Research Articles (Hepatology and Gastro-intestinal Research Laboratory)

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    Non-toxicity of IV injected perfluorocarbon oxygen carrier in an animal model of liver regeneration following surgical injury
    (Taylor & Francis, 2009-06) Nieuwoudt, Martin J.; Engelbrecht, Gert H.C.; Sentle, Lebo; Auer, Roland E.J.; Kahn, Del; Van der Merwe, Schalk Willem; martin.nieuwoudt@up.ac.za
    Lethal dose experiments in animals have demonstrated that second-generation perfluorocarbon oxygen carriers are remarkably non-toxic. However, this non-toxicity has not previously been demonstrated in a liver failure scenario. A surgical liver damage and regeneration model in rats was selected using a well-controlled cross tabulated study design. A large number of physiological, biochemical, and hematological parameters were measured. No indications were found that intravenously injected perfluorooctyl bromide emulsion was toxic at the concentrations employed, in either healthy or severe liver injury scenarios. Neither was there any significant impact on the rate of liver regeneration following the injuries. Bearing in mind prior human clinical studies, it is therefore safe to assume that perfluorocarbon emulsions are also non-toxic in bioartificial liver treatments.
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    Effect of rapamycin on hepatic osteodystrophy in rats with portasystemic shunting
    (WJG Press, 2006-07) Van der Merwe, Schalk Willem; Conradie, Maria M.; Bond, Robert P.; Olivier, Brenda J.; Fritz, Elongo Lekunze; Nieuwoudt, Martin J.; Delport, Rhena; Slavik, Tomas; Engelbrecht, Gert H.C.; Kahn, Del; Shephard, Enid G.; Kotze, Maritha J.; De Villiers, Nico P.; Hough, Stephen
    Please refer to abstract in article
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    The transmission of Helicobacter pylori : the effects of analysis method and study population on inference
    (Elsevier, 2007-04) Delport, Wayne; Van der Merwe, Schalk Willem; svdm@doctors.netcare.co.za
    Although much is known about the virulence of Helicobacter pylori, the transmission pathways for this bacterium are still unresolved. Transmission has been addressed through: (1) prevalence within families; (2) detection in fecal/oral environments; (3) detection in the abiotic/biotic environment; and (4) direct inference from strain similarity. Here, we review the molecular and biochemical methods used and discuss the relative merits of each. Furthermore, as there are differences between developing and developed nations, we discuss the results obtained from transmission studies in light of the study population. We conclude that H. pylori is probably transmitted person-to-person, facilitated by fecal–oral transmission during episodes of diarrhea or gastro-oral contact during periods of vomiting. The persistence of H. pylori in abiotic and biotic environments remains unproven but possible reactivation from viable, non-culturable coccoid forms should be further investigated. Finally, we speculate on the effect of host–pathogen interactions in confounding the inference of transmission.
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    Absence of Helicobacter pylori within the oral cavities of members of a healthy South African community
    (American Society for Microbiology, 2006-02) Olivier, Brenda J.; Bond, Robert P.; Van Zyl, Walda B.; Delport, Maraliese; Slavik, Tomas; Ziady, Christopher; Terhaar sive Droste, Jochim S.; Lastovica, Albert; Van der Merwe, Schalk Willem; svdmerwe1@mweb.co.za
    Our study aimed to evaluate the oral cavity as a reservoir from where Helicobacter pylori may be transmitted. Histology and PCR amplification were performed. Eighty-four percent of the stomach biopsies tested positive; however, H. pylori was not detected in dental samples, indicating the absence of H. pylori within the oral cavity.