bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Field evaluation of the efficacy of a probiotic containing Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis spores, on the health status and performance of sows and their litters
Authors: Alexopoulos C. , Georgoulakis I. E. , Tzivara A. , Kritas S. K. , Siochu A. , Kyriakis S. C. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of BioPlus 2B, a probiotic containing Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis spores, on the health status and productivity of sows and their litters. A total of 109 gilts and sows were allocated into two experimental groups, as follows: untreated controls (UC) and BioPlus 2B (same feeding as the UC group plus BioPlus 2B) at a dose of 400 g/ton of feed (equal to 1.28 × 106 viable spores/g of feed). Treatment started from the day of allocation (14 days prior to the expected farrowing) up to the weaning day. Homogeneity of the groups was satisfied with regard to the parity. From the results it was evident that BioPlus 2B supplementation of the feed improved gilt/sow performance as shown by: (i) the increase of sow feed consumption during the first 14 days postpartum and (ii) the decrease of sow weight loss during the suckling period. Certain blood and milk parameters were significantly improved, as shown by higher serum cholesterol and total lipids concentrations and higher milk fat and protein content at mid‐suckling period. As a consequence, a positive effect was also noticed as regard litter health and performance characteristics in terms of: (i) decrease in piglet diarrhoea score, (ii) decrease in pre‐weaning mortality thus leading to increase in the number of weaned piglets per litter and (iii) increase in piglet body weight at weaning. Moreover, BioPlus 2B tended to improve the health status and fertility of sows demonstrating: (i) tendency to a lower proportion of sows with Mastitis‐Metritus‐Agalactia (MMA) problems and (ii) lower proportion of sows returning to oestrus.
An Osteoid Variant of Cutaneous Melanoma in a Dog Detected by S100 and Melan A Markers
Authors: Maliver P. , Estrada M. , Lagadic M. , Mialot M. , Manin S. , Fontaine J.‐J. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryOsteoid malignant melanoma is a rare type of melanoma described in humans and dogs with some areas of bone differentiation. In this tumour, the origin of the bone matrix remains unclear. We report one case of this variant with, for the first time, a cutaneous origin in a dog. Malignant melanomas are aggressive tumours. Amelanotic tumours are sometimes difficult to recognize as they require immunohistochemical evaluation for an adequate diagnosis and we have used anti‐vimentin, S100, and melan A antibodies for identification. Melan A is less sensitive but more specific than S100 in identifying amelanotic melanomas. This tumour was positive for vimentin, S100 and melan A, including the areas of osteoid. These results suggest osteoid differentiation of tumour cells rather than induced stromal metaplasia.
Microbiological Features of Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. coagulans, Isolated from Dogs and Possible Misidentification with Other Canine Coagulase‐positive Staphylococci
Authors: Zdovc I. , Ocepek M. , Pirš T. , Krt B. , Pinter L. 
Published: December 2004

Summary Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. coagulans has only rarely been isolated and identified from the external auditory meatus of dogs suffering from external otitis. Its morphological and basic biochemical characteristics are of relatively little value for identification, as it phenotypically resembles another coagulase‐positive staphylococci (CPS) and, consequently, may be easily misidentified as S. intermedius or even as S. aureus. In the present work, differentiation of S. schleiferi ssp. coagulans was therefore based on specific biochemical and genetic methods. All the strains were evaluated with the following commercial methods: Api Staph System (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoil, France), BBL Crystal Identification Systems (Gram‐Positive ID Kit and Rapid Gram‐Positive ID Kit; Becton Dickinson), and GEN‐PROBE® AccuProbe, Staphylococcus aureus identification test (bioMérieux). Gram‐Positive ID System/GP database includes the broadest range of staphylococcal species and correctly identifies the majority of strains important in veterinary medicine. Therefore, it is an acceptable alternative to conventional methods for identification of canine staphylococcal isolates. Reliable differentiation of S. aureus from S. schleiferi ssp. coagulans and S. intermedius was feasible with AccuProbe for S. aureus, which gave positive results only for S. aureus; all other CPS tested were negative.
Using higher‐order crossings to distinguish liver regeneration indices in hepatectomized diabetic and non‐diabetic rats
Authors: LIATSOS CHRISTOS , HADJILEONTIADIS LEONTIOS J , THEOCHARIS STAMOS , PETRIDOU EVANGELIA , MARGELI ALEXANDRA , SKALTSAS SPYRIDON , MAVROGIANNIS CHRISTOS , MYKONIATIS MICHAEL 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Diabetes mellitus is implicated in several liver diseases; hence, its potential affection to liver regenerative capacity is an open research question. So far, only sporadic studies have addressed this issue, mainly using basic statistical techniques. The current study evaluated the ability of a novel technique, namely higher‐order crossings (HOC), based on liver DNA biosynthesis and thymidine kinase (TK) enzymatic activity data, to discriminate liver regeneration processes between hepatectomized diabetic and non‐diabetic rats.Methods:  We used 251 adult male rats, divided in two groups; diabetic by Alloxan injection and non‐diabetic control, subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy and killed at different time intervals post‐partial hepatectomy (PH) (0–240 h). The rate of tritiated thymidine (3HTdR) incorporation into hepatic DNA and the enzymatic activity of liver TK were estimated and, after proper interpolation, were analyzed using HOC sequences. Changes of the latter were captured and used as a means for linear discrimination between the two groups.Results:  Ninth‐order HOC estimated for post‐PH (24, 28, 40, 44, 72 and 84 h) exhibited linear discrimination for the rate of 3HTdR incorporation, whereas second‐order HOC estimated for (44–72 h) post‐PH exhibited linear discrimination for the TK enzymatic activity data. Fuzzy logic‐based c‐means cluster analysis of HOC provided distinct areas of group categorization (100% accuracy) for diagnostic distinctions (P < 0.001). The data grouping pointed out by the HOC‐based analysis revealed an onset delay in the liver regeneration process when Alloxan diabetes was present (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Our results suggest that HOC have the potential to linearly discriminate between experimentally induced diabetic and non‐diabetic liver regeneration post‐PH processes, based on two liver regeneration indices, capturing the delay seen in the liver regeneration process due to Alloxan diabetes, fostering their use as an efficient classification tool. In this way, HOC could be used as an advanced, easily implemented and user‐friendly method to thoroughly analyze liver regeneration processes.
Relation of hepatolithiasis to helminthic infestation
Authors: HUANG MIN‐HO , CHEN CHIEN‐HUA , YEN CHUAN‐MIN , YANG JEE‐CHUN , YANG CHI‐CHIEH , YEH YUNG‐HSIANG , CHOU DER‐AUR , YUEH SEN‐KOU , YANG YU‐YEN , NIEN CHIU‐KUEI 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The relation of helminthic infestation to hepatolithiasis is a subject of dispute. This case–control study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of helminthiasis in hepatolithiasis patients and to compare the clinicopathological features of hepatolithiasis between patients with and without helminthiasis.Methods:  The prevalence of ascariasis or clonorchiasis was evaluated using ELISA in 131 patients with hepatolithiasis who were treated at Show‐Chwan Memorial Hospital and 121 subjects who constituted a control group. The patients’ detailed histories and medical charts were reviewed.Results:  The prevalence of positive immunodiagnosis of ascariasis and clonorchiasis was higher in patients with hepatolithiasis than in control subjects (33.6%, 44/131 vs 17.4%, 21/121, odds ratio [OR] = 2.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.28–4.56, P = 0.005; and 6.9%, 9/131 v 0.8%, 1/121, OR = 8.85, 95% CI = 1.12–188.69, P = 0.02). Patients with helminthiasis rarely had concurrent gallbladder stones (26%, 12/47 vs 55%, 46/84, OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.12–0.66, P = 0.002). Prior to the diagnosis of hepatolithiasis in adulthood, most of the patients with helminthiasis tended to have a history of recurrent abdominal pain in their childhood and an asymptomatic ‘lucid interval’ during their teenage years (70.2%, 33/47 vs 39.3%, 33/84, OR = 3.64, 95% CI = 1.59–8.42, P = 0.0005). However, the prevalence of intrahepatic duct stricture (38.3%, 18/47 vs 40.5%, 34/84, OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.41–2.02, P > 0.05), secondary biliary cirrhosis (6.4%, 3/47 vs 3.6%, 3/84, OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 0.28–12.03, P > 0.05), cholangiocarcinoma (2.1%, 1/47 vs 0%, 0/84, OR = ∼, P > 0.05), and stone recurrence (54.8%, 24/42 vs 50.0%, 38/76, OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 0.58–3.06, P > 0.05) did not significantly increase.Conclusions:  Helminthiasis is a possible risk factor for hepatolithiasis, although it is unlikely to increase the incidence of complications, including bile duct stricture, secondary biliary cirrhosis, and cholangiocarcinoma. Patients with helminthiasis tend to have a history of an asymptomatic ‘lucid interval’ between the periods of recurrent abdominal pain in their childhood and the diagnosis of hepatolithiasis in their adulthood.
Significance of hepatitis B virus DNA clearance and early prediction of hepatocellular carcinogenesis in patients with cirrhosis undergoing interferon therapy: Long‐term follow up of a pilot study
Authors: IKEDA KENJI , KOBAYASHI MASAHIRO , SAITOH SATOSHI , SOMEYA TAKASHI , HOSAKA TETSUYA , AKUTA NORIO , SUZUKI YOSHIYUKI , SUZUKI FUMITAKA , TSUBOTA AKIHITO , ARASE YASUJI , KUMADA HIROMITSU 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Because the anti‐carcinogenic effect and mechanism of interferon (IFN) in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related cirrhosis have not been elucidated, quantitative analysis of HBV‐DNA concentration was carried out sequentially.Method:  Of 60 consecutive patients with cirrhosis who began IFN therapy between 1986 and 1990, 57 patients were completely observed for the appearance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). All patients underwent intermittent administration of IFN for a median period of 18 months. HBV‐DNA was quantified using transcription mediated amplification and hybridization protection assay. A HBV‐DNA count <3.7 log‐genome equivalent (LGE)/mL (equivalent to 103.7 or 5000 copies/mL) was considered to be a negative value.Results:  Of 25 patients who had HBV‐DNA loss after IFN therapy, nine lost HBV‐DNA during the therapy and 16 lost HBV‐DNA after cessation of the therapy. The other nine patients showed a transient loss of HBV‐DNA, and the remaining 23 retained persistently positive HBV‐DNA during and after therapy. Although HCC developed in two (8.0%) of the 25 patients with HBV‐DNA loss, carcinogenesis was found in 11 (34.4%) of 32 patients without HBV‐DNA loss (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.026). In the two exceptional patients, HCC was detected at 1.2 and 3.6 years after loss of HBV‐DNA, respectively. When the HBV‐DNA concentration decreased by 2 LGE/mL (decrease to 1/100) at 6 months after initiation of interferon, HBV‐DNA became negative eventually in 15 (60.0%) of 25 patients.Conclusion:  A significant decrease or loss of serum HBV‐DNA prevents development of HCC, and sequential analysis of HBV‐DNA could be very useful in both the prediction and the early detection of small HCC.
Patterns of K‐ras codon 12 and 13 mutations found in pancreatic adenocarcinoma of 30 Chinese patients by microdissection, PCR and direct sequencing
Authors: WEI SHUANZENG , LIANG ZHIYONG , GAO JIE , WU SHAFEI , ZHU HONG , LIU HONGRUI , LIU TONGHUA 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aim:  To our knowledge there are few reports on the K‐ras mutation pattern of pancreatic adenocarcinoma from Chinese mainland patients. We examined surgically resected formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissue blocks for the presence of activating point mutations at codon 12 and 13 of the K‐ras gene.Methods:  Mutations were detected through the use of microdissection, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. The results were confirmed by reverse sequencing.Results:  The combination of microdissection, PCR and direct sequencing techniques resulted in a rapid and sensitive detection of K‐ras mutations at codon 12 and 13. Twenty‐five (83%) of the 30 pancreatic adenocarcinomas examined harbored K‐ras mutation. Among the 25 pancreatic adenocarcinomas, 24 showed K‐ras mutation at codon 12 (11 with GGT‐GTT, seven with GGT‐GAT, four with GGT‐CGT, and two with GGT‐TGT), and only one showed a GGC‐TGC mutation at codon 13. In this study most of K‐ras mutations at codon 12 were at the second base (72%, 18/25) with a transition/transversion ratio of 1 : 1.57 (7/11).Conclusions:  The mutation profiles of K‐ras at codon 12 in our pancreatic adenocarcinoma samples were significantly different from those of European and Japanese samples.
Antecedents of renal disease in Aborigines
Authors: THOMAS Mark 
Published: December 2004

SUMMARY:  Rates of end‐stage renal disease in the Aboriginal community have been increasing over the past two decades, particularly in the northern and more remote areas of Australia, and especially in disadvantaged communities.Proteinuria predicts the rate of loss of renal function and is common in young adults and virtually universal in those over 50 years old. Cumulative independent risk factors include low birthweight, recurrent skin infections, adult obesity, diabetes or its precursors, smoking, excessive alcohol intake and a family history of renal disease. A plausible theory is that intrauterine malnutrition permanently reduces total nephron numbers, which are then overworked in adulthood by the metabolic stresses of obesity (from excess alcohol and poor diet), blood pressure and infections, while starved of blood supply through smoking.Although renal disease is often only detected when already established, there are great rewards for active medical intervention. Control of blood pressure (preferentially using angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin‐II receptor blockers (AIIRB) in combination) can often stop or even reverse kidney damage, despite ongoing poor diabetic control. Adequately funded kidney health programmes with active Aboriginal Health Worker involvement are enormously cost‐effective: tight blood pressure control at least halves the rate of disease progression, and every year of dialysis deferred for one patient could fund the appointment of two more health workers. Addressing the underlying social causes for this epidemic is critical.
Bring me home: Renal dialysis in the Kimberley
Authors: KNEIPP Erica , MURRAY Richard , WARR Kevin , FITZCLARENCE Cherelle , WEARNE Marie , MAGUIRE Graeme 
Published: December 2004

SUMMARY:  The incidence of end‐stage renal failure (ESRF) in the Kimberley region at the top end of Western Australia far exceeds known national rates and trend analysis demonstrates a close parallel to what is occurring in the Northern Territory. Dialysis prevalence in the Kimberley has nearly tripled in the last decade and has increased at a much faster rate than the rest of Western Australia. Almost all of these people with ESRF are Aboriginal Australians living in remote communities.In January 2004, the Western Australia Country Health Service and Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services’ Council, under the auspices of the Kimberley Aboriginal Health Planning Forum, embarked upon a review of renal disease in the Kimberley funded by the Western Australia Department of Health. The main purpose of the review was to identify the scope of the problem and make projections upon which to base programme and service development over the next 10 years.This paper outlines the findings of the Review of Renal Disease in the Kimberley and presents, for the first time, regional data analysis and comparisons. In addition, future projections on the impact of ESRF and recommendations for improving current service delivery are discussed. Given the challenges of remoteness and individuals’ desire to return home, this review recommends development of locally‐based expertise capable of providing training and support to patients and their families, reinvigoration of community‐based dialysis modalities, and the initiation of planning for a second satellite service in the Kimberley.
Home haemodialysis in remote Australia
Authors: VILLARBA Angelina , WARR Kevin 
Published: December 2004

SUMMARY:  The Royal Perth Hospital provides access to dialysis treatment to Indigenous Australians living in remote areas of Western Australia who are suffering from end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). The Remote Area Dialysis Programme (RADP), established in 1989, relocated traditional hospital services to remote communities and introduced home or community‐based therapy. This unique state‐wide programme was developed in cooperation with tribal elders in Aboriginal communities, and regional medical, nursing and community health staff. Prior to RADP's establishment, these patients faced the choice of permanent relocation to Perth for dialysis treatment or death from renal failure. Development of the RADP allowed Indigenous patients with ESRD to receive dialysis treatment in their own home/community.Requirements for home haemodialysis include establishing the suitability and capability of patients, the availability of carers and an appropriate home or community environment for dialysis machine installation. This has required novel strategies to address cultural and language impediments to home therapy. The remoteness of some isolated communities has been a technical challenge for the dialysis technicians due to the uncertainty of power supply, climatic extremes and inadequate supply or poor quality of water. A specific training program has been developed to adapt to the needs of Aboriginal patients. Patients undertaking home haemodialysis face many challenges and a number of initiatives will need to be implemented to ensure the ongoing success of the programme.
Forest landscape pattern in the KwaZulu–Natal midlands, South Africa: 50 years of change or stasis?
Authors: LAWES MICHAEL J. , MACFARLANE DOUGLAS M. , EELEY HARRIET A. C. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract  Understanding patterns and processes of habitat change is essential for managing and conserving forest fragments in anthropogenically altered landscapes. Digitized aerial photographs from 1944 and 1996 were examined for changes to the indigenous forest landscape in the Karkloof‐Balgowan archipelago in KwaZulu–Natal, South Africa. Attributes relating to proximate land‐use, patch shape, isolation and position in the landscape were used to determine putative causes of forest change. The total change in forest area was −5.7% (forest covered 6739 ha in 1996). This is contrasted with previous reports for the period 1880–1940 that estimated change in total forest area of up to −80%. Attrition was the predominant process of forest transformation between 1944 and 1996. Despite little overall change in forest area, 786 mostly small (<0.5 ha) forest patches were lost from the landscape, leaving 1277 forest patches in 1996. An increase in patch isolation, but no change in patch cohesion accompanied the changes in forest area. Ignoring patches that were eliminated, 514 patches decreased in area. This was partly a function of patch size, but the conversion of natural grassland to commercial plantation forestry in the matrix also influenced forest decline. Their small size and irregular shape caused forest patches in the region to be vulnerable to edge effects. Core area declined in a negative exponential way with increasing edge width and the total area of edge habitat exceeded that of core habitat at an edge width of only 50 m. Nevertheless, total core area decreased by only 2% (65 ha) between 1944 and 1996 because most of the eliminated patches were small and contained no core area. The large Karkloof forest (1649 ha) is a conservation priority for forest interior species, but the ecological role and biodiversity value of small forest patches should not be overlooked.
Net woody vegetation increase confined to seasonally inundated lowlands in an Australian tropical savanna, Victoria River District, Northern Territory
Authors: SHARP BEN R. , BOWMAN DAVID M. J. S. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract  Georeferenced digital aerial photographs were used to assess changes in overstorey vegetation cover since 1948 in the Victoria River District, Northern Territory, Australia, across a range of lowland tropical savanna habitats and with explicit consideration of known and variable site‐specific grazing and fire management histories. Vegetation surveys at corresponding locations on the ground identified five distinct woody vegetation communities defined primarily by water drainage and secondarily by soil characteristics. Air‐photo analyses revealed that, contrary to popular perceptions and in contrast to results from other habitats, there has been no generalized net increase in overstorey woody vegetation cover across the full range of lowland savanna habitats. Rather, different habitats exhibited distinctly different vegetation change mechanisms: low‐lying seasonally inundated ‘wet’ habitats have experienced woody vegetation increase since 1948, whereas well‐drained ‘dry’ habitats have experienced overstorey vegetation stability or loss. In almost every instance woody vegetation increase could be attributed to the invasion or proliferation of a single species, Melaleuca minutifolia F.Muell. The extent of M. minutifolia increase was unrelated to historical grazing/fire regime. Demographic analyses for this species revealed that recruitment was often episodic and that synchronized recruitment events occurred uniformly across the full range of historical management treatments, most likely as a consequence of favourable climatic conditions in years with an extended wet season. Heavy grazing facilitated juvenile survival and/or recruitment, most likely by reducing grassy fuel loads and eliminating landscape fire. We conclude that while there has been no generalized net increase in overstorey woody vegetation cover in lowland environments, savanna dynamics are complex, and multiple change mechanisms have occurred simultaneously in different habitats, some of which have been significantly transformed since 1948. Where net woody vegetation increase has occurred it is primarily a natural consequence of episodic M. minutifolia establishment in climatically favourable years, but the extent and magnitude of this effect is likely mediated by fire/grazing regime.