bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nutritional ecology of Preuss's red colobus monkey (Colobus badius preussi Rahm 1970) in Korup National Park, Cameroon
Authors: Usongo Leonard I. , Amubode Felix O. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractStudies on the nutritive ecology of red colobus monkeys (Colobus badius preussi) in Korup National Park, Cameroon, investigated food plants and the parts eaten as well as nutritive values of the various food items. Food plants were identified through direct observations and collected for laboratory determination of nutrient content. Food plants were analysed for crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), ether extract (EE), nitrogen‐free‐extractive (NFE) and total ash (A).A total of seventeen species belonging to nine different families were identified as food plants for red colobus. Food and feeding habits showed that the species were highly folivorous, tending to prefer the young leaves of food plants. Lecomtedoxa klaineana (27.0%) and Xylopia aethiopica (22.2%) of families Sapotaceae and Annonaceae, respectively, constituted about 50% of total food items consumed. Results of nutrient composition indicated individual nutrients varied significantly (P < 0.01) with food species.
Estimating forest elephant density in Sapo National Park (Liberia) with a rainfall model
Authors: Barnes R. F. W. , Dunn Andrew 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe number of elephant dung‐piles lying on the forest floor is a function of the number of elephants present and the rainfall in the 2 preceding months. We present the results of a stochastic model that describes this relationship and we show how it can be used to estimate elephant numbers. The data from a survey in Sapo NP (Liberia) in 1989 are used as an example. The dung‐pile density was estimated at 152 km−2with confidence interval from 72 to 322, and the number of elephants was estimated to be 313 with confidence interval from 172 to 617.
Effects of photoperiod on the reproductive condition of Nile grass rats (Arvicanthis niloticus) from an equatorial population
Authors: Nunes Scott , McElhinny Teresa L. , Mahoney Megan M. , Smale Laura 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe evaluated the effects of photoperiod on the reproductive condition of male and female Nile grass rats (Arvicanthis niloticus) descended from members of an equatorial population trapped 2°S of the equator. Study animals housed in 12:12 light:dark (LD) cycles were transferred either to short photoperiod (9:15) or long photoperiod (15:9) for 9 weeks (males) or 11 weeks (females), and various reproductive parameters were assessed. We observed no differences between short‐ and long‐day males with respect to plasma concentration of testosterone, testicular mass, seminal vesicle mass, or spermatogenesis. Similarly, we observed no differences between short‐ and long‐day females with respect to oestrous cycles, uterine mass, follicle size, or presence of corpora lutea. Reproductive parameters of male and female A. niloticus housed in short‐ and long photoperiods were similar to those typically observed among animals descended from the same equatorial population and housed in LD 12:12. Thus, photoperiod appears not to elicit changes in reproductive condition among A. niloticus from populations whose native habitat lies within 2° of the equator. These data contrast with the results of other studies indicating that photoperiod alters reproductive condition in A. niloticus populations living >10° from the equator.
Coastal sponge communities of the West Indian Ocean: morphological richness and diversity
Authors: Barnes David K. A. , Bell James J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractSponges are a reasonably ubiquitous, abundant and highly morphologically plastic taxon. They are very unusual in showing considerable morphological plasticity, not only within higher taxa but within species and at macro and micro scales. In this study we determined the prevalence of sponge morphologies at four coastal study regions in the west Indian Ocean. We show that tropical and subtropical assemblages (in the present study) can be separated on the basis of morphological composition alone (by > 4% arborescent forms or presence of palmate forms in the former). Inter‐tidal sponge assemblages can also be separated from those in the subtidal to a high degree of certainty, also on prevalence of morphologies (absence of tubular or branching forms in the former). The species diversity of many sponge assemblages has been quantified in various environments but, typically, only by specialists. Rarely have equivalent measures been made of morphological diversity. Values of morphological diversity (Shannon H′) were similar, though more variable, to those measured in temperate waters. Substratum nature had a major influence on morphological diversity and evenness, in contrast to geography and bathymetry. As coral reefs were the most diverse and caves and boulders the least, we suggest that substratum heterogeneity and water‐flow complexity are probably the chief determinant of sponge assemblage morphological diversity.
Autonomic nervous activity before and after eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients with chronic duodenal ulcer
Authors: Katoh K. , Nomura M. , Nakaya Y. , Iga A. , Nada T. , Hiasa A. , Ochi Y. , Kawaguchi R. , Uemura N. , Honda H. , Shimizu I. , Ito S. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is involved in the formation of chronic peptic ulcer. However, a previously reported hypothesis concerning the involvement of central autonomic nervous disorder in this condition cannot be ruled out.Aim:To use spectrum analysis of heart rate viability to examine autonomic nervous activity before and after H. pylori eradication.Methods:Twenty patients with chronic duodenal ulcer (duodenal ulcer group) and 20 age‐matched normal adults (N group). In both groups, 24‐h Holter electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded and spectrum analysis of heartrate variability was performed. In the duodenal ulcer group, Holter ECG was recorded before and after H. pylori eradication.Results:In the N group, analysis of heart rate variability showed that high frequency (HF) power, an index of parasympathetic activity, was high at night, while the low frequency (LF)/HF ratio, an index of sympathetic function, was high during the daytime. In the duodenal ulcer group, HF power was higher at night than during the daytime, showing a similar pattern to the N group, but the power value was higher than in the N group (P < 0.05). In the duodenal ulcer group, LF/HF at night was significantly higher than that of the N group. In addition, in the duodenal ulcer group, autonomic activity after H. pylori eradication did not differ significantly from that before H. pylori eradication.Conclusions:In patients with chronic peptic ulcer, both sympatheticotonia and parasympatheticotonia may occur at night, and this abnormality in autonomic nervous activity may cause increased gastric acid secretion and gastric mucosal vasoconstriction. Abnormalities in autonomic activity persist even after H. pylori eradication, suggesting that they may be an independent risk factor in the formation of chronic peptic ulcer in addition to H. pylori infection.
Ubiquitin‐proteasome inhibitor enhances tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced apoptosis in rat gastric epithelial cells
Authors: Naito Y. , Handa O. , Takagi T. , Ishikawa T. , Imamoto E. , Nakagawa S. , Yamaguchi T. , Yoshida N. , Matsui H. , Yoshikawa T. 
Published: March 2003

Background:Tumour necrosis factor (TNF‐α) is a candidate factor for involvement in inflammation‐mediated gastric mucosal injury. However, the effect of this cytokine on gastric epithelial cells has been poorly investigated. In the present study, we examined whether gastric epithelial cells are resistant to TNF‐ α‐induced apoptosis, and whether this resistance is related to ubiquitin‐proteasome‐associated nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation.Methods:The rat gastric mucosal cell line RGM‐1 was grown in DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 10% FCS. Confluent monolayers of cells were pretreated or not for 60 min with PSI, a peptide aldehyde known to specifically inhibit the chymotrypsin‐like activity of 26S proteasome. Cells were subsequently stimulated with recombinant rat TNF‐α and their viability was determined by WST‐1 assay. Apoptosis was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy after staining with Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide, and DNA fragmentation was determined by flow cytometry using an APO‐BRDU kit. IκB‐α and the p65 binding subunit of NF‐κB were detected by Western blots.Results:Twenty‐four‐hour incubation with TNF‐α alone or PSI alone did not affect the cell viability of RGM‐1 cells. Pretreatment with PSI significantly enhanced the level of apoptosis induced by TNF‐α. In RGM‐1 cells treated with TNF‐α, cytoplasmic IκB‐α decreased and p65 in nuclear extracts increased markedly 30 min after cytokine stimulation. Pretreatment with PSI at 12.5 μmol/L blocked these TNF‐α‐induced changes.Conclusion:PSI enhances TNF‐α‐induced apoptosis through inhibition of NF‐κB activation in RGM‐1 cells.
Inhibition of CN (protein phosphatase‐2B) suppresses Ca2+‐mediated acid secretion in rats
Authors: Itoh S. , Otaka M. , Odashima M. , Zeniya A. , Okuyama A. , Jin M. , Otani S. , Iwabuchi A. , Sasahara H. , Masamune O. , Watanabe S. 
Published: March 2003

Background and aim:It has been suggested that CN (calcineurin, protein phosphatase‐2B) regulates signal transduction, particularly in various secretory cells. In this study, we examined whether CN plays a role in stimulus‐secretion coupling of gastric parietal cells.Materials and methods:Localization of CN in gastric epithelial cells was examined immunohistochemically. The role of CN in the acid secretion pathway of gastric parietal cells was assessed by evaluating the effect of FK506, a specific inhibitor of CN, on gastric acid secretion in pylorus‐ligated rats. In addition, the effect of FK506 on secretagogue (carbachol, tetragastrin and histamine)‐stimulated acid secretion was investigated in lumen‐perfused rats.Results:CN was specifically expressed in gastric parietal cells and chief cells of the gastric mucosal epithelium immunohistochemically. FK506 dose‐dependently inhibited gastric acid secretion in pylorus‐ligated rats. In lumen‐perfused rats, FK506 completely inhibited acid secretion prestimulated by carbachol and tetragastrin, agonists known to increase cytosolic Ca2+, but did not affect acid secretion prestimulated by histamine.Conclusions:Our findings demonstrate that FK506 has a potent antisecretory effect in parietal cells through inhibition of only Ca2+‐mediated acid secretion pathways. As FK506 is known to specifically inhibit CN, which plays an important role in signal transduction in various secretory cells, protein dephosphorylation signalling might also be crucial for gastrin and M3 muscarine receptor‐mediated stimulation of proton pump.
Dyspepsia: how to manage and how to treat?
Authors: Talley N. J. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryRecent guidelines for dyspepsia, defined as pain or discomfort centred in the upper abdomen, emphasize that in younger patients with no alarm features and not taking nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, testing for Helicobacter pylori and treatment of the infection if present is a standard of care. If H. pylori is not present, empirical management (e.g. acid suppression) is often prescribed. It is further recommended that if patients relapse or fail to respond to treatment then upper endoscopy be undertaken. However, these guidelines have become controversial for a number of reasons. Firstly, the prevalence of H. pylori infection is falling as is the incidence of peptic ulcer disease due to the infection. Idiopathic peptic ulcer disease is also being increasingly recognized. Furthermore, the cost‐effectiveness of endoscoping treatment failures has been questioned, as the yield is low and patient management is usually not altered. Finally, it remains controversial whether the treatment of H. pylori infection in functional dyspepsia is of value, and two recent high quality meta‐analyses have reached diametrically opposite conclusions. Alternative strategies, such as initially treating with acid suppression and then considering H. pylori infection in those who fail have been suggested, as has in low H. pylori prevalent regions the abandonment of a test‐and‐treat strategy. However, appropriate management trials of these alternative strategies in primary care are lacking. The management of patients with functional dyspepsia who fail initial antisecretory therapy is now difficult; prokinetics have fallen into some disrepute. Tricyclic antidepressants (at a low dose) may be useful in a subset, but adequate trials are lacking.
Esomeprazole in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Laine L. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryProton pump inhibitor‐based triple therapy is the most commonly used treatment for eradication of Helicobacter pylori, with pooled eradication rates of approximately 90%. In the USA, per protocol eradication rates with 10‐day proton pump inhibitor‐based triple therapy are approximately 85%. Esomeprazole, a new proton pump inhibitor that is the S‐isomer of omeprazole and produces a greater inhibition of acid secretion than omeprazole, has recently been evaluated in the treatment of H. pylori. Seven‐day twice daily triple therapy with esomeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1 g and clarithromycin 500 mg provided intention‐to‐treat eradication rates of 86–90% and per protocol eradication rates of 90–91% in duodenal ulcer patients in Europe and Canada. Ten‐day triple therapy with esomeprazole 40 mg q.d.s., amoxicillin 1 g b.d. and clarithromycin 500 mg b.d. achieved intention‐to‐treat eradication rates of 77–78% and per protocol eradication rates of 84–85% in USA duodenal ulcer patients. Thus, esomeprazole triple therapy with amoxicillin and clarithromycin is effective in the treatment of H. pylori, with eradication rates comparable to previously studied proton pump inhibitor‐based triple therapies.
Review article: esomeprazole, 40 mg once daily, compared with lansoprazole, 30 mg once daily, in healing and symptom resolution of erosive oesophagitis
Authors: Vakil N. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryBackground : Proton pump inhibitors are the most effective agents for treating erosive oesophagitis, but their relative efficacies have not been well characterized in large clinical trials.Aim : To compare standard doses of esomeprazole and lansoprazole in healing oesophagitis and resolving accompanying symptoms.Methods : This was a US, multicentre, randomized, double‐blind trial and included 5241 adult patients (intention‐to‐treat) with endoscopically documented erosive oesophagitis. Patients were randomized to esomeprazole, 40 mg once daily, or lansoprazole, 30 mg once daily, for up to 8 weeks. The primary end‐point, endoscopic healing at Week 8, was assessed using life‐table analysis and a log‐rank test. Secondary endpoints included healing at Week 4, healing according to baseline severity of oesophagitis, control of heartburn and side‐effects.Results : Healing rates were 92.6% with esomeprazole and 88.8% with lansoprazole at Week 8 (P = 0.0001, log‐rank test). A significant difference was also observed at Week 4. Sustained resolution of heartburn occurred faster and in a larger proportion of patients treated with esomeprazole. Both agents were well tolerated.Conclusions : Esomeprazole produced significantly higher oesophagitis healing rates than lansoprazole over all grades of oesophagitis. Esomeprazole also provided better control of heartburn and was associated with a greater proportion of patients with sustained resolution of symptoms.
A comparison of omeprazole, lansoprazole and pantoprazole in the maintenance treatment of severe reflux oesophagitis
Authors: Jaspersen  , Diehl  , Schoeppner  , Geyer  , Martens  
Published: March 2003

Background:Proton pump inhibitors are effective for the healing of oesophagitis. Standard doses of omeprazole, lansoprazole or pantoprazole are sufficient for healing in mild to moderate cases of oesophagitis.Aim:To compare the efficacy of double the standard doses of omeprazole, lansoprazole or pantoprazole for maintenance treatment of severe oesophagitis complicated by a stricture.Methods:Thirty‐six patients with reflux oesophagitis and stricture confirmed by endoscopy were included in a prospective study comparing three maintenance therapies. In all cases weekly dilatation of the stenosis was performed and patients were treated with omeprazole 20 mg b.d. until healing of oesophagitis and dysphagia relief were achieved. Thirty participants responded to therapy and were then randomly assigned to 4 weeks of maintenance treatment with omeprazole (20 mg b.d.; n=10), lansoprazole (30 mg b.d.; n=10) or pantoprazole (40 mg b.d.; n=10). Subsequently, endoscopies were performed—the endoscopists were blinded to the therapy assignment. The endpoints were defined as the absence of oesophagitis, oesophageal stricture and complaints.Results:After 4 weeks of treatment, the number of patients remaining in remission (no oesophagitis or stricture and no symptoms) was nine out of 10 (90%) in the omeprazole group, two out of 10 (20%) in the lansoprazole group (P < 0.01) and three out of 10 (30%) in the pantoprazole group (P < 0.01).Conclusions:In our study omeprazole was superior to either lansoprazole or pantoprazole in the maintenance treatment of complicated gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease.
Randomized, multicentre comparison of sodium alginate and cisapride in the symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated gastro‐ oesophageal reflux
Authors: Poynard  , Vernisse  , Agostini  
Published: March 2003

Aim:To assess the efficacy and tolerance of sodium alginate compared to cisapride in patients suffering from reflux symptoms, without severe oesophagitis.Methods:A total of 353 patients with symptoms of reflux oesophagitis (average age 40 years, 51% men, 33% smokers, 43% consumers of alcoholic drinks) were selected at random—180 treated with sodium alginate (4 sachets per day) and 173 treated with cisapride (5 mg four times a day) for 1 month, with a consultation every 2 weeks. Patients with severe oesophagitis or with predominant symptoms of motor dyspepsia were not included. The principal assessment criterion was the change in the severity of the reflux symptoms as evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) at 4 weeks (extremes 0–100). The secondary criteria were the VAS score at 2 weeks, the number of patients considered as treatment failures, the number of episodes of pain, the impact of the reflux on daily activities and on sleep, and an estimate of costs.The statistical analyses were planned without any knowledge of the treatments allocated and on an intention‐to‐treat basis.Results"There was no difference between the groups at the time of randomization. There were differences in the VAS in favour of the alginate at 2 weeks (29 ± 22 vs. 35 ± 25, P = 0.01) at 4 weeks (13 ± 17 vs. 20 ± 23, P = 0.001), for the number of episodes at 4 weeks (2 ± 2 vs. 3 ± 4, P = 0.001), for pain interfering with daily activities (3% vs. 10%, P = 0.009), for pain disturbing sleep (2% vs. 9%, P = 0.004), and for the proportion of patients considered as treatment failures (11% Vs. 24%, P < 0.001).Compliance was similar in the two groups. The average cost for 1 month was lower for alginate (130 fr.) than for cisapride (175 fr.).Conclusion:Sodium alginate is more effective, and costs less, than cisapride for the treatment of symptoms presented by patients suffering from reflux without severe oesophagitis.
Bismuth‐containing single‐antibiotic 1‐week triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication
Authors: Scott  
Published: March 2003

Background:Although bismuth was both the first drug shown to alter the natural history of peptic ulcer disease and also a constituent of the first very effective eradication regimens, it has been excluded from the newer regimens, despite its safety and low cost, in favour of two antibiotics.Aim:To asses a novel 1‐week regimen consisting of bismuth, clarithromycin and a proton pump inhibitor in routine clinical practice.Methods:One hundred and three consecutive patients with peptic ulcer disease and antral biopsies containing Helicobacter pylori were given a 7‐day course of treatment with bismuth (tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate chelate) 120 mg q.d.s., clarithromycin 500 mg t.d.s. and lansoprazole 30 mg o.d. Completeness of eradication was assessed by a 13C‐urea breath test, in all except three patients, at least 4 months later.Results:Of the 100 patients who were assessed in this open treatment study 84 (84%; 95% CI: 77–91%) had a negative breath test. Minor side‐effects were reported by 14% and more troublesome side‐effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, hallucinations, nasty taste and body pains) were reported by 10%.Conclusions:A 1‐week course of triple therapy including bismuth, clarithromycin and a proton pump inhibitor is effective in routine clinical practice and is well tolerated.
Acid‐inhibitory effects of omeprazole and lansoprazole in Helicobacter pylori‐negative healthy subjects
Authors: Geus  , Mulder  , Nicolai  , Boomgaard D. M. Van Den , Lamers  
Published: March 2003

Background:Omeprazole 20 mg once daily (o.d.) and lansoprazole 30 mg o.d. have similar acid‐inhibitory effects in healthy Helicobacter pylori‐positive subjects. However, little is known about the acid‐inhibitory effects of the o.d. and twice daily (b.d.) doses in H. pylori‐negative subjects.Aim:To compare the decrease in gastric acidity of omeprazole 20 mg (o.d. and b.d.) with lansoprazole 30 mg (o.d. and b.d.) in healthy H. pylori‐negative subjects on day 6–7 of dosing.Methods:A randomized, investigator‐blind, crossover study design was used. Intragastric pH was measured continuously with glass electrodes positioned in the gastric corpus. Sixteen H. pylori‐negative subjects, whose intragastric acidity fell below pH 4 for 70% of a 24‐h baseline period, were entered in the study.Results:Both dosing regimens of omeprazole and lansoprazole significantly increased median gastric pH and percentages of time above pH 4 during the entire 24‐h period, night‐ and daytime, compared to baseline. There were no significant differences in median gastric pH values or time above pH thresholds 3, 4 and 5 between the o.d. dosing regimens. During the night the percentage of time spent above pH 3 and 4 was significantly higher with omeprazole 20 mg b.d. than with lansoprazole 30 mg b.d.Conclusions:This comparative study demonstrates that daily doses of omeprazole 20 mg and lansoprazole 30 mg are equally effective in raising intragastric pH in H. pylori‐negative subjects on day 6 of dosing. During the night, omeprazole 20 mg b.d. provides superior gastric acid suppression compared to lansoprazole 30 mg b.d.