bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Intensity of Infection ofCryptosporidiumspp. andGiardia duodenalisin Dairy Cattle in Galicia (NW Spain)
Authors: Castro‐Hermida J. A. , Carro‐Corral C. , González‐Warleta M. , Mezo M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryFaecal samples were collected from 734 cattle selected at random from 60 dairy farms in Galicia (NW Spain). The animals studied were classified into 12 age groups: <1 month (53); 1–5 months (30); 6–11 months (31); 12–16 months (72); 17–20 months (64); 21–24 months (96); 3 years (94); 4 years (74); 5 years (67); 6 years (67); 7–8 years (63) and 9–13 years (23). Oocysts ofCryptosporidiumspp. were identified in 104 animals (14.2%) distributed throughout all of the age groups and from 40 different farms (66.7%). The percentage of cattle infected ranged between 58.5% in calves <1 month and 7.9% in 7 to 8‐year‐old cows, i.e. the percentage of infection decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing age. The intensity of infection in animals older than 1 month ranged between 10 and 5924 oocysts/g of faeces and there were no significant differences between the different groups. Cysts ofGiardia duodenaliswere identified in 221 animals (30.1%) from 56 farms (93.3%). The parasite was detected in all age groups, at rates of infection ranging between 21.8% (9–13 years) and 56.7% (1–5 months), although these differences were not statistically significant. The intensity of infection ranged between 7 and 15 412 cysts/g of faeces, with the number of cysts shed being significantly higher (P <  0.05) in calves <1 month than in calves aged 1–5 months. Significant associations between parasitisation byCryptosporidiumspp. orG. duodenalisand the consistency of the faeces were only found in calves aged <1 month and 1–5 months. Concurrent infections were more prevalent in the groups of calves of 1–5 months (23.3%) and 6–11 months (25.8%).
Monitoring of Classical Swine Fever in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in Slovenia
Authors: Vengust G. , Grom J. , Bidovec A. , Kramer M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryClassical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious multi‐systemic haemorrhagic viral disease of pigs. Not only domestic pigs, but also wild boar appear to play a crucial role in the epidemiology of CSF. Spleen (n = 739) and blood coagulum (n = 562) sampled from wild boars (Sus scrofa) shot in 2002, and serum samples from 746 wild boar shot in 2003 and 2004, were tested throughout Slovenia. In 2002, 17 samples were positive on enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for antibodies against classical swine fever virus (CSFV). Positive ELISA test was confirmed by a virus neutralization test. All other samples were negative. This is the first report that describes the epidemiology of CSFV from 2002 on, and the monitoring of the wild boar population in Slovenia at present.
Investigations into the Prevention of Prenatal and Lactogenic Toxocara canis Infections in Puppies by Application of Moxidectin to the Pregnant Dog
Authors: Krämer F. , Hammerstein R. , Stoye M. , Epe C. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryAim of the investigation was to examine whether two administrations of moxidectin to pregnant dogs could prevent pre‐natal and lactogenic infections of puppies with reactivated Toxocara canis larvae. Four pregnant beagles, infected experimentally with 20 000 embryonated eggs of T. canis, were treated subcutaneously with 1 mg moxidectin per kg body weight on days 40 and 55 of pregnancy (5–13 days before parturition). One further dam and its puppies served as untreated control. Two applications of moxidectin completely prevented pre‐natal and lactogenic infections in the puppies. Neither intestinal stages nor somatic larvae were found in the dams or their corresponding puppies. All puppies and dams of the treatment group remained coproscopically negative until 42 days after parturition. The administration of moxidectin did not show any side effects in the dams. None of the puppies of the treated dams showed any pathological abnormalities. In the untreated dam one adult and 26 somatic larvae of T. canis were detected at necropsy. All puppies of the untreated dam showed a patent T. canis infection from day 28 post‐natum (p.n.); 296 pre‐adult and adult stages of T. canis were spontaneously eliminated and 51 intestinal stages and five somatic larvae of T. canis were recovered at necropsy. In contrast to the puppies of the treated dams all negative control puppies showed blood eosinophilia after parturition and elevated liver enzyme levels.
Prevalence and Pathogenicity ofCryptosporidium suisin Pre‐ and Post‐weaned Pigs
Authors: Vítovec J. , Hamadejová K. , Landová L. , Kváč M. , Květonˇová D. , Sak B. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryA total of 4338 faecal samples, 135 of sows, 3368 of pre‐weaned and 835 of post‐weaned piglets from eight farms in South Bohemia, Czech Republic were collected and examined forCryptosporidiuminfection. No sow, but 5.7% pre‐weaned and 24.1% post‐weaned piglets were positive forCryptosporidiuminfection. No relationship was found between diarrhoea andCryptosporidiuminfection in any of the different age groups (pre‐ and post‐weaned piglets). Four piglets, which were sporadically shedding cryptosporidia in faeces, were necropsied. Neither clinical signs of diarrhoea nor macroscopical changes were found. Histologically, a moderate infection of cryptosporidia was detected in the glandular epithelium along the large intestine, with predisposition to the ansa centralis of the colon. No inflammatory response in the lamina propria was observed. Cryptosporidia were also commonly found in the glandular epithelium of submucosal lymphoglandular complexes in the colon.Cryptosporidiumisolates from all farms were identified asCryptosporidium suisusing molecular markers (SSU rRNA). All of theC. suisstrains obtained were larger [6.2 (6.0–6.8) × 5.5 (5.3–5.7) μm] than any isolate described so far [4.6 (4.4–4.9) × 4.2 (4.0–4.3) μm] and did not appear to be infective for neonatal BALB/c mice.
Immunization of Sows in an Integrated Pig‐breeding Herd using a Homologous Inactivated Salmonella Vaccine Decreases the Prevalence of Salmonella typhimurium Infection in the Offspring
Authors: Roesler U. , Heller P. , Waldmann K.‐H. , Truyen U. , Hensel A. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe efficacy of a homologous vaccination in preventing infection of suckling piglets with Salmonella (S.) Typhimurium was evaluated after an immunization of pregnant sows using an inactivated herd‐specific S. Typhimurium vaccine. Twenty‐five pregnant sows were vaccinated three times antepartum. The efficiency of this vaccine regime was assessed by comparison with a control group of 37 sows and their suckling piglets, which were daily treated with enrofloxacin from day 14 antepartum until the day of weaning. From the first day of life until day 142 post‐partum, faecal samples of the piglets were collected and analysed for Salmonella shedding. In parallel, systemic antibody responses were monitored using a whole cell‐based isotype‐specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The bacteriological investigation showed marked effects of vaccination. Salmonella Typhimurium could not be detected in any of the faecal samples of the piglets from the vaccinated sows. In contrast, the piglets of the group with long‐time antibiotic treatment shed salmonellae rating to 47.4% of the animals. Furthermore, the offspring from vaccinated sows showed significantly decreased antibody activities of immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG. These bacteriological and serological results indicate a significantly lower Salmonella prevalence in piglets of the vaccinated group. As this study shows, the presented strategy of vaccination of pregnant sows with an inactivated Salmonella vaccine seems to be a suitable measure in decreasing Salmonella prevalence in offspring of infected sows.
Antibody Response toMycoplasma hyopneumoniaeInfection in Vaccinated Pigs with or without Maternal Antibodies induced by Sow Vaccination
Authors: Martelli P. , Terreni M. , Guazzetti S. , Cavirani S. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryVaccination with bacterins is an important tool for the control ofMycoplasma hyopneumoniaeinfection of pigs. Because such vaccination often involves piglets that have suckledM. hyopneumoniaeantibody‐positive dams it is important to understand the effect of pre‐existing (passively acquired) antibody on vaccine‐induced immunity. To investigate this issue experimentally, 20 sows that were seronegative forM. hyopneumoniaewere selected from aM. hyopneumoniae‐infected herd and then randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups (five sows/group): Group A, vaccinated sows/vaccinated piglets; Group B, vaccinated sows/non‐vaccinated piglets; Group C, non‐vaccinated sows/vaccinated piglets; Group D, non‐vaccinated sows/non‐vaccinated piglets. Sows (Groups A and B) were vaccinated 14 days before farrowing and seroconverted within the next 14 days. Conversely, none of the non‐vaccinated sows was seropositive at farrowing. Piglets (Groups A and C) were vaccinated when they were 7 days of age. Regardless of treatments none of the piglets had any evidence of an active immune response until many of those of Groups A and C and a few of those of Groups B and D seroconverted after it had been shown that at least some pigs of all groups had been naturally infected with a field strain ofM. hyopneumoniae. This pattern of immune responsiveness (i.e. the collective results of Groups A, B, C and D) suggested that vaccination of pigs had primed their immune system for subsequent exposure toM. hyopneumoniae, and that passively acquired antibody had little or no effect on either a vaccine‐induced priming or a subsequent anamnestic response. According to the statistical analysis sow serological status did not interfere with the antibody response in early vaccinated piglets. In conclusion, the results pointed out that early vaccination of piglets may assistM. hyopneumoniaecontrol independently from the serological status of sows.
Sex‐dependent expression of seven housekeeping genes in rat liver
Authors: VERMA ASHISH S , SHAPIRO BERNARD H 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Sexual differences in the transcript levels of various genes including the hepatic isoforms of cytochrome P450 have been extensively studied. Expression of these sexual dimorphic genes have been quantified by Northern blotting, nuclear run on assays and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) methods using numerous housekeeping genes to normalize results. Earlier reports apparently assumed that these internal controls were sex‐independent. We have studied sex differences in the expression levels of seven different commonly used housekeeping genes.Method:  We have used quantitative and semiquantitative RT‐PCR to monitor the levels of hepatic mRNAs in intact and hypophysectomized male and female rats.Results:  We have observed sex‐dependent expression of the commonly used housekeeping genes tubulin, cyclophilin, tyrosine aminotransferase, β‐actin, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, 18S and one unconventional housekeeping gene, that is, hypoxia inducing factor‐1α, in the livers of intact male and female rats. With the exception of glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase and 18S which were female‐predominant (P < 0.01), the five other genes were found to be expressed at significantly (P < 0.01) higher concentrations in the livers of intact male rats. Similar to findings in which hypophysectomy eliminates sexual dimorphisms in cytochromes P450 expression, of the five housekeeping genes examined, cylophilin, tyrosine aminotransferase, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, β‐actin, and 18S, all lost their sex‐dependent expression following pituitary ablation.Conclusion:  Our data suggest that expression levels of these commonly measured housekeeping genes (structural and metabolic) are not constant, but rather are directly or indirectly regulated by sex‐dependent hormones, compromising their application as normalizing controls.
Endoscopic transpapillary nasopancreatic drainage alone to treat pancreatic ascites and pleural effusion
Authors: BHASIN DEEPAK KUMAR , RANA SURINDER SINGH , SIYAD ISMAIL , PODDAR UJJAL , THAPA BABU RAM , SINHA SAROJ KANT , NAGI BIRINDER 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground:  Pancreatic ascites and pleural effusion are uncommon sequelae of pancreatitis and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic decompression of the pancreatic duct through transpapillary stent or nasopancreatic drain (NPD) has shown encouraging results but the experience is limited. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic transpapillary nasopancreatic drainage in patients with pancreatic ascites and pleural effusion.Methods:  Over a period of 9 years, 10 patients (eight male) with pancreatic ascites and/or pleural effusion with pancreatic duct disruption documented on pancreatogram were studied. After informed consent, endoscopic transpapillary NPD was placed. The end‐points were resolution of ascites and/or pleural effusion or need for surgery.Results:  Of 10 patients (age range: 13 months−46 years), four patients had only ascites, four had only pleural effusion and two had both ascites and pleural effusion. Ascites and/or pleural effusion resolved in all the patients within 4 weeks of placement of NPD. The healing of ductal disruption was demonstrated by nasopancreatogram as early as 2 weeks and NPD could be removed without necessitating another endoscopy. No major complications related to NPD placement were noted. There was no recurrence of pancreatic ascites and/or pleural effusion at a mean follow up of 39 months.Conclusions:  Pancreatic ascites and pleural effusion can be effectively treated by endoscopic retrograde pancreatography and transpapillary NPD placement.
Peliosis hepatis in a living related liver transplantation donor candidate
Authors: Testa Giuliano , Panaro Fabrizio , Sankary Howard , Chejfec Gregorio , Mohanty Smruti , Benedetti Enrico , Layden Thomas 
Published: May 2006

AbstractPeliosis hepatis is a rare benign condition histologically characterized by multiple cystic blood‐filled spaces distributed throughout the liver parenchyma. Peliosis hepatis has been associated with malignancies, immunosuppression, infections and medications. We report a case of peliosis hepatis in a candidate for living liver donation, which regressed with restitutio ad integrum, after the noxious stimulus was stopped. We conclude that after diagnosis of peliosis hepatis is established and its cause is removed, simple radiographic imaging is sufficient to document the restitutio ad integrum of the parenchyma, avoiding repeat histological confirmation.
Efficacy of peppermint oil as an antispasmodic during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Authors: Yamamoto Natsuyo , Nakai Yousuke , Sasahira Naoki , Hirano Kenji , Tsujino Takeshi , Isayama Hiroyuki , Komatsu Yutaka , Tada Mimoru , Yoshida Haruhiko , Kawabe Takao , Hiki Naoki , Kaminishi Michio , Kurosaka Hanzo , Omata Masao 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground:  During endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), hyoscine‐N‐butylbromide (Buscopan) or glucagon is used to inhibit duodenal motility. However, they may cause adverse effects. Peppermint oil has an antispasmodic effect and is used as a less hazardous antispasmodic during colonoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The purpose of the present paper was therefore to investigate peppermint as an antispasmodic for ERCP.Methods:  Forty patients were enrolled prospectively. They were assigned to four groups according to the peppermint oil concentration and site of administration: group 1, 20 mL of 1.6% solution around duodenal papilla; group 2, 20 mL of 1.6% solution both to the antrum of the stomach and around the duodenal papilla; group 3, 20 mL of 3.2% solution around the duodenal papilla; and group 4, 3.2% solution both to the antrum and around the duodenal papilla. Glucagon or hyoscine‐N‐butylbromide was added when duodenal peristalsis was not adequately diminished. Sixteen patients undergoing ERCP with glucagon were employed as historical controls.Results:  The ERCP was attempted in all except one patient in group 2 who had bleeding from invaded tumor to the duodenum. Peppermint administration equally reduced duodenal motility in the groups. Duodenal movement was none or mild in 69.2% of patients. The ERCP was successfully performed with peppermint alone in 91.4% of patients (37/39). Glucagon or hyoscine‐N‐butylbromide was needed in one patient each in groups 1 and 4. Serious complications related to peppermint oil did not occur. Inhibitory effect of peppermint appears to be identical to that of glucagon.Conclusion:  Duodenal relaxation was obtained with 20 mL of 1.6% peppermint oil solution in the duodenum, but additional administration may be required. Peppermint oil is useful as an antispasmodic agent for ERCP.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease in Asian countries: Disorder of nature or nurture?
Authors: Ho Khek Yu , Cheung Ting Kin , Wong Benjamin Cy 
Published: May 2006

AbstractGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is less prevalent in Asia than in the West, but there is now evidence to suggest that its frequency is rapidly rising in Asia. The different prevalence rates reported in various Asian studies may represent different points in the ‘rising’ phase of GERD. The cause for the lower but increasing prevalence of GERD in Asia is not known, but genetics and to some extent environmental factors, may have initially protected Asians against GERD. However, with the recent globalization of economies, the associated lifestyle changes in many developing Asian countries may have tipped the balance in favor of the development of GERD.
Effect of oral esomeprazole on recurrent bleeding after endoscopic treatment of bleeding peptic ulcers
Authors: Wei Kou‐Liang , Tung Shui‐Yi , Sheen Cheng‐Han , Chang Te‐Shen , Lee I‐Lin , Wu Cheng‐Shyong 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground:  After endoscopic treatment of bleeding peptic ulcer, a high‐dose infusion of omeprazole substantially reduces the risk of recurrent bleeding. The role of oral proton pump inhibitors for these patients is uncertain. The purpose of the present study was to assess whether the use of oral esomeprazole would reduce the frequency of recurrent bleeding after endoscopic treatment of bleeding peptic ulcers.Methods:  Patients with actively bleeding ulcers or ulcers with non‐bleeding visible vessels were treated with an epinephrine injection followed by thermocoagulation. After hemostasis had been achieved, they were randomly assigned in a double‐blind fashion to receive esomeprazole (40 mg p.o. twice daily for 3 days) or placebo. The outcome measures studied were recurrent bleeding, blood transfusion requirement, surgery and death.Results:  A total of 70 patients were enrolled, 35 in each group. Bleeding recurred within 30 days in two patients (5.7%) in the esomeprazole group, as compared with three (8.6%) in the placebo group (P = 0.999). Blood transfusion requirement was 2.8 ± 1.4 units in the esomeprazole group and 2.7 ± 1.3 units in the placebo group (P = 0.761). Duration of hospitalization was 4.82 ± 1.8 days in the esomeprazole group and 4.58 ± 2.7 days in the placebo group (P = 0.792). No patients needed surgery for control of bleeding and no patients died in both groups.Conclusions:  After successful endoscopic treatment of bleeding peptic ulcer, oral use of esomeprazole might offer no additional benefit on the risk of recurrent bleeding.
Metabolic factors involved in the therapeutic response of patients with hepatitis C virus‐related chronic hepatitis
Authors: Tarantino Giovanni , Conca Paolo , Sorrentino Paolo , Ariello Manuela 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground:  The purpose of the present paper was to investigate the factors possibly involved in the failure of pegylated interferon (Peg IFN) plus ribavirin treatment at standard dosage in hepatitis C virus (HCV) 1b patients, with chronic hepatitis.Methods:  A fully screened population of 40 virological non‐responders (NR) to combined antiviral therapy was selected and matched, 1:1, with a similar cohort of end‐therapy virological responders (R).Results:  Waist circumference, glucose metabolic impairment, body mass index, non‐genetic iron overload, steatosis and fibrosis severity and, finally, arterial hypertension were statistically more frequent in the NR group on Peg IFN plus ribavirin. Increased waist circumference was the strong independent predictor of therapeutical failure. Interestingly, the concomitant presence of cofactors was more significantly represented in NR, whereas in the R cohort this association was found in a few cases only.Conclusion:  Insulin‐resistance syndrome could contribute to non‐response in treated chronic HCV patients, suggesting the presence of dysmetabolic factors that frequently cluster in a critical combination.
Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis A virus in Brazilian Amazon
Authors: De Paula Vanessa Salete , Niel Christian , Teves Simone Caldas , Villar Lívia Melo , Virgolino Helaine , Gaspar Ana Maria Coimbra 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground:  Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is highly endemic in the Amazon. However, few data are available regarding HAV genotypes circulating in this region of the world. The aim of the present study was to characterize genetically HAV isolates circulating in the Brazilian part of the Amazon.Methods:  Blood samples were collected from 134 IgM anti‐HAV positive patients (sporadic cases). Viral RNA was extracted and the virion protein (VP)1/2A junction region of the HAV genome was successfully amplified by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction for 81 samples (60.4%). Nucleotide sequences (210 bp) of the 81 isolates were determined.Results:  All HAV samples were from genotype I, with 78 (96.3%) belonging to subgenotype IA and three (3.7%) to subgenotype IB. By phylogenetic analysis, it was shown that 72/78 of the subgenotype IA isolates formed a cluster separated from the other South American HAV isolates previously characterized.Conclusion:  The present study provides valuable new data on the genetic relatedness of HAV from the Amazon. Subgenotype IB circulates in the Brazilian Amazon but the predominant genotype is 1A, similar to what occurs in most South American countries.
Increase of mast cells may be associated with infiltration of eosinophils and proliferation of microvessels in gastric eosinophilic granuloma
Authors: Li Xi , Gao Zhen‐Jun , Cao Ji‐Wang , Yu Bao‐Ping , Song Liu‐Lai , Luo He‐Sheng 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground:  Gastric eosinophilic granuloma (GEG) is a rare disease. Recently this disease has begun to increase in China. In the present study, the function and the role of mast cells (MC) in the pathogenesis of GEG were investigated.Methods:  Paraffin‐embedded tissue sections from 23 GEG patients and 15 gastric ulcer (GU) patients, were stained with antihuman mast cell tryptase for counting the MC and degranulated MC. Antihuman CD34 antibody was used for detecting the microvessel density (MVD) with immunohistochemical technique. Mast cell degranulation was also studied using electron microscopy.Results:  The quantity of both MC and degranulated MC were higher in both GEG and GU than in normal gastric mucosa. The proportion of degranulated MC was higher in the GEG but in GU it was similar to normal mucosa. The MVD was higher in both GU and GEG than that in the normal gastric mucosa and it was higher in the high‐MC group than in the low‐MC group in GEG. The positive correlation between eosinophil and MC was present only in GEG, not in GU.Conclusions:  The infiltration of eosinophils and MVD may be associated with the increase of MC in GEG. This suggests that in addition to eosinophils, MC might be the important cells in the pathogenesis of GEG.