bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of the HLA‐G 14‐bp insertion/deletion polymorphism with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Veit Tiago Degani , Vianna Priscilla , Scheibel Ilóite , Brenol Claiton , Brenol João Carlos Tavares , Xavier Ricardo Machado , Delgado‐Cañedo Andres , Gutierrez Jorge Eduardo , Brandalize Ana Paula Carneiro , Schuler‐Faccini Lavinia , Chies José Artur Bogo
Published: March 2008

We tested the possible association of the 14‐bp polymorphism of the HLA‐G gene in the course of two inflammatory diseases, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Patients and controls were genotyped for the 14‐bp polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction with specific primers for the exon 8 of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐G gene and the amplified fragment was visualized in a 6% polyacrylamide gel. A total of 106 JIA patients, 265 RA patients, 356 healthy adults and 85 healthy children were genotyped for the 14‐bp polymorphism. Female JIA patients presented a higher frequency of the −14 bp allele when compared with female healthy children (0.743 and 0.500, corrected P = 0.003), which reflected in the JIA group as a whole. This increased frequency of the −14‐bp allele was observed in all JIA subtypes. In RA patients, no differences in allelic and genotypic frequencies were observed between patients and controls. No correlations were observed among genotype and disease severity or clinical manifestations. Our data suggest that the HLA‐G −14 bp allele is probably a risk factor for JIA, mainly in females. Considering the differences observed in relation to gender, we suggest that hormonal differences can interfere with the development of JIA. Considering the RA patients, our data agree with results from the literature and highlight the differences in the etiology of RA and JIA.
Description of two new major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II DRB1 [Pan troglodytes (Patr)‐DRB1] alleles
Authors: De Zorzi M. , Caggiari L. , Ahlenstiel G. , Rehermann B. , De Re V.
Published: March 2008

Sequence‐based typing strategy is used to identify polymorphism of Patr‐DRB1. Two new Patr‐DRB1 are described.
Exhaled air temperature in asthmatic children: a mathematical evaluation
Authors: Pifferi Massimo , Ragazzo Vincenzo , Previti Antonino , Pioggia Giovanni , Ferro Marcello , Macchia Pierantonio , Piacentini Giorgio L. , Boner Attilio L.
Published: March 2008

Recently, the exhaled breath temperature has been proposed as a potential marker for the evaluation of airway inflammation in asthma. The purpose of this study was to verify the ability to distinguish asthmatics from normal controls by a dedicated detailed mathematical evaluation of the exhaled air curve. Analysis was performed in the different phases of the curve of exhaled temperature, i.e. the rate of temperature increase (Δe°T) and the mean plateau value. Principal components analysis (PCA) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used for the evaluation of the data in 90 asthmatic children and in 33 healthy age‐matched controls. Both PCA and ANNs showed that a separation between patients and controls can be obtained only by the evaluation of the plateau phase of the curve, which better reflects the periphery of the airway.
Carbon monoxide‐induced stomatal closure in Vicia faba is dependent on nitric oxide synthesis
Authors: Song Xi‐Gui , She Xiao‐Ping , Zhang Bei
Published: March 2008

Recently, in animals, carbon monoxide (CO), like nitric oxide (NO), was implicated as another important physiological messenger or bioactive molecule. Previous researches indicate that heme oxygenase (HO)‐1 (EC 1.14.99.3) catalyzes the oxidative conversion of heme to CO and biliverdin IXa (BV) with the concomitant release of iron. However, little is known about the physiological roles of CO in plant, especially in stomatal movement of guard cells. In the present paper, the regulatory role of CO during stomatal movement in Vicia faba was surveyed. Results indicated that, like sodium nitroprusside (SNP), CO donor hematin induced stomatal closure in dose‐ and time‐dependent manners. These responses were also proved by the addition of gaseous CO aqueous solution with different concentrations, showing for the first time that CO and NO exhibit similar regulation role in the stomatal movement. Moreover, our data showed that 2,4‐carboxyphenyl‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide (cPTIO)/NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine‐methyl ester (l‐NAME) not only reversed stomatal closure by CO, but also suppressed the NO fluorescence induced by CO, implying that CO‐induced stomatal closure probably involves NO/nitric oxide synthase (NOS) signal system. Additionally, the CO/NO scavenger hemoglobin (Hb) and CO‐specific synthetic inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX), NO scavenger cPTIO and NOS inhibitor l‐NAME reversed the darkness‐induced stomatal closure and NO fluorescence. These results show that, maybe like NO, the levels of CO in guard cells of V. faba is higher in dark than that in light, HO‐1 and NOS are the enzyme systems responsible for generating endogenous CO and NO in darkness, respectively, and that CO being from HO‐1 mediates darkness‐induced NO synthesis in guard cells’ stomatal closure of V. faba.
Ultrastructural localization of acid phosphatase in arbusculate coils of mycorrhizal Phoenix canariensis roots
Authors: Dreyer Beatriz , Pérez‐Gilabert Manuela , Olmos Enrique , Honrubia Mario , Morte Asunción
Published: March 2008

Acid phosphatase (ACP) activity has been detected in roots of mycorrhizal and non‐mycorrhizal Phoenix canariensis. This enzyme was ultrastructurally localized in arbusculate coils for the first time. This localization was carried out using a cerium‐based method, which minimizes non‐specific precipitation. The ACP was localized in inter‐ and intracellular hyphae, in the fungal cytoplasm as well as at the interface and the fungal cell wall and the periarbuscular membrane limiting it. The novel localization of an ACP in the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) interface of arbusculate coils suggests that this enzyme may be involved in the phosphorus efflux from the mycorrhizal fungus to the host. The results presented in this article indicate that the role played by ACP in AM symbiosis may be more important than was previously thought and that arbusculate coils are highly relevant when considering nutrient transfer through AM symbiosis.
Studies of monkey complement: measurement of cynomolgus monkey CH50, ACH50, C4, C2 and C3
Authors: Xu Hengjie , Kitano Etsuko , Sato Yu , Kobayashi Chizuko , Firdawes Sabere , Kitamura Hajime , Fukuzawa Masahiro , Miyagawa Shuji
Published: March 2008

Abstract:  Background:  The cynomolgus monkey is commonly used as the recipient in transplantation experiments. However, study of the complement system of cynomolgus monkeys is lacking. In the present study, the complement system of cynomolgus monkeys was compared with that of humans, by checking hemolytic titers.

Methods:  Hemolytic titers of complement from cynomolgus monkeys were calculated using the same methods as are used in humans. The complement regulatory function of human decay accelerating factor (DAF, CD55) in cynomolgus monkey serum was next studied using erythrocytes from human DAF‐transgenic pigs.

Results:  The results indicated relatively high values, except for C4: CH50: 211.19 ± 42.78 units/ml, ACH50: 51.47 ± 12.43 units/ml, C4: 30 170 ± 14 300 SFU/ml C2: 33831 ± 7442 SFU/ml and C3: 93612 ± 30131 SFU/ml. Western blot experiments using antibodies for human complement components revealed similarities between the cynomolgus monkey and human complement systems. Human DAF inhibited pig erythrocyte lysis from approximately 60–70% to 17% in both human and cynomolgus monkey sera, indicating an almost identical complement regulatory function.

Conclusion:  The hemolytic titer of cynomolgus monkeys was greater than the titer measured in human serum. However, human DAF showed nearly the same complement regulatory function in both human and cynomolgus monkey sera.
A Morphological and Histological Examination of the Pan‐tropical Spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuata) and the Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris) Adrenal Gland
Authors: Clark L. S. , Cowan D. F. , Pfeiffer D. C.
Published: March 2008

The morphology and histology of the cetacean adrenal gland are poorly understood. Therefore, this study examined 32 pairs of adrenal glands from 18 pan‐tropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata) and 14 spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris). In both species, the cortex was pseudolobulated and contained a typical mammalian zonation. Medullary protrusions (0–3 per section) and a medullary band were identified in both species. ForS. attenuata, no statistical differences were found in the cortex to medulla (CM) ratio or the percent cross‐sectional area (PCA) of the adrenal glands compared with sex or sexual maturity. The mean CM ratio forS. attenuatawas 2.34 and the PCA was 64.4% cortex, 29.4% medulla and 6.2%‘other’. ‘Other’ indicates blood vessels, connective tissue and the gland capsule itself. ForS. longirostris, there was no statistical difference in the CM ratio compared with sexual maturity. However, a statistical difference was found between the CM ratio and sex, suggesting sexual dimorphism (female CM ratio = 2.46 and males = 3.21). No statistical differences were found in the PCA ofS. longirostrisadrenal glands by sexual maturity. However, a statistical difference was found between the PCA by sex. FemaleS. longirostrisadrenal glands consisted of 65.0% cortex, 27.3% medulla and 7.7%‘other’, whereas male adrenal glands consisted of 71.7% cortex, 22.7% medulla and 5.6%‘other’.
Physical Rehabilitation Alters Body Composition in Chronically Obese Cat
Authors: Abood Sarah K.
Published: March 2008

Successful weight loss in obese dogs and cats is difficult, and even more so in pets who don't exercise regularly or are inactive. Over the past 10 years, physical rehabilitation (or physio‐therapy) as a treatment or wellness modality has been gaining popularity in small animal veterinary practice. This case report describes the use of physical rehabilitation to achieve weight loss and a decreased body condition score in a chronically obese cat. A 7‐year old, female‐spayed domestic, short‐haired cat, weighing 15 lbs, was evaluated by the Nutrition Support Service at Michigan State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital for a weight management consultation. The cat had a history of chronic obesity and the owner reported feeding a variety of reduced or restricted‐calorie foods, both canned and dry versions, over the previous 5 years. The home environment included three other cats, none of which were overweight. All cats were fed once daily in the evening; separate food bowls were provided for each cat, but multiple water bowls and litter boxes were shared. A course of 8 weeks of physio‐therapy was recommended, with a target weight of 12 lbs identified, to which the owner agreed. Body weight, body condition score and circumference measures of axillary, rib and flank areas were taken at the initial visit, and at 3 weeks and 8 weeks. At the beginning of the 8th week, the cat's body weight had dropped from 15 lbs to 14.2 lbs, and the body condition score shifted down from 9 to 8 out of 9. More dramatically, however, were changes measured in body circumference: from 43 cm to 38.6 cm in the axilla (11% decrease); 50.3 cm to 42.5 cm in the ribs (15.5% decrease); 46 cm to 41 cm in the flank (11% decrease). To the author's knowledge, this is the first report confirming weight loss, reduced body condition score, and altered body composition in a cat as a direct result of physical rehabilitation.
A comparison of serum vitamin A and vitamin E concentrations in shelter, feral, and pet cats
Authors: Hill R. C. , Haynes K. , Scott K. C. , Tucker S. J. , Levy J. K. , Crawford P. C.
Published: March 2008

Upper respiratory infection (URI) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in shelter cats. Malnutrition, specifically vitamin A deficiency, has been associated with respiratory tract infections in humans in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to determine whether feral cats and cats in shelters have lower serum vitamin A concentrations than pet cats, because it was surmised that a vitamin A deficiency may predispose these cats to develop URI. This was a cross‐sectional study in which serum retinol, α‐tocopherol, γ‐tocopherol and beta carotene concentrations were measured from 48 shelter cats, 56 feral cats, and 42 pet cats, using HPLC. Retinol, α‐tocopherol, and γ‐tocopherol concentrations were found to be significantly lower in the shelter and feral cat populations than in pet cats (p ≤ 0.0001). There was no evidence of an effect of sex or neuter status on vitamin concentrations. Sick feral cats had a higher beta carotene level than did healthy feral cats. Within shelter and feral populations, no other effect of health status was found. The lower mean serum retinol and tocopherol concentrations in the feral and shelter cat groups could be due to oxidative or other forms of stress, the amount of vitamin consumed, or combinations of these. Further studies are needed to determine whether supplementation of fat‐soluble vitamins improves the health status of feral or shelter cats.
D‐lactate‐induced neurotoxicity in calves
Authors: Naylor J. M. , Saman Abeysekara A. W. A. , Wassef A. W. A. , Isak U. , Zello G. A.
Published: March 2008

D‐lactic acidosis occurs as a complication of short‐bowel syndrome in humans and in a variety of other gastrointestinal disorders in monogastrics and ruminants. It is associated with signs of impaired central nervous system (CNS) function including ataxia and coma. The objective of this experiment was to determine if either acidification of nervous tissue or D‐lactic acid is responsible for decreased neurological function. Eight Holstein calves (32 ± 11 d) were surgically catheterized with indwelling intravenous jugular and atlanto‐occipital space cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) catheters and infused for 6 h in random order with iso‐molar DL‐lactic acid (DL‐LA), L‐lactic acid (L‐LA), hydrochloric acid (HCl) or saline. DL‐LA induced ataxia after 4 h of infusion and produced the greatest obtunding of CNS function (at 7 h, score 8.0 ± 0.4), whereas, the other infusions caused neither ataxia nor scores over 1.5 (p < 0.01 from DL‐LA). After 6 h, DL‐LA induced significantly less acidemia than HCl (pH 7.13 ± 0.06 and 7.00 ± 0.04, base excess −16 ± 1 and −23 ± 3 mmol/l, bicarbonate 11 ± 1 and 8 ± 1 mmol/L respectively, all p < 0.01), but greater than L‐LA and saline (p < 0.01). CSF changes followed a similar but less pronounced pattern. Although HCl infusion produced a severe acidemia and CSF acidosis, only minor effects on neurological function were evident suggesting that D‐lactate has a direct neurotoxic effect that is independent of acidosis. Conversely, L‐LA produced only minor neurological changes.
The role of histamine and serotonin in gastric acid secretion: A comparative study in gastric and duodenal ulcer patients
Authors: CHO C. H. , LAI K. H. , OGLE C. W. , TSAI Y. T. , LEE S. D. , LO K. J.
Published: March 2008

The inter‐relationship between histamine and serotonin (5HT) levels in gastric juice and their role in stomach acid secretion in gastric (GU) and duodenal ulcer (DU) patients were investigated. DU patients showed a relatively higher basal gastric acid secretion, but had lower histamine and 5HT levels in their gastric juice than those with GU; these amine levels reflected their release from the stomach wall into its lumen. Tetragastrin injection (5 μg/kg, i.m.) increased the gastric secretion of acid and histamine in DU patients; however, the increased release of 5HT into the gastric lumen was not as much as that seen in GU patients. This study suggests that the high basal gastric acid in DU cases is related to hyposecretion of 5HT (a possible physiological inhibitor of gastric acid secretion) in the stomach. Tetragastrin‐induced hypersecretion of gastric acid in DU patients may be due to a higher level of histamine in relation to significantly lower amounts of 5HT secreted from their stomachs. The reverse may apply to the mechanism for the relative hyposecretion of gastric acid in GU patients compared to those with DU.
The use of two‐dimensional contrast echocardiography in patients with portal hypertension for the detection of cardiac chamber abnormalities and pulmonary arteriovenous shunts
Authors: MOHAN J. C. , SARIN S. K. , SETHI K. K. , NANDA R. , ANAND B. S. , ARORA B.
Published: March 2008

To study the cardiac chamber abnormalities and presence of pulmonary arteriovenous shunts in patients with non‐cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF), two‐diemensional echocardiography was carried out in 14 patients. Eleven patients with cirrhosis of the liver and seven patients with extrahepatic obstruction were also studied. No patient had organic heart disease, clinical cyanosis, significant anaemia, or features of hepatic decompensation. Significant enlargement of left atrial, left ventricular and right ventricular chambers was seen in 64%, 57% and 14% of NCPF patients, respectively. There was, however, no significant difference in the frequency of cardiac chamber enlargement in patients with NCPF compared with the other two groups of patients. Though reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (< 60% normal) was more commonly seen in patients with NCPF (35.7%) than in patients with cirrhosis (18.2%), the difference was not significant. No patient with extrahepatic obstruction had reduced ejection fraction. Except for one patient with cirrhosis, echocardiography with saline infusion failed to reveal intrapulmonary shunts in any patient. It is concluded that cardiac chamber abnormalities were seen in a significant proportion of patients with NCPF, but, none of them showed pulmonary arteriovenous shunts as studied by contrast echocardiography.
Sulpiride improves functional dyspepsia: A double‐blind controlled study
Authors: HUI WAI‐MO , LAM SHUI‐KUM , LOK ANNA SUK‐FONG , NG MATTHEW MA‐TAI , WONG KEE‐LAM , FOK KAI‐HING
Published: March 2008

A 4‐week placebo‐controlled trial was performed to study the efficacy of sulpiride, a hypothalamic non‐sedative neuroleptic and dopamine antagonist, in the treatment of 100 patients with functional dyspepsia, defined as dyspeptic symptoms despite normal endoscopy and cholecystography. Two patients on sulpiride were withdrawn because of sleepiness; no other undue side effects were recorded. At the end of 4 weeks, significantly (P < 0.02) more patients on sulpiride had improvement of nausea and belching (78%, 54% respectively) than patients on placebo (45%, 17% respectively). Pain and vomiting disappeared in approximately 50% and 70% of patients, respectively. In the overall assessment, 72% and 39% of the patients on sulpiride and placebo respectively had satisfactory improvement or became symptom‐free (P < 0.001). Response to treatment was not related to personal and environmental factors. It was concluded that sulpiride was effective in improving symptoms of dyspepsia, particularly nausea and belching.
In vitro growth of epithelial cells from mucosa derived from different regions of the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: WHITEHEAD R. H. , GARDNER J.
Published: March 2008

Attempts have been made to culture the mucosa from various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, using an explant culture method, epithelial cells have been successfully cultured from all major regions of the gastrointestinal tract. The success rate, as judged by outgrowth of epithelial cells for at least 4 weeks, varied with the tissue studied with 19/50 colonic biopsies, 5/11 small intestinal biopsies, 9/12 stomach biopsies and 42/47 gallbladder biopsies yielding outgrowth of epithelial cells. Differentiation of the epithelial cells along the mucus cell pathway could be demonstrated on the monolayer cultures using Periodic acid Schiff or Alcian blue staining. Because the cultures were very heterogeneous and many morphological cell types were present in most cultures, differentiation along the other known differentiation pathways of the gastrointestinal mucosa, such as development of absorptive cells and endocrine cells, could not be excluded.

The problem of bacterial contamination, which has hindered previous studies on tissue from these sites, was overcome by decontaminating the biopsy by soaking in dilute sodium hypochlorite (0.04%).
Hepatitis A and B in Australian Aboriginals living in an urban community
Authors: PATTERSON FRANKIE , DENT OWEN , HALL JOSEPH , SMITH COLEMAN
Published: March 2008

A high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is recognized in Australian Aboriginals, but epidemiological data on contemporary Aboriginal communities are limited. This study investigated HBV infection in urban Aboriginals from Condobolin, New South Wales, Australia. Sera from 236 Aboriginals and 125 Caucasians were screened by radio‐immunoassay for hepatitis B surface and e antigens, antibodies to surface, e and core antigens (including IgM anti‐HB core—EIA), and antibodies to hepatitis A virus (anti‐HAV). Sera which were positive for HBsAg were tested for hepatitis B e antigen, HBV‐DNA polymerase and HBV‐DNA molecular hybridization. More than half the Aboriginals tested (57.6%) had serological evidence of HBV infection (16.9% HBsAg) and 84.5% had anti‐HAV. There were no statistically significant differences between males and females for any marker. The Caucasians had 7.2% HBV antibodies, no HBsAg and 32.0% anti‐HAV. Aboriginal children in their first decade had 36.0% HBsAg and the prevalence of this antigen fell to 4.2% in Aboriginals over 50 years of age. The opposite age trend was found for antibodies which increased from 16% in children to a peak of 55.2% for adults aged 30–39. Endemic hepatitis B acquired early in life is evident in this Australian Aboriginal urban community. Transmission may be vertical or horizontal or both. Immunoprophylaxis with immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for neonates and seronegative individuals. The 91% prevalence of anti‐HAV in these Aboriginals aged 10–19 years is comparable to that of the developing world.
An evaluation of the phenomenon of cytoprotection using quantitative histological criteria
Authors: O'BRIEN PAUL , SCHULTZ CHRISTOPHER , GANNON BREN
Published: March 2008

The concept of ‘cytoprotection’ is derived from observations that exogenous prostaglandins protect the gastric mucosa against injurious agents at doses insufficient to inhibit acid secretion. Measurements of the extent of cytoprotection generally rely on inspection of the open stomach for assessment of the extent of damage. Recent studies indicate that such macroscopic criteria are inaccurate. This study reports the development of quantitative histological techniques that enable valid studies of cytoprotection. Using a rat model of cytoprotection, injury was induced with 1 ml of absolute ethanol. Cytoprotection was induced with 25 μg prostaglandin E2 (PG) intragastrically 15 or 30 min prior to ethanol exposure. The area of macroscopic damage was measured with a computer‐based digitizer. Semi‐thin plastic sections of eight separate areas of the stomach were examined histologically and the length and depth of damage were measured using the digitizer. Surface area and volume of mucosal damage were calculated from these values. On macroscopic assessment after exposure to ethanol for 15 min, 44.6% of the surface appeared damaged. After pretreatment with PG the extent of ethanol damage appeared to be reduced. On microscopic assessment, however, the extent of damage was much greater with 94.5% of the surface damaged after ethanol alone and 73.7% surface damaged after pretreatment with PG. Thus, macroscopic assessment clearly underestimates the extent of damage. However, these data do indicate that PG protects the surface epithelium from the effects of ethanol. A much clearer demonstration of protection is evident from measurement of the volume of mucosa damaged. After ethanol alone, 31.5% of the mucosal volume was damaged compared with 3.8% when pretreatment by PG was given. When measurements were performed after exposure to ethanol for 30 min, significantly less surface

area damage was present in the ethanol group. All other measurements were not different from the 15 min results. This study confirms the existence of cytoprotection, but indicates that macroscopic assessment underestimates the extent of damage, particularly in the cytoprotected stomach.

Techniques for accurate microscopic measurement of the extent of damage are described which permit comparison between different cytoprotective agents.
Chilli ingestion does not lead to macroscopic gastroduodenal mucosal damage in healthy subjects*
Authors: KANG J. Y. , YAP I. , GUAN R. , LIM T. C.
Published: March 2008

Thirty‐eight healthy subjects who had normal index endoscopies were re‐endoscoped following ingestion of 20 g of chilli powder with 400 ml of water, 600 mg aspirin BP with 400 ml of water or 400 ml of water only. There were good correlations between endoscopic scores given by two endoscopists who independently recorded their findings, as well as with scores given by a third observer viewing photographs taken at endoscopy. There were statistically significant differences between the aspirin group and the other two groups but not between the chilli and the control groups. Chilli ingestion, therefore, does not lead to macroscopic gastroduodenal mucosal damage.
Cell‐mediated immunity, malnutrition and plasma zinc levels in adult coeliac disease
Authors: CORAZZA G. R. , PRATI C. , MULE P. , STURNIOLO G. C. , MARTIN A. , MARTELLI M. , QUAGLINO D. , GASBARRINI G.
Published: March 2008

The aim of this study was to clarify the relationships between cell‐mediated immunity, nutritional status and plasma zinc levels in adult coeliac disease. Compared with healthy volunteers and treated coeliac patients, cell‐mediated immunity, assessed by skin tests, was significantly depressed in untreated coeliac disease. As far as plasma zinc is concerned, it was confirmed that levels are significantly low in untreated patients and that they increase significantly after gluten‐free diet, although this is not sufficient to return the plasma zinc levels to within the control range in 39% of the treated patients. Malnutrition, assessed by anthropometric criteria, was present in the majority of the untreated coeliacs and improved significantly after removal of gluten from the diet. In untreated coeliac patients, however, skin tests did not correlate with either plasma zinc levels or nutritional status, suggesting that in untreated coeliac disease depressed cell‐mediated immunity is probably secondary to other immunological abnormalities
Endoscopic sclerotherapy in children
Authors: DILAWARI J. B. , CHAWLA Y. K. , RAMESH G. N. , MITRA S. K. , WALIA B. N. S.
Published: March 2008

Thirty‐eight children, aged 1–15 years, with portal hypertension and recent variceal bleeding, were treated with repeated endoscopic sclerotherapy. Thirty‐six of them had extrahepatic portal venous obstruction. Obliteration of varices was achieved in 35 (92%) patients requiring an average of 5.3 sessions per patient. Major complications occurred in seven patients, three of whom had oesophageal perforations and four had oesophageal stricture. Sclerotherapy significantly reduced the rate of rebleeding after the start of sclerotherapy and more so after variceal obliteration.
Detection of anti‐interferon‐α2a antibodies in chronic liver disease
Authors: IKEDA Y. , MIYAKE K. , TODA G. , YAMADA H. , YAMANAKA M. , OKA H.
Published: March 2008

The occurrence of antibodies to interferon‐α2a (anti‐IFN‐α2a) to recombinant human IFN‐α2a was examined in chronic liver disease by a sensitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Naturally occurring IgG and/or IgM anti‐IFN‐α2a were found in one of 12 cases of chronic persistent hepatitis, four of 18 cases of chronic active hepatitis (CAH), two of 12 cases of liver cirrhosis, six of seven cases of primary biliary cirrhosis, nine of 11 cases of auto‐immune CAH and none of 21 normal control subjects. Fifteen patients with viral CAH were treated with recombinant IFN‐α2a. Two of them were positive prior to receipt of IFN‐α2a and their titres increased after the therapy. Two patients became positive for anti‐IFN‐α2a after the therapy. Absorption experiments revealed that anti‐IFN‐α2a cross‐reacted with native human leucocyte IFN‐α and recombinant IFN‐α2b but not with recombinant IFN‐β and ‐γ. The immunoblotting experiment confirmed the binding of antibodies to IFN. The results of anti‐IFN‐α2a obtained by antiviral, cytopathic effect assay were in good agreement with those of IgG anti‐IFN‐α2a, but not with those of IgM antibodies obtained by the ELISA. The ELISA described in the present study is a simple, sensitive and quantitative assay for anti‐IFN‐α2a. It should be useful in assessing sub‐specificities of anti‐IFN and provide valuable information to predict the effect of IFN therapy and to elucidate the immunological abnormality in liver disease.
Diagnostic and prognostic value of the determination of the aminopropeptide of type III procollagen in patients with primary liver cancer
Authors: FARINATI F. , ANNONI G. , DONATO M. F. , NARDELLI P. , BERTOZZO A. , DE MARIA N. , ZOTTI S. , SALVAGNINI M. , MARTINEZ D. , NACCARATO R.
Published: March 2008

Abstract Hepatic fibroplasia seems to play an important role in the course of primary liver cancer (PLC) since, for instance, encapsulated and fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinomas show a definitely better prognosis. In this study, serum procollagen III amino‐terminal peptide (PIIIP) levels, which reflect synthesis and release of procollagen type III, were measured with the aim of assessing hepatic fibrogenesis in PLC patients and determining whether serum PIIIP levels play a diagnostic or prognostic role in PLC. Twenty‐five patients with PLC, 74 patients with cirrhosis and 38 healthy volunteers were studied. Serum PIIIP levels were determined by a radioimmunoassay (RIA) method.

In PLC patients PIIIP serum levels were significantly higher than those of controls and cirrhotic patients (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 respectively) but an analysis of individual values showed an important overlap between PLC and cirrhosis. No correlation was found between serum PIIIP levels and tumour histology, presence or absence of cirrhosis, Child status, possible aetiology of the disease, indices of hepatocellular inflammation, cholestasis and synthesis, or tumour markers. On the contrary, serum PIIIP levels correlated with tumour gross pattern (z=3, P < 0.001) and, inversely, with survival (r=0.659, P<0.01), patients with serum PIIIP over 25 ng/mL showing a significantly worse prognosis. These data confirm that hepatic fibroplasia plays an important, but not yet fully understood, role in the course of PLC. From the clinical point of view, PIIIP determination does not add to the differential diagnosis between PLC and cirrhosis but helps to identify patients with larger liver replacements and worse prognoses.
‘Metaplastic lesions’ in intrahepatic bile ducts in hepatolithiasis: A histochemical and immunohistochemical study
Authors: KURUMAYA HIROSHI , TERADA TADASHI , NAKANUMA YASUNI
Published: March 2008

Pathology of the intrahepatic bile ducts bearing calculi was examined with an emphasis on metaplasia in 22 cases of hepatolithiasis and in seven cases of normal livers. Normal livers contained few glandular elements within the bile duct walls and no metaplastic lesions or endocrine cells. In hepatolithiasis, a number of mucous glands resembling pyloric glands (pseudopyloric gland metaplasia) were seen within duct walls in all cases. The epithelial cells of the glands were positive for class III mucin with paradoxical concanavalin A staining which is known to be specific for pyloric glands. These cells were also positive for neutral, sialo‐ and sulfomucin to a variable extent. Intestinal metaplasia, including goblet cell and Paneth cell metaplasia, was found within duct walls and in covering epithelia in five (23%) cases. Endocrine cells, including argyrophil, argentaffin and gut hormone‐containing cells were present in these metaplastic lesions in 13 (59%) cases. The occurrence of endocrine cells was closely associated with intestinal metaplasia, although there were a few endocrine cells in metaplastic pseudopyloric glands. These findings suggest that metaplastic lesions similar to the well‐known metaplastic lesions in the gallbladder occur in the intrahepatic bile duct walls in hepatolithiasis. The appearance of metaplastic lesions and endocrine cells may be causally related to chronic inflammatory processes associated with hepatolithiasis.
Hepatocellular carcinoma presenting as acute spontaneous haemothorax
Authors: LIN HSIEN‐HONG , LIEW CHOONG‐TSEK , LIAW YUN‐FAN
Published: March 2008

Hepatocellular carcinoma may present in various ways, but only a few instances present with symptoms of distant metastases. This report describes a case of hepatocellular carcinoma presenting with acute haemothorax and haemorrhagic shock secondary to spontaneous rupture of chest wall metastasis. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a frequent malignancy in Asia and should be considered in the list of differential diagnosis of spontaneous haemothorax.
Percutaneous liver biopsy: A safe outpatient procedure
Authors: CHAWLA Y. K. , RAMESH G. N. , KAUR U. , BAMBERY P. , DILAWAR J. B.
Published: March 2008

Percutaneous liver biopsy with Menghini or Trucut needle as an outpatient procedure was performed on 159 patients over a 3.5‐year period. No major complications were observed. Liver biopsy is recommended as an outpatient procedure, which would reduce the patient load on limited hospital beds and economize on the hospital resources.
Upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy in children and adolescents with Crohn's disease: A prospective study
Authors: CAMERON D. J. S.
Published: March 2008

Fifty‐six children and adolescents with Crohn's disease were prospectively investigated with gastroscopy and colonoscopy irrespective of localizing symptoms or signs. Routine biopsies were taken from endoscopically normal and abnormal areas.

A high incidence (71%) of upper gastrointestinal (GI) involvement was found. In 41%, these findings were instrumental in making the diagnosis. The ileum was viewed in 49 of the 56 cases.

Overall, the upper GI tract was involved in 71%, the terminal ileum in 53%, and the colon in 86% (oesophagus 16%, body of stomach 46%, antrum 36%, duodenum 21%, terminal ileum 53%, caecum 69%, transverse colon 71%, sigmoid 60% and rectum 41%).

Upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy with systematic biopsies should be performed early in the diagnostic assessment of children and adolescents with suspected inflammatory bowel disease to enable accurate diagnosis and assessment of extent of disease.
Hepatitis B vaccination: Half dose recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine (B‐Hepavac II) is as immunogenic as the full recommended dose in healthy adults
Authors: GUAN R. , YAP I. , TAY H. H.
Published: March 2008

Sixty‐seven healthy adult volunteers aged 20–40 years with no previous exposure to hepatitis B virus were randomized to receive either a 10 μg or 5 μg dose of recombinant DNA hepatitis B (HB) vaccine (B‐Hepavac II) intramuscularly at 0, 1 and 6 months. Two months after the third injection 100% of subjects had seroconverted: 97% of the 10 μg group and 91% of the 5 μg group had antibody to HB surface antigen (anti‐HBs) levels greater than 10 iu/L. The geometric mean titres (GMT) of anti‐HBs levels at this time were 891 iu/L in the 10 μg dose group and 923 iu/L in the 5 μg dose group. These differences were not significant. Adverse effects included fever and mild pain at the injection site. The reduced dose of 5 μg was as effective as the standard 10 μg dose.
Comparative effects of 5% ethanolamine oleate versus 5% sodium morrhuate for sclerotherapy of oesphageal varices
Authors: KITANO S. , WADA H. , YAMAGA H. , HASHIZUME M. , KOYANAGI N. , IWANAGA T. , ISO Y. , SUGIMACHI K.
Published: March 2008

Forty‐five cirrhotic patients with oesophageal varices were randomized to receive endoscopic injection sclerotherapy with either 5% ethanolamine oleate (EO), or 5% sodium morrhuate (SM). In the EO group, there was a statistically significant higher rate of disappearance of red colour signs on the varices a week after the initial session of sclerotherapy than in the SM group (91.3%vs 45.5%, P < 0.05). A jet‐like bleeding from injection sites at the second session of sclerotherapy occurred in three patients in the SM group and they experienced blurred vision. There was no such occurrence in the EO group. Oesophageal bleeding requiring blood transfusion during the course of repeated sclerotherapy occurred only in the SM group (five patients): bleeding was from a partly thrombosed varix and in four was from oesophageal ulcers.

We found that EO administered intravariceally is more efficacious than SM for sclerotherapy of oesophageal varices.
Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B virus in Indonesia
Authors: SASTROSOEWIGNJO RETNO I. , SANDJAJA BERNARDUS , OKAMOTO HIROAKI
Published: March 2008

The S‐gene sequences of hepatitis B virus (HBV) from 22 carriers in several islands of Indonesia were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and XbaI‐Spel fragments corresponding to nucleotides 93–529 (437 base pairs) in the S gene were sequenced. The 22 sequences, along with the 5 reported sequences from Indonesia, were compared with each other, and with the corresponding sequences of 20 clones from other countries including China, France, Great Britain, Japan, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, USA and USSR. When the 27 HBV DNA clones of various subtypes from Indonesia were classified by the homology in the nucleotide sequence into the five genotypes, twelve belonged to genotype B (subtype adw 7 and ayw 5), 13 to genotype C (adw 1, adr 10, ayr 1 and ar 1), and 2 to genotype D (ayw); none belonged to genotype A or E. Different subtypes of clones in the same genotype indicated that point mutations inducing d‐to‐y or w‐to‐r phenotypic changes would be common among Indonesian carriers. Comparison of the translation products of Xbal‐Spel fragments, now available for 47 HBV DNA clones of different genotypes (A 4; B 14; C 21; D 7; E 1), identified several amino acids characteristic to or influenced by the five genotypes as well as those highly conserved by clones of different genotypes.
A double‐blind study of misoprostol (SC‐29333) in the healing of duodenal ulcer
Authors: AHMED WAQAR‐UDDIN , QURESHI HUMA , ALAM EJAZ , ZUBERI SARWAR J.
Published: March 2008

In a double‐blind randomized placebo controlled trial, 50 patients with endoscopically confirmed duodenal ulcer were treated with either misoprostol 200 μg or placebo in q.i.d. doses for 4–8 weeks. Of 25 patients in the placebo group, four defaulted and two were withdrawn due to worsening of symptoms. Of 25 misoprostol‐treated cases, 17 cases (68%) and 21 cases (84%) healed at 4 and 8 weeks respectively, compared with three (14%) and five (24%) of the 21 placebo‐treated cases (P < 0.001). Except for diarrhoea in 2 patients in each group and itching in one with misoprostol, no serious side effects were noted.
Ultrastructural studies of hepatocyte cytoskeleton in experimental cholestasis by quick‐freezing and deep‐etching method
Authors: FURUTA KIYOSHI , OHNO SHINICHI , GIBO YUKIO , KIYOSAWA KENDO
Published: March 2008

The ultrastructural association between the cytoskeleton and other organelles was studied by the quick‐freezing and deep‐etching method in rats treated with α‐naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT), or phalloidin, and in rats with obstructive jaundice. Cytoplasmic filaments were classified by measuring their diameters, and actin filaments were identified by specific decoration with myosin subfragment 1 (S1). S1‐positive actin filaments and S1‐negative intermediate filaments (12–14 nm in diameter) were observed to form a three‐dimensional network around bile canaliculi, and were more numerous than in controls, not only in phalloidin‐treated rats and rats with obstructive jaundice, but also in ANIT‐administered rats. In all cholestatic rats, vesicular structures were also more numerous than in controls in the pericanalicular regions, and were closely associated with the microfilaments and the intermediate filaments. Filaments of a new type were localized between the lamellae of rough‐surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, and between the lamellae of Golgi sacs and vesicles. Other thin filaments were also observed within the network of actin filaments. These filaments were 4–6 nm in diameter on replica membranes and were never decorated with S1. They were also directly connected with the canalicular membranes. Cytoskeletal components associated with membrane‐bound organelles, including these new filaments, were suggested to be involved in the localization and migration of organelles.
Development of hepatocellular carcinoma in a man with auto‐immune chronic active hepatitis
Authors: YOUSUF MUHAMMAD , KIYOSAWA KENDO , SODEYAMA TAKESHI , YODA HIDETOSHII , NAKANO YOSHIYUKI , FURUTA SEIICHI
Published: March 2008

A 57 year old man with auto‐immune chronic active hepatitis, regularly treated with immunosuppressive therapy, had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) 10 years after diagnosis of the hepatitis. Assays of the hepatitis C virus antibodies against capsid and non‐structural proteins revealed seronegativity in serial serum samples of this patient stored in the previous 10 years during follow up. The seronegative hepatitis C antibodies excluded hepatitis C virus as the cause of the HCC. The occurrence of HCC in this case suggests the necessity of surveillance for early detection of liver cancer in patients with auto‐immune chronic active hepatitis undergoing long‐term immunosuppressive therapy.
Anti‐HCV immunoglobulin M antibody in patients with hepatitis C
Authors: KIKUCHI TAKASHI , ONJI MORIKAZU , MICHITAKA KOJIRO , SAITO IZUMU , MIYAMURA TATSUO , OHTA YASUYUKI
Published: March 2008

Anti‐hepatitis C virus (HCV) immunoglobulin M antibody titres were measured by an enzyme‐linked immuno‐sorbent assay method in 16 patients with non‐A, non‐B acute hepatitis (NANB AH), 13 with non‐A, non‐B fulminant hepatitis (NANB FH) and nine with type C chronic hepatitis. Anti‐HCV IgM was positive in one of the 16 patients with NANB AH, six of the 13 with NANB FH, and five of the nine with type C chronic hepatitis. Anti‐HCV IgG was positive in eight of the 16 patients with NANB AH and eight of the 13 with NANB FH. Either anti‐HCV IgM or anti‐HCV IgG were positive in 10 of the 13 patients with NANB FH. All of the five anti‐HCV IgM positive patients with type C chronic hepatitis were undergoing an exacerbation of the diseases, while all of the anti‐HCV IgM negative patients were in a remission stage which had lasted for more than 6 months.

The findings of this study suggest that anti‐HCV IgM is useful for the early diagnosis of type C FH and may be a useful marker of diseases activity in type C chronic hepatitis.
Lack of hepatic benefit by oxygen inhalation during vasopressin infusion in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: IWAO TADASHI , TOYONAGA ATSUSHI , SUMINO MICHIHIRO , OHO KAZUHIKO , SAKAKI MUNENORI , KEGAMI MOTOKII , NISHIZONO MASATOSHI , TANIKAWA KYUICHI
Published: March 2008

Vasopressin has been found to impair hepatic function in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether oxygen inhalation could improve hepatic function during vasopressin infusion. Vasopressin (0.3iu/min) was infused into eight patients with cirrhosis for 50min. During the first 30min they were ventilated by room air and for the following 20min by oxygen (approximate 50% of FiO2). The extra oxygen inhalation caused a typical increase in arterial (+ 7%, P 0.01), portal venous (+8%, P 0.05), and hepatic venous (+9%, P 0.01) oxygen content. No effect was noted in arterio‐hepatic venous and portal venous‐hepatic venous oxygen content difference in comparison with the values after vasopressin alone. The hepatic perfusion remained unchanged. These results suggest that the extra oxygen did not increase hepatic oxygen uptake. Similarly, intrinsic clearance of indocyanine green did not improve. It is concluded that oxygen supplement in this setting has no hepatic benefit in patients with cirrhosis.
Peptic ulcers and abdominal aortic aneurysms
Authors: CHENG STEPHEN W. K. , FOK MANSON , WONG JOHN
Published: March 2008

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in 106 of 204 Chinese patients with intact abdominal aortic aneurysms, ninety‐seven for screening and nine for gastrointestinal bleeding or pain. Peptic disease was discovered in 38 patients: 12 duodenal ulcers, 12 gastric ulcers, four duodenal and gastric ulcers, three duodenitis, three gastritis and four previously operated for ulcers. The eight patients who bled before aneurysmectomy all had gastric ulcers; four required emergency operation and two died. Only two patients bled from duodenal ulcers, both after aneurysmectomy and one died. Excluding gastritis and duodenitis, peptic ulcer was found in 26.4% of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. Half of these ulcers were gastric ulcers and 50% of them bled before aneurysmectomy. Duodenal ulcers tend to remain asymptomatic before operation and two of 12 (16.7%) bled postoperatively. The risk of bleeding for ulcers associated with aneurysms was 10 of 28 (35.7%) ulcers. The result of this uncontrolled study suggests that routine endoscopic screening should be used in all patients with aortic aneurysms and early surgery should be offered for gastric ulcers.
Inflammatory bowel disease: An uncommon problem in Singapore
Authors: TAN C. C. , KANG J. Y. , GUAN R. , YAP I. , TAY H. H.
Published: March 2008

Fifty patients with inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, 40; Crohn's disease, seven; indeterminate colitis, three) treated in one gastroenterology unit in Singapore over a 10 year period were reviewed. Clinical features were similar to those described in Western patients. Of the three main races of Singapore it was found that Indians are more susceptible to these diseases than Chinese or Malays. A survey of all gastroenterologists in Singapore indicated a possible prevalence of 8.6 per 100 000 people for ulcerative colitis and 1.3 per 100 000 people for Crohn's disease. These prevalence rates are much lower than those reported for Western populations.
Decreased interleukin‐2 receptor β chain expression by peripheral blood lymphocytes in chronic liver disease
Authors: MASUMOTO TOSHIKAZU , ONJI MORIKAZU , OHTA YASUYUKI
Published: March 2008

To investigate the decrease in natural killer (NK) activity in chronic liver disease, interleukin‐2 receptor β chain (IL‐2R β) expression was assessed by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) using flow cytometry and an IL‐2R β chain‐specific mouse monoclonal antibody. The percentage of IL‐2R β chain‐positive PBL was significantly decreased in patients with chronic viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in comparison with normal controls (P < 0.01). Among chronic viral hepatitis patients, it was significantly less in those with chronic active hepatitis than in those with chronic persistent hepatitis (P < 0.05). Two‐colour flow cytometry revealed that the IL‐2R β chain was mainly expressed by CD8+ or CD16+ cells in both the controls and the liver disease patients. CD8dull+ cells (NK cells) constituted more than 60% of the CD8+ cells expressing the IL‐2R β chain. Expression of the IL‐2R β chain with CD8 or CD 16 was also significantly decreased in chronic liver disease patients compared with controls. In chronic viral hepatitis, there was a significant correlation between NK activity and the percentage of IL‐2R β+ PBL (P < 0.001, r= 0.916), as well as between NK activity and the percentage of PBL co‐expressing both the IL‐2R β chain and CD16 (P < 0.001, r= 0.850). These findings suggest that decreased expression of the IL‐2R β chain by PBL may result in diminished NK activity in chronic liver disease.