bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibody response to E2/NS1 hepatitis C virus protein in patients with acute hepatitis C
Authors: KOBAYASHI MASAKAZU , TANAKA EIJI , MATSUMOTO AKIHIRO , ICHIJO TETSUYA , KIYOSAWA KENDO 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAntibody response to the E2/NS1 protein of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) was studied in 26 patients with post‐transfusion acute hepatitis C. Second‐generation HCV (HCV‐2) antibody, E2/NS1 antibody and HCV‐RNA were measured in serial serum samples taken within 1 month and 3, 6 and 12 months after the onset of acute hepatitis C. The HCV genotype was also tested to study its clinical significance. Of 26 patients, eight showed normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and clearance of HCV‐RNA (resolved group). In the remaining 18 patients, HCV viraemia and ALT abnormality (except one patient) continued for more than 3 years (unresolved group). Both HCV‐2 and E2/NS1 antibodies were positive at least once in all patients. The prevalence of E2/NS1 antibody was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the resolved group (88%) than in the unresolved group (39%) in the period within 1 month of onset; the prevalence was similar between the two groups thereafter. The prevalence of HCV‐2 antibody did not differ between the two groups at any point. The HCV genotype was not related to the chronicity of acute hepatitis C. In conclusion, the E2/NS1 antibody appeared in all patients with acute hepatitis C and was associated with the clearance of HCV.
Effect of cholestasis induced by organic anion on the lipid composition of hepatic membrane subfractions and bile in rats
Authors: MIURA HIROYUKI , TAZUMA SUSUMU , YAMASHITA GUNJI , HATSUSHIKA SUMIE , KAJIYAMA GORO 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTSeveral organic anions inhibit the secretion of cholesterol and phospholipid into bile without affecting total bile acid secretion (uncoupling). The uncoupling induced by sulphobromophthalein (BSP) alters the fatty acid composition of biliary lecithin. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the lipid composition of bile and of liver subcellular membrane fractions during BSP‐induced uncoupling. After depletion of the bile salt pool, rats fitted with a bile duct cannulus were infused with sodium taurocholate given either alone or with BSP. Bile was collected and liver microsomes and canalicular membranes were isolated for analysis of lipid composition. In bile, uncoupling increased the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio (C/P ratio) and the saturated/unsaturated fatty acid ratio (S/U ratio) in phosphatidylcholine. The C/P ratio was increased in the canalicular membrane, but the membrane phosphatidylcholine S/U ratio decreased during uncoupling. In microsomes, the S/U ratio of membrane phosphatidylcholine was slightly increased, but the C/P ratio was unaffected during uncoupling. These results support the hypothesis that an increased secretion of hydrophobic phosphatidylcholine species from the canalicular membrane into bile reduces the proportion of hydrophobic phosphatidylcholine species in the canalicular membrane during uncoupling. The decreased contribution of hydrophobic phosphatidylcholine species may ameliorate the decrease in membrane fluidity resulting from the accumulation of cholesterol in the canalicular membrane and stimulate the synthesis of hydrophobic phosphatidylcholine species in the microsomes.
Decreasing hepatitis D virus infection in Taiwan: An analysis of contributory factors
Authors: HUO TEH‐IA , WU JAW‐CHING , LIN RUEY‐YI , SHENG WEN‐YUNG , CHANG FULL‐YOUNG , LEE SHOU‐DONG 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTSuperinfection of hepatitis D virus (HDV) among hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers is mainly through heterosexual contact in Taiwan. This study investigated the change of HDV endemicity and its associated contributory factors. Seventy‐seven patients with acute HDV superinfection among 527 consecutive exacerbating hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers were identified over the past 12 years. The prevalence decreased significantly by each 3‐year period from June 1983 to May 1995 (23.7, 15.5, 13.1 and 4.2%, respectively, P < 0.001). This trend was more significant in the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative group (P < 0.001) than in the HBeAg‐positive group (P=0.073). Subjects with a history of paid sex and prostitutes were also recruited for analysis both in 1989 and 1996. Although not statistically significant, there was a trend showing a decrease in the prevalence of serum antibody against HDV (anti‐HDV) in each risk group: it was lower in 1996 among HBsAg‐positive brothel‐goers (10.3 vs 6.9%), licensed prostitutes (54.5 vs 50%) and unlicensed prostitutes (36.1 vs 30.8%). Accumulation of anti‐HDV‐positive subjects in risk groups may mask the actual decrease of new HDV‐infected cases. The prevalence of the HBsAg carrier rate among all prostitutes has significantly decreased (18.3 vs 12.2%, P=0.015). The efficacy of each preventive strategy was examined and mapped with the trend. It was concluded that active preventive measures directed against promiscuity and sexually transmitted disease and the promotion of disposable needles may have contributed to the decrease in HDV endemicity.
Clinical significance of hepatitis G virus infection in patients on long‐term haemodialysis
Authors: IDEURA TADASHI , TANAKA EIJI , NAKATSUJI YOSHIYUKI , KOBAYASHI MAMORU , KANNO YUTAKA , OGUCHI HISAO , HORA KAZUHIKO 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTInfection with the newly discovered hepatitis G virus (HGV) was analysed in 163 patients on long‐term haemodialysis to clarify its prevalence and clinical significance. Hepatitis G virus RNA in serum was measured by polymerase chain reaction with primers corresponding to the putative non‐structural 5’ region. Of the 163 patients, three (1.8%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, 40 (24.5%) were positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐RNA and 16 (9.8%) were positive for HGV‐RNA. Five of the 16 patients with HGV‐RNA were also positive for HCV‐RNA. Patients with HCV and HGV coinfection had undergone a longer duration of haemodialysis (P=0.001) and had higher units of transfusion (P=0.031) compared with those without hepatitis virus infection. Transfusion history was significantly higher (P=0.039) in patients with only HGV infection than in those without hepatitis virus infection. Hepatitis C virus RNA concentration was higher (P=0.032) in patients with HCV and HGV coinfection than in those with HCV infection only, but alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were similar between these two groups. In conclusion, about 10% of patients on haemodialysis were infected with HGV and the infection was closely associated with transfusion history.
Characterization of isolated duodenal epithelial cells along a cryptvillus axis in rats fed diets with different iron content
Authors: OATES PHILLIP S , THOMAS CARLA , MORGAN EVAN H 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe intestinal mucosa is characterized by cell proliferation, commitment, differentiation, digestion and absorption. These processes occur at specified locations along the crypt to villus axis. A technique is reported for the isolation of cells along this axis which allows the study of any one of these processes in an enriched population of cells. As an example, the uptake of transferrin‐bound iron by enterocytes was studied. Rats were fed diets normal, high (3% carbonyl iron) or low in iron for 12 days. Cells from either the duodenum or ileum were isolated by incubating in a Ca2+‐, Mg2+‐free, cation chelating solution for varying periods. The incorporation of thymidine into DNA was measured in these cells as a marker of the crypt region, while alkaline phosphatase and sucrase activities marked mature enterocytes. The in vivo uptake of transferrin‐bound 59Fe was measured in cells isolated either 2 or 4 h after intravenous injection. This procedure resulted in the isolation of 10 fractions of viable cells. Earlier fractions were enriched at least 10‐fold in villus cells and the last fractions in crypt cells. Cells in intermediate fractions were at various stages of development. Uptake of transferrin‐bound iron into enterocytes was highest with feeding an iron‐loaded diet compared with control or iron‐deficient diets. However, with all diets uptake was highest in crypt cells and this fell at the crypt‐villus junction to be only 25%, as high at the villus tip as the crypt. A technique for the reproducible isolation of viable enterocytes along a crypt‐villus axis is described. Transferrin receptor activity changes with maturation of the enterocyte.
Antibodies to P450IID6, SLA, PDH‐E2 and BCKD‐E2 in Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis
Authors: NISHIOKA MIKIO , MORSHED SYED AHMED , PARVEEN SALINA , KONO KAZUO , MATSUOKA HIROSHI , MANNS MICHEAL P 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAuto‐antibodies specific to various antigens in chronic hepatitis (CH) have been detected but their specificities and implications were uncertain. The aims of the present study were to investigate the frequency and the significance of seropositivity of antibodies to P450IID6 or liver/kidney microsome 1 (LKM1), soluble liver antigen (SLA), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and branched‐chain keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKD) in 188 Japanese patients with different forms of CH by western blot or enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Anti‐LKM1 was also measured by indirect immunofluorescent test. Anti‐P450IID6 was found in 6/188 (3.2%) CH patients including 5/104 (4.8%) with hepatitis C virus (C) infection and 1/12 (8.3%) CH‐C patients with antibodies to nuclear and smooth muscle antigens and hypergammaglobulinaemia (> 2.5 g/dL). This patient was the only one diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). All CH patients with hepatitis B (B), hepatitis non‐B non‐C (NBNC) and AIH were seronegative for anti‐LKM1. Antibodies to soluble liver antigen were found in two of 188 (1%) patients, one with AIH and one with CH‐B. Anti‐BCKD‐E2 but not anti‐PDH‐E2 was found in four patients (2.5%), one with AIH, two with CH‐C, and one with NBNC. There was no obvious difference in age, sex ratio and laboratory findings in patients with or without anti‐SLA and anti‐BCKD‐E2. Antibodies to P450IID6, SLA, PDH‐E2 and BCKD‐E2 are uncommon in adult CH‐C, CH‐B, CH‐NBNC and AIH patients in Japan. Some of these patients positive for auto‐antibodies appear to have autoimmune features and might require a careful follow up. The heterogeneity of these antibodies in CH preclude further justification for subtyping of AIH by the presence of the distinct auto‐antibodies.
Determination of hepatic acyl‐coenzyme A‐cholesterol acyltransferase activity in LPN hamsters: A model for cholesterol gallstone formation
Authors: SMITH JEFFERY L , LUTTON CLAUDE 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAcyl‐coenzyme A‐cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) catalyses the esterification of cholesterol with long‐chain fatty acyl‐coenzyme A derivatives and has been implicated in the development of cholesterol gallstones. In this study we have examined several key components of the hepatic ACAT assay in order to develop a reliable and sensitive ACAT assay for LPN hamsters, a breed of golden Syrian hamster which has been characterized recently by this laboratory as a particularly good model for studying the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstones. The newly developed ACAT assays were subsequently used to examine whether hepatic ACAT activity is altered in this animal model. Important new methodological findings were: (i) ACAT activity displayed two pH optima, one at 7.0 when assayed using endogenous cholesterol as substrate, and the other at about pH 8.5–9.0 when assayed in the presence of exogenous cholesterol; (ii) ACAT activity increased markedly when exogenous cholesterol was delivered to ACAT in Tween 80 (125‐fold) or hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (200‐fold) in contrast to the use of cholesterol/phosphatidylcholine liposomes (9‐fold); (iii) the addition of dithiothreitol, but not reduced glutathione, to the assay mixture resulted in a marked decrease in ACAT activity. Using the optimal assay conditions (exogenous cholesterol added), hepatic ACAT activity was shown to be significantly reduced in hamsters fed a high sucrose lithogenic diet compared with controls (587 ± 42 vs 737 ± 44 pmol/min per mg; P= 0.025). In contrast, ACAT activity measured using endogenous cholesterol as a substrate was greater in sucrose‐fed hamsters compared with controls (22.3 ± 2.5 vs 13.2 ± 2.9 pmol/min per mg; P= 0.030). These results highlight the importance of using an ACAT activity assay which has been well characterized and supports the hypothesis that the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstones in LPN hamsters is related to an altered hepatic cholesterol metabolism.
Characterization of a novel cell damage model induced by acid and pepsin using rat gastric epithelial cells: Protective effect of sucralfate
Authors: FURUKAWA O , NAKAMURA E , OKABE S 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTWe have established a new model for rat gastric epithelial cell (RGM1) damage caused by both acid and pepsin. Exposure of RGM1 to an acidified medium (pH 3.5–5.0) for 10‐50 min decreased cell viability in a time‐ and pH‐dependent manner. Pepsin (0.5–1.0 mg/mL) at pH 4.5 potentiated cell damage in a concentration‐dependent manner. Based on these results, two types of cell damage models caused by incubation of cells at pH 4.0 and with pepsin (0.75 mg/mL) at pH 4.5 for 30 min, respectively, were established. The intracellular pH (pH) gradually decreased with a decrease in medium pH and an increase in exposure time. At pH ≤ 4.0, pHi reached approximately pH 6.3. Pepsin at pH 4.5 caused a further reduction in pHi compared with the acidified medium alone. Pepsin pre‐incubated with pepstatin did not induce any cell damage. Pretreatment with sucralfate (0.1 ‐3 mg/mL) for 2 h significantly prevented cell damage caused at both pH 4.0 and with pepsin at pH 4.5 in a concentration‐dependent manner. Sucralfate (3 mg/mL) significantly prevented the reduction in pHi at pH 4.0 or with pepsin at pH 4.5. 16,16‐Dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (30 μg/mL) had no effect on either cell damage or pHi. These cell damage models involving RGM1 are useful for studying the mechanism underlying cell damage and for the screening of cytoprotective drugs.
REVIEW: Peyer's patches
Authors: HEEL KATHRYN A , McCAULEY ROSALIE D , PAPADIMITRIOU JOHN M , HALL JOHN C 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe function of Peyer's patches as antigenic sampling sites involves the complex interplay of a variety of mechanisms that aim to recognize luminal antigens, induce an immunological response and decrease the incidence of antigen translocation across the mucosal epithelium. This is achieved by M cells, which facilitate the uptake of luminal antigens, a vascular architecture that promotes the retention of absorbed antigens within the patch interstitium (allowing for maximal antigenic activation of lymphocytes) and the presence of lymphoid follicles that contain antigen‐presenting cells and lymphocytes. Lymphocytes encountering antigen in the Peyer's patches proliferate, differentiate into fully mature antigen‐specific effector cells and migrate to the mesenteric lymph nodes where they undergo final maturation. The mature lymphocytes then enter the systemic circulation and migrate throughout the other mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissues of the body and ‘home’ into the gut via high endothelial venules and gut‐associated lymphoid tissue‐specific adhesion molecules, providing antigen‐specific lymphocytes at sites likely to re‐encounter the antigen.
REVIEW: Pharmacotherapeutic agents in the treatment of portal hypertension
Authors: LEBREC DIDIER 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTCertain vasoactive substances reduce portal pressure in patients or animals with portal hypertension by either inducing splanchnic vasoconstriction or reducing hepatic vascular resistance. Studies have shown that propranolol or nadolol significantly reduce the risk of a first episode of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and increase the survival rate in patients with cirrhosis and oesophageal varices. Isosorbide‐5‐mononitrate is also effective in the prevention of bleeding. The combination of betablockers and nitrates may be more effective than one drug alone. These results show that β‐adrenoceptor antagonists must be used to prevent the first episode of GI bleeding. Beta‐blocker administration also significantly reduces the risk of recurrent GI bleeding and increases the survival rate in patients with cirrhosis. Studies have shown that propranolol is as effective as endoscopic sclerotherapy. The combination of a beta‐blocker with endoscopic sclerotherapy may be more effective than pharmacological or endoscopic treatment alone for the prevention of rebleeding. Finally, new experimental and clinical studies are needed to improve the pharmacological treatment of portal hypertension.
Clinical features of patients with chronic liver disease associated with hepatitis C virus genotype 1a/I in Okinawa, Japan
Authors: SAKUGAWA HIROSHI , NAKASONE HIROKI , KINJO FUKUNORI , SAITO ATSUSHI , KEIDA YOSHIHIDE , KIKUCHI KAORU , OYADOMARI YASUTOMO , ISHIHARA MASAKIYO , NAKASONE KAZUNORI , YOGI SEIRYO , KINJO YUKIHIRO , TAIRA MASAAKI 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe clinical characteristics of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers with HCV genotype 1a/I infection were investigated and compared with those of chronic HCV carriers infected with 1b/II, 2a/III, 2b/IV and the mixed type of infection. We found that 16 of 408 (3.9%) carriers had HCV genotype 1a infection, comprising four of 67 (6.0%) blood donors, 11 of 263 (4.2%) patients with chronic hepatitis and one of 39 (2.6%) patients with liver cirrhosis. Three of 408 subjects had a mixed infection of genotypes 1a/I and 1b/II. All carriers with genotype 1a (including those with the mixed infection) were of Japanese origin and all, except one who was born in Brazil, were born in Okinawa Prefecture. Nine of 14 patients infected with genotype 1a for whom medical records were obtained had a history suggestive of infection through blood exposure; six had had blood transfusions, one had tattoos, one is a nurse and one had a history of drug addiction. There were no haemophiliacs or other multitransfused patients in the genotype 1a group. Of 10 patients infected with genotype 1a who received interferon (IFN) therapy, four (40%) showed a complete response. Although the small number of patients infected with genotype 1a in the present study precluded statistical analysis of the response to IFN, the response in patients with genotype 1a was better than the response in those infected with genotype 1b and poorer than the response in those patients infected with genotype 2a/III or 2b/IV.
B7‐2 positive cells around interlobular bile ducts in primary biliary cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis C
Authors: KAJI KYOSUKE , TSUNEYAMA KOICHI , NAKANUMA YASUNI , HARADA KEN‐ICHI , SASAKI MOTOKO , KANEKO SHUICHI , KOBAYASHI KEN‐ICHI 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTBile duct damage in patients with chronic hepatitis C (hepatitis‐associated bile duct lesion) as well as that in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC; chronic non‐suppurative destructive cholangitis), may be causally related to immunological assaults. Efficient antigen presentation is known to require the provision of a costimulatory signal which is dependent on the CD28 on T cell surfaces, and that at least two molecules, B7‐1 and B7‐2, work as costimulatory ligands for CD28. In this study, we examined immunohistochemically, the expression of B7‐2 in portal tracts of liver biopsy specimens obtained from 75 patients with chronic hepatitis C who had hepatitis‐associated bile duct lesions, and from 63 PBC patients with chronic non‐suppurative destructive cholangitis. B7‐2 positive cells were recognizable as large mononuclear cells scattered in portal tracts. Some of these cells showed a dendritic cell‐like appearance. B7‐2 positive cells were observed more frequently (41%) in PBC liver specimens than in chronic hepatitis C specimens (17%, P< 0.05). In PBC livers, such cells were preferentially observed around the damaged bile duct with a few located in the biliary epithelial layer. There was no such finding in chronic hepatitis C livers. The frequency and density of B7‐2 positive cells in the liver specimens tended to decrease according to the stage of PBC (45% in stages 1 and 2, and 33% in stages 3 and 4; P=0.10), whereas with chronic hepatitis C, no such tendency was observed. These findings suggest that B7‐2 positive cells may play a role in the bile duct lesions that appear in the early histological stages of PBC and that the immunological mechanisms of bile duct damage, particularly of antigen presentation and B7‐2 expression, differ between PBC and chronic hepatitis C.
Different viral aetiology of hepatocellular carcinoma between two hepatitis B and C endemic townships in Taiwan
Authors: LU SHENG‐NAN , CHUE PAY‐YU , CHEN HUI‐CHI , WU MEI‐HUEI , CHEN I‐LUNG , HUANG JEE‐FU , WANG JING‐HOUNG , PENG CHIEN‐FANG , SHIH CHING‐HUA , YOU SAN‐LIN , LU CHIH‐FENG , CHEN CHIEN‐JEN , CHANG WEN‐YU 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTIn Taiwan, we found two hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐ and hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐endemic townships, Paisha and Tzukuan, with an anti‐HCV prevalence of 19 and 37% in men, and 26 and 38% in women, respectively. The hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive rates were 25 and 18%, for men and women in Paisha, and 25 and 22% in Tzukuan, respectively. According to the national death certification database (1982 to 1991), the annual age‐adjusted mortality rates per 100 000 population for liver cancer among men and women were 83.0 and 13.8, respectively, in Paisha, and 55.9 and 17.0 in Tzukuan compared with 30.9 and 9.1 in Taiwan as a whole. The male‐to‐female ratios were 6.0 in Paisha and 3.3 in Tzukuan. Aetiology of 11 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from Paisha and 14 cases from Tzukuan were analysed. All HCC cases from Paisha were HBsAg positive, while 13/14 HCC cases from Tzukuan were anti‐HCV positive. The endemic duration of HCV in Tzukuan seemed long enough to induce HCC, but the HCV appeared to be a newly introduced infection in Paisha.
Case Report: Interferon induced coma in Sheehan's syndrome
Authors: MABE KATSUHIRO , SHINZAWA HARUHIDE , YAMATANI KEIICHI , TAKEDA TADASHI , ISHIBASHI MASAMICHI , YAMADA NOBUO , MISAWA HIROYUKI , WAKABAYASHI HIROTO , TOGASHI HITOSHI , TAKAHASHI TSUNEO 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTA 54‐year‐old woman who was being treated with 10 million units (mu) of natural interferon (IFN)‐α per day for chronic active hepatitis C at a local clinic, developed coma on the fourth day of treatment. On admission to Yamagata University Hospital, she was still in a state of semicoma with severe hyponatraemia (122 mEq/L) and hypochloraemia (89 mEq/L). After the administration of electrolytes, her condition improved remarkably. Endocrinological loading tests showed a hypofunction of the anterior pituitary gland. In consideration of these results, and her past experiences of haemorrhage during childbirth and subsequent amenorrhoea, we diagnosed her illness as a coma as a result of Sheehan's syndrome which had become overt during IFN therapy. She recovered completely after treatment with hydrocortisone and 1‐thyroxine.