bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Postoperative surveillance with monthly serum tumor markers after living‐donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yamashiki Noriyo , Sugawara Yasuhiko , Tamura Sumihito , Tateishi Ryosuke , Yoshida Haruhiko , Kaneko Junichi , Matsui Yuichi , Togashi Junichi , Akahane Masaaki , Makuuchi Masatoshi , Omata Masao , Kokudo Norihiro 
Published: January 2010

Aim:  Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation decreases patient survival. The usefulness of post‐transplant surveillance with tumor markers, however, is not clear. We evaluated our cumulative experience with recurrent HCC detected during post‐transplant surveillance.Methods:  We analyzed 100 patients with HCC detected in the explanted liver. Monthly to bimonthly measurement of tumor markers and yearly computed tomography were scheduled postoperatively.Results:  Preoperatively, 82 met the Milan criteria. The histological findings indicated that 61 fulfilled the Milan criteria. In nine patients, HCC recurred 10 months (2–29) after liver transplantation in the graft (n = 1), lung (n = 2), bone (n = 3) and multiple organs (n = 3). In all nine recipients, HCC was first suspected based on an increase in tumor marker levels. Recurrent HCC was confirmed by computed tomography (n = 7) or magnetic resonance imaging (n = 2) within 4 months (0–6) after first identifying an increase in the tumor marker levels. Six cases were treated surgically, two of which achieved prolonged survival of 16 and 38 months.Conclusion:  Frequent measurement of α‐fetoprotein and des‐γ carboxy prothrombin was useful for detecting recurrent HCC and may be useful long‐term follow‐up markers for post‐transplant surveillance.
Comparison between quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B e‐antigen and hepatitis B virus DNA levels for predicting virological response to pegylated interferon‐α‐2b therapy in hepatitis B e‐antigen‐positive chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Tangkijvanich Pisit , Komolmit Piyawat , Mahachai Varocha , Sa‐nguanmoo Pattaratida , Theamboonlers Apiradee , Poovorawan Yong 
Published: January 2010

Aim:  The aim of this study was to compare the clinical applicability of quantitative serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA for predicting virological response (VR) to pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) therapy.Methods:  Thirty HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients who received PEG‐IFN‐α‐2b for 48 weeks were enrolled. Quantitative HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA were measured before, during and after the therapy. Paired liver biopsies were performed before and after treatment for covalently closed circular (ccc)DNA and intrahepatic HBV DNA analysis.Results:  VR at 48 weeks post‐treatment, defined as HBeAg seroconversion and HBV DNA less than 10 000 copies/mL was achieved in 10 (33.3%) patients. Responders had significantly lower baseline HBsAg, HBeAg, cccDNA and intrahepatic HBV DNA levels than non‐responders. Baseline and reduced levels of log10 HBsAg and log10 HBeAg correlated well with those of log10 cccDNA and log10 total intrahepatic HBV DNA. Responders showed consistent decrease in serum HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA levels during therapy. HBeAg level of 2.0 log10 sample to cut‐off ratio at week 24 on therapy provided the best prediction of sustained virological response, with sensitivity and negative predictive values of 85% and 92%, respectively. One patient (3.3%) who cleared HBsAg at follow up exhibited a more rapid decline in serum HBsAg during therapy than those who developed VR without HBsAg clearance.Conclusion:  Quantitative measurement of serum HBeAg during therapy may be superior to serum HBsAg and HBV DNA as a prediction of HBeAg seroconversion. Kinetics of HBsAg levels on therapy may help predict HBsAg clearance after treatment.
Histological findings in the livers of patients with neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency
Authors: Kimura Akihiko , Kage Masayoshi , Nagata Ikuo , Mushiake Sotaro , Ohura Toshihiro , Tazawa Yusaku , Maisawa Shunichi , Tomomasa Takeshi , Abukawa Daiki , Okano Yoshiyuki , Sumazaki Ryo , Takayanagi Masaki , Tamamori Akiko , Yorifuji Tohru , Yamato Yasuhiko , Maeda Kohji , Matsushita Masami , Matsuishi Toyojiro , Tanikawa Ken , Kobayashi Keiko , Saheki Takeyori 
Published: January 2010

Aim:  To characterize the histological features of the livers of patients with neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD), we studied specimens from 30 patients diagnosed with NICCD by genetically analyzing the SLC25A13 gene.Methods:  Liver biopsy specimens were subjected to hematoxylin–eosin, Azan, and Berlin‐blue staining.Results:  Most specimens showed varying degrees of fibrosis. The degree of inflammation varied among the specimens, with half showing moderate or severe inflammatory changes. Fat deposition in hepatocytes was observed in almost all of the specimens, and severe fatty liver was noted in 20 (67%) of them. There was a mixture of two types of hepatocytes with macrovesicular or microvesicular fat droplets, and cholestasis was observed at a rate of 77%. Hemosiderin deposition, mostly mild and localized in periportal hepatocytes and macrophages in portal areas, was observed in 57% of the specimens.Conclusion:  A combination of mixed macrovesicular and microvesicular fatty hepatocytes and the above‐described findings, such as fatty liver, cholestasis, necroinflammatory reaction and iron deposition, are almost never observed in other liver diseases in infants and adults. We believe that NICCD is a disease with characteristic hepatopathological features.
Serum HGF and TGF‐β1 levels after right portal vein embolization
Authors: Hayashi Hiromitsu , Beppu Toru , Sugita Hiroki , Masuda Toshiro , Okabe Hirohisa , Takamori Hiroshi , Baba Hideo 
Published: January 2010

Aim:  The changes in the serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐beta1 levels after portal vein embolization (PVE), and their clinical significance, remain unclear and we aimed to assess their relationship.Methods:  The serum HGF and TGF‐beta1 levels were prospectively measured in 22 patients before and 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 day after right PVE. Computed tomographic volumetry was performed before and at a mean of 26 ± 4 days after right PVE.Results:  Three to four weeks after right PVE, the volume of embolized lobe significantly decreased from 704 ± 157 cm3 before PVE to 539 ± 168 cm3 after PVE (P < 0.001). In contrast, the volume of nonembolized lobe significantly increased from 426 ± 142 cm3 to 560 ± 165 cm3 (P < 0.001). The serum HGF level significantly increased on day 3 after PVE compared with the pretreatment level (P = 0.005), while the serum TGF‐beta1 level significantly decreased and reached its lowest value on day 3 (P = 0.002). Using Pearson's correlation analysis, we found that the serum HGF and TGF‐beta1 levels on day 14 negatively associated with the large hypertrophic response in the nonembolized lobe (HGF: r = −0.490, P = 0.021; TGF‐beta1: r = −0.473, P = 0.026).Conclusions:  PVE induced an increase in the serum HGF level and reduced the serum TGF‐beta1 level. Measurement of serum HGF and TGF‐beta1 levels on day 14 after right PVE may be useful for assessment of the future liver hypertrophy in nonembolized lobe after right PVE.
Advantage of IFN‐β/α2b same‐day administration for ribavirin‐intolerant patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Tomita Eiichi , Ando Kazuki , Sugihara Jun‐ichi , Nishigaki Youichi , Yamada Tetsuya , Ando Ryoko , Takemura Masao , Seishima Mitsuru 
Published: January 2010

Aim:  Although interferon (IFN)/ribavirin is the mainstream combination treatment for chronic hepatitis C in patients with a high viral load, ribavirin is problematic for women of childbearing age and patients with anemia. Therefore we needed to establish a new regimen without ribavirin.Methods:  We devised a new regimen (same‐day β/α2b) to administer IFN‐β and α2b on the same‐day, and compared it with IFN‐α2b alone and IFN‐α2b plus ribavirin. The cases were 36 patients (26.1%) in whom ribavirin could not be used (young women, anemia, etc.) among 138 patients who underwent IFN treatment after ribavirin release.Results:  The percentages of patients withdrawing due to side‐effects were 6.8%, 18.8% and 17.0% in the treatment with same‐day β/α2b, IFN‐α2b alone and IFN‐α2b plus ribavirin groups, respectively. In genotype 1b, the sustained viral response (SVR) was 28.6% (4/14), 13.6% (3/22) and 25.0% (8/32) with a high viral load, and 91.7% (11/12), 27.3% (3/11) and 57.1% (4/7) with a low viral load for the respective groups. According to a study on viral half‐life during the early phase of IFN therapy, there was no difference among the regimens of same‐day IFN‐β/α2b, β alone, α2b alone and twice‐daily treatment with IFN‐β. Same‐day β/α2b treatment showed a significantly higher SVR rate in moving type patients with a genotype 1b/high viral load.Conclusions:  Same‐day β/α2b treatment resulted in few cases where therapy was discontinued and showed a high SVR rate. This regimen is especially appropriate in cases where ribavirin has been deemed unsuitable.
A predictive model of response to peginterferon ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C using classification and regression tree analysis
Authors: Kurosaki Masayuki , Matsunaga Kotaro , Hirayama Itsuko , Tanaka Tomohiro , Sato Mitsuaki , Yasui Yutaka , Tamaki Nobuharu , Hosokawa Takanori , Ueda Ken , Tsuchiya Kaoru , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Ikeda Hiroki , Itakura Jun , Takahashi Yuka , Asahina Yasuhiro , Higaki Megumu , Enomoto Nobuyuki , Izumi Namiki 
Published: January 2010

Aim:  Early disappearance of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA is the prerequisite for achieving sustained virological response (SVR) in peg‐interferon (PEG‐IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) therapy for chronic hepatitis C. This study aimed to develop a decision tree model for the pre‐treatment prediction of response.Methods:  Genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C treated with PEG‐IFN alpha‐2b and RBV were studied. Predictive factors of rapid or complete early virological response (RVR/cEVR) were explored in 400 consecutive patients using a recursive partitioning analysis, referred to as classification and regression tree (CART) and validated.Results:  CART analysis identified hepatic steatosis (<30%) as the first predictor of response followed by low‐density‐lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) (≥100 mg/dL), age (<50 and <60 years), blood sugar (<120 mg/dL), and gamma‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) (<40 IU/L) and built decision tree model. The model consisted of seven groups with variable response rates from low (15%) to high (77%). The reproducibility of the model was confirmed by the independent validation group (r2 = 0.987). When reconstructed into three groups, the rate of RVR/cEVR was 16% for low probability group, 46% for intermediate probability group and 75% for high probability group.Conclusions:  A decision tree model that includes hepatic steatosis, LDL‐C, age, blood sugar, and GGT may be useful for the prediction of response before PEG‐IFN plus RBV therapy, and has the potential to support clinical decisions in selecting patients for therapy and may provide a rationale for treating metabolic factors to improve the efficacy of antiviral therapy.
Antiretroviral therapy hepatotoxicity: Prevalence, risk factors, and clinical characteristics in a cohort of Han Chinese
Authors: Gao Shicheng , Gui Xi‐en , Deng Lipin , Zhang Yongxi , Liang Ke , Yang Rongrong , Yan Yajun , Rong Yupin 
Published: January 2010

Aim:  To investigate the incidence and risk factors of hepatotoxicity in Han Chinese patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome on combined anti‐retroviral therapy (cART).Methods:  A retrospective study was conducted.Results:  Among 330 subjects on cART in the cohort, 75.2% infected HIV due to improper plasma donations, 67.3% was either hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) co‐infected and 46.4% had at least one episode of ALT elevation during a median 23 months follow‐up time. Baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation (P = 0.004, OR = 9.560), receiving nevirapine (NVP) based cART regimen (P = 0.007, OR = 2.470), HCV co‐infection (P = 0.000, OR = 3.433) were risk factors for cART related hepatotoxicity, while greater increased CD4+ T(CD4) cell count was protective against hepatotoxicity development (P = 0.000, OR = 0.996). Patients co‐infected with HCV who received NVP based cART had the greatest probability of hepatotoxicity (Log rank: x2 = 27.193, P = 0.000). Twenty‐five of the 153 subjects (16.3%) with cART related hepatotoxicity discontinued cART temporarily or shifted NVP to efavirenz (EFV). There was no difference in CD4 cell count (t = 0.526, P = 0.599), CD4 cell count change from baseline (t = 0.442, P = 0.659) and all‐cause mortality (x2 = 0.259, P = 0.611) between subjects with and without hepatotoxicity during a median 38 months of follow‐up time.Conclusion:  cART induced hepatotoxicity was common among subjects in this cohort. Baseline ALT elevation, HCV co‐infection and the use of NVP based cART regimens were associated statistically with the development of hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity, led to some of the subjects discontinuing cART temporarily or switching to other regimens, had no impact on immune restore and survival in this cohort of patients during a median 38 months of follow‐up time.
Pyrometric Temperature Measurement in Concentrated Sunlight With Emissivity Determination
Authors: Crane Nathan B. 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
Pyrometers are commonly used for high temperature measurement, but their accuracy is often limited by uncertainty in the surface emissivity. Radiation heating introduces additional errors due to the extra light reflected off the measured surface. While many types of specialized equipment have been developed for these measurements, this work presents a method for measuring high temperatures using single color pyrometers when the surface emissivity is unknown. It is particularly useful for correcting errors due to reflected light in solar heating applications. The method requires two pyrometers and is most helpful for improving measurement accuracy of low cost commercial instruments. The temperature measurements of two pyrometers operating at different wavelengths are analyzed across a range of sample temperatures to find the surface emissivity values at each wavelength that minimize the difference in temperature measurements between pyrometers. These are taken as the surface emissivity values, and the initial temperature measurements are corrected using the calculated emissivity values to obtain improved estimates of the surface temperature. When applied to temperature data from a solar furnace, the method significantly decreased the difference in the temperature measurements of two single color pyrometers. Simulated temperature data with both random noise and systematic errors are used to demonstrate that the method successfully converges to surface emissivity values and reduces temperature measurement errors even when subjected to significant errors in the model inputs. This method provides a potential low cost solution for pyrometric temperature measurement of solar-heated objects. It is also useful for temperature measurement of objects with unknown emissivity.
Parametric Design of
Parallel Force/Velocity Actuators: Force Distribution
Analysis
Authors: Rabindran Dinesh , Tesar Delbert 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
In this paper we present the force distribution analysis for a dual input actuator called parallel force/velocity actuator (PFVA). We present five physical quantities that are relevant to the design and operation of PFVA-based systems. For each of them we (i) follow a first principles approach to develop a model, (ii) define dimensionless parameters and criteria that indicate the relative distribution of the quantity between the two inputs of the PFVA, (iii) express the basic model in terms of these dimensionless parameters, (iv) provide numerical examples using five candidate designs with commercial off-the-shelf components, (v) investigate the limiting case as the two inputs become more and more kinematically distinct, and (vi) suggest design guidelines based on our analysis. We studied four aspects of PFVA design: (i) mixing of position uncertainties of the two inputs, i.e., force actuator (FA) and velocity actuator (VA), (ii) distribution of static and inertia torques between the inputs for a given output loading condition, (iii) acceleration responsiveness, and lastly, (iv) effective stiffness of the PFVA system with respect to some basic design parameters of the PFVA. As an example result, we observed that the PFVA's effective stiffness will be at least 40% greater than that of the VA if the FA is 85% as efficient as the VA, the FA is 17% less stiff than the VA, and the kinematic scaling between the two inputs (FA and VA) is approximately 11.5. The results we obtained are organized into five design guidelines for the PFVA. To demonstrate the utility of this analysis and the guidelines, we present a design case study that describes a PFVA prototype. The results of this paper assist in better designing PFVA-based systems with a focus on the coupling between the two inputs.
A GAME OF SETTLEMENTS IN PUBLIC CONTRACTS
Authors: PAUWELS WILFRIED , KORT PETER M. 
Published: January 2010

The paper considers a public authority wishing to carry out a major public project. As a result of competitive bidding the project is assigned to the firm with the lowest bid. The cost of the project is uncertain in the sense that it can be low or high. After the bidding process the firm observes the true cost, while the government remains uninformed. After learning about the true cost, the firm can start to renegotiate the contract by proposing an increase of the price. Such an increase is only justified in case costs are high. If the government rejects the new price proposal, a law suit follows. This situation is modeled as a signaling game. If the prior probability of the costs being low is low (high), a pooling (separating) equilibrium occurs. In the pooling equilibrium the government always accepts the firm's proposal. In the separating equilibrium the government can apply a mixed strategy when costs are high. Then it goes to court with a certain probability. Compared to a pure strategy, the mixed strategy has the advantage that legal costs are lower. In our economic analysis we compare the American and the English rule for sharing the litigation expenses. A main result is that under the American rule the legal expenses are lower and welfare is higher in the mixed strategy equilibrium. We also study the importance of the firm's commitment to its new price proposal.
AUTOMATIC COMPUTER-BASED TRACINGS (ACT) IN LONGITUDINAL 2-D ULTRASOUND IMAGES USING DIFFERENT SCANNERS
Authors: MOLINARI FILIPPO , LIBONI WILLIAM , GIUSTETTO PIERANGELA , BADALAMENTI SERGIO , SURI JASJIT S. 
Published: January 2010

Objective. The aim of this paper is to show an algorithm for the automatic computer-based tracing (ACT) of common carotid artery (CCA) in longitudinal B-mode ultrasound images characterized by four main features: (i) user-independence; (ii) suitability to normal and pathological images; (iii) robustness to noise; and (iv) independent of ultrasound OEM scanner. Methods. Three hundred longitudinal B-mode images (100 normal CCAs, 100 CCAs with increased intima-media thickness, 60 stable plaques, and 40 echolucent plaques) were acquired using three different (GE, Siemens, and Biosound) OEM ultrasound image scanners. The algorithm processed each image to delineate the region of interest containing the CCA. Output of the algorithm are three segmentation lines representing (a) distal (far) and (b) near adventitia layers, and (c) lumen of the CCA. Three operators qualitatively scored the ACTs. Results. The CCA was correctly automatically traced in all the 300 B-mode images. The performance was independent on the image scanner used to acquire the image or on the type of the CCA (healthy versus pathologic). Eight ACTs out of 300 received a poor score after visual inspection due to an automated adventitia tracing that did not correctly follow the CCA wall in a small portion of the image. Conclusions. The proposed algorithm is robust in ACTs of CCA since it is independent of scanner and normal/abnormal wall. This approach could constitute a general basis for a completely automated segmentation procedure.
CARDIAC CONTRACTILITY MEASURES OF LEFT VENTRICULAR SYSTOLIC FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF NORMAL AND DISEASED HEARTS
Authors: GHISTA DHANJOO N. , ZHONG LIANG , LE THU-THAO , TAN RU-SAN 
Published: January 2010

Left ventricular (LV) contraction is the basis of LV systolic function, impairment of which underlies heart failure pathophysiology. Its accurate quantification in the form of LV contractility indices is imperative for diagnostic and follow-up assessment of LV systolic function in heart failure. Herein, we analyze LV contractile performance by focusing on LV contractility indices at different physiological organizational levels: from sarcomere dynamics to LV myocardial properties (such as elastic modulus and elastance), and from LV wall contractile stress development to the generation of intra-LV blood flow velocities and pressure distributions. Further, we present the development analyses of these indices and their medical applications. Using improved development of invasive and noninvasive techniques for measuring ventricular pressure, geometry, and volume, we show how these indices have become more amenable for clinical usage to obtain better patient assessment. The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive coverage of LV contraction physiology, indices to qualify LV contraction, formulation, and medical applications of some major intrinsic LV contractility indices, so as to provide the basis of functional assessment of normal versus diseased hearts.
COMPUTER-BASED IDENTIFICATION OF CATARACT AND CATARACT SURGERY EFFICACY USING OPTICAL IMAGES
Authors: NAYAK JAGADISH , BHAT P. SUBBANNA , ACHARYA U. RAJENDRA , FAUST OLIVER , MIN LIM CHOO 
Published: January 2010

The eyes are complex sensory organs, they are designed to capture images under varying light conditions. Eye disorders, such as cataract, among the elderly are a major health problem. Cataract is a painless clouding of the eye lens which develops over a long period of time. During this time, the eyesight gradually worsens. It can eventually lead to blindness and, is common in older people. In fact, about a third of people over 65 have cataracts in one or both eyes.In this paper, we made use of two types of classifiers for identification of normal, cataract (early and developed stage), and post-cataract eyes using features extracted from optical images. These classifiers are artificial neural network and support vector machine. A database of 174 subjects, using the cross-validation strategy, is used to test the effectiveness of both classifiers. We demonstrate a sensitivity of more than 90% for both of these classifiers. Furthermore, they have a specificity of 100% and, as such, the results obtained are very promising. The proposed feature extraction and classification systems are ready clinically to run on a large amount of data sets.