bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Further polymorphism of the MICA gene
Authors: Pérez‐Rodríguez M. , Argüello J. R. , Fischer G. , Corell A. , Cox S. T. , Robinson J. , Hossain E. , McWhinnie A. , Travers P. J. , Marsh S. G. E. , Madrigal J. A. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe MHC class I chain‐related (MIC) gene family constitutes an interesting genetic group that is related to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genes and is located within the MHC. The MIC gene products, MICA and MICB, have similar structures to HLA class I molecules. So far over 50 MICA alleles have been reported, which suggests that this genetic system is highly polymorphic. In order to investigate further the extent of MICA polymorphism we have studied exons 2–5 of the MICA gene in over 200 homozygous and heterozygous cell lines. Altogether we have identified 11 new MICA alleles and report 13 new nucleotide variations, one in exon 2, four in exon 3, four in exon 4, two in intron 1, one in intron 4 and one (a deletion) in exon 4. Eight of the 10 exonic variations are non‐synonymous. The deletion in exon 4 leads to a frame‐shift mutation and the introduction of a repeat of 12 leucine residues encoded by the microsatellite in exon 5. This study provides further evidence that the MICA gene is highly polymorphic. In contrast to MHC class I molecules, the polymorphic sites in MICA are predominantly within the α2and α3domains. The distribution of synonymous and non‐synonymous substitutions suggests that there is selection for the polymorphic positions, which therefore define potential functional sites in the protein. We were also able to determine the association between MICA and HLA‐B alleles in a number of homozygous cell lines bearing extended haplotypes.
Cell volume and rate of proliferation, but not protein expression pattern, distinguish pup/intimal smooth muscle cells from subcultured adult smooth muscle cells
Authors: McKilligin E. , Grainger D. J. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract.Smooth muscle cells from neonatal rats and from injured blood vessels grow with a characteristic cobblestone morphology that distinguishes them from adult smooth muscle cells. This has led to the proposition that there are two distinct types of smooth muscle cells with different proliferative capacity. Here we systematically compare the properties of subcultured adult smooth muscle cells in culture and clonal lines of cobblestone smooth muscle cells from both neonatal rats and injured vessels. The cobblestone smooth muscle cells have a significantly smaller average cell volume, estimated using two different flow cytometry measurements. However, the two types of smooth muscle cells have indistinguishable protein expression patterns when the levels of more than 20 different proteins (including cytoskeletal proteins, matrix proteins, cytokines, cytokine receptors, adhesion molecules and enzymes) are measured by quantitative immunofluorescence. Furthermore, in contrast to previous observations, we demonstrate that both types of smooth muscle cells secrete a powerful mitogenic activity. The higher cell density achieved by the cobblestone smooth muscle cells in culture was responsible for the earlier reports that this mitogenic activity was secreted only by cobblestone smooth muscle cells. We conclude that many of the differences seen between cobblestone smooth muscle cells and adult smooth muscle cells in vitro (proliferation rate, morphology, protein expression pattern, secretion of mitogenic activity) could be attributable to a stable difference in the median cell volume of the cultures.
Delayed ultrasound in patients with abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Hendry James N , Naidoo Yuresh 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectives:To determine if patients with abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy who have a low clinical likelihood of ectopic pregnancy are put at risk of adverse events by delaying ultrasonography 12–18 h after emergency department presentation.Methods:A retrospective chart review of all surgically proven ectopic pregnancies at our Institution over a 2‐year period.Results:One hundred and seventeen cases of ectopic pregnancy were reviewed. Thirty‐seven cases met predetermined criteria of ‘clinical stability’ at first presentation. These patients waited a median 14 h for diagnostic ultrasound with 62% waiting more than 12 h. No adverse events occurred while waiting for this diagnostic study.Conclusions:Preliminary results suggest that pregnant patients with abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding in the first trimester who meet specific low‐risk clinical criteria could potentially have ultrasound delayed 12–18 h without risk of adverse event. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm the safety of this strategy.
Weathering the storm: Beta‐blockade and the potential for disaster in severe hyperthyroidism
Authors: Fraser Todd , Green David 
Published: March 2003

AbstractSome patients with advanced thyrotoxicosis have occult cardiac dysfunction. The use of long‐acting beta‐blockers, traditional in the management of thyrotoxicosis, may have disastrous consequences in this setting. The following report documents the cardiovascular collapse and asystolic arrest of a patient with hyperthyroidism when treated with sotolol. Though the patient was successfully resuscitated, the long duration of action of sotolol necessitated prolonged inotropic and vasopressor support. A shorter acting beta‐blocker, such as esmolol, theoretically may be a safer option.
Abstract to publication ratio for papers presented at scientific meetings: How does emergency medicine compare?
Authors: Walby Andrew , Kelly Anne‐Maree , Georgakas Con 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectives:The aims of the present study were to determine the publication rate of abstracts presented by Australasian emergency physicians at major emergency medicine meetings and to identify the site of publication of papers.Method:All free paper abstracts presented (oral and poster) by Australasian emergency physicians and trainees at five Australasian College for Emergency Medicine/Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine and International Conference on Emergency Medicine meetings between 1995 and 1998 were identified retrospectively from conference programmes. In order to determine whether or not the abstract had been published, the PubMed database (http://www4.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/) was searched using the presenter’s name and key words from the abstract. In addition, a hand search of the non‐abstracted journal Emergency Medicine was conducted.Results:Of the 207 free paper abstracts identified, 73 (35%) had been published as full articles. Papers were published in a variety of journals; however, Emergency Medicine accounted for almost half the published papers. The mean time between presentation and publication was 12.6 months (median 11 months).Conclusion:The abstract to publication rate for papers presented by Australasian emergency physicians and trainees at Australasian College for Emergency Medicine/Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine and International Conference on Emergency Medicine meetings is 35%, which is lower than that reported by some other established specialities, but comparable to rates reported for US‐based national and international emergency medicine meetings. Future research should look at barriers to the publication of findings and ways to assist the publication process. See Commentary, page 407.
USE OF MEDICARE SERVICES RELATED TO DIABETES CARE: THE IMPACT OF RURAL ISOLATION
Authors: Overland Jane , Yue Dennis K. , Mira Michael 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT: This study used Medicare data for people living in New South Wales (NSW) (1993–1997) to examine the impact of rural isolation on the utilisation of diabetes health care services. The relative odds of attending a specialist was slightly higher for people in urban areas when compared to their rural counterparts but reached as high as 1.85 in regard to attendance to consultant physicians. Surveillance of diabetes parameters over the 5 year period showed greatest improvement in rural areas. The proportion of patients each year with glycaemic control assessed by quantification of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) or renal function and vascular risk by microalbuminuria estimation rose to 57.4% and 12.3%, respectively, in rural areas compared to 55.2% and 11.3% in major urban areas. This study has shown that the level of monitoring in rural areas is equal to urban areas, despite decreased access to medical care, highlighting the vital role GPs play in diabetes management in rural NSW.
Two‐thirds of Atrophic Body Gastritis Patients Have Evidence of Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Annibale Bruno , Negrini Riccardo , Caruana Pietro , Lahner Edith , Grossi Cristina , Bordi Cesare , Fave Gianfranco Delle 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTBackground. Helicobacter pylori is involved in the induction of atrophic body gastritis (ABG). During the progression of atrophic gastritis the disappearance of H. pylori has been documented and in time serology is the only sign that indicates a previous infection. It has been shown that a positive serology, in ABG patients without histological evidence of infection, indicates an active H. pylori infection.Aim.To investigate in a population of patients with ABG the prevalence of H. pylori infection on the basis of histology and serology.Patients.A total of 150 consecutive outpatients with atrophic body gastritis were diagnosed on the basis of a screening system.Methods.All patients had a detailed assessment including measurement of specific anti‐H. pylori antibodies, parietal cell antibodies, and fasting gastrin, gastroscopy with biopsies from gastric antrum and body.Results.24.6% of patients were histologically and serologically negative (Group A). 52.7%H. pylori was not detected on histology but IgG to H. pylori were in all these patients elevated (Group B). 22.6% of patients were found to be positive at histology in the corpus mucosa; all but one of these patients had elevated circulating IgG to H. pylori (Group C). Mean corporal atrophy score in Group B patients was statistically lower than in Group A patients (2.43 ± 0.08 vs. 2.75 ± 0.09; p < .05), but was statistically higher than in Group C patients (1.79 ± 0.11; p < .001). Thus, in corporal mucosa a gradient of atrophy was shown: Group C < Group B < Group A. A similar gradient was observed for the presence of pernicious anemia being lowest in Group C 11.8% increasing to 45.6% in Group B and being highest in Group C 75.6%. A statistical correlation was obtained (r = .04791, p < .05) between the histological score of corporal atrophy and the titer of antibodies to parietal cells and an inverse correlation was obtained (r = − .2322, p < .0001) between the histological score of corporal atrophy and IgG to H. pylori.Conclusion.This study shows that two‐thirds of ABG patients have evidence of H. pylori infection. This suggests that atrophic gastritis of the corpus is a spectrum of damage where H. pylori is a key agent able to induce gastric atrophic damage and also gastric autoimmunity.
Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Subjects with Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Takashima Toshiharu , Adachi Kyoichi , Kawamura Akira , Yuki Mika , Fujishiro Hirofumi , Rumi Mohammad Azharul Karim , Ishihara Shunji , Watanabe Makoto , Kinoshita Yoshikazu 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground. It has been proposed that Helicobacter pylori infection is related to cardiovascular disease, although this has not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether H. pylori in‐fection is associated with cardiovascular risk factors.Subjects and Methods. One thousand six hundred and fifty people undergoing annual medical checks at Shimane Institute of Health Science between September 1998 and August 1999 were enrolled. Gender, age, body mass index, habitual smoking and drinking, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum level of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), blood glucose, leukocyte count and hemoglobin were compared between H. pylori seropositive and seronegative cases.Results. In H. pylori seropositive individuals, HDLC was significantly lower than that in seronegative individuals. After adjustment for possible confounding factors (gender, age, BMI, smoking and drinking habits), mean HDLC in H. pylori‐seropositive and seronegative individuals were 56.1 and 58.2 mg/dl, respectively (p < .005). The percentage of the elderly (over 50 years old) individuals with HDLC < 35 mg/dl in H. pylori seropositive and seronegative groups were 7.4% and 4.7%, respectively (p < .001). In addition, the lower HDLC level was accompanied by an increased leukocyte count.Conclusion. Long‐term infection with H. pylori may have an important role in decreasing the serum HDLC concentration.
Removal of Mucus for Ultrastructural Observation of the Surface of Human Gastric Epithelium Using Pronase
Authors: Saito Nagahito , Sato Fujio , Oda Atsushi , Kato Mototsugu , Takeda Hiroshi , Sugiyama Toshiro , Asaka Masahiro 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground. Helicobacter pylori adhering to the human gastric epithelium causes gastric diseases such as ulcer, carcinoma and lymphoma. It is thus important to observe in detail both the surface of the epithelial cells and the H. pylori that adhered to it for the elucidation of H. pylori‐induced diseases by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Since the thick mucus layer blocks the observation of the cell surface and the bacteria, it is generally eliminated during the processing for SEM by roughly mechanical methods, but these treatments also demolish the ultrastructure of the cells. We studied the nonmechanical method for removal of mucus layer of gastric epithelium using pronase.Materials and Methods. To determine the optimal concentration of pronase, mucin was used as a substrate for inhibition of the viscosity. Pronase was added in 2% mucin at the concentration of 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2000 or 5000 unit/ml and the flowing time of the mixture was measured. Based on the digestion experiment, biopsied specimens from 24 patients with dyspepsic symptoms were fixed in glutaraldehyde and then washed in rolling with different concentration of pronase. After the pretreatment by pronase, the specimens were treated according to the standard process for SEM.Results. We succeeded in removing the mucus layer on the surface of epithelial cells from the biopsied specimens fixed in glutaraldehyde by rinsing with 2000 unit/ml pronase for 24 hours.Conclusions. Using our digestive method without destroying the ultrastructure, the earliest stage which H. pylori has adhered onto the human gastric epithelium can be observed for the investigation of H. pylori‐induced gastric disorders by SEM.
Functional study of the central nervous system for farm animal husbandry
Authors: SAITO Toshiyuki 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this mini‐review is to describe the recent approaches for revealing the function of the central nervous system in farm animals. The sensory organs are the first sites to gain environmental information. The behavior of the animals is outputted as a result of changes in the integrated neuronal systems, and is largely influenced by the external environment. Therefore, it is necessary to know how farm animals catch and recognize environmental changes. To understand the mechanisms of sensing and behavioral output, approaches for analyzing the brain function are required. Neuroscientific approaches are able to give cues for resolving abnormal behaviors such as stereotypy, and may lead to the improved housing and management of farm animals.
Reduction of urinary nitrogen excretion and ammonia emission from slurry by feeding a low protein diet supplemented with apple pomace to growing pigs
Authors: YAMAMOTO Akemi , ITOH Minoru , KADOYA Yoshikatsu , KANNO Hirokazu , YAMADA Michi , FURUYA Shu 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTAn experiment was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing a reduced crude protein (CP) diet with apple pomace on the urinary nitrogen excretion and ammonia emission from slurry in the growing pigs. Four barrows (35 kg bodyweight) were assigned to one of two diets. Each pig was placed in a metabolism cage and fed a low CP, amino acid‐supplemented diet (CP 11.33%; low CP diet) or a low CP, amino acid‐supplemented diet containing 23.08% dried apple pomace (CP 9.47%; apple pomace diet) for two 14‐day experimental periods. After the completion of the first period, the pigs were switched to the other diet. Urine and feces were quantitatively collected daily for 5 days after a 9‐day adaptation period. The daily nitrogen intake for the low CP diet and the apple pomace diet was 17.76 g/pig and 18.64 g/pig, respectively. The pigs fed the apple pomace diet excreted more fecal nitrogen (6.86 g/day) than the pigs fed the low CP diet (3.63 g/day) (P < 0.001), but urinary nitrogen excretion with the apple pomace diet was 3.11 g/day, which was much lower than that for the low CP diet (5.95 g/day) (P < 0.001). The daily ammonia emission from the mixture of urine and feces determined by an in vitro method was much lower for pigs fed the apple pomace diet (120 mg) than that for pigs fed the low CP diet (603 mg) (P < 0.01). The addition of apple pomace to a reduced CP, amino acid‐supplemented diet reduces urinary nitrogen excretion and thereby ammonia emission.
Nuclear transfer using a bovine mammary epithelial cell line (BMEC)
Authors: AKAGI Satoshi , TAKAHASHI Seiya , OHKOSHI Katsuhiro , TAKENOUCHI Takato , SHIMIZU Manabu , GESHI Masaya , ADACHI Noritaka , FUCHIMOTO Dai‐ichiro , IZAIKE Yoshiaki , ASO Hisashi 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTThe developmental potential of nuclei from a bovine mammary epithelial cell line (BMEC) in nuclear transfer was investigated. For nuclear transfer donors, BMEC cells (passage 15) were cultured for 4–5 days after seeding at cell densities of 1.0 × 105 cells/cm2 (high‐density group) or 0.8 × 104 cells/cm2 (low‐density group). First, the effective electric stimulation for fusion of enucleated oocytes with BMEC cells was examined. Fusion rates reached maximum with two DC pulses of 30 V/150 µm for 20 µs in the high‐density group and with two DC pulses of 25 V/150 µm for 10 µs in the low‐density group. The fusion rate (37.5%) in the high‐density group was significantly (P < 0.005) lower than in the low‐density group (71.4%). Second, the in vitro developmental potential of nuclear transfer embryos derived from BMEC cells was examined. In the high‐density and low‐density groups, 18.8% and 24.1% of fused oocytes, respectively, developed to blastocyst stage. The results of this study indicate that nuclei from BMEC cells support the development of nuclear transfer embryos to the blastocyst stage and that the efficiency of oocyte–cell fusion is affected by the culture conditions of the donor BEMC cells before nuclear transfer.
Quantitative studies of the in vitro production of pipecolic acid by rumen protozoa and its degradation by rumen bacteria
Authors: HUSSAIN‐YUSUF Hazizul , ONODERA Ryoji , NASSER Mohamed Emad A. , SULTANA Halima , SATO Hiroyuki 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTAn in vitro study was conducted to quantitatively investigate the metabolism of pipecolic acid (Pip), a neuromodulator, by mixed rumen bacteria (B), mixed rumen protozoa (P), a combination of B and P (BP), species‐enriched rumen protozoal suspension (Polyplastron sp., Diploplastron sp., entodinia and Entodinium caudatum) and pure cultures of several isolates of rumen bacteria (Prevetolla bryantii, Prevetolla albensis, Streptococcus bovis, Veillonella parvula, Megasphaera elsdenii and Ruminococcus albus). Only P produced Pip from L‐lysine (1.0 mmol/L L‐Lys) at a rate of 83.5 ± 1.6 µmol/L/h and even in BP, Pip was produced from L‐Lys by P and increased at a rate of 31.2 ± 3.8 µmol/L/h. Pip production by P was highest when the substrate (L‐Lys) concentration was 6 mmol/L and then the rate was 580 ± 36 µmol/L/h. Pipecolic acid production by P suspension enriched with different species of protozoa showed that Polyplastron sp. had the highest Pip production rate of 0.907 ± 0.092 µmol/L/mg protozoal protein per h, and Diploplastron sp. had the lowest rate of 0.55 ± 0.13 µmol/L/mg protozoal protein per h. The addition of D‐Lys (1.0 mmol/L) as a substrate to the P suspension revealed that P were also able to produce Pip from D‐Lys, though at a lower rate (1/3) compared with L‐Lys (1.0 mmol/L), suggesting the presence of epimerases in P. It was confirmed that B were unable to produce Pip from L‐ or D‐Lys. Only B degraded Pip (1.0 mmol/L) after a lag phase at a rate of 56.0 ± 1.5 µmol/L/h. The B suspension was able to degrade D‐Lys, though the products were not identified. Pip degradation by pure culture of some species of rumen bacteria showed that P. bryantii and R. albus had the highest rate followed by P. albensis, S. bovis and M. elsdenii with a low rate of Pip degradation. Veillonella parvula showed no ability to degrade Pip. The results suggest that a fairly large proportion of rumen‐produced Pip is likely to be absorbed by the host animal before degradation by rumen bacteria.
Heterologous expression of gassericin A, a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus gasseri LA39
Authors: KAWAI Yasushi , ARAKAWA Kensuke , ITOH Ayako , SAITOH Boku , ISHII Yasuyuki , NISHIMURA Junko , KITAZAWA Haruki , ITOH Takatoshi , SAITO Tadao 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTGassericin A, a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus gasseri LA39, has a cyclic structure linking N‐ and C‐terminal amino acids. Gassericin A was expressed in Escherichia coli JM109 as a biotinylated fusion protein on the basis of the DNA sequence of mature bacteriocin. A positive clone accumulated the bacteriocin, with no activity, as a soluble fusion protein in the cytoplasm. After release of an N‐terminal tag with factor Xa protease, gassericin A was converted into an active peptide having N‐ and C‐termini. The total amount of purified bacteriocins (expressed and native) was 480 µg/L and 370 µg/L, respectively. However, the specific activity of expressed gassericin A was 15 AU/mg lower than that of native bacteriocin (2600 AU/mg). Although the actual Mr (molecular weight) of the expressed bacteriocin should be 5666, the peptide showed the same mobility (Mr 3800) in sodium dodecylsulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) as native cyclic gassericin A, suggesting that the expressed peptide retains compact folding of the molecule similar to that of native gassericin A.