bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of a protective haplogenotype withinCAPN10gene influencing colorectal cancer susceptibility
Authors: Frances Carmen P , Conde Manuel C , Saez Maria E , Diez Servando F , Rey Concha M , Ramírez‐Armengol Juan A , Pascual Manuel H , Gonzalez‐Perez Antonio , Torres Pablo P , Real Luis M , Serrano‐Rios Manuel , López José L G , Ruiz Agustin , Royo Jose L 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent types of cancer affecting both men and women in developed countries. Clinical and molecular evidence suggests that there are multiple biochemical pathways involved in its susceptibility, pathogenesis and prognosis. Several studies have reported a significant association between the incidence of CRC and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, genes associated with both conditions are rare.Method: We have analyzed theCAPN10gene, a T2DM locus, using UCSNP‐43, ‐44, ‐19, and ‐63 markers, looking for differences between 371 CRC patients and 605 unrelated controls of Spanish origin.Results: We found that UCSNP‐44 allele C is swept out from cases (OR = 0.16,P = 0.005). Moreover, the frequency of 2111/2111 haplogenotype is also statistically lower than expected in CRC patients (P = 0.006).Conclusion: Taken together, our results indicate a recessive model for the effect ofCAPN10variant UCSNP‐44 influencing the risk of CRC and suggest a novel genetic link between T2DM and colon carcinoma.
Possible involvement of cytokine gene polymorphisms in fulminant hepatitis
Authors: Takakura Mihoko , Tokushige Katsutoshi , Matsushita Noriko , Hashimoto Etsuko , Shiratori Keiko 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Host genetic factors have been reported as influencing the progress to fulminant hepatitis (FH). Our previous data showed the serum level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α influenced by gene polymorphisms to be markedly increased. It was investigated whether polymorphisms in the IL‐10 gene, in addition to TNF‐α and ‐β gene polymorphisms, might contribute to the pathogenesis of FH.Methods:  We analyzed 42 patients with FH, 78 patients with acute hepatitis (AH), and 149 healthy subjects (control). IL‐10 polymorphism sites at promoter regions −1028, −819, −592; TNF‐α polymorphism sites at promoter regions −1031, −863, −857, −308, −238; and TNF‐β first intron Nco1 sites were studied. IL‐10 gene polymorphisms were classified into three groups: low IL‐10‐producing haplotypes (ATA/ATA), intermediate haplotypes (ATA or CCA/CCA), and high haplotypes (ATA/ATG or CCG).Results:  The allelic frequency of B2 in the TNF‐β gene was significantly higher in FH patients compared with the control group. The three groups showed no differences in polymorphisms of positions −1031, −863, −857, −308 and −238 in the TNF‐α gene. The frequency of low IL‐10‐producing haplotypes tended to be higher in FH patients compared with control and that of high IL‐10‐producing haplotype tended to be lower in FH patients compared with control. The carrier rate with both the IL‐10 haplotype and the TNF‐β gene B2/B2 was significantly higher than control.Conclusion:  Variations of cytokine polymorphisms including IL‐10 and TNF‐β genes may be attributable to the pathogenesis of FH.
Norfloxacin and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole therapy have similar efficacy in prevention of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
Authors: Lontos Steve , Gow Paul J , Vaughan Rhys B , Angus Peter W 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Although norfloxacin (N) is widely accepted as the drug of choice for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) prophylaxis, there is data to suggest that trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (TS) may be similarly effective. However, no studies have compared the efficacy and safety of N and TS in SBP prophylaxis. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to compare outcomes in patients who received either N or TS for the prevention of SBP.Methods:  Records of all cirrhotic patients prescribed either N or TS for SBP prevention between April 2001 and May 2004 were reviewed. Data collected included age, sex, Child–Pugh score, ascitic protein concentration, etiology of liver disease, infections (SBP, bacteremia, and extraperitoneal infections), side‐effects, and survival.Results:  Sixty‐nine patients (18 female, 51 male), mean age 53.9 ± 10.6 years, were prescribed N (n = 37) or TS (n = 32). The Child–Pugh score, model for end‐stage liver disease score, and the prevalence of a low ascitic protein (<15 g/L) were similar between the groups (12.0 vs 12.4, 19.7 vs 18.2, and 78% vs 84%, respectively, P > 0.05). Fourteen (38%) infections occurred in the N group and 16 (50%) in the TS group (P > 0.05). Eight patients (21.6%) in the N group and nine (28%) in the TS group developed SBP (P > 0.05). The rates of liver transplantation (10 vs 13), adverse events (two in each group) and death (13 vs 14) were similar in the two treatment groups.Conclusions:  Our findings suggest N and TS have similar efficacy in preventing SBP. This has significant implications for both the cost of SBP prophylaxis and the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance in patients with cirrhosis.
Elevated levels of serum advanced glycation end products in patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Hyogo Hideyuki , Yamagishi Sho‐ichi , Iwamoto Keiko , Arihiro Koji , Takeuchi Masayoshi , Sato Takashi , Ochi Hidenori , Nonaka Michihiro , Nabeshima Yoshitaka , Inoue Motoki , Ishitobi Tomokazu , Chayama Kazuaki , Tazuma Susumu 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Advanced glycation end products (AGE), senescent macroprotein derivatives formed at an accelerated rate in diabetes, play important roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. Recently, AGE have also been found to be involved in insulin resistance. Although non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is generally considered a hepatic manifestation of insulin resistance, there are no reports showing the link of AGE to NASH. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of AGE in patients with NASH.Methods:  Glyceraldehyde‐derived AGE levels were assayed from serum obtained from 106 patients: 66 with NASH, 10 with simple steatosis, and 30 controls.Results:  Serum glyceraldehyde‐derived AGE levels (U/mL) were significantly elevated in NASH patients (9.78 ± 3.73) compared with simple steatosis (7.17 ± 2.28, P = 0.018) or healthy controls (6.96 ± 2.36, P = 0.003). Moreover, these were inversely correlated with adiponectin, an adipocytokine with insulin‐sensitizing and anti‐inflammatory properties. In addition, immunohistochemistry of glyceraldehyde‐derived AGE showed intense staining in the livers of NASH patients.Conclusion:  The present data suggest that the sustained increase of glyceraldehyde‐derived AGE could at least in part contribute to the pathogenesis of NASH. The serum glyceraldehyde‐derived AGE level may be a useful biomarker for discriminating NASH from simple steatosis.
Molecular regulation of hepatic expression of iron regulatory hormone hepcidin
Authors: Oates Phillip S , Ahmed Umbreen 
Published: June 2007

AbstractIron is a micronutrient that is an essential component that drives many metabolic reactions. Too little iron leads to anemia and too much iron increases the oxidative stress of body tissues leading to inflammation, cell death, and system organ dysfunction, including cancer. Maintaining normal iron balance is achieved by rigorous control of the amount absorbed by the intestine, that released from macrophages following erythrophagocytosis of effete red cells and by either release or uptake from hepatocytes. Hepcidin is a recently characterized molecule that appears to play a key role in the regulation of iron efflux from enterocytes, macrophages, and hepatocytes. It is produced by hepatocytes under basal conditions, in response to alterations in increased iron stores or reduced requirement for erythropoiesis and by inflammation. The proteins that regulate hepcidin expression are presently being defined, albeit that our present understanding is still far from complete. This review focuses on the molecules which regulate hepcidin expression. The subsequent characterization of these proteins using molecular, cellular, and physiological approaches also is discussed along with inflammatory signals and receptors involved in hepcidin expression.
Improvement of the survival rate after rat massive hepatectomy due to the reduction of apoptosis by caspase inhibitor
Authors: Yoshida Naomasa , Iwata Hisashi , Yamada Takuya , Sekino Takafumi , Matsuo Hiroshi , Shirahashi Koyo , Miyahara Toshiyuki , Kiyama Shigeru , Takemura Hirofumi 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Acute liver failure after massive hepatectomy is caused by both necrosis and apoptosis in the remnant liver. We investigate the protective effect of the caspase inhibitor on apoptosis after massive hepatectomy in rats.Methods:  Benzyloxycarbonyl‐Val‐Ala‐Asp(OMe)‐fluoromethylketone (ZVAD‐fmk) is a general inhibitor of the caspase. Male Wister rats weighing 200–300 g were divided into three groups: 90Hx group undergoing 90% hepatectomy, 95Hx group undergoing 95% hepatectomy, 95Hx + ZVAD group undergoing 95% hepatectomy and administration of ZVAD‐fmk. The 7‐day survival rate was studied, and the rats were sacrificed at the 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7th day after hepatectomy. The remnant liver tissues were stained with hematoxylin–eosin, and with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) for evaluation of liver regeneration, and with TdT‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and in situ oligo ligation method (ISOL) for evaluation of apoptosis.Results:  The 7‐day survival rates were 100%, 0%, and 30%, in the 90Hx, 95Hx, and 95Hx + ZVAD groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in PCNA labeling index (LI) between the 95Hx and 95Hx + ZVAD groups. TUNEL and ISOL LI of 95Hx + ZVAD group were significantly lower than those of 95Hx group. Fatal liver failure after massive hepatectomy was characterized by more apoptosis and less mitosis of hepatocytes. ZVAD‐fmk could significantly attenuate apoptosis of hepatocytes in the remnant liver and improve the survival rate after 95% hepatectomy in rats.Conclusion:  Caspase inhibitors such as ZVAD‐fmk may provide a new adjuvant therapy to treat liver failure after massive hepatectomy.
Lactose intolerance in patients with irritable bowel syndrome from northern India: A case–control study
Authors: Gupta Dinesh , Ghoshal Uday C , Misra Amita , Misra Asha , Choudhuri Gourdas , Singh Kartar 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and lactose intolerance (LI) overlap. Data on the frequency of LI in patients with IBS from India are scanty. The aim of this study was to evaluate: (i) the frequency of LI in patients with IBS and its various subtypes as compared with healthy subjects (HS) from northern India; (ii) the relationship between self‐reported milk intolerance and laboratory evidence of LI; and (iii) the role of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in LI in patients with IBS.Methods:  124 patients with IBS (Rome II criteria) and 53 age‐ and gender‐matched HS were studied for LI using the lactose hydrogen breath test (LHBT) and the lactose tolerance test (LTT). Symptoms following lactose ingestion (diarrhea, bloating or distension) during the test and history of milk intolerance were recorded. Sixty‐nine of the patients with IBS also underwent a glucose hydrogen breath test (GHBT). Patients with IBS were classified into those with diarrhea (IBS‐D; >3 loose stools/d), constipation predominant (IBS‐C; <3 stools/week) and indeterminate (IBS‐I; between ≥3/week and ≤ 3/d).Results:  89/124 (72%) and 32/53 (60%, P = ns) IBS patients and HS were positive by LHBT and 82/124 (66%) and 38/53 (71%, P = ns) by LTT. Lactose intolerance as diagnosed either by LHBT or LTT was comparable among IBS patients and HS (102/124, 82% vs 41/53, 77%; P = ns). Peak breath hydrogen values during LHBT were also comparable among patients with IBS and HS (64 ± 40 p.p.m. vs 61 ± 44 p.p.m.). Patients with IBS developed symptoms following lactose ingestion more frequently than HS (68/124 vs 18/53, P = 0.01). Glucose hydrogen breath test was positive in 9/69 (13%) patients with IBS and was comparable among patients with (8/57, 14%) and without LI (1/12, 8%). Thirty had IBS‐D whereas 94 had other subtypes of IBS (IBS‐C, n = 9 and IBS‐I, n = 85). The frequency of LI in IBS‐D was similar to that of other subtypes (26/30, 86% vs 76/94, 80%; P = ns). The positive and negative predictive value of self‐reported milk intolerance in detecting LI was 81% and 23%, respectively.Conclusion:  The frequency of LI is high and comparable among IBS patients and HS from northern India. Patients with IBS more often reported symptoms following lactose ingestion despite levels of breath hydrogen being similar to HS. The frequency of LI in patients with IBS‐D was comparable to that in patients with other types of IBS. Self‐reported milk intolerance has poor sensitivity in detecting LI.
New frontiers in capsule endoscopy
Authors: Fireman Zvi , Kopelman Yael 
Published: June 2007

AbstractCapsule endoscopy (CE) was launched at the beginning of this millennium and has since become a well‐established tool for evaluating the entire small bowel for manifold pathologies. CE far exceeded our early expectations by providing us with a tool to establish the correct diagnosis for elusive gastrointestinal (GI) conditions such as obscure GI bleeding, Crohn's disease, polyposis syndrome, and others. Recent evidence has shown CE to be superior to other imaging modalities, such as small bowel follow‐through X‐ray, colonoscopy with ileoscopy, computerized tomographic enterography, magnetic resonance enteroclysis, and push enteroscopy, for diagnosing small bowel pathologies.Gastroenterologists would prefer the convenience of a single capsule that can create images of the area from the oral cavity to the anal canal in one ‘shot’. Because of anatomic and physiologic differences in the GI tract, however, it may not be possible to use the same capsule and so we would need a different one for each organ. In addition to the pioneer small bowel capsule, there is now an esophageal capsule, and a colonoscopy capsule will soon be available.The ideal CE should be capable of performing a biopsy or carrying out an online analysis (an ‘optical’ biopsy) and ‘stop’ bleeding by an epinephrine injection, a heat probe, argon plasma coagulation, etc. The ultimate capsule would include special detectors for white blood cells, and it would check oncological markers (e.g. CEA, CA 19‐9), perform serology tests (e.g. antiendomysial, IgE), and measure various cytokines, pH levels, temperature and pressure, as well as deliver drugs. The capsule's motility feature in the small bowel may open a window to study the pathophysiology of relatively elusive medical entities, such as irritable bowel syndrome.The optimal capsule needs to contain an automatic computerized system for automatic detection of pathologies, such as that present in the ECG–Holter recording, in order to overcome the drawback of time‐consuming viewing.Our dream is that endoscopists will be able to ‘control and steer’ the CE, as they are able to do in standard endoscopy. This would mean being able to maintain the capsule steady in a selected area and hold the view in order to have more time to examine the opposite wall of the bowel.In conclusion, future gastroenterologists will have a number of CEs from which to choose, according to the purpose of the evaluation, whether it be diagnostic and/or therapeutic. Just as the idea of a swallowed capsule taking images as it travels along the human anatomy was once in the realm of sheer fantasy, we have every reason to believe that the ultimate CE will become a reality in the not far distant future.
Chronic orchialgia: Consider gabapentin or nortriptyline before considering surgery
Authors: Sinclair Andrew M , Miller Barry , Lee Ling K 
Published: June 2007

Objective:  To establish if there is a role for gabapentin or nortriptyline in the treatment of chronic orchialgia.Methods:  Twenty‐six consecutive patients with chronic orchialgia were seen in the chronic pain clinic by a multidisciplinary team. A pain questionnaire was completed prior to commencing either gabapentin or nortriptyline. They were reviewed at 3 months and a repeat questionnaire completed. A 50% improvement in pain was considered successful.Results:  Complete data was available for 19 patients. Overall, 61.5% of patients commenced on gabapentin and 66.6% of patients commenced on nortriptyline had a greater than 50% improvement in pain. Patients with post‐vasectomy testicular pain were considered as a subgroup. None of these patients had a greater than 50% improvement in pain. However, 80% of patients in the subgroup with idiopathic chronic orchialgia had a greater than 50% improvement in pain.Conclusion:  Although this is a small study, it appears that gabapentin and nortriptyline are effective in the treatment of idiopathic chronic orchialgia but not post‐vasectomy pain.
Effects of frontal cortex lesions on action sequence learning in the rat
Authors: Bailey Kathleen R. , Mair Robert G. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractTo understand the role of frontal cortex in motor sequence learning we compared the effects of motor (M1), premotor (M2) and midline frontal (MFr) cortical lesions on rats making nose‐pokes guided by luminance cues. Organizational demands were manipulated by varying the number (1 vs. 5) and predictability (random vs. repeated) of nose‐pokes in a response. Learning was studied by comparing sessions with random or repeated cues. All cortical lesions increased reaction time (RT) during response initiation. These effects were larger for nose‐pokes initiating sequential responses but spared RT for nose‐pokes completing them. Repetition learning had significant effects on the speed and accuracy of single nose‐poke responses that were unaffected by any of the cortical lesions. Repetition learning had more complex effects on sequential responding. RTs increased for nose‐pokes initiating sequences over several sessions of continuous repetition and then decreased or leveled off. RTs decreased incrementally across all repetition sessions for subsequent nose‐pokes in repeated sequences, following a time‐course consistent with habit learning. Lesions involving M2 and MFr cortex exacerbated the increase in RT during initiation without affecting the incremental decrease in RT for nose‐pokes completing repeated sequences. These results were confirmed by analyses of interference effects when training shifted from repeated (learned) to random (novel) sequences or to a new repeated sequence. These results implicate dorsomedial frontal cortex in organizational aspects of sensory‐guided responding and motor sequence learning reflected in RT during response initiation.
Formation of perineuronal nets in organotypic mouse brain slice cultures is independent of neuronal glutamatergic activity
Authors: Reimers Sabrina , Hartlage‐Rübsamen Maike , Brückner Gert , Roßner Steffen 
Published: June 2007

AbstractPerineuronal nets (PNs) are a specialized form of the extracellular matrix and cover specific sets of neurons in distinct brain areas. Animal experiments on sensory visual deprivation have demonstrated that the generation of PNs around neurons of the visual cortex is dependent on neuronal activity during the critical period of visual experience. The importance of the activity of specific neurotransmitter systems for PN formation has, however, not yet been demonstrated. Based on the predominantly glutamatergic innervation of the visual cortex we hypothesized that reduced glutamatergic activity impairs the development of PNs. To address this question, genetic mouse models with compromised glutamate release [Munc13‐1‐knockout (KO) and Munc13‐1/2 double‐KO (DKO)] and chronic pharmacological treatments interfering with specific steps of glutamatergic transmission were used. Under experimental conditions of glutamatergic hypofunction PN formation was studied in organotypic brain slice cultures withWisteria floribundalectin binding and with aggrecan immunohistochemistry. After cultivation for 21 days a regular PN formation was observed in brain slices (i) derived from Munc13‐1‐KO and Munc13‐1/2‐DKO mice, (ii) after blockade of metabotropic and ionotropic glutamate receptors with MCPG and kynurenate, and (iii) after suppression of glutamate release by blockade of presynaptic Ca++channels with riluzole. Nonselective suppression of neuronal activity by blockade of voltage‐gated sodium channels with tetrodotoxin clearly inhibited PN formation. These results indicate that neuronal activity is required but that the glutamatergic system is not essential for PN development.
Neuromuscular paralysis and recovery in mice injected with botulinum neurotoxins A and C
Authors: Morbiato Laura , Carli Luca , Johnson Eric A. , Montecucco Cesare , Molgó Jordi , Rossetto Ornella 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBotulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) is commonly used in human therapy. This treatment may induce immunoresistance and preliminary evaluation of other botulinum neurotoxin serotypes suggested botulinum neurotoxin type C (BoNT/C) to be a good alternative to BoNT/A. Here, we have further characterized the biological activities of BoNT/C using a variety of experimental approaches. Muscle paralysis and time of recovery of mouse hind limb injected with BoNT/A or BoNT/C were assayed with the Digit Abduction Scoring assay. The extent and duration of paralysis were similar with the two toxin serotypes.Extensor digitorum longusortibialis anteriormuscles were dissected at times of complete paralysis and of complete recovery. Muscle weight and force were significantly reduced in mice injected with BoNT/A and BoNT/C, and some atrophy persisted for a long time. In BoNT/C‐treated junctions, nerve terminal sprouting was prominent, indicating that the capacity to extend the field of innervation is not hampered by BoNT/C. BoNT/C induced a marked decrease in the frequency of miniature endplate potentials and in the amplitude of endplate potentials. 3,4‐diaminopyridine reversed the effect of BoNT/C by increasing the amplitude of synchronized endplate potentials. The present study shows an extensive similarity in the biological activities of BoNT/A and BoNT/C, further supporting the suggestion that BoNT/C is a valid alternative to BoNT/A.