bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Blood and Intrauterine Leukocyte Profile and Function in Dairy Cows that Spontaneously Recovered from Postpartum Endometritis
Authors: Mateus L , Da Costa L Lopes , Carvalho H , Serra P , Robalo Silva J 
Published: March 2003

ContentsThe profile and function of blood and uterine leukocytes were evaluated in 14 dairy cows that spontaneously recovered from postpartum endometritis (mild, n=6 and heavy, n=8; general health not affected). From a minimum of 2 weeks before parturition until 6 weeks postpartum, blood samples were obtained twice weekly for leukocyte counts and leukogram determination and once weekly for flow cytometry assessment of polimorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) phagocytic capacity and oxidative burst activity. Uterine fluid‐stained smears, obtained twice weekly from parturition until fluid was present in the uterus, were used for determination of the percentage of PMN, of phagocytizing PMN (phago‐PMN) and of the mean number of phagocyted bacteria per phagocytizing PMN (phagocytic index; PI). Uterine swabs were obtained twice weekly from parturition until 35 days postpartum for bacteriological examination. The time of endometritis diagnosis was similar in cows with mild or heavy endometritis but the latter cows had a significantly longer persistence of the infection and of the isolation of Gram‐negative anaerobes from the uterus. However, the effect of group (mild versus heavy) was not significant for all the blood and uterine parameters analysed. The effect of sampling day (within group effect) was significant (p<0.01 to p<0.00001) for all parameters, except for the blood monocyte count and the blood PMN phagocytic capacity, in which only a tendency for significance was observed (p<0.1). The effect of the interaction group × sampling day was significant only for the blood monocyte count. The phago‐PMN and the PI were significantly correlated (r=0.70, p<0.001). A significant correlation was also observed between the uterine fluid phago‐PMN and the blood PMN oxidative burst activity (r=−0.41, p<0.05). At the spontaneous recovery, the blood PMN oxidative burst activity was significantly higher (p<0.05) and the percentage of intrauterine phago‐PMN and the PI were significantly lower (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively) than at diagnosis of endometritis. These results suggest that a decrease in blood PMN oxidative burst activity until the first week postpartum could be associated with an increased susceptibility to early postpartum endometritis. The later increase in this parameter as well as the increase in the intrauterine fluid phago‐PMN and PI, might favour the spontaneous resolution of endometritis.
The role of the inpatient mental health nurse in facilitating patient adherence to medication regimes
Authors: Happell Brenda , Manias Elizabeth , Pinikahana Jaya 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT: Non‐adherence to antipsychotic medication is associated with relapse of psychiatric symptoms and readmission to inpatient mental health services. The important role of the mental health nurse in facilitating adherence has been acknowledged, however, there has been little exploration of how nurses themselves perceive this aspect of their role. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the perceptions of mental health nurses employed in inpatient settings regarding their role in facilitating medication adherence. Focus groups were conducted with 22 nurses from three inpatient settings in metropolitan Melbourne. The main themes to emerge from the data were nurses’ responsibilities in medication management; ways in which nurses are educated about antipsychotic medication; barriers to the provision of medication management, and barriers to effective patient adherence. Recommendations for more effective practice are discussed.
Disciplinary power and its influence on the administration and supply of medications by nurses in rural areas of Australia
Authors: Hegney Desley 
Published: March 2003

Hegney D. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1998; 4: 144–150 Disciplinary power and its influence on the administration and supply of medications by nurses in rural areas of Australia This paper reports on aspects of a larger study into rural nursing practice in Australia, 1991–94 (D. Hegney, unpublished data, 1996). Using a Foucauldian framework for analysis of the rural nursing discourses, it presents an interpretation of the statements regarding the administration and supply of medications in rural nursing practice. In particular, it focuses on the supply and administration of medications by rural nurses working in small rural health services. It explains that there are particular issues regarding telephone medication orders and the consequent verification of these orders. It suggests that rural medical practitioners use the power of legislation with regard to the administration and supply of medications to subjugate rural nursing practice. It argues that the nursing profession itself has used, through its silence on the inadequacy of the current Poison Acts and their Regulations, disciplinary power to ensure that rural nursing practice is normalised to metropolitan nursing practice. Further, the lack of educational preparation for this rural nursing role, can be seen as a pedagogical control of rural nursing practice. This paper recommends that the Statute Law regarding the administration and supply of medications be changed to reflect the reality of rural nursing practice, and that rural nurses are prepared adequately for this aspect of rural nursing practice.
Rupture and delamination of arc crust rupture and delamination of island arc crust due to the arc–arc collision in the South Fossa Magna, central Japan
Authors: Niitsuma Nobuaki 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThree collisional cycles, the Tanzawa, Izu and Shichito, are known to have occurred in the South Fossa Magna, central Japan, since the late Miocene, based on geologic evidence. The cycles consist of six stages. At present the South Fossa Magna is in the later part of stage 5 of the Izu Cycle and stage 2 of the Shichito Cycle. Because the collisional processes are ongoing we can observe, measure and correlate them with the geologic records of the former cycles. The collisional processes are progressing intermittently because of the rupture and deformation of the collided and colliding island arc crusts. Rupture in the subducting crust can be explained by the geometry of the subducting plate along a boundary that is not straight. The delamination of the upper crust is detected from the geologic and crustal structure in the collided Tanzawa Block; it is an important factor in the deformation of the crust.
A critical assessment of new therapies in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: RUTGEERTS PAUL 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe only therapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which up to the mid‐1990s was disease modifying, was immunosuppression with azathioprine. Other ‘standard’ therapies in IBD were merely symptomatic. With the advent of biological therapies, especially the chimeric monoclonal anti‐TNF antibody infliximab, we start to target specific pathogenic disease mechanisms, which allow thorough suppression of the disease process and healing of the bowel in the long term. Moreover, infliximab is the only drug up to the present that allows short‐term healing of fistulizing Crohn’s disease. This therapy is, however, associated with problems of immunogenicity. The formation of antibodies to infliximab jeopardizes the efficacy and is associated with infusion reactions. Optimization of anti‐TNF strategies will occur in the coming years. Another promising therapy is antagonization of α4 integrins and hence, of migration of inflammatory cells to the intestine. It can be expected that more simple therapies using small molecules that inhibit the key cytokines or pro‐inflammatory processes will take over in the next decade. In the current and future approach to IBD therapy immunosuppression with azathioprine or 6‐MP and methotrexate play a central role. At the present time, the combination of infliximab with azathioprine or methotrexate can be regarded as the new standard for the therapy of refractory Crohn’s disease. In ulcerative colitis (UC) much less progress has been made and the value of biological therapy as well as of long‐term management with immunosuppression remains controversial. Probiotics are an attractive treatment option for IBD but studies so far are small and data are not yet convincing.
Hepatitis viruses: A Pandora's box?
Authors: HOWARD COLIN R 
Published: March 2003

Abstract  The term hepatitis virus is reserved for those viruses that are predominantly hepatotropic, although several new agents have been assigned to this category in the absence of hepatotropism and clinical disease. The hepatitis viruses can be broadly divided into those transmitted via the fecal‐oral route, and those by blood, blood products and body fluids. Hepatitis A (picornaviridae), hepatitis B (hepadnaviridae) and hepatitis C (flaviviridae) represent the major public health problems. The epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) is changing in response to vaccination. In the case of HAV, older age groups are now deemed at risk, particularly of fulminant hepatitis if exposed over the age of 50. Chronic hepatitis B in some regions is now predominantly of the so‐called precore mutant type where high levels of HBV replication persist in the presence of anti‐hepatitis B virus (HBe) antibodies. The HBV vaccination is among the most cost‐effective health care measures. The epidemiological significance of mutations found increasingly in the HBV S gene isolated from vaccinated children is unclear. Evidence that hepatitis G and TT virus are significant causes of hepatitis is lacking. Of interest, however, is the finding that the related GBV‐B agent of monkeys may be a model for developing new antiviral agents against HCV. Animal models of hepatitis infections are providing new insights into the pathogenesis of hepatitis in humans. Indeed it is possible that hepatitis E is primarily an agent of pigs and other domesticated livestock. Intriguingly, the new TT virus shares many properties with the circoviruses, significant pathogens of chickens and pigs. The challenge in the next decade will be to assess the significance of these new agents in terms of public health and resources. Value judgements will have to be made in assessing the risks associated with blood containing trace amounts of these adventitious agents.© 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Protective role of adrenal glucocorticoids for gastric mucosa in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Suzuki Hidekazu , Miura Soichiro , Mori Mikiji , Akiba Yasutada , Nagahashi Shoichi , Zweifach Benjamin , Ishii Hiromasa , Schmid‐Schönbein Geert 
Published: March 2003

Background: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are a representative animal model for disturbance of the pituitary–adrenal axis, as well as disturbance of the autonomic nervous system. Methods and Results: In this study, we showed that adrenalectomy in SHR‐induced spontaneous gastric ulcer formation. We further investigated how abnormal adrenal secretion is related to the attenuation of gastric ulcerogenesis, in terms of leucocyte infiltration and nitric oxide (NO) formation. Bilateral adrenalectomy, as well as a sham‐operation, were carried out at 12 weeks in hypertensive SHR and Wistar–Kyoto rats (WKY) and observations were made three weeks later. The number of myeloperoxidase (MPO) positive cells, NADPH diaphorase histochemistry and NO synthase (NOS) activity were determined in gastric specimens. Only in adrenalectomized, but not sham‐operated SHR, WKY and adrenalectomized WKY, could gastric ulcers be observed. Although the number of cells positive for MPO was significantly lower in hypertensive SHR than those in WKY, such cells were increased after adrenalectomy in SHR. In contrast, adrenalectomized WKY developed no increase in MPO‐positive numbers. The number of NADPH diaphorase‐positive cells increased after adrenalectomy in both strains, the extent of which was much greater in SHR than in WKY. Although NOS activity in SHR was lower than that in WKY, it was significantly increased after adrenalectomy. Conclusions: Our data show that the development of a significant gastric ulceration may be associated with entrapment of activated leucocytes in the gastric mucosa, as well as with an excessive production of NO in adrenalectomized SHR. An enhanced adrenal glucocorticoid may be a key factor for protecting the gastric mucosa in SHR.
A prospective study of the clinical features, manometric findings, incidence and prevalence of achalasia in Singapore
Authors: Ho Khek‐Yu , Tay Hua‐Hui , Kang Jin‐Yong 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: This study aimed to describe the clinical features, manometric findings, prevalence and incidence of achalasia in Singapore.
Methods
: A total of 615 new patients referred for oesophageal manometry between 1989 and 1996 were examined prospectively. Twenty‐four men and 25 women fulfilled the manometric and clinical criteria for achalasia.
Results
: Their median age of onset of symptoms was 37 years (range 15–71) and 37% first developed symptoms after the age of 50 years. The presenting symptoms were dysphagia (100%), regurgitation (80%), weight loss (67%) and chest discomfort (33%). Five patients (10%) had a history of benign (mostly autoimmune) thyroid disorders. Endoscopy was reported as normal in 10/43 patients (23%) and achalasia was suggested in only 31 (72%) of 43 barium examinations. Lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) dysfunction was present in 82% of cases. Using data from medical records and from a survey of gastroenterologists and surgeons in Singapore, the prevalence (in 1996) and incidence of achalasia in Singapore were estimated to be 1.8 per 100 000, and 0.3 per 100 000 per year, respectively. The incidence was significantly lower in Malays than Chinese or Indians. The age‐specific incidence of achalasia for both genders followed a bimodal distribution with the larger peak in the sixth decade. No cases of oesophageal carcinoma were identified among these patients.
Conclusion
: Achalasia is an uncommon condition in Singapore. The clinical and manometric features were similar to those described in Western countries.
Hepatitis C in injecting drug‐using women during and after pregnancy
Authors: Latt Noeline C , Spencer Jenean D , Beeby Philip J , M Geoffrey W , Saunders John B , Collins Edith , Cossart Yvonne E 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: A high proportion of female injecting drug users (IDU) have evidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We undertook a prospective study of patients attending a clinic for pregnant IDU to determine the impact of pregnancy on the course of HCV infection and whether pregnancy is affected by HCV infection.Methods: One hundred and thirty‐one IDU were recruited and followed up with liver function tests, HCV serology and HCV‐RNA tests.Results: Of 131 patients, 125 had HCV antibodies (anti‐HCV positive) at delivery, and of these 62% were HCV‐RNA positive. The anti‐HCV‐negative women were younger and had a shorter duration of drug use than the anti‐HCV‐positive women. There were no differences between viraemic and non‐viraemic women with respect to age, ethnicity, duration of injecting drug use, methadone maintenance dose, hepatitis B exposure or reported high‐risk behaviour. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were higher and the proportion with ALT > 55 IU/L higher in viraemic women. Viraemia persisted in all 55 women who were viraemic at term. Eleven had an ALT flare post‐partum that was unrelated to viral load and was clinically unsuspected. Four had concurrent elevated γ‐glutamyltranspeptidase and were considered to be drinking alcohol at hazardous levels. Four of 23 women who were HCV‐RNA negative at term became positive during follow up.Conclusions: Pregnancy does not adversely affect the course of hepatitis C. A modest rebound in ALT levels, but not HCV‐RNA, occurs after delivery in some viraemic women. This supports the theory that immune mechanisms rather than direct viral cytopathology are involved in hepatocyte injury during HCV infection. Hepatitis C infection did not influence pregnancy complications and outcomes.
Where does treatment fit into the strategy to control hepatitis C?
Authors: Desmond Paul 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe prevalence of hepatitis C varies greatly between countries of the Asia–Pacific region. The incidence of new cases is also markedly different between countries, particularly related to the prevalence of injecting drug use. Overall, the currently available treatments for hepatitis C are unlikely to have a major impact in the control of the infection from a population perspective while success rates are relatively low (20–45% sustained antiviral response) and treatment costs are high. There are some specific situations, such as reducing the incidence of mother‐to‐baby transmission or sexual transmission, where antiviral treatment can be used as a strategy to prevent further infection. The major aims of prevention of hepatitis C infection should lie with public health measures to prevent new infections, particularly amongst injecting drug users, and ultimately the development of an effective vaccine.
Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in the Asia–Pacific region
Authors: Chen Chien‐Jen , Wang Li‐Yu , Yu Ming‐Whei 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThere is a wide variation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the Asia–Pacific region. The prevalence of chronic HBV infection is lowest (< 1%) in North America, Australia and New Zealand, 2–4% in Japan, 5–18% in China and highest (15–20%) in Taiwan as well as several other countries in South East Asia. Perinatal transmission is common in HBV‐hyperendemic areas. Geographical clusters of horizontal HBV infection have been reported in both high‐ and low‐risk countries. Common sources of infection, including iatrogenic and sexual transmission, have been implicated. Migrant studies indicate the importance of childhood environments in the determination of HBV infection. Rural–urban and ethnic differences in the prevalence of HBV infection have also been reported. There has been a decrease in the prevalence of HBV infection after mass HBV vaccination programmes in some Asia– Pacific countries, which may be due to the intervention of possible transmission routes through the use of disposable syringes and needles, screening of HBV infection markers in blood banks, and prevention of high‐risk tattooing, acupuncture, ear‐piercing and sexual contact. A striking decrease in the incidence of HBV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma has been observed among children in Taiwan and other areas where mass vaccination programmes have been implemented.
Effect of age and Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric acid secretion
Authors: Haruma Ken , Kamada Tomoari , Kawaguchi Hiroyuki , Okamoto Shiro , Yoshihara Masaharu , Sumii Koji , Inoue Masaki , Kishimoto Shinya , Kajiyama Goro , Miyoshi Akima 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: Whether gastric acid secretion decreases with age is still controversial. With the discovery of Helicobacter pylori, the association of this bacterium with gastric acid secretion has also been discussed. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between gastric acid secretion, age and H. pylori infection.
Methods
: The presence of H. pylori infection, the grade of fundic atrophic gastritis (FAG), and gastric acid secretion were investigated in 280 subjects without localized lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Helicobacter pylori infection was confirmed by Giemsa and immunohistochemical staining, and FAG of biopsy specimens was graded on a scale of 0–4.
Results
: Both basal and maximal acid output decreased with age in H. pylori‐positive subjects, while they did not change with age in H. pylori‐negative subjects. Gastric acid secretion decreased with the progression of FAG. An age‐correlated decrease in gastric acid secretion in H. pylori‐positive subjects depended on an increasing prevalence of FAG with age.
Conclusions
: In the population studied, advancing age had no influence on gastric acid secretion in H. pylori‐negative subjects. Gastric acid secretion decreases with age in H. pylori‐positive subjects because of the increasing prevalence of FAG with age.© 2000 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd
Association of Helicobacter pylori infection with atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia
Authors: Ohkuma Kenji , Okada Mitsuo , Murayama Hiroshi , Seo Mitsuru , Maeda Kazuhiro , Kanda Motonobu , Okabe Nobuo 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Aims: To evaluate the effect of Helicobacter pylori infection and aging on atrophy and intestinal metaplasia of the gastric mucosa.Methods: One hundred and sixty‐three patients were divided into three age groups and underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy where no esophagitis, peptic ulcers, or malignancies were detected. Two biopsy specimens were obtained from the anterior and posterior walls of the antrum and of the fundus. These were used to evaluate the grade of gastritis, bacterial culture and histologic evidence of H. pylori infection.Results: Helicobacter pylori infection was found to be directly associated with an increased risk of gastritis grade (odds ratio (OR) = 90 (95% CI; 30–270)). An age of 60 years and older along with H. pylori infection was also strongly associated with an increased risk of atrophy (OR = 6.6, (95% CI; 2.9–15.2)); OR = 9.8, (95% CI; 2.7–35.4)), as was intestinal metaplasia of the gastric mucosa (OR = 5.5, (95% CI; 1.7–17.6)); OR = 7.9, (95% CI; 2.8–46.1)). The prevalence of atrophic gastritis increased with advancing age in H. pylori‐infected patients, but no such phenomenon was observed in H. pylori‐uninfected patients. The prevalence of intestinal metaplasia significantly increased with advancing age, irrespective of the presence of H. pylori infection. In addition, H. pylori uninfected female patients had a decreased risk of intestinal metaplasia.Conclusions: These results suggest that atrophic gastritis is not a normal aging process, but instead is likely to be the result of H. pylori infection, while intestinal metaplasia is caused by both the aging process and H. pylori infection. A decreased risk of intestinal metaplasia found in uninfected female subjects may partly explain the lower prevalence of gastric cancer in females than in males.
Decreased anti‐Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody titer by mesalazine in patients with Crohn’s disease
Authors: Oshitani Nobuhibe , Hato Fumihiko , Matsumoto Takayuki , Jinno Yoshio , Sawa Yoshinori , Hara Junichi , Nakamura Shiro , Seki Shuichi , Arakawa Tetsuo , Kitano Atsuo , Kitagawa Seiichi , Kuroki Tetsuo 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground Saccharomyces cerevisiae may contribute to the pathophysiology of Crohn’s disease. We determined serum anti‐Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA) levels in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.Methods and ResultsImmunoglobulin G (IgG) ASCA was measured by using an ELISA in serum samples from 19 patients with ulcerative colitis, 18 patients with Crohn’s disease and 7 healthy controls. The ASCA level was significantly higher in patients with ulcerative colitis and patients with Crohn’s disease than in controls, and was significantly higher in patients with Crohn’s disease compared with patients with ulcerative colitis. Age, gender, disease activity, extent of disease and small bowel involvement each did not affect ASCA levels. The use of elemental or polymeric diet therapy for Crohn’s disease and administration of corticosteroids to patients with inflammatory bowel disease also did not affect ASCA levels. The ASCA titer was significantly lower in patients with Crohn’s disease taking mesalazine than in those not taking it, although, serum IgG levels did not differ between these two groups, which might imply a suppression of IgG production by mesalazine at the intestinal level.ConclusionsThe finding of increased serum ASCA titers in patients with inflammatory bowel disease suggests that Saccharomyces cerevisiae may play a role in the pathophysiology of this condition.