bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Competitive exclusion between contest and scramble strategists in Callosobruchus seed–beetle modeling
Authors: Ishii Yumiko , Shimada Masakazu 
Published: March 2008

AbstractInterspecific competition between an intermediate contest strain of Callosobruchus maculatus and a scramble strain of C. chinensis was investigated on two types of resource beans: the azuki (Vigna anguralis, small seed) and the black‐eye bean (Vigna unguiculata, large seed). We conducted both single‐generation competition experiments and multiple‐generation experiments and then analyzed the system with a discrete version of the Lotka–Volterra competition model. The estimated competition coefficients showed the competitive dominance of the C. maculatus strain over the C. chinensis strain in both types of bean. Zero‐growth isocline analysis based on the predicted model showed that an overall dominance of the contest species, C. maculatus, in azuki beans, whereas the outcome of competition was dependent on the initial population size of each species in the black‐eye beans. In the multiple‐generation experiments, C. maculatus was the successful competitor irrespective of the ratio of the two beans, whereas C. chinensis overcame C. maculatus in one of five replicates with the black‐eye beans system. When we incorporated the cost of scramble competition, or density‐dependent reduction in body mass into the predicted model, the model alteration decreased the survival region of C. chinensis in phase space on the black‐eye bean. Thus, the competitive equations, which do not consider the density‐dependent body size reduction, tend to overestimate the advantages of scramble strategists.
BNP and NT‐proBNP predict echocardiographic severity of diastolic dysfunction
Authors: Grewal Jasmine , McKelvie Robert , Lonn Eva , Tait Peter , Carlsson Jonas , Gianni Monica , Jarnert Christina , Persson Hans 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAims:To evaluate the best combination of clinical parameters and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N‐terminal pro‐BNP (NT‐proBNP), to predict diastolic dysfunction (DD) in heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HF‐PLEF) as determined by Doppler‐echocardiography.Methods and Results:HF patients with EF > 40% in the CHARM Echocardiographic Substudy were included and classified to have normal diastolic function, or mild, moderate or severe diastolic dysfunction. Plasma BNP and NT‐proBNP levels were measured and relevant clinical characteristics recorded. 181 participants were included in this analysis, 72 (40%) had moderate to severe DD. A model including age, sex, BNP, body mass index, history of atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and left atrial volume was highly predictive of moderate to severe DD; AUC 0.81 (0.73–0.88; p < 0.0001). Similarly, substitution of BNP with NT‐proBNP resulted in an AUC 0.79 (0.72–0.87; p < 0.0001). In these models; BNP> 100 pg/ml (OR 6.24 CI 2.42–16.09, p=0.0002), history of diabetes (OR 3.52 CI 1.43–8.70, p=0.006) and NT‐proBNP > 600 pg/ml (OR 5.93 CI 2.21–15.92, p=0.0004), history of diabetes mellitus (OR 2.75 CI 1.12–6.76, p=0.03) respectively remained independent predictors of DD in HF‐PLEF.Conclusions:Natriuretic peptides were the strongest independent predictors of DD, as determined by Doppler‐echocardiography, in HF‐PLEF.
Visceral helminths of wild boars (Sus scrofa leucomystax) in Japan, with special reference to a new species of the genusMorgascaridiaInglis, (Nematoda: Schneidernematidae)
Authors: Sato H. , Suzuki K. , Yokoyama M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTwenty-nine Japanese wild boars (Sus scrofa leucomystax), collected during the hunting seasons of 2005 and 2006 in the western part of the mainland of Japan (Honshu), were examined for their visceral helminths. Eighteen helminth parasites were prevalent in them, including 17 Nematoda species (Metastrongylus elongatus,Metastrongylus salmi,Metastrongylus asymmetricus,Metastrongylus pudendotechus,Stephanurus dentatus,Gnathostoma doloresi,Physocephalus sexulata,Ascarops strongylina,Capillaria suis,Ascaris suum,Globocephalus samoensis,Globocephalus longimucronatus,Strongyloides ransomi,Trichuris suis,Bourgelatia diducta,Oesophagostomum dentatum, andOesophagostomum watanabei), and one Cestoda species (Pseudanoplocephala nipponensis). Muscle digestion of the diaphragm (using an artificial gastric juice) of 24 wild boars detected a single diplostomulum of probablyPharyngostomum cordatum. In addition, four female and six male adults ofMorgascaridia kugiisp. n. (Nematoda: Schneidernematidae) were recovered from the large intestine of a single wild boar. Examination of an additional 20 samples of the stomach and 27 samples of the large intestine could not find this species. To date, recorded species of the genusMorgascaridiaare limited toM. sellsicollected from wild boars in Uganda and Congo several decades ago, and thence, no records of the recovery are available.Morgascaridia kugiisp. n. differed fromM. sellsiby smaller body dimensions, shorter distance between the precloacal sucker and the cloaca, smaller sizes of the copulatory spicules and the gubernaculum, and smaller sizes of uterine eggs.
The PPARγ agonist pioglitazone is effective in the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease through inhibition of monoamine oxidase B
Authors: Quinn L P , Crook B , Hows M E , Vidgeon‐Hart M , Chapman H , Upton N , Medhurst A D , Virley D J 
Published: March 2008

Background and purpose: The peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPARγ) agonist pioglitazone has previously been shown to attenuate dopaminergic cell loss in the 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of Parkinson's disease, an effect attributed to its anti‐inflammatory properties. In the present investigation, we provide evidence that pioglitazone is effective in the MPTP mouse model, not via an anti‐inflammatory action, but through inhibition of MAO‐B, the enzyme required to biotransform MPTP to its active neurotoxic metabolite 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+).Experimental approach: Mice were treated with pioglitazone (20 mg kg−1 b.i.d. (twice a day), p.o., for 7 days), prior and post or post‐MPTP (30 mg kg−1 s.c.) treatment. Mice were then assessed for motor impairments on a beam‐walking apparatus and for reductions in TH immunoreactivity in the substantia nigra and depletions in striatal dopamine. The effects of pioglitazone on striatal MPP+ levels and MAO‐B activity were also assessed.Key results: Mice treated with MPTP showed deficits in motor performance, marked depletions in striatal dopamine levels and a concomitant reduction in TH immunoreactivity in the substantia nigra. Pretreatment with pioglitazone completely prevented these effects of MPTP. However, pretreatment with pioglitazone also significantly inhibited the MPTP‐induced production of striatal MPP+ and the activity of MAO‐B in the striatum.Conclusions and implications: The neuroprotection observed with pioglitazone pretreatment in the MPTP mouse model was due to the blockade of the conversion of MPTP to its active toxic metabolite MPP+, via inhibition of MAO‐B.
Does the RET variant G691S influence the features of sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma?
Authors: Cardot‐Bauters C. , Leteurtre E. , Leclerc L. , Vantyghem M.‐C. , Do cao C. , Wemeau J.‐L. , D’Herbomez M. , Carnaille B. , Barbu V. , Pinson S. , Pigny P. ,   Groupe d’Etude des Tumeurs Endocrines (GTE)
Published: March 2008

SummaryObjective  The RET (rearranged during transfection) proto‐oncogene G691S variant is over‐represented in the germline of patients with sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (sMTC) vs. normal controls but so far is not associated with any medical or pathological features of the tumour. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of this variant on the age of onset, clinical, biological and pathological features of sMTC.Design and patients  One hundred patients with histologically proven MTC, for whom the germline genetic analysis of RET was negative and medical records were available, were included in the study.Results  Patients with the heterozygous GS variant or the homozygous SS variant (n = 36) were on average 8·0 years younger than patients with the wild‐type GG variant (n = 64, mean age 43·9 vs. 51·9 years, P < 0·01). The former group did not differ from the wild‐type group in terms of MTC size, prevalence of C‐cell hyperplasia (CCH) or papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, the prevalence of an increased preoperative basal calcitonin (bCT) level (> 1000 pg/ml) was 2·75‐fold higher in the patients with the GS or SS variant than in those with the wild‐type variant (P < 0·001). The proportion of patients with lymph node metastases was also higher in the former group (P < 0·05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the presence of the RET variant is independently associated with higher preoperative bCT values (P = 0·011).Conclusions  Our data demonstrate that the RET G691S variant could modulate the age of onset of sMTC as demonstrated previously for familial tumours. Moreover, this variant is an independent predictor of a higher basal calcitonin synthesis rate in patients with sMTC.
Elevation of gastric pH heals peptic oesophagitis ‐ A role for omeprazole
Authors: DOWNTON JOY , DENT JOHN , HEDDLE RICHARD , TOOULI JAMES , BUCKLE PETER J. , MACKINNON A. MALCOLM , WYMAN J. BRYANT 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that the prolonged and substantial elevation of gastric pH which can be achieved with the antisecretory agent omeprazole will result in healing of peptic oesophagitis. Eight patients with erosive or ulcerative peptic oesophagitis were treated with omeprazole (30 mg daily) for 8 weeks. Complete healing occurred in seven patients after 8 weeks of omeprazole therapy. Only a small area of residual ulceration persisted in one unhealed patient. Heartburn resolved within the first 2 weeks of therapy in all but one patient. Specific food intolerances also were eliminated in most cases. Post‐prandial oesophageal pH monitoring during omeprazole administration showed abolition of acid reflux episodes (pH < 4). This effect appeared to be due solely to the antisecretory effect of omeprazole, since motility measurements demonstrated a continued high frequency of reflux while concurrent gastric pH monitoring showed sustained elevation of gastric pH above 4. These results support the hypothesis that a prolonged and potent inhibition of gastric acid secretion renders refluxed gastric juice sufficiently innocuous to allow healing of severe peptic oesophagitis.
Endoscopic sphincterotomy for retained common duct stones
Authors: CHUNG S. C. S. , LEUNG J. W. C. , LI A.K.C. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTwenty‐one patients with retained stones after biliary surgery were managed by endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction in the postoperative period. The bile duct was cleared of stones in 20 patients (95%). In one patient stone extraction was unsuccessful. There were no complications. Compared to percutaneous trans‐T‐tube tract stone extraction, endoscopic sphincterotomy does not require a 6 week waiting period. Endoscopic sphincterotomy should be considered for retained bile duct stones if endoscopic expertise is available.
Gastrin and somatostatin cells in dyspeptic patients with and without duodenal ulcer: A quantitative study based on multiple biopsy specimens
Authors: JIE CHEN , TONG‐HUA LIU , SHENG‐FANG YE , CHANG‐FANG GU , SHOU‐PO CHEN 
Published: March 2008

AbstratThe numbers of immunoreactive gastrin and somatostatin cells in gastric and duodenal mucosal biopsy specimens from dyspeptic patients with duodenal ulcers and dyspeptic controls without ulcers were calculated using a morphometric method. The levels of gastrin and somatostatin in the tissue were also measured by the radioimmunoassay. The results showed no significant difference in the number of G cells and the level of gastrin in the tissue between the ulcer and non‐ulcer groups. However, the number of D cells and the level of somatostatin in the tissue in ulcer patients were remarkably reduced in comparison with those in non‐ulcer patients (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The G: D cells and gastrin: somatostatin ratios in ulcer patients were much higher than those in the non‐ulcer control group. It is considered that the reduction of D cells and the relative lack of somatostatin in duodenal ulcer patients might have a role in the mechanism of the duodenal ulceration.
Haem in the gut. I. Fate of haemoproteins and the absorption of haem
Authors: YOUNG GRAEME P. , ROSE IAN S. , ST JOHN D. JAMES B. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTHaem (FeII‐protoporphyrin‐IX) is presented to the gut lumen as haemoproteins derived from exogenous (dietary) and endogenous (mucosal cell desquamation and bleeding) sources. Haemoproteins such as haemoglobin, myoglobin and catalase undergo hydrolysis by luminal proteases to release the haem. Released haem is maintained in a soluble form in the gut lumen by the products of haemoprotein digestion. Chelators of elemental iron do not bind haem‐iron and so haem‐iron is better absorbed than elemental iron. Haem‐iron does not exchange with luminal elemental iron. Mucosal uptake of haem is limited. Less than 10% binds to the brush border of the villus cell. Although the mechanisms by which haem binds to the brush border and is transported to the intracellular environment are poorly understood, it is known that some haem is transferred to secondary lysosomes where the porphyrin ring is split to release iron and form bilirubin. Depending upon the composition of the diet, the iron released from haem within the villus cell can be the major physiological source of iron. In iron‐deficiency in humans, absorption of haem‐iron can increase threefold whereas absorption of elemental‐iron can increase tenfold. These observations indicate that haem‐iron and elemental‐iron are absorbed via different mechanisms which are subject to different regulation. For haem‐iron to be absorbed, the haem itself must be taken up by the mucosa.
Mechanism of action of Roter (bismuth subnitrate) in patients with duodenal ulcer disease and healthy volunteers
Authors: PUGH S. , LEWIN M. R. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe effects of Roter (compound bismuth subnitrate) on antacid activity and mucosal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis were variously investigated in patients with duodenal ulcer disease and healthy volunteers. Roter had a significant but small antacid activity with a buffering capacity of 10.9 mmol per tablet. In healthy volunteers, this was assessed by 24 h gastric pH monitoring on matched days with and without Roter treatment. The percentage of time that gastric pH was above 3 and the time after a standard meal that the pH was above 3, were both significantly increased by treatment with Roter (II tds post‐cibal) (P 0.01). Endogenous PGE2 synthesis was measured in endoscopic duodenal biopsies taken both before and after Roter treatment in patients with acute untreated duodenal ulceration. There was a significant deficiency of mucosal PGE2 synthesis in untreated patients compared with controls (P 0.005). However, following 4 weeks' treatment with Roter, there was a 90% rate of healing accompanied by a significant increase in PGE2 synthesis (P 0.05) up to control levels.These findings suggest that Roter heals by the combined effects of a modest antacid neutralizing capacity and the ability to restore mucosal prostaglandins to normal levels, thereby mediating prostaglandin‐dependent defence mechanisms.
Bacterial biofilm formation on nasogastric tubes
Authors: MARRIE T. J. , SUNG J. Y. , COSTERTON J. W. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe examined the external surfaces of the gastric portion of nasogastric tubes recovered from hospitalized patients. Most of these surfaces were covered with a thick amorphous biofilm which was shown to be largely composed of microbial microcolonies in which individual cells were enclosed in their exopolysaccharide glycocalyces. Bacteria of many different morphotypes and some yeast cells were found in a fibrillar matrix that appeared to mediate their attachment to the silastic tubing. Within these mature biofilms some microcolonies were structurally intact and apparently vigorous, while others were composed largely of dead cells and empty cell walls. We conclude that nasogastric tubes that remain in patients for as short a time as one day are heavily colonized by a rich variety of biofilm‐forming bacteria and yeasts.
Auto‐immune features in patients with idiopathic chronic active hepatitis who are seronegative for conventional auto‐antibodies
Authors: JOHNSON PHILIP J. , MCFARLANE IAN G. , MCFARLANE BARBARA M. , WILLIAMS ROGER 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH), the absence of the conventional serum auto‐antibodies (antinuclear, smooth muscle and liver‐kidney microsomal) is often taken as evidence against an auto‐immune aetiology and as indicative that the disease is unlikely to respond to immunosuppressive therapy. We report 12 British patients (11 female) who presented with histologically florid CAH (11 with cirrhosis or fibrosis and seven with ascites) but without significant titres of these antibodies or any other demonstrable aetiological feature (cryptogenic CAH), who have been followed up for a median of 5.25 years (range: 0.75–16 years). Ten had hypergammaglobulinaemia and/or specific elevations of serum IgG concentrations at presentation and five of 10 patients tested were found to have the HLA allotypes B8 and DR3. Remission was initially induced with prednisolone with or without azathioprine in all patients. Six patients subsequently relapsed on one or more occasions, either spontaneously while on maintenance therapy or during attempts to withdraw corticosteroids, and required increases or reintroduction of immunosuppressive therapy to regain disease control. Retrospective analysis of pretreatment samples from 11 of the patients revealed that all had been seropositive at presentation for auto‐antibodies against the liver membrane lipoprotein preparation known as liver‐specific membrane lipo‐protein (LSP) and/or against the hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP‐R), titres of which subsequently fluctuated in direct relation to response to treatment. The findings suggest that in this group of patients (i) the absence of conventional auto‐antibodies does not exclude the likelihood of a response to immunosuppressive therapy, (ii) auto‐immune mechanisms underlie the disease, and (iii) screening for anti‐LSP and anti‐ASGP‐R may be useful for discriminating them from patients with chronic non‐A, non‐B viral hepatitis.
Structural and functional changes of the gastric mucosa in rats with portal hypertension
Authors: DOBBS BRUCE R. , HIDER RICHARD N. , BAXTER JOHN N. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTStructural and functional changes of the gastric mucosa were studied in rats made portal hypertensive by partially ligating the portal vein. Studies were carried out at either 3 or 12 days after ligation or sham operation.At 3 days, structural changes were greater than at 12 days, the major effects being vascular congestion in the lamina propria, muscularis mucosa, submucosa, and submucosal oedema. Transmission electron microscopy showed only a mild hyperplasia in the muscularis mucosa.Gastric blood flow appeared to decrease at 3 days post‐ligation compared to sham‐operated control rats, but was significantly increased by 12 days after ligation (P < 0.01). Cardiac output also appeared to increase in the portal hypertensive rats by 12 days post‐ligation but this was not statistically significant; Portal venous inflow was significantly increased by 12 days (P < 0.05) but after correction for collateral circulation liver blood flow had returned to normal values by 12 days post‐ligation.
Endotoxin affects the expansion modes of liver macrophages after partial hepatectomy
Authors: NAKANO ISAO , IMOTO MASAMI , FUKUDA YOSHIHIDE , KOYAMA YASUO , SATAKE TATSUO 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTWe studied the effect of increased endotoxin levels on the expansion modes of liver macrophages after two‐thirds partial hepatectomy using anti‐endotoxin polymyxin B. The expansion consists of dual modes: local proliferation and immigration. Local proliferation of mature cells was evaluated by the S‐phase proportion measured by flow cytometric DNA analysis. This proportion (11.8 ± 1.3% before hepactectomy) decreased to 6.0 ± 1.1% at 12 h and reached a maximum of 21.9 ± 2.7% on the 5th day after hepatectomy. In polymyxin B treated rats, the proportion reached a maximum of 21.1 ± 1.6% at 48 h without any preceding decrease. Immigration of macrophage precursors was evaluated by the decreasing proportion of latex beads‐containing cells that were marked as resident liver macrophages by injection of latex beads before hetatectomy. This proportion (98.7 ± 0.2% before hepatectomy) was significantly decreased to 90.5 ± 1.6% at 48 h. In polymyxin B treated rats, however, the proportion showed no significant decrease within 3 days. These results indicate that endogenous endotoxin, which suppresses the local proliferation and promotes extrahepatic recruitment, regulates the number of liver macrophages in regenerating rat liver.
Significance of different conjugate forms of bilirubin in the formation of pigment gallstones
Authors: KEIDA YUICHI , NAKANO TOORU , TABATA MASAHISA , SHIMIZU SHUJI , NAKAYAMA FUMIO 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe aim of the present study was to analyse bile samples from cases with gallstones by high performance liquid chromatography according to the type of stones present, with special reference to the glucoside and xyloside conjugates of bilirubin, and to investigate their deconjugation. The composition of bilirubin conjugates in bile was similar between cholesterol and black pigment stones except that the total bilirubin concentration was about 5 times higher in black pigment stone cases with haemolysis. Unconjugated bilirubin was higher in brown pigment stone cases than in cholesterol stone cases, although total bilirubin concentration was lower in the former. In addition, in brown pigment stone cases, bile contained statistically less bilirubin diglucuronide and more bilirubin diglucoside and monoglucoside than in bile with cholesterol stones (P<0.05). Glucoside and xyloside conjugates are also major components, regardless of the types of gallstones present, accounting for as much as 18 to 25%. Incubation experiment revealed that bilirubin diglucuronide was more readily deconjugated than bilirubin diglucoside or bilirubin monoglucoside monoxyloside. Therefore, glucuronide conjugates were likely to be the main source of unconjugated bilirubin in the formation of pigment gallstones.
Radiological appearance of pancreatic calculi in tropical versus alcoholic chronic pancreatitis
Authors: CHARI S. , JAYANTHI V. , MOHAN V. , MALATHI S. , MADANAGOPALAN N. , VISWANATHAN M. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTTropical and alcoholic forms of chronic pancreatitis differ in their clinical, aetiological and epidemiological features. We compared the radiological appearances of pancreatic calculi seen on plain roentgenogram of the abdomen of 89 patients with tropical calcific pancreatitis (TCP) and 32 patients with alcoholic calcific pancreatitis (ACP) seen in Madras, Southern India.While TCP was characterized by the frequent occurrence of large, discrete, dense calculi, patients with ACP had typically small, speckled calculi with irregular, hazy margins. The calculi in TCP resembled those described for hereditary pancreatitis. This is the first report comparing the radiological appearances of TCP and ACP patients seen at the same centre.