bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of a gastro‐protective agent, rebamipide, on symptom improvement in patients with functional dyspepsia: A double‐blind placebo‐controlled study in Japan
Authors: Miwa Hiroto , Osada Taro , Nagahara Akihito , Ohkusa Toshifumi , Hojo Mariko , Tomita Toshihiko , Hori Kazutoshi , Matsumoto Takayuki , Sato Nobuhiro 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Although mucosal protective agents have been used frequently for treatment of symptomatic gastritis, there has been no well‐controlled study of functional dyspepsia. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a 4‐week treatment with rebamipide for the relief of overall dyspeptic symptoms and the improvement in quality of life from an untreated baseline in Japanese patients with functional dyspepsia.Methods:  In a double‐blinded, randomized, placebo‐controlled, single‐center study, 81 patients with functional dyspepsia were recruited and treated with rebamipide (100 mg, t.i.d.) or placebo for 4 weeks. Symptoms were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study period by a symptom questionnaire. Quality of life was evaluated by the QPD 32.Results:  Data was analyzed for symptoms from 38 patients who received rebamipide and 33 patients who received placebo treatment. Overall symptoms were significantly improved in both the rebamipide and placebo treatment groups from the untreated baseline after 4 weeks of treatment, and the mean changes in overall symptoms were not significantly different between the groups. However, the improvement in symptom score was significantly greater in the treatment arm than in the placebo arm for three items, which were bloating, belching, and pain or discomfort that was relieved after a meal. Regarding quality of life, social restriction and pain intensity were significantly improved in the rebamipide treatment group in per‐protocol analysis (P = 0.048 and P = 0.031, respectively).Conclusions:  Although rebamipide was not significantly better than placebo in reducing overall symptoms by 4 weeks’ treatment, it may partially improve the symptoms. It may also be beneficial in improvement of quality of life in Japanese patients with functional dyspepsia.
Maternal hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA positivity and sexual intercourse are associated with HBV intrauterine transmission in China: A prospective case–control study
Authors: Shao Zhong‐Jun , Xu De‐Zhong , Xu Jian‐Qiu , Li Jing‐Hua , Yan Yong‐Ping , Men Ke , Wang Xue‐Ping , Zhang Zhi‐Ying , Jiang Qin‐Wu , Zhang Lei 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Hepatitis B virus (HBV) intrauterine transmission from infected mothers contributes significantly to the persistence of the high number of HBV carriers. The aim of this study was to identify potential risk factors for HBV intrauterine transmission.Methods:  A case–control study was performed on pregnant women tested positive for HBsAg at Shaanxi Maternal and Neonatal Health Hospital, Xi’an, China, from September 2002 to October 2004. Serum samples were taken from infected women and their newborn infants and used for the detection of HBsAg. A structured standard questionnaire was used to collect demographic, medical and maternal data, and maternal HBV DNA, HBeAg, anti‐hepatitis C virus and anti‐hepatitis D virus were also assessed. Ten neonates validated as having HBV intrauterine transmission were selected as cases and others as controls.Results:  The univariate analysis indicated that maternal HBeAg positivity (odds ratio [OR] = 5.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.61–22.12), HBV DNA positivity (OR = 12.09, 95% CI: 2.97–40.17) and sexual intercourse in the second trimester (OR = 9.15, 95% CI: 1.08–202.99) were significantly associated with an increased risk for HBV intrauterine transmission, whereas contraceptive measures before pregnancy (OR = 0.21, 95%CI: 0.04–0.99) were associated with a decreased risk. The multivariate analysis, however, identified maternal HBV DNA positivity (OR = 19.18, 95%: CI: 3.26–118.73) and sexual intercourse in the second trimester (OR = 1.29, 95%: CI: 1.00–1.66) as the only independent risk factors for HBV intrauterine transmission.Conclusions:  The risk of HBV intrauterine transmission increased with increased frequency of sexual intercourse. Therefore, it is concluded that maternal HBV DNA positivity and sexual intercourse in the second trimester are independent risk factors for HBV intrauterine transmission.
Pegylated arginine deiminase lowers hepatitis C viral titers and inhibits nitric oxide synthesis
Authors: Izzo Francesco , Montella Maurizio , Orlando Antonio Pio , Nasti Guglielmo , Beneduce Gerardo , Castello Giuseppe , Cremona Francesco , Ensor C. Mark , Holtzberg Frederick W. , Bomalaski John S. , Clark Mike A. , Curley Steven A. , Orlando Raffaele , Scordino Fabrizio , Korba Brent E. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground:  The arginine‐degrading enzyme, arginine deiminase conjugated to polyethylene glycol (ADI‐SS PEG 20 000 mw), reduces extracellular arginine, has minimal toxicity, decreases tumor burden and improves liver function in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) and inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Reduced extracellular arginine inhibits viral replication through unknown mechanisms. It is hypothesized that ADI‐SS PEG 20 000 mw reduces HCV viral titers through nitric oxide (NO)‐dependent effects.Methods:  The effects of ADI‐SS PEG 20 000 mw (dose, 160 IU/m2; three cycles of four once‐weekly i.m. injections) on HCV titers, serum NO and plasma arginine, were evaluated using archived plasma from patients with HCC and HCV and in vitro cell model measurements of HCV replication.Results:  ADI‐SS PEG 20 000 mw selectively inhibited HCV replication in vitro (IC50 = 0.027 IU/mL). Fifteen HCC/HCV patients completed treatment. The HCV titers were reduced by up to 99% in five out of 10 (50%) HCV‐serotype 1b patients (P = 0.0093). These patients also experienced significant improvements in liver function (P = 0.0091). There were concomitant reductions of plasma arginine and serum NO levels. The HCV titer was not reduced in HCV‐type 2c patients.Conclusion:  Reduction of extracellular arginine by ADI‐SS PEG 20 000 mw in HCC patients reduces HCV viral titers and improves liver function, possibly through suppression of NO.
Acute hepatitis C in Israel: A predominantly iatrogenic disease?
Authors: Lurie Yoav , Landau Dan‐Avi , Blendis Laurence , Baruch Yaacov , Veitsman Ella , Ackermann Zvi , Zelber‐Sagie Shira , Halpern Zamir , Oren Ran 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground and Aims: Acute hepatitis C virus infection in the era of universal screening of blood products has not disappeared, and is thought to be transmitted primarily via injecting drug use. A growing body of evidence supports iatrogenic transmission as an important mode of transmission. The aim of this study was to examine transmission routes and clinical characteristics in a group of patients with acute hepatitis C in Israel.Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted in three different liver clinics in Israel, of all new hepatitis C patients. Patients identified as possible acute hepatitis C were re‐interviewed and all other sources such as blood bank records and pre‐employment check‐ups reviewed in order to establish the diagnosis of acute hepatitis C infection and to identify the transmission route.Results: Twenty‐nine patients were found to have acute hepatitis C, representing 0.75% of all new referrals for hepatitis C. The most frequent (65%) mode of transmission was iatrogenic involving several, often minimal, procedures and clinical settings. The group in which iatrogenic transmission was suspected was older and the patients more often in monogamous relationship compared with other transmission routes groups. Injecting drug use was the second most common route of infection. Spontaneous seroconversion has occurred in approximately one third of the patients.Conclusions: Acute hepatitis C in the post universal blood products screening era was found to be predominantly an iatrogenic disease in the investigated localities. This finding should direct attention and resources towards the development and implementation of preventive measures.
Combination therapy of poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibitor 3‐aminobenzamide and gemcitabine shows strong antitumor activity in pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Jacob Dietmar A , Bahra Marcus , Langrehr Jan M , Boas‐Knoop Sabine , Stefaniak Robert , Davis John , Schumacher Guido , Lippert Steffen , Neumann Ulf P 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors such as 3‐aminobenzamide (3‐ABA) enhance the in vitro cytotoxicity of DNA mono‐functional alkylating agents such as radiation or chemotherapeutic agents. The aim of this study was to test an approach combining the PARP inhibitor 3‐ABA with standard gemcitabine therapy in human pancreatic cancer cells.Methods:  Cell viability was determined by proliferation assay (XTT). Cell‐cycle analysis (FACS), ELISA (M30 Apoptosense), Western blot for caspase 8 and PARP, and electron microscopy were used to identify apoptosis. Tumor growth and survival was assessed in nude mice by subcutaneously injected Capan‐1 cells. In addition, Ki67 staining was performed on tumors for cell proliferation and in vivo apoptosis induction was measured by TUNEL assay and ELISA.Results:  Combination therapy of gemcitabine and 3‐ABA suppressed tumor cell growth more than gemcitabine alone in XTT, FACS and ELISA analysis.Conclusion:  This in vivo study demonstrated a significantly reduced tumor weight and increased survival up to 40 days after cell inoculation with combination therapy compared to animals treated with PBS, gemcitabine or 3‐ABA alone. Furthermore, TUNEL assay revealed a significant apoptosis induction and reduced proliferation in the combination group.
Comparison of the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of propiverine and oxybutynin for the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome
Authors: ABRAMS PAUL , CARDOZO LINDA , CHAPPLE CHRISTOPHER , SERDAREVIC DZELAL , HARGREAVES KATHERINE , KHULLAR VIKRAM ,   THE 1032 STUDY GROUP
Published: July 2006

Aim:  To compare the effects of propiverine and oxybutynin on ambulatory urodynamic monitoring (AUM) parameters, safety, and tolerability in patients with overactive bladder.Methods:  This was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicentre, crossover study. Patients (n = 77) received two of the following treatments during two 2‐week periods: propiverine 20 mg once daily, propiverine 15 mg three times daily, oxybutynin 5 mg three times daily, and placebo. AUM parameters, salivary flow, visual near point, and heart rate were assessed.Results:  A consistent order in the efficacy between active treatment groups was observed for the reduction in mean involuntary detrusor contractions (IDCs; oxybutynin 15 mg ≤ propiverine 45 mg ≤ propiverine 20 mg). Differences between the oxybutynin and propiverine 20 mg groups were statistically significant for several AUM endpoints. Statistically significant differences between the oxybutynin and both propiverine groups were also noted in salivary flow rate and heart rate (oxybutynin 15 mg < both propiverine regimens) and in heart rate variability (both propiverine regimens < oxybutynin 15 mg). All active treatments lengthened visual near point. The incidence of dry mouth was significantly more pronounced in the oxybutynin group than in either propiverine group. Treatment with propiverine 45 mg resulted in the highest rates of constipation, lengthening of the visual near point, and effects on heart rate.Conclusions:  Oxybutynin 15 mg was more effective than propiverine 20 mg in reducing symptomatic and asymptomatic IDCs in ambulatory patients. The primary differences between the two drugs were the incidence and type of adverse events, which varied with the antimuscarinic receptor specificity of each agent.
Value of frozen sections of lymph nodes in pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with invasive bladder tumor
Authors: UGURLU OZGUR , ADSAN OZTUG , TUL MESUT , KOSAN MURAT , INAL GURDAL , CETINKAYA MESUT 
Published: July 2006

Aim:  We examined the reliability of classical lymph node evaluation methods. We compared the results of preoperative computed tomography (CT) and perioperative frozen section examination of lymph nodes in patients on whom radical cystectomy was performed because of invasive bladder tumors.Methods:  A total of 142 patients, in whom radical cystectomy was performed because of invasive bladder tumors between the years 1994 and 2005 in our clinic, and 284 pelvic lymph node regions were evaluated retrospectively. For each of the pelvic lymph node region, the conditions of the lymph nodes according to CT and in frozen sections were compared with the final pathology reports of the surgical specimens.Results:  Lymph node involvement was found in 36 pelvic regions out of 284 in the final pathology. It had been possible to show only two of the 36 positive lymph nodes in preoperative CT. Frozen section results of the 29 pelvic lymph node regions out of 36 that were involved according to the final pathology were positive also according to frozen section results. On the other hand, in all the 29 lymph node regions those that were positive according to frozen section had lymph node involvement in the final pathology.Conclusions:  We recommend the performance of frozen section examination on obturator plus internal iliac lymph nodes when deciding extended lymph node dissection, and the performance of extended lymph node dissection only if the result is positive.
5‐year interval change in voiding function of orthotopic ileal neobladder
Authors: ARAI YOICHI , TAKEDA ATSUSHI , TAKI YOJI , OKADA YUSAKU , OGAWA OSAMU ,   THE TOHOKU‐KYOTO URINARY RECONSTRUCTION STUDY GROUP
Published: July 2006

Aim:  We report the 5‐year interval change in voiding function of orthotopic ileal neobladder.Methods:  Voiding function was evaluated at two points with an interval of 5 years in 49 patients with orthotopic ileal neobladder. The first and second surveys were performed in May, 1998 (1998 survey) and in April 2003 (2003 survey), respectively. Median age at operation was 67 years, ranging 47–77. Median follow‐up times at the first and the second surveys were 19.5 months (range, 3–87) and 67.5 months (range, 62–145), respectively.Results:  There was no significant change in daytime continence status between the 1998 and 2003 surveys. More than 95% never or only occasionally suffered daytime incontinence in the two surveys. On the other hand, 15 (34.1%) and 14 (31.8%), respectively, experienced night‐time incontinence, despite regular voiding during the night. When voiding patterns were analysed, 11 patients (23.4%) sometimes or often performed catheterization because of difficulty in urinating or incomplete emptying of the neobladder in the 1998 survey. Three patients (6.4%) were unable to void and required regular catheterization. In the 2003 survey, however, such poor voiders increased to nine (19.1%), although the difference was not significant. During the study period of 5 years, there was no change in renal function.Conclusions:  Continence status, either at daytime or at nighttime, was stable during the study period. The number of the patients who needed regular catheterization tended to increase, suggesting deterioration of voiding function with time. Careful long‐term follow up is warranted.
Polyenylphosphatidylcholine pretreatment ameliorates ischemic acute renal injury in rats
Authors: DEMIRBILEK SAVAŞ , KARAMAN ABDURRAHMAN , BAYKARABULUT AYSUN , AKİN MELIH , GÜRÜNLÜOǦLU KUBILAY , TÜRKMEN EMINE , TAŞ ERKAN , AKSOY RAUF TUǦRUL , EDALİ MEHMET NACI 
Published: July 2006

Aim:  Polyenylphosphatidycholine has been demonstrated to have antioxidant, cytoprotective and anti‐inflammatory effects. Whether polyenylphosphatidycholine pretreatment affects ischemia/reperfusion‐induced renal damage in vivo is not known and was investigated here in rats.Methods:  Forty female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 (n = 10) was given saline (control, sham operated). Group 2 (n = 15) were given saline, and Group 3 (n = 15) were given polyenylphosphatidycholine (100 mg/day for 10 days prior to experiment). Groups 2 and 3 were subjected to bilateral renal ischemia (60 min) followed by reperfusion (6 h). After the reperfusion period, the rats were sacrificed and kidney tissue superoxide dismutase, glutathione, total nitrite and nitrate, malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase levels, plasma aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations, and nuclear factor kappa beta expression were determined.Results:  Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the treatment group compared to those in the ischemic group. There were significant differences between treatment and ischemic groups regarding the tissue superoxide dismutase, glutathione, total nitrite and nitrate, malondialdehyde, and myeloperoxidase levels (P < 0.05). In addition, polyenylphosphatidycholine pretreatment reduced nuclear factor kappa beta expression in ischemic kidney tissue. Kidneys obtained from rats pretreated with polyenylphosphatidycholine demonstrated marked reduction of the histological features of renal injury compared to kidneys obtained from Group 2 rats, including a little vacuolization, pyknosis and necrosis.Conclusions:  Polyenylphosphatidycholine pretreatment provided significant protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury to the kidney. This treatment could be therapeutic in kidney transplantation and other conditions associated with ischemia/reperfusion injury to the kidney.
Subtyping of uropathogenic Escherichia coli according to the pathogenicity island encoding uropathogenic‐specific protein: Comparison with phylogenetic groups
Authors: KANAMARU SOJUN , KURAZONO HISAO , NAKANO MASAYUKI , TERAI AKITO , OGAWA OSAMU , YAMAMOTO SHINGO 
Published: July 2006

Background:  Phylogenetic analysis has been used widely to characterize extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli in molecular epidemiological studies. We have recently reported a putative pathogenicity island (PAI), carrying uropathogenic‐specific protein (usp) and a unique mosaic structure of small open reading frames following usp, providing four subtypes of PAIusp classified from their sequential patterns.Methods:  A total of 427 E. coli isolates from uncomplicated urinary tract infections (194 cystitis, 76 pyelonephritis, and 107 prostatitis) and 50 fecal isolates were examined for phylogenetic grouping and PAIusp subtyping as well as the prevalence of virulence factors (VF) and O serogroups.Results:  Both phylogenetic group B2 and usp‐positive strains were equally predominant in cystitis, pyelonephritis and prostatitis (B2, 80.9%, 86.8%, and 86.9%; usp, 79.4%, 93.4%, and 88.8%, respectively). Furthermore, each PAIusp subtype was shown to be closely associated with several VF genes as well as several common O serogroups of uropathogenic E. coli.Conclusions:  In molecular epidemiological studies, PAIusp subtyping will provide additional informative findings of E. coli strains belonging to phylogenetic group B2.
Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of c‐myc amplification in stage T3N0M0 prostate cancer in Japanese patients
Authors: SATO HIROTAKA , MINEI SADATSUGU , HACHIYA TAKAHIKO , YOSHIDA TOSHIO , TAKIMOTO YUKIE 
Published: July 2006

Objective:  Genetic aberration such as the amplification of c‐myc has been commonly found in advanced prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to elucidate chromosome 8 alteration, including a gain and amplification of 8q24 (c‐myc gene), related to the progression and survival in advanced (Stage C) prostate cancer.Materials and methods:  We used dual‐probe fluorescence in situ hybridization with a centromere‐specific probe for chromosome 8 (8cen), and with a region‐specific probe for c‐myc (8q24) to evaluate genetic changes in tumor samples from 50 patients who had undergone radical retropubic prostatectomy from 1986 to 2001.Results:  We classified the 8cen and c‐myc copy numbers as normal, gain and amplification. The carcinoma foci with extra copies of c‐myc, which was defined in 35 cases (70%), were divided into two groups: (a) a simple gain of the whole chromosome 8 (no increase in the c‐myc copy number relative to the chromosome 8 centromere), which was identified in 15 cases (30%); and (b) a substantial amplification of c‐myc (additional increases [AI] in the c‐myc copy number relative to the chromosome 8 centromere), which was detected in 20 cases (40%). AI‐c‐myc was strongly associated with higher histopathological grades and Gleason’s scores (P = 0.0330, 0.0190, respectively). Patients with the AI‐c‐myc had earlier disease progression (P = 0.0029) and earlier cancer death (P = 0.0087) than did patients with normal patterns.Conclusion:  Identification of an AI‐c‐myc may serve as a potential marker of prostate cancer progression.
Role of transcription factors Ad4bp/SF‐1 and DAX‐1 in steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in human testicular development and idiopathic azoospermia
Authors: KOJIMA YOSHIYUKI , SASAKI SHOICHI , HAYASHI YUTARO , UMEMOTO YUKIHIRO , MOROHASHI KEN‐ICHIRO , KOHRI KENJIRO 
Published: July 2006

Background:  Ad4bp/SF‐1 and DAX‐1 are orphan members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of transcription factors. In order to obtain better understandings of human testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis, we examined the expression levels of both factors in human normal and idiopathic azoospermic testes and investigated their physical meaning.Methods:  First, we examined the expression level of Ad4bp/SF‐1 and DAX‐1 by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), immunohistochemistry and western blotting analysis using eight normal human testicular tissues from infants to adults. Second, we performed quantitative RT–PCR using testicular biopsy samples obtained from 22 idiopathic azoospermic patients to examine the expression of Ad4bp/SF‐1 and DAX‐1, and analysed the correlation between the expression levels of both factors and the serum hormone levels or histological evaluation to study their potential correlation with steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis on idiopathic azoospermia.Results:  The expression levels of both factors in the normal testes increased with testicular development. Ad4bp/SF‐1 was abundantly expressed in Leydig cell, whereas DAX‐1 was expressed in Sertoli cells. The expression level of Ad4bp/SF‐1 in idiopathic azoospermic patients testes positively correlated with serum testosterone (P < 0.05). The average expression levels of DAX‐1 mRNA for patients with maturation arrest (0.39 ± 0.19) and Sertoli cell‐only syndrome (0.13 ± 0.08) were lower than that with hypospermatogenesis (1.60 ± 1.32) and normal spermatogenesis (1.30 ± 1.41).Conclusion:  Ad4bp/SF‐1 is important for the maintenance of steroidogenesis in the human testis. DAX‐1 plays a critical role in spermatogenesis in the human testis, and Sertoli cell‐only syndrome and maturation arrest may result from abnormal Sertoli cell function that disrupts the normal progression of spermatogenesis.