bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Infliximab reverses growth hormone resistance associated with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Gentilucci U. Vespasiani , Caviglia R. , Picardi A. , Carotti S. , Ribolsi M. , Galati G. , Petitti T. , Afeltra A. , Cicala M. 
Published: April 2005

SummaryBackground : Increasing evidence shows that inflammation plays a major role in the aetiology of catabolism and wasting observed in inflammatory bowel disease via growth hormone resistance.Aim : To evaluate the effect of infliximab treatment on the growth hormone/insulin‐like growth factor‐1 axis.Methods : Fourteen adults with active Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis underwent three infliximab infusions at a dose of 5 mg/kg for induction of remission, plus two maintenance infusions 8 weeks apart. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of serum growth hormone, insulin‐like growth factor‐1, insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐3 and acid labile subunit.Results : Serum insulin‐like growth factor‐1 and insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐3 concentrations, which were significantly lower in inflammatory bowel disease patients before treatment compared with controls (P < 0.01), significantly increased during the induction phase (+58% and +29%, respectively, after the second infusion, P < 0.01), and dropped to baseline levels during maintenance therapy. Both insulin‐like growth factor‐1 and insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐3 showed significant negative correlations with C‐reactive protein (ρ = −0.37, P = 0.002; ρ = −0.35, P = 0.01, respectively). Growth hormone and acid labile subunit levels were not statistically different between controls and inflammatory bowel disease patients either at baseline or during treatment.Conclusions : Infliximab induction treatment reverses growth hormone resistance observed in active inflammatory bowel disease through the suppression of systemic inflammation. The restored growth hormone/insulin‐like growth factor‐1 axis is impaired again following the prolonged interval between maintenance infusions, possibly because of the subclinical reactivation of the inflammatory process.
Impact of liver steatosis on virological response in elderly Italian patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peg‐interferon alpha‐2b plus ribavarin
Authors: Fabris P. , Floreani A. , Carlotto A. , Baldo V. , Bozzola L. , Giordani M. T. , Negro F. , Rassu M. , Tramarin A. , de Lalla F. 
Published: April 2005

SummaryBackground : Whether liver steatosis affects sustained virological response in patients with chronic hepatitis C is still under discussion.Aim : To evaluate the impact of liver steatosis in patients treated (for chronic hepatitis C) with combination therapy.Methods : We evaluated 97 (male/female 82/15, mean age 41.1 years) consecutive naïve patients treated with pegylated interferon alpha‐2b plus ribavirin.Results : Prevalence and severity of liver steatosis were significantly associated with genotype 3a [grade 3–4 in 14 of 32 patients (44%) vs. 8 of 65 patients (12%) with other genotypes; P = 0.001], while steatosis grade 1 (<10% of hepatocytes affected) was more frequently associated with genotype 1a/1b [9/39 (23%) vs. 4/57 (7%); P = 0.02]. Overall, sustained virological response was 62.8%, and was statistically uninfluenced by the presence/absence of liver steatosis. On the contrary, the following variables were independently associated with sustained virological response at logistic regression analysis: genotype other than 1a/1b, positive association, (odds ratio 3.4, P < 0.04), and low‐grade liver steatosis, negative association, (odds ratio 9.0, P =0.009), whereas sustained virological response was unaffected by severe liver steatosis, which was mainly associated with genotypes 2 and 3 [steatosis grade 2, 18/29 (62%); grade 3, 10/12 (83%); grade 4, 7/10 (70%)].Conclusions : Only low‐grade liver steatosis negatively affects the outcome of combination therapy, with peginterferon alpha‐2b plus ribavirin, while severe steatosis (which is virus‐related in most cases) has no impact on virological response.
The safety of pegylated interferon alpha‐2b in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: predictive factors for dose reduction and treatment discontinuation
Authors: van Zonneveld M. , Flink H. J. , Verhey E. , Senturk H. , Zeuzem S. , Akarca U. S. , Cakaloglu Y. , Simon C. , So T. M. K. , Gerken G. , de Man R. A. , Hansen B. E. , Schalm S. W. , Janssen H. L. A. ,   The HBV 99‐01 Study Group
Published: April 2005

SummaryBackground: Treatment with interferon‐alpha has been shown to be effective in one‐third of hepatitis B e antigen‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients, but is clinically associated with relevant adverse events.Aim: To investigate the safety of pegylated interferon alpha‐2b in 300 hepatitis B e antigen‐positive patients with compensated liver disease.Methods: Patients were treated with pegylated interferon alpha‐2b for 52 weeks combined with either lamivudine 100 mg/day or placebo. Pegylated interferon alpha‐2b was administered for 100 μg once a week for 32 weeks; thereafter, the dose was reduced to 50 μg once a week. Adverse events and their effect on study medication were reported at monthly visits in a standardized way.Results: The most frequently reported side‐effects were flu‐like syndrome (68%), headache (40%), fatigue (39%), myalgia (29%) and local reaction at the injection site (29%). These symptoms typically occurred within the first month of therapy and subsided during the course of therapy. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia induced by pegylated interferon alpha‐2b increased the risk of infections and bleeding complications, but these complications were rare and mild. The frequency of all side‐effects was not different between patients treated with pegylated interferon alpha‐2b combined with lamivudine or placebo. In 69 (22%) patients the dose of pegylated interferon alpha‐2b was reduced prematurely. Of these dose reductions, 36 (52%) were because of neutropenia. Therapy was discontinued in 28 (8%) patients. The most frequent reasons for early discontinuation were psychiatric side‐effects (depression, psychosis) and flu‐like symptoms. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that low neutrophil count at baseline and cirrhosis were independent predictors of dose reduction or therapy discontinuation.Conclusion: We conclude that in patients with chronic hepatitis B and compensated liver disease prolonged pegylated interferon alpha‐2b therapy is safe, and that pre‐existent cirrhosis and neutropenia are the most important predictors of dose reduction or early treatment discontinuation.
Comparison of two different daily dosages (2.4 vs. 1.2 g) of oral mesalazine in maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis patients: 1‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Paoluzi O. A. , Iacopini F. , Pica R. , Crispino P. , Marcheggiano A. , Consolazio A. , Rivera M. , Paoluzi P. 
Published: April 2005

SummaryBackground : Mesalazine as maintenance therapy in ulcerative colitis is used worldwide and has been proven to be effective. However, the optimal dosage remains to be defined.Aim : To establish whether daily treatment with 2.4 g of oral mesalazine is more effective than 1.2 g in preventing disease relapse.Methods : A total of 156 patients with ulcerative colitis in remission were randomly treated for 1 year with 2.4 (n = 80) or 1.2 (n = 76) g/day of mesalazine. Activity of disease was assessed by periodical clinical, endoscopic and histological examinations.Results : After 12 months, 24 of 80 patients (30%) on 2.4 g and 20 of 76 patients (26%) on 1.2 g were still in remission (P = N.S.). Patients in 2.4 g group remained in remission for a longer time than those in 1.2 g group (P < 0.001). Among clinical variables considered in the study, course of disease prior to enrolment (≤3/>3 relapses/year) was found to influence response to therapy.Conclusions : A daily dosage of 2.4 g of oral mesalazine seems to better at preventing and delaying relapses of ulcerative colitis than 1.2 g. The course of disease seems to be crucial in choosing the optimal dosage of mesalazine in a maintenance regimen.
Clinical features of gastric cancer discovered after successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori: results from a 9‐year prospective follow‐up study in Japan
Authors: Kamada T. , Hata J. , Sugiu K. , Kusunoki H. , Ito M. , Tanaka S. , Inoue K. , Kawamura Y. , Chayama K. , Haruma K. 
Published: April 2005

SummaryBackground : Eradication of Helicobacter pylori is expected to prevent the development of gastric cancer. However, gastric cancer is sometimes discovered after successful eradication of H. pylori.Aim : To conduct a prospective study to determine the clinical features of patients who underwent successful eradication and were later diagnosed with gastric cancer.Methods : A total of 1787 patients (1299 males and 488 females; mean age, 58.2 years; range: 15–84) who underwent successful eradication therapy between April 1994 and March 2001 were our study subjects.Results : Gastric cancer occurred at a rate of 1.1% (20 of 1787) during the follow‐up period. Gastric cancer comprises six of 105 (5.7%) with early gastric cancer after endoscopic resection, 12 of 575 (2.1%) with gastric ulcer and two of 453 (0.4%) with atrophic gastritis. Gastric cancer did not develop in any patient with duodenal ulcer. All patients with gastric cancer had baseline severe atrophic gastritis in the corpus.Conclusion : Careful endoscopic examination is necessary even after successful eradication of H. pylori in patients with early gastric cancer or gastric ulcer with severe mucosal atrophy in the corpus.
Effects of aminosalicylates on thiopurine S‐methyltransferase activity: an ex vivo study in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Xin H. , Fischer C. , Schwab M. , Klotz U. 
Published: April 2005

SummaryBackground : Based on in vitro experiments using recombinant human thiopurine S‐methyltransferase this enzyme is inhibited by sulfasalazine (sulphasalazine) and 5‐aminosalicylate. Thus, during treatment with azathioprine or mercaptopurine, both metabolized by thiopurine S‐methyltransferase, sulfasalazine or 5‐aminosalicylate could modify the action of azathioprine/mercaptopurine.Aims : To examine whether this interaction is effective under ex vivo conditions.Methods : In 18 azathioprine‐free patients and in 12 patients on azathioprine the inhibitory potential of sulfasalazine, 5‐aminosalicylate and its metabolite (Ac‐5‐aminosalicylate) was assessed by ex vivo measurement of thiopurine S‐methyltransferase in red blood cells.Results : According to concentration response curves mean IC50 values (μm) for sulfasalazine, 5‐aminosalicylate and Ac‐5‐aminosalicylate have been calculated in three groups of azathioprine‐free patients and variable basal levels of thiopurine S‐methyltransferase activity (very high, normal and intermediate). In all three groups sulfasalazine was the strongest inhibitor (IC50: 9–17 μm) if compared with 5‐aminosalicylate (129–236) and Ac‐5‐aminosalicylate (58–74). In patients on azathioprine similar IC50 values have been calculated.Conclusions : Comparing human plasma concentrations of sulfasalazine (15–77 μm), 5‐aminosalicylate (3–14 μm) and Ac‐5‐aminosalicylate (8–18 μm) with the IC50 values one can assume that only sulfasalazine would have the potential to inhibit thiopurine S‐methyltransferase in vivo. However, the therapeutic impact should be proved by clinical studies.
Predicting which patients can resume oral nutrition after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement
Authors: Naik A. D. , Abraham N. S. , Roche V. M. L. , Concato J. 
Published: April 2005

SummaryBackground : Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes are placed with high frequency and relative safety for a variety of indications. One of these indications is temporary nutritional support for patients expected to resume oral nutrition.Aims : To determine if baseline clinical characteristics can predict which patients attain the clinical goal of resuming oral nutrition with consequent tube removal.Methods : We conducted a single site observational cohort study from December 1999 to April 2001, enrolling all patients scheduled for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement. Standard descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed. Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to identify patient characteristics prior to percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement that might predict resumption of oral nutrition with tube removal.Results : Bivariate analyses revealed four potential clinical predictors: age <65 years, localized head and neck cancer, serum albumin ≥3.75 g/dL, and serum creatinine ≤1.1 mg/dL. In multivariable analysis, age < 65 years (HR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.0–14.3) and a diagnosis of localized head and neck cancer (HR = 4.6, 95% CI: 1.4–15.0) predicted resumption of oral nutrition with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy removal.Conclusions : When discussing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement, doctors should consider the likelihood of achieving clinically important outcomes such as the resumption of oral nutrition with tube removal. This clinical goal is unlikely for older patients with diagnoses other than localized head and neck cancer.
The validity of a digital eyelid tonometer (TGDc‐01) and its comparison with Goldmann applanation tonometry – a pilot study
Authors: Lam Andrew K. C , Lam Chin Hang , Chan Rufina 
Published: April 2005

AbstractPurpose:  To determine the intra‐ and inter‐examiner repeatability of a new eyelid tonometer, and its agreement with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT).Materials and methods:  Forty normal subjects were recruited and their intraocular pressure was measured by two examiners using the eyelid tonometer. Examiner 1 carried out the first set of measurement, followed by examiner 2, and then examiner 1 again. Finally, a third examiner was responsible for GAT measurement. Five readings were obtained from the eyelid tonometer by each examiner each time and were masked, and three readings were obtained from GAT. The mean readings from the eyelid tonometer and GAT were used for analysis.Results:  The intra‐examiner repeatability for the eyelid tonometer was better (around ±5 mmHg 95% of the cases) than the inter‐examiner repeatability (around ±8 mmHg 95% of the cases). The mean difference between the eyelid tonometer and GAT was small from examiner 1 (<0.5 mmHg). However, the limits of agreement were greater than the clinically acceptable level of ±3 mmHg. Examiner 2 gave an even greater difference from GAT.Conclusions:  Similar to other recent studies, we have found that this eyelid tonometer does not provide good agreement with GAT. Different examiners could position the instrument differently and this eyelid tonometer is suggested for screening purposes only.
FRYING PERFORMANCE OF PROCESSED RICE BRAN OILS
Authors: GOPALA KRISHNA A.G. , KHATOON S. , BABYLATHA R. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT Processed rice bran oils (RBOs) – refined chemically (cRBO) and physically (pRBO) – were studied for frying performance compared to sunflower oil. Their physicochemical differences showed in appearance, color and oryzanol content, partial acylglycerols and unsaponifiable matter. Bhujia was prepared in sunflower and RBOs and their frying performance measured in the oil from the bhujia. Oils after frying had deeper color (23.9–137.5% increase) and higher peroxide (101.4–274.3% increase) and free fatty acid values (−4.7 to +27.3% change) compared to the starting oils, but the RBOs studied showed lesser changes compared to the control. Oil in the bhujia was slightly lower (−7.9%) for a low‐oryzanol cRBO while it was slightly higher (+7.0%) for a high‐oryzanol pRBO. Both showed mild foaming compared to the control sunflower oil while retaining oryzanol in the oil and bhujia during frying (when partial acylglycerols caused some foaming). The bhujia retained the RBO's healthy oryzanol.
THE EFFECTS OF THERMAL AND NONTHERMAL PROCESSING METHODS ON APPLE CIDER QUALITY AND CONSUMER ACCEPTABILITY
Authors: CHOI LYNN H. , NIELSEN S. SUZANNE 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT Due to increased concern about the safety of fruit, vegetable and juice products, the FDA has mandated that these must undergo a 5‐log reduction in pathogens. The development of various processing methods for juice products has caused the need to determine the effects of these methods on said products. The effect of thermal pasteurization, UV irradiation and ozone treatment on apple cider quality and consumer acceptability was studied over 21 days. Thermally pasteurized samples were different in color and less preferred in all areas of consumer acceptability. UV‐irradiated samples were lower in soluble solids for the first 7 days and showed no significant difference in consumer acceptability. Ozone‐treated cider had greater sedimentation, lower sucrose content and a decrease in soluble solids by day 21. UV irradiation allows for a more cost‐effective method to produce safe apple cider with minimal quality and consumer acceptability differences.
QUALITY OF COFFEE CREAMERS AS A FUNCTION OF PROTEIN SOURCE
Authors: GOLDE A.E. , SCHMIDT K.A. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT Many U.S. consumers add a sweetener or creaming agent to their brewed coffee. An ideal creamer, when added to coffee, should remain stable, dissolve readily, and provide whitening ability. In general, these properties are imparted by the protein component. Four different proteins – sodium caseinate, isolated wheat protein, soy protein isolate and whey protein concentrate – were used to formulate coffee creamers, individually and in combination, and the resultant creamers were evaluated for functionality. Coffee creamers containing plant proteins had significantly greater apparent viscosity but lower L* values than did creamers made with dairy proteins. Creamers made with higher concentrations of isolated wheat protein exhibited syneresis, whereas no syneresis occurred if sodium caseinate was the predominant protein. Only the creamer formulated with soy protein isolate alone exhibited feathering when added to hot, brewed coffee. These results indicate that coffee creamers can be formulated with plant proteins and sodium caseinate.
Genetic Environment and Expression of the Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase
bla
PER-1
Gene in Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Poirel Laurent , Cabanne Ludovic , Vahaboglu Haluk , Nordmann Patrice 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

The genetic location of the gene coding for the expanded-spectrum β-lactamase PER-1 was analyzed in a series of gram-negative isolates. It was identified as part of a composite transposon bracketed by two novel insertion elements, IS
Pa12
and IS
Pa13
, belonging to the IS
4
family that possess transposases that share 63% amino acid identity and that are chromosomally located in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
,
Providencia stuartii
, and
Acinetobacter baumannii.
On the contrary, the
bla
PER-1
gene was identified just downstream of an IS
Pa12
element but not within a composite transposon when it was located on a plasmid in
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium and
A. baumannii
isolates. In both cases, expression of the
bla
PER-1
gene was driven by promoter sequences located in IS
Pa12
.
Biphasic Effects of Geranylgeraniol, Teprenone, and Phytol on the Growth of
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Inoue Yoshihiro , Hada Toshiko , Shiraishi Akiko , Hirose Kazuma , Hamashima Hajime , Kobayashi Shigeki 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

We examined the antibacterial activities against
Staphylococcus aureus
of three diterpenes, namely, geranylgeraniol, teprenone, and phytol, by using a broth dilution with shaking method to identify the effects of diterpenes with long aliphatic carbon chains. We also performed time-kill assays and measured the leakage of K
+
ions from bacterial cells in response to these diterpenes. The diterpenes used inhibited the growth of
S. aureus
at concentrations of 0.15 μg/ml, as determined by damage to the cell membranes, and had clear bactericidal activity. However, the inhibitory effects of the diterpenes decreased when the concentration of each was raised above a certain level. The diterpenes tested in this study appeared to have both growth-inhibitory and growth-accelerating effects, and the net effect of each depended on its concentration.
Application of an In Vitro Infection Model and Simulation for Reevaluation of Fluoroquinolone Breakpoints for
Salmonella enterica
Serotype Typhi
Authors: Booker Brent M. , Smith Patrick F. , Forrest Alan , Bullock Julie , Kelchlin Pamela , Bhavnani Sujata M. , Jones Ronald N. , Ambrose Paul G. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

Salmonella enterica
serotype Typhi and nontyphoidal
Salmonella
remain major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and chloramphenicol no longer provide reliable coverage of
Salmonella
, and fluoroquinoloes have emerged as first-line treatment options. Due to mounting evidence of decreased in vitro susceptibility and diminished clinical response to fluoroquinolone therapy, it has been suggested that the NCCLS breakpoints for the salmonellae be reevaluated. We utilized an in vitro infection model to determine which pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) measure was most closely linked to fluoroquinolone activity against salmonellae and the magnitude that was predictive of efficacy. Monte Carlo simulation was utilized to determine the probability of attaining potential susceptibility breakpoints for three fluoroquinolones. The free-drug area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h/MIC ratio was the PK-PD measure most predictive of efficacy, and a ratio of 105 corresponded to 90% of maximal activity. Simulation results suggested susceptible breakpoints of 0.12 μg/ml for ciprofloxacin and gatifloxacin and 0.25 μg/ml for levofloxacin. These proposed breakpoints correspond to the MIC separating the wild-type susceptible organism population from those strains possessing single-step mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region. These results that integrate PK-PD measures and fluoroquinolone MIC distributions in the genetic context of examined
Salmonella
isolates clearly demonstrate that the prudent use of a lower susceptibility breakpoint minimizes the probability of clinical failure or delayed response in fluoroquinolone-treated patients.