bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of (+)–Cyanidanol–3 in Acute Hav, Hbv, and Non–A, Non–B Viral Hepatitis
Authors: Piazza Marcello , Guadagnino Vincenzo , Picciotto Ludovico , Mercato Renato De , Chirianni Antonio , Orlando Raffaele , Golden Gerard 
Published: July 2010

A double–blind trial was carried out on 124 randomized patients with acute viral hepatitis, of whom 58 were treated with (+)–cyanidanol–3 in a dose of 3 gm per day and 66 with placebo. The treatment was given for 50 days. At 5–day intervals, SGPT, SGOT, and total serum bilirubin levels were tested. For the total group of patients, the levels of SGPT and SGOT activity were significantly lower in the cyanidanol group than in the control group from 30th to 50th day of treatment (with exception of SGOT at Day 35) (Student's t test: p between 0.01 and 0.05).
In 35 patients with acute hepatitis caused by hepatitis A virus, 17 treated with cyanidanol and 18 controls, no significant differences for either SGPT and SGOT were observed. In 58 patients with acute hepatitis caused by hepatitis B virus, 27 treated with cyanidanol and 31 controls, a trend in favor of the cyanidanol group was observed after 30 days of treatment in SGPT activity, the difference being statistically significant after 45 days of treatment (p < 0.05). There was also a trend in favor of the cyanidanol group for SGOT activity from the 30th to 45th day of treatment (p between 0.05 and 0.10). In 31 patients with acute hepatitis caused by hepatitis non–A, non–B virus, 14 treated and 17 controls, a significant difference between the groups, in favor of the cyanidanol group was observed for both SGPT and SGOT after 40 and 45 days of treatment (p < 0.05). The effect of cyanidanol on the transaminases appeared to be a suppression of the “rebounds” occurring from Day 30 onward. There were no significant differences in the evolution of levels of total serum bilirubin.
Among the patients with acute hepatitis caused by hepatitis B virus, 10 of the 27 patients treated with cyanidanol became HBsAg negative after 50 days of treatment compared to 16 of 31 in the control group. This difference is not statistically significant. Cyanidanol had no effect on carrier state. Since patients who show rebounds in levels of serum transaminase activity after apparent recovery from the initial phase usually undergo a more prolonged convalescence, it appears that treatment with (+)–cyanidanol–3 could be useful in shortening the total duration of their illness. It is essential that the investigations of the effects of drugs in viral hepatitis be performed on well–defined etiological homogeneous subgroups.
Plasma Norepinephrine, Weak Neurotransmitters, and Renin Activity During Active Tilting in Liver Cirrhosis: Relationship With Cardiovascular Homeostasis and Renal Function
Authors: Bernardi Mauro , Trevisani Franco , Santini Costanza , Zoli Giorgio , Baraldini Mario , Ligabue Amedeo , Gasbarrini Giovanni 
Published: July 2010

Derangements in cardiovascular homeostasis are well–known features of liver failure. To evaluate the role of possible alterations in adrenergic and reninangiotensin systems in this context, tilting–induced changes in plasma norepinephrine, octopamine, β–phenylethanolamine, and plasma renin activity were related to modifications in blood pressure, heart rate, plasma volume, and renal function in 10 healthy controls and 20 patients with liver cirrhosis.After 2 hr of bed rest, the patients had higher norepinephrine (p < 0.05), octopamine, β–phenyl–ethanolamine (p < 0.001), plasma renin activity (0.1 ± p ± 0.05), heart rate (p < 0.05), and lower mean arterial pressure (0.1 ± p ± 0.05). Renal function was characterized by reduced creatinine clearance and filtered sodium (p < 0.001); tubular rejection fraction of sodium and sodium excretion were not significantly reduced. After the change in posture (observation period of 1 hr), tilting–induced tachycardia was abolished in patients who also showed a significant drop in blood pressure after a transient initial increase at 10 min, whereas a steady state was observed in normal subjects. Norepinephrine and plasma renin activity increases were greater and more prolonged in cirrhotics than in controls; octopamine and β–phenylethanolamine did not change in the latter and increased in the former, where they correlated with plasma norepinephrine in basal conditions and after tilting (r ± 0.49). Creatinine clearance, filtered sodium, and tubular rejection fraction of sodium underwent a greater decrease in cirrhotics. Although plasma volume reduction was more evident in cirrhotics, it remained steady after 10 min in both groups. In basal conditions and after tilting (60 min), plasma renin activity inversely correlated with arterial pressure (p < 0.05) and creatinine clearance (p < 0.01) in cirrhotic patients.In conclusion, the adrenergic system, although hyper stimulated, did not achieve an adequate cardiovascular response which could be due, at least in part, to hyperproduction of weak neurotransmitters. The renin–angiotensin system played a compensatory role and its activation appears to be mainly dependent on intrarenal mechanisms.
Gallbladder Glycoprotein Secretion in Mice With Hemolytic Anemia and Pigment Gallstones
Authors: LaMont Thomas J. , Turner Bradley S. , Bernstein Seldon E. , Trotman Bruce W. 
Published: July 2010

The nb/nb mouse with hereditary hemolytic anemia provides an animal model for the study of pigment gallstone disease. We measured glycoprotein synthesis and secretion in gallbladder neck and fundus of 6–month–old mice without stones, and in 12–month–old mice with and without stones in order to determine the effect of age and presence or absence of stones on mucin release. We observed that the gallbladder necks of 12–month–old nb/nb mice with pigment stones secreted more 3H–glucosamine–labeled glycoprotein (68.2 dpm per m¨g protein) than did the gallbladder necks of mice without pigment stones (31.1 dpm per m¨g protein).
When expressed as a percentage of total glycoprotein synthesis in the gallbladder neck, secretion of glycoprotein was 23.4% in 6–month–old hemolytic mice and 28.7% in 12–month–old hemolytic mice without pigment stones. However, in the presence of pigment stones, the percentage of secreted glycoprotein rose to 40.8%, which differed significantly from both 6–month–old (p &lt; 0.02) and 12–month–old mice without stones (p &lt; 0.05). Our results suggest that the presence of gallstones in nb/ nb mice was associated with a localized increase in glycoprotein release from gallbladder neck. The mechanism for this increase may be precipitation of pigment–mucin concretions in the gallbladder neck glands which has been previously described in this animal model.
Early Morphologic and Enzymatic Changes in Livers of Rats Treated With Chenodeoxycholic and Ursodeoxycholic Acids
Authors: Shefer Sarah , Zaki George F. , Salen Gerald 
Published: July 2010

The effect of high doses of chenodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acids on hepatic morphology and on cholesterol and hile acid metabolism was examined in the rat. After 2 weeks of either cheno or ursodeoxycholic acid feeding, the livers of the treated rats revealed marked proliferation of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum which appeared as an adaptation phenomenon of the microsomal enzyme system in response to bile acid intake. However, the livers of the chenodeoxycholic acid–treated rats showed early alteration that included mild triaditis, swelling of the bile canalicular microvilli, distended Golgi vesicles, whorling of the mitochondria, and presence of large vacuoles bound by single membranes. During cheno– or ursodeoxycholic acid treatment, the administered bile acid predominated in the bile and amounted to 79 or 67% of the biliary bile acids, respectively. At the same time, the concentration of the muricholic acids was also increased. Biliary cholic acid content dropped significantly, but no change in lithocholic acid concentration was observed. In addition, the activity of HMG–CoA reductase as well as that of cholesterol–7a–hydroxylase was reduced by either of the administered bile acids, while no change in hepatic cholesterol content was detected, and intestinal cholesterol absorption was not significantly different from that of controls.
These results show that cheno– and ursodeoxycholic acids inhibited hepatic cholesterol and bile acid synthesis but did not increase either intestinal cholesterol absorption or hepatic microsomal cholesterol content. Since the amounts of biliary lithocholic acid were similar in the bile acid–treated animals, the morphologic abnormalities detected in the chenodeoxycholic acid–fed rats are probably due to an increased pool of chenodeoxycholic acid. However, lithocholic acid–induced liver injury cannot be excluded.
Ultrastructural Evidence of Intrahepatic Cholestasis Before and After Chenodeoxycholic Acid Therapy in Patients With Cholelithiasis: the National Cooperative Gallstone Study
Authors: Phillips James M. , Fisher Rosemarie L. , Anderson Deborah W. , Lan Shu-Ping , Lachin John M. , Boyer James L. 
Published: July 2010

Electron microscopy was performed to assess potential hepatotoxicity before and after 9 and 24 months of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) therapy (375 or 750 mg, daily) in 103 patients with cholelithiasis. Prior to treatment, 64% of the biopsies demonstrated ultrastructural evidence of intrahepatic cholestasis, manifested by abnormal bile canaliculi, thickened pericanalicular ectoplasm, and retention of biliary material within liver cells or pericellular spaces. After 9 months of CDCA therapy, several changes (including increased free cytoplasmic “biliary pigment,” decreased canalicular microvilli, and increased pericanalicular ectoplasm) consistent with intrahepatic cholestasis became more prevalent (63% prior to therapy, 89% at 9 months, p < 0.01) regardless of CDCA dose. After 24 months of therapy, canalicular microvilli and pericanalicular ectoplasm continued to be abnormal (p < 0.01).
This study indicates that ultrastructural evidence of intrahepatic cholestasis is a common subclinical abnormality in patients with cholelithiasis which increases during CDCA therapy, changes which could represent either the natural history of cholelithiasis or CDCA toxicity. A drug effect is suggested by the lack of correlation of these abnormalities with the duration of cholelithiasis prior to CDCA treatment and their “increasing” prevalence after only 9 months of therapy. In addition, canalicular membrane lesions developed in two patients which were similar to lithocholate toxicity in animals. It is not known whether these abnormalities would result in clinically significant hepatoxicity if therapy is continued for longer than 24 months.
Detection of Hepatitis B Virus DNA in Serum by a Simple Spot Hybridization Technique: Comparison with Results for Other Viral Markers
Authors: Scotto Jacques , Hadchouel Michelle , Hery Christiane , Yvart Jeannine , Tiollais Pierre , Brechot Christian 
Published: July 2010

A simplified spot method for determination in serum of hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) by molecular hybridization is proposed. For simultaneous testing of 30 serum samples, it reduced to about 1 hr the duration of the steps preceding hybridization proper. The method also greatly reduced the loss of DNA during these steps and allowed more sensitive detection in samples of only 25 or 50 μ1.
HBV DNA was determined in 181 serum samples by this method, and the results were pooled with 67 previous determinations by the Southern blot technique. Results for the pool were then compared to those obtained with radioimmunoassay for serological HBV markers.
Ninety-six of the 248 samples were HBV DNA positive. Eleven others gave variable or inconclusive results, probably due to low viral particle titers.
Seventy-two HBsAg- and HBeAg-positive sera contained HBV DNA, confirming that HBeAg is a marker of active viral replication. Fourteen other HBsAg- and HBeAg-positive sera, obtained from eight patients, were either HBV DNA negative or oscillated between negative and positive, or, again, were weakly positive; serological follow-up in 7 patients showed seroconversion to anti-HBe in 5, 3 of which became HBsAg negative. Eight of the HBsAg-positive sera were negative or borderline for HBeAg but contained HBV DNA and may, therefore, have been infective; seven of these sera had anti-HBe. Six HBsAg-negative sera contained HBV DNA and may also have been infective; five of these exhibited HBV antibodies.
These results indicate that molecular hybridization not only provides a more sensitive and direct method for detecting hepatitis B virus in serum but also defines additional serological patterns with predictive or epidemiological value.
Cytoskeleton Antibodies in Chronic Active Hepatitis, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, and Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Kurki P. , Miettinen A. , Salaspuro M. , Virtanen I. , Stenman S. 
Published: July 2010

Antibodies to cytoplasmic microfilaments, intermediate filaments (vimentin filaments), and microtubules which comprise the cytoskeleton of the cell were assayed in sera from 23 patients with HBsAg-negative chronic active hepatitis and 1 with HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis, 15 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, 20 patients with alcoholic liver disease, and 32 healthy controls. The cytoskeleton antibodies were assayed by indirect immunofluorescence technique using vinblastine-treated cultured human embryonic fibroblasts as substrates.
There was a significantly increased incidence of cytoskeleton antibodies in patients with liver disease as compared to the control group. Antibodies to microfilaments were found frequently in sera from patients with chronic active hepatitis (67%) and primary biliary cirrhosis (53%) but were rare in sera from patients with alcoholic liver disease (25%) and in control sera (3%). On the other hand, antibodies to microtubules were found in 50% of sera from patients with alcoholic liver disease but in only 7 to 13% of sera from other groups. Intermediate filament antibodies of IgG or IgA class were found only in patient sera whereas intermediate filament antibodies of IgM class were found in the majority of sera in all groups including control sera. The highest titers of intermediate filament antibodies were seen in primary biliary cirrhosis and chronic active hepatitis. The production of cytoskeleton antibodies may be due to the reorganization or destruction of cytoskeletal structures in the liver.
Ethanol Effects in a Rat Hepatoma Cell Line: Induction of γ -Glutamytransferase
Authors: Barouki Robert , Chobert Marie-Noële , Finidori Joëlle , Aggerbeck Martine , Nalpas Bertrand , Hanoune Jacques 
Published: July 2010

The clone C2 derived from a rat hepatoma cell line was used to investigate the mechanism of the induction of γ-glutamyltransferase by ethanol. γ-glutamyltransferase activity was detected in the C2 cell (1.4 mU per mg protein), and its kinetic properties were similar to normal rat liver γ-glutamyltransferase. Ethanol provoked a dose- and time-dependent increase in γ-glutamyltransferase activity, the maximum (2- to 3-fold) occurring 48 hr after the addition of ethanol (180 mM). In contrast, the activity of five other enzymes tested were not markedly modified by ethanol. Propanol was more potent than ethanol in inducing 7-glutamyltransferase (5-fold stimulation), whereas methanol had no effect. The release of the enzyme in the medium was increased by ethanol and propanol.
Several observations argue in favor of an increase in the biosynthesis of γ-glutamyltransferase after ethanol addition: (i) ethanol increased the maximal velocity of the enzyme and did not modify the affinity for its substrates. It did not alter γ-glutamyltransferase subcellular distribution; (ii) ethanol had no immediate effect when added directly to the assay mixture; (iii) the lag period and the time course of the increase in γ-glutamyltransferase activity were those expected for an induction process; (iv) the increase in γ-glutamyltransferase activity was prevented by cyclohex-imide and actinomycin D suggesting that ethanol acted at the transcriptional level. The effect of ethanol was not mimicked by acetaldehyde. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that ethanol increases the biosynthesis of γ-glutamyltransferase in a rat hepatoma cell line which provides a new in vitro system.
Hepatitis A Infection in Chronic Carriers of Hepatitis B Virus
Authors: Zachoval Reinhart , Roggendorf Michael , Deinhardt Friedrich 
Published: July 2010

By routine screening for serologic markers of hepatitis A and B in patients with acute hepatitis, 30 chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus with serologic evidence of acute hepatitis A and two patients with simultaneous acute infection with hepatitis A virus and hepatitis B virus were detected.
For evaluation of clinical data, two major risk groups were distinguished. Nine patients were drug addicts and 17 were children and young adults from Mediterranean countries or southeast Asia.
During the acute phase of illness, serum bilirubin and SGPT levels did not differ from those in other patients with acute hepatitis A. In three patients for whom follow-up sera were available, HBsAg concentration decreased during the acute stage of hepatitis A.
Diagnostic Effectiveness of Serum Bile Acids in Liver Diseases as Evaluated by Multivariate Statistical Methods
Authors: Festi Davide , Labate Antonio Maria Morselli , Roda Aldo , Bazzoli Franco , Frabboni Roberto , Rucci Paola , Taroni Francesco , Aldini Rita , Roda Enrico , Barbara Luigi 
Published: July 2010

The aims of this study were to determine the diagnostic effectiveness of fasting and postprandial serum bile acid determinations in liver diseases, and to compare results with those of conventional liver function tests.
In 322 patients with biopsy-proved liver disease and 93 healthy subjects, fasting and postprandial (2 hr) serum levels of cholic, chenodeoxycholic, and lithocholic acid conjugates and conventional liver function tests were evaluated. Data were subjected to variance and discriminant and factor analyses.
Fasting serum bile acids were higher in patients when compared to controls and were significantly higher in severe than in mild liver diseases. Determination of cholic plus lithocholic acid provided the highest discrimination capacity.
The percent of correct allocation was 75.4% for conventional liver function tests, 70.1% for fasting serum bile acids and increased to 79.6% when liver function tests plus serum bile acids were considered. Postprandial percentages were always lower than fasting. Factor analysis identified two factors possibly related to cytolysis and protein synthesis. The serum bile acid concentrations highly correlated with both factors.
We conclude that serum bile acid determinations increase the diagnostic and discriminant capacities of liver function tests and are more sensitive and discriminant when obtained in fasting than postprandially.
Immunoregulatory T Cell Subsets in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: The Influence of Homosexuality
Authors: Regenstein Fredric G. , Roodman Stanford T. , Perrillo Robert P. 
Published: July 2010

The purposes of this study were 2-fold: (i) To enumerate peripheral immunoregulatory T cell subsets in untreated patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and (ii) to examine the relationship between disturbances in the balance of lymphocyte subsets with liver disease and the presence of homosexuality. Circulating T lymphocyte subsets were evaluated by monoclonal antibodies to the following cell antigens: OKT3 (total T cells), OKT4 (helper/inducer T cells), and 0KT8 (suppressor/cytotoxic T cells). The following groups of subjects were examined: (i) 16 heterosexuals with HBV-associated chronic active hepatitis (CAHB); (ii) 10 heterosexual, healthy HBsAg carriers, and (iii) 16 male homosexuals with CAHB. Controls included 51 healthy heterosexuals and 12 healthy, noninfected male homosexuals.
We were able to demonstrate that heterosexuals with CAHB had T4/T8 ratios which did not differ from those of noninfected heterosexuals. Both healthy carriers and healthy homosexuals, however, exhibited significantly lower T4/T8 ratios than did noninfected heterosexuals (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). In addition, homosexuals with CAHB had lower (1.5 ± 0.1) T4/T8 ratios than did heterosexuals with CAHB (2.0 ± 0.2).
A possible mechanism for these findings is discussed. The data indicate that the presence of homosexuality may be an important factor to consider when evaluating immunoregulatory subsets in CAHB.
Recommendations for identification and public health management of persons with chronic hepatitis B virus infection #
Authors: Weinbaum Cindy M. , Mast Eric E. , Ward John W. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Early identification of persons with chronic HBV infection enables infected persons to receive necessary care to prevent or delay onset of liver disease, and enables the identification and vaccination of susceptible household contacts and sex partners, interrupting ongoing transmission. Testing has been recommended previously to enable primary prevention of HBV infection among close contacts for pregnant women, household contacts and sex partners of HBV-infected persons, persons born in countries with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence of more than 8%, persons who are the source of blood or body fluid exposures that might warrant postexposure prophylaxis (e.g., needlestick injury to a healthcare worker or sexual assault), and to enable appropriate treatment for infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers and persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Recently, with the increasing availability of efficacious hepatitis B treatment, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published new recommendations for public health evaluation and management for chronically infected persons and their contacts and extended testing recommendations to include persons born in geographic regions with HBsAg prevalence of greater than 2%, men who have sex with men, and injection drug users. Patient and provider education, developing partnerships between health departments and community organizations, and other resources will be needed to assure appropriate populations are tested and care provided for persons newly identified as HBsAg-positive. (Hepatology 2009;49:S35–S44.)
Hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection #
Authors: Thio Chloe L. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common; worldwide, an estimated 10% of HIV-infected persons have chronic hepatitis B. Because the incidence of traditional acquired immunodeficiency syndrome–related opportunistic infections has decreased with successful anti-HIV therapy, liver disease has emerged as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected individuals. HIV infection negatively impacts all phases of the natural history of hepatitis B leading to increased rates of persistent infection, higher HBV DNA levels, lower rates of hepatitis B e antigen loss, increased cirrhosis and liver-related mortality, and increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma at lower CD4+ T cell counts. The management of hepatitis B in HIV infection is complicated by the dual activity of several nucleoside analogs, the more rapid development of lamivudine-resistant HBV in patients who are HIV-positive, and the paucity of studies in this population. Until further research emerges on the optimal treatment for this population, data from HBV monoinfected persons will need to be extrapolated to the HIV-HBV coinfected population. Further research is also needed to determine the mechanism(s) for the increased liver disease progression and optimal treatment goals. (Hepatology 2009;49:S138–S145.)