bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visceral leishmaniasis and HIV in Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Lyons Suzi , Veeken Hans , Long Jean 
Published: July 2003

SummaryObjectives To identify characteristics that increased the risk of mortality in Ethiopian visceral leishmaniasis patients in a treatment programme managed by Médecins sans Frontières, in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.Methods Retrospective review of a cohort of 791 patients treated for visceral leishmaniasis.Results The cohort displayed all the classical signs and symptoms of the disease. The case fatality rate was 18.5% (146) (95% CI: 15.8–21.3%). Logistic regression showed that individuals who experienced at least one episode of vomiting or haemorrhage were more likely to die than those who did not. A subcohort of individuals who tested human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐positive were more than four times more likely to die than those who tested HIV‐negative (OR 4.5, 95% CI: 1.8–11.4).Conclusion This study identifies characteristics associated with death in this population and highlights the devastating effect of co‐infection with visceral leishmaniasis and HIV in the African context.
Psychosocial aspects of health seeking behaviours of patients with Buruli ulcer in southern Benin
Authors: Aujoulat Isabelle , Johnson Christian , Zinsou Claude , Guédénon Augustin , Portaels Françoise 
Published: July 2003

SummaryWe investigated cultural beliefs and psychosocial factors associated with Buruli ulcer in southern Benin in order to elaborate and deliver appropriate health education messages. We conducted a qualitative study among 130 adults and 30 children in Zou province, a highly endemic region. Focus group interviews of inhabitants, patients and their assistants, health care professionals and traditional healers took place in Dasso, Ouinhi, Sagon and Zagnanado. Drawing sessions followed by individual interviews were organized among school children in Dasso and Sagon. We found that although Buruli ulcer is well known and recognized – even at a very early stage of the disease – and perceived as threatening, most people are reluctant to seek treatment at the health care centre. They are unclear about the origin of the disease (environmental factors or sorcery) and treatment is considered devastating, expensive and ineffective in some cases.
Alternative binding modes of an inhibitor to two different kinases
Authors: De Moliner Erika , Brown Nick R. , Johnson Louise N. 
Published: July 2003

Protein kinases are targets for therapeutic agents designed to intervene in signaling processes in the diseased state. Most kinase inhibitors are directed towards the conserved ATP binding site. Because the essential features of this site are conserved in all eukaryotic protein kinases, it is generally assumed that the same compound will bind in a similar manner to different protein kinases. The inhibitor 4,5,6,7‐tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBB) is a selective inhibitor for the protein kinase CK2 (IC50 1.6 µm) (Sarno et al. (2001) FEBS Letts.496, 44–48). Three other kinases [cyclin‐dependent protein kinase 2 (CDK2), phosphorylase kinase and glycogen synthase kinase 3β] exhibit approximately 10‐fold weaker affinity for TBB than CK2. We report the crystal structure of TBB in complex with phospho‐CDK2–cyclin A at 2.2 Å resolution and compare the interactions with those observed for TBB bound to CK2. TBB binds at the ATP binding site of both kinases. In CDK2, each of the four bromine atoms makes polar contacts either to main chain oxygens in the hinge region of the kinase or to water molecules, in addition to several van der Waals contacts. The mode of binding of TBB to CDK2 is different from that to CK2. TBB in CDK2 is displaced more towards the hinge region between the N‐ and C‐terminal lobes and rotated relative to TBB in CK2. The ATP binding pocket is wider in CDK2 than in CK2 resulting in fewer van der Waals contacts but TBB in CK2 does not contact the hinge. The structures show that, despite the conservation of the ATP binding pocket, the inhibitor is able to exploit different recognition features so that the same compound can bind in different ways to the two different kinases.
Structure of the O‐polysaccharide from Proteus myxofaciens
Authors: Sidorczyk Zygmunt , Kondakova Anna N. , Zych Krystyna , Senchenkova Sof'ya N. , Shashkov Alexander S. , Drzewiecka Dominika , Knirel Yuriy A. 
Published: July 2003

The O‐polysaccharide (O‐antigen) was obtained from the lipopolysaccharide of Proteus myxofaciens, a Proteus strain producing copious amounts of slime, which was isolated from the gypsy moth larvae. The structure of the polysaccharide was studied by chemical analysis and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, including 2D COSY, TOCSY, ROESY and H‐detected 1H,13C HMQC experiments. It was found that the polysaccharide contains an amide of glucuronic acid (GlcA) with an unusual α‐linked amino acid, Nε‐[(R)‐1‐carboxyethyl]‐l‐lysine (2S,8R‐alaninolysine, 2S,8R‐AlaLys), and has a linear tetrasaccharide repeating unit of the following structure: This structure is unique among known bacterial polysaccharide structures. On the basis of these and serological data, it is proposed that P. myxofaciens be classified into a new Proteus serogroup, O60, of which this strain is the single representative. Structural and serological relatedness of P. myxofaciens to other AlaLys‐containing O‐antigens of Proteus and Providencia is discussed.
Magnesium balance in adult cats fed a dry food rich in lactose
Authors: Beynen A. C. , Yu S. 
Published: July 2003

SummaryThe question addressed was whether lactose consumption would stimulate apparent magnesium absorption in adult cats. In a cross‐over study, eight cats were fed dry diets without or with 10% lactose, which was added at the expense of the glucose component. Urine and faeces were quantitatively collected and the balance of magnesium, calcium and phosphorus was determined. Lactose feeding did not affect mineral absorption. The dry matter content of faeces was unchanged after lactose consumption. Urinary excretion of galactose represented 0.2% of the intake. It is concluded that lactose ingestion at a level of 1.2 g/kg body weight has no effect on mineral absorption and on the consistency of faeces in adult cats.
Taurine concentrations in animal feed ingredients; cooking influences taurine content
Authors: Spitze A. R. , Wong D. L. , Rogers Q. R. , Fascetti A. J. 
Published: July 2003

SummaryThe aim of this study was to determine the taurine content in a variety of animal feeds. There is very little information on the taurine content of ingredients used in home‐prepared diets for dogs and cats, and foods fed to wild animals in captivity. This study reports the taurine content of both common and alternative feed ingredients, and compares taurine loss as a result of different methods of food preparation. Foods were selected based on their use in commercial and home‐prepared diets. Animal muscle tissue, particularly marine, contained high taurine concentrations. Plant products contained either low or undetectable amounts of taurine. The amount of taurine that remained in a feed ingredient after cooking depended upon the method of food preparation. When an ingredient was constantly surrounded by water during the cooking process, such as in boiling or basting, more taurine was lost. Food preparation methods that minimized water loss, such as baking or frying, had higher rates of taurine retention.
Short‐term effect of acarbose on specific intestinal disaccharidase activities and hyperglycaemia in CBA diabetic mice
Authors: Juretić D. , Bernik Š. , Čop L. , Hadžija M. , Petlevski R. , Lukač‐Bajalo J. 
Published: July 2003

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to examine the short‐term effects of 75, 100 and 150 mg of acarbose mixed in 100 g standard laboratory chow on specific intestinal disaccharidase activities and on hyperglycaemia in diabetic CBA strain mice on standard diet. The small intestine was excised and divided into three segments, from pylorus to duodenum, and two equal lengths of the jejunum and ileum of control and diabetic mice with or without added acarbose. Specific maltase and sucrase activities were determined using maltose and sucrose as substrates respectively. Increased specific activities of maltase and sucrase were detected in the intestines of CBA mice on standard laboratory diet seven days after alloxan‐induced diabetes. Feeding for 7 days with 75, 100 or 150 mg acarbose uniformly mixed in 100 g standard laboratory chow, induced a decrease in the specific maltase and sucrase activities, compared with diabetic mice on standard laboratory diet. Feeding with 75 mg acarbose mixed in 100 g standard laboratory chow caused a statistically significant decrease of maltase in the duodenum and of sucrase in duodenum and jejunum, without a antihyperglycaemic effect. Feeding with 100 or 150 mg caused statistically significant decreases in specific maltase and sucrase activities in duodenum, jejunum and ileum. An antihyperglycaemic effect was observed only in the group of diabetic mice fed with 100 mg acarbose. This indicates that the antihyperglycaemic effect of acarbose involves factors other than these, related only to its inhibitory effect on disaccharidase activities.
Effect of apparent ileal digestible lysine to energy ratio on performance of finishing pigs at different dietary metabolizable energy levels
Authors: Ettle T. , Roth‐Maier D. A. , Roth F. X. 
Published: July 2003

SummaryA study with a total of 96 crossbred barrows and gilts fed ad libitum in a body weight range of 56–110 kg was carried out in order to investigate whether the optimum ratio of apparent ileal digestible lysine : energy (ME) depends on the energy density of the diet. Dietary treatments were ratios of 0.34, 0.42, 0.50 and 0.58 g digestible lysine/MJ ME either at an energy density of 13 or 14 MJ ME. Body weight gain as well as feed and ME conversion rate were improved when lysine : ME ratio increased from 0.34 to 0.50, whereby all parameters showed a significant ratio × sex interaction. Feed intake and feed conversion rate were higher at a dietary energy density of 13 MJ ME than at an energy density of 14 MJ ME but energy density did not influence daily growth rate, ME intake and ME conversion rate. Fat area above eye muscle and meat : fat ratio were lower and eye muscle area and lean percentage were higher at a ratio of 0.42 compared with a ratio of 0.34. Daily feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion rate and parameters of fatness were higher in barrows than in gilts. Conversely, gilts had higher eye muscle area and lean percentage. Optimum ratio for body weight gain, feed and ME conversion rate calculated by exponential regression analysis were 0.42–0.43 in barrows. In gilts, feed and ME conversion rate were optimized at a ratio of 0.53 and 0.54. Because growth showed a linear response to increasing digestible lysine : ME ratios, optimum ratio for daily gain in gilts is considered to be at least 0.58.
Zur Notwendigkeit eines Überschusses in der Stickstoffbilanz im Pansen von Kühen mit hoher Milchleistung
Authors: Kluth H. , Engelhard T. , Rodehutscord M. 
Published: July 2003

ZusammenfassungDie Proteinversorgung der Milchkuh basiert in Deutschland auf den Kenngrößen des nutzbaren Rohproteins am Darm (nXP) und der ruminalen N‐Bilanz (RNB). Praxisübliche Empfehlungen weisen eine positive RNB von bis zu 50 g N/d aus. Dieser Überschuß ist aus wissenschaftlicher Sicht in Frage zu stellen. Es sollte daher geklärt werden, ob bei Kühen mit einer sehr hohen Milchleistung eine ausgeglichene RNB ausreichend ist. Es wurden 3 Rationen mit gleichen Gehalten an Nettoenergie für Laktation (NEL) (7,2 MJ/kg Trockensubstanz; T) und nXP (173 g/kg T) in der Höhe der RNB variiert. Die Grundfutter (Mais‐, Gras‐, Lieschkolbenschrot‐ und Biertrebersilage) blieben im Rationsanteil unverändert. Die Variation im RNB‐Gehalt wurde entweder durch den Einsatz von Harnstoff oder durch Variation beim Einsatz von Proteinträgern vorgenommen. Alle Rationen wurden als TMR vorgelegt. Je Behandlung wurden mindestens 35 Milchkühe vom 21.‐98. Laktationstag geprüft. Die Tiere wurden im Laufstall gehalten und dreimal täglich gemolken. Zusätzlich wurde der ME‐Gehalt der Rationen in einer Verdaulichkeitsbestimmung mit Hammeln ermittelt und eine chemische Fraktionierung des Rohproteins vorgenommen. Die Mittelwerte für die drei Behandlungen betrugen für die Futteraufnahme 20,1 bis 21,7 kg T/Tag, für die Milchmenge 43,0 bis 44,0 kg/Tag und für die Eiweißmenge 1,39 bis 1,42 kg/Tag. In keinem der untersuchten Kriterien ergab sich ein signifikanter Einfluss der Behandlung. Es wird geschlussfolgert, dass eine positive RNB in der Milchkuhfütterung nicht notwendig ist, wenn die nXP‐Versorgung bedarfsdeckend ist.
The rat as a model animal for the growing pig in determining ileal amino acid digestibility in soya and milk proteins
Authors: Rutherfurd S. M. , Moughan P. J. 
Published: July 2003

SummaryThe growing pig is an established model animal for humans to determine protein digestibility to the end of the small intestine. An ileal amino acid digestibility assay based on the laboratory rat offers an alternative. True ileal amino acid digestibility in high quality refined protein sources was determined and compared between the laboratory rat and the growing pig. Both species of animals were fed their daily ration in nine separate meals. Ileal digesta were collected at slaughter and chromic oxide was used as an indigestible marker. For several of the amino acids examined, there were no significant (p < 0.05) differences between the two species for true ileal amino acid digestibility, but for aspartic acid, serine, cysteine, methionine, tyrosine, phenylalanine and histidine, significant (p < 0.05) interspecies differences were found. The overall average amino acid digestibility, for all amino acids and all diets, was 95.8% for the pig and 96.1% for the rat. Cysteine digestibility was highly variable between individual animals fed the same diet. The extent of amino acid digestion and absorption appears to be broadly similar across the two species, but some important differences in digestibility were recorded.
Reproductive performance of rats supplemented with L‐carnitine
Authors: Brandsch C. , Eder K. 
Published: July 2003

SummaryIt has been shown previously that supplementation of sows with l‐carnitine increases their reproduction performance. The current study was carried out to investigate if feeding of l‐carnitine also affects the reproduction performance of rats. Thirty female rats at 4 weeks of age were divided into two groups. The rats were fed diets with or without l‐carnitine (1 g/kg diet) over a period of 34 weeks. After 8 weeks of feeding, the female rats were mated the first time. Two more reproductive cycles followed, with 3‐week intervals in between. Body weight development of the females was similar in both groups during the whole experimental period. Number of pregnancies and number of total rat pups, pups born alive and stillborn pups were not influenced by l‐carnitine. There was also no influence of dietary l‐carnitine on the body weight of individual pups and the litter weights at birth. Weight development of litters differed between both groups on several days, but no uniform effect of l‐carnitine was observed. Body weight development of weaned rats fed a commercial diet was different between both groups, but only in one reproduction cycle. In conclusion, this study shows that l‐carnitine supplementation does not improve the reproductive performance of rats.
Molecular basis of opioid dependence: role of signal regulation by G‐proteins
Authors: Tso Prudence H , Wong Yung H 
Published: July 2003

Summary1. Morphine and opiate narcotics are potent analgesics that have a high propensity to induce tolerance and physical dependence following their repeated administration.2. The molecular basis of opiate dependence has not been completely elucidated, although the participation of opioid receptors is a prerequisite. Cellular dependence on opioids is believed to result from the chronic stimulation of opioid‐regulated signalling networks.3. As G‐protein‐coupled receptors, the opioid receptors must rely on heterotrimeric G‐proteins for signal transduction. Recent advances in our understanding of G‐protein signalling have unveiled novel signalling molecules and mechanisms, some of which may be intricately involved in the manifestation of opiate dependence.4. In the present review, we will attempt to trace chronic opioid signals along elaborate G‐protein‐regulated pathways.
Pressure‐independent enhancement of cardiac hypertrophy in atrial natriuretic peptide–deficient mice
Authors: Feng Ji An , Perry Gilbert , Mori Tatsuhiko , Hayashi Tetsuya , Oparil Suzanne , Chen Yiu‐Fai 
Published: July 2003

Summary1. Homozygous deletion of the pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide (Nppa) gene (ANP–/–) has been associated with both cardiac hypertrophy and salt‐sensitive hypertension in mice, suggesting that cardiac hypertrophy in ANP–/– mice may be related, at least in part, to increased afterload.2. To test the hypothesis that cardiac hypertrophy in ANP–/– mice is independent of blood pressure, male ANP–/– and wild‐type ANP+/+ mice were fed a low (0.05%) or basal (0.55%) NaCl diet. Five weeks later, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured in conscious mice; the whole heart, atria, left and right ventricles (LV and RV, respectively), brain, lung, kidney, liver and spleen were weighed and fixed for histological analysis. Separate groups of mice were subjected to echocardiographic examination under tribromoethanol anaesthesia.3. Mean arterial pressure and atrial, LV and RV mass were greater in ANP–/– mice than in ANP+/+ mice fed the basal salt diet. Salt depletion equalized MAP in the two genotypes, but did not alter the relative cardiac hypertrophy in ANP–/– mice. The ANP–/– mice had significant LV cardiomyocyte hypertrophy when fed either basal or low‐salt diets.4. Left ventricle chamber dimensions did not differ between genotypes, but were significantly reduced in mice fed the low‐salt diet; LV posterior wall and septal thickness were greater in ANP–/– than ANP+/+ mice and were not altered by diet, indicating a concentric pattern of LV hypertrophy in ANP–/– mice. Left ventricle function (cardiac output, stroke volume, ejection fraction, circumferential wall stress and velocity of circumferential wall shortening) did not differ between strains on either diet; circumferential wall stress was reduced in the low‐salt groups; other functional parameters were not altered by diet.5. These findings indicate that ANP deletion results in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and biventricular hypertrophy independent of blood pressure, supporting the concept that ANP has direct antihypertrophic effects in the heart.
Cardiovascular status following combined angiotensin‐converting enzyme and AT1 receptor inhibition in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Duke Lisa M , Paull Jeremy RA , Widdop Robert E 
Published: July 2003

Summary1. Combined treatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with AT1 receptor antagonists and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors has been shown to reduce mean arterial pressure (MAP) more than monotherapy with either agent. The aims of the present study were to investigate the effects of chronic dual renin–angiotensin system (RAS) inhibition using non‐hypotensive doses of the AT1 receptor antagonist candesartan cilexetil and the ACE inhibitor perindopril on cardiovascular function and structure.2. Adult male SHR, aged 15 weeks, were divided into four groups: (i) candesartan cilexetil (0.5 mg/kg per day in drinking water); (ii) perindopril (0.3 mg/kg per day in drinking water); (iii) combined treatment (dual RAS inhibition); or (iv) the appropriate vehicle (0.1% ethanol/0.1% polyethylene glycol/1.5 mmol/l sodium bicarbonate dissolved in water for candesartan cilexetil; distilled water for perindopril). Systolic blood pressure was measured weekly using the tail‐cuff method and urinary microalbuminuria was measured fortnightly.3. After 4 weeks, rats were instrumented for intravenous drug administration and measurement of MAP. At this time, the cardiovascular effects of angiotensin (Ang) I and AngII (5–20 ng) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and acetylcholine (ACh; 1–5 µg) were assessed. In addition, left ventricular : bodyweight and media : lumen ratios were determined as indices of cardiac and vascular hypertrophy, respectively.4. Candesartan cilexetil and perindopril alone had minimal effect on MAP when measured both directly and indirectly, whereas direct MAP was significantly decreased in the combined treatment group (131 ± 6 mmHg; P < 0.05) compared with the vehicle group (156 ± 9 mmHg). Pressor responses to AngI were significantly decreased in all groups compared with the vehicle‐treated group and pressor responses to AngII were significantly decreased in the candesartan cilexetil‐treated (P < 0.01) and combined treatment groups (P < 0.01) compared with the vehicle‐treated group. Depressor responses to ACh and SNP were not significantly affected by any of the antihypertensive therapies compared with vehicle‐treated SHR.5. Vascular hypertrophy was significantly decreased in the candesartan cilexetil and combined groups compared with the vehicle‐treated group, whereas cardiac hypertrophy was reduced, with the rank order of effect being: dual RAS inhibition > perindopril > candesartan cilexetil. Urinary albumin tended to decrease with dual RAS inhibition, but was not significantly affected by this short‐term treatment.6. These results demonstrate the efficacy of low‐dose dual RAS inhibition as an antihypertensive modality, at least in SHR, not only in reducing arterial pressure, but also in improving cardiovascular structure.
Impact of extracellular matrix and strain on proliferation of bovine airway smooth muscle
Authors: Bonacci John V , Harris Trudi , Stewart Alastair G 
Published: July 2003

Summary1. The proliferation of airway smooth muscle (ASM) and collagen deposition are major contributors to airway remodelling in asthma that may be an important component of airway hyperresponsiveness. The ratio of collagen to laminin in asthma is increased as a result of fibrosis.2. We investigated the effects of the extracellular matrix proteins laminin and collagen type I, as well as airway cell elongation (mechanical strain), on the proliferative responses of cultured bovine ASM cells and the impact of these biomechanical influences on glucocorticoid antimitogenic actions.3. Bovine ASM cells were cultured onto a flexible silastic membrane coated with laminin or collagen. Cells were pretreated with dexamethasone (100 nmol/L) prior to incubation with the mitogen basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for 72 h, at which time cells were enumerated. Cells were either subjected to mechanical strain (cell elongation) by stretching the flexible silastic membrane or were grown under static conditions.4. Culture on collagen without elongation enhanced ASM proliferation compared with cells grown on laminin. Cells grown on laminin and subjected to 4% elongation did not respond to the mitogenic actions of bFGF.5. Dexamethasone‐mediated inhibition of bFGF‐induced proliferation was unaffected by the extracellular matrix on which cells were seeded, or the degree of cell elongation.6. These data support the hypothesis that the asthmatic airway wall microenvironment (collagen, reduced airway strain) enhances the proliferation of ASM cells.