bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of tegaserod on work and daily activity in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation
Authors: REILLY M. C. , BARGHOUT V. , MCBURNEY C. R. , NIECKO T. E. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground : Tegaserod is a promotility agent with proven efficacy and safety in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.Aim : To assess tegaserod's effect on work productivity and daily activity.Methods : Women, 18–65 years old and meeting Rome II criteria for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, were randomized to a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicentre study of tegaserod 6 mg b.d. or placebo. Productivity loss and daily activity impairment because of irritable bowel syndrome were measured with the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire for irritable bowel syndrome, modified to exclude diarrhoea as a symptom. Assessments were made at baseline, weeks 2 and 4.Results : A total of 2660 women were randomized and, of these, 1675 [tegaserod (n = 1363), placebo (n = 312)] were employed and completed Work Productivity and Activity Impairment for irritable bowel syndrome questionnaires. Compared with placebo, tegaserod significantly reduced work and daily activity impairment at weeks 2 and 4. Tegaserod reduced absenteeism by 2.6% (P = 0.004), presenteeism by 5.4% (P < 0.0001), overall work productivity loss by 6.3% (P < 0.0001), and activity impairment by 5.8% (P < 0.0001) at week 4 (vs. baseline). Assuming a 40‐h workweek, tegaserod reduced work productivity loss by 2.5 h/week.Conclusions : Tegaserod significantly reduced work productivity loss and daily activity impairment at 2 weeks, and this benefit was maintained at 4 weeks.
A probiotic mixture alleviates symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome patients: a controlled 6‐month intervention
Authors: KAJANDER K. , HATAKKA K. , POUSSA T. , FÄRKKILÄ M. , KORPELA R. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground : Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder of unknown aetiology. The effect of probiotics in this syndrome remains unclear.Aim : To investigate whether a probiotic mixture containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus LC705, Bifidobacterium breve Bb99 and Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS is effective in alleviating irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.Methods : A total of 103 patients fulfilling the Rome I or II criteria took part in this 6‐month, randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial. The patients received a probiotic capsule or a placebo capsule daily. Gastrointestinal symptoms and bowel habits were recorded.Results : At the end the total symptom score (abdominal pain + distension + flatulence + borborygmi) was 7.7 (95% CI: −13.9 to −1.6) points lower in the probiotic group (P = 0.015). This represents a median reduction of 42% in the symptom score of the probiotic group compared with 6% in the placebo group. In individual symptoms, borborygmi was milder in the probiotic group (P = 0.008), and for the rest of the symptoms there was a non‐significant trend.Conclusions : The results indicate that this probiotic mixture is effective in alleviating irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Considering the high prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and the lack of effective therapies, even a slight reduction in symptoms could have positive public health consequences.
Long‐term follow‐up in atrophic body gastritis patients: atrophy and intestinal metaplasia are persistent lesions irrespective of Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: LAHNER E. , BORDI C. , CATTARUZZA M. S. , IANNONI C. , MILIONE M. , DELLE FAVE G. , ANNIBALE B. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground : Long‐term outcome of atrophic body gastritis has not yet been defined.Aim : To investigate at long‐term follow‐up the behaviour of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia and the occurrence of neoplastic lesions in atrophic body gastritis patients.Methods : Overall 106 atrophic body gastritis patients with ≥ 4‐year follow‐up were studied; 38 were Helicobacter pylori‐positive at histology + serology and cured of infection (group A), 36 were positive at serology and not treated (group B) and 32 were H. pylori‐negative (group C). Patients underwent gastroscopy with antral (n = 3) and body (n = 3) biopsies for histology according to the Sydney System.Results : At 6.7‐year follow‐up body atrophy and intestinal metaplasia remained unchanged in all 106 patients irrespective of H. pylori status. Antral atrophy was significantly increased at follow‐up only in group C, whereas antral intestinal metaplasia was unchanged in all three groups. During follow‐up eight (8%) patients developed neoplastic lesions (one adenocarcinoma, one adenoma with low‐grade dysplasia and six low‐grade dysplasia without endoscopic lesions). Antral atrophic gastritis was present at baseline in all but one (88%) of the eight patients with neoplastic lesions, but only in 15 (15%) of the 98 patients without (P < 0.0001, RR = 26.7).Conclusions : Atrophy and intestinal metaplasia persist at 6.7‐year follow‐up and atrophic body gastritis patients with panatrophic gastritis are at increased risk of developing neoplastic lesions.
Disagreement between acute and chronic haemodynamic effects of nadolol in cirrhosis: a pathophysiological interpretation
Authors: MERKEL C. , BOLOGNESI M. , SACERDOTI D. , BOMBONATO G. , CAVASIN L. , GATTA A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground : The acute effects of β‐blockers may be different from chronic; mechanisms underlying this difference are poorly elucidated.Aim : To assess portal pressure and its pathophysiological determinants after acute and chronic administration of nadolol.Methods : In 24 patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension hepatic venous pressure gradient, portal blood flow and resistance to portal blood flow were measured before, 60–90 min after acute administration of nadolol, and after 1 month. Patients were good‐responders if hepatic venous pressure gradient was ≤12 mmHg, or decreased by at least 20%.Results : Eleven and 13 patients were good‐ and poor‐responders to acute administration, respectively. Acute poor‐responders showed a lower decrease in portal blood flow (P = 0.04) and a less evident decrease in mean arterial pressure (P < 0.001). Eleven and 13 patients were good‐ and poor‐responders to chronic administration, respectively. Chronic poor‐responders showed a larger increase in resistance to portal blood flow compared with good‐responders (P = 0.01).Disagreement between acute and chronic effects was seen in 12 patients: six were acute good‐responders chronic poor‐responders and six were acute poor‐responders chronic good‐responders. Acute good‐responders chronic poor‐responders patients had the smallest decreases in portal blood flow and in mean arterial pressure after acute administration, while acute poor‐responders chronic good‐responders showed the largest (P = 0.05 and 0.01).Conclusions : Disagreement between acute and chronic effects of nadolol on hepatic venous pressure gradient is common. The mechanism responsible is complex, the acute effect being mainly modulated by arterial hypotension and the chronic effect by changes in portal resistance.
Validated questionnaire on diagnosis and symptom severity for functional constipation in the Chinese population
Authors: CHAN A. O. O. , LAM K. F. , HUI W. M. , HU W. H. , LI J. , LAI K. C. , CHAN C. K. , YUEN M. F. , LAM S. K. , WONG B. C. Y. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground : Functional constipation is a common problem in clinical practice. No validated questionnaire is available in Chinese.Aim : To develop a validated questionnaire for diagnosis and symptom assessment in functional constipation for the Chinese population.Methods : One hundred and eleven patients with constipation and 110 healthy controls were presented with a 24‐item constipation questionnaire in the Chinese language. Quality of life in constipation patients was assessed by Short Form‐36. Polyethylene glycol was prescribed, for 4 weeks, to 20 patients with newly diagnosed constipation. The questionnaire was administered before and 4 weeks after treatment. Concept, content, construct, discriminant validity and reliability of the questionnaire were assessed.Results : Six items were selected by logistic regression to account for most of the differences between controls and constipated patients with a good reproducibility and internal consistency. A cut‐off score of ≥5 was determined to discriminate between controls and constipated patients with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 91%. The constipation questionnaire correlated negatively with seven domains of the Short Form‐36 and discriminated between constipated patients who reported symptomatic improvement during polyethylene glycol treatment.Conclusions : The Chinese constipation questionnaire could be used in epidemiological studies to assess the frequency and severity of constipation in patient populations and in interventional studies of constipation.
The 13C‐caffeine breath test distinguishes significant fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B and reflects response to lamivudine therapy
Authors: PARK G. J.‐H. , KATELARIS P. H. , JONES D. B. , SEOW F. , LIN B. P. C. , LE COUTEUR D. G. , NGU M. C. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground : The 13C‐caffeine breath test is a non‐invasive, quantitative test of liver function.Aim : To determine the utility of the 13C‐caffeine breath test in chronic hepatitis B virus and its ability to monitor response to lamivudine.Methods : Forty‐eight chronic hepatitis B virus patients and 24 controls underwent the 13C‐caffeine breath test. In 28 patients commenced on lamivudine, 13C‐caffeine breath tests were performed at 1 week (n = 12) and after 1 year of therapy.Results : Patients with Metavir F0–1 fibrosis (2.30 ± 1.02 Δ‰ per 100 mg caffeine) had a 13C‐caffeine breath test similar to controls (2.31 ± 0.85, P = 0.96). However, patients with F2–3 fibrosis (1.59 ± 0.78, P = 0.047) and cirrhotic patients (0.99 ± 0.33, P = 0.001) had a decreased 13C‐caffeine breath test. Fibrosis correlated best with the 13C‐caffeine breath test (rs = −0.62, P < 0.001). The 13C‐caffeine breath test independently predicted significant (F ≥ 2) and advanced (F ≥ 3) fibrosis and yielded the greatest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.91 ± 0.04) for predicting advanced fibrosis. The 13C‐caffeine breath test was unaltered by 1 week of lamivudine but improved by 61% (P < 0.001) in responders to long‐term lamivudine, whereas in those with viraemia and elevated alanine aminotransferase, values remained stable or deteriorated.Conclusion : The 13C‐caffeine breath test distinguishes chronic hepatitis B virus‐related fibrosis and detects improvement in liver function in response to long‐term lamivudine.
Meta‐analysis: non‐pathogenic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii in the prevention of antibiotic‐associated diarrhoea
Authors: SZAJEWSKA H. , MRUKOWICZ J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground : Antibiotic‐associated diarrhoea occurs in up to 30% of patients who receive antibiotics but can be prevented with probiotics.Aim : To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of Saccharomyces boulardii in preventing antibiotic‐associated diarrhoea in children and adults.Methods : Using medical subject headings and free‐language terms, the following electronic databases were searched for studies relevant to antibiotic‐associated diarrhoea and S. boulardii: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and The Cochrane Library. Additional sources were obtained from references in reviewed articles. Only randomized‐controlled trials were considered for study inclusion.Results : Of 16 potentially relevant clinical trials identified, five randomized‐controlled trials (1076 participants) met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. Treatment with S. boulardii compared with placebo reduced the risk of antibiotic‐associated diarrhoea from 17.2% to 6.7% (RR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.23–0.78; random effect model). The number needed to treat to prevent one case of antibiotic‐associated diarrhoea was 10 (95% CI: 7–16). No side‐effects were reported.Conclusions : A meta‐analysis of data from five randomized‐controlled trials showed that S. boulardii is moderately effective in preventing antibiotic‐associated diarrhoea in children and adults treated with antibiotics for any reason (mainly respiratory tract infections). For every 10 patients receiving daily S. boulardii with antibiotics, one fewer will develop antibiotic‐associated diarrhoea.
Characterization of theCOMMD1(MURR1) mutation causing copper toxicosis in Bedlington terriers
Authors: Forman O. P. , Boursnell M. E. G. , Dunmore B. J. , Stendall N. , van de Sluis B. , Fretwell N. , Jones C. , Wijmenga C. , Rothuizen J. , van Oost B. A. , Holmes N. G. , Binns M. M. , Jones P. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryCopper toxicosis is an autosomal recessive disorder affecting Bedlington terriers, characterized by elevated liver copper levels and early death of affected dogs. Genetic linkage mapping studies initially identified linkage between the disease and the microsatellite markerC04107. Subsequently, the deletion of exon 2 of thecopper metabolism domain containing 1(COMMD1) gene (formerlyMURR1) was shown to be the major cause of copper toxicosis, although the deletion breakpoints were not defined. In this investigation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based techniques and sequencing were used to isolate the deletion breakpoints, utilizing the newly available dog genome sequence. The breakpoints were positioned at 65.3091 and 65.3489 Mb of dog chromosome 10, in intron 1 and intron 2 ofCOMMD1respectively, a deletion of 39.7 kb. The two breakpoints share sequence homology suggesting that homologous recombination may have been responsible for the deletion. Using this information, a genomic diagnostic test for theCOMMD1deletion was developed and compared with microsatelliteC04107genotypes of 40 Bedlington terriers. Results from the 40 samples showed allele 2 ofC04107to be in linkage disequilibrium with theCOMMD1deletion.
Combination of multiple microsatellite data sets to investigate genetic diversity and admixture of domestic cattle
Authors: Freeman A. R. , Bradley D. G. , Nagda S. , Gibson J. P. , Hanotte O. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryMicrosatellite markers are commonly used for population genetic analyses of livestock. However, up to now, combinations of microsatellite data sets or comparison of population genetic parameters from different studies and breeds has proven difficult. Often different genotyping methods have been employed, preventing standardization of microsatellite allele calling. In other cases different sets of markers have been genotyped, providing differing estimates of population genetic parameters. Here, we address these issues and illustrate a general two‐step regression approach in cattle using three different sets of microsatellite data, to combine population genetics estimates of diversity and admixture. This regression‐based method is independent of the loci genotyped but requires common breeds in the data sets. We show that combining microsatellite data sets can provide new insights on the origin and geographical distribution of genetic diversity and admixture in cattle, which will facilitate global management of this livestock species.
A genome scan for loci affecting pork quality in a Duroc–Landrace F2 population
Authors: Rohrer G. A. , Thallman R. M. , Shackelford S. , Wheeler T. , Koohmaraie M. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA genome scan was conducted on 370 F2 Duroc–Landrace pigs. Microsatellite markers (n = 182) were genotyped across the entire F2 population, all F1 parents and the paternal grandparents. Breed of origin of all chromosomal segments inherited in F2 progeny were predicted using GenoProb, where genotypic data, genetic maps and extended pedigrees were used as inputs. Statistical tests for quantitative trait loci (QTL) associations were conducted on 41 phenotypes with SAS using output from GenoProb for genotypic data. Fixed effects included sex and age at slaughter. For certain analyses carcass weight, RYR1 genotype and/or PRKAG3 genotype were also included as covariates. Subjective and objective measures of pork colour, marbling and tenderness were recorded, as well as measures of carcass fatness and muscularity. Test results were adjusted to a genome‐wide level of significance. Five genomic regions presented significant evidence for QTL at chromosome 1 positions 6 cM (intramuscular fat) and 67 cM (Hunter L*), chromosome 2 position 62 cM (taste panel tenderness), chromosome 17 position 50 (loineye area and image analysis estimated loineye area) and X position 87 cM (carcass weight). Sixty‐six suggestive associations were detected. Fourteen of these associations were within the regions with significant QTL on chromosomes 2, 17 and X, and the remaining 52 associations resided in 29 other regions on 13 different chromosomes of the porcine genome. The chromosome 2 region of 60–66 cM was associated with all measures of pork tenderness and the region on chromosome 17 (32–39 cM) was associated with both measures of intramuscular fat and loineye area. After verification, the QTL for marbling and tenderness should be useful in commercial production to improve pork quality as the population was developed from two of the three most utilized breeds of swine in the USA.
Expression of C‐IAP1, C‐IAP2 and SURVIVIN discriminates different types of lymphoid malignancies
Authors: de Graaf Aniek O. , Han van Krieken J. , Tönnissen Evelyn , Wissink Willemijn , van de Locht Louis , Overes Ingrid , Dolstra Harry , de Witte Theo , van der Reijden Bert A. , Jansen Joop H. 
Published: August 2005

Summary(De‐)regulation of apoptosis plays an important role in normal and malignant lymphopoiesis. Apoptosis‐regulating genes of the BCL‐2 family and the recently identified inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP) family have been implicated in different types of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). To investigate whether expression of specific apoptosis‐regulating genes correlated with different types of lymphoid malignancies, we measured the expression of five BCL‐2 family genes, four IAP family genes and SMAC by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in patient samples. In total, 137 samples from B‐ and T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), six different NHL types and three control tissue types were analysed. The data were further analysed using cluster and discriminant analysis. Three specific expression patterns were identified for CLL, ALL and NHL respectively. CLL samples, as well as B‐ALL and follicular lymphoma samples showed high similarity in the expression of these apoptosis‐regulating genes and could be distinguished from each other and other diseases and controls. Discriminant analysis identified three members of the IAP family, C‐IAP1, C‐IAP2 and SURVIVIN, as the most informative genes to discriminate between these lymphoid malignancies.
GST genotype may modify clinical phenotype in patients with Fanconi anaemia
Authors: Davies Stella M. , Radloff Gretchen A. , DeFor Todd E. , Levran Orna , Batish Sat Dev , Hanenberg Helmut , Auerbach Arleen D. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryIn the search for genetic modifiers of the Fanconi anaemia (FA) phenotype, we examined the role of polymorphism in three glutathione s‐transferase genes (GSTT1, GSTM1 and GSTP1) in 356 FA patients enrolled in the International Fanconi Anaemia Registry (IFAR). Cellular sensitivity to 1,2:3,4 diepoxybutane was significantly increased in GSTT1 deleted compared with GSTT1 positive cases (median chromosomal breaks 11·1 vs. 8·3, P < 0·01) but there was no effect on clinical manifestations of FA. GSTM1 genotype significantly influenced time to bone marrow failure in complementation group FA‐C, (median age 3·0 years vs. 7·0 years, P < 0·01). GSTP1 genotype did not influence FA phenotype.
Fluconazole versus itraconazole for antifungal prophylaxis in neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies: a meta‐analysis of randomised‐controlled trials
Authors: Vardakas Konstantinos Z. , Michalopoulos Argyris , Falagas Matthew E. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryFluconazole and itraconazole are used as antifungal prophylaxis in neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies. A meta‐analysis of randomised‐controlled trials (RCTs) was performed in order to compare their safety and effectiveness in this population. Data were obtained from PubMed, Current Contents, Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials and references from relevant articles. Five RCTs were included in the analysis. Publication bias and statistically significant heterogeneity was not observed among the analysed studies. Fewer patients were withdrawn due to the development of adverse effects associated with fluconazole when compared with itraconazole [odds ratio (OR) = 0·27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0·18–0·41]. On the contrary, prophylactic use of fluconazole resulted in significantly more fungal infections (documented and suspected infections combined, OR = 1·62, 95% CI: 1·06–2·48). There were no statistically significant differences regarding documented fungal infections (OR = 1·51, 95% CI: 0·97–2·35), invasive fungal infections (OR = 1·44, 95% CI: 0·96–2·17), overall mortality (OR = 0·89, 95% CI: 0·63–1·24) and mortality attributed by the authors to fungal infections (OR = 1·30, 95% CI: 0·75–2·25) between the two medications. These data suggest that, even though itraconazole is more effective than fluconazole in the prevention of fungal infections in neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies, the development of more adverse effects may limit its use.
Azithromycin reduces Chlamydia pneumoniae‐induced attenuation of eNOS and cGMP production by endothelial cells
Authors: Bouwman J. J. M. , Visseren F. L. J. , Bevers L. M. , Van Der Vlist W. E. , Bouter K. P. , Diepersloot R. J. A. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground  Intracellular infections with cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) may play a role in the aetiology of atherosclerosis. Nitric oxide (NO) is a key regulator of endothelial function. Under pathological conditions uncoupling of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) leads to vessel damage as a result of production of oxygen radicals instead of NO. We hypothesized that infection‐induced atherosclerosis is initiated by changes in NO metabolism and may be reversed by azithromycin treatment.Methods  Confluent human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were infected with Cp or CMV. After 48 h of infection, production of eNOS, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured. Detection of cGMP was used as a reporter assay for the bioavailability of NO. Subsequently, Cp‐ and CMV‐infected HUVECs were coincubated with 0·016 mg L−1 and 1 mg L−1 azithromycin.Results  Infection with Cp (MOI 1 and MOI 0·1) and CMV (MOI 1) caused a dose‐ and time‐dependent reduction of eNOS production in the HUVECs: Cp MOI 1: 1141 ± 74 pg mL−1 (P < 0·01); Cp MOI 0·1: 3189 ± 30 pg mL−1 (P < 0·01); CMV: 3213 ± 11 pg mL−1 (P < 0·01) vs. 3868 ± 83 pg mL−1 for uninfected HUVECs. Chlamydia pneumoniae– but not CMV‐infection also reduced cGMP‐production (Cp: 0·195 ± 0·030 pmol mL−1 (P < 0·01); CMV: 0·371 ± 27 pmol mL−1 (P > 0·05) vs. 0·378 ± 0·019 pmol mL−1 for uninfected HUVECs). CMV‐infection did not affect ROS production either, but Cp‐infection reduced ROS‐production by 21% (P > 0·05; Cp MOI 0·1) to 68% (P < 0·01; Cp MOI 1). Azithromycin treatment restored Cp‐induced eNOS, cGMP and ROS production in a dose‐dependent manner.Conclusions  Infection with Cp in endothelial cells in vitro attenuates eNOS, cGMP and ROS production in HUVECs and azithromycin reverses Cp‐induced effects on eNOS, cGMP and ROS‐production. The results from our in vitro research support the role of antibiotic therapy for infection‐induced atherosclerosis by indicating that azithromycin does actually improve endothelial function.