bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors contributing to ribavirin‐induced anemia
Authors: NOMURA HIDEYUKI , TANIMOTO HIRONORI , KAJIWARA EIJI , SHIMONO JUNYA , MARUYAMA TOSHIHIRO , YAMASHITA NOBUYUKI , NAGANO MASANORI , HIGASHI MASASHI , MUKAI TAMOTSU , MATSUI YUTAKA , HAYASHI JUN , KASHIWAGI SEIZABURO , ISHIBASHI HIROMI 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Interferon and ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C produces hemolytic anemia. This study was conducted to identify the factors contributing to ribavirin‐induced anemia.Methods:  Eighty‐eight patients with chronic hepatitis C who received interferon‐α‐2b at a dose of 6 MU administered intramuscularly for 24 weeks in combination with ribavirin administered orally at a dose of 600 mg or 800 mg participated in the study. A hemoglobin concentration of <10 g/dL was defined as ribavirin‐induced anemia.Results:  Ribavirin‐induced anemia occurred in 18 (20.5%) patients during treatment. A 2 g/dL decrease in hemoglobin concentrations in patients with anemia was observed at week 2 after the start of treatment. The hemoglobin concentration in patients with ≥2 g/dL decrease at week 2 was observed to be significantly lower even after week 2 than in patients with <2 g/dL decrease (P < 0.01). A significant relationship was observed between the rate of reduction of hemoglobin concentrations at week 2 and the severity of anemia (P < 0.01). Such factors as sex (female), age (≥60 years old), and the ribavirin dose by body weight (12 mg/kg or more) were significant by univariate analysis.Conclusions:  Careful administration is necessary in patients ≥60 years old, in female patients, and in patients receiving a ribavirin dose of 12 mg/kg or more. Patients who experience a fall in hemoglobin concentrations of 2 g/dL or more at week 2 after the start of treatment should be monitored with particular care.
Frequency of gastropathy and gastric varices in children with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction treated with sclerotherapy
Authors: PODDAR UJJAL , THAPA BABU RAM , SINGH KARTAR 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBackground:  There are limited reports of the effect of endoscopic sclerotherapy (EST) on portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) and gastric varices (GV) in children with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO). We have studied the prevalence of PHG and GV in children with EHPVO and assessed the effect of EST on them on long‐term follow‐up.Methods:  From January 1992 to June 2002, consecutive children presenting with variceal bleeding due to EHPVO were included in this study. All children underwent EST at presentation and at 2–3 week intervals thereafter. During each session of endoscopy, gastric mucosa and fundus of the stomach was screened carefully to detect PHG and GV. Gastric varices were classified as gastroesophageal (GOV) and isolated gastric varices (IGV).Results:  In total, 274 cases of EHPVO were managed during the study period. The mean age was 7.4 ± 3.5 years with a male to female ratio of 2.3:1. Of these 274 cases, 186 completed the EST program (study population), 60 were lost to follow‐up, five died and 23 underwent surgery. At presentation (n = 274) 27% cases had PHG (3.6% severe) and 68.6% had GV (GOV 66.8%, IGV 1.8%). Following EST (n = 186) there was a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in GOV (45% from 64%) but an increase in IGV (14% from 1%) and PHG (51.6% from 24.7%).There was also a significant increase in severe PHG (15.6% from 3.2%, P < 0.05). On follow‐up (mean follow‐up 38 ± 30 months) 19% children with IGV bled while none with PHG bled.Conclusions:  Portal hypertensive gastropathy and gastric varices are quite common in children with EHPVO. Following EST, there is a chance of developing isolated gastric varices.
Gastrointestinal luminal tuberculosis: Establishing the diagnosis
Authors: PATEL NIKHIL , AMARAPURKAR DEEPAK , AGAL SUBHASH , BAIJAL RAJIV , KULSHRESTHA PRAMOD , PRAMANIK SNEHANSU , GUPTE PARIJAT 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBackground and Aim:  To study the profile of gastrointestinal luminal tuberculosis (GITB) patients who have been treated on a confirmed and a presumptive diagnosis.Methods:  A total of 260 patients who had an initial diagnosis of GITB were included in this retrospective analysis. Clinical, radiologic, endoscopic, histopathologic and microbiologic features of these patients were studied in detail.Results:  GITB was confirmed in 66.5% patients (cGITB), while 29.5% had presumed GITB (pGITB). In 3.9% patients, Crohn's disease (CD) was misdiagnosed initially as GITB. There was no significant difference in the clinical and radiologic features except a higher incidence of a radiologically abnormal ileocecal region in cGITB patients. Endoscopic biopsies from ulcerated masses and ulcers had the highest yield of confirmation (100% and 68%, respectively) when subjected to histopathology, acid‐fast bacilli smear and culture studies. Confirmed diagnosis was obtained in 100% of cases occurring in the upper gastrointestinal tract, 66% of cases in the ileocecal region/colon and 40% of cases that had small bowel involvement. In 21% of cases, extraluminal sites helped to confirm the diagnosis. As the presence of diarrhea, bleeding, fistulae, perianal disease and extraintestinal manifestations favored a diagnosis of CD, the presence of these features initially or on subsequent follow up helped to minimize the misdiagnosis of GITB.Conclusions:  As a differential diagnosis, CD must be ruled out before starting treatment for GITB. In our study, an intense search for histologic and microbiologic proof of the presence of TB from luminal and extraluminal sites established the diagnosis in 66.5% of cases. Surgery for establishing the diagnosis should be reserved for complicated cases.
Severe ulcerative colitis: Prospective study of parameters determining outcome
Authors: KUMAR SANJAY , GHOSHAL UDAY C , AGGARWAL RAKESH , SARASWAT VIVEK A , CHOUDHURI GOURDAS 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBackground:  One‐third of patients with exacerbations of ulcerative colitis (UC) require colectomy and 1% die. Although several studies have reported parameters associated with failure of medical treatment, studies using multivariate analysis of various predictors are scanty.Methods:  Demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters within 48 h of admission of 50 consecutive patients (55 episodes) were prospectively recorded. Each episode was treated with intravenous hydrocortisone, antibiotics and fluid administration. The data of patients who failed to respond, deteriorated, developed complications requiring emergency surgery or died within 7 days of hospitalization, were compared with the data of those who responded during this period using Mann–Whitney U‐test or chi‐squared tests. Variables found to be significant on univariate analysis were entered into a multivariate model.Results:  Medical treatment failed in 10 of 55 episodes; eight had surgery (one died), another died with bowel perforation and peritonitis and one left hospital in a moribund state. Younger age, pedal edema, transverse colonic diameter >5 cm on abdominal radiograph, low hemoglobin, low serum albumin, high C‐reactive protein, presence of fibrin degradation product (FDP) in serum, low serum fibrinogen, prolonged prothrombin time, Truelove‐Witt's fulminant disease, and high clinical activity index were associated with failure of medical treatment on univariate analysis. All the above variables were significant by multivariate analysis except age, serum albumin level and presence of FDP.Conclusion:  It may be possible to predict the failure of medical treatment in exacerbations of UC using a scoring system based on clinical parameters and simple laboratory tests.
Normal colon transit time in healthy Chinese adults in Hong Kong
Authors: CHAN YIU‐KAY , KWAN AMBROSE CHI‐PONG , YUEN HON , YEUNG YAT‐WAH , LAI KAM‐CHUEN , WU JUSTIN , WONG GRACE SAU‐WAI , LEUNG CHI‐MAN , CHEUNG WAI‐CHING , WONG CHI‐KIN 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Colon transit study with radio‐opaque markers is helpful in the evaluation of chronic constipation. Normal reference values, based on radio‐opaque markers, have not been reported from Chinese adults in Hong Kong.Methods:  Fifty‐one healthy Chinese (27 men, age 42 ± 12 years) were enrolled through a newspaper advertisement. They were requested to fill in detailed dietary records and a gastrointestinal symptom questionnaire. Each subject swallowed, under supervision, a total of three Sitzmarks capsules, one capsule at the same time on each of day 1, 2 and 3. Abdominal films were taken on days 4 and 7, also at the same time of the day. Total and segmental transit times were calculated using Metcalf's method.Results:  The upper limit of normal total colonic transit time (CTT) was 62 h, while right, left and rectosigmoid CTT were 16 h, 31 h and 32 h, respectively. Women of age 18–35 years had a longer rectosigmoid and total CTT compared with their male counterparts (mean total CTT: 39 h vs 18 h, P = 0.05). The CTT appeared to be unaffected by the usual dietary components.Conclusion:  A single normal reference value for CTT appeared to be applicable to Chinese adults in Hong Kong, irrespective of age, sex and dietary content. However, young Chinese women (age 18–35 years) appeared to have longer total and rectosigmoid CTT.
Changes in population structure of the soilborne fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici during continuous wheat cropping
Authors: Lebreton Lionel , Lucas Philippe , Dugas Françoise , Guillerm Anne‐Yvonne , Schoeny Alexandra , Sarniguet Alain 
Published: October 2004

SummaryA method was developed to assess the genetic structure of Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici (Ggt) populations and test the hypothesis of an association between disease level in the field with changes in pathogen populations. A long‐term wheat monoculture experiment, established since 1994, generated different take‐all epidemics with varying the number of wheat crop successions in the 1999–2000 cropping season. Genetic polymorphism in Ggt populations was investigated over natural, local epidemics. Four populations of 30 isolates were isolated from necrotic wheat roots in a first, third, fourth, and sixth wheat crop in the same year. Each Ggt isolate was characterized with RAPD (Random Amplification Polymorphism DNA) markers and AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) fingerprinting. Seventeen multilocus genotypes based on the combination of RAPD and AFLP markers were identified among all these populations. The 120 isolates were divided into two main groups, G1 and G2, according to bootstrap values higher than 86%, except for an unique isolate from the third wheat crop. Within each group, populations ranged between 93 and 100% similarity. Both groups included isolates collected from the first, third, fourth or sixth wheat crop. However, G1 group profiles dominated amongst isolates sampled in the first and the sixth wheat crops, whereas G2 group profiles largely dominated amongst isolates collected from the third and fourth wheat crops. Aggressiveness of group G2 (38%) was significantly greater than that of G1 (29.5%). These results suggest that changes in Ggt population structure occur during continuous wheat cropping. The distinction of two Ggt groups provides a simple basis for further spatio‐temporal analysis of Ggt population during polyetic take‐all decline.
Design of new promoters and of a dual‐bioreporter based on cross‐activation by the two regulatory proteins XylR and HbpR
Authors: Tropel David , Bähler Alexandra , Globig Kathrin , Van Der Meer Jan Roelof 
Published: October 2004

SummaryThe HbpR protein is the σ54‐dependent transcription activator for 2‐hydroxybiphenyl degradation in Pseudomonas azelaica. The ability of HbpR and XylR, which share 35% amino acid sequence identity, to cross‐activate the PhbpC and Pu promoters was investigated by determining HbpR‐ or XylR‐mediated luciferase expression and by DNA binding assays. XylR measurably activated the PhbpC promoter in the presence of the effector m‐xylene, both in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida. HbpR weakly stimulated the Pu promoter in E. coli but not in P. azelaica. Poor HbpR‐dependent activation from Pu was caused by a weak binding to the operator region. To create promoters efficiently activated by both regulators, the HbpR binding sites on PhbpC were gradually changed into the XylR binding sites of Pu by site‐directed mutagenesis. Inducible luciferase expression from mutated promoters was tested in E. coli on a two plasmid system, and from mono copy gene fusions in P. azelaica and P. putida. Some mutants were efficiently activated by both HbpR and XylR, showing that promoters can be created which are permissive for both regulators. Others achieved a higher XylR‐dependent transcription than from Pu itself. Mutants were also obtained which displayed a tenfold lower uninduced expression level by HbpR than the wild‐type PhbpC, while keeping the same maximal induction level. On the basis of these results, a dual‐responsive bioreporter strain of P. azelaica was created, containing both XylR and HbpR, and activating luciferase expression from the same single promoter independently with m‐xylene and 2‐hydroxybiphenyl.
Widespread association of a Rickettsiales‐like bacterium with reef‐building corals
Authors: Casas Veronica , Kline David I. , Wegley Linda , Yu Yanan , Breitbart Mya , Rohwer Forest 
Published: October 2004

SummaryWhite band disease type I (WBD I) has been a major cause of the dramatic decline of Acroporid coral populations throughout the Caribbean during the last two decades, yet the aetiological agent of this disease is unknown. In this study, the bacterial communities associated with both healthy and diseased Acropora species were compared by 16S rDNA analyses. The bacterial communities of both healthy and diseased Acropora spp. were dominated by a single ribotype with 90% identity to a bacterium in the order Rickettsiales. Screening by nested PCR specific to the coral‐associated Rickettsiales 1 (CAR1) bacterium showed that this microbe was widespread in both healthy and diseased A. cervicornis and A. palmata corals from ‘healthy’ (i.e. low WBD I incidence) and ‘stressed’ reefs (i.e. high WBD I incidence). These results indicate that there were no dramatic changes in the composition of the microbial community associated with WBD I. CAR1 was also associated with non‐Acroporid corals of the Caribbean, as well as with two Acroporid corals native to the Pacific. CAR1 was not present in the water column. This bacterium was also absent from preserved Caribbean Acroporid samples collected between 1937 and 1980 before the outbreak of WBD I. These results suggest CAR1 is a relatively new bacterial associate of Acroporids and that a non‐bacterial pathogen might be the cause of WBD I.
Streptomycin as a selective agent to facilitate recovery and isolation of introduced and indigenous Sphingomonas from environmental samples
Authors: Vanbroekhoven Karolien , Ryngaert Annemie , Bastiaens Leen , Wattiau Pierre , Vancanneyt Marc , Swings Jean , De Mot René , Springael Dirk 
Published: October 2004

Summary Sphingomonas is an organism of major interest for the degradation of organic contaminants in soils and other environments. A medium based on the aminoglycoside antibiotic streptomycin (Sm) was developed, which, together with the yellow pigmentation of Sphingomonas, facilitated the detection, recovery and quantification of culturable Sphingomonas from soils. All 29 previously described bacterial strains belonging to 17 different Sphingomonas species were able to grow on mineral media containing 200 µg ml−1 streptomycin, showing that the capacity to resist high concentrations of Sm is a common characteristic within Sphingomonas. Incorporation of Sm into the mineral medium led to a significant reduction in the background microbial population and a concomitant 100 times more sensitive detection of Sphingomonas inoculated in non‐sterile soil matrices. The Sm‐containing medium was used to examine a variety of hydrocarbon‐contaminated soils for the presence and biodiversity of Sphingomonas. Incorporation of Sm in the medium led to a significant increase in the number of yellow‐pigmented colonies. Comparison of contaminated and non‐contaminated soils derived from the same site revealed colonization by culturable yellow‐pigmented Sm‐resistant bacteria of the polluted location solely. Both yellow and non‐yellow‐pigmented colonies were purified from plates containing glucose and Sm, and BOX‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to sort out clonally related strains. Representative strains from the major BOX‐PCR clusters were identified using FAME and partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Forty‐eight of 58 Sm‐resistant isolates were identified as Sphingomonas sp. Streptomycin‐resistant Sphingomonas isolates generated BOX‐PCR diversity patterns that were site dependent and represented different species mainly belonging to Sphingomonas subgroups containing species formerly designated as Sphingopyxis and Sphingobium. The ability to degrade phenanthrene was only found in a minority of the Sphingomonas isolates, which all originated from soils containing high phenanthrene concentrations.
Bacterial endosymbionts of insects: insights from comparative genomics
Authors: Gil Rosario , Latorre Amparo , Moya Andrés 
Published: October 2004

SummaryThe development of molecular techniques for the study of uncultured bacteria allowed the extensive study of the widespread association between insects and intracellular symbiotic bacteria. Most of the bacterial endosymbionts involved in such associations are γ‐proteobacteria, closely related toEscherichia coli. In recent years, five genomes from insect endosymbionts have been sequenced, allowing the performance of extensive genome comparative analysis that, as a complement of phylogenetic studies, and analysis on individual genes, can help to understand the different traits of this particular association, including how the symbiotic process is established, the explanation of the special features of these microbial genomes, the bases of this intimate association and the possible future that awaits the endosymbionts with extremely reduced genomes.
Role of early insulin secretion in postglucose‐loading hyperglycaemia and postfat‐loading hyperlipidaemia: comparing nateglinide and glibenclamide for acute effects on insulin secretion in OLETF rats
Authors: Mori Y. , Kitahara Y. , Miura K. , Mine T. , Tajima N. 
Published: October 2004

Aim:  The aim of this study was to clarify the role of an early insulin secretion in postprandial hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia; a study using spontaneously type 2 diabetic Otsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima Fatty rats with visceral obesity was performed to investigate the acute effect of nateglinide (NAT) vs. glibenclamide (GB) on increases in glucose after glucose loading and on increases in triglyceride (TG) after fat loading.Methods:  Fasting rats were given 50 mg/kg of NAT, 1 mg/kg of GB or 5% methyl cellulose (vehicle) as control and then immediately given oral glucose 1 g/kg.Results:  An acute increase in insulin levels in portal blood peaked at 15 min in the NAT group, while insulin levels in the GB group continued to increase significantly after 60 min. Glucose levels in peripheral blood were significantly lower in the NAT group at 30 and 60 min and in the GB group at 120, 180 and 270 min after glucose loading, compared with those in the vehicle group. Subsequently, fasting rats were given NAT, GB or vehicle and then immediately given oral fat emulsion (soy oil 2 g/kg). An acute increase in insulin secretion was seen with NAT, peaking at 30 min, while TG, chylomicron and very low‐density lipoprotein levels after fat loading were shown to be significantly lower with NAT than with vehicle. However, the continued insulin secretion observed with GB led to no significant decrease in TG levels after fat loading. In addition, lipoprotein lipase mRNA expression in adipose tissue increased significantly 120 min after NAT administration in comparison with baseline. This increase was not noted with GB administration.Conclusion:  Abnormalities in early insulin secretion are closely associated with the pathogenesis of various disease conditions that combine to characterize type 2 diabetes, suggesting that normalizing early insulin response in portal blood represents an important treatment not only for postprandial hyperglycaemia but also for postprandial hyperlipidaemia.
Gliclazide modified release*: results of a 2‐year study in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Drouin P. , Standl E. ,   for the Diamicron MR Study Group
Published: October 2004

Aim:  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of gliclazide modified release (MR), alone or combined with other oral antidiabetic drug(s) over 2 years in type 2 diabetic patients.Methods:  Two consecutive periods: (i) a 10‐month, double‐blind comparative study, where 800 type 2 diabetic patients were randomized either to gliclazide MR (30–120 mg) once daily or to gliclazide (80–320 mg) twice daily. All the patients were then treated with gliclazide MR for a 2‐month switch period; (ii) 549 patients were subsequently enrolled in a 12‐month, open‐label period on gliclazide MR alone or in combination according to glycaemic control, 507 of whom completed the study.Results:  Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) significantly decreased from baseline over 2 years by −0.46 ± 1.08% in the whole cohort of 2‐year completed patients, −0.95% in the subgroup of diet‐failed patients and by −0.34% in the subgroup of patients pretreated with one oral antidiabetic drug. HbA1c was reduced by −0.43 ± 1.02% and by −0.51 ± 1.16%, when gliclazide MR was used in monotherapy and in combination therapy, respectively. The overall incidence of symptoms suggestive of hypoglycaemia was 4.8 episodes/100 patient‐year, with no severe episode. This incidence was similarly low in elderly patients and patients with impaired renal function.Conclusion:  Gliclazide MR alone or in combination with another oral antidiabetic drug significantly improved glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic patients over 2 years with a very good safety profile, notably in the elderly and in patients with impaired renal function.
The effect of neural embryonic stem cell therapy in a rat model of cavernosal nerve injury
Authors: Bochinski Derek , Lin Gui Ting , Nunes Lora , Carrion Rafael , Rahman Nadeem , Lin Ching Shwun , Lue Tom F. 
Published: October 2004

OBJECTIVETo isolate embryonic stem cells that have differentiated along the neuronal cell line, and to assess whether injecting these neural stem cells into the corpus cavernosum influences cavernosal nerve regeneration and functional status.MATERIALS AND METHODSEmbryonic neural stem cells were obtained; 26 male Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into four groups: five had a sham operation; eight (controls) had a bilateral cavernosal nerve crush and injection of culture medium into the corpora cavernosa; four had an injection of neural embryonic stem (NES) cells into the major pelvic ganglion (MPG); and nine had bilateral cavernosal nerve crush and injection of NES cells into the corpora cavernosa. Erectile response was assessed by cavernosal nerve electrostimulation at 3 months, and penile tissue samples were evaluated histochemically for nitric oxide synthase (NOS)‐containing fibres, tyrosine hydroxylase and neurofilament staining.RESULTSThe groups injected with NES cells into the MPG and corpora cavernosa had significantly higher intracavernosal pressures than the control group. Immunohistochemical staining also revealed differences in the quality of the NOS‐containing nerve fibres. Neurofilament staining was significantly better in the experimental groups injected with NES cells.CONCLUSIONWe were able to isolate embryonic stem cells that had differentiated along the neural cell line and, using these NES cells intracavernosally, showed improved erectile function in a rat model of neurogenic impotence.