bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altered myosin isoform expression in rat skeletal muscles induced by a changed thyroid state
Authors: Wahrmann J. P. , Fulla Y. , Rieu M. , Kahn A. , Dinh‐Xuan A. T. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTThe aim of our study was to find out, which are the thyroid linked mechanisms responsible for the changes in myosin isoform composition which accompany endurance training (ET) in rodents. We studied the interaction between ET and altered sedentary group with no thyroid treatment or Se group. Six groups of rats were compared: (1) a trained group with no thyroid treatment or T group; (2) a thyroid state in rats; (3) a sedentary group rendered hypothyroid with 6‐n‐propyl thio uracil (H); (4) a sedentary group rendered hyperthyroid with T3 (150 μg kg−1 every other day for 4 weeks) (St); (5) trained rats rendered hyperthyroid with T3 (150 μg kg−1 every other day for 4 weeks) (Tt) and (6) a trained group kept euthyroid with T3 (150 ng kg−1 every other day for 4 weeks) (Te). In each group myosin isoform composition was determined in five muscles, three locomotor muscles: (1) extensor digitorum longus, (2) superficial lateral gastrocnemius, (3) deep medial gastrocnemius, (4) an antigravity muscle, the soleus and (5) a rhytmic respiratory muscle, the crural diaphragm. Different muscles responded in a specific way to variations of the thyroid state and training.
Central angiotensin modulation of baroreflex control of renal sympathetic nerve activity in the rat: influence of dietary sodium
Authors: DiBona G. F. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim:  Administration of angiotensin II (angII) into the cerebral ventricles or specific brain sites impairs arterial baroreflex regulation of renal sympathetic nerve activity (SNA). Further insight into this effect was derived from: (a) using specific non‐peptide angII receptor antagonists to assess the role of endogenous angII acting on angII receptor subtypes, (b) microinjection of angII receptor antagonists into brain sites behind an intact blood–brain barrier to assess the role of endogenous angII of brain origin and (c) alterations in dietary sodium intake, a known physiological regulator of activity of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), to assess the ability to physiologically regulate the activity of the brain RAS.Methods:  In rats in balance on low, normal or dietary sodium intake, losartan or candesartan was injected into the lateral cerebral ventricle or the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and the effects on basal renal SNA and the arterial baroreflex sigmoidal relationship between renal SNA and arterial pressure were determined.Results:  With both routes of administration, the effects were proportional to the activity of the RAS as indexed by plasma renin activity (PRA). The magnitude of both the decrease in basal renal SNA and the parallel resetting of arterial baroreflex regulation of renal SNA to a lower arterial pressure was greatest in low‐sodium rats with highest PRA and least in high‐sodium rats with lowest PRA. Disinhibition of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) by injection of bicuculline causes pressor, tachycardic and renal sympathoexcitatory responses mediated via an angiotensinergic projection from PVN to RVLM. In comparison with responses in normal sodium rats, these responses were greatly diminished in high‐sodium rats and greatly enhanced in low‐sodium rats.Conclusion:  Physiological changes in the activity of the RAS produced by alterations in dietary sodium intake regulate the contribution of endogenous angII of brain origin in the modulation of arterial baroreflex regulation of renal SNA.
Endemicity of Afromontane grasshopper assemblages: implications for grassland conservation
Authors: Foord S. H. , Ferguson J. W. H. , Van Jaarsveld A. S. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe Drakensberg escarpment in southern Africa is extensively afforested with pine plantations. The Afromontane grasslands in this area have large numbers of endemic plant taxa, but very little is known of their invertebrate fauna. We report on the microgeographical and broad‐scale geographical characteristics of grasshoppers and their allies (Orthoptera) at the Groenvaly grassland fragmentation experiment site, South Africa. Pre‐fragmentation sampling indicates that control sites and experimental fragments were comparable at the start of the experiment. Of the surveyed species (total 31 species) 25% are endemic to this grassland with another 33% occurring more widely in montane grasslands of south‐eastern South Africa. The level of orthopteran endemicity is therefore similar to that of plants, emphasizing the conservation importance of this threatened habitat. There was a significant inverse relation between the degree of stenotopy of a species within the study site and its geographical range in southern Africa, with implications for interpreting the conservation importance of taxonomically and geographically unknown taxa such as the beetles (Coleoptera) in the Afromontane grassland. This information on endemicity of the Afromontane Orthoptera indicates that these grasslands harbour a diverse endemic fauna representing a significant part of southern African biodiversity.
Gastrin interferes with the differentiation of gastric pit cells and parietal cells
Authors: Nakajima T. , Konda Y. , Izumi Y. , Kanai M. , Takeuchi T. , Chiba T. 
Published: March 2003

Background:Gastrin is known to have stimulatory effects on gastric mucosa; however, long‐term effect of gastrin stimulation is not well known.Aim and methods:To investigate the long‐term effect of hypergastrinaemia, we established hypergastrinaemic transgenic mice by introducing a mutated human gastrin gene. Homozygously transgene‐expressing mice showed serum gastrin levels of more than 600 pg/mL.Results:Neither progastrin nor glycine‐extended gastrin titre elevation were observed in hypergastrinaemic transgenic mice. Stomachs from the 30–35‐week‐old transgenic mice were 30–50% heavier and their mucosa were markedly thicker than those of the controls. The hypertrophic gastric mucosa of hypergastrinaemic transgenic mice consisted of elongated pits with widespread proliferative zones, and comprised depleted glandular regions. In situ hybridization study indicated that expression of H, K‐ATPase mRNA in parietal cells of hypergastrinaemic transgenic mice was markedly decreased. By gastrin binding assay in vivo, specific gastrin binding sites were observed in the mid‐glandular region of hypergastrinaemic transgenic mice that consisted mainly of prepit cells.Conclusions:These results suggest that long‐term stimulation of gastrin increases the expression of CCK‐B/gastrin receptors in the less‐differentiated pit cells that are the main component of elongated gastric units, and lessens the well‐differentiated characteristics of parietal cells.
Analysis of Helicobacter pylori and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐induced gastric epithelial injury
Authors: Igarashi M. , Takagi A. , Jiang X. , Hasumi K. , Watanabe S. , Deguchi R. , Miwa T. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Helicobacter pylori and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are important factors in gastric mucosal injury. However, the relationship between H. pylori and NSAID‐related gastroduodenal mucosal injury has not been clarified.Aim:To determine the role of H. pylori in NSAID‐induced gastric mucosal injury and to examine the effects of H. pylori, indomethacin and sofalcone on gastric epithelial cells in culture, as a useful model to study gastric mucosal injury. In addition, we studied the effect of sofalcone, a gastric mucosal protection agent, on H. pylori and NSAID‐induced gastric mucosal injury.Methods:Cytotoxic and noncytotoxic strains of H. pylori were used, each with an inoculum of 107 cfu/mL. The effect on the growth of RGM–1 cells (a rat gastric epithelial cell line) was studied by MTT assay, and levels of prostaglandin E2 in culture supernatants were measured by EIA.Results:Both cytotoxic and noncytotoxic strains of H. pylori tended to induce cell injury in RGM‐1 cells at 48 h after inoculation. Indomethacin alone induced gastric epithelial injury in a dose‐dependent manner, but did not augment cell injury induced by H. pylori. In addition, sofalcone (10−5 mol/L) showed a suppressive effect on indomethacin‐induced gastric epithelial injury.Conclusion:These findings indicate that indomethacin induces gastric mucosal injury regardless of H. pylori infection, and suggests that sofalcone may be a useful drug in the treatment of NSAID‐induced mucosal injury.
Medical treatment of active Crohn's disease
Authors: Scribano M. L. , Prantera C. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryCrohn's disease, a heterogenous inflammatory process that can affect various sites in the gut, presents an ongoing management challenge for the clinician. The treatment of active disease and complications is one of the main goals in the therapy of this disease. New therapies are aimed at delivering the active compounds to the diseased site, reduction or suppression of enteral flora and modulation of more focal targets within the immune response.The use of antibiotics in the therapy of Crohn's disease is gaining popularity, on the grounds that intestinal bacteria may play a role in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease lesions. Metronidazole is one of the most widely used antibiotics, especially in the treatment of perianal disease.Corticosteroids are the mainstays of medical treatment in active Crohn's disease and induce the remission of symptoms in about 60–80% of patients.The use of immunosuppressive agents, such as cyclosporine and methotrexate, in patients with active disease resistant to standard therapy has gained acceptance in recent years.With new therapies the outlook for patients with Crohn's disease is more optimistic than it has been for a long time.
Crohn's disease – the role of nutritional therapy
Authors: Forbes A. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryMaintenance of adequate nutrition is of obvious importance in the management of patients with Crohn's disease. Exclusive parenteral nutrition can achieve high rates of remission, but this is not usually necessary since exclusive elemental and polymeric enteral regimes can yield similarly good results. Comparison of exclusive enteral formula feeding with steroid treatment favours steroids only because compliance is less complete for the restrictive nutritional regimes, and formula feeds should always be the first choice in the growing child with active Crohn's disease. It is probable that the nature of the lipid provided in Crohn's diets is clinically important, and there is some evidence that the n‐3 fatty acids are beneficial. Continuation of nutritional supplements once remission has been obtained appears valuable even when malnutrition is not a major consideration.
Randomized comparison of 1‐hour topical method vs. amoxycillin plus omeprazole for eradication of Helicobacter pylori in duodenal ulcer patients
Authors: Przytulski  , Regula  , Dziurkowska‐Marek  , Kohut  , Hennig  , Marek  , Ostrowski  , Nowak  , Butruk  
Published: March 2003

Background:A novel 1‐h topical method eradicated Helicobacter pylori in 96% of dyspeptic patients. The eradication rate of amoxycillin/omeprazole therapy varies from 0 to 93%.Aim:To compare both methods in patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcer.Methods:Eighty patients (59 males, 21 females; median age 43 years) were randomized into two therapeutic groups. The first group (group A) was treated with a 6‐week course of ranitidine 300 mg/day, then omeprazole 20 mg b.d. with pronase 36 000 units/day for 2 days, followed by 1‐h topical therapy with a solution of bismuth, metronidazole, amoxycillin and pronase. The second group (group B) consisted of patients treated with omeprazole 20 mg b.d. and amoxycillin 2 g/day for 2 weeks, followed by a 4‐week course of ranitidine 300 mg/day. Eradication of H.␣pylori was assessed by urease test, histology, a polymerase chain reaction and a 13C‐urea breath test, all of which were performed 4 weeks after discontinuation of the antibacterial treatment.Results:Eradication rates in groups A and B were 2.5% and 35% in an intention‐to‐treat analysis, respectively. Side‐effects were encountered in 40.5% and 12.5% of subjects in groups A and B, respectively. Treatment tolerance was rated as poor by 54% of patients in group A and 2.5% of patients in group B.Conclusions:Both treatment regimens, the 1‐h topical method and amoxycillin with omeprazole, have low eradication rates in patients with duodenal ulcer. In addition, the topical treatment is characterized by a high rate of side‐effects and poor tolerance. Based on the results of our study, neither method can be recommended for eradication of H. pylori in patients with duodenal ulcer.
Antibiotic prophylaxis for ERCP: a comparison of oral ciprofloxacin with intravenous cephazolin in the prophylaxis of high‐risk patients
Authors: Davis  , Kolios  , Alveyn  , Robertson  
Published: March 2003

Background:Cholangitis and septicaemia are serious complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). They occur mainly following therapeutic ERCP in the setting of an obstructed biliary system. The optimum prophylactic antibiotic regimen in such patients is not yet defined but usually depends on intravenous agents.Aim:To compare the efficacy of oral ciprofloxacin with intravenous cephazolin.Methods:One hundred and fifty patients at high risk from septic complications were randomized prospectively to either oral ciprofloxacin (750 mg b.d.) or intravenous cephazolin (1 g b.d.), commenced at least 90 min prior to the ERCP and continued for 3 days. Bacteriological cultures were taken from bile during the procedure and from blood both immediately and at 24 h post‐procedure.Results:There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups in the pre‐ERCP clinical or radiological findings or in the types of procedure performed. One patient did not undergo an ERCP and was excluded from the final analysis. Of the 77 patients in the ciprofloxacin group there were no positive blood cultures and one positive culture from a nasobiliary drain. Two out of the 72 cephazolin patients had positive blood cultures immediately post‐ERCP; one of these two patients and one other cephazolin patient had positive bile cultures. There were no cases of cholangitis or septicaemia in the ciprofloxacin group and three cases in the cephazolin group. One patient from each treatment group died within the 7‐day study. Adverse drug reactions were minimal and none of the different clinical outcomes in the two groups reached statistical significance.Conclusion:Oral ciprofloxacin is a cost‐effective prophylactic agent for high‐risk ERCP.
Comparison of omeprazole and lansoprazole in short‐term triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Spinzi  , Bierti  , Bortoli  , Colombo  , Fertitta  , Lanzi  , Venturelli  , Minoli  
Published: March 2003

Background:Effective anti‐Helicobacter pylori therapies with few side‐effects are needed.Aim:To study the effectiveness of short‐term triple therapy with amoxycillin, clarithromycin and either omeprazole or lansoprazole for eradication and healing of peptic ulcers.Methods:Patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers received amoxycillin (1 g b.d.), clarithromycin (500 mg b.d.) and lansoprazole (30 mg b.d.) (LAC) or omeprazole (20 mg b.d.) (OAC) for 7 days. Endoscopic examinations were performed before treatment and at least 4 weeks after completion of therapy. H. pylori status was confirmed by rapid urease test and histological examination (Giemsa stain) from gastric biopsies taken from both the antrum and the body.Results:A total of 356 patients were randomized in this single‐blind study. On a per protocol basis, H. pylori was eradicated in 134 of 170 patients (79%) in the lansoprazole group and in 105 of 146 (72%) in the omeprazole group (P = 0.189); and in intention‐to‐treat analysis 72% and 62%, respectively (P = 0.043). Healing of the ulcers was obtained in 166 of 186 (98%), and in 139 of 146 patients (95%), respectively (P = 0.357). Side‐effects occurred in two patients in the LAC group and in six in the OAC group B (four stopped therapy).Conclusions:This study has shown that the two regimens are highly effective in healing duodenal ulcers and are well tolerated. Neither treatment achieves the ideal cure rate for H. pylori. Lansoprazole does not appear to have a significant advantage over omeprazole either in ulcer healing or in H. pylori eradication.
Ranitidine bismuth citrate plus clarithromycin 7‐day regimen is effective in eradicating Helicobacter pylori in patients with duodenal ulcer
Authors: Pozzato  , Zagari  , Cardelli  , Catalano  , Giglio  , Lami  , Pilotto  , Scarpulla  , Spadaccini  , Susi  , Tosatto  , Olivieri  , Bazzoli  , Roda  
Published: March 2003

Background:No clinical study has been performed to‐date to evaluate the efficacy of the dual therapy of ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC) plus clarithromycin (C) 500 mg b.d. given for 7 days for the eradication of H. pylori.Aim:To assess the eradication rates achieved by treatment with RBC 400 mg b.d. for 28 days combined with clarithromycin 500 mg b.d. for 7 days in H. pylori‐positive duodenal ulcer patients. Methods: One hundred and twelve H. pylori‐positive patients with endoscopically proven active duodenal ulcer were included in a multicentre, open, randomized trial. H. pylori infection was initially detected by CLO‐test and histology on antral and corpus biopsies, and by 13C‐urea breath test (UBT). Patients were included if at least two of the tests were positive for H. pylori infection. Patients were randomized to receive RBC 400 mg b.d. for 4 weeks combined with clarithromycin 500 mg b.d. for the first 7 days (Group A) or 14 days (Group B). A second endoscopy was performed at least 28 days after the end of therapy for the assessment of ulcer healing and H. pylori infection. Eradication was assumed if all the tests (CLO‐test, histology and UBT) were negative for H. pylori.Results:Fifty patients in Group A and 55 in Group B were assessed for H. pylori eradication and ulcer healing. The eradication rates according to intention‐to‐treat analysis were 75% in Group A and 80% in Group B. Considering only those patients with evaluable data at least 28 days after the end of therapy, H. pylori eradication was achieved in 84% and 82% in Group A and B, respectively. No statistically significant difference in eradication was found between the two groups by Mantel–Haenszel test. Only one patient, in Group A, was withdrawn because of adverse events (epigastric pain and pruritus).Conclusions:Dual therapy with RBC plus clarithromycin for 7 days could be an effective regimen for H. pylori eradication.
Dialysis of the rectum for sampling drug concentrations in the luminal extracellular fluid of the gut: technique and precision
Authors: Egan  , Sandborn  , Mays  , Tremaine  , Lipsky  
Published: March 2003

Background:It is useful to measure the luminal concentration of drugs which act in the gut. Dialysis of the rectum has not previously been used or validated for this purpose.Aim:To determine the precision of rectal dialysis for measuring rectal drug concentrations.Methods:To establish the duration of dialysis required to approach equilibrium, the rate of methotrexate diffusion into dialysis bags was first determined in vitro. The precision of rectal dialysis for sampling the methotrexate concentration of colonic lumen extracellular fluid was determined in seven subjects who underwent two consecutive dialysis procedures. Subjects treated with subcutaneous methotrexate for refractory inflammatory bowel disease were studied.Results:Methotrexate crossed the dialysis membrane by a first‐order process, and after a 2 h in vitro dialysis, equilibration was 74 ± 2% (mean ± s.d.) complete. Rectal dialysis was well tolerated by all subjects. The mean ± s.e. methotrexate concentration of 3.6 ± 1.1 nmol/L in the first dialysate was not significantly different from 3.6 ± 0.9 nmol/L in the second dialysate, P = 0.99 (paired two‐tailed t‐test). Similar precision was obtained for an endogenous molecule, potassium, secreted by the rectal mucosa.Conclusions:Dialysis of the rectum is a well tolerated and precise technique for sampling the colonic lumen extracellular fluid for quantitative analyses of exogenous and endogenous substances.
Changes in Helicobacter pylori‐induced gastritis in the antrum and corpus during and after 12 months of treatment with ranitidine and lansoprazole in patients with duodenal ulcer disease
Authors: Meining  , Kiel  , Stolte  
Published: March 2003

Background:Several studies have shown that acid‐suppressing treatment leads to aggravation of Helicobacter pylori gastritis in the corpus. It remains unclear whether this augmentation of the inflammation reverts to baseline after termination of treatment.Methods:In 114 H. pylori‐infected duodenal ulcer patients we investigated the gastritis parameters in antral and corpus mucosa before treatment, after 6 and 12 months of therapy, and 6 months after termination of treatment with 15 mg lansoprazole or 150 mg ranitidine/day.Results:Lansoprazole and ranitidine led to a significant aggravation of gastritis in the corpus after 6 and 12 months of treatment. However, while there was no change in gastritis in the antrum with ranitidine, treatment with lansoprazole led to partial elimination of H. pylori with improvement of the inflammation in this part of the stomach. Following termination of therapy, the observed changes reverted to baseline. No increase in intestinal metaplasia and/or atrophy in the antrum or corpus was observed.Conclusion:Both substances are associated with an aggravation of H. pylori gastritis in the corpus. However, only lansoprazole leads to a partial elimination of H. pylori with improvement of the inflammation in the antrum. The changes provoked by acid‐suppressing treatment revert to baseline after termination of therapy.
Lansoprazole and omeprazole in the prevention of relapse of reflux oesophagitis: a long‐term comparative study
Authors: Carling  , Axelsson  , Forssell  , Stubberöd  , Kraglund  , Bonnevie  , Ekström  
Published: March 2003

Background:Proton pump inhibitors are superior to H2‐receptor antagonists in the prevention of relapse of oesophagitis, but few data directly compare the relative efficacies of lansoprazole and omeprazole in preventing oesophagitis relapse over a prolonged period.Methods:Patients with healed Grade II, III or IV oesophagitis were treated with lansoprazole 30 mg o.d. or omeprazole 20 mg o.d. for 48 weeks. Endoscopy and symptom assessment were performed after 12, 24 and 48 weeks of treatment and an additional symptom assessment 36 weeks after starting treatment.Results:Intention‐to‐treat analysis included 248 patients (lansoprazole n = 126, omeprazole n = 122). Comparison of time to endoscopic and/or symptomatic relapse revealed no difference between the treatments. There was no significant difference between treatments with respect to the proportion of patients in whom endoscopic and/or symptomatic relapse was reported (lansoprazole 12/126 (9.5%), omeprazole 11/122 (9.0%)). No difference between the treatments in either the number or severity of adverse events was reported.Conclusions:Continuous treatment with either lansoprazole 30 mg or omeprazole 20 mg is effective in preventing the relapse of oesophagitis over a 48‐week period in a majority of patients. Both treatments exhibit a similar side‐effect profile.