bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical value of the guanase screening test in donor blood for prevention of posttransfusional non-A, non-B hepatitis
Authors: Ito Susumu , Tsuji Yasuhiro , Kitagawa Naoyuki , Akihiko Ishihara , Syundo Jyoji , Tamura Yoshiyuki , Kishi Seiichiro , Mori Hiroyoshi 
Published: March 2007

We adopted an automated method for measuring guanase in donor blood and examined the incidence of posttransfusional non-A, non-B hepatitis when donor blood with high guanase activities was excluded. Sixty-seven (2.4%) of 2,826 units were excluded from use in transfusion because they had guanase activities above 1.71 units per liter. Of 112 recipients, 8 (7%) developed posttransfusional non-A, non-B hepatitis. The incidence of posttransfusional non-A, non-B hepatitis was 17% before adoption of the guanase screening test and 7% after its adoption. Thus, the incidence of posttransfusional non-A, non-B hepatitis was significantly decreased after adoption of this screening test.
This study shows that, for prevention of posttransfusional non-A, non-B hepatitis, it is important to screen donor blood for guanase activity and discard blood with high activities.
Influence of smoking on caffeine elimination in healthy volunteers and in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis
Authors: Joeres Rolf , Klinker Hartwig , Heusler Hermann , Epping Johannes , Zilly Walter , Richter Ernst 
Published: March 2007

The effect of smoking on caffeine elimination was measured in 7 healthy volunteers and in 18 smoking and in 30 nonsmoking patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis following oral application of 366 mg caffeine. In an intraindividual experiment in smoking healthy probands, caffeine clearance decreased from 118 ± 33 to 77 ± 22 ml per min (p < 0.05) after abstaining cigarette smoking for 3 weeks. In a control group without liver disease (8 smokers, 15 nonsmokers), we found a caffeine clearance of 114 ± 40 ml per min in smokers and 64 ± 20 in nonsmokers (p < 0.05).
Smoking and nonsmoking patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis did not differ with respect to clinical and laboratory data and hexobarbitone elimination. However, caffeine clearance was 63 ± 63 ml per min in smoking patients compared to 34 ± 49 ml per min in nonsmokers (p < 0.05).
Fasting plasma concentrations of caffeine were higher in nonsmokers (5.1 ± 6.2 μg per ml) than in smokers (2.1 ± 4.5 μg per ml, p < 0.05). We conclude that smoking habits have to be taken into account if caffeine is used as a model compound for measuring quantitative liver function.
Ethinylestradiol stimulates a biliary cholesterol-phospholipid cosecretion mechanism in the hamster
Authors: Berr Frieder , Stellaard Frans , Goetz Alwin , Hammer Claus , Paumgartner Gustav 
Published: March 2007

The mechanism of ethinylestradiol-induced biliary secretion of excess cholesterol, a potential causative factor of cholesterol gallstones, is not yet known. It might be related to altered bile acid metabolism, since the rate of cholesterol and phospholipid secreted into bile is thought to be influenced by the hydrophobicity of the bile acid species secreted. We therefore studied the effect of ethinylestradiol on bile acid metabolism and on secretory relationships between taurocholate and cholesterol/phospholipids in bile. Litter-matched Syrian female hamsters (80 to 100 gm body weight) were injected subcutaneously with either 0.2 ml per day corn oil (controls) or a pharmacologic dose of 5 mg per kg per day ethinylestradiol in corn oil (EE-hamsters; n = 6) for 5 days. On Day 6, bile was collected for 60 min (basal secretory rate) via a bile duct fistula after exclusion of the gallbladder. Then, a graded infusion of taurocholate was given for 110 to 130 min. Secretory rates (nmoles. min−1.−1 liver) for bile acids, cholesterol and phospholipids were determined and their mutual “linkage coefficients” (nmoles of secretory increment per 1 nmole of bile acid secreted) calculated by linear regression analysis. EE-hamsters had higher (p < 0.02) basal secretory rates of cholesterol (0.71 ± 0.21 vs. 0.45 ± 0.10) and phospholipids (5.74 ± 1.04 vs. 4.21 ± 0.73) than controls at comparable bile flow and bile salt secretion rates. Cholic acid pool size and the fractional composition of bile acid species in bile were similar. During graded taurocholate infusion, biliary secretion rates of bile acids were comparable (correlation coefficient = 0.90; p < 0.02) in matched pairs.
EE-hamsters had 60 and 67% higher linkage coefficients for cholesterol/bile acid secretion and phospholipid/bile acid secretion, whereas the linkage coefficient for cholesterol/phospholipid secretion and the y-intercepts of all regressions were not significantly different. In conclusion, ethinylestradiol administration to hamsters increases cholesterol and phospholipid output into bile without increasing the secretion of more hydrophobic bile acids. The unaltered cholesterol/phospholipid linkage suggests that a cholesterol-phospholipid cosecretion mechanism is stimulated.
In Vitro Hepatitis B virus suppression of erythropoiesis is dependent on the multiplicity of infection and is reversible with anti-HBs antibodies
Authors: Zeldis Jerome B. , Farraye Francis A. , Steinberg Howard N. 
Published: March 2007

Exposure of human bone marrow mononuclear cells to hepatitis B virus results in the suppression of the in vitro growth of several hematopoietic progenitor cells. We studied the degree of inhibition of erythroid progenitor cells that results as a function of the time of exposure of mononuclear cells to hepatitis B virus and the ratio of virus to mononuclear cells, the multiplicity of infection. With an overnight incubation of mononuclear cells with hepatitis B virus-containing sera, a multiplicity of infection of greater than one virus per mononuclear cell is required to observe significant inhibition of erythroid colony formation. This multiplicity of infection effect is also observed with purified Dane particles. Exposure of mononuclear cells to an increasing number of Dane particles results in a dose-dependent suppression of erythroid colony formation with significant inhibition observed with a multiplicity of infection of virus to mononuclear cells as low as 5:1. Murine monoclonal antibodies to HBsAg completely neutralize the hepatitis B virus-mediated inhibition of CFU-E while control antibodies do not. Purified HBsAg has no effect on colony formation.
In conclusion, the hepatitis B virus-mediated inhibition of erythrogenesis in vitro provides a basis for understanding the bone marrow depression observed during hepatitis B virus infections and may provide an in vitro model for examining hepatitis B virus infection.
Renal sodium retention in cirrhosis: Tubular site and relation to hepatic dysfunction
Authors: Wood Laurence J. , Massie Denise , McLean Allan J. , Dudley Francis J. 
Published: March 2007

Renal sodium handling, assessed by the response to acute saline loading, was investigated in 14 well-compensated, nonascitic alcoholic cirrhotics and six normal controls. Urinary sodium excretion in cirrhotic patients (199 ± 141 μmoles per min) was significantly lower than in controls (387 ± 104 μmoles per min; p < 0.01) at 3 hr postinfusion. In contrast to controls, renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate did not increase in the cirrhotics in response to acute saline loading. Proximal fractional reabsorption of sodium was estimated by clearance techniques in the presence of a hypotonic diuresis. Cirrhotic subjects with impaired functional liver cell mass as assessed by antipyrine clearance were unable to decrease proximal fractional reabsorption of sodium significantly in response to saline loading.
Assessment in the cirrhotics included measurement of hepatic vein pressure gradient, indocyanine green extraction ratio, indocyanine green clearance, and antipyrine clearance as indices of portal pressure, intrahepatic shunting, hepatic blood flow and functional hepatocellular mass, respectively. Urinary sodium excretion in the cirrhotics correlated strongly with antipyrine clearance (r = 0.839, p < 0.0001) and weakly with portal pressure (r = 0.562, p = 0.037). No correlation was seen with the other indices of hepatic blood flow and shunting.
The findings of this study suggest that alcoholic cirrhosis is associated with a decline in hepatocellular function which results in either a decreased clearance of a salt-retaining hormone or decreased synthesis of a natriuretic hormone. This hormone has as its principal effect the modulation of renal afferent vasomotor tone such that, in cirrhotics, renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate and proximal tubular sodium reabsorption cannot be altered in response to a salt load. Release of this hormone may be influenced by the degree of sinusoidal hypertension or hepatic venous outflow resistance.
Diet composition and surgical technique influence the postoperative recovery of portacaval shunted rats
Authors: Jerkins Ann A. , Steele Robert D. 
Published: March 2007

In a series of experiments, rats were subjected to end-to-side portacaval shunts using either suture or nonsuture surgical procedures. Rats were maintained on cereal-based or purified diets in pellet form. All rats recovered preoperative body weights within the experimental periods; however, recovery of preoperative body weight was influenced by surgical technique and diet composition. Portacaval shunted rats fed a cereal-based diet required a longer period of time (14 days) to reattain preoperative body weights when compared to portacaval shunted rats fed a purified diet (7 days). Once preoperative body weight was recovered, growth rates of portacaval shunted rats were parallel to those of sham-operated controls. Rats with a suture-portacaval shunt appeared most sensitive to the feeding of a cereal-based diet. All portacaval shunted rats and sham controls fed a purified diet regained preoperative body weights within 7 days after surgery. Sham controls fed either a cereal-based or purified diet recovered preoperative body weights within an average of 4 days. Suture-portacaval shunted rats consuming a pellet form cereal-based diet showed a low feed efficiency which could be reversed by feeding a pellet form purified diet.
Rats subjected to a nonsuture glue-portacaval shunt and fed a cereal-based diet showed 50% lower feed efficiencies than did glue-portacaval shunted rats fed a purified diet. Portacaval shunted rats decreased their consumption of cereal-based diets but not of purified diets postoperatively. These reductions in food intake may be responsible for the growth delays observed in portacaval shunted rats and may explain some of the discrepancies in the literature concerning metabolite determinations since the nutritional and metabolic states of growing and nongrowing animals are not equivalent. From these studies we conclude that the surgical procedure used in the construction of a portacaval shunt as well as the postoperative diet composition are major factors which influence the postoperative performance of the portacaval shunted rat.
Autoantibodies against nuclear envelope-associated proteins in primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Lozano Francisco , Parés Albert , Borche Luis , Plana Montserrat , Gallart Teresa , Rodés Joan , Vives Jordi 
Published: March 2007

An antinuclear immunofluorescence pattern displaying a thin ring confined to the nuclear envelope was assessed in sera from 38 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and in sera from a control group of 277 patients with other antinuclear antibody-positive diseases. This rim-like antinuclear reactivity was present in sera from 20 primary biliary cirrhosis patients (52.6%) but in only two patients from the control group (0.7%) (p < 0.001). Furthermore, this autoantibody was present in three of four primary biliary cirrhosis patients without antimitochondrial antibodies. Presence of this rim-like pattern in primary biliary cirrhosis did not correlate with the presence of associated autoimmune diseases nor with other clinical, biochemical, nor histological features of the disease.
The antigenic specificity of sera displaying this antinuclear immunofluorescence pattern was characterized by Western blot analysis using an antigenic extract containing nuclear envelope proteins purified from rat liver. Sixteen of the 20 positive sera showed a common pattern of reactivity with a set of nuclear envelope-associated proteins approximately 200 kD in size.
In conclusion, sera from primary biliary cirrhosis patients showing a rim-like fluorescent nuclear pattern have antinuclear autoantibodies that react specifically with components of the nuclear envelope. The high specificity of these new autoantibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis indicate that they might be a serological marker of the disease, particularly useful in patients without antimitochondrial antibodies.
Free amino acids in plasma and skeletal muscle of patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Montanari Alberto , Simoni Isabella , Vallisa Daniele , Trifirò Antonio , Colla Rossana , Abbiati Roberto , Borghi Loris , Novarini Almerico 
Published: March 2007

Free amino acids were measured under postabsorptive conditions in plasma and intracellular water of skeletal muscle obtained by needle biopsy in nine healthy controls and 14 subjects suffering from clinically stable liver cirrhosis. The aromatic amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine in cirrhotics were elevated to the same extent in plasma and in muscle water. Branched-chain amino acids were uniformly reduced in plasma, but in muscle water only valine was significantly lower (222 ± 92 μmoles per kg intracellular water vs. 368 ± 82, p < 0.001), while isoleucine (142 ± 63 vs. 103 ± 30), leucine (223 ± 88 vs. 226 ± 36) and branched-chain amino acids as a whole (589 ± 186 vs. 681 ± 88) were normal or elevated with an increased muscle:plasma ratio (3.12 ± 2.03 vs. 1.41 ± 0.37, p < 0.05 for isoleucine; 3.00 ± 1.28 vs. 1.85 ± 0.27, p < 0.025 for leucine; 2.24 ± 0.64 vs. 1.69 ± 0.13, p < 0.05 for total branched-chain amino acids.
Our data show that, in cirrhosis, plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids do not reflect their levels in muscle cellular water; only the intracellular pool of valine is severely depleted. This suggests that higher amounts of valine supplementation may be useful in nutritional treatment of liver cirrhosis.
The elevated muscle:plasma gradients for branched-chain amino acids may result from abnormalities in their transport through muscle-plasma membrane. These abnormalities may contribute to the reduced basal rate of net muscle branched-chain amino acid release and, in turn, to the low fasting plasma levels of these amino acids in liver cirrhosis. The altered intra- and extracellular distribution of branched-chain amino acids should also be taken into account when interpreting metabolic studies on turnover or clearance of branched-chain amino acids in cirrhotic patients.
Deficiency of protein C in patients with portal vein thrombosis
Authors: Orozco Hector , Guraieb Edmundo , Takahashi Takeshi , Garcia-Tsao Guadalupe , Hurtado Rafael , Anaya Roger , Ruiz-Arguelles Guillermo , Hernandez-Ortiz Jorge , Casillas Marco A. , Guevara Luis 
Published: March 2007

Portal vein thrombosis has been considered idiopathic in 50% of cases reported in adults. Protein C deficiency is a recently described disorder characterized by a predisposition to develop thromboembolic disease.
We report the findings in two patients with portal hypertension and bleeding varices due to portal vein thrombosis in whom a deficiency of protein C was present. Both cases were very similar, with a history of recurrent episodes of systemic thromboembolic disease, mesenteric venous thrombosis that required intestinal resection and upper gastrointestinal bleeding from gastroesophageal varices. Portal hypertension as well as portal vein thrombosis were demonstrated. The hematologic work-up revealed a deficiency of protein C.
Both patients were subjected to the Sugiura procedure, and anticoagulation was instituted thereafter. At the time of surgery, a liver biopsy was performed, which was reported as “normal.” Two years and 3 months, respectively, after surgery both patients are in good condition.
We conclude that protein C deficiency should be investigated in all cases of portal vein thrombosis, especially in those with a history of thromboembolic disease elsewhere.
A longitudinal follow-up of asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen-positive chinese children
Authors: Lok Anna S. F. , Lai Ching-Lung 
Published: March 2007

Fifty-one asymptomatic Chinese hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier children (34 boys, 17 girls), age 1 to 15 years (median: 10 years), were prospectively followed for up to 4 years (median: 30 months) to determine the natural evolution of clinical, biochemical and virological features during the early phase of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
Hepatomegaly was the only abnormal finding on examination, being present in five children initially and four at follow-up. Serum ALT levels were normal in 80% of the children at presentation and remained within the normal range during the study in 60%. Fluctuations in ALT levels were mild. In four of 12 instances, transient elevations in ALT levels were associated with a fall in serum hepatitis B virus DNA levels.
At presentation, 43 (84%) children were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive; only two (7%) cleared HBeAg on follow-up. None of the eight children who were initially positive for the antibody to HBeAg reverted back to HBeAg positivity. All the children remained HBsAg positive.
In this study, we demonstrated that chronic hepatitis B virus infection in asymptomatic Chinese children is usually associated with a mild and stable liver disease despite high levels of hepatitis B virus replication. This may reflect an immunological tolerance to the hepatitis B virus induced by early exposure to the virus and accounts for the persistently high levels of hepatitis B virus replication on follow-up.
Extent of measles hepatitis in various ages
Authors: Shalev-Zimels Hanna , Weizman Zvi , Lotan Chaim , Gavish Dov , Ackerman Zvi , Morag Abraham 
Published: March 2007

To assess extent of hepatic involvement in measles, we evaluated prospectively 144 patients (ages 0.2 to 43 years) during an outbreak. Liver function parameters (AST, ALT, serum γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and bilirubin) were determined on presentation and at 2 and 4 weeks.
The study comprised 52 pediatric (≤14 years) and 92 adult patients. Liver dysfunction was evident quite often (56 to 66%) in adult patients. However, in the pediatric age group, these abnormalities were less frequent and less extensive. Moreover, a significant correlation was noted between age and each of the following parameters: AST (r = 0.61), ALT (r = 0.56) and serum γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (r = 0.39). In all subjects all parameters normalized after 2 to 4 weeks.
The data presented suggest that hepatic dysfunction in measles is probably not rare and is more frequent and more extensive in adults. However, these abnormalities seem to be subclinical, self-limited and probably with no long-term sequelae.
Peripheral arterial vasodilation hypothesis: A proposal for the initiation of renal sodium and water retention in cirrhosis
Authors: Schrier Robert W. , Arroyo Vicente , Bernardi Mauro , Epstein Murray , Henriksen Jens H. , Rodés Joan 
Published: March 2007

Renal sodium and water retention and plasma volume expansion have been shown to precede ascites formation in experimental cirrhosis. The classical “underfilling” theory, in which ascites formation causes hypovolemia and initiates secondary renal sodium and water retention, thus seems unlikely. While the occurrence of primary renal sodium and water retention and plasma volume expansion prior to ascites formation favors the “overflow” hypothesis, the stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, vasopressin release and sympathetic nervous system associated with cirrhosis is not consonant with primary volume expansion.
In this present article, the “Peripheral Arterial Vasodilation Hypothesis” is proposed as the initiator of sodium and water retention in cirrhosis. Peripheral arterial vasodilation is one of the earliest observations in the cirrhotic patient and experimental animals with cirrhosis. Arterial vasodilators and arteriovenous fistula are other examples in which renal sodium and water retention occur secondary to a decreased filling of the arterial vascular tree. An increase in cardiac output and hormonal stimulation are common features of cirrhosis, arteriovenous fistula and drug-induced peripheral arterial vasodilation. However, a predilection for the retained sodium and water to transudate into the abdominal cavity occurs with cirrhosis because of the presence of portal hypertension. The Peripheral Arterial Vasodilation Hypothesis also explains the continuum from compensated to decompensated cirrhosis to the hepatorenal syndrome.
Electron microscopic and time lapse studies of mitosis in cultured rat hepatocytes
Authors: Sattler Carol A. , Sawada Norimasa , Sattler Gerald L. , Pitot Henry C. 
Published: March 2007

Primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes in a serum-free medium were observed by time lapse cinematography to proceed through mitotis and cytokinesis. An ultrastructural study of these cultures is presented with electron micrographs of each stage of mitosis and cytokinesis. The cultured hepatocytes begin to enter prophase about 48 hr after plating and proceed through mitosis in approximately 70 min not including cytokinesis. During this time, they remain somewhat flattened and joined to neighboring cells rather than rounding up. Both mononucleate and binucleate hepatocytes proceed through mitosis. Some mononucleate cells do not undergo cytokinesis, resulting in the formation of binucleate cells. In binucleate hepatocytes, both nuclei proceed through prophase simultaneously. Usually a single mitotic spindle with a large metaphase plate containing chromosomes from both nuclei is observed. Cytokinesis frequently occurs in binucleate hepatocytes which have a single mitotic spindle. Some binucleate cells form tripolar or 4-polar metaphase plates. In tripolar metaphases, some cells do not divide, resulting in multinucleate cells, whereas others undergo cytokinesis yielding three mononucleate cells or one binucleate and one mononucleate cell. Two mitotic spindles located perpendicularly to each other with microtubules intertwining have been observed in 4-polar metaphases. In this latter case, no cytokinesis has been observed.
This study shows that both mononucleate and binucleate adult rat hepatocytes cultured in a serum-free medium in the presence of epidermal growth factor not only synthesize DNA, but progress through mitosis and often cytokinesis.