bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Iodine biofortification and antioxidant capacity of lettuce: potential benefits for cultivation and human health
Authors: Blasco B. , Rios J.J. , Cervilla L.M. , Sánchez‐Rodrigez E. , Ruiz J.M. , Romero L. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIodine is considered an essential trace element for mammals, and its deficiency is related to numerous pathologies as severe as goitre, reproductive failure, mental retardation and brain damage, among others. Currently, about 30% of the world’s population are affected by this deficiency, and thus, in an attempt to ameliorate these nutritional disorders, we propose a biofortification programme with iodine by an application of different dosages and forms of this element (iodide versus iodate) in lettuce plants. In this work, a study has been made of the iodine concentration in roots and edible leaves and their influence on nutritional quality through an analysis of its antioxidant capacity. The results showed that the most appropriate application rates in hydroponic cultivation were 40 μM or lower in the form I− because these concentrations did not reduce biomass in the treated plants with respect to control plants and caused a foliar accumulation of this element that guarantees the viability of this type of programmes. Furthermore, these data are novel, given that the treated plants show a significant increase in antioxidant compounds after the application of iodine.
Mechanism of strong resistance to Potato leafroll virus infection in a clone of potato (Solanum tuberosum)
Authors: Solomon‐Blackburn R.M. , Nikan J. , Barker H 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe Solanum tuberosum clone G8107(1) is highly resistant to Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) accumulation following graft inoculation and to PLRV infection by aphids. In glasshouse/insectary experiments, plants were inoculated with viruliferous aphids (Myzus persicae); infection was detectable in some inoculated leaves (by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) but not in petioles, stems or non‐inoculated leaves of inoculated plants. Secondary infection in tuber‐progeny plants of inoculated plants was rare in G8107(1) (detected in only one of 86 tuber‐progeny plants of 24 inoculated plants), while universal in susceptible controls. This resistance did not break down when tuber sprouts were inoculated or when a more efficient M. persicae vector clone was used. Aphids were able to acquire and transmit PLRV infection from infected plants of G8107(1) to test plants but at a lower frequency than from the susceptible cv. Maris Piper. We suggest that an important element of the very strong resistance of this clone to PLRV infection is resistance to virus movement within leaves or from leaves to petioles, thus preventing spread to the rest of the plant.
Sustained response to interferon‐α plus ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C is closely associated with increased dynamism of intrahepatic natural killer and natural killer T cells
Authors: Yamagiwa Satoshi , Matsuda Yasunobu , Ichida Takafumi , Honda Yutaka , Takamura Masaaki , Sugahara Satoshi , Ishikawa Toru , Ohkoshi Shogo , Sato Yoshinobu , Aoyagi Yutaka 
Published: March 2008

Aim:  Previous studies have revealed that functional impairment of innate immune cells, including natural killer (NK) and natural killer T (NKT) cells, might be associated with the persistence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, the involvement of innate immune cells, which predominate in the liver, in therapeutic HCV clearance is still unclear.Methods:  To clarify the role of intrahepatic innate immune cells in the clinical outcome of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treated with interferon‐α plus ribavirin (IFN/RBV), we prospectively investigated the status of NK and NKT cells in paired liver biopsy and peripheral blood (PB) samples obtained from 21 CHC patients before and immediately after IFN/RBV treatment by flow cytometry. Normal liver and PB samples were obtained from 10 healthy donors for living donor liver transplantation.Results:  Before treatment, intrahepatic NK and NKT cells constituted a significantly lower proportion in CHC patients than in healthy individuals (P < 0.05). After IFN/RBV treatment, the proportions and absolute numbers of CD3‐CD161+ NK and CD3+CD56+ NKT cells in the liver, but not in PB, were significantly increased in sustained responders (SR) as compared with poor responders (P < 0.05). The proportion of CD3+CD161+ NKT cells was also increased in the liver of SR after the treatment. Moreover, there was a striking increase of activated CD152+ cells among CD3+CD56+ NKT cells in the liver of SR (P = 0.041).Conclusion:  These findings demonstrate that sustained response to IFN/RBV treatment for patients with CHC is closely associated with increased dynamism of NK and NKT cells in the liver.
Prevalence of esophagogastric varices in patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Nakamura Shinichi , Konishi Hiroyuki , Kishino Maiko , Yatsuji Satoru , Tokushige Katsutoshi , Hashimoto Etsuko , Shiratori Keiko 
Published: March 2008

Aim: In non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis begins around the central veins, as also happens with alcoholic liver disease, so the symptoms of portal hypertension may be due to central vein occlusion. The aim of this study was to define the prevalence of esophagogastric varices and the clinical outcome after endoscopic treatment in NASH patients with severe fibrosis.Methods: The subjects were 72 patients with clinicopathologically confirmed NASH who had bridging fibrosis (F3) or cirrhosis (F4) determined by the examination of liver biopsy specimens, and who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The prevalence and pattern of endoscopically detected varices at the time of liver biopsy were evaluated. The results of NASH patients (n = 11) with endoscopically treated esophageal varices were compared to those with alcoholic (n = 67) and hepatitis C virus‐associated cirrhosis (n = 152).Results: Esophagogastric varices were detected in 34 out of the 72 (47.2%) patients; esophageal varices in 25 (34.7%) and gastric varices in nine (12.5%), while six of these patients had variceal bleeding. In NASH patients, the cumulative recurrence‐free probability at 24 months after endoscopic treatment was 63.6%, the bleeding‐free probability was 90.9%, and the 5‐year survival was 100%. Only one out 11 patients died of liver failure at 70 months after treatment.Conclusion: About half of NASH patients with severe fibrosis had esophagogastric varices. The clinical status and course of the varices do not necessarily improve after endoscopic treatment. NASH patients with esophagogastric varices need to be followed up carefully, like patients with other chronic liver diseases.
Fulminant hepatitis and late onset hepatic failure in Japan
Authors: Fujiwara Kenji , Mochida Satoshi , Matsui Atsushi , Nakayama Nobuaki , Nagoshi Sumiko , Toda Gotaro ,   Intractable Liver Diseases Study Group of Japan
Published: March 2008

Aim:  A nationwide survey was performed to clarify the present state of fulminant hepatitis and late onset hepatic failure (LOHF) between 1998 and 2003 in Japan.Methods:  Three hundred and sixteen, 318 and 64 patients, respectively, with acute and subacute types of fulminant hepatitis and LOHF, in which grade II or more severe hepatic encephalopathy occurred within 10 days, between 11 days and 8 weeks and between 8 and 24 weeks, respectively, after the onset of disease symptoms, were analyzed.Results:  Complications such as metabolic syndrome were underlying in 41.5% of patients with subacute fulminant hepatitis and 51.6% of patients with LOHF, and most of such patients had received daily medications. The etiology of fulminant hepatitis was viral infection in 71.2% of the acute type and 31.8% in the subacute type. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was found in most of these patients; transient infection prevailed in the acute type; and HBV carrier prevailed in the subacute type. The etiology was unknown in 42.8% and 53.1% of the subacute type and LOHF, respectively. Autoimmune hepatitis and drug allergy‐induced liver injury were found in 10.7% and 11.3%, respectively, of the subacute type. Artificial liver support with plasma exchange and/or hemodiafiltration took place in more than 90% of all patients. The survival rates of the patients without liver transplantation were 53.7% in the acute and 24.4% in the subacute type, and 11.5% in LOHF. The prognosis was especially poor in HBV carriers and patients with autoimmune hepatitis. The survival rates of those who underwent liver transplantation were 56.3%, 39.3% and 23.4% in the acute type, subacute type and LOHF, respectively.Conclusion:  The etiology and prognosis differed in patients with fulminant hepatitis and LOHF depending on the disease types in Japan, and liver transplantation improved the prognosis of the patients irrespective of the disease type and etiology.
Preventive effects of ME3738 on hepatic fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation in rats
Authors: Maeda Kazunori , Koda Masahiko , Matono Tomomitsu , Sugihara Takaaki , Yamamoto Satoru , Ueki Masaru , Murawaki Yoshikazu , Yamashita Nobuyuki , Nishiyama Shoji 
Published: March 2008

Aim:  The aim of this study was to examine the preventive effects of ME3738 on hepatic fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats.Methods:  ME3738 (20 mg/day) was administered orally for 21 days immediately after BDL. Fibrosis was assessed by measuring hepatic hydroxyproline (Hyp) content. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were assessed by α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) immunostaining. Hepatic thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substance (TBARS), 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal (4‐HNE) and 8‐hydroxy‐2‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) immunostaining were used to analyze oxidative stress. The gene expressions of collagen‐I, transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1 (TIMP‐1), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) in the liver were examined by real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR).Results:  Hepatic Hyp content and the area of hepatic fibrosis in BDL rats treated with ME3738 were reduced by 24% and 39% compared with non‐treated BDL rats (hepatic Hyp, 9.40 ± 2.85 vs. 12.39 ± 3.91 mg/liver; P = 0.036; area of hepatic fibrosis, 13.1 ± 3.8 vs. 21.5 ± 10.9; P = 0.045). Furthermore, α‐SMA‐positive cells were significantly reduced by 40% (22.3 ± 14.8 vs. 37.6 ± 14.2; P = 0.011), collagen‐I mRNA by 83% (6.5 ± 2.2 vs. 38.3 ± 9.1; P = 0.002), HO‐1 mRNA by 58% (4.13 ± 1.22 vs. 9.73 ± 1.80; P = 0.018) and hepatic HO‐1 content by 26% (2.13 ± 0.80 vs. 2.87 ± 0.19; P = 0.01) following ME3738 treatment. The hepatic expression of TBARS, 4‐HNE, 8‐OHdG and mRNA levels of TGF‐β1, TIMP‐1 and IL‐6 in the liver were unchanged by ME3738 treatment.Conclusion:  Oral ME3738 administration may prevent the progression of hepatic fibrosis in BDL rats through suppression of the activation and collagen synthesis of HSC and, in part, oxidative stress. ME3738 has potential as a therapeutic drug for cholestatic liver fibrosis.
Detection of Parathyroid Hormone—Related Protein in Cats with Humoral Hypercalcemia of Malignancy
Authors: Bolliger Anne Provencher , Graham Peter A. , Richard Virgile , Rosol Thomas J. , Nachreiner Raymond F. , Refsal Kent R. 
Published: March 2008

Background —Increased serum parathyroid hormone‐related peptide (PTHrP) concentration is used to diagnose humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) in humans and animals. A commercially available assay for human PTHrP has diagnostic utility in the dog, but has not been assessed in cats.Objectives —The goals of this study were to determine serum or plasma levels of PTHrP in a population of hypercalcemic cats and to determine whether increased PTHrP concentration was associated with malignancy. In addition, we validated immunoradiometric assays (IRMAs) for intact parathormone (iPTH) and PTHrP for use with feline samples.Methods —A retrospective analysis of iPTH and PTHrP results from 322 hypercalcemic cats (ionized calcium concentration >1.4 mmol/L) was performed. Immunoassays for human iPTH and PTHrP (residues 1–84) were validated using standard methods, and reference intervals were calculated using values from 31 healthy adult cats. Hypercalcemic cats were classified as parathyroid‐independent (iPTH <2.3 pmol/L), equivocal (iPTH 2.3–4.6 pmol/L), or parathyroid‐dependent (iPTH >4.6 pmol/L). Seven cats with detectable or increased PTHrP concentrations were evaluated further for underlying disease. Formalin‐fixed neoplastic tissues were immunohistochemically stained using rabbit antibody to human midregion PTHrP.Results —Assays for iPTH and PTHrP showed acceptable precision for feline samples. The reference interval for iPTH was 0.8–4.6 pmol/L and for PTHrP was <1.5 pmol/L. The majority of hypercalcemic cats (263/322, 81.7%) were parathyroid‐independent, with fewer cats in the equivocal (32/322,9.9%) and parathyroid‐dependent (27/322,8.4%) groups. In 31 (9.6%) cats, PTHrP concentration was >1.5 pmol/L (range 1.5–26.6 pmol/L). All 7 cats for which follow‐up information was available had HHM; 6 had carcinomas (4 lung carcinomas, 1 undifferentiated carcinoma, 1 thyroid carcinoma) and 1 had lymphoma. All tumors had mild to moderate positive staining for PTHrP; however, lung carcinomas from normocalcemic cats also stained positive.Conclusions —Human IRMA for PTHrP (1–84) can be used to measure PTHrP in cats. Malignancies, particularly carcinomas, appear to secrete PTHrP and induce HHM in this species. Immunohistochemistry alone cannot predict the occurrence of HHM in cats.
Quantitation of Reticulated Platelets in Healthy Dogs and in Nonthrombocytopenic Dogs With Clinical Disease
Authors: Smith Roger , Thomas Jennifer S. 
Published: March 2008

Background —Thrombocytopenia is a common disorder in dogs and development of an objective diagnostic assay to measure platelets newly released from bone marrow into the blood would provide a noninvasive way to predict megakaryocytopoiesis. Reticulated platelets are newly released platelets with increased concentrations of RNA that can be detected by flow cytometric analysis of blood stained with thiazole orange (TO).Objectives —The goals of this study were to establish a reproducible method to quantitate reticulated platelets in dogs, to establish a reference interval for reticulated platelet percentages in healthy dogs, and to determine whether the percentage of reticulated platelets was nonspecifically increased in nonthrombocytopenic dogs with clinical disease.Methods —Blood samples were obtained from healthy dogs and from nonthrombocytopenic dogs presented for a variety of disorders. An aliquot of whole blood was stained with TO and a phycoerythrin‐labeled monoclonal antibody to platelet CD61, then analyzed by flow cytometry.Results —The coefficients of variation were 7.8% to 15.6% (intra‐assay precision) and 6.1% to 19.5% (interassay precision). Overnight storage for 18 to 26 hours, under variable conditions, resulted in an increase in the percentage of platelets staining with TO. The reference interval for reticulated platelets in the healthy control group was 0–4.3% (0–12,095/μL). No significant differences were found in the mean percentage of reticulated platelets or absolute concentration of reticulated platelets between control and affected dogs.Conclusions —These studies demonstrate a reliable, noninvasive diagnostic assay for measurement of reticulated platelets in whole blood and provide a baseline for assessment of the clinical utility of the assay.
Flow Cytometric Evaluation of Hemophagocytic Disorders in Canine Bone Marrow
Authors: Weiss Douglas J. 
Published: March 2008

Background — Hemophagocytic macrophages in canine bone marrow are observed in malignant histiocytosis as well as benign hemophagocytic histiocytosis. Cytomorphologic evaluation alone may be inadequate to consistently differentiate between benign and malignant forms of hemophagocytic disorders.Objective — The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of flow cytometry and immunophenotyping to differentiate between benign and malignant types of hemophagocytic disorders in dogs.Methods — Blood smears and bone marrow differential cell counts were evaluated for 10 dogs with hemophagocytic disorders. Bone marrow samples were labeled with monoclonal antibodies to CD18, MCH class‐II, Thy‐1, CD14, CD3, and CD21. Using flow cytometry, forward‐angle versus side‐angle light scatter plots were analyzed and immunophenotypes were determined.Results — Scatter plots from 3 dogs with a necropsy diagnosis of malignant histiocytosis revealed 2 atypical cell clusters. One cluster contained cells of similar size or larger than immature myeloid cells and metamyelocytes. Cells in the other cluster were highly granular, with granularity similar to or greater than that of metamyelocytes. In bone marrow from dogs with malignant histiocytosis that was labeled with anti‐CD14 antibody, macrophages represented 29–48% of nucleated cells. Seven dogs had a clinical or histopathologic diagnosis of benign hemophagocytic syndrome. Three of the dogs had normal cell distribution in scatter plots. Two dogs had 2 abnormal cell clusters: 1 within the immature myeloid and metamyelocyte gates and the other with granularity similar to or greater than that of metamyelocytes. The remaining 2 dogs had an atypical cell population, mostly within the immature myeloid gate. For dogs with benign hemophagocytic syndromes, 6–17% of cells in the bone marrow were CD14 positive.Conclusions — The cellular distribution in scatter plots and the total number of macrophages in bone marrow may be useful in differentiating malignant histiocytosis from benign hemophagocytic syndromes in dogs.
Detection of Canine Microalbuminuria Using Semiquantitative Test Strips Designed for Use with Human Urine
Authors: Pressler Barrak M. , Vaden Shelly L. , Jensen Wayne A. , Simpson Dan 
Published: March 2008

Background — Commercial testing for microalbuminuria in human urine is often performed with point‐of‐care semiquantitative test strips followed by quantitative testing when indicated. An ELISA that quantifies canine urine albumin concentration has been developed, but semiquantitative test strips for use in the dog are not available.Objective — The purpose of this study was to prospectively determine the concordance of canine urine albumin concentrations measured by a commercial human test strip and by ELISA.Methods — Urine samples were obtained from 67 dogs evaluated for a variety of clinical conditions. Dipstick urinalyses were performed on all samples; clinician discretion determined method of urine collection and performance of urine sediment examination and/or urine culture. Urine albumin concentration was determined using test strips (Clinitek Microalbumin, Bayer Corporation, Elkhart, Ind, USA), and results were compared with those obtained by ELISA.Results — The Clinitek strips correctly determined albumin concentration in 42 of 67 (63%) urine samples tested. Concordance was lowest (48%) for dogs with microalbuminuria (10–300 μg/mL by ELISA). Clinitek strip sensitivity and specificity for correct identification of microalbuminuria were 48% and 75%, respectively. Concordance was lower in dogs with urinary tract infection or hematuria and in samples collected by catheterization. Sensitivity and specificity for correct identification of microalbuminuria after exclusion of dogs with urinary tract infection or hematuria were 59% and 83%, respectively.Conclusion — These results suggest that the Clinitek strips lack sufficient concordance with results obtained by ELISA to be reliable screening tests for microalbuminuria in the dog. A reliable semiquantitative point‐of‐care test for canine urine albumin concentrations below those detected by standard urine dipsticks is still needed.
Artifactual Changes in Equine Blood Following Storage, Detected Using the Advia 120 Hematology Analyzer
Authors: Clark Phillip , Mogg Tony D. , Tvedten Harold W. , Korcal David 
Published: March 2008

Background — Delayed analysis of blood samples may be caused by restricted access to laboratories. Artifactual changes may occur in the measured analytes as a consequence of delayed analysis and may complicate interpretation of the data.Objective — The purpose of this study was to characterize artifactual changes in equine blood, due to storage, using the Advia 120 hematology analyzer.Methods — Samples of blood from 5 horses were analyzed using the Advia 120 soon after collection and again after 24 and 48 hours of storage at either 4°C or ambient laboratory temperature (∼24°C).Results — Delayed analysis of equine blood samples resulted in increased numbers of normocytic hypochromic RBCs, increased numbers of macrocytic hypochromic RBCs, misclassification of granulocytes as mononuclear cells using the basophil reagent method, and pseudothrombocytosis, due to misclassification of ghost RBCs as platelets. The latter artifact was corrected by an amended version of the software. Many of the artifactual changes were identified by morphology flags.Conclusion — Characteristic changes in cytograms produced by the Advia 120 allowed recognition of artifactual changes in stored equine blood samples. These changes were less pronounced in samples stored at 24°C than at 4°C.
Reference Values for Serum Biochemical Parameters in Free‐Ranging Harp Seals
Authors: Nordøy E. S. , Thoresen S. I. 
Published: March 2008

Background — The harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) is one of the most important predators in the Northeastern Atlantic ecosystem. Establishing biochemical reference intervals is important for evaluating the health status of harp seals kept in captivity and for evaluating the effects of environmental changes on the health of populations in the wild.Objective — The purpose of this study was to determine reference values for serum biochemical parameters in wild adult harp seals using readily available current methods.Methods — Blood samples were obtained from 14 adult female harp seals and 9 suckling pups on the pack ice of the Greenland Sea in early March 1998. Seven seals were humanely killed on the ice by permission of the Norwegian Directory for Fisheries and in conjunction with several other research projects. The seals were sampled within 15 minutes postmortem. Remaining seals were captured alive and sampled via the extradural intravertebral vein. Serum biochemical parameters were measured using a Technicon Axon analyzer and included electrolytes (sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, and calcium), substrates (free fatty acids, triglycerides, fructosamine, and glucose), end products (urea and uric acid), and proteins (total protein, globulins, and albumin). Serum protein electrophoresis also was done. Data were tested for normality and reference limits were calculated as mean ±1.96 × SD. Results between groups were compared using 2‐tailed t‐tests.Results — Serum levels of glucose and triglycerides were lower, but serum levels of urea were higher in dead animals than in animals that were captured alive. Serum levels for 7 of 17 parameters were significantly different in pups compared with adults. Separate reference intervals were calculated for adult seals and seal pups.Conclusion — Both sampling method and age should be considered when evaluating the results of analysis of serum parameters in wild and captive harp seals.