error” is found to be approximately 1·0 cm H2O for every ml/min of infusion rate.Incidental findings concerned with changes in urethral resistance are also reported.