bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term Measurement of Gastric Motility using Passive Telemetry and Effect of Guar and Cellulose as Food Additives in Dogs
Authors: Burger D. M. , Wiestner T. , Montavon P. M. , Kündig H. , Hubler M. , Binder H. , Arnold S. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryThe suitability of passive telemetry for long‐term measurements of gastric motility in two groups of dogs with different body weights, four Beagles and four Labrador Retrievers, was investigated. An intra‐abdominal measuring device, with a pressure sensor and electrodes within the gastric wall, allowed the continuous recording of the intensity and frequency of contractions simultaneously with an electromyogram (EMG). In fasting dogs a typical inter‐digestive motility cycle was reproducible. Within 15 min of feeding the integral of the pressure curve increased significantly, reaching its maximum 30–45 min post‐prandially. The peak frequency also significantly increased immediately after feeding, reaching the maximum of 22 contractions per 5 min. The post‐prandial motility patterns of the groups were significantly different. The pressure amplitudes of the Labradors were significantly higher and the peak frequencies significantly lower than the Beagles. The addition of guar to the food (2.5% or 5%) leads to a significant reduction of the intensity of the antral contractions, whereas the frequency was hardly affected. In comparison, the effect of cellulose, as a food additive (2.5% or 5%), was rather modest. The intensity of the post‐prandial contractions, influenced by cellulose, was significantly increased in Beagles, but was decreased in Labradors. Passive telemetry has been proven to be a suitable method for the long‐term investigation of the physiological gastric motility and the effect of food additives. The measuring device was still functional after removal 8 weeks later.
In Vitro Binding Capacity of Zeolite A to Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium in Rumen Fluid as Influenced by Changes in pH
Authors: Thilsing T. , Jørgensen R. J. , Poulsen H. D. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryAn in vitro experiment was designed to mimic the transport of ingested zeolite A in the forestomachs and proximal part of the small intestine so as to evaluate the binding capacity of zeolite A to Ca, P and Mg as influenced by changes in pH. This was done by incubation of rumen fluid solutions with and without zeolite, as well as varying the content of Ca and/or P. The pH was lowered by addition of HCl so as to mimic abomasal conditions, followed by subsequent HCO addition to mimic small intestinal pH. Rumen fluid samples were taken at strategic time points in the experiment. All samples were centrifuged and the supernatant analysed for Ca, P and Mg as indicators of the amount of unbound mineral. The addition of zeolite to rumen fluid solutions reduced the amount of supernatant Ca and Mg at rumen pH, whereas the level of P was not reduced. After adding HCl, a large proportion of the zeolite‐bound Ca and Mg was released, increasing supernatant Ca and Mg levels; whereas, HCl addition led to a profound drop in supernatant P in zeolite samples, indicating binding of P. A low level of supernatant P was maintained after HCO addition. Neutralization by HCO led to a zeolite‐induced drop in supernatant Ca and Mg. The reduction in supernatant Ca observed in the present study concurs well with the theoretical rationale of prepartum zeolite supplementation in milk fever prevention. Furthermore, the apparent binding of P by the zeolite may also contribute because of the connection between the calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. The zeolite‐induced reduction in supernatant Mg indicates that zeolite supplementation should probably be avoided in Mg‐deficient herds unless Mg supplementation is initiated.
Intracellular oxidative response of human monocytes and granulocytes to different strains of Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Pastor Alexandrine , Gafa Valérie , Boutonnat Jean , Grillot Renée , Ambroise‐Thomas Pierre , Aldebert Delphine 
Published: February 2006

Summary Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the most prevalent airborne fungal pathogens, causing severe and often fatal infections. Its fungal virulence factors have not been clearly identified. Reactive oxygen species produced by phagocytic cells are potent fungicides for A. fumigatus. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of conidia pigmentation, fungal development stage and genotype strain on human leucocytes oxidative response. Various A. fumigatus strains were used and the oxidative response was analysed by flow cytometry. A significant difference was observed between live‐ and killed‐conidia. A pigmentless strain gave an important intracellular oxidative response compared with pigmented strains. But no difference was observed between strains isolated from patients with invasive aspergillosis (IA) and bronchial colonisation. The modification of healthy phagocytes’ oxidative response caused by A. fumigatus components is not sufficient to explain the virulence of fungus and to predict an evolution of patients with IA.
Utility of the oestrogen‐dependent vaginal candidosis murine model in evaluating the efficacy of various therapies against vaginal Candida albicans infection
Authors: Hamad Mawieh , Muta'eb Enas , Abu‐Shaqra Qasem , Fraij Abeer , Abu‐Elteen Khaled , Yasin Salem R. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryThe efficacy of yogurt treatment against vaginal candidosis (VC) was examined using an oestrogen‐dependent vaginal candidosis (EDVC) murine model. The EDVC mouse model was constructed by inoculating mice with viable Candida albicans cells under pseudo‐oestrus conditions. Vaginal fungal burden in the various mouse groups was evaluated at several time points following the induction of VC. Untreated and yogurt‐treated naïve mice exhibited background levels of VC (<6000 CFU per mouse). Candida albicans colonisation in untreated EDVC mice was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that in yogurt‐treated EDVC mice at days 20–30. Metronidazole‐treated naïve mice developed persistent C. albicans vaginal colonisation at significantly lower levels (P < 0.05) than that in untreated or metronidazole‐treated EDVC mice. Lactobacillus was only detected in the reproductive tracts of yogurt‐treated naïve and EDVC mice. These findings suggest that the presence of Lactobacillus in the reproductive tract can suppress C. albicans growth and the antibiotics may predispose to VC.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme criteria for the use of tumour necrosis factor‐α inhibitors in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in Australia: are they evidence based?
Authors: Smith M. D. , Ahern M. J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground: In 2004, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listed infliximab as a subsidised treatment for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Eligibility to receive this treatment for AS involved fulfilling several criteria.Aim: To examine the medical literature concerning response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α inhibitors in AS and compare with the PBS criteria for these agents.Methods: Review of published studies and analysis of the PBS criteria for the prescription of TNF inhibitors for the treatment of AS to assess whether the published criteria are evidence based.Results: The published findings on the prediction of response to TNF inhibitors in the treatment of AS suggest that age, duration of disease, disease activity, functional status at the time of commencement of TNF inhibitors and, possibly, level of acute phase reactants predict the outcome of treatment with TNF inhibitors in AS. The PBS criteria do not reflect the published findings on predictors of response to TNF inhibitors.Conclusion: The current PBS criteria that need to be fulfilled for patients to receive subsidised treatment with TNF inhibitors for AS are not evidence based and will lead to the selection of patients with established disease while excluding patients with early disease.
Communication deficiencies in research and monitoring by ethics committees
Authors: Karunaratne A. S. , Myles P. S. , Ago M. J. , Komesaroff P. A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAim: To assess the range of issues that arise for researchers, research participants and ethics committee members in the setting of a hospital‐based research environment and to develop a tool that could be used to assist in the process of monitoring.Methods: A qualitative phase comprising focus group sessions and interviews involving research participants, researchers and ethics committee members of a public teaching hospital and a quantitative phase involving distribution of a questionnaire to research participants and researchers. The data from the qualitative phase were used to assist with the development of the quantitative instrument. Descriptive statistics were derived to describe the various attitudes and practices with respect to the conduct of research.Results: The qualitative study identified issues concerning monitoring procedures and the quality of communication between researchers and study participants. The quantitative analysis showed that parts of the Explanatory Statement (also known as the Participant Information Statement) were incomprehensible to 21% of research participants; the Explanatory Statement was considered too long by 34% of researchers; 6% of researchers believed that explicit consent was not always necessary; of the participants who were out of pocket for attending a study, 53% were offered compensation; and 44% of research participants were unaware of the existence of the ethics committee. In addition, 12% of researchers felt that the quality of monitoring should be improved.Conclusions: Improvements are necessary in the communication between ethics committees and researchers and research participants, and there is a need for more effective monitoring by ethics committees of research practices. The questionnaire designed for this study could be applied in a prospective manner as a useful tool for monitoring the conduct of research.
Management of chronic hepatitis B virus infection: a new era of disease control
Authors: Farrell G. C. , Teoh N. C. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractWhen assessing patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, consider the state of viral replication, the immune response and whether viral mutations could be present, as well as evidence for liver disease or extrahepatic manifestations. In wild‐type infections, loss of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), gain of anti‐HBe and disappearance of HBV DNA from serum indicate immunosuppression of viral replication, or ‘nonreplicative chronic HBV infection’. This ‘healthy carrier’ state must be distinguished from HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) resulting from precore and core promoter mutations. HBeAg‐negative CHB is common with genotypes D (Mediterranean region, south Asia) and C (north Asia) infections. Age, disease activity (alanine aminotransferase level) and severity (fibrosis stage, cirrhosis) influence treatment decisions. Following the marginal effectiveness of interferon and often temporary effectiveness of lamivudine due to drug resistance, treatment of CHB is entering a new era. Adefovir, entecavir, tenofovir, telbivudine and clevudine have equal or superior antiviral efficacy to lamivudine, whereas several agents are effective against lamivudine‐resistant HBV. Pegylated‐interferon (peginterferon) is superior to conventional interferon for obtaining sustained immunosuppression of HBV without drug resistance. Antiviral suppression of HBV replication for 2–5 years reverses hepatic fibrosis, prevents cirrhosis and, when cirrhosis is established, improves liver function, prevents hepatic decompensation and lowers the risk of liver cancer. Before embarking on immunosuppressive chemotherapy or organ transplantation in patients with chronic HBV infection, it is important to start antiviral therapy to prevent hepatitis flares. Antiviral therapy can be effective against membranous glomerulonephritis and polyarteritis nodosa caused by HBV. Further improvements in treatment of CHB are needed to prevent drug resistance and permanently suppress viral replication by eradicating viral templates or stimulating host immune responsiveness to HBV.
Impact of elective resection on plasma TIMP‐1 levels in patients with colon cancer
Authors: Hammer J. H. , Basse L. , Svendsen M. N. , Werther K. , Brünner N. , Christensen I. J. , Nielsen H. J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjective  Pre‐ and post‐operative plasma tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1 (TIMP‐1) levels have a prognostic impact on patients with colorectal cancer. However, the surgical trauma may play an essential role in regulation of plasma TIMP‐1 levels, which in turn may influence subsequent TIMP‐1 measurements.Patients and methods  Consecutively, 48 patients with colon cancer (CC) and 12 patients with nonmalignant colonic disease were randomised to undergo elective laparoscopically assisted or open resection followed by fast track recovery. Plasma samples were collected just before and 1, 2 and 6 h after skin incision, and 1, 2, 8 and 30 days after surgery. TIMP‐1 was determined concurrently in all samples by a validated ELISA method.Results  Geometric mean preoperative TIMP‐1 level was 142 ng/ml (range 54–559 ng/ml) among CC patients compared with 106 ng/ml (range 64–167 ng/ml) among patients with nonmalignant diseases (P < 0.0001). TIMP‐1 levels were decreased significantly 2 h after skin incision compared to the preoperative levels returning to preoperative levels at 6 h. A highly significant (P < 0.0001) maximum level was observed 1 day after surgery and was decreasing to preoperative levels 30 days after surgery. Patients undergoing laparoscopically assisted or open resection had similar TIMP‐1 levels at each time point.Conclusions  Major surgery has considerable impact on plasma TIMP‐1 levels. Intra‐ and post‐operative changes of plasma TIMP‐1 levels are independent of the surgical approach, and resection for CC does not lead to a significant decrease of plasma TIMP‐1 levels within 30 days postoperatively.
Sacral neuromodulation; does it affect colonic transit time in patients with faecal incontinence?
Authors: Uludaǧ Ö. , Koch S. M. P. , Dejong C. H. C. , van Gemert W. G. , Baeten C. G. M. I. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjective  Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has been a successful treatment in urinary voiding disorders for years. A concomitant effect on bowel function was observed leading to the treatment of faecal incontinence with SNM. In this study we describe the effect of SNM on bowel frequency and (segmental) colonic transit time.Patients and methods  Fourteen patients with faecal incontinence who qualified for permanent SNM underwent a colon transit study before and one month after permanent implant. Patients completed a three‐week bowel habits diary before and during stimulation.Results  Median incontinence episodes and days per week before SNM were, 8.7 and 4.2, respectively, and both decreased significantly to 0.67 (P = 0001) and 0.5 (P = 0001) during trial screening and to 0.33 (P = 0001) and 0.33 (P = 0001) after permanent implant. The median number of bowel movements per week decreased from 14.7 (6.7–41.7) to 10.0 (3.7–22.7)(P = 0005) during trial screening and to 10.0 (6.0–24.3)(P = 0008) during permanent stimulation. Resting and squeeze pressures did not change significantly during stimulation. Segmental colonic transit time before and during stimulation for right colon, left colon and recto sigmoid were, respectively, 6 (0–25) vs 5 (0–16) hours, 2 (0–29) vs 4 (0–45) hours and 7 (28) vs 8 (0–23) hours. No significant changes were found in both segmental and total colonic transit time; 17 (1–65) vs 25 (0–67) hours.Conclusion  SNM in patients with fecal incontinence led to a significant decrease of bowel movements however (segmental) colonic transit time was not influenced.
The use of intra‐operative endo‐anal ultrasound in perianal disease
Authors: Tilney H. S. , Heriot A. G. , Trickett J. P. , Massouh H. , Edwards D. P. , Mellor S. G. , Gudgeon A. M. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractIntroduction  Endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) has demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for the structural imaging of anorectal pathology. This study prospectively assessed the impact of intra‐operative EAUS on the surgical management of perianal disease.Methods  EAUS was performed prior to and after examination under anaesthesia (EUA) in a consecutive series of patients with perianal disease. The impact of EAUS on the surgery performed was identified.Results  Forty‐three procedures have been performed in 38 patients (21 male, 17 female; mean age 42.7 years, range 6–76 years) over a three year period. Pathologies encountered were fistula‐in‐ano (42%), fissure‐in‐ano (26%), complicated perianal sepsis (16%) and carcinoma (5%). No specific abnormality was identified in 5 symptomatic patients (12%). Four patients with fissures had undergone previous sphincterotomy. In 22 cases (51.2%) the EAUS findings affected the surgical management (extent of muscle above a fistula 9 cases, extent of sphincterotomy 7 cases, site of sepsis identified 2 cases, exclusion of sepsis 2 cases, assessment of cancer resectability 1 case, biopsy of intersphincteric lesion 1 case).Conclusion  Intra‐operative EAUS accurately identifies perianal disease and influences the surgical procedure performed. While not essential, it is a useful adjunct especially in recurrent perianal sepsis, undiagnosed anorectal pain and anal fissure.
A double‐blind randomized dose‐response study comparing daily doses of 5, 10 and 15 mg controlled‐release oxybutynin: balancing efficacy with severity of dry mouth
Authors: CORCOS JAQUES , CASEY RICHARD , PATRICK ALLAN , ANDREOU CAL , MICELI PAULA C. , REIZ JOSEPH L. , HARSANYI ZOLTAN , DARKE ANDREW C. ,   FOR THE UROMAX STUDY GROUP
Published: February 2006

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy, incidence of dry mouth and overall satisfaction with initial doses of 5, 10 and 15 mg of a new, once‐daily, controlled‐release (CR) form of oxybutynin for treating urge urinary incontinence (UUI).PATIENTS AND METHODSPatients who reported urinary incontinence (UI) (one or more episodes/diary) and voiding frequency (eight or more voids/day) or urgency (one or more episodes/diary) during a 2‐week baseline were randomized to once‐daily 5, 10 or 15 mg CR oxybutynin for 4 weeks. Daily episodes of UI, voids, urgency, adverse events, dry mouth and satisfaction were recorded in a 3‐day diary at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment. In all, 237 patients were randomized and evaluated.RESULTSEpisodes of UI, voids and urgency were significantly reduced over the study period at all doses. Daily UI episodes were significantly lower with 15 mg/day than 5 and 10 mg/day. Dry mouth symptoms were similar in the 10 and 15 mg/day groups, and higher than in the 5 mg/day group. However, significantly greater overall satisfaction was reported with 15 than 5 mg/day.CONCLUSIONSThere were significant dose–response relationships with CR oxybutynin for both UI episodes and dry mouth. The greatest satisfaction was with 15 mg/day, and the severity of dry mouth was comparable at 10 mg/day, indicating that greater efficacy at the higher dose did not compromise tolerability.
Medical visits among adults with symptoms commonly associated with an overactive bladder
Authors: KIM SUNNY H. , BOYE MARK , BHATTACHARYYA SAMIR K. , COYNE KARIN , DHAWAN RAVINDER 
Published: February 2006

OBJECTIVESTo examine nationally representative data and thus obtain estimates of the use of healthcare providers associated with the overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, a condition characterized by frequency, urgency and nocturia, with or with no urge incontinence, as although it is ranked among the 10 most common chronic medical conditions in the USA, the level of OAB‐associated medical treatment remains largely unknown.METHODSTo estimate the number of annual OAB‐associated medical visits among patients aged ≥18 years, three national databases in the USA (year 2000) were examined: the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, and the National Hospital Discharge Survey. Population estimates were constructed using design‐based statistical analyses to account for the complex survey designs of data.RESULTSDuring 2000, adult Americans made 1.4 million (95% confidence interval 1.1–1.8  million) ambulatory visits to non‐Federal office‐based physicians with International Classification of Disease (ICD‐9) coding indicative of OAB symptoms. Accounting for emergency and outpatient department visits, as well as non‐Federal short‐stay hospital discharges, the estimated number of medical visits with OAB‐associated ICD‐9 coding was <1.5 million.CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of OAB was estimated to be 34 million adult Americans. When 1.4 million ambulatory visits were compared with this prevalence, as few as 4% of adult Americans with OAB sought medical treatment during the year 2000. The present results therefore suggest a large unmet medical need among the population of adult Americans with OAB.
Magnetic resonance renal angiography and venography: an analysis of 111 consecutive scans before donor nephrectomy
Authors: HODGSON DOMINIC J. , JAN WAJANAT , RANKIN SHEILA , KOFFMAN GEOFF , KHAN MOHAMMAD S. 
Published: February 2006

OBJECTIVETo determine the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) renal angiography in predicting vascular anatomy before donor nephrectomy, to determine the significance of missed vessels and to ascertain whether vessels are missed because of technical limitations or errors in interpretation.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 111 consecutive living donations were assessed; the anatomy on MRI before donation was compared with that at nephrectomy. The significance of additional arteries and veins was recorded at the time of donation, with extra vessels either anastomosed or sacrificed. Finally, the scans in which extra vessels had not been identified were re‐examined to establish whether these could be identified retrospectively.RESULTSIn all, 93 kidneys had a single renal artery and 18 had two. All lower pole arteries were anastomosed and all upper pole arteries were sacrificed. Nine arteries were identified before surgery (five were to the lower pole), and nine were missed (four to the lower pole). There were 13 kidneys with more than one vein. Four of these were seen on MRI. However, an extra vein was anastomosed in only one case. On review of the imaging, three arteries were missed because of human error and six due to technical limitations. Of the nine missed veins, only three were easily identified retrospectively. Overall, using MRI as a preoperative investigation for the 111 consecutive cases, the surgeon encountered a previously unidentified accessory artery in nine (8%), and this required anastomosis in four (4%).CONCLUSIONMR angiography has the advantage over computed tomography (CT) of having virtually no side‐effects, and if the small possibility is accepted of missing extra vessels because of technical limitation or interpretation, it is a good investigation. However, in light of the failure to visualize all arteries transplanted, we have started to use multi‐slice (16‐channel) CT to see if its improved spatial resolution alters the results.