bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spotlight on a distant mirror – colorectal cancer surgery in a 20‐year period at a general hospital
Authors: Grabham J. A. , Britton D. C. , Umpleby H. , Tate J. J. T. , Chester J. F. , Holbrook A. G. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground  A published audit of the management of colorectal cancer at a general hospital in the 1970s was available for comparison with a later audit at the same hospital in the 1990s.Methods  Case note analysis.Results  In the later audit, more cases were treated annually by an unchanged surgical team. The incidence of synchronous combined excision of the rectum, for rectal cancers suitable for resection, was halved, and that of anterior resection of the rectum (sphincter sparing, without a permanent stoma) increased almost threefold. The incidence of local recurrence in cases suitable for rectal surgery dropped from 17% to 9%, in spite of the change in the principal operation undertaken for this population. Outcomes associated with critical care improved as resources in this discipline became available. Overall survival figures were only improved by 6% in the20‐year period, reflecting a diagnosis of Dukes C tumours or worse in at least 45% of the stable population studied in both audits.Conclusion  More resources are necessary in Great Britain to increase survival figures in this common cancer. Earlier diagnosis and more specialist management of the disease may allow us to emulate American and Swedish survival figures.
Treatment of resistant anal fissure with advancement anoplasty
Authors: Kenefick N. J. , Gee A. S. , Durdey P. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjective  The primary aim of this study was to assess the outcome of advancement anoplasty in the treatment of chronic anal fissure, resistant to conventional therapy. The secondary aim was to evaluate the anal resting pressure in these patients with resistant fissures.Patients and methods  Over a five‐year period eight patients (2 male, median age 55 years, range 20–74) with resistant anal fissure were referred from 6 centres. They had endured symptoms for a median of 8 years (range 2–20) and had undergone a median of 2 previous surgical procedures (range 1–3), including lateral sphincterotomy and anal dilatation. Anorectal physiological testing was performed on all patients who then underwent advancement anoplasty. The outcome was analysed retrospectively.Results  Pre‐operative anorectal physiological testing showed a significantly lowered median maximal anal resting pressure of 42 mm H2O (range 12–72 mm H2O, normal range > 60 mm), P = 0.03. All patients underwent advancement anoplasty. At a median of seven months follow‐up (range 2–22) seven of eight patients had healed their fissure and were asymptomatic. The median healing time was four months (range 2–6).Conclusion  Patients with chronic anal fissure, resistant to conventional therapy, may be successfully treated by advancement anoplasty. Healing time however, may be prolonged. In this series patients had a decreased anal resting pressure rather than anal hypertonia.
Telomerase expression of malignant epithelial cells correlates with Dukes' stage in colorectal cancer
Authors: Ghori A. , Usselmann B. , Ferryman S. , Morris A. , Fraser I. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground  The ribonucleoprotein telomerase has been proposed as a potential prognostic marker for malignancy. Whether telomerase activity of clinical specimens correlates with other clinico‐pathological variables, however, remains controversial. This is at least in part due to the varying contribution that nonmalignant cells will make to the net activity when extracts are assayed for telomerase activity. We therefore designed experiments to assay telomerase activity of isolated malignant cells of primary colorectal cancers.Methods  Thirty colorectal cancer and 20 corresponding specimen taken from macroscopically normal regions of the colon were mechanically disaggregated and digested with collagenase, DNase and hyaluronidase. The epithelial cell population was separated using Ber‐EP4 pan‐epithelial antibody and Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting technique. Haematoxylin and eosin staining was used to assess the proportion of recovered epithelial cells which were malignant. Telomerase activity was assayed by the Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol, which was quantified by PhosphorImager with Image Quant software.Results  Epithelial cells of three of 20 normal mucosa specimens were telomerase positive with weak activity (mean 3.7 TPGs, Total Product Generated, range 1.4–5.1TPGs). In the cancer group the vast majority (>95%) of the epithelial cells recovered were malignant by cytological criteria. Epithelial cells were telomerase positive in all the cancers, with a wide range of telomerase activity values (mean 22.7 TPGs, range 0.19–308 TPGs). Telomerase activity correlated with Dukes' stage (r = 0.52, P = 0.004, Spearman's rank).Conclusions  Pathological stage correlates with telomerase activity of the malignant cell population of the primary tumour in colorectal cancer. This suggests that telomerase activity increases during the progression of a cancer and may have implications for the design of anticancer (antitelomerase) agents.
Scintigraphic assessment of colostomy irrigation
Authors: Christensen P. , Olsen N. , Krogh K. , Laurberg S. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjective This study aims to evaluate colonic transport following colostomy irrigation with a new scintigraphic technique.Materials and methods To label the bowel contents 19 patients (11 uncomplicated colostomy irrigation, 8 complicated colostomy irrigation) took 111In‐labelled polystyrene pellets one and two days before investigation. 99mTc‐DTPA was mixed with the irrigation fluid to assess its extent within the bowel. Scintigraphy was performed before and after a standardized washout procedure. The colon was divided into three segments 1: the caecum andascending colon; 2: the transverse colon; 3: the descending and sigmoid colon. Assuming ordered evacuation of the colon, the contribution of each colonic segment to the total evacuation was expressed as a percentage of the original segmental counts. These were added to reach a total defaecation score (range: 0–300).Results In uncomplicated colostomy irrigation, the median defaecation score was 235 (range: 145–289) corresponding to complete evacuation of the descending and transverse colon and 35% evacuation of the caecum/ascending colon. In complicated colostomy irrigation it was possible to distinguish specific emptying patterns. The retained irrigation fluid reached the caecum in all but one patient.Conclusion Scintigraphy can be used to evaluate colonic emptying following colostomy irrigation.
Long‐term oral administration of dehydroepiandrosterone has different effects on energy intake of young lean and obese male Zucker rats when compared to controls of similar metabolic body size
Authors: Richards R. J. , Porter J. R. , Svec F. 
Published: March 2003

Summary Aim: The effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on appetite and weight in the Zucker rat have been examined by many investigators who have reported appetite suppression and metabolic effects. However, these studies compared the treated animals to controls of a similar age. Since animals of different sizes consume different amounts of food, perhaps the treated animals should be compared to controls of a similar size. We studied the effects of DHEA on energy intake and weight gain and analysed the effects by age and metabolic body size. Methods: Lean (n = 21) and obese (n = 16) male Zucker rats were fed plain chow or chow containing 6 g DHEA/kg chow (0.6% wt/wt) from age 4 wk to 20 wk. Daily energy intakes and body weights were determined at least once weekly. Results: As expected, the lean and obese rats given DHEA exhibited less daily energy intake (kJ/d) and less weight gain than their respective controls of the same age. The lean rats given DHEA did not exhibit any difference in daily energy intake when determined relative to body weight (b.w.) (kJ × d–1× g b.w.–1) compared to lean controls of the same metabolic body size, while the obese rats given DHEA exhibited less daily energy intake relative to b.w. (kJ × d–1× g b.w.–1) compared to obese control of the same metabolic body size. Conclusions: Though DHEA reduced total energy intake among the lean and obese Zucker rats, only the obese rats exhibited less energy intake relative to b.w. compared to controls of the same metabolic body size. Thus, DHEA may exert different effects on energy intake relative to b.w. in lean and obese Zucker rats and perhaps the lean Zucker rat is a better model for evaluating the metabolic effects of DHEA since it does not exhibit any effect on energy intake relative to b.w. compared to rats of the same metabolic body size.
Plasma endothelin in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome: a comparison of oral combined and transdermal oestrogen‐only replacement therapy
Authors: Saltevo J. , Puolakka J. , Ylikorkala O. 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARY Aim  Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome are major cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women, but the role of vasoconstrictive endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) in these conditions is not known. We studied the levels of ET‐1 and the effect of postmenopausal hormonal therapy on ET‐1 levels in postmenopausal women.Methods  We compared plasma levels of ET‐1 in 22 postmenopausal type 2 diabetic women and 14 postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome with plasma levels in 10 healthy postmenopausal control women. The basal values for ET‐1 were measured for all groups. These women were then randomised to receive in a double‐dummy, crossover trial: either oral continuous oestradiol (2.0 mg) + norethisterone acetate (1.0 mg) per day or continuous transdermal oestrogen‐only (50 μg/day) for 3 months. Between the active therapy there were 3‐month wash‐out periods. ET‐1‐values were measured again at the end of each treatment period.Results  The type 2 diabetic women had significantly (p < 0.003) elevated ET‐1 levels (4.8 ± 1.0 pg/ml) whereas those with metabolic syndrome (4.4 ± 1.7 pg/ml) had non‐significantly (NS) elevated ET‐1 levels compared to controls (3.6 ± 0.3 pg/ml). Both oral and transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) failed to affect plasma ET‐1 except in 14 hypertensive women from the diabetes and metabolic syndrome groups who were on angiotensin convertase enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These women's ET‐1 levels before oral HRT (4.6 ± 1.1 pg/ml) fell to 4.1 ± 0.9 pg/ml (p < 0.05).Conclusions  Type 2 diabetes in postmenopausal women is associated with elevated ET‐1 levels. Oestrogen replacement therapy does not affect the levels of ET‐1 in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
Lack of postprandial leptin peaks in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Poretsky L. , Lesser M. , Brillon D. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryLeptin production by the adipocyte is acutely stimulated by insulin in vitro. In normal individuals, postprandial insulin peaks are not accompanied by corresponding changes in circulating leptin. Postprandial regulation of leptin in individuals with type 2 diabetes, to our knowledge, has not been previously examined in detail. We examined the effect of meals on circulating leptin levels in six patients with type 2 diabetes who were not treated with insulin and in seven normal individuals. After informed consent was obtained, all subjects were admitted to the General Clinical Research Center for 6 days. They consumed four meals daily (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack). Eighteen blood samples were drawn between 7 .40 a.m. and midnight for the determination of serum leptin, insulin and glucose levels. Postprandial peaks were clearly identifiable for glucose and insulin levels both in normal subjects and in those with type 2 diabetes. However, no postprandial peaks of leptin levels were present. Correlation analysis demonstrated a lack of correlation between leptin levels and the levels of glucose or insulin. We conclude that, in spite of the presence of postprandial insulin peaks, there are no acute changes in circulating leptin levels postprandially in patients with type 2 diabetes who are not on insulin therapy. In this regard, in‐vivo regulation of leptin by meals in patients with type 2 diabetes is similar to that in normal individuals.
Effects of rosiglitazone and oleic acid on UCP‐3 expression in L6 myotubes
Authors: Costello A. , Gray S. , Donnelly R. 
Published: March 2003

Aims: The regulation of uncoupling protein‐3 (UCP‐3) expression in muscle remains unclear, specifically in relation to dietary and drug treatments. The present study evaluated the effects of oleic acid and rosiglitazone on UCP‐3 mRNA expression in differentiated L6 myotubes.Methods: L6 myocytes were cultured and differentiated prior to exposure to rosiglitazone 10 µmol/l, oleic acid 100 µmol/l, or the combination, for 24 h, prior to semiquantitative evaluation of UCP‐3 mRNA relative to GAPDH mRNA by RT‐PCR.Results: Exposure to oleic acid produced a significant increase in UCP‐3 mRNA (0.012 ± 0.007 vs. 0.0011 ± 0.0006 for untreated cells, relative to GAPDH mRNA, p < 0.001). Rosiglitazone alone had no effect on UCP‐3 expression and nor did the glitazone affect oleic‐acid‐induced upregulation of UCP‐3.Conclusions: In L6 myotubes, 24‐h exposure to oleic acid produced a 10‐fold increase in UCP‐3 mRNA expression, but rosiglitazone had no effect. Oleic‐acid‐induced upregulation of UCP‐3 was not affected (positively or negatively) by glitazone exposure.
The ventral skin glands, new additional cloacal glands in Proteus anguinus (Caudata, Proteidae). I. Female
Authors: Guillaume Olivier 
Published: March 2003

AbstractGuillaume, O. 2000. The ventral skin glands, new additional cloacal glands in Proteus anguinus (Caudata, Proteidae). I. Female. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 81: 213–221Cloacae of female Proteus anguinus were examined by light and electron microscopy. Females possess spermathecae and anterior ventral glands such as Necturus females. However, female P. anguinus possess new additional cloacal glands of unknown homology. These tubular glands secrete on the ventral epidermis of the cloacal area. Considering these characteristics, it is proposed that they will be called the ventral skin glands.
Morpho‐functional characterization of haemocytes of the compound ascidian Botrylloides leachi (Tunicata, Ascidiacea)
Authors: Cima Francesca , Perin Andrea , Burighel Paolo , Ballarin Loriano 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA morpho‐functional study of the colonial ascidian Botrylloides leachi haemocytes was carried out to propose their classification, relationships and specializations. This characterization was obtained by (i) investigations of both living and aldehyde‐fixed cells by light and electron microscopy; (ii) cytochemical and cytoenzymatic assays; (iii) lectin‐affinity assays; (iv) phagocytosis and haemagglutination assays; and (v) anti‐CD34 immunocytochemical assay for vertebrate haematopoietic stem cells. Results indicate that the haemoblast is a circulating stem cell and there are at least five haemocyte differentiation pathways, the last two of which have never been described in botryllids: (i) phagocytic line (hyaline amoebocytes and macrophage‐like cells) share ultrastructural features, the same hydrolytic enzymes and WGA lectin binding, and are involved in yeast phagocytosis and erythrocyte rosette formation; (ii) cytotoxic line (granular amoebocytes and morula cells) with vacuoles containing oxidative enzymes and polyphenolic substrates; (iii) vacuolated cell line (pigment cells and nephrocytes) involved in catabolite storage; (iv) compartment cell line (compartment amoebocytes and compartment cells) able to agglutinate erythrocytes and characterized by vacuoles with a moderately electron‐dense content, positive to arylsulphatase activity and binding DBA, UEA‐I, HPA lectins; and (v) granular cell line includes trophic cells, able to infiltrate the gut epithelium, showing a cytoplasm filled of PAS‐positive vacuoles with arylsulphatase, chloroacetylesterase and β‐glucuronidase activities.
Testicular structure and semicystic spermatogenesis in a specialized ovuliparous species: Scorpaena notata (Pisces, Scorpaenidae)
Authors: Muñoz Marta , Casadevall Margarida , Bonet Sergi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractStudy of the histology and ultrastructure of the testes of Scorpaena notata reveals some unusual features in the most basic form of oviparity, termed ovuliparity. Distribution of spermatogonia and subsequent stages of development are consistent with an intermediate type of testes, somewhere between the restricted and unrestricted types. Spermatogenesis is semicystic, a feature rarely found in fish, which may account for the high vacuole count found both in the various spermatogenic phases and in the Sertoli cells. Sertoli cells cover the interior of the testicular lobes and have an initial phase of secretion. They go on to penetrate the lobular lumen and become phagosomes. The spermatozoon has a relatively long midpiece and is surrounded by large quantities of seminal fluid. The sperm makes its way from the central sperm duct to a series of peripheral ducts, where the sperm line up with their heads toward the epithelium and their tails toward the lumen. All indications are that this orientation facilitates the release of sperm onto the gelatinous mass of eggs, and that this could be linked to this type of semicystic spermatogenesis. Results obtained confirm that S. notata is a specialized ovuliparous species.
Chloride cell responses to long‐term exposure to distilled and hard water in the gill of the armored catfish, Hypostomus tietensis (Loricariidae)
Authors: Fernandes Marisa N. , Perna‐Martins Sonia A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe morphological changes in the gill chloride cells of the armored catfish, Hypostomus tietensis, were investigated after 15 days’ exposure to either distilled or hard water. The thickness of the water–blood barrier in the lamellae increased significantly in fish kept in distilled water due to the high proliferation of chloride cells. The apical surface of about 68% of chloride cells was sharply reduced by the development of an apical crypt with a sponge‐like surface, although no change in the chloride cell fractional area was found. In contrast, H. tietensis kept in Na+, Cl− and Ca2+ rich water displayed no significant changes in the number of chloride cells or in their apical surface morphology compared with the control fish. Chloride cell response to ion challenge in H. tietensis suggested the involvement of different strategies to maintain homeostasis in ion‐poor water, which may be related to the life history of species.
Influence of the bridging effect by sequential laser application on tissue ablation in an ex vivo model, taking organ perfusion into account
Authors: Köhrmann K.U. , Vöhringer P. , Henkel T. , Michel M.S. , Alken P. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To improve the efficacy of interstitial laser coagulation of tissue by causing a ‘bridging’ effect, using a sequential multiple‐probe procedure on an ex vivo kidney model, as only a limited area of tissue is destroyed with a single probe and the coagulation takes longer when multiple punctures are used. Materials and methods A laser beam was generated using a Nd:YAG laser and applied to kidney tissue by a diffuser tip (quartz glass cap 2 × 19 mm). For sequential laser application (SLA), three probes were placed through punctures into kidney tissue, at 5 or 10 mm apart. The laser energy was applied in different time‐energy combinations through the three probes. The effect of SLA was compared with that from one probe delivering the optimal PowerMode 180 protocol (Dornier, Germering, Germany), which represents the standard energy protocol for the clinical treatment of parenchymal organs using this laser device. An isolated porcine kidney was chosen for laser coagulation under different conditions of perfusion. The ablative efficacy was defined as the volume of necrosis per minute. Results Applying various time‐energy combinations to isolated unperfused porcine kidney caused extensive tissue ablation (5.6 mL). In trials with saline and blood perfusion for improved cooling, the necrotic volume was 2.5 and 3.9 mL, respectively (with no carbonization, 3.2 mL). Compared with a single‐probe procedure, the ablation efficacy was 10 times better with SLA coagulation. This improvement was initiated by the bridging effect: coagulation in neighbouring areas affects perfusion and convection to an extent that induces the formation of bridges of necrosis between the probes. Conclusion Tissue ablation is markedly improved by interstitial laser coagulation using a sequential multiple‐probe technique.
Cisplatin‐induced in vivo differentiation of human embryonal carcinoma
Authors: Mizutani Y. , Sato N. , Kawauchi A. , Nonomura N. , Fukushima M. , Miki T. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To investigate the differentiation of embryonal carcinoma (EC) by cisplatin, and the underlying mechanism, as untreated metastases of nonseminomatous germ cell tumours rarely consist of fully differentiated mature somatic tissues, but such mature metastases are more common after various treatments, including chemotherapy. Materials and methods The TTSC‐3 human testicular EC line heterotransplanted into nude mice was used as a target. After treating tumour‐bearing mice with intraperitoneal injections of varying doses of cisplatin, the histopathology of the tumours was assessed and various gene expressions in the tumours determined by cDNA‐array technology. Results When cisplatin at 1 mg/kg/week was injected intraperitoneally into TTSC‐3‐bearing mice, there was no effect on tumour growth. However, injecting cisplatin at 5 mg/kg/week induced a marked regression of the tumour. In contrast, cisplatin at 3 mg/kg/week had a modest inhibitory effect on tumour growth and induced tumour dormancy. Histological examination showed that 5 weeks after injecting cisplatin (3 mg/kg/week), primitive mesenchymal‐like cells increased, and 10 weeks afterward cartilage and well‐developed glands (teratoma) were apparent; at > 15 weeks afterward there were no EC cells visible. cDNA probes from reverse‐transcribed mRNAs of TTSC‐3 treated with cisplatin or saline for 10 weeks were compared to identify genes differentially expressed in cisplatin‐treated TTSC‐3. Of 1176 different human cDNA transcripts in cisplatin‐treated TTSC‐3, three genes (tumour necrosis factor receptor 1, caspase 8 and Apaf1), which are associated with apoptosis, were expressed markedly more than after saline injection. Conclusions The intermediate dose of cisplatin inhibited tumour growth of EC by inducing differentiation and enhancing apoptosis‐related gene expression. These findings suggest that cisplatin may play a significant role in the differentiation of EC in vivo.