bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Post‐transplant recurrent hepatitis C: immunohistochemical detection of hepatitis C virus core antigen and possible pathogenic implications
Authors: Pessôa Mário G. , Alves Venancio A.F. , Wakamatsu Alda , Gomes Joaquim G. , Maertens Geert , Van Der Borght Bart , Kim Michael , Ferrell Linda , Wright Teresa L. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIntroduction: The mechanisms by which severe cholestatic hepatitis develops after liver transplantation are not fully understood. Reports on immunohistochemical distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigens are still scarce, but recently, HCV immunostaining was suggested for early diagnosis of cholestatic forms of recurrent hepatitis C in liver grafts. After purification, Rb246 pab anticore (aa1‐68) yielded specific, granular cytoplasmic staining in hepatocytes. Signal amplification through the Envision‐Alkaline Phosphatase System avoided endogenous biotin and peroxidase.Aims/Methods: Rb246 was applied to liver samples of explants of 12 transplant recipients, six with the most severe form of post‐transplantation recurrence, severe cholestatic hepatitis (group 1) and six with mild recurrence (group 2). We also assessed immuno‐reactivity at two time‐points post‐transplantation (median 4 and 22 months) in both groups. HCV‐core Ag was semiquantified from 0 to 3+ in each time point. Serum HCV‐RNA was also measured on the different time points by branched DNA.Results: In the early post‐transplant time point, one patient had a mild staining (1+), two patients had a moderate staining (2+) and the other three had no staining in group 1, compared with five patients with no staining (0) and one patient with mild staining (1+) in group 2. Late post‐transplant liver samples were available in nine patients, and two out of four samples in group 1 showed a mild staining, compared with no staining patients in five patients in group 2. Strikingly, on the explant samples, HCV immunostaining was strongly positive in group 1, and mildly positive in group 2. Two out of five samples showed 3+ staining, and three samples showed 2+ staining in group 1; two out of five samples showed no staining, two samples showed 1+ staining and one sample showed 2+ staining in group 2. Serum HCV‐RNA was significantly higher in group 1, on both time‐points post‐transplantation. HCV‐core Ag was not directly associated with serum HCV‐RNA on the different time points.Conclusion: These preliminary results suggest that strong HCV immunostaining in the explant is predictive of more severe disease recurrence.
Living donor liver transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria
Authors: Woo Hyun Young , Jang Jeong Won , Choi Jong Young , You Chan Ran , Jeong Soung Won , Bae Si Hyun , Yoon Seung Kew , Lee Young Sok , Kim Dong Goo 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackground/Aims: In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exceeding the Milan criteria, the recurrence rate after liver transplantation is over 50%. We investigated pretransplant factor(s) that could predict recurrence after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in patients with HCC exceeding the Milan criteria.Methods: Pre‐operative imaging showed that, of the 111 HCC patients who underwent LDLT between June 1995 and January 2006, 37 exceeded the Milan criteria. Clinical factors before LDLT were evaluated.Results: The 1‐ and 3‐year cumulative recurrence rates were 35 and 55% respectively. Pretransplant risk factors for HCC recurrence were large tumour size (>6 cm, P=0.001), tumour exposed to the liver surface (P=0.014) and progressive disease after pretransplant treatment (P=0.038). The 2‐year HCC recurrence rates in patients with 0, 1, 2 and 3 factors were 0% (0/4), 9% (1/16), 80% (8/10) and 100% (7/7) respectively (P<0.001). The 2‐year survival rate was significantly higher in patients with 0 or 1 factor than in patients with two or more factors (P=0.022).Conclusions: In patients with HCC exceeding the Milan criteria, the three pretransplant factors that may be useful for identifying those with high HCC recurrence potential after LDLT are tumour size >6 cm, progressive disease after pretransplant treatment and tumour exposed to the liver surface.
Origin of stellate cells from submesothelial cells in a developing human liver
Authors: Loo Christine K. C. , Wu Xiao‐Juan 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackground: The embryonic origin of liver stellate cells is unknown.Methods: We investigated the development of stellate cells in histological sections of human liver of 7–20 weeks gestation, using neural cell adhesion molecule (N‐CAM) to highlight stellate cells by the immunoperoxidase method.Results: We observed a layer of submesothelial cells beneath the liver capsule in the first trimester of gestation, which express N‐CAM and desmin antigens by the immunoperoxidase method but not epithelial‐cadherin, smooth muscle actin or CD34 antigens, unlike hepatocytes and similar to septum transversum mesenchyme. In embryonic liver, stellate cells appeared to grow from pockets of submesothelial cells, with transitional forms observed between the cell types. The submesothelial cells morphologically resemble those described during the rapid growth phase in avian liver, which have been shown to be precursors of stellate cells. There is considerable evidence for epithelial–mesenchymal interactions during development, and we have also found that hepatocytes adjacent to the capsule and around the portal tracts show enhanced expression of β‐catenin in developing liver. These are sites in which stellate cells appeared to be concentrated.Conclusion: We present evidence to suggest that stellate cells originate from submesothelial cells, which possibly derive from the septum transversum.
Median liver lobe of woodchuck as a model to study hepatic outflow obstruction: a pilot study
Authors: Dahmen Uta , Radtke A. , Schröder T. , Chi H. , Madrahimov N. , Lu M. , Schenk A. , Peitgen K. H. , Dirsch O. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackground: Hepatic vein outflow obstruction represents an important clinical problem in living‐liver transplantation. An animal model is required to study the influence of outflow obstruction on the intrahepatic regulation of liver perfusion and the subsequent effects on liver injury and recovery during liver regeneration. The size of woodchucks enables the use of standard clinical imaging procedures.Aim: This study aims at describing hepatic vascular and territorial anatomy of the woodchuck liver based on a virtual three‐dimensional (3D) visualization of the hepatic vascular tree.Methods: Woodchucks (n=6) were subjected to an all‐in‐one computed tomography (CT) after contrasting the vascular and the biliary tree. CT‐images were used for 3D‐reconstruction of hepatic and portal veins and calculation of the corresponding portal and hepatic vein territories and their respective volume using hepavision (MeVisLab). A virtual resection was performed following the Cantlie‐line and territories at risk were calculated.Results: The median lobe of the woodchuck liver has a similar vascular supply and drainage as the human liver with two portal (right and left median portal vein) and three hepatic veins (left, middle and right median hepatic vein). The corresponding portal and hepatic vein subterritories are of a similar relative size compared with the human liver. Virtual splitting of the median lobe of the woodchuck liver revealed areas at risk of focal outflow obstruction, as observed clinically.Conclusion: The median liver lobe of the woodchuck represents, to a small extent, the hepatic vascular anatomy of the human liver and is therefore a suitable potential model to correlate repeated imaging of impaired liver perfusion with histomorphological findings of liver damage and regeneration.
A 1H nuclear magnetic resonance‐based metabonomic approach for grading hepatic encephalopathy and monitoring the effects of therapeutic hypothermia in rats
Authors: Barba Ignasi , Chatauret Nicolas , García‐Dorado David , Córdoba Juan 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackground:
There are no good biomarkers for grading hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and monitoring the effectiveness of therapeutic measures.Methods:
We applied 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)‐based metabonomics of brain samples obtained from acute liver failure rats sacrificed after ligation of the hepatic artery (at 6 h, precoma and coma stages), sham‐operated controls and mild hypothermia (35 °C) for 6 or 15 h as a therapeutic measure.Results:
Partial least square discriminant analysis established a classification model that scored the severity of encephalopathy. Animals treated with hypothermia did not develop manifestations of encephalopathy and were graded accordingly using the NMR‐based metabonomic approach. Hypothermic animals showed lower levels of alanine and lactate as well as higher levels of N‐acetylaspartate and myo‐inositol compared with normothermic animals. The course of metabolic deterioration was more rapid in the brainstem than in the cortex.Conclusion:
Metabonomic analysis is capable of grading HE, detecting regional differences and monitoring the protective effects of hypothermia. This approach elucidates differences of brain energetic metabolism and compensatory osmotic response to explain the effects of hypothermia.
Hepatic fibrogenesis in response to chronic liver injury: novel insights on the role of cell‐to‐cell interaction and transition
Authors: Svegliati‐Baroni Gianluca , De Minicis Samuele , Marzioni Marco 
Published: August 2010

AbstractHepatic fibrosis represents the wound‐healing response process of the liver to chronic injury, independently from aetiology. Advanced liver fibrosis results in cirrhosis that can lead to liver failure, portal hypertension and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, no effective therapies are available for hepatic fibrosis. After the definition of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) as the main liver extracellular matrix‐producing cells in the 1980s, the subsequent decade was dedicated to determine the role of specific cytokines and growth factors. Fibrotic progression of chronic liver diseases can be nowadays considered as a dynamic and highly integrated process of cellular response to chronic liver injury. The present review is dedicated to the novel mechanisms of cellular response to chronic liver injury leading to hepatic myofibroblasts' activation. The understanding of the cellular and molecular pathways regulating their function is crucial to counteract therapeutically the organ dysfunction caused by myofibroblasts' activation.
Pretransplant variables associated with quality of life in liver transplant recipients
Authors: Saab Sammy , Ibrahim Ayman B. , Surti Bijal , Durazo Francisco , Han Steven , Yersiz Hasan , Farmer Douglas G. , Ghobrial R. Mark , Goldstein Leonard I. , Tong Myron J. , Busuttil Ronald W. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractObjective: With an increasing number of liver transplant recipients living, understanding quality‐of‐life issues is essential. Our goal is to identify pretransplant variables associated with post‐transplant quality of life in liver transplant recipients.Methods: Three hundred and eight liver transplant recipients were administered the Short Form 36 and a basic demographical questionnaire. Variables associated with post‐transplant quality of life were studied in a multivariate regression analysis. Interaction terms were used to examine effect modification.Results: Male gender, longer pretransplant work hours and interaction term between work hours and male gender were independently associated with Physical Functioning. Work hours positively correlated with Role‐Physical, while viral hepatitis and ascites were negatively associated with Role‐Physical. Ascites and viral hepatitis were independently negatively associated with Bodily Pain. Encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma and viral hepatitis were independently associated with General Health. Ascites was also negatively associated with Social Functioning, Role‐Emotional, Bodily Pain, General Health and Vitality. Viral hepatitis was negatively correlated with Vitality and Mental Functioning.Conclusions: Pretransplant variables such as ascites, encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma, viral hepatitis, work hours, time unable to work and gender were significantly associated with post‐transplant quality of life in liver transplant recipients. Interventions addressing these issues may be initiated to improve the post‐transplant quality of life.
Hepatitis E and pregnancy: understanding the pathogenesis
Authors: Navaneethan Udayakumar , Al Mohajer Mayar , Shata Mohamed T. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractHepatitis E virus (HEV) is a single‐stranded RNA virus that causes large‐scale epidemics of acute viral hepatitis, particularly in developing countries. In men and non‐pregnant women, the disease is usually self‐limited and has a case‐fatality rate of less than <0.1%. However, in pregnant women, particularly from certain geographical areas in India, HEV infection is more severe, often leading to fulminant hepatic failure and death in a significant proportion of patients. In contrast, reports from Egypt, Europe and the USA have shown that the course and severity of viral hepatitis during pregnancy is not different from that in non‐pregnant women. The reasons for this geographical difference are not clear. The high mortality rate in pregnancy has been thought to be secondary to the associated hormonal (oestrogen and progesterone) changes during pregnancy and consequent immunological changes. These immunological changes include downregulation of the p65 component of nuclear factor (NF‐κB) with a predominant T‐helper type 2 (Th2) bias in the T‐cell response along with host susceptibility factors, mediated by human leucocyte antigen expression. Thus far, researchers were unable to explain the high HEV morbidity in pregnancy, why it is different from other hepatitis viruses such as hepatitis A with similar epidemiological features and the reason behind the difference in HEV morbidity in pregnant women in different geographical regions. The recent developments in understanding the immune response to HEV have encouraged us to review the possible mechanisms for these differences. Further research in the immunology of HEV and pregnancy is required to conquer this disease in the near future.
Increased flow‐mediated vasodilation in cirrhotic patients with ascites: relationship with renal resistive index
Authors: Cazzaniga Massimo , Salerno Francesco , Visentin Stefania , Cirello Ilaria , Donarini Cesare , Cugno Massimo 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackground: Peripheral vasodilation is the key factor in the development of hyperdynamic circulation, sodium retention and functional renal failure in patients with cirrhosis. Brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) after transient vascular occlusion is a non‐invasive method to assess the shear stress‐induced arterial vasodilation.Aims: To evaluate FMD in cirrhotic patients with and without ascites and to assess the relationship between FMD and intrarenal resistances.Methods: Flow‐mediated dilation was determined in 32 cirrhotic patients (22 with ascites) and 12 healthy controls and correlated with the intrarenal resistive index (RI) assessed by Doppler exploration.Results: Basal diameter of the brachial artery was similar in healthy controls and in cirrhotic patients, whereas FMD was significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis and ascites [29.5% (range 10.3–50%)] than in pre‐ascitic patients [17.3% (range 2.4–48.5%)] and healthy control subjects [11.6% (range 5.1–17.8%)] (P<0.001). Intrarenal RI was significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis than in healthy subjects, and a direct relationship existed between FMD and intrarenal RI (r=0.66; P<0.00001).Conclusions: These findings in vivo demonstrate that cirrhotic patients with ascites have an enhanced shear stress‐induced peripheral vasodilation, which is closely related to intrarenal vasoconstriction.
Extrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma: incidence and risk factors
Authors: Kanda Miho , Tateishi Ryosuke , Yoshida Haruhiko , Sato Takahisa , Masuzaki Ryota , Ohki Takamasa , Imamura Jun , Goto Tadashi , Yoshida Hideo , Hamamura Keisuke , Obi Shuntaro , Kanai Fumihiko , Shiina Shuichiro , Omata Masao 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackground:Extrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is of growing importance as the survival of patients has been improved owing to advances in treatments to intrahepatic lesions.Methods:To elucidate the incidence and risk factors of extrahepatic metastasis of HCC, we enrolled 1573 (1131 treatment‐naïve and 442 previously treated on referral) patients with HCC without extrahepatic tumour spread treated at the authors' department between 1990 and 2003. Patients received medical treatment including percutaneous ablation and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, and followed by dynamic computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and tumour markers every 3–4 months. Extrahepatic metastasis was diagnosed by plain X‐ray, CT, MRI and scintigraphy. Clinical parameters at the time of treatment to intrahepatic lesions were evaluated as a predictor of subsequent extrahepatic metastasis among the 1131 treatment‐naïve patients by Cox's proportional hazard model.Results:During the average observation period of 3.9 years, extrahepatic metastasis was diagnosed in 123 in the treatment‐naïve and 53 in the patients treated previously. The incidence rate of extrahepatic metastasis, as detected during the lifetime after medical treatment of HCC, was approximately 13% at 5 years. Multivariate analysis with Cox proportional hazard model revealed that positivity for viral markers, lager tumour diameter, multiple tumour nodules, presence of vascular tumour invasion and elevated tumour markers were associated with the development of extrahepatic metastasis.Conclusion:The incidence of extrahepatic metastasis of HCC diagnosed during clinical course was not frequent. Advanced intrahepatic lesions, presence of vascular tumour invasion, elevated tumour markers and presence of viral hepatitis were risk factors for extrahepatic metastasis.
Hemolysis and thrombocytopenia following oxaliplatin administration
Authors: LE Brian HC , JUNEJA Surender , GIBBS Peter 
Published: August 2010

AbstractOxaliplatin is a platinum derivative with an overall excellent safety profile that has a major role in the treatment of colorectal cancer. With a proven role now in the adjuvant setting, rare but potentially life‐threatening toxicities become a more significant issue. We report here a case of significant postinfusion hemolysis and thrombocytopenia in a patient undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer, and review the literature. Six cases of hemolysis following oxaliplatin treatment have previously been reported, all in the setting of advanced colorectal cancer, with one case resulting in death. In three of the seven reports (including the present case), warning signs of low grade hemolysis were apparent during preceding cycles, with fever and/or back pain during the infusion being the most common feature. Our case appears to be the first reported with a direct antiglobulin test‐negative hemolysis with thrombocytopenia, with each of the previous reports postulating an autoimmune basis. Hemolysis and/or thrombocytopenia are potentially life‐threatening complications of oxaliplatin chemotherapy. With the increasing use of oxaliplatin in the adjuvant setting, clinicians need to be aware of this entity and the possible clinical warning signs that may be evident in preceding cycles.
DEVELOPMENT OF AQUACULTURE IN AN ISLAND COMMUNITY (GUAM, MARIANA ISLANDS)1
Authors: FitzGerald William J. , Nelson Stephen G. 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTGuam' aquaculture program was initiated in 1973. At that time government operated experimental demonstration ponds were stocked with a variety of species in order to obtain growth data under local climatic conditions and to determine which show the greatest promise for use in aquaculture. The species which were most promising were the eel (Anguilla japonica) and the freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii).At present the culture of prawn, eel, hybrid tilapia, and freshwater turtle is being conducted on a small scale. The majority of the prawn ponds are managed as polyculture systems with several species of Chinese carp cultured as secondary species. Several marine and freshwater species show potential for aquaculture on Guam in the future. The merits of these species are reviewed.
EFFECTS OF FLUCTUATING AND CONSTANT TEMPERATURES AND CHEMICALS IN THERMAL EFFLUENT ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF THE AMERICAN LOBSTER (Homarus americanus)1
Authors: Ford Richard F. , Felix John R. , Johnson Richard L. , Carlberg James M. , Van O1st Jon C. 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTThe effects of long‐term exposure to a fluctuating temperature regime typical of that produced by coastal electric generating stations were investigated for juvenile Homarus americanus held in individual rearing containers. Juveniles reared in a 15–22°C daily temperature fluctuation for 126 days had significantly slower growth than those reared at a constant 22°C. They also had significantly higher mortality and less resistance to a high stress temperature (31°C) than those reared at the constant temperature. Exposure to fluctuating temperatures for 1–2 weeks had no evident effect on growth and survival, suggesting that such short‐term exposures would not be harmful in commercial culture. Related experiments were conducted to assess effects of thermal effluent water chemistry and 4 constant temperatures on growth and survival of larvae and juveniles (Stages I‐XI). There were no significant differences in growth and survival among lobsters held in either thermal effluent or intake water at a given temperature (16, 20, 24, or 26°C), indicating that effluent water chemistry had no apparent effects. There were significant differences in growth of both larvae and juveniles held at the 4 constant temperatures. Survival of juvenile lobsters was not affected significantly by temperature, while that of larvae was. Juvenile lobsters molted more frequently at successively higher temperatures. However, these individuals were not larger than those produced by slower molting at 20°C. This was attributed to absence of a corresponding increase in feeding rate and the relatively high oxygen consumption rates observed at 24 and 26°C.
POLYCULTURE OF Tilapia aurea AND Macrobrachium rosenbergii IN TEXAS1
Authors: Brick Robert W. , Stickney Robert R. 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTA study of polyculture was initiated at the Aquaculture Research Center, Texas A&M University, using Macrobrachium rosenbergii and monosex Tilapia aurea. These species were selected because of their current popularity in aquaculture and because their food preferences and patterns of behavior indicated no reason to expect serious competition. Shrimp were stocked at 11,000 per ha with or without fish (2000 per ha) for observation from June 1 to October 15. The effect of pre‐treatment of ponds with inorganic fertilizer was also studied. Each pond was supplied with equal amounts of Experimental Marine Ration 25 (Ralston‐Purina Co.).Mean survival of fish and shrimp was 96 and 95.7%, respectively. Fish grew to a mean weight of 182 g while shrimp in polyculture grew to 24.5 g and 27.5 g in monoculture. Average daily growth increments were 1.37 g for fish and 0.21 g for shrimp.Neither growth nor survival of fish or shrimp were influenced by pre‐treatment of ponds with fertilizer in this study.