bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic Susceptibility of <i>Serratia marcescens</i> and <i>Serratia liquefaciens</i>
Authors: Traub Walter H. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Over a period of 20 years, a total of 1,603 <i>Serratia</i> isolates were recovered from clinical specimens and examined for susceptibility to 29 antimicrobial drugs using the Bauer-Kirby agar disk diffusion test. <i>Serratia marcescens</i> was recovered most frequently (n = 1,409), followed by <i>S. liquefaciens</i> (n = 172); other <i>Serratia</i> species were scarce. During the 2-decade observation period there occurred 35 putative episodes/clusters of nosocomial cross-infection and 1 pseudo-outbreak due to <i>S. marcescens,</i> but none due to <i>S. liquefaciens.</i> <i>Methods:</i> The antimicrobial susceptibility data for <i>S. marcescens</i> and <i>S. liquefaciens</i> were subdivided into two observation periods: I = 1980–1993, and II = 1993–1999. The crude data (series A) obtained for <i>S. marcescens</i> were corrected in two ways: by the omission of repetitive patient isolates (series B) and the additional removal of outbreak isolates except for index case isolates (series C). <i>Results and Conclusions:</i> Comparison of data obtained in series IC and IIC disclosed an increase in the susceptibility of <i>S. marcescens</i> to ampicillin + sulbactam, cefotaxime, chloramphenicol, doxycycline, fosfomycin, gentamicin, piperacillin, piperacillin + tazobactam, timentin and tobramycin during observation period II. Conversely, there was a decrease in susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid and trovafloxacin, and slightly diminished susceptibility to norfloxacin and ofloxacin during observation period II as compared with the previous period. The crude data obtained for <i>S. liquefaciens</i> required no correction, as there were only a few repeat isolates. There was an increase in susceptibility to ampicillin, ampicillin + sulbactam, cefuroxime, doxycycline, fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin and polymyxin B (clear inhibition zones). However, there was an inexplicable decrease in susceptibility to piperacillin + tazobactam. Cocarde growth around polymyxin B disks was noted with 55.8% of the <i>S. marcescens</i> isolates as compared with 6.8% of the <i>S. liquefaciens</i> isolates. Slime around fluoroquinolone inhibition zones was produced by 83.4% of the <i>S. marcescens</i> isolates. Slime production around carbapenem inhibition zones was noted with 52% of the <i>S. liquefaciens</i> isolates, but with only a single isolate of <i>S. marcescens.</i>
In vitro Susceptibility to Itraconazole, Clotrimazole, Ketoconazole and Terbinafine of 100 Isolates of <i>Trichophyton rubrum</i>
Authors: Fernández-Torres B. , Vázquez-Veiga H. , Llovo X. , Pereiro Jr. M. , Guarro J. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> A reference method for dermatophyte in vitro susceptibility testing is lacking. With the advent of new antimycotics, susceptibility testing has received increasing attention as an important laboratory tool for aiding the selection of appropriate drug therapy. <i>Methods:</i> One hundred strains of <i>Trichophyton rubrum</i> were tested against four antifungal agents, itraconazole, clotrimazole, ketoconazole and terbinafine, by using a modification of the proposed standard M38-P of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards and two types of standardized inocula, 1.4 × 10<sup>4</sup> and 5 × 10<sup>3</sup> CFU/ml. <i>Results:</i> Terbinafine was revealed to be the most effective antifungal drug. Of the three azole derivatives tested, clotrimazole showed the highest antifungal activity, while the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of itraconazole and ketoconazole were similar. Inoculum size did not affect the MIC of any of the antifungal agents tested. <i>Conclusion:</i> Our preliminary data provide promising results for the development of a reference method for dermatophyte susceptibility testing based on the microdilution technique, although more dermatophytes should be tested and the method evaluated in different laboratories.
Indomethacin Interferes with EGF-Induced Activation of Ornithine Decarboxylase in Gastric Cancer Cells
Authors: Ishikawa T. , Ichikawa Y. , Tarnawski A. , Fujiwara Y. , Fukuda T. , Arakawa T. , Mitsuhashi M. , Shimada H. 
Published: April 2003

<b>Background/Aims: </b>Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has a wide variety of biological activities in the protection of gastric mucosa against acute injury and the healing of gastric ulcer. However, the molecular basis of the EGF action remains unknown. EGF-induced activation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) was examined, because ODC is a key enzyme for the cell proliferation. <b>Methods:</b> The effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and indomethacin on ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) mRNA and enzyme activity were examined in gastric cancer derived KATO-III cells. <b>Results:</b> EGF induced both ODC mRNA expression and enzyme activation in a biphasic manner with the peaks at 0.5 and 3 h for mRNA and at 5 and 9 h for enzyme activity, respectively. Indomethacin pretreatment significantly reduced EGF-induced ODC activation and was completely abolished for the first 5 h. <b>Conclusion:</b> Since it has been reported that both EGF and ODC are involved in cell migration and proliferation, two actions of EGF for gastric mucosal healing may be through, at least in part, this biphasic activation of ODC. Indomethacin suppresses and changes the response of ODC induced by EGF.
Immunohistochemical Characterization of the Pancreatic Cellular Infiltrate in Normal Pancreas, Chronic Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Carcinoma
Authors: Emmrich Jörg , Weber Inge , Nausch Monika , Sparmann Gisela , Koch Klaus , Seyfarth Michael , Löhr Matthias , Liebe Stefan 
Published: April 2003

<b>Background/Aims:</b> Chronic pancreatitis is histologically characterized by an extended fibrosis and infiltration of leukocytes. We intended to differentiate the infiltration to evaluate the inflammatory process. <b>Methods:</b> Samples of tissues of normal pancreas (NP, n = 12), of chronic pancreatitis (CP, n = 7), and pancreatic tissues surrounding pancreatic carcinoma (CA, n = 7) were investigated by immunohistochemical staining using the APAAP technique. <b>Results:</b> In normal pancreas, mononuclear cells (47.1 ± 26.0 cells/mm<sup>2</sup>) were observed with a predominance of macrophages (56.3%) and T lymphocytes (31.3%) which were differentiated in CD8+ lymphocytes (9.3 ± 7.2 cells/mm<sup>2</sup>) and CD4+ lymphocytes (6.7 ± 3.2 cells/mm<sup>2</sup>). Rarely, plasma cells (5.3%) and B lymphocytes (7.1%) could be detected. In pancreatic tissue of patients with CP and in CA there was a significant increase of mononuclear cells to 264.4 ± 120.3 cells/mm<sup>2</sup> and 284.3 ± 67.8 cells/mm<sup>2</sup>, respectively. In both diseases percentages of T lymphocytes (CP: 50.5%; CA: 48.1%) were higher than in normal controls. CD4+/CD8+ ratio of 0.77 in CP and 0.82 in CA demonstrated a predominance of CD8+ cells compared to the peripheral blood. In NP and CA, nearly all T lymphocytes expressed CD45R0 identifying memory cells, while only 58% of T lymphocytes were CD45R0 positive in CP. <b>Conclusion:</b> Our data suggest that the investigated cases of CP were of a common inflammatory type rather than due to an autoimmunological reaction. CD8+ T lymphocytes were the predominant T cell subset in the inflammatory infiltrates in both CP and CA.
Endoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment of Early Cancer in the Alimentary Tract
Authors: Yoshida Shigeaki 
Published: April 2003

Due to the recent widespread use of detailed endoscopy together with careful scrutiny of the mucosa using dye-spraying techniques, there has been a general acceptance in Japan that early malignancies in the alimentary tract may not appear polypoid or ulcerative. Regardless of organ, superficial early cancers have been reported. These lesions appear as faint mucosal irregularities or discolorations, which may be difficult to distinguish from nonspecific inflammation or trauma. The recognition of these malignancies has prompted the development of new techniques for their treatment. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) which can resect lesions as completely as specimens removed at open surgery, has become the first choice of treatment for early digestive cancer. The lesions that can be removed by EMR should be those which hardly ever carry lymph node metastases. Endoscopically, they are shown to be flat esophageal cancers, gastritis-like cancers and colorectal cancers less than 2 cm in flat elevated type or less than 1 cm in depressed type. In spite of the advances in characterizing early cancers and an emerging consensus on indications and contraindications for EMR, much work remains to be done. New techniques will continue to push the limits of what can be achieved via an endoscope.
Effect of Copper, Cadmium, Mercury, Manganese and Lead on Fe<sup>2+</sup> and Fe<sup>3+</sup> Absorption in Perfused Mouse Intestine
Authors: Iturri Sergio , Nuñez Marco Tulio 
Published: April 2003

Body iron homeostasis is maintained by the regulation of iron absorption in the first portion of the small intestine. Previous studies have shown that some trace metal cations may have an inhibitory effect on inorganic iron absorption. In view of the possible nutritional and toxicological implications of this inhibition, we decided to study the effect of Cu<sup>2+</sup>, Cd<sup>2+</sup>, Hg<sup>2+</sup>, Pb<sup>2+</sup>, and Mn<sup>2+</sup> on Fe<sup>2+</sup> and Fe<sup>3+</sup> intestinal uptake. To that end, the duodenal portion of the mouse intestine was perfused with 1 µ<i>M</i> <sup>55</sup>Fe either in the 2+ or 3+ redox state, in the absence or presence of a 10-fold molar excess of Cd<sup>2+</sup>, Cu<sup>2+</sup>, Hg<sup>2+</sup>, Mn<sup>2+</sup>, or Pb<sup>2+</sup>. It was found that Cd<sup>2+</sup> and Cu<sup>2+</sup>, but not Hg<sup>2+</sup>, Mn<sup>2+</sup>, or Pb<sup>2+</sup>, significantly inhibited the uptake of Fe<sup>2+</sup> (p < 0.001). Surprisingly, the observed inhibition by Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Cd<sup>2+</sup> was dependent on the iron redox state, since neither cation inhibited Fe<sup>3+</sup> uptake by mouse duodenum. Similarly, no inhibition of Fe<sup>3+</sup> uptake was observed with a 10-fold molar excess of Hg<sup>2+</sup>, Mn<sup>2+</sup>, or Pb<sup>2+</sup>. These results indicate that inhibition of iron uptake by Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Cd<sup>2+</sup> takes place only in a reducing environment. Therefore, under the common oxidative conditions found in nutrients no inhibition of non-heme Fe uptake by Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Cd<sup>2+</sup>, as well as Mn<sup>2+</sup>, Hg<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> is to be expected. We propose either that Fe<sup>2+</sup> and Fe<sup>3+</sup> are transported through two different mechanisms, or that the enterocyte-mediated reduction of Fe<sup>3+</sup>, and the ensuing transport of Fe<sup>2+</sup> are processes coupled in such a way that they are refractory to inhibition by Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Cd<sup>2+</sup>.
Effect of Distension of the Pharynx and Esophagus on the Stomach in Dogs: Experimental Evidence for a Pharyngoesophagogastric Reflex
Authors: Shafik Ahmed 
Published: April 2003

<i>Purpose:</i> To study the effect of pharyngeal and esophageal distension on the pressure within the stomach aiming at assessing the stomach condition during passage of food boli through the pharynx and esophagus. <i>Methods:</i> 12 dogs (mean weight 16.2 ± 3.3 kg) were studied. With the animal under anesthesia, a 4-Fr manometric catheter was introduced into the stomach and a 2-Fr balloon-tipped catheter into the pharynx. The gastric pressure response to pharyngeal and esophageal distension, each at a time, was recorded. Distension was performed in increments of 2 ml of water up to 6 ml. The test was repeated while the pharynx, esophagus or stomach were separately anesthetized using 2% xylocaine. Bilateral truncal vagotomy was done in 4 dogs and the gastric response to pharyngoesophageal distension studied. <i>Results:</i> Pharyngeal distension produced a significant pressure drop of the corpus of the stomach (p < 0.05); the pyloric antrum showed no response. Upper, middle or lower esophageal distension produced gastric response similar to that evoked by pharyngeal distension. The gastric response was abolished on distension of the anesthetized pharynx or esophagus, when the corpus was anesthetized, or after bilateral vagotomy. <i>Conclusion:</i> The proximal gastric dilatation on pharyngeal and esophageal distension postulates a reflex relationship between the two actions which we call ‘pharyngoesophagogastric reflex’. This reflex is suggested to dilate the proximal stomach preparatory to receiving food boli from the esophagus; it was abolished after anesthetizing its possible two arms arising from the pharyngoesophagus and the stomach, or after vagotomy.
Continuous Intravenous Octreotide Treatment for Acute Experimental Pancreatitis
Authors: Greenberg R. , Haddad R. , Kashtan H. , Brazowski E. , Graff E. , Skornick Y. , Kaplan O. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> The efficacy of octreotide, the synthetic analogue of the hormone somatostatin, for the treatment of acute pancreatitis is controversial. Octreotide has been commonly administered in subcutaneous bolus injections; however, continuous intravenous infusion may be advantageous for acute conditions. <i>Methods:</i> Acute experimental pancreatitis was induced in rats by intraparenchymal injections of 1 ml 10% sodium taurocholate, and octreotide (1 µg/kg/h, dissolved in physiological solution, intravenously was started 4 h later and continuously infused for 48 h. Physiological solution infusions, in identical volumes, were used in the controls. The following parameters were examined: mortality; macroscopic and histological damage; hematocrit; plasma pH; acid-base balance; serum glucose; calcium, and amylase. <i>Results:</i> Octreotide treatment had a striking effect on mortality: 8.3 versus 91.6% in the treatment and control groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Octreotide also ameliorated pancreatic edema and intestinal dilatation, and had significant beneficial effects on histopathological damage and the biochemical alterations which are associated with acute pancreatitis. <i>Conclusions:</i> Continuous intravenous octreotide infusion is a potentially efficacious therapeutic method for acute pancreatitis.
Effect of Chain Length on Absorption of Biologically Active Peptides from the Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Roberts Pamela R. , Burney J.D. , Black Kimberly W. , Zaloga Gary P. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objectives:</i> Protein digestion generates many peptides in the gut lumen. Some of these peptides possess biological effects when tested using in vitro systems. It is clear that dipeptides and tripeptides can be absorbed intact from the gastrointestinal tract. However, the fate of larger peptides and small proteins remains unclear. Equally unclear are the biologic potencies of absorbed peptides and the quantity of peptide that must be administered into the gut to produce a biologic effect. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of amino acid chain length on the ability of enterally administered peptides to produce biologic effects. <i>Methods:</i> Small bowel feeding tubes, jugular catheters, and arterial lines were placed into adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were administered intravenous (50 μg) and enteral (125 and 500 μg) thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH, a tripeptide), intravenous (100 μg) and enteral (100 and 500 μg) luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH, a decapeptide), and intravenous (0.5 mg) and enteral (0.5 and 25 mg) insulin (a 51-amino acid polypeptide). The quantity of peptide administered represented less than 0.5% of a rat’s normal daily protein intake. The biologic effect of TRH, LHRH, and insulin were assessed using thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) response, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) response, and glucose. We also measured serum levels of insulin in the rats following enteral insulin administration. <i>Results:</i> The results indicate that enteral TRH (125 and 500 μg) produced the same TSH response as intravenous TRH. The response to 500 μg enteral LHRH was 50% of the response to intravenous LHRH and the response to 25 mg enteral insulin was 30% of the response to 0.5 mg intravenous insulin. Serum insulin levels increased significantly following both 0.5 and 25 mg enteral insulin. <i>Conclusions:</i> These results support the concept that small (di- and tripeptides) and large (10–51 amino acids) peptides generated in the diet can be absorbed intact through the intestines and produce biologic effects at the tissue level. The potency of the enterally administered peptides decreases as the chain length increases. We postulate that absorbed dietary peptides play a role in the modulation of organ function and disease progression.
Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer following the Diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatitis
Authors: Talamini G. , Bassi C. , Falconi M. , Sartori N. , Pasetto M. , Salvia R. , DiFrancesco V. , Frulloni L. , Vaona B. , Bovo P. , Pederzoli P. , Cavallini G. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Aim:</i> To assess whether patients with misdiagnoses of chronic pancreatitis (CP), followed at an early stage by a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer (PCr), present different epidemiological characteristics from patients suffering either from CP alone or from CP with late degeneration to PCr. <i>Methods:</i> We arbitrarily subdivided our patient series into three groups: (1) 12 CP who developed PCr within 4 years after onset of symptoms; (2) 12 CP developing PCr after the 4th year, and (3) 701 CP with no subsequent development of PCr. The variables studied were age, sex, drinking and smoking habits, tumor localization, and presence of intraductal calcifications and diabetes mellitus at the time of diagnosis of CP. <i>Results:</i> There were no significant differences between CP and ‘late’ PCr in any of the study variables considered. As compared with the CP group, the ‘early’ PCr cases were older (58.7 vs. 40.7 years; p < 0.0001), with a lower proportion of males (58 vs. 88%; p < 0.01), smaller proportions of both smokers (42 vs. 88%; p < 0.0001) and subjects drinking more than 40 g of alcohol/day (42 vs. 86%; p < 0.0001), and a greater incidence of non-insulin-dependent diabetics at the time of diagnosis of CP (25 vs. 3.7%; p < 0.012). As compared with the ‘late’ PCr group, the malignancies in the ‘early’ PCr cases were more often located in the head of the pancreas (100 vs. 50%; p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis selected age over 50 (odds ratio OR 13.5, 95% confidence interval CI 2.79–65.5; p < 0.001), smoking habits (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.04–0.49; p < 0.002), and non-insulin-dependent diabetes (OR 5.91, 95% CI 1.20–29.1; p < 0.028) as variables identifying subjects with ‘early’ PCr. <i>Conclusions:</i> A high suspicion of a pancreatic tumor is necessary when CP is diagnosed in a patient with atypical epidemiological characteristics for this condition, possibly female, aged over 50, who is not a smoker or drinker, and suffers from non-insulin-dependent diabetes.
In Search of Immunogenic <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> Proteins by Screening of Expression Library
Authors: Łazowska Izabella , Trzeciak Lech , Godlewska Renata , Hennig Ewa , Jagusztyn-Krynicka Katarzyna , Popowski Janusz , Reguła Jarosław , Ostrowski Jerzy 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Prevention of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> infection may help to control related gastritis, peptic ulcer and cancer. Of the possible preventive measures, immunization was successfully employed in various animal studies. However, no immunization protocol has been accepted for humans. A better characterization of the immune response against the pathogen may be required before a human vaccine is developed. <i>Aim:</i> To identify bacterial proteins which induce an immune response in infected humans or <i>H. pylori</i>-immunized rabbits. <i>Methods:</i> An expression library of <i>H. pylori</i> genes was screened with sera from infected humans and from immunized rabbits. Positive clones were partially sequenced and identified on the basis of a homology search of a <i>H. pylori</i> genome database. Encoded proteins were expressed directly from positive clones and analyzed by SDS-PAGE/Western blot techniques. <i>Results:</i> 114 positive clones were isolated: 79 by screening with human sera and 35 by screening with rabbit sera. Western blot analysis demonstrated that selected clones encoded one or more strongly immunoreactive proteins. 64 clones selected with human sera had no counterparts among clones from screening with rabbit serum. 13 of these clones encoded a total of 21 unknown <i>H. pylori</i> proteins. 17 clones selected with rabbit sera were not immunostained with human sera. They represent 2 various regions of the <i>H. pylori</i> genome which encoded 3 bacterial proteins of unknown function. <i>Conclusions:</i> Screening of <i>H. pylori</i> expression library identified immunogenic proteins – potential vaccine antigens.
Retreatment with Interferon-Alpha and Ribavirin in Primary Interferon-Alpha Non-Responders with Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Teuber Gerlinde , Berg Thomas , Hoffmann Robert M. , Leifeld Ludger , Lafrenz Michael , Spengler Ulrich , Pape Gerd R. , Hopf Uwe , Zeuzem Stefan 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Aims:</i> Combination therapy with interferon-α (IFN-α) plus ribavirin is more efficacious than IFN-α monotherapy in previously untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C and patients with IFN-α relapse. Only limited data are available in IFN-α non-responders. In a multicenter trial we therefore evaluated the efficacy of combination therapy in IFN-α-resistant chronic hepatitis C. <i>Methods:</i> Eighty-two patients (mean age 46.8 years, 54 males, 28 females) with chronic hepatitis C were treated with IFN-α-2a (3 × 6 MIU/week) and ribavirin (14 mg/kg daily) for 12 weeks. Thereafter, treatment was continued only in virological responders (undetectable serum HCV RNA at week 12) with an IFN-α dose of 3 × 3 MIU/week and without ribavirin for a further 9 months. The primary study endpoint was an undetectable HCV RNA by RT-PCR at the end of the 24-week follow-up period. <i>Results:</i> After 12 weeks of combination therapy, an initial virological response was observed in 29 of 82 (35.4%) patients. Due to a high breakthrough rate after IFN-α dose reduction and ribavirin discontinuation, an end-of-treatment response was only achieved in 12 of 82 (14.6%) patients. After the follow-up period, a sustained virological response was observed in 8 of 82 (9.8%) patients. Infection with HCV genotype 3 was the only pretreatment parameter, which could predict a sustained response (HCV-1, 5%; HCV-3, 57.1%; p < 0.001). <i>Conclusions:</i> Despite a high initial response rate of 35.4%, sustained viral clearance was achieved only in 9.8% of the retreated primary IFN-α non-responders. Higher IFN-α induction and maintenance dose, as well as prolonged ribavirin treatment may possibly increase the virological response rates in non-responders, particularly in those infected by HCV-1.