bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dearterialization of Colorectal Liver Cancer: Institutional Experience
Authors: Ohlsson B. , Lindell G. , Lundstedt C. , Jeppsson B. , Persson B. , Bengmark S. , Tranberg K.-G. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Aims:</i> Preliminary clinical trials have suggested that dearterialization (interruption of arterial blood supply) is beneficial to patients with liver tumours. The aim of this report was to review the outcome of all patients undergoing dearterialization for colorectal liver metastases and to analyze whether refinement of the technique was followed by improvement in outcome. <i>Methods:</i> Retrospective review of 57 patients undergoing temporary (16 h) dearterialization during 1972–1984 (n = 24) or repeated transient dearterialization (1–2 h once or twice daily) during 1985–1995 (n = 33). <i>Results:</i> The median survival after start of treatment was 1.1 years, and the 5-year survival rate was 0%. There was no significant difference in survival between temporary and repeated transient dearterialization. Liver tumour volume and extrahepatic metastases varied negatively with survival. The temporary dearterialization procedure was followed by hepatic or intra-abdominal abscess formation in 6 patients (24%), leading to postoperative death in 2 patients (operative mortality 8%). Complications after repeated transient dearterialization were related mainly to technical problems with the occluder device. <i>Conclusion:</i> Although this was not a randomized study, it appears that dearterialization is of no benefit in colorectal liver cancer.
Complications of Pancreatic Surgery and the Role of Perioperative Nutrition
Authors: Di Carlo Valerio , Gianotti Luca , Balzano Gianpaolo , Zerbi Alessandro , Braga Marco 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> According to international guidelines, artificial nutrition may be indicated after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). This clinical study was designed to evaluate whether the route of administration and the composition of the postoperative nutritional support could affect outcome. <i>Methods:</i> One hundred patients who underwent PD for cancer of the pancreatic head were prospectively studied. Patients were randomized to receive a standard enteral formula (SEN; n = 35) or immunonutrition with an enteral formula enriched with arginine, ω-3 fatty acids, and RNA (IEN group; n = 33), or total parenteral nutrition (TPN; n = 32). Postoperative feeding was started within 12 h after surgery. The three regimens were isoenergetic and isonitrogenous. Tolerance of enteral feeding, rate and severity of postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay (LOS) were evaluated. <i>Results:</i> Full nutritional goal (25 kcal/kg) was achieved in 84% of enterally fed patients versus 96% in the parenteral group (p = NS). The rate of postoperative complications was lower in the IEN group (33%) than in the SEN (40%) and TPN groups (59%). The severity of infectious complications (sepsis score) was lower in the IEN (5.5) than the SEN (7.9) and TPN groups (10.4; p < 0.05). LOS was shorter in the IEN than in the SEN and TPN groups (16.3 vs. 17.8 vs. 19.3 days, respectively; p < 0.05). <i>Conclusions:</i> In patients undergoing PD the established nutritional goal can be obtained by enteral feeding. Immunonutrition seems to improve outcome.
Influence of Gastrointestinal Hormones on Tumor Microcirculation of Experimental Pancreatic Cancer in the Rat
Authors: Schmidt Jan , Ryschich Eduard , Maksan Sasa-Marcel , Werner Jens , Gebhard Martha Maria , Herfarth Christian , Klar Ernst 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Aims:</i> Gastrointestinal hormones influence the microcirculation in the normal pancreas. In the present study, we studied the effect of cerulein and somatostatin on pancreatic cancer microcirculation after orthotopic and nonorthotopic tumor implantation. <i>Methods:</i> In 36 male Lewis rats (150–180 g) induction of a ductlike pancreatic cancer was achieved by intrapancreatic or intraperitoneal tumor fragment interposition between two inert transparent polymethyl methacrylate plates. After 4 weeks, intravital microscopy of the tumor microcirculation was performed in a temperature-controlled immersion chamber. The animals received 5 μg/kg cerulein or 3 mg/kg somatostatin for 1 h intravenously. The erythrocyte velocity in normal pancreatic capillaries or in tumor vessels was measured. <i>Results:</i> The erythrocyte velocity in the capillaries of the normal pancreas was 1.01 ± 0.11 mm/s at baseline and increased to 1.64 ± 0.09 mm/s after cerulein stimulation (p = 0.007). Pancreatic cancer vessels demonstrated no increase in erythrocyte velocity after orthotopic (baseline 0.95 ± 0.14 mm/s, after 1 h 0.86 ± 0.13 mm/s; n.s.) and nonorthotopic tumor implantation (baseline 0.91 ± 0.12 mm/s, after 1 h 0.95 ± 0.14 mm/s; n.s.) after cerulein stimulation. Somatostatin decreased the erythrocyte velocity both in normal pancreas (baseline 0.87 ± 0.02 mm/s, after 1 h 0.60 ± 0.07 mm/s; p = 0.01) <i>and</i> in pancreatic cancer (baseline 0.85 ± 0.20 mm/s, after 1 h 0.63 ± 0.18 mm/s; p = 0.02) after orthotopic tumor implantation. There was no effect of somatostatin after nonorthotopic tumor implantation (baseline 0.90 ± 0.10 mm/s, after 1 h 0.88 ± 0.14 mm/s; n.s.). <i>Conclusion:</i> These data suggest that pancreatic cancer microcirculation lacks physiological blood flow control by stimulatory hormones, in contrast to the normal pancreas.
Short-Term Hemodynamic Effects of Transjugular Retrograde Obliteration of Gastric Varices with Gastrorenal Shunt
Authors: Chikamori Fumio , Kuniyoshi Nobutoshi , Shibuya Susumu , Takase Yasuhiro 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objectives:</i> The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term effects on portal hemodynamics of transjugular retrograde obliteration (TJO) of gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt. <i>Methods:</i> Thirty patients with gastric varices and a gastrorenal shunt were included in this study. The patients ranged in age from 42 to 75 years (16 men and 14 women), and according to Child’s classification, class A, B and C cirrhosis was seen in 1, 13 and 16 patients, respectively. The portal blood flow was measured by an ultrasonic duplex Doppler system, and the wedged hepatic venous pressure was measured by hepatic venous catheterization, before and after TJO. <i>Results:</i> Complete obliteration of the gastrorenal shunt and gastric varices was revealed by retrograde inferior phrenic venography and computed tomography after TJO in all cases. The wedged hepatic venous pressure was significantly increased the day after TJO compared with that before therapy (257 ± 71 vs. 307 ± 73 mm H<sub>2</sub>O, p < 0.01). The portal venous flow was significantly increased 1 week after TJO compared with that before therapy (744 ± 190 vs. 946 ± 166 ml/min, p < 0.01). The serum albumin levels before and after TJO were 3.0 ± 0.4 and 3.1 ± 0.5 g/dl, respectively, and the total bilirubin levels were 1.5 ± 0.7 and 1.5 ± 0.8 mg/dl, respectively, neither of these parameters changing significantly. The plasma ammonia levels before and after TJO were 109 ± 62 and 67 ± 31 μg/dl, and the indocyanine green retention rates at 15 min were 31 ± 13 and 24 ± 13%, both showing a significant change (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). <i>Conclusions:</i> We conclude that TJO increases portal blood flow which contributes to the decrease in plasma ammonia levels and the indocyanine green retention rate, although increasing the wedged hepatic venous pressure.
Needle Perforation of the Appendix
Authors: Renner Karl , Holzer Brigitte , Hochwarter Gerhard , Weihsbeck Erhard , Schiessel Rudolf 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Aims:</i> Needles are among the most frequently swallowed foreign bodies. In most cases they are excreted per vias naturales, but in some cases needles can lead to perforation of the stomach or duodenum in adults. <i>Methods:</i> We report a case of acute appendicitis after perforation of the appendix by a swallowed needle. An appendectomy was performed without any knowledge of the reason for perforation. <i>Results:</i> Inspection of the resected appendix demonstrated a needle of 1.5 cm length inside the lumen of the appendix, which had caused a perforation of the distal end of the appendix. <i>Conclusion:</i> As seen in this case a longer-lasting nondiagnosed perforation can lead to extensive local inflammation which could have been avoided by early surgical treatment which should also be considered if the patient has very few symptoms, as in this case.
Immunogenetic Evidence for the Phylogenetic Sister Group Relationship of Dogs and Bears (Mammalia, Carnivora: Canidae and Ursidae)
Authors: Schreiber Arnd , Eulenberger Klaus , Bauer Klausdieter 
Published: April 2003

Thirty-seven antigenic determinants were identified in the albumins, the immunoglobulin µ- and IgG(Fc) chains, and the C3 proteins of 51 carnivoran (sub)species from 31 genera, and in 12 noncarnivoran mammals. In addition to 19 determinants plesiomorphic for Carnivora as an order, 18 synapomorphic epitopes of carnivoran families revealed nine phylogenetic reaction groups: (1) canids, (2) ursids, (3) the racoon, (4) the Weddell seal, (5) the lesser panda, (6) the harbour seal, (7) mustelids, (8) viverrids and hyaenas, and (9) felids. These data identify Canoidea (Canidae, Ursidae, Phocidae, Procyonidae, Ailuridae, Mustelidae) and Feloidea (Viverridae, Hyaenidae, Felidae) as two fundamentally differentiated lineages of Carnivora, and confirm the inclusion of seals among the former. The Ursidae are the sister group of the Canidae. The antigenic determinants in the studied proteins do not subdivide the Canidae, Ursidae and Felidae into immunologically differentiated lineages.
Formation of Lipofuscin-Like Autofluorescent Materials in NG108-15 Cells: Involvement of Lysosomal Protein Degradation
Authors: Mochizuki Y. , Park M.K. , Mori T. , Ogura A. , Kawashima S. 
Published: April 2003

We found that neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells accumulated lipofuscin-like autofluorescent materials during neuronal differentiation in culture in a medium containing 1% fetal calf serum, 1 m<i>M</i> dibutyryl cyclic AMP and 1 m<i>M</i> theophylline. The emission maximum of the lipofuscin-like autofluorescent materials was between 500 and 550 nm. Granules positive to acid phosphatase and periodic-acid Schiff were increased, as were the autofluorescent granules in NG108-15 cells. Thiolprotease inhibitors, N-(<i>L</i>-3-trans-carboxyoxirane-2-carbonyl)-<i>L</i>-leucine-4-aminobutylamide (E-64) and acetyl-Leu-Leu-Arg (leupeptin), markedly accelerated the accumulation of the lipofuscin-like autofluorescent materials in NG108-15 cells. On the other hand, activities of lysosomal thiolproteases, cathepsin B, C and L, were increased during neuronal differentiation. Protein content in the cells was gradually increased with the neuronal differentiation, and the rise was significantly accelerated when proteolysis was inhibited by E-64. These results suggest that the lipofuscin-like autofluorescent materials contain peptidic substances as a component, and indicate that the increase in hydrolytic activities of thiolproteases during neuronal differentiation is not enough for the hydrolysis of peptidic substrates, resulting in the accumulation of autofluorescent materials in NG108-15 cells.
Effects of Central Nervous System Polypharmacy on Falls Liability in Community-Dwelling Elderly
Authors: Weiner Debra K. , Hanlon Joseph T. , Studenski Stephanie A. 
Published: April 2003

<b>Background:</b> While central nervous system (CNS) active medications such as psychotropics and narcotic analgesics have been implicated in contributing to falls in older adults, the combined effect of multiple CNS-active medications has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence, in community-dwelling elderly, of (1) taking multiple CNS-active medications on fall liability and (2) individual classes of CNS-active medications (using discrete drug classification) on the risk of falls after controlling for important confounders – age, mobility, cognition and depression. <b>Methods:</b> 305 community-dwelling male veterans (age: 70–104) were screened at study entry for mobility, cognition and depression. CNS-active medications were categorized as benzodiazepines, other sedative-hypnotics, neuroleptics, tricyclic antidepressants, and opioid analgesics. Subjects were prospectively followed for 6 months to monitor falls; at the end of this time period, subjects were classified as fallers (at least one fall) or nonfallers. The relationship between CNS-active drug use and falls was examined using multivariable analyses. <b>Results:</b> The risk of falls was significantly greater in CNS-active medication users as compared with nonusers. Adjusted odds ratio for one CNS-active drug was 1.54 (95% confidence interval 1.07–2.22) and for two or more agents 2.37 (95% confidence interval 1.14–4.94). <b>Conclusions:</b> In community-dwelling elderly, the use of multiple CNS-active medications is associated with enhanced falls liability, over and above the use of one CNS-active drug alone. This apparent dose-response relationship provides support for causality.
Effect of a Continuous Gamma Irradiation at a Very Low Dose on the Life Span of Mice
Authors: Caratero A. , Courtade M. , Bonnet L. , Planel H. , Caratero C. 
Published: April 2003

<b>Background: </b>There is epidemiological evidence that suggests there are beneficial effects of ionizing radiation at low doses. Some experimental studies confirmed this hormetic effect with doses of about 1 cGy/day, but no data concerning very low dose rates are available. <b>Objective: </b>The aim of this study was to determine the life span of mice exposed to very low doses of ionizing radiation. <b>Methods: </b>Six hundred female C57BL/6 mice, 1 month old, were exposed to chronic gamma irradiation at very low dose rates of 7 or 14 cGy/year. These doses are about 25 or 50 times higher than background, but much lower than the doses of about 1 cGy/day used in previous experiments. Three hundred mice living in the same room were used as controls. <b>Results: </b>The life span, after the beginning of the experiment, determined by the survival time of 50% of each population, is increased in irradiated mice: 549 days in controls, 673 days in both irradiated groups. The differences are significant between the control and the irradiation mice. Differences between mice irradiated with 7 or 14 cGy are not significant. <b>Conclusions: </b>These results confirm the possibility of a nonharmful effect (hormesis) of ionizing radiation. They demonstrate that the paradigm, which states that low-dose effects can be predicted high-dose effects, cannot be systematically applied in radiation biology in general and gerontology in particular.
Use of Folic Acid-Fortified Milk in the Elderly Population
Authors: Keane E.M. , O’Broin S. , Kelleher B. , Coakley D. , Walsh J.B. 
Published: April 2003

Folic acid deficiency is common in the elderly population, resulting in anaemia, dementia, many neurological sequelae and an indirect role in atheromatous disease. An increase in natural food folate is relatively ineffective at increasing folate status and the use of folate fortification of foodstuffs is recommended. <b>The aim of our study</b> was to assess the benefits of folic acid-fortified milk to the folate status of an elderly institutionalised population. 49 subjects received fortified milk as part of their daily diet for at least 6 months (active group) and 40 subjects received unfortified milk (control group). <b>Our results</b> showed a mean serum folate level in the active group of 5.81 (1.1–17.6) µg/l compared to the control group mean of 2.16 (0.5–9.4) µg/l (p < 0.001; normal range for serum folate 2.7–20 µg/l). Similarly the mean red cell folate level in the active group of 316.5 (130–905) µg/l was significantly higher than the control group mean of 196.1 (95–490) µg/l (p < 0.001; normal range for red cell folate 150–1,000 µg/l). <b>Our results suggest</b> that folic acid-fortified milk is an efficacious and acceptable method of administration of folic acid in the elderly population and we recommend the use of folic acid-fortified milk in the regular daily diet of the elderly population.
Increase of the Cellular Growth of Old Human Diploid Fibroblasts by Radical Scavenger: Water-Soluble Protein from Broad Beans
Authors: Okada Yoshinori , Okada Mizue 
Published: April 2003

There is increasing evidence that free radical scavengers play an important role in the aging process and the control of cellular growth. We purified a free radical scavenging protein, the water-soluble protein (WSP) from broad beans (Vicia faba). In this study, we examined the effect of WSP on cellular growth and in vitro life span in old human fetal lung fibroblasts (WI-38 and PDL 37-40, 78–84% of the maximum life span). Since WSP increased the cellular growth, we also examined the effect of WSP (1.25–5 µg/ml) on cytosolic antioxidant enzyme activities in the old cells treated or not with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (BHP) to elucidate the mechanisms of cell proliferation in the old cells. The cellular growth of old fibroblasts was greatly increased by WSP. In 1.25 and 2.5 µg/ml of WSP, the cell proliferation increased by 32 and 35%, respectively, as compared with controls. The maximum population doubling levels of the cells did not increase. In the cells incubated with BHP, the cytosolic superoxide dismutase activity was returned to its control value by WSP treatment (1.25–5 µg/ml). The cytosolic glutathione peroxidase activity progressively increased with increasing concentrations of WSP. On the other hand, the cytosolic superoxide dismutase activity after 1.25- and 2.5-µg/ml WSP treatment without BHP was increased by 189 and 144%, respectively. Similarly, the cytosolic glutathione peroxidase activity was increased by 67 and 53%, respectively. These results suggest that cytosolic antioxidant activities in old cells can be modulated by WSP treatment. We concluded that there was a correlation between the optimum WSP concentrations for the increase of cellular growth and the WSP concentrations required to exhibit these maximum enzyme activities.
Nutritional and Cognitive Status in Elderly Subjects Living in Service Flats, and the Effect of Nutrition Education on Personnel
Authors: Irving Gerd Faxén , Olsson Boel Andrén , Cederholm Tommy 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> There is limited knowledge about the nutritional and cognitive status in elderly and chronically ill subjects living in sheltered housing. <i>Objective:</i> To perform a 6-month follow-up study in order to investigate (1) nutritional status and its relationship to cognitive function in elderly people living in service flats, and (2) the effect of a 9-hour educational program given to personnel working in the service flats. <i>Methods:</i> Of 93 eligible subjects, 28 agreed to participate (age 81 ± 7 years, 75% women). Body mass index (BMI), triceps skin fold (TSF), arm muscle circumference (AMC), appetite, Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), serum albumin, serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and Mini Mental Test (MMT) were assessed on two occasions with a 6-month interval. The staff of the service flats answered a questionnaire before and 6 months after an educational program. <i>Results:</i> At the start, BMI, TSF and AMC were within the normal ranges, e.g. BMI 26.6 ± 3.1 for men and 25.6 ± 3.2 for women. Three subjects were suspected to be malnourished and 2 were malnourished according to SGA. Among 20 randomly selected subjects who chose not to participate in the investigation, age, sex, BMI, weight loss and appetite were not significantly different from those values in participants. However, none of the latter had a BMI <20 compared to 10% in non-participants. The MMT results suggested cognitive dysfunction in 41% of the subjects. On the first test occasion, MMT correlated with BMI (r = 0.43, p < 0.03), weight loss (r = 0.4, p < 0.05) and age (r = –0.38, p < 0.05). The ability of the personnel to suggest suitable nutrition for fictitious patient cases appeared to have improved after the educational program. At the 6-month follow-up, the BMI in men rose to 27.0 ± 3.4 (p < 0.05), while other anthropometric measurements remained unchanged. Serum IGF-1 lay within the normal range, as did serum albumin which, however, rose from 39.1 ± 2.9 to 41.2 ± 3.5 g/l (p < 0.01). <i>Conclusion:</i> Fifteen to twenty percent of the individuals studied in the service flats displayed definite or possible signs of malnutrition. Cognitive function correlated with BMI, weight loss and age. The educational program appeared to increase the nutritional knowledge in personnel working in the service flats. At the 6-month follow-up, the nutritional status of the residents had not deteriorated.
Frequency and Classification of Cerebral Infarctions in Nursing Homes over a 17-Year Period in Shimane Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Seno H. , Ishino H. , Inagaki T. , Iijima M. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Several recent epidemiological investigations have shown that the rate of vascular dementia (VD) has decreased and the rate of senile dementia of the Alzheimer type has increased in Japan. In our previous neuropathological examination, such a trend but no significant differences were shown in nursing home residents in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. <i>Objective:</i> The aim of this study was to clarify whether or not the frequency of cerebral infarctions (CI) and the ratio of CI [large infarction type (LI) and small multiple infarction (MI)] types changed between the first half of this study and the second half, corresponding to the decreasing trend of the rate of VD. <i>Methods:</i> Three hundred and ten aged nursing home residents (146 men and 164 women) were evaluated neuropathologically in Shimane prefecture, Japan. All subjects died between 1976 and 1992. The average age ± standard deviation at death was 79.1 ± 8.7 years for men, 83.4 ± 7.8 for women, and 81.4 ± 8.5 overall. They were placed into the first or second study group and compared. <i>Results:</i> (1) The incidence of hypertension (HT) decreased significantly from the first half of the study to the second half in both men and women. (2) The frequencies of CI and CI with HT were not significantly different between the first and second half (both men and women). (3) There was a decreasing trend in the ratio of LI to MI from the first to the second period in men. <i>Conclusion:</i> There may be no effect of the incidence of HT on CI frequency and some effects on CI types. The incidence of CI in total lifespan (both men and women) has not changed in our study. The recent decreasing trend in LI in men may have contributed to the decreasing tendency in the prevalence of vascular dementia.