bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complete resolution of pulmonary Rhizopus oryzae infection with itraconazole treatment: more evidence of the utility of azoles for zygomycosis
Authors: Eisen D. P. , Robson J. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryZygomycosis often requires aggressive surgical and antifungal therapy. We report a non‐neutropenic patient with myelodysplastic syndrome and iron overload receiving cytotoxic therapy who presented with pulmonary Rhizopus oryzae infection. This patient was cured through the use of itraconazole alone and the literature on the utility of azole antifungals for zygomycosis is reviewed.
Aspergillus niger infection in patients with haematological diseases: a report of eight cases
Authors: Fianchi L. , Picardi M. , Cudillo L. , Corvatta L. , Mele L. , Trapè G. , Girmenia C. , Pagano L. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryIn this paper we analysed clinical, laboratory characteristics and outcome of patients with haematological diseases who developed an Aspergillus niger infection, in a multicentre study involving 14 Italian Haematological Divisions during a 10‐year period. The study recorded 194 consecutive microbiologically documented aspergilloses, eight of which (4%) were due to A. niger, and were observed only in five of the participating centres. The primary localization of infection was lung in seven cases and paranasal sinus in one case. Seven patients died at the end of follow‐up. The death was mainly attributable to A. niger progression in six of them. Our study that collected the largest number of cases of A. niger infection in haematological malignancies confirms that this infrequent complication is characterized by a high mortality rate.
Phylogeny and typification of Madurella mycetomatis, with a comparison of other agents of eumycetoma
Authors: de Hoog G. S. , Adelmann D. , Ahmed A. O. A. , van Belkum A. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe genus Madurella, described for non‐sporulating agents of human mycetoma, is proven to be heterogeneous on the basis of rDNA small subunit (SSU) and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequencing data. Madurella mycetomatis, the main agent of mycetoma in arid zones of Central and East Africa, probably belongs to the ascomycete order Sordariales. Madurella mycetomatis, the generic type species, is neotypified. Madurella grisea, with worldwide occurrence, is likely to be a member of the order Pleosporales, just as the mycetoma agents of Leptosphaeria, Pseudochaetosphaeronema, and Pyrenochaeta. Neotestudina rosatii belongs to the order Dothideales. Judging from ITS data, M. mycetomatis and N. rosatii are species complexes. The ex‐type strain of N. rosatii, from a human mycetome, has an ITS sequence that deviates from that of environmental strains of the species.
A clinical multicenter study comparing efficacy and tolerability of topical combination therapy with clotrimazole (Canesten®, two formats) with oral single dose fluconazole (Diflucan®) in vulvovaginal mycoses
Authors: Mendling Werner , Krauss Christian , Fladung Bernward 
Published: December 2004

SummaryTwo topical formats containing clotrimazole [500 mg single dose vaginal tablet (VT) or 10% single dose vaginal cream (VC) for intravaginal use] combined with additional clotrimazole cream for topical application to the vulval area (Canesten® 1 Combi, Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany) were compared with oral fluconazole 150 mg single dose treatment of vulvovaginal mycosis (VVM) in a single‐blind clinical study. The objective of the study was to demonstrate the equivalent efficacy of the clotrimazole combination therapies (VT + 1% cream and VC + 2% cream), and fluconazole 150 mg oral capsule (Diflucan® 1, Pfizer Gmbh, Karlsruhe, Germany) in terms of overall response defined as clinical cure and mycological resolution. Overall, combination therapies containing either clotrimazole 500 mg VTs or clotrimazole 10% VC were as effective as a single dose fluconazole 150 mg oral tablet in treating VVM with rates for overall response being 66%, 61% and 60%, respectively, after 14 days. There were no significant differences in the time to onset of symptom relief in the clotrimazole 500 mg tablet group and clotrimazole 10% VC compared with fluconazole 150 mg oral capsules. Only 50% of 88 patients across treatment groups with mycological recurrence also experienced return of symptoms over the entire 8 week follow‐up period. All treatments administered were safe and well‐tolerated and the number of patients experiencing adverse events was low.
Comparative serological evaluation of 10 Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast phase lysate antigens from different sources
Authors: Abuodeh R. O. , Chester E. M. , Scalarone G. M. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryYeast phase lysate antigens from 10 isolates of Blastomyces dermatitidis (dog, ERC‐2 and T‐58; T‐27, polar bear; woodpile, ER‐3; bat lung, 48938; human, B5929, B5895, B5896, B5931, and CAPP) from different geographical regions, in addition to a Histoplasma capsulatum (G217B) lysate preparation were compared with respect to their reactivity against serum specimens from dogs, rabbits and humans positive for blastomycosis using an indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, the lysate antigens were also assayed against histoplasmosis‐positive human serum samples to study their cross‐reactivity. Variable results were obtained with T‐58 and T‐27 exhibiting the greatest reactivity. We also noticed that the lysate did not react consistently to serum samples across species with lesser reactivity evidenced when testing dog sera. Finally, T‐58 gave the highest cross‐reactivity with histoplasmosis‐positive sera. The study may prove valuable in the development of antigen candidates for blastomycosis serodiagnosis.
Gastric electrical activity in patients with cholelithiasis undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A prospective controlled study
Authors: SGOUROS SPIROS N , VLACHOGIANNAKOS JIANNIS , KARAMANOLIS GEORGE , STEFANIDIS GERASIMOS , PAPADOPOULOU EUTHIMIA , PECHLIVANIDES GEORGE , NOUSIS GRIGORIOS , MANTIDES APOSTOLOS 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground:  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of gallstone disease (GD) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy on gastric electrical activity of slow waves, which was recorded via transcutaneous electrogastrography (EGG).Methods:  Twenty‐one consecutive patients (M/F: 12/9, 52.7 ± 15 years old) with GD and no previous history of abdominal operations or known disease affecting gastrointestinal motility were studied. The EGG was performed for 30 min prior to and 90 min after a standard meal, during a 4–6 month period prior to and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The percentile proportion of the three spectra of gastric slow waves frequency was studied, defined as follows: bradygastria, 1–2.1 cycles per min (c.p.m.); normogastria, 2.2–3.9 c.p.m.; and tachygastria, 4–9 c.p.m. The findings were compared to those of nine healthy subjects (M/F: 5/4, 49.5 ± 14.8 years old).Results:  No statistically significant difference was found in percentile distribution of bradygastria, normogastria and tachygastria, pre‐ or post‐prandially, neither before or after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, nor between patients and controls.Conclusions:  Patients with GD do not exhibit differences in gastric electrical activity of slow waves in comparison to normal subjects and laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not alter gastric electrical activity. These findings suggest that cholelithiasis does not seem to cause dyspeptic symptoms due to gastric dysrythmias.
Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: GUPTE PARIJAT , AMARAPURKAR DEEPAK , AGAL SUBHASH , BAIJAL RAJIV , KULSHRESTHA PRAMOD , PRAMANIK SNEHANSU , PATEL NIKHIL , MADAN ARUNA , AMARAPURKAR ANJALI , HAFEEZUNNISA  
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is commonly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Prevalence of NASH in type 2 DM has not been well studied and there is an epidemic rise in type 2 DM in Asian and Western populations. Its association with chronic liver disease in the form of NASH makes it an important health problem. Hence we have studied its prevalence and correlation of biochemical parameters with histological grades of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in otherwise asymptomatic type 2 DM patients.Methods:  One hundred and forty‐eight individuals were screened. Forty‐eight individuals were excluded due to history of alcohol intake or liver disease as a result of other causes. One hundred non‐alcoholic individuals with type 2 DM underwent abdominal ultrasonography (US abdomen). Forty‐nine patients had evidence of fatty liver on US abdomen, and 32 of these 49 patients underwent liver biopsy.Results:  Four of 32 (12.5%) individuals had steatosis alone. Mild, moderate and severe NASH was present in 21/32 (65.5%), 4/32 (12.5%) and 3/32 (9.35%), respectively. Fibrosis was present in 7/32 (21.8%) patients (four grade 1 and three grade 3). There was no significant difference in body mass index (BMI), transaminase levels, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels among patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease.Conclusion:  We conclude that the prevalence of NASH is high in type 2 DM patients and liver biopsy is the only investigation to differentiate between non‐alcoholic fatty liver and steatohepatitis.
Association between diet and esophageal cancer in Taiwan
Authors: HUNG HSIN‐CHIA , HUANG MENG‐CHUAN , LEE JANG‐MING , WU DENG‐CHYANG , HSU HON‐KI , WU MING‐TSANG 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground:  Several studies have reported the importance of dietary factors in the development of esophageal cancer. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of several common dietary factors on the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus in a Taiwanese population.Methods:  The association between diet and esophageal cancer was examined in 284 male patients and 480 male controls, who were recruited during 6 year period.Results:  Consumption of preserved and overheated foods was found to be associated with increased risk of esophageal cancer, whereas intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, and tea was inversely associated with this risk. Men who consumed fermented bean products, salted food and preserved/pickled vegetables more than once a week after age 40 years had a 3.4‐fold risk (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9–6.2), 2.3‐fold risk (95%CI: 1.2–4.2), and 2.5‐fold risk (95%CI: 1.3–4.5), respectively, compared to men eating these items less than once a week. It was further found that these preserved foods were more strongly associated with esophageal cancer among men who consumed fruit less than once per day than those who consumed fruits one or more times per day.Conclusions:  These results suggest that a high intake of preserved foods and overheated drinks might increase the risk of esophageal cancer, and intake of fruit, vegetables, and tea might be negatively associated with risk of esophageal cancer. The results also suggest that diet is an important factor in the development of esophageal cancer in Taiwan.
Clinicopathological significance of vascular endothelial growth factor‐C and cyclooxygenase‐2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: BYEON JEONG‐SIK , JUNG HWOON‐YONG , LEE YUN JUNG , LEE DON , LEE GIN HYUG , MYUNG SEUNG‐JAE , YANG SUK‐KYUN , HONG WEON‐SEON , KIM JIN‐HO , MIN YOUNG IL , KIM JUNG SUN 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground:  Vascular endothelial growth factor‐C (VEGF‐C) is a specific growth factor of lymphatics, which is known to play some role in tumor growth and metastasis to lymph nodes and distant organs in various malignancies. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the expression of VEGF‐C in human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) to elucidate its role in tumor progression and lymph node metastasis. Another aim of the study was to investigate the relation between VEGF‐C and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) in ESCC.Methods:  The expression of VEGF‐C and COX‐2 in ESCC was evaluated in 13 endoscopic mucosal resection specimens and in 21 surgical specimens by immunohistochemical staining. Clinical data were obtained from medical records.Results:  The degree of VEGF‐C expression increased as the depth of primary tumor progressed (r = 0.521, P = 0.002), the stage progressed (r = 0.572, P < 0.001), and the degree of COX‐2 expression increased (r = 0.387, P = 0.024). The VEGF‐C positive rate was different between early cancers in which regional lymph node metastasis was thought to be absent and advanced cancers in which regional lymph node metastases were confirmed after surgery (20.0% vs 100.0%; P < 0.001).Conclusions:  The VEGF‐C expression in ESCC is related to COX‐2 expression, and VEGF‐C is also associated with the depth of primary tumor, the stage, and probably lymph node metastasis. Thus the investigation of VEGF‐C expression in ESCC may assist in management planning.
Mutational spectrum of K‐ras oncogene among Indian patients with gallbladder cancer
Authors: SINGH MAHENDRA KUMAR , CHETRI KAMAL , PANDEY UDAI BHAN , KAPOOR VINAY KUMAR , MITTAL BALRAJ , CHOUDHURI GOURDAS 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a common abdominal malignancy in India with an obscure etiology. However, long‐standing stones and chronic infection in gallbladder have been suspected as possible etiologic factors. As carcinogenesis complicating chronic inflammation proceeds through the stages of dysplasia and metaplasia, mutation in the K‐ras gene may be an important marker for GBC. The aim of the present study was to detect K‐ras mutation in cytological smears from GBC.Methods:  Malignant cells were marked on slides of cytological smears obtained from 39 patients with cytologically proven GBC. Marked cells were scraped off and DNA was extracted. Polymerase chain reaction coupled with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was performed to detect the point mutation in codon 12 of the K‐ras gene.Results:  Mutation in codon 12 of K‐ras oncogene was detected in eight (38%) of 21 PCR amplified samples by this technique. Six of eight specimens with K‐ras (codon 12) mutation corresponded to coexisting gallstone disease. Five patients with K‐ras (codon 12) mutation were found to have stage IV malignancy.Conclusions:  Mutation in codon 12 of the K‐ras oncogene occurs in more than one‐third of GBC in northern India. Its detection from fine‐needle aspirates may prove useful as an adjunct to cytological examination. The presence of this mutation suggests that chronic inflammation may play an etiologic role in gallbladder carcinogenesis.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Clinical and pathological characteristics of the autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis overlap syndrome
Authors: SUZUKI YOSHIYUKI , ARASE YASUJI , IKEDA KENJI , SAITOH SATOSHI , TSUBOTA AKIHITO , SUZUKI FUMITAKA , KOBAYASHI MASAHIRO , AKUTA NORIO , SOMEYA TAKASHI , MIYAKAWA YUZO , KUMADA HIROMITSU 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The defining of the autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) overlap syndrome as a separate clinicopathological entity has been controversial and temporally and geographically subjective.Methods:  From 1979 until 2000, 227 patients diagnosed with AIH, PBC or the overlap thereof were treated. Cases with genuine AIH/PBC overlap syndrome were sorted out using close clinical follow up and serial liver biopsies.Results:  Of the 227 patients, 19 (8.4%) were diagnosed with the AIH/PBC overlap syndrome. They all cleared a score >10 for the diagnosis of AIH, and tested positive for antimitochondrial antibodies during their courses. Long‐term follow up with frequent histological examinations, however, established the diagnosis of AIH/PBC overlap syndrome in only two (0.8%) patients. The most powerful factor distinguishing AIH from PBC was acidophilic bodies in lobules that were detected significantly more frequently in patients with AIH than PBC or spurious overlap syndrome (39/46 [85%]vs 3/85 [4%], P < 0.001). It was more reliable than bile‐duct lesions for the distinction of PBC from AIH.Conclusions:  Although AIH/PBC overlap syndrome does exist, it is infrequent and needs to be diagnosed carefully using close clinical and histological follow up to enable timely and effective treatment.
Relationship of smoking and coffee and alcohol consumption with seroconversion to Helicobacter pylori: A longitudinal study in hospital workers
Authors: GIKAS ARISTOFANIS , TRIANTAFILLIDIS JOHN K , APOSTOLIDIS NIKOLAOS , MALLAS ELIAS , PEROS GEORGE , ANDROULAKIS GEORGE 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aim:  There are few data concerning the relationship between Helicobacter pylori seroconversion, and smoking habits and coffee and alcohol consumption. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between smoking habits, coffee and alcohol consumption, and H. pylori seroconversion.Methods:  The data used were derived from a sample of 238 subjects (hospital employees) who were initially (on 1994) seronegative to H. pylori. These subjects were tested again 5 years later (1999). Information concerning smoking habits and coffee and alcohol consumption was collected by the use of a special questionnaire, which was completed by the same cohort of subjects in two different periods (1994 and 1999). Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between H. pylori seroconversion and the aforementioned lifestyle factors.Results:  Neither smoking nor coffee consumption was significantly related to H. pylori seroconversion. Adjusted odds ratio for alcohol drinkers as compared with non‐/occasional drinkers was 0.59 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31–1.16, P = 0.13). However, the odds ratio was significantly lower (0.26, 95%CI: 0.07–0.95, P = 0.042) in subjects who reported moderate alcohol consumption at first (1994) examination, as compared with non‐/occasional drinkers. Small and heavy drinking were not associated with H. pylori seroconversion.Conclusions:  There is no significant relation between H. pylori seroconversion and smoking and coffee consumption. The present findings suggest that moderate alcohol consumption might be inversely associated with H. pylori seroconversion.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Acute Budd–Chiari syndrome with liver failure: The experience of a policy of initial interventional radiological treatment using transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
Authors: KAVANAGH PAUL M , ROBERTS JAQUELINE , GIBNEY ROBIN , MALONE DERMOT , HEGARTY JOHN , MCCORMICK P AIDEN 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The optimal management of acute Budd–Chiari syndrome (BCS) with liver failure is controversial. Options include anticoagulation, portal systemic shunting or liver transplantation. In recent years, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) have been tried in place of shunt surgery. We report our experience with a policy of initial interventional radiological treatment (TIPS) in this patient group.Methods:  A consecutive, non‐selected series of five patients with acute BCS with liver failure presenting to our liver unit over a 36‐month period from October 2000 were treated with a policy of initial attempt at transjugular shunt.Results:  Stents were successfully inserted in four patients. In one patient the hepatic vein remnant could not be cannulated. One of the four stented patients had a hepatic venous web. Rapid recurrent portal and hepatic vein thrombosis occurred in one patient despite anticoagulation and trans‐shunt thrombectomy. This patient and the patient with failed stenting underwent successful liver transplantation. One successfully stented patient died unexpectedly at home 2 weeks after TIPS insertion. Four of five patients are alive (80%) at a mean follow‐up time of 30 months.Conclusion:  Initial TIPS, with liver transplantation for treatment failures, may be a reasonable, cost‐effective and surgery‐sparing treatment for acute Budd–Chiari presenting with liver failure.
Motilin in human milk and its elevated plasma concentration in lactating women
Authors: LIU JINSONG , QIAO XIAN , QIAN WEI , HOU XIAOHUA , HAYES JAMES , CHEN JDZ 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The aims of this study were to investigate whether: (i) lactating women had an elevated plasma level of motilin; (ii) there was a correlation between the plasma motilin level and the motilin level in breast milk in lactating women; and (iii) there was a difference in motilin levels between the colostrum and mature human milk in a controlled postprandial state.Methods:  Twenty control women and 18 lactating women were enrolled in this study. All samples were drawn in a controlled postprandial state. The concentration of motilin was measured using radioimmunoassay.Results:  The plasma motilin level in lactating women was 434 ± 180 pmol/L on the fifth day after delivery and 450 ± 204 pmol/L on the 42nd day after delivery (P > 0.05). Both of these values were significantly higher than those in the control women (231 ± 48 pmol/L, P < 0.05). The motilin level in human milk in the controlled postprandial state was 161 ± 56 pmol/L on the fifth day and 154 ± 60 pmol/L on the 42nd day after parturition (P = 0.7). Although there was motilin in the breast milk and an elevated plasma level of motilin in the lactating women, there was no correlation in motilin level between the blood and the breast milk.Conclusions:  Motilin is elevated in the blood of lactating women and human milk contains motilin. These elevated levels of motilin sustain for a period of at least 6 weeks. Further studies are necessary to assess whether motilin is involved in the development of gastrointestinal motility in the early stage of life in infancy.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Development of gastric adenocarcinoma in Mongolian gerbils after long‐term infection with Helicobacter pylori
Authors: ZHENG QING , CHEN XIAO YU , SHI YAO , XIAO SHU DONG 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The experimental evidence that long‐term colonization of Helicobacter pylori results in the development of gastric cancer in Mongolian gerbils has been reported only by two Japanese groups to date. This study aimed to investigate the carcinogenicity of H. pylori infection in a Mongolian gerbil model.Methods:  Thirty‐six Mongolian gerbils (inner Mongolian origin) were divided into two groups (male to female ratio, 1:1) and orally inoculated with a standard H. pylori strain (ATCC43504) or H. pylori161 (isolated from a Chinese patient with gastric adenocarcinoma), respectively, once a week for 5 weeks. Another 10 control gerbils were given phosphate‐buffered saline. The animals were killed 8, 20, 28 and 84 weeks after inoculation for bacterial and histological examination.Results:  Seven inoculated gerbils died at the week 42. Overall, H. pylori colonization was detected in 24 (83%) of the 29 available inoculated gerbils. The gastric lesions were aggravated gradually over time. At week 84, moderate to severe gastritis, characterized by diffuse infiltration of mononuclear cells and formation of multiple lymphoid follicles in mucosa and submucosa, and even the lymphoepithelial lesions, were observed. Epithelial hyperplasia were dominant in almost all gerbils. Four (24%) of the 17 animals had hyperplastic polyps. Intestinal metaplasia were rarely seen (in three gerbils). Well‐differentiated gastric adenocarcinomas developed in three (18%) of the 17 gerbils after 84 weeks. Of the three gerbils, one female gerbil was infected with H. pylori161 and the others (one male and one female) were infected with ATCC43504.Conclusions:  The present study reconfirms that H. pylori infection alone can induce gastric adenocarcinoma in Mongolian gerbils and suggests that different species of gerbil and both standard and clinically isolated H. pylori strains can be used for investigating the carcinogenesis of H. pylori. This is the first report of the development of gastric cancer in female gerbils, which highlights the importance of using both sexes to investigate the pathogenesis of H. pylori and whether host susceptibility is influenced by sex.