bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevention of gastric ulcer or acute gastric mucosal lesions accompanying bleeding after abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery
Authors: Konno Hiroyuki , Kaneko Hiroshi , Maruo Yuji , Tatuo Tanaka , Nobuhiko Nishino , Nakamura Satoshi , Baba Shozo 
Published: October 2004

AbstractWe have previously reported that the decrease in gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF) and consumption coagulopathy (CC) mainly contribute to the development of postoperative bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). In the present study, we investigated whether our treatment for patients with low GMBF or CC effectively prevented postoperative gastric bleeding induced by gastric ulcer or acute gastric mucosal lesion. Preoperative endoscopic examinations in 66 patients with AAA and 60 patients with arteriosclerosis obliterance (ASO) revealed that 50.0% of AAA and 16.6% of ASO patients had accompanying gastric ulcer or multiple erosions. In 38 AAA and 36 ASO patients, GMBF was measured using a laser Doppler flowmeter through an endoscope. The GMBF was severely impaired in AAA patients and moderately impaired in ASO patients. The platelet counts and fibrinogen levels were significantly decreased in these 38 AAA patients compared with controls. Furthermore, fibrinogen degeneration product (FDP) levels in 36.8% of AAA patients were more than 20 μg/dl. Based on these findings, patients with low GMBF were treated postoperatively with H2‐blocker, and patients with CC were treated preoperatively with heparin. After these treatments, only 1 of 38 AAA patients developed postoperative upper GI tract bleeding and could be treated conservatively after 1988, whereas in prior years post‐operative upper GI tract bleeding developed in 7 of 112 patients, three of whom required emergency surgery.
Vascular involvement in Behçet's isease: 8‐Year audit
Authors: Kuzu Mehmet A. , Özaslan Cihangir , Köksoy Cüneyt , Gürler Aysel , Tüzüner Altan 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBehçet's disease is a multisystemic disorder characterized by cecurrent ulcers of the mouth and genitalia and relapsing iritis. Four types of vascular lesion are recognized in Behçet's disease: arterial occlusions, aneurysms, venous occlusions, and variceal development. The incidence of vascular involvement reported in the literature ranges from 7% to 29%. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of vascular involvement in Behçet's disease at our hospital between 1983 and 1992. Of 1200 patients with Behçet's disease, 173 (14.4%) had venous manifestations and 19 (1.6%) had arterial manifestations (in some patients more than one organ was involved). In the group of patients with venous manifestations, there were 154 (12.8%) with venous thrombosis, 17 (1.4%) with vena cava superior syndrome, 5 (0.4%) with inferior vena cava syndrome, 5 (0.4%) with varices, 2 with upper extremity venous thrombosis, 1 with internal jugular vein thrombosis, 1 with cavernous sinus thrombosis, and 1 with hepatic vein thrombosis. In the arterial manifestation group there were 7 femoral, 3 abdominal, 3 popliteal, 2 iliac, 2 pulmonary, 1 axillary, and 1 carotid artery aneurysm as well as 3 arterial occlusions. We concluded that vascular surgeons dealing with young adults should bear Behçet's disease, an uncommon clinical entity, in mind.
Active immunization against adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) in grazing lambs suppresses the immune response to a GnRH antigen but does not alter growth
Authors: PAULL D. , RIGBY R. , THOMPSON J. , WYNN P. 
Published: October 2004

This experiment examined the effects of immunizing against ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) and GnRH (hypothalamic peptide gonadotrophic releasing hormone) on growth and carcase composition of entire ram lambs from 6 to 35 weeks of age. There were four experimental groups (each of 17 animals) in a 2×2 factorial design: (1) a non-immunized control group, (2) immunized against ACTH, (3) immunized against GnRH and (4) immunized against both antigens. After booster injections, experimental lambs exhibited antibody titres to the two antigens presented, resulting in significantly lower cortisol and testosterone levels (P<0·001) in peripheral blood. The fall in blood cortisol levels in response to ACTH immunization was later matched by a similar decline in control animals to a point where they were not different.In GnRH-immunized animals, antibodies disrupted the pituitary-gonadal axis, thereby impacting severely on testes development in growing lambs to the degree that by day 119 their testes were smaller than at the commencement of the experiment. Towards the end of the growth phase of the animals, GnRH-immunized lambs had significantly lower body weights at day 189 (P<0·05) and day 204 (P<0·01) while ACTH-immune lambs were not different in weight from control animals. Also, GnRH-immunized lambs were found to have greater GR measurement (P<0·05). Although ACTH immunization was capable of lowering cortisol for a brief period during the current experiment, the results were variable and detrimental to the efficacy of the immuno-castration vaccine (GnRH).
Spectral Doppler and resistive index: A promising tool in ultrasonographic evaluation of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Terslev L. , Torp-Pedersen S. , Qvistgaard E. , Bliddal H. 
Published: October 2004

Purpose: To evaluate the use of spectral Doppler in the longitudinal follow-up of inflammatory joint involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by comparing resistive index (RI) findings with color fraction and pain on a visual analog scale (VAS). Material and Methods: Five patients on unchanged disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD) treatment were followed after an intra-articular corticosteroids injection and received no further injections in the observation period. They were followed clinically and by ultrasound using color Doppler pixels and the spectral Doppler RI as indicators of inflammation. At 1, 6 and 12 months the measurements were repeated on the same joint. Results: At 1-month follow-up after the corticosteroids injection, a marked decrease in the color fraction was seen in 4 out of 5 patients, while the fifth patient had a moderate decrease (Wilcoxon p < 0.05). The changes in RI showed correspondingly a marked increase in 4 out of 5 patients indicating a diminished flow to the synovium (Wilcoxon p < 0.05). The effect of the corticosteroid injection could still be seen after 1 year in 4 out of 5 patients. In RI, pixel fraction and VAS there was improvement compared with the baseline values; however, only the pixel fraction was statistically significant (Wilcoxon p < 0.05). Conclusion: RI seems to be an objective alternative to pixel estimation of the degree of inflammation and treatment response in RA.
Three-dimensional respiratory-gated coronary MR angiography with reference to X-ray coronary angiography
Authors: Ikonen A. E. J. , Manninen H. I. , Vainio P. , Hirvonen T. P. J. , Vanninen R. L. , Matsi P. J. , Soimakallio S. , Hartikainen J. E. K. 
Published: October 2004

Purpose: To assess the clinical value of three-dimensional coronary MR angiography (CMRA) in the detection of significant coronary artery stenosis using conventional X-ray angiography as the standard reference. Material and Methods: Sixty-nine patients underwent X-ray coronary angiography and CMRA because of suspected or previously diagnosed coronary artery disease. MRI was performed with a 1.5-T whole body imaging system using ECG-triggered 3D gradient echo sequence with retrospective navigator echo respiratory gating and fat suppression. Results: A total of 276 coronary artery segments were analyzed. The X-ray coronary angiography was normal in 22 patients. Significant proximal stenoses (exceeding 50%) or occlusions were present in 102 coronary artery segments. In all, 120 stenoses or occlusions were identified in CMRA. Sixteen percent of the coronary artery segments had to be excluded because of poor image quality. The overall sensitivity and specificity for MRA for identification of significant stenosis were 75% and 62%, respectively. CMRA correctly detected 89% of patients with at least one vessel disease, but 6 patients with coronary artery disease would have been missed. Conclusions: Because of the high data exclusion and false- negative case rate, CMRA with retrospective navigator echo triggering is at present not suitable as a clinical screening method in coronary artery disease.
Serial Analysis of Antimitochondrial Antibody in Patients with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Authors: Benson Gordon D. , Kikuchi Kentaro , Miyakawa Hiroshi , Tanaka Atsushi , Watnik Mitchell R. , Gershwin M. Eric 
Published: October 2004

Antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) are the classic serologic
marker in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). However, there have been only
limited attempts to study changes in titer or isotype analysis of such AMAs in
patients followed for long periods of timeWe took advantage of stored sera from well‐characterized patients with
PBC followed for a period of 7‐28 years (mean duration of 13.5 years). Immunoblot
and enzyme‐linked immunosorbant assays were performed against PDC‐E2,
BCOADC‐E2 and OGDC‐E2 as well as isotype analysis of antigen‐specific IgG,
IgA and IgM antibodies against each of these mitochondrial autoantigens. Sera
were analyzed for total IgG, IgA and IgM by radial immunodiffusion. The sera titer
of AMAs was significantly higher in younger patients with PBC. Indeed, age of onset
of clinical PBC was a significant predictor for the highest values of sera AMAs. In
contrast, the AMA titer did not significantly change over time in this prolonged
longitudinal study. The total sera levels of the individual immunoglobulins did not
show a time‐dependent change, when based on age of onset of the disease. Higher
titers of AMAs were noted in the younger patients. Furthermore, despite this long
follow‐up, there was no evidence for a significant change in AMA levels; also, levels
were not influenced by drug therapy used during the period of observation.
The Perfusion Paradox and Vascular Instability in Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: NATH KARL A. , KATUSIC ZVONIMIR S. , GLADWIN MARK T. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTSickle cell disease (SCD) exhibits a curious coexistence of contrasting perfusion profiles in the circulatory system: hypoperfusion is endemic in microcirculatory beds occluded by hemoglobin S‐containing erythrocytes while hyperperfusion characterizes the systemic (macro)circulation and a number of regional vascular circuits. This review highlights this perfusion paradox of SCD, focusing on forearm blood flow and the renal circulation, and exploring the extent to which alterations in vasoactive systems (such as nitric oxide and prostanoids) are involved. Also reviewed are the mechanisms and pathways that contribute to altered vascular reactivity and vascular instability observed in SCD. Finally, the possibility that the induction of heme oxygenase‐1, recently described in SCD, may confer a protective response in the vasculature and other tissues is discussed.
OCRE: a novel domain made of imperfect, aromatic-rich octamer repeats
Authors: Callebaut Isabelle , Mornon Jean-Paul 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Summary: In this study, we describe a novel domain, OCRE, which is shared by the recently identified angiogenic factor VG5Q and a specific family of RNA-binding motif proteins.
The OCRE domain is characterized by a 5-fold, imperfectly repeated octameric sequence, which includes a triplet of often-conserved aromatic amino acids predicted to form a β-strand and in which the slightly modified fifth repeat might act as a repeat terminator.
Although the function of this domain remains to be elucidated, the domain architecture of OCRE containing proteins and experimental data suggest a role in RNA metabolism and/or in signalling pathways activated by the tumor necrosis factor superfamily of cytokines.
Contact: Isabelle.Callebaut@lmcp.jussieu.fr
On the Integration of Alcohol‐Related Quantitative Trait Loci and Gene Expression Analyses
Authors: Hitzemann Robert , Reed Cheryl , Malmanger Barry , Lawler Maureen , Hitzemann Barbara , Cunningham Brendan , McWeeney Shannon , Belknap John , Harrington Christina , Buck Kari , Phillips Tamara , Crabbe John 
Published: October 2004

Background: Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have been detected for a wide variety of ethanol‐related phenotypes, including acute and chronic ethanol withdrawal, acute locomotor activation, and ethanol preference. This study was undertaken to determine whether the process of moving from QTL to quantitative trait gene (QTG) could be accelerated by the integration of functional genomics (gene expression) into the analysis strategy.Methods: Six ethanol‐related QTLs, all detected in C57BL/6J and DBA/2J intercrosses were entered into the analysis. Each of the QTLs had been confirmed in independent genetic models at least once; the cumulative probabilities for QTL existence ranged from 10−6 to 10−15. Brain gene expression data for the C57BL/6 and DBA/2 strains (n= 6 per strain) and an F2 intercross sample (n= 56) derived from these strains were obtained by using the Affymetrix U74Av2 and 430A arrays; additional data with the U74Av2 array were available for the extended amygdala, dorsomedial striatum, and hippocampus. Low‐level analysis was performed by using multiple methods to determine the likelihood that a transcript was truly differentially expressed. For the 430A array data, the F2 sample was used to determine which of the differentially expressed transcripts within the QTL intervals were cis‐regulated and, thus, strong candidates for QTGs.Results: Within the 6 QTL intervals, 39 transcripts (430A array) were identified as being highly likely to be differentially expressed between the C57BL/6 and DBA/2 strains at a false discovery rate of 0.01 or better. Twenty‐eight of these transcripts showed significant (logarithm of odds ≥3.6) to highly significant (logarithm of odds >7) cis‐regulation. The process correctly detected Mpdz (chromosome 4) as a candidate QTG for acute withdrawal.Conclusions: Although improvements are needed in the expression databases, the integration of QTL and gene expression analyses seems to have potential as a high‐throughput strategy for moving from QTL to QTG.
Baclofen for Alcohol Dependence: A Preliminary Open‐Label Study
Authors: Flannery Barbara A. , Garbutt James C. , Cody Meghan W. , Renn William , Grace Kathy , Osborne Michael , Crosby Ken , Morreale Mary , Trivette Amy 
Published: October 2004

Background: Recent preclinical and clinical studies have shown that the γ‐aminobutyric acid‐B agonist baclofen may be an effective treatment for reducing alcohol consumption. This preliminary open‐label investigation examined the tolerability and effect of a 30‐mg daily baclofen dose for reducing drinking, subclinical anxiety and depressive symptoms, and craving in alcohol‐dependent subjects.Methods: Nine men and three women participated in a 12‐week trial during which they took baclofen on a 10 mg thrice‐daily regimen and received four sessions of motivational enhancement therapy. Each participant received a comprehensive physical and psychiatric screening before being enrolled. At each visit, side effects were monitored with a revised version of the Systematic Assessment of Treatment Emergent Events–General Inquiry, and drinking data were collected via the timeline follow‐back interview. Participants also completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale at each visit.Results: Baclofen was reasonably tolerated. Two participants discontinued because of side effects. No serious adverse events were noted. Six other individuals did not complete the trial. Overall, there were statistically significant reductions in the number of drinks per drinking day and the number of heavy‐drinking days, and there was an increase in the number of abstinent days. Significant decreases in anxiety and craving were also shown.Conclusions: These findings suggest that baclofen is reasonably tolerated in an alcohol‐dependent population, although the high dropout rate in the study is of concern. Baclofen may be effective for the reduction of drinking, anxiety, and craving for some alcohol‐dependent individuals. A larger‐scale placebo‐controlled study is needed to further explore these effects and to determine the characteristics of those who respond to this medication.
Impairment on a Simulated Gambling Task in Long‐Term Abstinent Alcoholics
Authors: Fein G , Klein L , Finn P 
Published: October 2004

Background: Recent research indicates that currently active or recently detoxified substance abusers make more disadvantageous decisions on a simulated gambling task (SGT). This study expands on the current literature by using the SGT to examine decision making in long‐term abstinent alcoholics (mean of 6.6 years’ abstinence) who do not have antisocial personality disorder or a history of conduct disorder.Methods: A total of 102 subjects (58 controls and 44 abstinent alcoholics) were tested on the SGT, in which subjects choose cards from 4 different decks that vary in terms of the magnitude of the immediate win (large or small) and the magnitude of long‐term loss (large or small). The association of SGT performance with alcohol use variables, with the number of externalizing symptoms, and with personality measures of social deviance was examined.Results: Compared with controls, long‐term abstinent alcohol‐dependent subjects had more externalizing symptoms, had personality profiles associated with a proneness to social deviance, and made more disadvantageous decisions on the SGT. The magnitude of disadvantageous decision making was associated with the duration of peak alcohol use but was associated with only one measure (low socialization) of socially deviant personality traits.Conclusions: The results suggest that alcoholics can achieve long‐term abstinence despite persistent deficits in decision making and abnormal personality profiles. The decision‐making deficits either may be the result of long‐term alcoholism or may reflect a factor predisposing to alcoholism that persists with abstinence. The possibility is raised that alcoholics who cannot achieve long‐term abstinence are even more impaired on their decision making and have more abnormal personality profiles than the abstinent alcoholics studied here.
Rapid Intake of Alcohol (Binge Drinking) Inhibits Platelet Adhesion to Fibrinogen Under Flow
Authors: de Lange Dylan W. , Hijmering Michael L. , Lorsheyd Anouk , Scholman Wilco L.G. , Kraaijenhagen Rob J. , Akkerman Jan‐Willem N. , van de Wiel Albert 
Published: October 2004

Background: Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with decreased mortality from cardiovascular disease. Drinking large amounts in a short period (binge drinking) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity. We tested whether rapid consumption of a large dose of alcohol affects platelet aggregation and adhesion.Methods: Healthy volunteers (n= 20) were asked to drink three glasses of alcohol or red wine in a 45‐min period. Thereafter, another 45 min was allowed for absorption of alcohol. Ninety minutes after the start of the experiment, blood was collected. This entire cycle was repeated once, resulting in consumption of six alcohol‐containing drinks in 3 hr. Adenosine‐diphosphate (ADP)‐induced aggregation was measured and platelet adhesion to fibrinogen and collagen was measured in a perfusion chamber at shear rates of 300/sec and 1600/sec. Platelet coverage and aggregate size were measured.Results: Acute alcohol intake significantly increased platelet aggregation in suspension when stimulated with low concentrations of ADP (0.1 and 0.5 μg/ml). This effect was not observed when consuming red wine. In contrast, adhesion to fibrinogen was significantly inhibited by alcohol but not red wine at high shear rate after six drinks (p= 0.025). The inhibition was accompanied by a reduction in aggregate size at 90 and 180 min after the start of the experiment. Adhesion to collagen was not altered by either alcohol or red wine.Conclusions: Rapid intake of alcohol increases platelet aggregation, which might contribute to the increased mortality associated with binge drinking. Red wine does not show increased platelet aggregation, which might support the reduction of cardiovascular disease in red wine consumers. However, alcohol inhibits platelet adhesion to fibrinogen‐coated surface under flow. The diminished adhesion might contribute to the cardioprotective effects of alcohol.
Development of Alcoholic Fatty Liver and Fibrosis in Rhesus Monkeys Fed a Low n‐3 Fatty Acid Diet
Authors: Pawlosky Robert J. , Salem Norman 
Published: October 2004

Background: The amount and type of dietary fat seem to be important factors that modulate the development of alcohol‐induced liver steatosis and fibrosis. Various alcohol‐feeding studies in animals have been used to model some of the symptoms that occur in liver disease in humans.Methods: Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were maintained on a diet that had a very low concentration of α‐linolenic acid and were given free access to an artificially sweetened 7% ethanol solution. Control and ethanol‐consuming animals were maintained on a diet in which the linoleate content was adequate (1.4% of energy); however, α‐linoleate represented only 0.08% of energy. Liver specimens were obtained, and the fatty acid composition of the liver phospholipids, cholesterol esters, and triglycerides of the two groups were compared at 5 years and histopathology of tissue samples were compared at 3 and 5 years.Results: The mean consumption of ethanol for this group over a 5‐year period was 2.4 g · kg−1· day−1. As a consequence of the ethanol‐dietary treatment, there were significantly lower concentrations of several polyunsaturated fatty acids in the liver phospholipids of the alcohol‐treated group, including arachidonic acid and most of the n‐3 fatty acids and particularly docosahexaenoic acid, when compared with dietary controls. Liver specimens from animals in the ethanol group at 5 years showed a marked degree of steatosis, both focal and diffuse cellular necrosis, and an increase in the development of fibrosis compared with specimens obtained at 3 years and with those from dietary controls, in which there was no evidence of fibrotic lesions.Conclusion: These findings suggest that the advancement of ethanol‐induced liver disease in rhesus monkeys may be modulated by the amount and type of dietary essential fatty acids and that a marginal intake of n‐3 fatty acids may be a permissive factor in the development of liver disease in primates.