bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Albumin and Polyvinyl Alcohol on the Vitality, Motility and Acrosomal Integrity of Canine Spermatozoa Incubated in vitro
Authors: Risopatrón J , Catalán S , Miska W , Schill W‐B , Sánchez R 
Published: March 2003

ContentsSperm culture media used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures are important factors concerning the viability, motility and acrosomal integrity of spermatozoa. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three different sperm diluting media, tissue culture medium (TCM‐199), sperm culture medium (Sp‐TALP) and human tubular fluid (HTF) supplemented with varying concentrations of bovine serum albumin (1, 4 and 6%) or polyvinyl alcohol (0.8%) on the acrosomal integrity, motility and viability of canine spermatozoa. Ejaculates collected from four dogs were diluted in all media and spermatozoa were separated from seminal plasma by the swim‐up technique. Sperm progressive motility was assessed using a phase contrast microscope. Viability and acrosomal integrity were evaluated using a dual stain technique (Giemsa–Trypan blue). The results demonstrated that the number of live canine spermatozoa was similar in culture media supplemented or not supplemented with macromolecules. A minimal concentration of albumin (1%) in the three media showed similar effects on vitality, motility and acrosomal integrity, as had higher concentrations (4 and 6%). The percentage of acrosome‐intact spermatozoa was markedly higher after HTF (94.1%) than after TCM‐199 (70.1%) or Sp‐TALP (71.0%) without supplementation. It is concluded that serum bovine albumin, irrespective of the concentration, preserved sperm viability and function, and HTF is the most suitable medium for preserving the acrosome in canine spermatozoa prepared for in vitro manipulation through short incubation.
Is depression normal in human beings? A critique of the evolutionary perspective
Authors: McLoughlin Garry 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT: To the evolutionary biologist human beings at every stage of their development represent ‘compromises’ in their continual adaptation to their changing environments. Using a neo‐Darwinian perspective, evolutionary psychiatrists such as Randolph Nesse (Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan) argue that while natural selection does not shape disease itself, it does shape human traits and therefore vulnerability to disease. Accordingly, for him, depression is a human emotion which may represent a surviving positive response and is therefore not always pathological. This critique examines Nesse's principal arguments and reveals a number of weaknesses in those arguments. The article concludes with a review of the therapeutic and preventive implications of his evolutionary perspective on depressive states as well as some implications for mental health nurses.
The eosinophil leucocyte, a phenotypic marker of resistance to nematode parasites, is associated with calm behaviour in sheep
Authors: Hohenhaus MA , Josey MJ , Dobson C , Outteridge PM 
Published: March 2003

The hypothesis that behaviour in sheep is influenced by resistance to infections with Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Haemonchus contortus was explored. Sheep were assessed phenotypically as resistant and susceptible in four ways and thereafter, the effect of resistance on several behavioural traits was measured in an arena test. The behavioural parameters recorded for each sheep were: approach/avoidance distance; travel; number of moves; and spread. Four phenotypic groups of sheep were set up each with two subgroups: ovine lymphocyte antigen (OLA) type (subgroups SY1a type vs other types); blood eosinophil leucocyte counts (high vs low); T. colubriformis and H. contortus serum antibodies (high vs low titres) and faecal egg count (FEC) (high vs low).Only the behavioural comparison between sheep with high versus low eosinophil leucocyte count showed consistent differences that were statistically significant, although other comparisons favoured associations between OLA type SY1a, low FEC and reduced approach/avoidance distance and/or locomotor behaviour. The eosinophil leucocyte association was established on two non‐overlapping test populations of sheep, with mean eosinophil leucocyte counts of 3.19 × 105/mL blood for high and 0.83 × 105/mL blood for low subgroups; results were reproduced on five separate occasions over 6 weeks to detect differences as approach/avoidance distance (P < 0.01), travel (P < 0.01), number of moves (P < 0.01), and spread (P < 0.05).High eosinophilia correlated with low FEC for the infected sheep, which identified sheep that were resistant to parasites. We concluded, therefore, that the resistant sheep were more at ease with the environment of the test than were the sheep with low eosinophil leucocyte counts. The strong association between high eosinophil leucocyte counts and behaviour is consistent with other reports which suggest that retention of normal levels of circulating eosinophil leucocytes is associated with resistance to stress.
Etiopathogenesis of acute hepatic failure: Eastern versus Western countries
Authors: ACHARYA SK , BATRA Y , HAZARI S , CHOUDHURY V , PANDA SK , DATTAGUPTA S 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Etiopathogenesis of acute hepatic failure (AHF) in Eastern and Western countries is distinct. In the East hepatitis viruses cause AHF in more than 95% of such cases, while causes of AHF in the West are quite heterogenous. Hepatitis E virus is the major etiological agent of AHF in countries like India where the virus is hyperendemic. Occult HBV infection may also be causing AHF in a sizable proportion of cases in areas where chronic HBV infection frequency is high. Paracetamol causes AHF in about 70% cases in the UK and about 20% cases in USA, whereas in France and Denmark, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs are more frequently associated with AHF. Hepatitis B virus causes AHF in about one‐third of cases in the latter two countries.© 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Pathogenesis of ascites and predictors of resistance to therapy
Authors: DE FRANCHIS ROBERTO , SALERNO FRANCESCO 
Published: March 2003

Abstract  Ascites is one of the most frequent complications of cirrhosis. Its appearance is considered as the marker of the transition from the compensated to the decompensated stage of the disease. Appearance of ascites also has prognostic significance, as it causes a sharp drop in the expected survival rate. Portal hypertension is a sine qua‐non for the development of ascites. Although no precise portal pressure threshold has been defined for the development of ascites, the latter rarely develops with portal pressures below 12 mmHg. In addition, in patients treated with interventions that markedly decrease portal pressure, such as surgical porta‐caval shunts or transjugular intrahepatic portalsystemic shunts, a disappearance or a marked reduction of ascites can be observed. The currently most accepted theory of ascites formation is the so‐called ‘forward’ theory. According to this theory, the development of ascites is related to the presence of severe sinusoidal portal hypertension, which causes marked splanchnic arterial vasodilation and a forward increase in the splanchnic production of lymph. Splanchnic arterial vasodilation also causes a significant reduction of the effective blood volume, leading to activation of sodium and water‐retaining mechanisms. The retained sodium and water, however, while increasing total plasma volume, are unable to compensate for the reduced effective blood volume, initiating a vicious cycle. In the advanced stages of cirrhosis, the extreme underfilling of the arterial circulation leads to a maximal stimulation of the vasoconstrictor mechanisms which override the protective effect of renal vasodilator factors and cause renal vasoconstriction, further aggravating ascites and leading to functional renal insufficiency. Renal insufficiency is also one of the main causes of resistance to diuretic therapy. While several studies have investigated the predictors of survival in cirrhotic patients with ascites, this has not been done for the occurrence of resistance to therapy. However, as the mechanisms of refractoriness are associated with advanced disease and short survival, the models developed for predicting survival should be employed also to verify if they can exert such additional prediction.© 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Rhabdomyolysis and acute pancreatitis
Authors: Pezzilli Raffaele , Billi Paola , Cappelletti Onda , Barakat Bahjat , Miglio Federico 
Published: March 2003

Aims: To establish the incidence of rhabdomyolysis in patients with acute pancreatitis and to determine the effectiveness of myoglobin in assessing the severity of the disease. Methods: Sixty‐one patients having acute pancreatitis (33 males, 28 females, mean age 66 years, range 16–97 years) were studied; diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was based on the typical abdominal pain associated with elevated concentrations of serum lipase and further confirmed by imaging techniques. Rhabdomyolysis was defined as a level of serum myoglobin which is two or more times greater than the upper normal test limit. All patients had normal renal function at the time of the study, none had clinical and/or electrocardiographic signs of acute myocardial infarction and none were drug addicts. Forty‐five patients had mild acute pancreatitis and 16 had the severe form of the disease. Serum myoglobin was determined using a nephelometric technique. Results: Patients with mild pancreatitis had serum concentrations of myoglobin (median and range; 35.7, 24–713 μg/L) similar to those with severe pancreatitis (26.8, 24–710 μg/L). Twelve of the 61 patients with acute pancreatitis (20%) had serum myoglobin concentrations above the upper normal limit: eight of the 45 patients with mild pancreatitis (17.7%) and four of the 16 patients with severe pancreatitis (25.0%). Four of the 61 patients with acute pancreatitis (7%) had serum myoglobin levels more than twice the upper normal limit: two with mild disease and two with the severe form of pancreatitis. Conclusions: Rhabdomyolysis may occur asymptomatically in patients with acute pancreatitis, especially in those with the severe form of the disease. Serum myoglobin determination is not useful in establishing the severity of acute pancreatitis.
Calcitriol for bone disease in patients with cirrhosis of the liver
Authors: Shiomi Susumu , Masaki Kyoko , Habu Daiki , Takeda Tadashi , Nishiguchi Shuhei , Kuroki Tetsuo , Tanaka Takashi , Ochi Hironobu 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: Osteoporosis is associated with cirrhosis of the liver, but the effects of therapy for osteoporosis associated with cirrhosis are still controversial.
Methods
: We evaluated the effects of calcitriol (1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3) on bone mineral density (BMD) in 76 patients (26 men and 50 women) with cirrhosis who were assigned randomly to receive calcitriol (0.5 mg twice per day) or not. The BMD of the lumbar vertebrae was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry at least twice, 12–57 months apart.
Results
: For men, the mean annual change in BMD was 1.1% in the treated group and –0.4% in the control group. The median (25th and 75th percentiles) annual change in BMD was 0.6 (–0.1, 2.1%) in the treated group and –1.4 (–1.9, 1.6%) in the control group. The difference in the median annual change between the two groups was significant (P = 0.013). For women, the mean annual change in BMD was –0.5% in the treated group and –2.3% in the control group. The median (25th and 75th percentiles) annual change in BMD was –0.5 (–1.8, 1.3%) in the treated group and –1.5 (–3.8, –0.7%) in the control group. This difference was significant (P = 0.011).
Conclusions
: Our results suggest that calcitriol can prevent bone loss and, therefore, may be useful for the treatment of bone disease in patients with cirrhosis of the liver.© 1999 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd
C ASE R	EPORT: Colonic duplication: A rare cause of obstruction
Authors: Jimenez Susan G , Oliver Mark R , Stokes Keith B , Morreau Phillip N , Chow Chung Wo 
Published: March 2003

AbstractComplete duplication of the entire large bowel with partial ileal involvement is very rare and diagnosis can often be difficult as illustrated by this case report. We also review the other clinical associations of this rare condition and briefly discuss the embryology of duplications of the gastrointestinal tract.
Diffuse submucosal cysts of the stomach: Report of two cases in association with development of multiple gastric cancers during endoscopic follow up
Authors: Inaba Tomoki , Mizuno Motowo , Kawai Kozou , Okada Hiroyuki , Tsuji Takao 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: Diffuse submucosal cysts of the stomach have been suggested as a predisposing condition for the development of gastric cancer, especially multiple cancers. We report here two cases of diffuse submucosal cysts of the stomach associated with multiple gastric cancers which were detected during endoscopic follow‐up.
Methods and Results
: The first patient was a 75‐year‐old man and the second patient was a 72‐year‐old man. In the first case, we performed an endoscopic examination every year and detected an advanced cancer and two early cancers on the fifth year of the follow up. Because one of these cancers was advanced, we examined the second patient endoscopically every six months. In this patient, we detected two early cancers after 1.5 years follow up.
Conclusions
: We suggest that patients with this disorder should be examined regularly by endoscopy for the detection of gastric cancer, preferably every six months.© 1999 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd
CASE REPORT: Portal vein thrombosis associated with hereditary protein C deficiency: A report of two cases
Authors: Yang Ying‐Ying , Chan Che‐Chang , Wang Sun‐Sang , Chiu Chang‐Fang , Hsu Hui‐Chi , Chiang Jen‐Huey , Tasy Shyh‐Haw , Chang Full‐Young , Lee Shou‐Dong 
Published: March 2003

AbstractProtein C deficiency is one of the causes of curable or preventable portal vein thrombosis. We report two patients of portal vein thrombosis associated with hereditary protein C deficiency. The first patient presented with continuous right upper quadrant pain and high fever. The abdominal sonography revealed normal liver parenchyma but portal vein and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis. Based on a 55% (normal 70–140%) plasma protein C level, he was diagnosed as having protein C deficiency. A trace of his family history showed that his elder brother also had protein C deficiency with a 50% plasma C level. Both patients received anticoagulant therapy. The younger brother showed good response. Unfortunately, the elder one suffered from recurrent episodes of variceal bleeding and received a life‐saving splenectomy and devascularization. We herein remind clinicians that early screening and therapy are helpful in preventing late complications of protein C deficiency with portal vein thrombosis.© 1999 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd
Natural history of acute hepatitis C
Authors: Tanaka Eiji , Kiyosawa Kendo 
Published: March 2003

AbstractTo study the short‐ and long‐term outcomes of acute hepatitis C, three groups of patients were enrolled. Of 26 patients with acute hepatitis C, 18 (69%) maintained HCV viraemia and 8 had cleared virus naturally at 12 months after the onset. Normalization of ALT was seen in all 8 patients with acute resolving hepatitis, but in only 1 (5%) of the 18 patients with chronic HCV infection (P < 0.001). Changes in liver histology were analysed in 43 patients with acute hepatitis C who underwent repeated liver biopsy. The mean score of the fibrotic stage was 0.9 within 1 year of the onset, and it increased gradually up to 3.5 at 30 years from the onset (0.1 grade/year). The fibrotic stage increased more rapidly in patients aged more than 50 years. In 115 patients, the mean duration between blood transfusion and the diagnosis of HCC increased significantly (P < 0.001) in accordance with increasing age at blood transfusion; 35 ± 5.3 years in patients aged less than 30 years, 30 ± 4.9 years in those aged between 30 and 40 years, and 25 ± 6.8 years in those aged more than 40 years. In conclusion, approximately 70% of patients with acute hepatitis C develop chronic hepatitis. Once patients develop chronic hepatitic fibrosis of the liver, it progresses over several decades, faster in older patients.
Regulatory mechanism of acid secretion in the damaged stomach: Role of endogenous nitric oxide
Authors: Takeuchi Koji , Araki Hideo , Kawauchi Shoji , Kunikata Tomonori , Mizoguchi Hiroyuki , Tashima Kimihito 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe present article overviews the regulatory mechanism of acid secretion in the stomach after damage with taurocholate (TC), one of the bile acids. Mucosal exposure of a rat stomach to 20 mmol/L TC for 30 min caused a decrease of acid secretion with a concomitant increase in nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PG) E2 (PGE2) as well as Ca2+ in the luminal contents. Prior administration of NG‐nitro‐
L‐arginine methyl ester (
L‐NAME), as well as indomethacin, significantly attenuated the reduction of acid secretion by TC and acid secretion was even increased in the presence of
L‐NAME. The acid stimulatory effect of
L‐NAME in the damaged stomach was not mimicked by aminoguanidine and was antagonized by co‐administration of
L‐arginine but not
D‐arginine. Increased NO release in the damaged stomach was suppressed by pretreatment with
L‐NAME or co‐application of EGTA and the latter also inhibited the increase in luminal Ca2+. The enhanced acid secretory response in the presence of
L‐NAME was also inhibited by cimetidine, FPL‐52694 (a mast cell stabilizer) or sensory deafferentation. Mucosal exposure to TC caused an increase in luminal histamine output, together with a decrease in the number of mucosal mast cells in the stomach. These changes were prevented by FPL‐52694 and sensory deafferentation and were also partly suppressed by indomethacin. In addition, the acid stimulatory action of
L‐NAME in the damaged stomach was significantly mitigated when indomethacin was administered together with
L‐NAME. We conclude that: (i) damage in the stomach may activate acid a stimulatory pathway in addition to a PG‐, NO‐ and Ca2+‐dependent inhibitory mechanism, but the latter effect overcomes the former, resulting in a decrease in acid secretion; (ii) acid stimulation in the damaged stomach is mediated by histamine released from the mucosal mast cell, a process interacting with capsaicin‐sensitive sensory nerves; (iii) the increase in luminal Ca2+ plays a role in increasing NO production and, hence, in regulating acid secretion; and (iv) PG may have a dual role in the regulation of acid secretion in the damaged stomach: an inhibitory effect at the parietal cell and an excitatory effect, probably through enhancing the release of mucosal histamine.
Decreased trabecular bone mineral density in newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease patients in Korea
Authors: Lee Sang‐Ho , Kim Hyo‐Jong , Yang Suk‐Kyun , Kim Won‐Ho , Joo Yeong‐Shil , Dong Seok‐Ho , Kim Byung‐Ho , Lee Jung‐Il , Chang Young‐Woon , Chang Rin 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: Decreased bone mineral density (BMD) is common in Western patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, BMD has never been studied in Asia where the demographic and socio‐economic status are different from the West. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and mechanisms of osteopenia in newly diagnosed Korean patients with IBD.
Methods
: We studied 14 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and 25 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), all of whom had never been treated with corticosteroids. Bone mineral density was measured in the lumbar spine and the femoral neck by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Biochemical parameters including serum osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone, plasma inactive and active vitamin D, and urinary deoxypyridinoline were measured.
Results
: The BMD Z score at the lumbar spine was lower both in CD and in UC patients, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference in nutritional status or biochemical parameters of bone metabolism between patients with a normal BMD and those with a decreased BMD.
Conclusions
: Low BMD at the lumbar spine is common in newly diagnosed Korean patients with IBD, a result which is similar to Western studies. The mechanism for low bone mass remains undetermined; however, nutritional status and hormonal parameters of bone metabolism, and ethnic differences are not likely to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of this bone loss.
Parathyroid hormone‐related peptide producing cholangiocellular carcinoma with a marked psammoma formation
Authors: Yamada Shinwa , Sanefuji Hayato , Morimoto Hiroaki , Harada Yuji , Mine Shinichiro , Morimoto Isao , Eto Sumiya 
Published: March 2003

AbstractHumoral hypercalcemia caused by parathyroid hormone‐related peptide (PTHrP), associated with cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC), has rarely been documented. There have been no reports of CCC associated with extensive calcification of the tumor with psammoma body formation. A 66‐year‐old man was admitted with a large calcified tumor in the liver detected on an abdominal X‐ray. An ultrasound‐guided fine needle biopsy specimen of the liver tumor showed evidence of adenocarcinoma. He had hypercalcemia with an elevated PTHrP level. The patient died because of disseminated intravascular coagulation and progressive hepatic failure. A postmortem examination revealed a large poorly differentiated CCC in the liver. Immunohistochemical examination showed the presence of PTHrP‐positive tumor cells. The calcified lesion consisted of a number of accumulated psammoma bodies. We present a case of PTHrP producing CCC with a marked psammoma formation.
Folate deficiency diminishes the occurrence of aberrant crypt foci in the rat colon but does not alter global DNA methylation status
Authors: Le Leu Richard K , Young Graeme P , McIntosh Graeme H 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background and Aims: It has been suggested that a diminished folate status may enhance colorectal carcinogenesis by causing DNA hypomethylation. The aims of the present study were to assess the impact of different levels of folate depletion on azoxymethane (AOM)‐induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) formation and DNA hypomethylation in the colon of male Sprague–Dawley rats.Methods: Rats, aged 4 weeks, were divided into four groups and were fed semipurified diets either containing adequate folate (control), devoid of folate (FD) or FD + 1% succinylsulfathiazole before AOM treatment (FD1) or during the last 4 weeks of the study (FD2). At 8 weeks of age, all animals received subcutaneous injections of AOM once weekly for 3 weeks at a dose rate of 15 mg/kg bodyweight. Animals were necropsied 6 weeks after the last AOM injection and the ACF were visualized under light microscopy in formalin‐fixed, methylene blue‐stained colons.Results: Blood folate concentrations were significantly depleted (P < 0.001) in the treatment groups consuming folate deplete diets, with the FD2 treatment group having significantly lower folate levels compared with all other groups. Higher plasma homocysteine concentrations (P < 0.001) were observed in the groups that exhibited diminished blood folate levels. There were no significant differences in global DNA methylation in the liver or colonic mucosa between the four groups, despite some groups exhibiting marked folate depletion. Animals with the most severe folate deficiency (FD2) had a lower final bodyweight and had significantly fewer ACF in their colon (P < 0.05) compared with control animals. Total (mean ± SEM) ACF counts were as follows: control 286 ± 24; FD 290 ± 25; FD1 218 ± 32; and FD2 205 ± 27.Conclusions: In this model, folate deficiency diminished the occurrence of ACF but did not alter global DNA methylation status in the colon.