bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Weed suppression by Passiflora edulis and its potential allelochemicals
Authors: KHANH T D , CHUNG I M , TAWATA S , XUAN T D 
Published: July 2006

SummaryPassion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is grown in the tropics for its edible fruits and for its many ethno‐pharmacologic and pharmacological properties. Our study revealed that the plant contains a strong allelopathic potential. In a bioassay, aqueous extracts of P. edulis strongly suppressed germination and growth of lettuce, radish and two major paddy rice weeds, Echinochloa crusgalli and Monochoria vaginalis. In glasshouse and field experiments, P. edulis also strongly inhibited the growth of paddy rice weeds. Application of 2 t ha−1 dry plant material of P. edulis reduced weed biomass by 70% and increased rice yield by 35% compared with the unweeded control. Ten newly identified substances in P. edulis extracts, including coumarin, long‐chain fatty acids and lactones, may be responsible for the inhibitory activity of P. edulis. Coumarin and the lactones showed greater inhibition of germination and growth of E. crusgalli than the fatty acids. The authors suggest that P. edulis may be used as a natural herbicide to reduce the dependency on synthetic herbicides.
German cockroach proteases regulate matrix metalloproteinase‐9 in human bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Page K. , Hughes V. S. , Bennett G. W. , Wong H. R. 
Published: July 2006

Background:  Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) digest extracellular matrix proteins and may play a role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. MMP‐9 levels are increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and sputum of asthmatics compared with that of controls. As exposure to cockroaches is an environmental risk factor for asthma, we sought to investigate the role of German cockroach fecal remnants (frass) on MMP‐9 expression.Methods:  Human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE14o‐) and primary normal human bronchial epithelial cells were treated with cockroach frass in the absence or presence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α. MMP‐9 mRNA, protein levels and pro‐MMP‐9 activity were determined using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and zymogram assays. Pretreatment of frass with aprotinin abolished protease activity. PD98059, a chemical inhibitor of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), and SLIGKV, an activator of protease‐activated receptor (PAR)‐2 were also used. AP‐1DNA binding was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and ERK phosphorylation by Western blot analysis.Results:  Cockroach frass augmented TNFα‐mediated MMP‐9 mRNA and protein expression by a mechanism dependent on active serine proteases within frass and not on endogenous endotoxin. Frass increased ERK phosphorylation, and chemical inhibition of ERK attenuated cockroaches’ effects on MMP‐9. Serine proteases are known to activate the PAR‐2 receptor. We found that selective activation of PAR‐2 using the peptide SLIGKV augmented TNFα‐induced MMP‐9 protein levels and increased ERK phosphorylation. Frass and SLIGKV each increased AP‐1 translocation and DNA binding.Conclusions:  These data suggest that German cockroach frass contains active serine proteases which augment TNFα‐induced MMP‐9 expression by a mechanism involving PAR‐2, ERK and AP‐1.
Skin testing for immediate hypersensitivity to betalactams: comparison between two commercial kits
Authors: Rodríguez‐Bada J. L. , Montañez M. I. , Torres M. J. , Mayorga C. , Canto G. , Perez‐Inestrosa E. , Suau R. , Blanca M. 
Published: July 2006

Introduction: Skin testing with major and minor determinants of benzylpenicillin is the recommended standard practice to evaluate subjects with immediate hypersensitivity to betalactams. The withdrawal of these products from the market has set us back to the early days, before the introduction of reagents forin vivotesting.Objectives: To compare a recently released kit of benzylpenicillin conjugated to poly‐l‐lysine (PPL) and minor determinants mixture (MDM) with the previously existing kit in a positive control group of subjects sensitized to major and/or minor determinants of benzylpenicillin.Methods: Skin tests with both kits were made in a group of positive subjects previously diagnosed with immediate hypersensitivity to penicillins and with positive results to PPL and/or MDM and in a negative control group. Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) inhibition assays with a pool of sera and individual samples were carried out to compare the inhibition capacity of PPL and MDM of both kits.Results: Of 22 cases selected from our historical group, 14 were positive: eight to PPL, three to MDM and three to both. These results were equivalent for both kits. RAST inhibition studies showed similar potencies in the inhibition of PPL and MDM.Conclusions: Both tests show similar results in terms of RAST inhibition assays and skin tests sensitivity and specificity in the groups selected. The new assay can be used for the same purpose and indications as the previous test.
Expression of interleukin‐8 and its receptor IL‐8RA in chronic hyperplastic candidosis
Authors: Ali A. , Rautemaa R. , Hietanen J. , Järvensivu A. , Richardson M. , Konttinen Y. T. 
Published: July 2006

Introduction:  Neutrophils are the main opponents of Candida albicans in chronic hyperplastic candidosis. They migrate from the circulation to the epithelium where they form microabscesses. We therefore hypothesized that the neutrophil chemokine interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) might play a role in the neutrophil–Candida interaction.Methods:  Biopsies from patients with chronic hyperplastic candidosis (n = 10) were stained using the avidin–biotin–peroxidase complex protocol for IL‐8 and IL‐8 receptor A and were compared to healthy control mucosa (n = 3). A set of C. albicans agar sections was similarly analysed.Results:  In chronic hyperplastic candidosis lesions IL‐8 was strongly expressed in both vascular endothelium and mucosal epithelium. Many resident and immigrant inflammatory cells, including intraepithelial neutrophils, were IL‐8 receptor A positive. In addition, IL‐8 (or an analogue) was found in the candidal mother cell in chronic hyperplastic candidosis and in agar, whereas the tips of the hyphae expressed IL‐8 receptor A (or an analogue).Conclusion:  IL‐8 may play a role in the recruitment of neutrophils from the vascular compartment to the epithelial microabscesses. C. albicans may have developed an ability to sense IL‐8. The IL‐8 ligand–receptor interaction may help to direct the growth of the IL‐8‐receptor‐containing tips of the hyphae away from the IL‐8‐producing candidal cell body (a centrifugal growth pattern to facilitate host tissue penetration). Later, this ability might help to keep the vulnerable hyphal tips away from areas with high concentrations of host IL‐8 and candidacidal neutrophils. We suggest that this phenomenon, in contrast to chemotropism, is named chemophobia.
Incidence, etiology, and risk factors for liver dysfunction in children following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Subbarao Girish , Haut Paul R. , Johnson Cynthia S. , Gowan Darla , Molleston Jean P. 
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  Aims:  To identify risk factors which predispose children to develop liver dysfunction (LD) during the initial 100 days following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).Methods:  Retrospective analysis of all patients (<21 yr) who had undergone HSCT from July 1998 to June 2003. LD was defined by the presence of clinical jaundice and/or elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) (1.5 times normal).Results:  One hundred and six patients underwent HSCT during the study period. LD was seen in 91 (85.5%) patients and the majority (58.2%) had moderate to severe LD. The primary cause of LD could be ascertained in 2/3 of patients and was multifactorial in the rest. The odds ratio and 95% CI for risk factors associated with LD following HSCT on univariate analysis were as follows: allogeneic source of stem cells 4.2 (1.2–14.2), engraftment >12 days 4.3 (1.3–14.2), total parenteral nutrition >35 days 8.2 (1.1–66.2), pretransplant ALT >40 U/L 7.4 (0.9–58.6), use of cyclosporine and methotrexate 9.5 (1.2–77.9), and use of amphotericin‐B 3.1 (0.9–10.6). On multivariate analysis only elevated pre transplantation ALT and delayed engraftment were associated with post‐HSCT LD. LD was seen in all 13 patients who died within 100 days following HSCT, and it was felt to be the primary cause of death in six (46%) patients. The factors associated with increased risk of mortality were: allogeneic source of stem cells, delayed engraftment (>18 days), higher mean peak GGT (>250 U/L), and total bilirubin (>6 mg/dL).Conclusion:  LD was common and severe in the majority of children following HSCT. Risk of LD was higher in children who had elevated pretransplantation ALT or had delayed engraftment. LD contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality following HSCT.
The transpiration response by four topographically distributed Eucalyptus species, to rainfall occurring during drought in south eastern Australia
Authors: Eberbach Philip L , Burrows Geoffrey E 
Published: July 2006

Vegetation covers a substantial proportion of the terrestrial Earth surface and where removed from human influence has evolved influenced mainly by climatic and edaphic constraints. Over the past 200 years, substantial tracts of the wheat‐sheep belt of southern Australia has been cleared of native vegetation and replaced by annual crop and pasture species. As a consequence, there has been a change in the water balance of many catchments as now more water leaks beneath the roots of introduced plants, contributing to groundwater rise and expansion in the amount of land affected by salinization. In an attempt to arrest root zone leakage, scientists and managers acknowledge the need for new agricultural practices which mimic the ecohydrological behaviour patterns of remnant vegetation.In this paper, we examine the water use characteristics of four woodland Eucalyptus species growing in different topographic and edaphic environments in south eastern Australia. Eucalyptus sideroxylon and E. rossii were the sub‐ and dominant species inhabiting the stony ridges, while in the adjacent valleys E. macrorhyncha and E. albens were the sub‐ and dominant species, respectively. At the two locations, sub‐dominant species were highly responsive to episodic rainfall events both during and following drought, and exhibited distinct seasonality in daily transpiration rate; while the dominant species at each location was less responsive to rainfall and water use appeared to be less seasonally dependent. Analysis of the water use response indicated that the two sub‐dominant species had shallower roots while the major of roots of the dominant trees were likely to be located deeper in the substratum. This suggested that the stony ridges may store water deeper in the substratum than previously thought, to sustain some remnant vegetation over the dry summers, and ultimately, contribute less recharge to groundwater.
The effect of esmolol‐induced controlled hypotension in combination with acute normovolemic hemodilution on cerebral oxygenation
Authors: Han S.‐H. , Bahk J.‐H. , Kim J.‐H. , Lim Y.‐J. , Park C.‐D. , Do S.‐H. , Park Y.‐S. 
Published: July 2006

Background:  It is possible to perform acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) in combination with controlled hypotension (CH). In this randomized prospective study, we examined the effect of the combination of ANH and CH on cerebral oxygenation using near‐infrared spectroscopy.Methods:  Fifty‐six patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery were randomly assigned to either group A (ANH only) or group CH (CH in combination with ANH). In group CH, CH was induced with esmolol. The regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) was monitored continuously and was compared between the two groups before and after ANH, 30 min (OP30) and 90 min (OP90) after the beginning of surgery and after the completion of surgery.Results:  The value of rSO2 was the same in both groups in the absence of CH (at baseline: group A, 70.1 ± 6.0%; group CH, 69.9 ± 6.7%; after surgery: group A, 64.5 ± 4.9%; group CH, 64.3 ± 5.8%). However, in the presence of CH, rSO2 values were significantly lower in group CH than in group A (at OP30: group A: 60.4 ± 3.4%; group CH, 55.9 ± 7.3%; P < 0.01; at OP90: group A, 58.3 ± 5.2%; group CH, 53.5 ± 6.5%; P < 0.001). The number of patients with rSO2 < 50% was significantly higher in group CH (14.3%) than in group A (3.8%).Conclusion:  ANH in combination with esmolol‐induced CH causes a significant decrease in cerebral oxygen saturation compared with ANH alone.
Progressive decrease in glucose clearance during surgery
Authors: Sicardi Salomón Z. , Rodhe P. , Hahn R. G. 
Published: July 2006

Background:  Anaesthesia and surgery reduce the clearance of glucose. We studied how surgical procedures of different magnitude affect the clearance of a glucose load.Methods:  An intravenous infusion of 10 ml/kg/h of 2.5% buffered glucose was given over 80 min to 26 patients with a mean age of 50 years. The infusion started with the skin incision during minor surgery (inguinal hernia repair), medium‐range surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) and major surgery (aortic surgery, gastrectomy or colorectal surgery). General anaesthesia was induced in all patients and was supplemented by thoracic epidural analgesia for those undergoing major surgery. Plasma glucose was measured repeatedly for comparison of the clearance and endogenous glucose production during and after the infusion.Results:  Metabolic changes affected the shape of the plasma glucose curves more than the peak values. In those undergoing minor surgery, the clearance after the infusion was 65% of that recorded during the actual administration of glucose. The corresponding values for medium‐range and major surgery were 37% and 60%, respectively (P < 0.001). The limited decrease in clearance in major surgery can probably be attributed to the epidural analgesia. In all three groups, the estimated endogenous glucose production decreased by the same magnitude as the clearance. The volume of distribution for glucose averaged 10.3 l.Conclusion:  The hyperglycaemic effect of anaesthesia and surgery was not fully expressed within 80 min, regardless of the extent of surgery, and therefore appears to develop slowly. Even minor surgical trauma affected the metabolism of glucose.
Transfusion audit of fresh‐frozen plasma in southern Taiwan
Authors: Yeh C.‐J. , Wu C.‐F. , Hsu W.‐T. , Hsieh L.‐L. , Lin S.‐F. , Liu T.‐C. 
Published: July 2006

Background and Objectives  The demand for transfusions has increased rapidly in southern Taiwan. Between 1993 and 2003, requests for fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) in particular rose dramatically at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (KMUH). Transfusion orders were not tightly regulated, and inappropriate use of blood products was common.Materials and Methods  We carried out a prospective analysis of transfusion requests from October 2003 to January 2004 at KMUH, and then repeated the audit for another 3‐month period after the clinical faculty had undergone five sessions of education on transfusion guidelines. Later, our consultant haematologist applied computerized guidelines to periodic audits.Results  A 5·2% decrease in inappropriate FFP usage followed the educational programme and a further 30% reduction took place after the application of computerized transfusion guidelines. With the guidelines and periodic audits, FFP transfusions decreased by 74·6% and inappropriate requests from 65·2% to 30%.Conclusions  Hospital policy, computerized transfusion guidelines and periodic audits greatly reduced inappropriate FFP transfusions. An educational campaign had a more limited effect.
Evaluation of hernia repair operation in Child–Turcotte–Pugh class C cirrhosis and refractory ascites
Authors: Park Joo Kyung , Lee Sang Hyub , Yoon Won Jae , Lee Jun Kyu , Park Su Cheol , Park Bum Joon , Jung Yong Jin , Kim Byeong Gwan , Yoon Jung‐Hwan , Kim Chung Yong , Ha Jongwon , Park Kyu Joo , Kim Yoon Jun 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Abdominal wall hernia is a common feature of decompensated liver cirrhosis and frequently causes life‐threatening complications or severe pain. However, there have been no data reported on postoperative mortality, hepatic functional deterioration and recurrence rate according to Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP) class and to the presence of refractory ascites.Methods:  The study population comprised 53 liver cirrhosis patients who underwent hernia repair operation. Comparisons were made of 30‐day mortality among the different CTP classes, and between those with or without refractory ascites. Liver function was also analyzed just before the operation, in the immediate postoperative period, and in the remote postoperative period.Results:  Seventeen patients were in CTP class A, 27 patients in class B, and 9 patients in class C. The median follow‐up duration was 24 months. There was single 30‐day postoperative mortality in class C, and no CTP class deterioration after 30 days of operation. There was no mortality or recurrences in 17 patients with medically refractory ascites. The difference in 30‐day mortality according to CTP class and the presence of refractory ascites did not show statistical significance (P = 0.17 and 0.97, respectively).Conclusion:  Hernia operation could be done safely in CTP class A and B with low rate of recurrences, and there was no definitive increase in the operative risk in class C. In addition, refractory ascites did not increase operative risk and recurrence rate. Therefore, surgical repair might be recommended even in patients with refractory ascites and poor hepatic function to prevent life‐threatening complications or severe pain.
Free oxygen radicals reduce bile flow in rats via an intracellular cyclic AMP‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Kawai Satoru , Arai Toshiyuki , Yokoyama Yukihiro , Nagino Masato , Nimura Yuji 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Oxidative stress reduces hepatic bile formation. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is important in bile production; however, the role of basal amounts of intracellular cAMP in bile formation is not known. The aim of this study was to determine whether oxygen radicals reduce bile flow by mechanisms involving intrahepatocyte cAMP levels.Methods:  The effect of an oxygen radical (tert‐butyl hydroperoxide; t‐BHP) on hepatic bile flow was determined in Wistar rats in vivo and in isolated perfused liver. Intracellular cAMP was measured in isolated hepatocytes with and without t‐BHP in culture medium, while adenylate cyclase activity was measured in purified plasma membranes. To examine whether intracellular cAMP restoration could reverse t‐BHP‐induced bile flow reduction, dibutyryl cAMP (DBcAMP), a cell‐membrane permeating cAMP, was used to treat isolated liver perfused with t‐BHP.Results:  Bile flow was significantly reduced 10 min following t‐BHP administration in vivo and in isolated perfused liver (control vs 0.1 mg/mL t‐BHP in perfusate, 29.3 vs 23.1 µg/kg per min, P < 0.05). Intracellular cAMP in isolated hepatocytes was reduced by adding t‐BHP to the medium; this change was inhibited by DBcAMP. Adenylate cyclase activity in purified liver membrane fractions also was reduced by t‐BHP. Administration of DBcAMP reversed bile flow reduction by t‐BHP in isolated perfused liver.Conclusions:  Bile flow reduction by oxygen radicals was at least partly explained by inactivation of adenylate cyclase causing decreases in intrahepatocytic cAMP. Exogenous DBcAMP administration restored intracellular cAMP preventing bile flow reduction after exposure to oxygen radicals.
Indications for laparoscopic adrenalectomy for non‐functional adrenal tumor with hypertension: Usefulness of adrenocortical scintigraphy
Authors: IZAKI HIROFUMI , FUKUMORI TOMOHARU , TAKAHASHI MASAYUKI , TAUE RYUICHI , KISHIMOTO TOMOTERU , TANIMOTO SYUJI , NISHITANI MASA‐AKI , KANAYAMA HIRO‐OMI 
Published: July 2006

Aim:  Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is currently indicated for biochemically and clinically functional adrenal tumors and potentially malignant tumors of the adrenal glands. Non‐functional adenomas greater than 5 cm in diameter of the adrenal gland are generally considered to represent potentially malignant tumors. The present study shows indications of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for non‐functional adrenal tumors with hypertension in a retrospective fashion.Methods:  Between 1994 and 2004, 110 laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed at Tokushima University Hospital. All 110 patients underwent detailed endocrinological examination before surgery. Medical and operative records of these 110 patients (57 men, 53 women), including operative parameters, histopathological findings and pre‐ and postoperative hypertension, were reviewed. Forty‐five patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy for non‐functional adrenal tumors, and [131I]6β‐iodomethyl‐19‐norcholest‐5(10)‐en‐3β‐ol (NP‐59) scintigraphy was performed for patients with preoperative hypertension.Results:  Mean patient age was 55.0 years (range, 22–77 years). Mean maximum tumor diameter was 42 mm (range, 20–105 mm). All adrenal tumors were removed successfully by laparoscopic surgery. Hypertension was postoperatively improved in seven of the 11 patients with preoperative hypertension, without subclinical Cushing syndrome. Importantly, all patients who improved hypertension after adrenalectomy displayed strong accumulation in adrenal tumors with visualization of the contralateral gland on NP‐59 scintigraphy. Conversely, blood pressure did not improve in four patients for whom scintigraphy yielded negative results.Conclusions:  The indication of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for non‐functional adrenal tumors is generally considered for lesions more than 5 cm diameter. However, the present study suggests that laparoscopic surgery should be considered even in patients with tumors less than 5 cm in diameter, if both hypertension and accumulation in tumors on NP‐59 scintigraphy are present.