bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hormonal control of gastrointestinal motility
Authors: Thomas Paul A. , Akwari Onye E. , Kelly Keith A. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe objective of these studies was to assess the role of gastrointestinal hormones in controlling gastrointestinal motility. In the proximal stomach, cholecystokinin (CCK), gastrin, and secretin inhibit contractions, thereby decreasing intragastric pressure and slowing gastric emptying of liquids. Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), glucagon, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) may also slow gastric emptying, since they also inhibit proximal gastric contractions, but this was not tested. In contrast, motilin augments proximal gastric contractions and speeds gastric emptying of liquids. The contractions of the distal stomach are stimulated by gastrin, CCK, and motilin and inhibited by secretin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, and VIP. The modulation of distal gastric contractions by these hormones may influence gastric trituration and emptying of solids, but this is unknown. Pyloric contractions are enhanced by CCK and secretin, an effect blocked by gastrin. Such enhancement ought to decrease duodenal‐gastric reflux, but again, this is untested. In the small bowel, CCK, gastrin, motilin, VIP, and glucagon stimulate contractions, while secretin inhibits contractions. CCK and motilin speed small bowel transit, but VIP and glucagon slow transit. The cyclical bursts of gastroduodenal contractions that occur during fasting are associated with increased concentrations of motilin in the plasma, whereas the contractions characteristic of the fed state are copied by exogenous administration of gastrin and CCK. Of all these actions, only those of CCK on the proximal stomach, and gastrin on the distal stomach, have been shown to be physiologic so far.
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) as a mediator of the watery diarrhea syndrome
Authors: Said Sami I. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractEvidence that VIP is the principal humoral mediator of the watery diarrhea syndrome includes: (a) actions of VIP in experimental animals parallel the clinical manifestations of the syndrome; (b) infusions of VIP induce watery diarrhea in intestinal loops of dogs and a picture resembling the clinical syndrome in pigs, at circulating levels of the peptide similar to those observed in human disease; (c) most patients with the watery diarrhea syndrome and underlying tumors have elevated plasma levels of VIP; (d) in those patients in whom pre‐ and postoperative measurements were made, plasma VIP levels fell to the normal range with removal of the tumor and relief of the diarrhea; and (e) extracts of such tumors are rich in VIP‐immunoreactivity and VIP‐like biologic activity. A few patients with the syndrome have been reported to have normal plasma VIP levels, and it is possible that other humoral agents (such as pancreatic polypeptide, prostaglandins) may contribute to the production of the diarrhea.
Prostaglandins and serotonin: Nonpeptide diarrheogenic hormones
Authors: Jaffe Bernard M. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractProstaglandins and serotonin are vasoactive compounds with profound effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Both cause inhibition of gastric acid secretion (although serotonin stimulates gastric pepsin secretion), stimulation of intestinal motility, and conversion of small intestinal mucosa from absorption to secretion of water and electrolytes. Their effects on pancreatic and biliary function are still not clear.Although prostaglandins appear to elicit their effects primarily by a paracrine mode of action, and serotonin is primarily a neurotransmitter (neurocrine), it is clear that even under normal conditions both can function as humoral agents. For example, we have shown that serotonin plays a physiologic role as a humoral inhibitor of gastric acid secretion. However, the effects of these agents become more pronounced in patients with humorally mediated diarrheogenic syndromes. Serotonin (and related indoles, particularly 5‐hydroxytryptophan) has been firmly implicated as a cause of diarrhea in patients with carcinoid syndrome; our recent studies suggest that the diagnosis can be more effectively made by measuring circulating immunoreactive serotonin concentrations than urinary excretion of 5‐HIAA; that some circulating serotonin escapes hepatic inactivation and, thus, large intestinal tumors can cause carcinoid syndrome in the absence of hepatic metastases; and that large amounts of serotonin are produced by some noncarcinoid diarrheogenic tumors, including medullary carcinomas of the thyroid and tumors associated with the WDHA syndrome. A large number of tumors of probable neural crest origin, including medullary thyroid carcinoma, carcinoids, and tumors associated with the WDHA syndrome, secrete large amounts of prostaglandins, particularly PGE2. The clinical response of at least some of the patients harboring these tumors to inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis (particularly indomethacin) suggests that prostaglandins play a role in the etiology of these diarrheogenic syndromes.
Cimetidine treatment of acute and chronic zollinger‐ellison syndrome
Authors: Bonfils Serge , Mignon Michel , Gratton Jacques 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThirteen patients with Zollinger‐Ellison syndrome (ZES) were treated with cimetidine. This population could be divided into chronic forms, mostly presenting as a common duodenal ulcer, and acute forms resulting in critical problems requiring intensive medical care. Among the 7 patients with chronic ZES, cimetidine treatment was unsuccessful in 2; satisfactory clinical control was obtained in 3 others, but gastrinoma excision was the final treatment; cimetidine treatment has been prolonged for more than 15 months in the last 2 patients. If, in this condition, acute pharmacologic secretory inhibition were constantly obtained, therapeutic efficiency criteria are not sensitive enough to establish certainty in the patient's long‐term follow‐up. Total gastrectomy is still a valuable alternative if excision of the gastrinoma is not possible. Of the 6 patients with acute ZES, 4 were treated by pirenzepin (0.5 mg/kg intramuscularly 3 times a day) adjunctive to cimetidine infusion (2.4 mg/day), which resulted in increased antisecretory activity. However, total gastrectomy was the final outcome in every patient, with 1 immediate postoperative death.In conclusion, cimetidine in ZES treatment, although capable of inducing ulcer healing, diarrhea disappearance, and dramatic secretory inhibition, is still challenged by surgery, which allows either complete cure of the gastrinoma or definitive suppression of the secretory virulence.
Effect of vagotomy on gastrointestinal hormones
Authors: Becker H. D. , Börger H. W. , Schafmayer A. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractDifferent types of vagotomy have been widely used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. A close relationship between the vagus nerve and the release or action of gastrointestinal hormones is necessary for the optimal activation of the gastrointestinal tract. The serum concentrations of the antral hormone gastrin are elevated after all types of vagotomy. The postvagotomy hypergastrinemia is due to the change in pH in the antral lumen or the gastric motility changes, both of which may lead to a proliferation of G cells. The reduction in pancreatic secretion after vagotomy is not due to changes in intestinal hormone release, but may be caused by the interruption of a postulated enteropancreatic reflex. Postprandial GIP release and serum insulin levels are not affected by vagotomy, but basal GIP levels are increased after vagotomy. Postprandial pancreatic polypeptide release is nearly abolished by vagotomy, but seems to normalize in the later postoperative course. These findings may be important for the interpretation of pathophysiologic changes after vagotomy.
Heterotransplantation of human gastric carcinomas into nude mice
Authors: Nakatani Katsunori , Takahashi Seiichi , Shiratori Tsuneo , Konishi Yoichi 
Published: May 2005

AbstractA total of 33 specimens of human gastric carcinoma were used for transplantation into nude mice. Initial tumor “take” was accomplished in 15 of the 33 tumors, and the transportability rate was 45.5%. Transplantability correlated with histologic type, but not with clinical stage or Borrmann's classification. The transplantability rate of differentiated carcinomas, such as well‐differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, and papillary adenocarcinoma was greater than that of poorly differentiated tumors, such as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and mucinous adenocarcinoma. The growth patterns of transplanted tumors were divided into 3 types: rapid, slow, and persistent. There were no specific relationships between growth pattern and histologic type. All histologic types, except signet ring cell carcinoma, could be transplanted serially. Tumor growth became rapid after serial transfer. However, the original histology of these tumors was unchanged. No invasion or metastases were encountered.Intraperitoneal injection of a tumor cell suspension, prepared from subcutaneous transplants of a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of Borrmann type III, grew in an ascites form, with invasion and metastasis. Ascitic fluid accumulated within 3–6 weeks after injection. Subsequently, intravenous injection of ascites fluid produced metastases in nude mice. The histology of the subcutaneous tumor was similar to that of the original tumor from the patient.
Prevention of Surgical Site Infection After Open Prosthetic Inguinal Hernia Repair: Efficacy of Parenteral Versus Oral Prophylaxis with Amoxicillin‐Clavulanic Acid in a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Kuzu Mehmet A. , Hazinedaroğlu Selçuk , Dolalan Şükrü , Özkan Namık , Yalçın Samet , Erkek A. Bülent , Mahmoudi Hatem , Tüzüner Acar , Elhan Atilla H. , Kuterdem Ercümet 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe aim of this prospective study was to compare the efficacy of oral versus parenteral prophylactic amoxicillin–clavulanic acid for preventing surgical site infection after open prosthetic mesh repair of inguinal hernia. A total of 480 inguinal‐hernia patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Group I (n = 240) received 1.313 g oral amoxicillin–clavulanic acid 2 hours before operation, and group II (n = 240) received 1.2 g of the same drug combination intravenously approximately 30 minutes before surgery. Patients were examined four times during 1 year of follow‐up (at 7–10 days, 4–6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months postoperation), and data related to surgical site infections were collected. Seventy‐two patients were excluded due to confounding factors during and after the operation. There were no statistically significant differences between group I (final n = 208) and group II (final n = 200) with respect to age, sex distribution, body mass index, American Anesthesiology Association grade, frequencies of different hernia types, duration of surgery, and the experience levels of the principal surgeon in the operations. One of the 208 (0.5%) patients in group I and 3 of the 200 (1.5%) patients in group II developed superficial surgical site infections (p > 0.05). None of the infections required mesh removal. There were no deep surgical site infections in either group, and there was one case of hernia recurrence in each group. For patients undergoing open prosthetic repair of inguinal hernia, oral amoxicillin–clavulanic acid is safe, significantly less costly, and equally effective in preventing surgical site infection as the same dose given parenterally.
The Ca2+‐sensitizer levosimendan improves oxidative damage, BNP and pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with advanced decompensated heart failure in comparison to dobutamine
Authors: Avgeropoulou Catherine , Andreadou Ioanna , Markantonis‐Kyroudis Sophia , Demopoulou Maritina , Missovoulos Platon , Androulakis Aris , Kallikazaros Ioannis 
Published: May 2005

AbstractAimTo investigate the effect of a new inotropic drug, levosimendan compared with dobutamine on levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with severe decompensated heart failure.Methods and resultsTwenty‐nine consecutive patients (22 males and 7 females), mean age 70.5±9.9 years, with decompensated heart failure on standard medical therapy, were randomised to receive either a 24 h infusion of levosimendan (n=15) or dobutamine (n=14). Blood samples were drawn at baseline, 48 h and 5 days post infusion. Levosimendan produced a significant reduction in BNP compared to baseline, at both 48 h (744.1±100 vs 1136.3±93.7 pg/ml, p=0.04) and 5 days (446±119.3 vs 1136.3±93.7 pg/ml, p=0.03), while IL‐6 values decreased after 5 days (4.8±1.3 vs 8.6±1.5 pg/ml, p=0.01). MDA levels were significantly lower 5 days after levosimendan compared to baseline (2.3±0.2 vs 3±0.3 μM, p=0.01). TNF‐α levels did not differ between the groups. The comparison of percentage alteration compared to baseline showed that BNP (–44.5±7.6% vs 4.8±18.7%, p=0.025), MDA (–21.8±5.1% vs 14.9±8.5%, p=0.001) and IL‐6 (–38.8±12.5% vs 70.2±24%, p=0.001) levels were significantly lower in the levosimendan group 5 days after treatment compared to the dobutamine group.ConclusionsTreatment with levosimendan in advanced decompensated heart failure exerts a beneficial hemodynamic, anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effect. These findings may give an insight into the favourable impact on mortality that levosimendan appears to have in published multicenter trials.
MeSHer: identifying biological concepts in microarray assays based on PubMed references and MeSH terms
Authors: Djebbari Amira , Karamycheva Svetlana , Howe Eleanor , Quackenbush John 
Published: May 2005

AbstractSummary: MeSHer uses a simple statistical approach to identify biological concepts in the form of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH terms) obtained from the PubMed database that are significantly overrepresented within the identified gene set relative to those associated with the overall collection of genes on the underlying DNA microarray platform. As a demonstration, we apply this approach to gene lists acquired from a published study of the effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) treatment on cardiac gene expression and demonstrate that this approach can aid in the interpretation of the resulting ‘significant’ gene set.Availability: The software is available at http://www.tm4.orgContact: johnq@jimmy.harvard.eduSupplementary information: Results from the analysis of significant genes from the published Ang II study.
New NTP analogs: the synthesis of 4′-thioUTP and 4′-thioCTP and their utility for SELEX
Authors: Kato Yuka , Minakawa Noriaki , Komatsu Yasuo , Kamiya Hiroyuki , Ogawa Naoki , Harashima Hideyoshi , Matsuda Akira 
Published: May 2005

Abstract
The synthesis of the triphosphates of 4′-thiouridine and 4′-thiocytidine, 4′-thioUTP (7; thioUTP) and 4′-thioCTP (8; thioCTP), and their utility for SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) is described. The new nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) analogs 7 and 8 were prepared from appropriately protected 4′-thiouridine and -cytidine derivatives using the one-pot method reported by J. Ludwig and F. Eckstein [(1989) J. Org. Chem ., 54, 631–635]. Because SELEX requires both in vitro transcription and reverse transcription, we examined the ability of 7 and 8 for SELEX by focusing on the two steps. Incorporation of 7 and 8 by T7 RNA polymerase to give 4′-thioRNA (thioRNA) proceeded well and was superior to those of the two sets of frequently used modified NTP analogs for SELEX (2′-NH 2 dUTP and 2′-NH 2 dCTP; 2′-FdUTP and 2′-FdCTP), when an adequate leader sequence of DNA template was selected. We revealed that a leader sequence of about +15 of DNA template is important for the effective incorporation of modified NTP analogs by T7 RNA polymerase. In addition, reverse transcription of the resulting thioRNA into the complementary DNA in the presence of 2′-deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) also proceeded smoothly and precisely. The stability of the thioRNA toward RNase A was 50 times greater than that of the corresponding natural RNA. With these successful results in hand, we attempted the selection of thioRNA aptamers to human α-thrombin using thioUTP and thioCTP, and found a thioRNA aptamer with high binding affinity ( Kd = 4.7 nM).
Composite genome map and recombination parameters derived from three archetypal lineages of
Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Khan Asis , Taylor Sonya , Su Chunlei , Mackey Aaron J. , Boyle Jon , Cole Robert , Glover Darius , Tang Keliang , Paulsen Ian T. , Berriman Matt , Boothroyd John C. , Pfefferkorn Elmer R. , Dubey J. P. , Ajioka James W. , Roos David S. , Wootton John C. , Sibley L. David 
Published: May 2005

Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a highly successful protozoan parasite in the phylum Apicomplexa, which contains numerous animal and human pathogens. T.gondii is amenable to cellular, biochemical, molecular and genetic studies, making it a model for the biology of this important group of parasites. To facilitate forward genetic analysis, we have developed a high-resolution genetic linkage map for T.gondii . The genetic map was used to assemble the scaffolds from a 10X shotgun whole genome sequence, thus defining 14 chromosomes with markers spaced at ∼300 kb intervals across the genome. Fourteen chromosomes were identified comprising a total genetic size of ∼592 cM and an average map unit of ∼104 kb/cM. Analysis of the genetic parameters in T.gondii revealed a high frequency of closely adjacent, apparent double crossover events that may represent gene conversions. In addition, we detected large regions of genetic homogeneity among the archetypal clonal lineages, reflecting the relatively few genetic outbreeding events that have occurred since their recent origin. Despite these unusual features, linkage analysis proved to be effective in mapping the loci determining several drug resistances. The resulting genome map provides a framework for analysis of complex traits such as virulence and transmission, and for comparative population genetic studies.
A versatile reducible polycation-based system for efficient delivery of a broad range of nucleic acids
Authors: Read Martin L. , Singh Surjeet , Ahmed Zubair , Stevenson Mark , Briggs Simon S. , Oupicky David , Barrett Lee B. , Spice Rachel , Kendall Mark , Berry Martin , Preece Jon A. , Logan Ann , Seymour Leonard W. 
Published: May 2005

Abstract
Synthetic vectors based on reducible polycations consisting of histidine and polylysine residues (HIS RPCs) were evaluated for their ability to deliver nucleic acids. Initial experiments showed that RPC-based vectors with at least 70% histidine content mediated efficient levels of gene transfer without requirement for the endosomolytic agent chloroquine. Significant gene transfer was observed in a range of cell types achieving up to a 5-fold increase in the percentage of transfected cells compared to 25 kDa PEI, a gold standard synthetic vector. In contrast to 25 kDa PEI, HIS RPCs also mediated efficient transfer of other nucleic acids, including mRNA encoding green fluorescent protein in PC-3 cells and siRNA directed against the neurotrophin receptor p75 NTR in post-mitotic cultures of rat dorsal root ganglion cell neurons. Experiments to elevate intracellular glutathione and linear profiling of cell images captured by multiphoton fluorescent microscopy highlighted that parameters such as the molecular weight and rate of cleavage of HIS RPCs were important factors in determining transfection activity. Altogether, these results demonstrate that HIS RPCs represent a novel and versatile type of vector that can be used for efficient cytoplasmic delivery of a broad range of nucleic acids. This should enable different or a combination of therapeutic strategies to be evaluated using a single type of polycation-based vector.
Seasonal change in offspring sex and size in Dawson's burrowing bees (Amegilla dawsoni) (Hymenoptera: Anthophorini)
Authors: Alcock John , Simmons Leigh W. , Beveridge Maxine 
Published: May 2005

Abstract.  1. Nesting females of Dawson's burrowing bees, Amegilla dawsoni, produce a large size class of offspring, which includes daughters and major sons, and a small size class, which consists entirely of minor sons averaging half the weight of their larger siblings. Female allocation patterns change over the flight season such that the initial pattern of producing daughters shifts toward the production of both daughters and major sons in the middle of the season, and then the production of primarily minor sons in the latter part of the nesting season.2. In Dawson's burrowing bees, this pattern is correlated with declines in pollen and nectar availability as the nesting season progresses as well as a heightened risk of dying before the final brood cell is completed. Here, the relation between these factors and the provisioning tactics of nesting Dawson's burrowing bees is discussed.
Oviposition habitat selection for a predator refuge and food source in a mosquito
Authors: Bond J. Guillermo , Arredondo‐Jiménez Juan I. , Rodríguez Mario H. , Quiroz‐Martínez Humberto , Williams Trevor 
Published: May 2005

Abstract.  1. The influence of filamentous algae on oviposition habitat selection by the mosquito Anopheles pseudopunctipennis and the consequences of oviposition decisions on the diet, development, body size, and survival of offspring were examined.2. A natural population of An. pseudopunctipennis in Chiapas, Mexico, oviposited almost exclusively in containers with filamentous algae. Algae represented 47% of the gut contents of mosquito larvae sampled from the natural population. Mosquito larvae fed on an exclusive diet of algae developed as quickly and achieved the same adult body size (wing length) as their conspecifics fed on a standard laboratory diet.3. Multiple regression of survival of mosquito larvae on percentage surface area cover of algae (0–99%) and the density of predatory fish (zero to four fish per container) was best described by a second‐order polynomial model. Increasing fish densities resulted in a reduction in mosquito survival in all algal treatments. The highest incidence of survival was observed at intermediate (66%) algal cover in all treatments.4. The presence of fish significantly extended larval development times whereas algal cover had no significant effect. The presence of fish resulted in emergence of smaller adults due to reduced feeding opportunities and predator avoidance behaviour. Algal cover also affected mosquito wing length but differently at each fish density.5. Oviposition habitat selection improves survival in the presence of predators and feeding opportunities for An. pseudopunctipennis larvae.
Effect of low rainfall and browsing by large herbivores on an enclosed savannah habitat in Kenya
Authors: Birkett Alan , Stevens‐Wood Barry 
Published: May 2005

AbstractSavannah ecosystems in East Africa are rarely stable and can experience rapid local changes from dense woodlands to open plains. In this 3‐year study there was a reduction of 16.3% in a height‐stratified sample of nearly 1000 individually marked Acacia drepanolobium trees. The study was carried out in an enclosed fire‐free wooded grassland habitat in the Laikipia region of Kenya. The trees were monitored from 1998 to 2001, a period that included 12 months when rainfall was 60% below average. Elephants were responsible for the loss of 40% of the trees, black rhinos 33% and 27% died from the effects of the drought. Low rainfall was correlated with increased damage as elephants switched diet from grass to trees. Heavy browsing by giraffes reduced tree growth rates and increased their susceptibility to drought. Hence the combination of low rainfall and heavy browsing by elephants, black rhinos and giraffes led to the rapid tree loss. These findings have implications for research into the causes of instability in savannah ecosystems and the management of enclosed reserves.