bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Prenatal Stress on Corticosteroid Receptors and Monoamine Concentrations in Limbic Areas of Suckling Piglets(Sus scrofa)at Different Ages
Authors: Kanitz E. , Otten W. , Tuchscherer M. , Manteuffel G. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe present study was conducted in order to reveal the effects of prenatal stress on the central stress regulation in domestic pigs by measuring changes in corticosteroid receptor binding and monoamine concentrations in different limbic brain regions. Pregnant sows were subjected to a restraint stress for 5 min daily during the last 5 weeks of gestation. Maternal stress resulted in a significantly higher number of glucocorticoid receptors in the hippocampus, but decreased glucocorticoid receptors in the hypothalamus of the offspring at the first postnatal day. No alterations of hippocampal mineralocorticoid receptors were found. There was also no significant effect of prenatal stress on the brain monoamine concentrations. Prenatally stressed piglets showed lower basal plasma cortisol and increased corticosteroid binding globulin concentrations at the third postnatal day indicating decreased free cortisol concentrations after birth. Morbidity and mortality during the suckling period were significantly increased in prenatally stressed litters, as shown by a higher frequency of diseased and died piglets per litter. In conclusion, the results indicate that in pigs restraint stress during late gestation affects the ontogeny of the foetal neuroendocrine feedback system with consequences for the regulation of the hypothalamo‐pituitary‐adrenal function and the vitality of the offspring.
Induction of Apoptosis by Canine Natural Killer Cells
Authors: Schmitz G. , Armien A. G. , Fonfara S. , Teifke J. P. , Burkhardt E. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryBesides a secretory pathway of canine natural killer (NK) cells, which results in necrosis of the target cell, a second pathway was demonstrated, which results in apoptosis of the target cell.Comparing the Chromium Release Assay (CRA) and the Rose Bengal Assay (RBA) for quantification ofin vitrocanine NK cell activity, a constant 10% higher NK cell activity was found in the RBA compared with the CRA. To find out the mechanism responsible for the different results of both tests, morphological studies ofin vitrocanine NK cell activity against epithelial and mesenchymal allogenic target cell lines were performed. Most target cells were undergoing necrosis as a result of NK cell killing, which was evidenced by transmission electron microscopy. However, besides necrotic target cells, shrunken target cells with dense cytoplasm, fragmented nuclei and disruption into membrane‐bound bodies were detected, which are known as signs of apoptosis. Additionally, using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) method, 13–23% of target cells presented a positive staining, indicative of apoptosis. These findings give evidence for the ability of canine NK cells to kill their target cells via two different pathways, which results either in apoptosis or necrosis.
Xylazine does not Induce Retrograde Flow of Spermatozoa into the Urinary Bladder of Sexually Rested Boars
Authors: Martin P. A. , Pineda M. H. , Dooley M. P. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe effect of xylazine on the retrograde flow of spermatozoa from their storage sites in the epididymides and vasa deferentia into the urinary bladder of sexually rested boars was examined. The bladder of four boars was evacuated through a surgically implanted urinary catheter and the urine was examined for the presence of spermatozoa. Boars were then given an injection of 2.2 mg of xylazine per kilogram of body weight and, immediately thereafter, 500 ml of saline was infused into the urinary bladder. Approximately 50 ml of the post‐treatment mixture of urine and saline, referred to as ‘urine’, was collected through the catheter at 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 45 min after the injection of xylazine, and examined immediately for the presence and motility of spermatozoa. At 60 min, the urinary bladder was evacuated and the remaining ‘urine’ was examined for the presence and motility of spermatozoa. None of the pre‐xylazine urine and post‐xylazine fractions of ‘urine’ had motile spermatozoa and xylazine did not increase (P > 0.1) the concentration and the number of spermatozoa in the post‐treatment ‘urine’. Thus, in contrast to other species, xylazine does not induce retrograde flow of spermatozoa into the urinary bladder of boars.
Substrate Effects on the Bioeroding  Demosponge Cliona orientalis. 2. Substrate Colonisation and  Tissue Growth
Authors: H. L. Schönberg Christine 
Published: December 2004

Abstract Sponge bioerosion is a result of tissue expansion of endolithic sponges in calcium carbonate substrates. The efficiency of erosion by the sponges can be affected by substrate features, which are thus also likely to influence the way in which the sponge will grow. A field experiment was conducted, in which sponge tissue was grafted to biogenic blocks cut from the corals Goniopora tenuidens, massive Porites sp., Astreopora listeri, Favites halicora, Favia pallida, Goniastrea retiformis and Cyphastrea serailia, and the clam Tridacna squamosa, to investigate colonisation capabilities and growth patterns of Cliona orientalis Thiele, 1900 after 9 months of the experiment. C. orientalis is not substrate‐specific. It invaded > 90 % of the different substrate blocks and penetrated them to varying depths, but usually only down to slightly more than 1 cm. Lateral penetration clearly exceeded depth penetration. Enlargement of surface area versus restricted depth penetration benefits the symbiotic zooxanthellae located in the sponge's surface. Structural irregularities and barriers such as coral dissepiments temporarily deflected the direction of tissue growth and created characteristic tissue patch patterns in different substrates. Tissue growth may be more pronounced in substrates of higher density and lower pore volume, but evidence was only slight. Protection against predation is better in denser materials, which may stimulate the sponge's tissue growth especially in shallower substrate depth. In more porous substrates, favoured by grazers and corallivores, relatively more tissue was located in deeper layers.
Orofacial Conidiobolomycosis due to Conidiobolus incongruus
Authors: Sharma N. L. , Mahajan V. K. , Singh P. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryWe report here a patient of orofacial conidiobolomycosis presenting with classical centrofacial distribution described typically for Conidiobolus coronatus infection. The culture, however, showed C. incongruus. The mode of infection and its possible correlation with patient's occupation is also discussed.
A case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycotic cyst due to Exophiala jeanselmei complicated with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Murayama N. , Takimoto R. , Kawai M. , Hiruma M. , Takamori K. , Nishimura K. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryWe report a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis by Exophiala jeanselmei that appeared on the extensor surface of the left lower leg of a 34‐year‐old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The superficial symptoms were a subcutaneous nodule 2.5 × 2 cm in size discharging a serous exudate from its center. Histopathological examination revealed granulomatous changes including large numbers of neutrophils in the dermis and the subcutaneous tissues. In addition, periodic acid‐Schiff‐positive fungal elements consisting of many yeast‐like cells and chains of cells with hyphae were seen. The statistics on E. jeanselmei infections in Japan indicated that 54 cases (24 in men and 30 in women) had been reported, of which 50 (21 in men and 29 in women) were phaeohyphomycosis, and about half had underlying diseases; and the sites of the lesions were mainly on the extremities.
Inhibition of dermatophytes by optical brighteners
Authors: Brasch J. , Kreiselmaier I. , Christophers E. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate a possible effect of optical brighteners on the growth of dermatophytes. Typical strains of Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis and Epidermophyton floccosum were grown on agar plates containing two different brighteners of stilbenedisulfonic acid type in concentrations between 5 × 10−5 and 1 × 10−2 mol l−1 and their thallus diameters were compared with controls. In addition, hyphae grown with brighteners were compared with controls by fluorescence microscopy and by transmission electron microscopy. Both brighteners had a significant dose‐dependent growth‐suppressive effect on all dermatophytes tested, that was complete at a concentration of 10−2 and 10−3 mol l−1, respectively. Fluorescence microscopy of hyphae showed a pronounced fluorescence of the septal areas and a less‐intense staining of the outer cell walls. Electron microscopy revealed a marked thickening and blurred contours of the cell walls grown with brighteners. These new observations relate very well to an interference of optical brighteners with the formation of normal chitin fibrils as described previously. Optical brighteners of stilbenedisulfonic acid type may be rewarding objects for the development of new antifungal agents.
Cryptococcal meningitis in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Liou J. , Chiu C. , Tseng C. , Chi C. , Fu L. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryCryptococcal meningitis is an uncommon but often fatal complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report on a 13‐year‐old girl with SLE using high‐dose prednisolone for several months, presented to us with low grade fever, intermittent vomiting and headache. Physical examination, including papilloedema and meningeal irritation, was unremarkable. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cryptococcal antigen titer was 1 : 128 by latex agglutination method. CSF culture yielded Cryptococcus neoformans. We used amphotericin B deoxycholate (a cumulative dose of 1.95 gm) and fluconazole (200 mg day−1) for 6 weeks. Clinical response was good. Then, we continued fluconazole 200 mg per qd as suppressive therapy for thirty‐four months. There were no neurological sequelae or relapse after 20‐month follow‐up. Timely diagnosis and effective antifungal therapy could improve the prognosis of cryptococcal meningitis in SLE patients.
Use of scintigraphy with 99mtechnetium galactosyl human serum albumin for staging of primary biliary cirrhosis and assessment of prognosis
Authors: Shiomi Susumu , Sasaki Nobumitsu , Tamori Akihiro , Habu Daiki , Takeda Tadashi , Nishiguchi Shuhei , Kuroki Tetsuo , Kawabe Joji , Ochi Hironobu 
Published: December 2004

Abstract
Background
: Conventional models for prediction of survival in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are based on the results of blood tests and on the clinical condition, which may be affected by treatment. We evaluated the usefulness of hepatic receptor imaging with [99mtechnetium]‐diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid galactosyl human serum albumin (GSA) for the staging and prognosis of PBC without the need for reference to laboratory test results.
Methods
: The subjects were 45 patients with PBC, 10 healthy subjects, 62 patients with chronic hepatitis and 144 patients with cirrhosis. Computer acquisition of gamma‐camera data was started just before the injection of 185 MBq [99mTc]‐GSA and was stopped 20 min later. Time–activity curves were generated from regions of interest (ROI) for the heart and liver. A receptor index was calculated by dividing the radioactivity of the liver ROI by that of the liver‐plus‐heart ROI 15 min after the injection. An index of blood clearance was calculated by dividing the radioactivity of the heart ROI 15 min after the injection by that of the heart ROI 3 min after the injection.
Results
: The median receptor index was higher in patients with PBC than in those with cirrhosis. Among patients with PBC, the receptor index was lower in those with stage IV disease than in those in stages I, II or III. The index of blood clearance was lower in patients with PBC than in those with cirrhosis. Among patients with PBC, the index of blood clearance was higher in those with stage IV disease than in those in stages I, II or III. The receptor index was correlated significantly both to the risk score of the Mayo model and to the prognostic index of the Japanese model. The index of blood clearance was also correlated significantly to this score and prognostic index.
Conclusions
: Hepatic receptor imaging with [99mTc]‐GSA is useful for the evaluation of hepatic functional reserve, staging of PBC and assessment of prognosis.© 1999 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver syndrome: A hepatic consequence of common metabolic diseases
Authors: ANGELICO FRANCESCO , DEL BEN MARIA , CONTI RITA , FRANCIOSO SIMONA , FEOLE KATIA , MACCIONI DANIELA , ANTONINI TERESA MARIA , ALESSANDRI CESARE 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aims: The association of liver steatosis with a number of common metabolic conditions has been suggested. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical features of subjects with different severities of steatosis.Methods: The present study was performed in 282 consecutive patients with ‘bright liver’ at ultrasonography and in 58 subjects without steatosis. They had no history of alcohol abuse and negative tests for the presence of hepatitis B and C virus. Patients underwent clinical examination, anthropometry, laboratory tests and routine liver ultrasonography. Steatosis was graded as absent, mild, moderate and severe.Results: A progressive increase in the prevalence of obesity (P < 0.001), type 2 diabetes (P < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation (P < 0.001) and hypertriglyceridemia (P < 0.001), and a decrease of hypercholesterolemia (P < 0.05) was observed from the control group to the groups with mild, moderate and severe steatosis. More than half the subjects with liver steatosis had insulin resistance metabolic syndrome. Obesity, diabetes and hypertriglyceridemia were more common by 5.3‐fold, 4.0‐fold, and 6.7‐fold, respectively, in subjects with severe steatosis, as compared to controls. Prevalence of obesity, diabetes and hyperlipidemia was significantly higher in subjects with fatty liver and ALT elevation.Conclusion: Fatty liver can be considered as the hepatic consequence of common metabolic diseases.© 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Immune function in patients with acute pancreatitis
Authors: UEHARA SOICHIRO , GOTHOH KATSUHIRO , HANDA HIROSHI , TOMITA HIROSHI , TOMITA YOSHIMURA 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground: The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the balance of T‐helper (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines, and the numbers of CD4+ T and CD8+ T‐cells, and was investigated, together with the plasma concentration of the antigen, an apoptosis marker, in patients with mild and acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods: Plasma concentrations of soluble (s) CD4, sCD8, sIL‐2‐R, IL‐12, IFN‐γ and sFas antigen were measured by ELISA, and CD4+ T, and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts were measured by flow cytometry.Results: Both CD4+ T and CD8+ T‐cells were reduced in number; in the severe cases the reduction in the former was more pronounced. A significant positive correlation was noted among the concentrations of sCD4, sIL‐2‐R and IL‐12, and a significant positive correlation was also found between sCD4 and sFas. During the early stage of AP, the concentrations of sCD4, sCD8, sIL‐2‐R, IL‐12 and IFN‐γ increased more in the severe cases compared with those who had milder symptoms; however, these increases were moderated during the clinical course.Conclusion: We considered that these Th1 type CD4+ T cells probably induce the activation of macrophages and further pro‐inflammatory reactions during the early stage of AP, as well as exerting direct cytotoxicity effects through Fas/Fas ligand expression.© 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
How reversible is hepatic functional impairment in autoimmune hepatitis?
Authors: COVERDALE SHIRLEY A , FIELD JACQUELINE , FARRELL GEOFFREY C 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aims: We quantifed the short‐term effects of immunosuppressive therapy on hepatic metabolic function in autoimmune hepatitis to establish how long it takes to achieve maximum functional improvement.Methods: We studied 14 newly diagnosed patients with autoimmune hepatitis (12 type 1, two type 2) by antipyrine clearance and conventional liver tests, then repeated studies at 3–6 month intervals during the first 18 months of immunosuppressive therapy.Results: Low values for antipyrine clearance were found in 13 of 14 cases; serum albumin concentration was low in four, bilirubin raised in eight and prothrombin time prolonged in four. Following immunosuppressive treatment for 3 months, antipyrine clearance improved by 98% (standard error of the mean 24%), which was proportionally greater than for serum albumin, bilirubin or prothrombin time. Antipyrine clearance and serum albumin continued to improve after 6–12 months of immunosuppressive treatment in several cases, whereas there were no further improvements in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), bilirubin and prothrombin time.Conclusions: In the short term, immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune hepatitis markedly improves hepatic metabolic function, which is particularly striking for the sensitive metabolic test antipyrine clearance, but may also be seen with serum albumin. However, it may take up to 12 months to achieve maximal functional recovery. Management guidelines on autoimmune hepatitis should be extended to emphasize that changes in hepatic metabolic function, as well as ALT and γ‐globulin levels, be taken into consideration in the definition of remission.© 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Transforming growth factor beta in hepatitis C virus infection: In vivo and in vitro findings
Authors: RAY SUMAR , BROOR SOHAN L , VAISHNAV YASH , SARKAR CHITRA , GIRISH RACHAKONDA , DAR LALIT , SETH PRADEEP , BROOR SHOBHA 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease (CLD) worldwide. The chronicity is a result of viral persistence and the ability of the virus to escape from the immune mechanisms of the host. Transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β is a cytokine thought to be responsible for viral persistence and liver fibrogenesis.Methods: The present study examined the levels of TGF‐β messenger (m)RNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) in 35 liver biopsies and HCV‐transfected HepG2 cells.Results: Transforming growth factor‐β mRNA was detected in nine liver biopsies from patients with chronic HCV infection, but was not detected in patients with non‐HCV‐related CLD or controls. On quantitation by semiquantitative PCR, TGF‐β mRNA levels ranged from 10−4.75 to 10−12.8 amol (10−7.46 ± 3.771) in liver biopsies of HCV‐related CLD. No significant difference in TGF‐β receptor levels was observed by RT–PCR in HCV‐ or non‐HCV‐related CLD by immunohistochemistry. To correlate these findings with in vitro experiments, levels of TGF‐β mRNA and its receptors were determined by RT–PCR in HepG2 cells transfected with HCV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) constructs, using mock‐transfected cells as control. The TGF‐β protein levels were quantitated in these cell supernatants by enzyme immunoassay. The TGF‐β mRNA and protein levels were two logs and approximately 30 times higher in HCV‐transfected HepG2 cells than in HBV‐ and mock‐transfected cells, respectively. The TGF‐β receptors in HepG2 cells were also downregulated in HCV‐transfected cells as compared with mock‐transfected cells.Conclusion: These observations suggest upregulation of TGF‐β in HCV infection and a probable role for TGF‐β in the pathogenesis of HCV‐related CLD.© 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Regulation of p21 and p27 expression by the hepatitis B virus X protein and the alternate initiation site X proteins, AUG2 and AUG3
Authors: LEACH J KEVIN , QIAO LIANG , FANG YOUWEN , HAN SONG LY , GILFOR DONNA , FISHER PAUL B , GRANT STEVEN , HYLEMON PHILIP B , PETERSON DARRELL , DENT PAUL 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground: The hepatitis B virus X gene has three in‐frame start codons encoding the pX, AUG2 and AUG3 proteins. The AUG2 and AUG3 genes are 5′‐truncated in respect to the full‐length pX gene; however, all three genes terminate at the same stop codon. The activity of pX as an oncogene is well characterized; however, less is known about the AUG2 and AUG3 proteins.Methods: The effects of pX, AUG2 and AUG3 on p21Cip,1/WAF,1/MDA6 and p27Kip−1 cyclin kinase inhibitor (CKI) protein expression, and the impact they have on proliferation, were investigated in CHO K‐1 cells. CHO K‐1 cells were chosen because they can be transfected at 100% efficiency.Results: p21‐ and p27‐luciferase reporter expression is modulated by increasing doses of the hepatitis B X proteins. At low concentrations of pX or AUG2, p21‐ and p27‐luciferase activity was increased, and at high concentrations, p21‐ and p27‐luciferase activity was decreased. Expression of the AUG3 gene showed a different profile: it was increasingly stimulatory with dose for both promoters. Western blot analyses demonstrated that p21 and p27 protein levels were modulated as predicted based on data generated in the promoter‐luciferase experiments. Tritiated thymidine labeling of DNA showed biphasic kinetics of incorporation in the presence of varying pX and AUG2 concentrations, whereas labeling decreased with AUG3 concentration. The growth inhibitory effect of pX expression was reduced by antisense ablation of either p21 or p27.Conclusions: The relative expression level of pX, AUG2, and AUG3 impacts on CKI expression and cell proliferation. Our findings may explain why divergent effects of pX expression on growth have been observed by different groups, which may be related to relative pX expression levels.© 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Comparison of Doppler ultrasonography and the hepatic venous pressure gradient in assessing portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis
Authors: CHOI YEUN JONG , BAIK SOON KOO , PARK DONG HOON , KIM MOON YOUNG , KIM HYUN SOO , LEE DONG KI , KWON SANG OK , KIM YOUNG JU , PARK JOONG WHA 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aim: This prospective study aimed to determine whether Doppler ultrasonography can represent the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) as an assessment of the severity of portal hypertension and the response to terlipressin, which reduces the portal pressure in liver cirrhosis.Methods: The HVPG and the Doppler ultrasonographic parameters, such as the portal venous velocity and the splenic venous velocity, the pulsatility and the resistive index of the hepatic, splenic and renal arteries were measured in 138 patients with liver cirrhosis. The changes in the HVPG and the portal venous velocity after administering terlipressin were evaluated in 43 of the 138 patients. The patients who showed a reduction in the HVPG of more than 20% of the baseline were defined as responders to terlipressin.Results: None of the Doppler ultrasonographic parameters correlated with the HVPG. Both the HVPG (28.0 ± 19.8%) and the portal venous velocity (29.7 ± 13.2%) showed a significant reduction after terlipressin administration. However, the portal venous velocity decreased significantly, not only in the responders (31.0 ± 12.0%) but also in the non‐responders (25.2 ± 16.4%).Conclusions: Doppler ultrasonography does not represent the HVPG, and is therefore not suitable for replacing HVPG as a means of assessing the severity of portal hypertension and the response to drugs which reduce the portal pressure in liver cirrhosis.© 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd