bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variability of the 13C‐octanoic acid breath test for gastric emptying of solids in healthy children
Authors: HAUSER B. , DE SCHEPPER J. , CAVELIERS V. , SALVATORE S. , SALVATONI A. , VANDENPLAS Y. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAimTo assess the intra‐individual variability of the 13C‐octanoic acid breath test using non‐dispersive infrared spectrometry for gastric emptying of solids in healthy children.MethodsA 13C‐octanoic acid breath test was performed at least two times in 19 healthy children (age 12.4 ± 2.7 years) 2–7 days apart to measure gastric emptying of solids. Breath samples were taken before eating a 13C‐octanoic acid‐labelled pancake and at 15‐min intervals for the following 240 min. Breath samples were analysed using non‐dispersive infrared spectrometry; 13C‐recovery was used to calculate values for gastric half‐emptying time (t1/2), gastric lag phase (tlag) and gastric emptying coefficient. Intra‐individual variability of the parameters t1/2, tlag and gastric emptying coefficient were expressed as coefficient of intrasubject variation.ResultsThe mean coefficient of intrasubject variation of t1/2 was 13.3 ± 7.9% (range 2.5–29.6%; interindividual range 99–204 min; intra‐individual range 5–84 min for t1/2). The mean coefficient of intrasubject variation of tlag was 13.6 ± 7.5% (range 0.8–27.8%) (interindividual range 65–146 min; intra‐individual range 1–50 min for tlag). The mean coefficient of intrasubject variation of gastric emptying coefficient was 12.5 ± 6.8% (range 3.4–30.2%; interindividual range 2.3–3.9; intra‐individual range 0.17–1.4 for gastric emptying coefficient). The coefficient of intrasubject variations of t1/2, tlag and gastric emptying coefficient were independent of the values of t1/2, tlag and gastric emptying coefficient.ConclusionsGastric emptying in healthy children is characterized by a large inter‐ and intra‐individual variability and is concordant with the results obtained with other techniques.
Clinical characteristics of fulminant‐type autoimmune hepatitis: an analysis of eleven cases
Authors: MIYAKE Y. , IWASAKI Y. , TERADA R. , ONISHI T. , OKAMOTO R. , SAKAI N. , SAKAGUCHI K. , SHIRATORI Y. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackgroundAlthough a few adult cases of fulminant‐type autoimmune hepatitis have been reported, their clinical features and prognosis have remained uncertain.AimTo assess the clinical features and prognosis of patients with fulminant‐type autoimmune hepatitis.MethodsEleven patients (10%) diagnosed with fulminant‐type autoimmune hepatitis in accordance with the 1999 criteria of the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group were analysed.ResultsAll 11 patients were female, with a median age of 53 years. Five patients survived without liver transplantation, one received a liver transplantation, and five died without liver transplantation. Nine patients (82%) survived for 2 weeks or more following diagnosis, without liver transplantation. Except for the patient receiving a liver transplantation, serum total bilirubin levels measured during the clinical course were significantly higher in non‐survivors than in survivors, although the accompanying serum alanine aminotransferase levels measured for the two groups were similar. Most significantly, serum total bilirubin levels in non‐survivors worsened during days 8–15, while levels in survivors improved during the same period.ConclusionsThe short‐term prognosis for patients with fulminant‐type autoimmune hepatitis may be good. However, patients whose serum total bilirubin levels worsen during days 8–15 should be considered for liver transplantation.
Repeated administration of a vitamin preparation containing glycocholic acid in patients with hepatobiliary disease
Authors: RIFAI K. , OCKENGA J. , MANNS M. P. , BISCHOFF S. C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackgroundUntil now, hydrophilic and lipophilic vitamin preparations had to be administered separately during total parenteral nutrition. By addition of glycocholic acid, a vitamin supplement (Cernevit, Baxter, Heidelberg, Germany) was developed that combines all vitamins into one vial. However, little information exists about possible consequences of bile acid administration such as glycocholic acid, especially if liver disease is pre‐existing.AimTo evaluate the effects of total parenteral nutrition with a vitamin preparation containing high doses of glycocholic acid in patients with and without liver disease.MethodsIn a prospective, randomized‐controlled trial, 74 patients, 36 of them with hepatobiliary disease, received total parenteral nutrition for 16 ± 11 days, either with Cernevit or control vitamin supplements. Patients were closely monitored for clinical and biochemical parameters including serum bile acid profiles measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography.ResultsSerum glycocholic acid increased in patients with liver disease treated with Cernevit, whereas total bile acids did not significantly change. Other liver function tests remained stable during treatment. No adverse events during Cernevit administration were noted except for a reversible slight increase of transaminases in one patient.ConclusionsCernevit was well tolerated after repeated dosing, even in patients with severe liver disease. Apart from standard controls of liver biochemistry, no specific surveillance is necessary during treatment with Cernevit.
A quantitative immunochemical faecal occult blood test is more efficient for detecting significant colorectal neoplasia than a sensitive guaiac test
Authors: LEVI Z. , HAZAZI R. , ROZEN P. , VILKIN A. , WAKED A. , NIV Y. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackgroundThe sensitive guaiac faecal occult blood test, Haemoccult SENSA (HOS; Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, CA, USA), is our standard screening test for significant colorectal neoplasia. We evaluated an automatically‐developed, quantified human haemoglobin immunochemical faecal test, OC‐MICRO (Eiken Chemical Co., Tokyo, Japan), to improve test specificity and so reduce the colonoscopy burden.AimTo compare guaiac faecal occult blood test and immunochemical faecal test diagnostic efficacy and costs for identifying significant neoplasia.MethodsColonoscopies were performed on patients who prepared three daily guaiac faecal occult blood tests with or without immunochemical faecal tests.ResultsTotal colonoscopy was performed on 151 subjects who prepared both guaiac and immunochemical faecal tests (group 1) and the positive predictive values (PPV) were also compared to those of 162 subjects undergoing colonoscopy for positive guaiac faecal occult blood tests (group 2). In group 1, comparative sensitivity, specificity, and PPVs for significant neoplasia with guaiac faecal occult blood test were 75%, 34%, and 12% (PPV, 18% for group 2) and with immunochemical faecal test were 75%, 94% and 60% (P < 0.01 for specificity). The number of colonoscopy examinations needed to detect a significant neoplasm because of positive faecal occult blood tests was six to eight with HOS and two with OC‐MICRO at 21–31% the cost of evaluating a positive guaiac faecal occult blood test.ConclusionAn immunochemical faecal test maintains the high sensitivity of guaiac faecal occult blood test, but significantly reduces the colonoscopy burden and screening costs.
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for severe acquired aplastic anaemia using a fludarabine‐based preparative regimen
Authors: Resnick Igor B. , Aker Memet , Shapira Michael Y. , Tsirigotis Panagiotis D. , Bitan Menachem , Abdul‐Hai Ali , Samuel Simcha , Ackerstein Aliza , Gesundheit Benjamin , Zilberman Irina , Miron Svetlana , Yoffe Luba , Lvovich Alex , Slavin Shimon , Or Reuven 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe reviewed our experience in the treatment of 13 patients with severe acquired aplastic anaemia, using a newly developed non‐myeloablative regimen consisting of fludarabine (total dose 180 mg/m2), cyclophosphamide (total dose 120 mg/kg), and antithymocyte globulin (total dose 40 mg/kg). All except one patient received multiple transfusions and had failed prior immunosuppressive treatment. Twelve out of 13 patients achieved sustained engraftment. One patient was not evaluable for engraftment because of early death on day +10. None of the patients developed graft failure. Mucositis of mild‐to‐moderate severity was the only observed regimen‐related toxicity. The cumulative incidence of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) grade II–IV and III–IV was 8·3% and 0%, respectively. With a median follow‐up period of 45 months, the 5‐year overall survival probability was 84%. Eight out of 11 surviving patients have been followed for more than 1 year and only one developed limited chronic GvHD. All patients enjoy a normal life style, with a Karnofsky score of 100%, and all except three, followed for 3, 5 and 6 months respectively, are free of any immunosuppressive medication. The results of this study look promising, while prospective clinical trials may be required to confirm the benefits of this regimen as an alternative to existing protocols.
Studies on a host range variant from different isolates of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV)
Authors: NICHOLSON B. L. , THORNE G. W. , JANICKI CARYLE , HANSON ANNE 
Published: April 2006

Abstract. Eight isolates of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) propagated solely in RTG‐2 cells (RTG‐IPNV) were examined for ability to replicate in FHM cells. Seven isolates replicated in FHM cells; however, the plaque titres were 10‐ to greater than 100 000‐fold less than titres in RTG‐2 cells. The ability of IPNV to replicate in FHM cells was shown to result from the presence of a host range variant (FHM‐IPNV) that produced plaques in both cell types. Variant‐free preparations of two isolates differed in ability to generate FHM‐IPNV during a single replication cycle in RTG‐2 cells. One isolate did not generate the variant and failed to replicate in FHM cells even upon blind passage.IPNV propagated in AS cells (AS‐IPNV) was similar to RTG‐IPNV, producing equal numbers of plaques in RTG‐2 and AS cells but failing to form plaques in FHM cells. However, IPNV propagated in BF‐2 cells (BF‐IPNV) was similar to FHM‐IPNV in producing equal numbers of plaques in all three cell lines.RTG‐IPNV and FHM‐IPNV were identical in size, morphology and density in CsCl but differed in plaque size distribution and neutralization by specific antiserum.Restriction of the replication of RTG‐IPNV in FHM cells was partially explained by a reduction of 75% in adsorption to FHM cells. However, the synthesis of RTG‐IPNV antigens was reduced 90 to >99% in FHM cells.
Histopathology of superficial fish ‘tumours’ found during a cancer survey of demersal species in Port Philip Bay, Victoria, Australia
Authors: HARD G. C. , WILLIAMS R. , LEE J. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract. During an extended survey aimed at investigating the occurrence of neoplasms in the common demersal fish species inhabiting zones of Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia, exposed to domestic and industrial contamination, superficial lesions resembling malignant growths were found in high prevalence (20% and 28% respectively) in two species of leatherjacket (Family Balistidae), Navodon multi‐radiatus and Scobinichthys granulatus, and infrequently (0.3%) in Atopomycterus nichthemerus (Diodontidae). The leatherjacket lesions took three forms, all being histologically consistent with long‐standing granulomatous tissue associated with varying degrees of mononuclear cell infiltration. The A. nichthemerus lesions were histologically similar but located beneath an intact epidermis. In some of the lesions, profiles of parasitic worms (either solitary or several) were found after examination of multiple sections suggesting that the ‘tumours’ may have represented chronic inflammatory tissue reactions to superficial parasite infection (xenomas).The resemblance to fish neoplasia of both the macroscopic appearance of these lesions, particularly those affecting leatherjacket species, and of certain features of their microscopic structure is discussed. The necessity for critical evaluation of the range of proliferative tissue reactions in fish is emphasized, in order to permit accurate distinction between non‐neoplastic conditions and true neoplasia in epidemiological surveys using fish species as indicators of environmental contamination with specific biological hazards.
Ultrastructural aspects of a serious disease of hatchery reared larval oysters, Crassostrea gigas Thtinberg
Authors: ELSTON R. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract. Ultrastructural observations on a possible aetiological agent and tissue changes in a previously described disease of hatchery reared larval oysters Crassostrea gigas Thünberg are reported. Spherical bodies, implicated in gastro‐intestinal impaction, show a strong resemblance to the marine fungus, Hyalochlorella marina. Similarities include a thick outer wall structure, plate‐like mitochondria and dense cytoplasm with small vacuoles.The dense fascicular masses, previously observed histologically at epithelial surfaces, consist of accumulations of irregular electron opaque bodies. Large accumulations of these bodies appear to exacerbate tissue damage and prevent normal velar function. In comparison with the reported virus‐like particles in this disease, these dense inclusions and associated lesions are more frequently observed and thus seem to be more important in the disease process.Notes on normal epithelial surfaces of larval Crassostrea spp. are included.
Renal sphaerosporosis in the common carp Cypnnus carpio L.
Authors: MOLNÁR K. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract. Sphaerospora angulata Fujita, 1912, has been identified as a frequent renal parasite of cultured carp populations in Hungary. Its prevalence ranged from 10 to 50% in the pond farms surveyed. The youngest carp infected were 21/2–3 months old. Infections were not common in one‐summer fish and tended to become less frequent with increasing age of the host.The developing stages of S. angulata are found in the contorted tubules of the trunk‐kidney but never invade the parenchymal tissue of the trunk or head‐kidneys. The pansporoblasts developing in the wide proximal segment of the renal tubules, and the spores arising from the pansporoblasts are typically coelozoic parasites, for they apparently do not damage the tubular lining epithelium, nor its brush border. The main adverse effect of S. angulata is probably depression of resistance owing partly to deprivation of the host of nutrients secreted by the glomeruli and partly to mechanical obstruction of the distal tubular segments.
Genus Pleistophora (Phylum Microspora): redescription of the type species, Pleistophora typicalis Gurley, 1893 and ultrastructural characterization of the genus
Authors: CANNING ELIZABETH U. , NICHOLAS J. P. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract. Pleistophora typicalis Gurley, 1893, a parasite of the striated muscle of Myoxocephalus scorpius has been re‐examined at light‐ and electron‐microscope levels. Foci of infection were almost exclusively found in the ventral body wall where a mixture of schizonts, sporonts and masses of pansporoblasts lay in direct contact with unaltered host myofibrils and mitochondria.All stages were surrounded by a thick (0‐5 μm) amorphous coat, external to the plasmalemma. In schizonts this was traversed by channels passing from the plasma‐lemma to a layer of vesicles in contact with the muscle. This coat became modified as a pansporoblast envelope surrounding the mature spores: at first a layer of fine granules was laid down about mid‐way across the previously amorphous coat, while the channels disappeared. At the time when the sporogonial plasmodium retracted away from the coat to produce the pansporoblast cavity, the layer of the coat within the granules disintegrated into spherical vesicles. The pansporoblast envelope around the mature spores was composed of two or three layers of different electron density, including one which was strongly electron dense. The pansporoblast envelope as defined here corresponds in function, but not necessarily in origin, to the sporophorous vesicle that encloses the spores in other pansporoblastic microsporidia.Schizonts had an extensive system of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, composed of expanded vesicles and divided by plasmotomy into smaller multinucleate segments. The endoplasmic reticulum of sporogonial stages was comprised of a network of fine channels, parallel arrays of flat cysternae and close‐packed stacks of membranes. The sporogonial plasmodium divided stepwise through smaller multinucleate segments into uninucleate sporoblasts. Nuclei were isolated throughout development.Two types of sporonts were recognized: large sporonts gave rise to pansporoblasts containing up to 200 microspores. Macrospore pansporoblasts always contained eight macrospores. Microspores measured 4–4 × 2·3 μm (fresh) and were probably uninucleate. Macrospores measured 7·5 × 3·0 μm (fresh) and were probably binucleate.Another microsporidium, found in the muscles of Blennius pholis, which had been attributed to the same species by Thélohan (1895), was distinguished on the basis of spore size (microspores 3·9 × 2·3 μm and macrospores 7·7 × 3·8 μm fresh) and by the fact that electron dense components were laid down in the pansporoblast wall early in sporogony. The species was named Pleistophora littoralis n.sp.
Aetiology of an ulcerative disease in goldfish, Carassius auratus (L.): characterization of the causative agent
Authors: SHOTTS E. B. , TALKINGTON P. D. , ELLIOTT DIANE G. , MCCARTHY D. H. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract. A bacterium resembling Aeromonas salmonicida and determined to be the aetiologic agent of a cutaneous ulcerative disease in goldfish Carassius auratus (L.) was further characterized in this study.Forty‐five isolates of the bacterium (43 from the United States and one each position (moles % guanine plus cytosine) and DNA homology. The bacteriological atypical A. salmonicida previously described. Several important biochemical characteristics distinguished the goldfish isolates from typical A. salmanicida, but the DNA binding experiments indicated a high degree of relatedness between the goldfish isolates and typical A. salmonicida strains.
Efficacy of specific antibody against agglutinating Aeromonas salmonicida strains on infectivity and vaccination with inactivated protease
Authors: SAKAI D. K. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractEfficacy of specific antibody on serum resistance and adhesion was investigated using a pathogenic strain of Aeromonas salmonicida A‐7301 (which was autoagglutinative, haemagglutinative and protease production positive), a protease‐deficient, non‐pathogenic mutant NTG‐1 induced from A‐7301 (autoagglutinative and haemagglutinative), and a non‐pathogenic strain GH‐7501 (non‐agglutinative, non‐haemagglutinative and protease positive). A‐7301 could grow and produce protease extracellularly in the presence of rainbow trout anti‐A‐7301 serum, resulting in a considerable reduction of the antibody titre. NTG‐1 similarly grew, but the titre scarcely decreased. GH‐7501 could not survive in this medium. A‐7301 and NTG‐1 possessed a high capacity to adhere to the surface of fish monolayer cell cultures, whereas GH‐7501 lacked the capacity. The capacity for adhesion was not inhibited by the antibody. Although live NTG‐1 cells were ineffective as a live vaccine, sockeye salmon receiving protease fraction (obtained from extracellular products of A‐7301 by DEAE‐cellulose column chromatography) inactivated with normal serum, suffered only a low mortality when challenged with A‐7301. Thus, although the antibody specific to autoagglutinating cells showed no effects on serum resistance and adhesion, which are involved in the infectivity of this pathogen, the possibility of protease as an effective protective antigen was demonstrated.
A histological study of the response to challenge with vibriosis in ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis Temminck and Schlegel, vaccinated by immersion and injection with Vibrio anguillarum bacterin
Authors: MIYAZAKI T. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract. The histological responses of ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis, given an intramuscular injection of a formalin‐killed bacterin of Vibrio anguillarum are described. Lesions at the site of injection showed muscular necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells by the second day after injection, and production of granulation tissue from the fifth to the fourteenth day. Protective responses against vibriosis were studied histopathologically in ayu that were vaccinated by intramuscular injection with formalin‐killed Vibrio bacterin and by immersion in sonicated Vibrio bacterin, and challenged by a subcutaneous injection with viable Vibrio on the fourteenth day after the vaccination.Efficacy of both methods was confirmed by the survival of vaccinated fish after the challenge. There was slight bacterial multiplication in the fish, and bacterial phagocytosis by infiltrated neutrophils and tissue necrosis in the injected area on the third day after the challenge. In contrast, non‐vaccinated fish died within 24h of challenge, with extensive bacterial multiplication and tissue necrosis in the injected area and visceral organs.
The relationship between the neighbourhood environment and adverse birth outcomes
Authors: Farley Thomas A. , Mason Karen , Rice Janet , Habel Joanna D. , Scribner Richard , Cohen Deborah A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIntrauterine growth retardation and preterm birth are more frequent in African‐American women and women of lower socio‐economic status, but the reasons for these disparities are not fully understood. The physical and social environments in which these women live may contribute to these disparities. We conducted a multilevel study to explore whether conditions of mothers’ neighbourhood of residence contribute to adverse birth outcomes independent of individual‐level determinants. We analysed data from 105 111 births in 1015 census tracts in Louisiana during 1997–98, merging it with data from other existing sources on neighbourhood socio‐economic status, neighbourhood physical deterioration, and neighbourhood density of retail outlets selling tobacco, alcohol and foods.After controlling for individual‐level sociodemographic factors, tract‐level median household income was positively associated with both birthweight‐for‐gestational‐age and gestational age at birth. Neighbourhood physical deterioration was associated with these birth outcomes in ecological analyses but only inconsistently associated with them after controlling for individual‐level factors. Neither gestational age nor birthweight‐for‐gestational‐age was associated with the neighbourhood density of alcohol outlets, tobacco outlets, fast‐food restaurants or grocery supermarkets. We conclude that measures of neighbourhood economic conditions are associated with both fetal growth and the length of gestation independent of individual‐level factors, but that readily available measures of neighbourhood retail outlets are not. Additional studies are needed to better understand the nature of environmental influences on birth outcomes.