bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fibrinogen induces chemotactic activity in endothelial cells
Authors: Seeger F. H. , Blessing E. , Gu L. , Bornhold R. , Denger S. , Kreuzer J. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTChemotaxis of blood monocytes into the vessel wall together with the change of the relative content of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins at sites of predilection is an early cellular marker of atherogenesis. To examine the influence of ECM proteins on secretion of chemoattractants by endothelial cells (EC), porcine EC were seeded on gelatin (G), fibronectin (Fn) and fibrinogen (Fg). After 24 h cells seeded on G and Fn showed the histiotypic ‘cobblestone’‐morphology whereas cells seeded on Fg did not. Chemotactic activity for monocytes in supernatants from cells seeded on Fg was more than two‐fold higher compared with G and was independent of soluble Fn or Fg in the supernatant. Quantification of monocyte chemoattracting protein‐1, PDGF‐AB and IL‐8 in EC supernatants showed that Fg led to a significant increase in secretion of all three proteins compared with cells cultured on G.Preincubation of porcine EC with the tripeptide arginine–glycine–aspartic acid, as inhibitor of binding of Fg to integrin receptors, but not with the control tripeptide arginine–glycine–glutamic acid showed a decrease in chemotactic activity for cells cultured on Fg but not on Fn or G. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) activity in EC by GF109203 resulted in a decrease of fibrinogen‐induced chemotactic activity. Also the tyrosine‐kinase inhibitor herbimycin inhibited fibrinogen mediated secretion of chemokines. The role of the PKC pathway for matrix mediated signal transduction is further corroborated by Fg‐dependent induction of the PKC isoformδ. These data indicate an integrin‐dependent signal transduction pathway leading to induction of chemotactic activity by the ECM protein fibrinogen. This mechanism may contribute to induction of chemokines in early atherosclerotic lesions.
Calcium homeostasis and glucose uptake of murine myotubes exposed to insulin, caffeine and 4‐chloro‐m‐cresol
Authors: Freymond D. , Guignet R. , Lhote P. , Passaquin A.‐C. , Rüegg U. T. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTThe modulation of glucose uptake by cytosolic calcium and the role of insulin on calcium homeostasis in insulin‐target cells are incompletely understood and results are contradictory. To address this issue, we used the C2C12 murine skeletal muscle cell line model and examined the influence of caffeine and 4‐chloro‐m‐cresol, two ryanodine receptor agonists known to mobilize intracellular calcium stores and increase cytosolic free calcium concentration. We followed 45calcium efflux, a validated indicator of cytosolic calcium concentration, and 3‐O‐methyl‐[1–3H]‐d‐glucose uptake in parallel. We also determined if insulin incubation affected 45calcium influx rate. A 30‐min treatment by 1 μm insulin highly significantly increased 45calcium efflux by 8.5% (P = 0.0014), despite a significant reduction of 45Ca2+ influx already measurable after 20 and 30 min of insulin stimulation (−16.6%, P = 0.0119 and −21.3%, P = 0.0047, respectively). Caffeine (1–20 mm) and 4‐chloro‐m‐cresol (0.05–10 mm) concentration‐dependently increased 45calcium efflux, the latter being more potent and efficacious. These agents, in a concentration‐dependent manner, inhibited both basal and, more potently, insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake. This resulted in a negative correlation of glucose uptake and 45calcium efflux (r > 0.95, P < 0.001). This effect was ∼5 times greater for caffeine than for 4‐chloro‐m‐cresol, suggesting a calcium‐independent part of the glucose uptake inhibition by caffeine. In our in vitro model of cultured muscle cells, insulin appears to prevent calcium overload by both stimulating efflux and inhibiting cell storage. This effect, taken together with the observed inhibitory, inverse relationship between 45calcium efflux and glucose uptake, contributes to describing the complex insulin–calcium interplay involved in target cells.
Elephant utilization of Colophospermum mopane: possible benefits of hedging
Authors: Smallie J. J. , O'connor T. G. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe pattern of utilization of Colophospermum mopane by elephant was investigated in a semi‐arid savanna, the Venetia‐Limpopo Nature Reserve, South Africa, using an animal‐based approach. C. mopane is a staple food item in the diet of elephant, with most individual trees being utilized lightly (< 10% of biomass removed). Utilization of branch, foliage and main stems accounted for most of the utilization of trees < 4 m high whilst utilization of bark accounted for the majority of utilization of trees > 4 m high. The most preferred height of utilization of branches was < 1 m above ground level, reflecting the short stature of C. mopane in the study area. Elephant selected C. mopane trees < 2 m in height that had been previously utilized by them; specifically trees where the terminal part of the main stem had been previously broken and had been coppiced (hedging). The preferred size range of branches utilized by elephant was 0.946–1.718 cm in diameter; hedged C. mopane trees in the 1–2 m category had, on average, significantly more branches within this size range than non‐hedged trees. This hedging of C. mopane appears to have increased the availability of a preferred food item.
Resource availability and distribution patterns, indicators of competition between Macrotermes bellicosus and other macro‐detritivores in the Comoé National Park, Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Korb Judith , Linsenmair Karl Eduard 
Published: March 2003

AbstractInterspecific competition has rarely been demonstrated in field studies. For it to occur a resource must be in limited supply and potential competitors must be concurrently active in time and space. We studied the availability of plant litter during the course of the year and the activity and distribution of macro‐detritivores (termites, diplopods and earthworms) in two habitats in a Guinea savanna (Côte d'Ivoire), to test whether interspecific competition might be important. Plant litter was limited during the rainy season in the savanna, but was never limited in the gallery forest. The termite Macrotermes bellicosus, the dominant macro‐detritivore in this area, and other detritivorous termites (e.g. Microtermes spp., Ancistrotermes spp., Odontotermes spp.) were active all year round with a peak during the rainy season, when diplopods and earthworms were also active. In the savanna at the beginning of the rainy season when food became limiting, other detritivorous termite species were more active in the absence of M. bellicosus than in its presence. This complementary activity pattern of M. bellicosus and other termites indicates that interspecific competition among detritivorous termites may be occurring. However, the spatio‐temporal distribution of diplopods and earthworms suggests that interspecific competition with M. bellicosus is of minor importance.
Review article: volume expansion in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Henriksen J. H. , Kiszka‐Kanowitz M. , Bendtsen F. , Møller S. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryAdequate size and distribution of the circulating medium are important for cardiovascular function, tissue oxygenation, and fluid homoeostasis. Patients with cirrhosis have cardiovascular dysfunction with a hyperkinetic systemic circulation, abnormal distribution of the blood volume, vasodilation with low systemic vascular resistance, increased whole‐body vascular compliance, and increased arterial compliance. The effectiveness and temporal relations of plasma/blood volume expansion depend highly on the type of load (water, saline, oncotic material, red blood cells).Patients with cirrhosis respond in some aspects differently from healthy subjects, owing to their disturbed circulatory function and neurohormonal activation. Thus the increase in cardiac output and suppression of the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system and sympathetic nervous system during volume expansion may be somewhat blunted, and in advanced cirrhosis, especially the non‐central parts of the circulation, including the splanchnic blood volume, are expanded by a volume load. Infusion of oncotic material (preferably albumin) is important in the prevention of post‐paracentesis circulatory dysfunction.In conclusion, volume expansion in advanced cirrhosis is qualitatively and quantitatively different from that of healthy subjects, and in those with early cirrhosis. Timely handling is essential, but difficult as it is a balance between the risks of excess extravascular volume loading and further circulatory dysfunction in these patients with a hyperdynamic, but hyporeactive, circulation.
Esomeprazole 20 mg and lansoprazole 15 mg in maintaining healed reflux oesophagitis: Metropole study results
Authors: Lauritsen K. , Devière J. , Bigard M.‐A. , Bayerdörffer E. , Mózsik G. , Murray F. , KristjánsdÓttir S. , Savarino V. , Vetvik K. , De Freitas D. , Orive V. , Rodrigo L. , Fried M. , Morris J. , Schneider H. , Eklund S. , Larkö A. 
Published: March 2003

Introduction : Esomeprazole, the first proton pump inhibitor to be developed as an optical isomer, has demonstrated more effective healing vs. omeprazole and lansoprazole in patients with reflux oesophagitis (RO). However, RO recurs in a high proportion (∼80%) of these patients within 12 months of initial therapy, highlighting the importance of maintenance treatment. Previous studies have shown esomeprazole to be effective as maintenance therapy in healed RO patients.Aim:  This study was conducted to compare esomeprazole 20 mg once daily (o.d.) with lansoprazole 15 mg o.d. for the prevention of recurrence of RO.Methods:  1391 patients with endoscopically verified RO (LA classification) were enrolled in this randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group, multicentre trial. During the initial healing phase of the study, all patients received 4–8 weeks' open treatment with esomeprazole 40 mg: 1236 healed (identified by endoscopy at 4 and 8 weeks) and symptom‐free (i.e. no heartburn or acid regurgitation) patients were randomized to 6 months' maintenance treatment with esomeprazole 20 mg o.d. or lansoprazole 15 mg o.d.. Time to relapse (relapse of RO and/or discontinuation due to symptom recurrence) was analysed using a log‐rank test.Results:  Esomeprazole maintained a significantly higher proportion of patients in remission than lansoprazole over the 6‐month course of treatment (P < 0.0001, intention‐to‐treat analysis). After 6 months' treatment, 83% of esomeprazole recipients were in remission compared with 74% of lansoprazole recipients (life‐table estimates). Esomeprazole gave a longer time to relapse than lansoprazole irrespective of baseline LA Grade, significantly so for baseline LA Grades B, C and D (P < 0.05 for each comparison). Significantly more patients were free from heartburn in the esomeprazole group compared with the lansoprazole group at 1, 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05). Significant differences at 6 months between esomeprazole 20 mg o.d. and lansoprazole 15 mg o.d. were also observed for control of epigastric pain and acid regurgitation (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Both treatment regimens were well tolerated.Conclusion:  Esomeprazole 20 mg o.d. is a more effective maintenance treatment than lansoprazole 15 mg o.d. for symptom‐free patients with healed RO.
Amoxycillin resistance is one reason for failure of amoxycillin–omeprazole treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Dore  , Piana  , Carta  , Atzei  , Are  , Mura  , Massarelli  , Maida  , Sepulveda  , Graham  , Realdi  
Published: March 2003

Background:The efficacy of omeprazole and amoxycillin dual therapy to treat Helicobacter pylori infection has been inconsistent, suggesting the presence of host or bacterial factors influencing treatment success. The aim of this study was to assess the role of pre‐treatment amoxycillin resistance in the efficacy of omeprazole and amoxycillin dual therapy.Methods:We studied 43 consecutive dyspeptic patients with H. pylori infection. Pre‐treatment H. pylori infection was established by the combination of positive rapid urease test, culture and histology. Amoxycillin susceptibility testing was performed by an Epsilometer test (E‐test) method and amoxycillin resistance was defined as minimum inhibitory concentration greater than 8 μg/mL. Patients received 20 mg omeprazole twice daily for 28 days and amoxycillin 1000 mg twice daily for 2 weeks. Adverse effects were documented using a questionnaire. H. pylori status was reassessed 6–8 weeks after the end of treatment by rapid urease testing and histological examination of gastric biopsies.Results:Forty‐two dyspeptic patients completed the study, and one patient dropped out. H. pylori infection was cured in 23 of 42 patients (55%). The cure rate was higher in patients harbouring amoxycillin‐sensitive organisms than in those with resistant strains: 66% (19/29) vs. 31% (4/13), respectively (P = 0.049). No significant differences in cure rates were evident in relation to age, sex, smoking habits or compliance.Conclusions:The effectiveness of amoxycillin–omeprazole dual therapy was greatly reduced in the presence of pre‐treatment amoxycillin‐resistant H. pylori. The success rate in patients with amoxycillin‐sensitive H. pylori was only 66%, suggesting the presence of additional factors affecting the efficacy of this therapy.
Gastrointestinal pH profiles in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Press  , Hauptmann  , Hauptmann  , Fuchs  , Fuchs  , Ewe  , Ramadori  
Published: March 2003

Background:5‐Amino salicylic acid preparations are used in therapy for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. The bioavailability of these drugs depends on their coating.Aim:To determine whether intraluminal pH is decreased by the presence of inflammation, thereby altering the release of 5‐amino salicylic acid in the intestinal lumen.Methods:Intraluminal gastrointestinal pH was measured by means of a radiotelemetry capsule in 12 healthy controls, in 12 patients with Crohn’s disease (five with active disease), and in 11 patients with ulcerative colitis (seven with active disease).Results:The median gastric pH values in the patient groups (Crohn’s disease 2.4, range 1.5–4.1; ulcerative colitis 1.95, range 1.55–4.4) were significantly higher than those observed in the controls (1.55, range 0.95–2.6). In the small bowel and colonic segments, all the pH values of Crohn’s disease patients were comparable to those of the controls, as were the pH values in the proximal small intestine and in the left colon in patients with ulcerative colitis. However, the latter group had higher pH values in the terminal ileum, the caecum and the right colon. Patients with active disease had comparable median gastrointestinal pH values to patients in remission.Conclusions:The luminal release of 5‐amino salicylic acid might not be inhibited by low pH in patients with active inflammatory bowel diseases. This supports a safe disintegration of the slow release mesalazine preparations even in the presence of severe disease.
Helicobacter pylori‐positive peptic ulcer patients do not adapt to aspirin
Authors: Konturek J. W. , Konturek S. J. , Stachura J. , Domschke W. 
Published: March 2003

Background:Recent studies indicate that eradication of Helicobacter pylori might prevent peptic ulcer formation in patients treated with non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). On the other hand, gastric adaptation after repeated exposures to aspirin (ASA) is well documented but the influence of H. pylori on this process remains to be elucidated.Aim:To compare gastric damage and adaptation following repeated exposures to ASA in a group of patients with H. pylori infection, before and after eradication of the bacterium, and in H. pylori‐negative controls.Methods:Eight healthy volunteers without H. pylori infection and eight patients with duodenal ulcer (DU) history and H. pylori infection before and after H. pylori eradication were given ASA 2 g/day for a period of 14 days. Mucosal damage was evaluated by endoscopy and histology of biopsy samples. Gastric microbleeding, DNA synthesis in the gastric mucosa and mucosal expression, as well as luminal content of transforming growth factor‐α (TGFα) were determined on days 0, 3, 7 and 14 of the ASA course.Results:In all patients aspirin‐induced gastric damage reached a maximum on day 3. In H. pylori‐positive patients, this damage was maintained at a similar level up to day 14, whereas in H. pylori‐negative controls and H. pylori‐eradicated patients this damage significantly lessened on day 14 and was accompanied by elevated DNA synthesis as well as increased mucosal expression and luminal release of TGFα.Conclusions: H. pylori‐positive DU patients do not adapt to continued administration of ASA but eradication of the bacterium restores adaptation. This phenomenon deserves further clinical evaluation.
Equipotent inhibition of gastric acid secretion by equal doses of oral or intravenous pantoprazole
Authors: Hartmann  , Ehrlich  , Fuder  , Lühmann  , Emeklibas  , Timmer  , Wurst  , Lücker  
Published: March 2003

Background:Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor characterized by a low potential to interact with the cytochrome P450 system, and linear pharmacokinetics. The recommended oral dose for treatment of acid‐related diseases is 40 mg.Methods:Using a randomized, crossover study design we compared the ability of 40 mg oral and intravenous pantoprazole to elevate the intragastric pH in healthy volunteers (n = 20, ‘per protocol’), during two treatment phases. The duration of each phase was 5 days. Pantoprazole 40 mg was administered once daily either as a tablet or as an intravenous injection. A 24 h pH‐metry was used to record the intragastric pH on day 5 of each regimen; this was compared to the baseline curve obtained before each study period. The calculated 90% confidence intervals (90% CI) represent the mean difference in the intragastric pH, attained after intravenous or oral administration. The predefined equivalence range for the 90% CI was ± 20% for the percentage time at which the gastric pH was at least pH 3 or 4 and ± 1 unit for the median pH.Results:Pantoprazole was well tolerated during both treatment phases. The mean of the 24 h median pH was 3.3 and 3.1 for the intravenous and oral treatments, respectively; the corresponding differences were 0.2 (90% CI: – 0.03 to 0.44). For the mean percentage time at which the pH was 3 or above, the respective calculated values were 57% and 51%, with a difference between the two administration routes of only 5.7% (90% CI: 1.8 to 9.6). At an intragastric pH of 4 or above, the mean percentage time was 42% and 38% following intravenous and oral treatment, respectively, with a difference between the treatment routes of only 4.4% (90% CI: 0.6 to 8.3).Conclusions:These results imply that the two formulations of pantoprazole can be assumed to be equipotent. Hence, the intravenous formulation of pantoprazole could be considered as an alternative route of administration.
Review article: the management of inflammatory bowel disease during pregnancy
Authors: Subhani  , Hamiliton  
Published: March 2003

The management of inflammatory bowel disease during pregnancy is a particular challenge because adequate disease control before and during gestation is essential for both maternal and foetal health. As a practical problem this situation arises frequently, because a quarter of patients conceive after the diagnosis of their disease.Many of the clinical, biochemical, radiological and endoscopic investigations that are used to monitor and assess disease activity are difficult to use and interpret during pregnancy. Furthermore, patients and clinicians often have concerns about the safety of medical and surgical treatments for the foetus.This review is designed for the practising clinician, to guide the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease before and during pregnancy. The literature is at times conflicting and data on some issues are scanty, therefore recommendations are based on the balance of evidence including, if necessary, extrapolation from other conditions.
Prevention of post‐operative recurrence of Crohn’s disease requires adequate mucosal concentration of mesalazine
Authors: FRIERI  , PIMPO  , ANDREOLI  , ANNESE  , COMBERLATO  , CORRAO  , PALUMBO  , STURNIOLO  , TONELLI  , CAPRILLI  ,   GRUPPO ITALIANO PER LO STUDIO DEL COLON E DEL RETTO
Published: March 2003

Background: Surgical resection of Crohn’s disease is followed by early recurrence in a high percentage of patients. Mesalazine has been shown to be effective in the prevention of post‐operative recurrence, but some 50% of patients under treatment recur at 3 years of follow‐up.Aim: To establish whether the mucosal concentration of mesalazine might affect the development of post‐operative recurrence.Methods: Colon‐ileoscopy was performed in 25 consecutive patients resected for Crohn’s disease. The mean time from surgery was 14 months. After the operation, all patients were taking oral mesalazine (Asacol, 2.4 g/day). Ten patients showed signs of endoscopic recurrence (apthae, ulcers, narrowing of the lumen) in the neoterminal ileum, five of whom also showed juxta‐anastomotic colonic involvement. Fifteen patients were free of recurrence. At endoscopy, four biopsies were taken from the perianastomotic area (two specimens at the ileal site and two specimens at the colonic site of the anastomosis). The specimens were weighed and immediately frozen at −80 °C. Mesalazine concentration (ng/mg) was measured in tissue homogenates by high‐ performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Fisher’s exact test was used for the statistical analysis.Results: The mean value of mucosal mesalazine concentration, expressed as ng/mg of tissue, was significantly lower in patients with recurrence than in those without recurrence both in the ileum (mean ± s.d.: 21.6 ± 28.3 vs. 70.9 ± 47.4; P = 0.007) and in the colon (25.8 ± 26.4 vs. 60.3 ± 32.5; P = 0.010).Conclusions: The mucosal conentration of mesalazine in the juxta‐anastomatic area is significantly lower in patients with recurrence than in those free of recurrence. These data could suggest an association between mucosal mesalazine concentrations and the clinical effectiveness of the drug.