bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retrospective analysis of 515 cases of Crohn’s disease hospitalization in China: Nationwide study from 1990 to 2003
Authors:   APDW2004 Chinese IBD Working Group
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground:  The purpose of the present paper was to investigate the status of Crohn’s disease hospitalization in China.Methods:  Medical records of hospitalized Crohn’s disease came from 22 medical centers across China during 1990–2003 and were retrospectively reviewed. Every incident case was recorded in detail on a regular comprehensive datum form by investigators in person. Clinical manifestations, examinations and therapeutic status were analyzed.Results:  A total of 515 cases of Crohn’s disease were found. The ratio of patients with Crohn’s disease to total hospitalized patients has increased steadily year by year. Endoscopy was performed in 348 patients (67.57%). Barium meal or enema was performed in 221 patients (42.91%). Histological examination (endoscopical or surgical biopsy) was performed in 340 patients (66.02%). Reasonable treatment strategies were used for 435 patients (84.47%). The evaluation of quality of life for 54/303 patients (17.82%) was poor.Conclusions:  This retrospective, hospital‐based study shows that the number of patients with Crohn’s disease in China has steadily increased over a period of 14 years. Further population‐based epidemiological studies specifically focusing on risk factors are needed. The diagnosis of Crohn’s disease and therapeutic strategy require improvement.
17β‐estradiol prevents cytotoxicity from hydrophobic bile acids in HepG2 and WRL‐68 cell cultures
Authors: Ricchi Matteo , Bertolotti Marco , Anzivino Claudia , Carulli Lucia , Canedi Irene , Bormioli Maria Luisa , Tiozzo Roberta , Croce Maria Antonietta , Lonardo Amedeo , Carulli Nicola , Loria Paola 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground:  Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest the possibility that estrogens might have a cytoprotective effect on the liver. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that 17β‐estradiol (E2) prevents hepatocellular damage induced by deoxycholic acid (DCA), a hydrophobic bile acid.Methods:  HepG2 cells were exposed for 24 h to DCA (350 µmol/L). Cell viability, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activity and apoptosis were measured as indices of cell toxicity. The effect of DCA was compared to that observed using either a hydrophilic bile acid, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA; 100 µmol/L), or E2 at different concentrations (1 nmol/L, 10 nmol/L, 50 nmol/L and 50 µmol/L) or mixtures of E2/DCA or UDCA/DCA. The same experiments were performed using WRL‐68 cells that, at variance with HepG2, express a higher level of nuclear estrogen receptor.Results:  High concentrations of E2 and UDCA prevented DCA‐induced decrease in cell viability, increase in enzyme activity and apoptosis evaluated both by 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) and TdT‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) assays. In addition, DCA‐related apoptosis, assessed by caspase activity, was also prevented by E2 (P < 0.01) in physiological (1–10 nmol/L) doses. The cytoprotective effects of E2 and UDCA was also observed in the WRL‐68 cell line.Conclusions:  17β‐Estradiol prevents DCA‐induced cell damage in HepG2 and WRL‐68 cell lines to an extent comparable to UDCA. The hypothesis that the protective effect of E2 may be mediated by a mechanism that is nuclear estrogen receptor independent, deserves further verification.
Intestinal spirochetosis and chronic watery diarrhea: Clinical and histological response to treatment and long‐term follow up
Authors: Esteve Maria , Salas Antonio , Fernández‐Bañares Fernando , Lloreta Josep , Mariné Meritxell , Gonzalez Clara Isabel , Forné Montserrat , Casalots Jaume , Santaolalla Rebeca , Espinós Jorge Carlos , Munshi Mohammed Arif , Hampson David John , Viver Josep Maria 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground:  The clinical significance of intestinal spirochetosis is uncertain, therefore the aim of the present paper was to assess the prevalence of histological intestinal spirochetosis in patients with and without chronic watery diarrhea and to evaluate its clinical relevance.Methods:  A prospective diagnostic work‐up of intestinal spirochetosis was made on biopsy samples taken from patients with chronic watery diarrhea submitted between 1994 and 2004 (1174 colonoscopies with multiple biopsies). Three other positive cases identified from routine endoscopic biopsies also were reviewed. In addition, samples from 100 asymptomatic control patients and a random sample of another 104 colonic specimens were reviewed for intestinal spirochetosis. The diagnosis was established by light and electron microscopy. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S ribosomal RNA and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidase genes of the intestinal spirochetes Brachyspira aalborgi and Brachyspira pilosicoli was performed on tissue biopsies of the 11 positive patients. After diagnosis, treatment with penicillin benzatine (PB) or metronidazole was offered to all symptomatic patients and they were followed for a mean of 45.4 months (range: 37–113 months).Results:  Eight patients with chronic watery diarrhea were positive for intestinal spirochetosis. Intestinal spirochetosis was not diagnosed in the controls. Histological resolution of the infection paralleled clinical recovery in six patients (following metronidazole treatment in three). Most patients showed mild, non‐specific colonic inflammation. Invasion by the spirochetes was not demonstrated by electron microscopy. Brachyspira aalborgi and B. pilosicoli each were identified by PCR in two cases.Conclusions:  Histological intestinal spirochetosis appears to be relatively uncommon in Catalonia (Spain) compared to previous reports from other countries, but was identified in patients (0.7%) with chronic watery diarrhea. Sustained clinical recovery after spontaneous or drug‐induced spirochetal disappearance in these individuals suggests that intestinal spirochetosis may play a pathogenic role in chronic watery diarrhea. Treatment with metronidazole is advisable in patients with persistent symptoms.
Hemorheology in patients with liver cirrhosis: Special emphasis on its relation to severity of esophageal variceal bleeding
Authors: Liu Tsu‐Te , Wong Wen‐Jang , Hou Ming‐Chih , Lin Han‐Chieh , Chang Full‐Young , Lee Shou‐Dong 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground:  Patients with decreased blood viscosity are supposed to have a higher risk of bleeding and increased severity of bleeding (severity of bleeding proportional to transmural pressure × area of variceal tear/blood viscosity). However, the hemorheological factors have never been assessed in patients with esophageal variceal bleeding. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine the hemorheological factors in liver cirrhotic patients with special emphasis on the outcome of variceal bleeding.Methods:  Forty‐two liver cirrhosis patients with variceal bleeding and another 44 matched patients without bleeding were enrolled. The hemorheological and hemostatic factors of their peripheral blood were examined. The clinical course was under careful surveillance.Results:  Patients with poor hepatic reserve (Child B + C vs A) had lower whole blood viscosity (4.34 ± 0.56 mPa·s vs 5.06 ± 1.35 mPa·s, P < 0.05), lower hematocrit levels (32.86 ± 5.97% vs 36.62 ± 5.44%, P < 0.05), lower platelet counts (79.7 ± 47.6 × 103/mL vs 108.0 ± 71.2 × 103/mL, P < 0.05) and prolonged prothrombin time (2.88 ± 2.33 s vs 1.27 ± 1.37 s, P < 0.05). Patients with bleeding (vs non‐bleeding group) had lower hematocrit levels (31.44 ± 5.75% vs 36.57 ± 5.19%, P < 0.01) and lower fibrinogen levels (226.7 ± 92.7 mg/dL vs 286.4 ± 111.8 mg/dL, P < 0.05). Patients with bleeding with shock had worse liver cirrhosis (Child A/B/C = 0/5/4 vs 11/18/4, P < 0.05), lower whole blood viscosity (4.01 ± 0.17 mPa·s vs 4.57 ± 0.76 mPa·s, P < 0.05), reduced erythrocyte aggregability (2.94 ± 0.41 vs 3.54 ± 0.61, P < 0.001), and lower platelet counts (56.22 ± 17.05 × 103/mL vs 88.87 ± 38.12 × 103/mL, P < 0.001). The Child–Pugh grade and erythrocyte aggregability were two independent factors associated with bleeding shock.Conclusions:  Whole blood viscosity, hematocrit levels and platelet counts were lower in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis. Advanced liver cirrhosis and reduced erythrocyte aggregability were independent factors for hypovolemic shock in cirrhotic patients with esophageal variceal bleeding. However, the causal relationship between hemorheology and bleeding needs to be clarified in further studies.
Influence of acid suppressants on gastric emptying: Cross‐over analysis in healthy volunteers
Authors: Takahashi Yoshiko , Amano Yuji , Yuki Takafumi , Ose Takayuki , Miyake Tatsuya , Kushiyama Yoshinori , Sato Shuichi , Ishihara Shunji , Kinoshita Yoshikazu 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground:  Gastric emptying plays an important role in gastroesophageal reflux disease. Acid suppressants such as H2 receptor antagonists and/or proton pump inhibitors are often used in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, it remains controversial whether H2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors delay or accelerate gastric emptying. Here, the influence of acid suppressants on gastric emptying was evaluated via a cross‐over study using the [13C]‐labeled acetate breath test.Methods:  Twenty normal male subjects without gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms were enrolled. Gastric emptying was investigated five times in every subject by the [13C]‐labeled acetate breath test with oral administration of the vehicle, domperidone, and three acid suppressants: ranitidine, famotidine and rabeprazole. Gastric emptying was estimated by the values of Tmax‐calc, T1/2 and %dose/2 h calculated from the 13CO2 breath excretion curve.Results:  Using the Tmax‐calc values, rabeprazole, ranitidine and famotidine did not influence gastric emptying time in comparison with vehicle administration. Using the T1/2 and %dose/2 h values, rabeprazole tended to delay gastric emptying. Domperidone produced a statistically significant acceleration of gastric emptying for all three variables (P < 0.05).Conclusion:  Oral dosage of the H2 receptor antagonists, ranitidine and famotidine, has no significant effect on gastric emptying. However, rabeprazole may delay gastric emptying more strongly than H2 receptor antagonists.
Expression and immunogenicity of NY‐ESO‐1 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Nakamura Shinichiro , Nouso Kazuhiro , Noguchi Yuji , Higashi Toshihiro , Ono Toshiro , Jungbluth Achim , Chen Yao‐Tseng , Old Lloyd J , Nakayama Eiichi , Shiratori Yasushi 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The present study was designed to investigate the expression of and humoral response against NY‐ESO‐1 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and to analyze the relationship between expression of NY‐ESO‐1 mRNA and clinicopathological features.Methods:  NY‐ESO‐1 mRNA and protein expression in surgically resected hepatocellular carcinoma specimens, adjacent non‐cancerous liver and non‐tumor bearing liver were examined by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining using a monoclonal antibody against NY‐ESO‐1 (ES121), respectively. The antibody response to NY‐ESO‐1 was examined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay using recombinant NY‐ESO‐1 protein.Results:  NY‐ESO‐1 mRNA was detected in 18 of 41 (43.9%) hepatocellular carcinomas. No NY‐ESO‐1 mRNA was expressed in 41 paired non‐cancerous specimens and 18 specimens histologically diagnosed as liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis. Immunohistochemistry revealed heterogeneous expression of NY‐ESO‐1 protein in three of 18 NY‐ESO‐1 mRNA‐positive hepatocellular carcinomas. None of 23 NY‐ESO‐1 mRNA‐negative hepatocellular carcinomas expressed NY‐ESO‐1 protein. Antibody against NY‐ESO‐1 protein was detected in two of 92 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Both of these patients had tumors invading main branches of the portal vein.Conclusions:  The present study has demonstrated the expression of NY‐ESO‐1 mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma and NY‐ESO‐1 antibody production in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the enhancement of NY‐ESO‐1 protein expression and the activation of immune response of the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are necessary, NY‐ESO‐1 has the potential to be a good target molecule for immunotherapy against advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hyperosmotic stress enhances interleukin‐1β expression in Helicobacter pylori‐infected murine gastric epithelial cells in vitro
Authors: Zhang Songhua , Yanaka Akinori , Tauchi Masafumi , Suzuki Hideo , Shibahara Takeshi , Matsui Hirofumi , Nakahara Akira , Tanaka Naomi 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Gastric cancer is associated not only with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, but also with the intake of a high salt diet. Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) is highly expressed in H. pylori‐infected gastric mucosa. The aim of the present study was to determine if hyperosmotic stress induces IL‐1β expression in gastric epithelial cells in vitro.Method:  Murine gastric epithelial cells, GSM06, were cultured with or without H. pylori (Sydney strain‐1) at different osmolarities in the range of 300–450 mOsM. Expressions of IL‐1β mRNA and mature IL‐1β protein were evaluated by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and an IL‐1β enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. IL‐1β converting enzyme (ICE) activity was measured by an ICE colorimetric assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by a single stranded‐DNA assay.Results:  Addition of H. pylori at 300 mosM caused significant increases in IL‐1β mRNA, IL‐1β protein, ICE activity and apoptosis. Hyperosmotic stress alone also caused upregulation of IL‐1β mRNA and IL‐1β protein, enhanced ICE activity and accelerated apoptosis. Hyperosmotic stress accentuated the increases in IL‐1β mRNA, IL‐1β protein, ICE activity and apoptosis induced by H. pylori alone. Enhancement of IL‐1β protein release induced by hyperosmotic stress was significantly attenuated by an ICE inhibitor, Z‐YVAD‐FMK.Conclusions:  Hyperosmotic stress enhances the release of bioactive mature IL‐1β protein in H. pylori‐infected gastric epithelial cells, in part by upregulating IL‐1β mRNA expression, and in part by enhancing ICE activity. These results may explain the mechanisms by which chronic intake of a high salt diet increases the risk of gastric cancer among H. pylori‐infected human subjects.
Dengue fever related acalculous cholecystitis in a North Indian tertiary care hospital
Authors: Sharma Navneet , Mahi Sushil , Bhalla Ashish , Singh Virendra , Varma Subhash , Ratho Radha Kanta 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground and Aims:  To document the clinical outcome and prognosis of acalculous cholecystitis in dengue fever.Methods:  Prospective analysis of 27 cases of dengue fever presenting to the medical emergency of a tertiary care referral hospital in Chandigarh, India.Results:  All patients with dengue fever presenting with abdominal pain in the year 2003 were studied by ultrasound examination for the presence of acalculous cholecystitis. Five cases presented in October and 22 cases in November. Mean age was 29.8 ± 9.7 years and there were 21 males and six females. Mean duration of fever was 5.07 ± 1.8 days and mean duration of body ache was 4.06 ± 2.6 days. The mean platelet counts for all cases at presentation were 29.41 ± 18.41 × 109/L and at discharge 95.28 ± 53.01 × 109/L. The mean duration of in‐hospital stay was 3.4 ± 1.7 days. Fourteen patients presented with pain in the abdomen and were confirmed to have acalculous cholecystitis on ultrasound examination of the abdomen (mean gallbladder wall thickness was 5.2 ± 1.03 mm). Amongst all variables assessed, the only significant difference seen was that the duration of in‐hospital stay was 1.68 days more in the group with acalculous cholecystitis.Conclusion:  Acalculous cholecystitis should be strongly suspected in patients with dengue fever presenting with abdominal pain. Our study has shown that acalculous cholecystitis occurred in 14 out of 27 patients with dengue fever.
Randomized double blind placebo‐controlled trial of a Chinese herbal therapy (CH100) in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Mollison Lindsay , Totten Leanne , Flexman James , Beaman Miles , Batey Robert 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common infection with serious health consequences. Alternative therapies are often used for hepatitis C. The aim of the present study was to examine CH100, a Chinese herbal remedy, for efficacy in therapy of chronic HCV.Methods:  A randomized double blind placebo‐controlled study in a tertiary outpatient clinic of CH100 over 24 weeks with 24 weeks follow‐up in patients with chronic HCV infection. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HCV‐RNA, quality of life (by SF‐36) and side‐effects were examined regularly. Ninety‐seven patients were enrolled of which 91 were suitable for analysis.Results:  No significant differences were observed between patients receiving CH100 (n = 61) or placebo (n = 30) at baseline or during follow‐up in either ALT or viral titer. However, patients receiving CH100 had a fall in mean ALT over time (P = 0.05 at week 4, P = 0.26 at week 12, and P = 0.04 at week 24), with reversion to baseline during post‐treatment follow up. No significant side‐effects were observed although mild complaints were common. Quality of life scores improved in both groups with time, and bodily pain significantly improved in CH100 recipients.Conclusion:  CH100 appears to be no better than placebo in the treatment of patients with chronic HCV infection.
Histopathological diagnosis of microscopic colitis
Authors: Liszka Łukasz , Woszczyk Dariusz , Pająk Jacek 
Published: March 2006

AbstractA typical symptom of microscopic colitis (MC) is chronic watery diarrhea with normal endoscopic findings and characteristic inflammatory changes in histopathology. Treatment of the disease is mainly empiric. MC has two main subtypes: lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis. There are also untypical histopathological forms of MC: MC with giant cells, MC not otherwise specified (NOS) and cryptal lymphocytic coloproctitis. Some other histopathological changes in MC have been observed, especially Paneth cell hyperplasia or epithelial degeneration. Eosinophilic colitis, acute colitis, amyloidosis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease should be taken into consideration in differential diagnosis. The most reliable biopsy material for histopathological examination are samples obtained from transverse colon. Some studies proved that treatment of MC makes it possible to reduce not only clinical, but also histopathological, manifestations.
First assessment of methane and carbon dioxide emissions from shallow and deep zones of boreal reservoirs upon ice break‐up
Authors: Duchemin Éric , Lucotte Marc , Canuel René , Soumis Nicolas 
Published: March 2006

AbstractMost studies dealing with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from large boreal reservoirs were conducted during the ice‐free period. In this paper, the potential methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide emissions are estimated for two hydroelectric reservoirs, as well as for a small experimental reservoir from boreal latitudes (northern Quebec, Canada) at the ice break‐up event through diffusion (diffusive fluxes) and release of bubbles (bubbling fluxes). The results of this preliminary study suggest that the winter diffusive fluxes at the air–water interface of the sampled reservoirs represent < 7% of their cumulative carbon emissions during the ice‐free period. Furthermore, the release upon ice‐break of CH4 bubbles accumulated under the ice cover during the winter could represent 2% of the summer carbon emissions from hydroelectric reservoirs in northern Quebec. The results presented herein suggest that the GHG emissions upon ice break‐up from the boreal reservoirs investigated are a small, but non‐negligible, component of their annual GHG emissions.
Internal nutrient flux in an inland water supply reservoir, New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Al Bakri Dhia , Chowdhury Mosharef 
Published: March 2006

AbstractNutrient dynamics at the water–sediment interface in the Suma Park Reservoir, Australia, was assessed under simulated laboratory conditions using intact sediment cores. This laboratory experiment demonstrated that the nutrient influx between the sediment and the water column, in both oxic and anoxic environments, contributed substantially to the total nutrient budget and overall recycling of the biologically available nutrients in the reservoir. This study also confirmed that the bottom sediments act as a source of ammonium‐nitrogen (NH4‐N) and filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP), but function as a sink for nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3‐N). Extrapolation of the experiment data revealed that the highest nutrient flux was obtained under a summer‐anoxic incubation, with the internal loads of FRP and NH4‐N accounting for ≈ 365% and 338% of their external annual loads, respectively. The internal loss of NO3‐N from the summer anoxic incubation was ≈ 7% of its external annual load. The temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration were the most important factors influencing the nutrient flux and internal loading. Denitrification was believed to be an eminent route of nitrate loss from the reservoir.
The occurrence of microcystin‐LR in Lake Chivero, Zimbabwe
Authors: Ndebele Mzime Regina , Magadza Christopher H. D. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractLake Chivero is a eutrophic reservoir, initially constructed to supply drinking water to the City of Harare, Zimbabwe. Blooms of blue‐green algae have been a problem in the lake for many years and concern has been expressed about the toxins produced by Microcystis spp. The concentrations of the toxin, microcystin‐LR, produced in cultures of Microcystis aeruginosa from Lake Chivero, were investigated from March–April 2003. Microcystin‐LR was found in algal cells cultured from the lake water in concentrations ranging between 18.02 and 22.48 µg L−1, with a mean concentration of 19.86 µg L−1. These concentrations are the highest recorded to date for the lake, raising concerns about the possible effects of the toxin on the health of people who are drinking the water. Based on these study results, there is a need to control eutrophication, reducing algal blooms in order to prevent their potentially detrimental effects from blue‐green algal toxins produced under such conditions.