bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determination of pH and calcium ion release provided by pure and calcium hydroxide‐containing AHPlus
Authors: Duarte M. A. H. , De O. Demarchi A. C. C. , De Moraes I. G. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractAim  To compare in vitro the pH and calcium ion release provided by pure and calcium hydroxide‐containing AHPlus.Method  Pure and modified AHPlus, the latter containing 5 and 10% (w/w) calcium hydroxide added during spatulation, were used. The material was spatulated and stored in 10 tubes that were 1 cm long and 1.5 mm in diameter, and then immersed in 20 mL deionized water before the materials had set. Ten tubes with zinc oxide and eugenol were used as controls. Four millilitres of water was removed from the flasks after 24 and 48 h, and after 7, 14 and 30 days, and pH and calcium release were measured with a pH meter and by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, respectively. The results obtained at each time point were compared statistically.Results  A more alkaline pH for AHPlus supplemented with 5 and 10% calcium hydroxide was recorded when compared to pure AHPlus; there were significant differences at 14 and 30 days (P < 0.05). The results of calcium ion release showed no significant difference between pure AHPlus and zinc oxide plus eugenol (P > 0.05). The comparisons between the AHPlus containing 10% calcium hydroxide with AHPlus containing 5% calcium hydroxide, pure AHPlus, zinc oxide plus eugenol demonstrated significant differences (P < 0,05) at all periods. The comparisons between AHPlus containing 5% calcium hydroxide with pure AHPlus and zinc oxide plus eugenol demonstrated significant differences (P < 0,05) at all periods of evaluation.Conclusions  The addition of 5 and 10% calcium hydroxide to AHPlus cement favoured a more alkaline pH and greater calcium ion release.
A clinical radiographic retrospective assessment of the success rate of single‐visit root canal treatment
Authors: Field J. W. , Gutmann J. L. , Solomon E. S. , Rakusin H. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractAim  To determine retrospectively the clinical and radiographic success rate of single‐visit root canal treatment performed in a busy endodontic practice using contemporary techniques of canal cleaning, shaping and obturation.Summary  Seven hundred and sixty‐eight single‐visit cases, of which 223 presented for a re‐examination appointment ranging from 6 months to 4 years from the day of treatment, were considered. Four endodontists provided examinations for both root canal treatment and re‐examinations. Clinical and radiographic data were used to form an overall impression of the outcomes for each case at the time of re‐examination. Available demographics and treatment information of these 223 cases were compiled for comparison. The number of treatment visits was not determined by a pretreatment diagnosis or a re‐assessment of the pulp status upon entry into the tooth; therefore both vital and necrotic cases, as well as those with and without periradicular pathosis, were included. Statistical analysis was carried out using Chi‐square tests and considered variations in failure rates based on gender, provider, tooth type, position and arch. A t‐test was used to evaluate data on age. The overall success rate was 89.2%. No statistically significant differences were seen based on gender, age, arch or provider. Statistically, anterior teeth were more successful than posterior teeth.Key learning points

The success rate of single‐visit root canal treatment in this study is comparable to previous studies of teeth treated in a single visit, as well as those treated in multiple visits, with the placement of interappointment calcium hydroxide.
The provision of single‐visit root canal treatment using modern techniques of root canal cleaning, shaping and obturation can be considered as a viable method for the retention of natural teeth within contemporary treatment planning concepts.
Future studies on the outcomes of contemporary endodontic treatment should be designed and implemented to use prospective, randomized clinical trials in which the re‐examination rate is high.
A COMPARISON OF TWO BOWEL PREPARATIONS IN A COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING PROGRAMME USING VIRTUAL COLONOSCOPY
Authors: Edwards John Thomas , Foster Noellene Mary , Murray Dianne , Mendelson Richard Marvin , Forbes Geoffrey Millar 
Published: January 2004

Aims  The ideal bowel preparation for virtual colonoscopy (VC) is not defined. Our aim was to compare a magnesium citrate + sodium picosulfate (picolax) preparation with a picolax + polyethylene glycol (colonlytely) preparation.Methods  Asymptomatic average risk subjects aged 50–54 or 65–69 years were invited to participate in a colorectal cancer screening programme using VC. Participants were randomly assigned one of either: ‘X’ prep (n = 67): Mg citrate at 12.00 h and picolax at 16.00 and 19.00 h or ‘Y’ prep (n = 80): 1 L colonlytely at 16.30 h and picolax at 17.30 and 19.30 h. Each was preceded by a low residue diet. At VC, segments of bowel were rated for distension, fluid and faeces by a gastroenterologist blinded to the preparation. All subjects completed a written questionnaire regarding the preparation.Results  Quality of preparation (each category out of 40)

Distension
Fluid
Faeces
Total

X median
38
37
39
113

Y median
37
37
39
112.5

Tolerability (%)

Taste (%)

X
Y
X
Y

Easy/good
38
27
32
14

Tolerable
49
50
59
71

Slight difficulty
8
18
4
15

Extremely difficult
1
4
0
0

Unable to finish
4
1
4
1

There was no significant difference between the preparations in reported degree of nausea, pain, bloating and headache. The vast majority (> 90%) of subjects reported either no symptoms or a mild degree of these symptoms. Vomiting occurred in 6 and 1.5% of preparation X and Y subjects, respectively. Three X patients (4.5%) had severe adverse events (two syncopal episodes, one severe vasovagal episode and palpitations) requiring discontinuation of the preparation.Conclusion  Both preparations resulted in satisfactory bowel preparation for reading VC and were generally well tolerated. The picolax/colonlytely preparation is safer.
APPENDICECTOMY FOR REFRACTORY ULCERATIVE COLITIS: PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF THE LYMPHOID COMPARTMENT IN THE COLITIS APPENDIX
Authors: Rajaraman Eri 
Published: January 2004

Background and aims  We have recently confirmed the negative association between ulcerative colitis (UC) and appendicectomy (appy) but also demonstrate that prior appy is associated with ‘benign’ disease including a reduced need for immunosuppression and/or colectomy (P = 0.015). We hypothize: patients with proximal constipation and distal UC are at increased risk of appendiceal inflammation, which may contribute significantly to on‐going inflammation. We have commenced a study of laparoscopic (lap.) apply for patients with refractory UC, and our initial aims were to confirm correct targeting of the UC patients and to assess appendiceal lymphocyte populations using FACS compared with their peripheral blood, using patients as their own controls. A small number of controls have also been assessed.Methods  Patients were recruited from the IBD clinic and controls were those admitted to the RBH/RCH with suspected appendicitis. Tissue was taken for histopathology and remaining appendiceal tissue passed through a sieve to release lymphocytes by nonenzymatic means. Cells were washed, counted and viability checked. Staining for FACS analysis was undertaken by standard methods using antibodies to: CD4, CD8, CD3, TCR‐ab, CD19, CD56, CD45RA, CD45RO, and CD69.Results  Four patients have undergone lap. apply for UC. Mean age at diagnosis 21.25 years, 3/4 female, all patients had rectosigmoid disease confirmed by colonoscopy and histology preoperatively, and 1/4 had AOI. All four patients suffered proximal constipation clinically and radiologically. 3/4 patients were on full treatment (steroids, immunosuppression, 5‐ASA) and 1/4 was on steroids alone. There are six controls: four disease controls [two total colitis (colectomy), two CD (resection)] and two children (mean age 12 months). Histology showed ‘colitis‐type’ inflammation in all four UC patients and was normal in controls. Cell yield from the appendices was a mean of 4 × 106, and viability > 95%. The early FACS data indicate a highly activated appendiceal lymphocyte population (CD69+, 36–75%) in the UC group of which only a minority costain for B or T cell markers.The over all cell ratio is 0.65–1.3 and there is a majority of naïve, CD45RA+ cells (64–76%). In the controls, the level of CD69 staining is much lower (11–22%) and in the four normal appendices there is a pattern of B cell predominance in the children (ratio 0.24–0.4).Conclusions  These early observations confirm that the appendix represents an active skip lesion in distal colitis. This is supported by preliminary FACS data, but further patients and controls are required to establish the significance of these cells and their contribution to on‐going inflammation.
APPENDICECTOMY, PRIMARY SCLEROSING CHOLANGITIS (PSC) and ULCERATIVE COLITIS (UC)
Authors: Florin Timothy , Cayzer Catherine , Purdie David , Fawcett Jonathan , Radford‐Smith Graham 
Published: January 2004

The relationship between PSC and inflammatory bowel disases (IBD) remains largely unexplained. The most usual IBD phenotype reported with PSC is clinically mild UC pancolitis. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is not improved by colectomy (+ contemporaneous appendicectomy). We have shown that appendicectomy has a strong negative association with UC and a more benign UC phenotype. In animal models, early appendicectomy results in a significant reduction in mucosal Ig production, and in models of colitis the same early intervention protects the animal from the disease. The human appendix has a large complement of activated B cells which may seed the intestine with IgA‐secreting plasma cells in a similar way to these models. IgA will exclude bacteria from the gut epithelium. If there is impaired IgA‐mediated bacterial exclusion, then there may be not only a diluted intestinal mucosal immune response but an increased bacterial load in the portal circulation that requires a second‐line immune response by the liver. Thus, removal of an appendix in patients who are susceptible to UC may predispose to a more benign UC phenotype and PSC.Hypothesis  Appendicectomy is associated with PSC.Materials and methods  Review the Brisbane IBD database and interrogation of the Brisbane PSC transplant patient database for appendicectomy, age at surgery, age at diagnosis of UC and PSC, disease phenotype, smoking status (known to influence UC). Appendicectomy prevalence compared with age‐ and cohort‐matched controls randomly selected from a large population‐based twin registry (one twin selected from each pair). At this stage, the control population has been age‐ and cohort‐matched to the Brisbane IBD database only.Results  The frequency of appendicectomy in patients with PSC prior to diagnosis of either the PSC or IBD is 17 of 67 (25.4%). This is significantly higher than the appendicectomy rate in UC alone 19 of 300 (6.3%), Fisher's exact test, P < 0.0001. The 25.4% rate in PSC is similar to the controls, 235 of 897 (26%), P = 1.0.Conclusions  The preliminary data support the hypothesis that appendicectomy is more likely in UC patients with PSC. Reported prevalences of appendicectomy in PSC vs. UC without PSC (Erpecum, Gastroenterology 2000, 110:1503 and Griffin & Selby JGH 1999 Supp A121) support our findings. The appendicectomy prevalence may not be different from a matched control population. Further analysis controlling for smoking habit and a control group matched with the combined databases are ongoing.
ASSOCIATION OF SPORADIC MSI‐H COLORECTAL CANCER and SMOKING IN AN AUSTRALIAN POPULATION
Authors: Chong AK , Young JP , Howlett M , Leggett BA , Jass JR 
Published: January 2004

Background  High level microsatellite instability (MSI‐H) is present in 15% of all colorectal cancers. Some of these occur in the setting of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) and are due to the germline mutations in one of the mismatch repair (MMR) genes hMLH1, hMSH 2, hMSH6 or hPMS2. The remainder comprise sporadic msi‐h tumours, largely attributable to hypermethylation of hMLH1. A recent study has suggested an association between msi‐h tumours and smoking. However, familial and sporadic msi‐h tumours were not differentiated.Aims  To explore the association between MSI‐H colorectal cancers and smoking in a well characterised cohort of sporadic colorectal cancer patients.Methods  DNA was extracted from frozen tumour specimens obtained from three centres over an 11‐year period. Accurate family histories were obtained. Subjects with significant family histories, loss of hMSH2 or hMSH6 on immunohistochemistry, or patients under 55 years with loss of hMLH‐1 on immunohistochemistry were considered to have HNPCC and excluded from this study. MSI status was determined using a panel of six microsatellite markers consisting of mononucleotide (BAT26, BAT25, c‐myb T22) and higher order repeats (D5S346, D2S123, MYCL). MSI‐H was defined as instability at two or more markers including at least one mononucleotide repeat. Fifty‐two patients with MSI‐H tumours were identified. This study population was age and sex matched with a control group of 115 patients with microsatellite stable tumours (MSS). Smoking history was obtained from patient records and categorised into two groups (never smoked vs. current or ex‐smokers).Results  Twenty‐five (48%) patients with MSI‐H cancers were current or ex‐smokers compared with 34 (30%) of patients with MSS cancers (P = 0.014, χ2 test).Conclusions  In our population of patients with sporadic colorectal cancer, subjects with MSI‐H cancers were significantly more likely to be current or ex‐smokers than those with MSS cancers. Cigarette smoke may predispose to methylation of MMR genes in sporadic MSI‐H cancers.
CHANGES IN DUODENAL IRON TRANSPORT GENE EXPRESSION IN RATS FOLLOWING A SWITCH TO AN IRON DEFICIENT DIET OCCUR BEFORE ALTERATIONS IN BODY IRON STORES
Authors: Frazer DM , Wilkin SJ , Becker EM , Murphy TL , Cleghorn GJ , Anderson GJ 
Published: January 2004

Introduction and aims  The level of body iron stores is an important factor controlling the rate of intestinal iron absorption but how storage iron influences intestinal iron transport is unclear. A switch from a control diet to an iron deficient diet results in an increase in iron absorption within 5 days; long before any changes in body iron stores or haematological parameters. To investigate the mechanism by which this occurs, we have studied the adaptation in expression of iron transport genes in rat duodenum following the change to an iron deficient diet.Methods  Adult Sprague–Dawley rats on a control diet were switched to an iron deficient diet and duodenal tissue was taken after 0, 2, 4, 6, 10 and 14 days. RNA was extracted and the expression of iron transport genes was determined by ribonuclease protection assay. Intestinal iron absorption was determined by measuring the retention of an oral dose of 59Fe.Results  Intestinal iron absorption in rats on a control diet was approximately 10%, but by 6 days following a change to an iron deficient diet it had increased to near maximal levels of approximately 60%. No change in haematological status or hepatic iron stores was evident over this time period. Analysis of duodenal gene expression revealed a large increase in the expression of the brush border ferric reductase DcytB and iron transporter DMT1 (IRE form) within the first 6 days on a deficient diet. The expression of DMT1 (non‐IRE) and the basolateral transporter Ireg1 increased to a lesser extent, but the expression of hephaestin, which is also involved in basolateral iron transport, remained unchanged. The changes in intestinal iron transporter expression parallel the observed increase in iron absorption.Conclusions  These results demonstrate that the expression of duodenal iron transport genes can be influenced by the amount of iron in the diet before body iron stores and red blood cell production are affected. Further studies will be required to determine whether the mechanism involves local changes in intestinal iron status or involves a systemic signal that is responsive to dietary iron content.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SHIGA TOXIN‐PRODUCING E. COLICAUSING HUS IN AUSTRALIA
Authors: Elliot EJ , Robins‐Browne R , Hogg G ,   O'LOUGHLIN,   THE AUSTRALIAN PAEDIATRIC SURVEILLANCE UNIT (APSU) HAEMOLYTIC URAEMIC SYNDROME STUDY GROUP and CONTRIBUTORS TO THE APSU
Published: January 2004

Infection with Shiga toxin‐producing E. coli (STEC) may be asymptomatic or may result in gastroenteritis or hemorrhagic colitis. Haemolytic uraemic syndrome is a rare complication of gastrointestinal infection with STEC seen mainly in children. It is characterised by microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure. In Europe, North America and Japan, STEC O157:H7 is commonly implicated as the cause of HUS. Shigella dysenteriae is frequently implicated in developing communities.Aim  To determine the aetiology of HUS in Australia and the type and virulence characteristics of stool pathogens.Methods  Active, national surveillance for HUS with monthly reporting by paediatricians. Stool culture, serotyping and virulence characteristics (production of Shiga toxin [Stx] 1 & 2 and enterohaemolysin, and carriage of eae gene) of isolates in specialised laboratories.Results  Between July 1994–December 2000, 134 children with HUS were identified (114 with ‘diarrhoea‐associated’ HUS (20 comprised an outbreak) and 20 with ‘atypical’ HUS. Of 114 cases with gastrointestinal symptoms, 59 were male, mean (SD) age 50 (43) months, range 2–169 months (71% < 5 years). All had anaemia and acute renal failure. Symptoms included diarrhoea (96%), bloody diarrhoea (47%), and vomiting 78%. Stool +/or sera were received from 74 (65%) STEC serotypes from 44 cases included O111:H‐ (26), O113:H21 (5), O157:H‐ (2), O157:H? (2), and one each of O26:H‐, O111:H8, O76:H7, O15:H‐, O130:H11, O1:H7, OR:H9, ONT:H7, ONT:H‐. The most common isolate was O111:H‐, which also caused the outbreak. All O111:H‐ produced Stx1, Stx2 and enterohaemolysin and carried eae. Other isolates had ≥1 but not all these virulence characteristics.Conclusions  A heterogeneous group of STEC was associated with HUS in Australia and differs from that described elsewhere. In particular, STEC O111:H‐ predominated and no STEC O157:H7 was isolated. These findings have implications for laboratory diagnosis and epidemiological tracing of STEC‐associated infections.
CHOLINERGIC and TACHYKININERGIC NEUROTRANSMISSION IN ADULT TRANSVERSE and SIGMOID COLONIC CIRCULAR MUSCLE
Authors: Stanton MP , Bornstein JC , Hutson JM , Keck J , Southwell BR 
Published: January 2004

Aim  There have recently been reports of reduced tachykinin (TK) levels in the colonic circular muscle (CCM) in both children and adults with slow‐transit constipation (STC), suggesting a relationship between TK deficiency and impaired colonic motility. In this study, we have examined the role of TKs and acetylcholine in mediating contraction in the adult colon, in order to determine the relative importance of these excitatory neurotransmitters.Methods  Isotonic contractile responses to carbachol (cholinomimetic, 10 μm), NKA (neurokinin A receptor agonist, 100 nmol) and electrical field stimulation (EFS) were measured, in transverse (n = 5) and sigmoid (n = 7) colon. EFS was repeated in hyoscine (2 μm); NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptor antagonists (SR 140333, SR 48968, SR 142801, 200 μm); and NOLA (NOS inhibitor, 100 μm). Responses were re‐tested with tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 mm).Results  Carbachol and NKA dose‐dependently induced contractions in all specimens. The maximal NKA induced contraction was similar to the maximal carbachol contraction in sigmoid colon, but only 1/4 of the maximal carbachol contraction in transverse colon. EFS alone elicited similar responses in the sigmoid and the transverse CCM (40 and 32% of the maximal carbachol response, respectively). Hyoscine reduced the contractile response to EFS by 2/3 in sigmoid CCM, and by 1/2 in transverse CCM. NOLA caused a small increase in EFS‐induced contraction in both sigmoid and transverse CCM. Individually, the TK antagonists did not produce significant changes in contractile responses elicited by EFS. However, when incubated together, the three TK antagonists produced a large reduction in EFS‐induced contraction, by 1/4–3/4 in sigmoid, and by 1/4 in transverse CCM. EFS‐induced responses were abolished in TTX, suggesting that responses were neuro‐neuronal.Conclusion  There is both a muscarinic cholinergic and tachykininergic input to contraction in the human colon. Muscarinic input produces at least 1/2 of EFS‐induced contraction. Tachykinins produce at least 1/4 of the contraction in response to EFS in transverse colon. Tachykinins have an even greater input to EFS‐induced contraction in the sigmoid colon.
CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS and PROGNOSIS OF COLORECTAL SIGNET‐RING CELL CARCINOMA
Authors: Lee Kook Lae , Kim Tae Ho , Lee Dong Ho , Kim Joo Sung , Jung Hyun Chae , Song In Sung 
Published: January 2004

Background/aims  Colorectal signet‐ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is uncommon tumor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of primary and metastatic colorectal SRCC.Methods  We retrospectively examined the records of patients who had undergone surgery for colon cancer and was diagnosed pathologically as colorectal SRCC from 1988 to 2000.Results  Among 1812 patients with colorectal cancer examined, the number of patients with SRCC was 28 (1.5%); eight patients (28.6%) were metastatic and 20 patients (71.4%) were primary. Male to female ratio was 19:9 and mean age was 44.2 (primary, 42.5; metastatic, 48.3). Mean age of primary SRCC of rectosigmoid area was lower than that of ascending colon (37.4 vs. 54.5). The topographic incidences of primary SRCC were nine patients in rectum; five patients in sigmoid colon; six patients in ascending colon. Metastatic SRCC's were mostly found in splenic flexure and rectosigmoid area. Biopsy positive rate at first was 13 of 18 in primary SRCC, and 3 of 5 in metastatic SRCC. Five cases (55.6%) of primary rectal SRCC showed linitis plastica type. The stage of primary SRCC showed a preponderance of Astler–Coller C2 lesions; 3 (15%) were in B2, 1 (5%) was in C1, 14 (70%) were in C2, 2 (10%) were in D. One and two years survival of primary SRCC were 62.7 and 45.7%, respectively.Conclusions  Colorectal SRCC is rare among colon cancer and common in young age group especially which is primary or occurs in rectosigmoid area. The primary SRCC's were mostly found in advanced stage, and the prognosis might be poor.