bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Helicobacter pylori infection in children
Authors: HARDIKAR W. , DAVIDSON P. M. , CAMERON D. J. S. , GILBERT G. L. , CAMPBELL P. E. , SMITH A. L. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT Helicobacter pylori was sought prospectively by culture of antral biopsy, histology and scrology (IgG and IgA) in 440 consecutive endoscopies on children to determine the prevalence, clinical presentation and histological features of H. pylori infection in our population. Twenty‐eight patients had H. pylori (8% overall). The mean age of infected patients was significantly higher than that of non‐infected patients (P < 0.0001). No patient under 5 years of age had H. pylori isolated. Overall, there was no significant difference in clinical presentation between those with and those without H. pylori infection, but 23% of patients between 5 and 26 years of age who presented with abdominal pain as the indication for their endoscopy had H. pylori isolated. Macroscopic changes ranged from no abnormality to frank ulceration, but the typical antral mamilliform changes were 100% predictive of infection. Fifty‐eight per cent of patients with duodenal ulcers, but only 17% with gastric ulcers had H. pylori infection.Histological gastritis was present in 144 patients (including all H. pylori positive patients). None of the patients with another definable cause for gastritis had H. pylori isolated. In conclusion, H. pylori is an important cause of primary gastritis in our population, occurring in children over 5 years of age. Culture of an antral biopsy should be performed in children over this age undergoing endoscopy for the investigation of abdominal pain and, more particularly, in those with peptic ulceration.
Intestinal lymphokine‐activated killer cells in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: HOGAN P. G. , GIBSON P. R. , HAPEL A. J. , DOE W. F. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe role of non‐specific cytotoxicity in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was investigated by assaying the natural killer (NK) and lymphokine‐activated killer (LAK) cell activity of lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMC) from 22 specimens of intestinal mucosa affected by IBD. Only minimal levels of NK activity were detected against K562 cells, as well as colon carcinoma cells, adenoma cells and fibroblasts freshly isolated from the intestinal mucosa. Culture of LPMC from IBD in the presence of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) generated LAK cells that mediated high levels of activity against K562 cells and against neoplastic epithelial cells and fibroblasts derived from the intestinal mucosa. A group of 20 histologically normal specimens of intestinal mucosa showed similar levels of LAK activity against the K562 and intestinal cell targets. The minimal mucosal NK activity in IBD suggests that the cytotoxic properties of NK cells are not important in the pathogenesis of IBD. The presence of LAK precursor cells in the inflamed mucosa of IBD and their ability to lyse biologically relevant targets in vitro suggests that LAK cells have the potential to contribute to intestinal mucosal injury in IBD.
A randomized controlled study of low‐dose and high‐dose terlipressin in the control of acute oesophageal variceal haemorrhage
Authors: CHANG TING‐TSUNG , LEE FA‐YAUH , TSAI YANG‐TE , LAI KWOK‐HUNG , CHAO YEE , HSIA HSIAO‐CHUNG , LIN HAN‐CHIEH , WANG SUN‐SANG , LEE SHOU‐DONG , LO KWANG‐JUEI 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTA randomized controlled trial was designed to investigate whether a high dose of terlipressin could control acute variceal haemorrhage more effectively than a low dose of terlipressin. Forty cirrhotic patients with bleeding oesophageal varices were included, with low‐dose terlipressin in 21 patients and high‐dose terlipressin in 19 patients. The two groups of patients were similarly matched for all parameters on admission. High‐dose terlipressin (84%) seemed to be more effective in the initial control of bleeding than low‐dose terlipressin (67%); however this difference was not significant. Complete control of bleeding during 24 h of drug infusion was achieved in 53% of patients receiving high‐dose terlipressin and in 48% of those treated with low‐dose terlipressin (P > 0.05). There were no major complications in either group. Mortality in relation to variceal bleeding and transfusion requirements were similar in the two groups. This study shows that high dose terlipressin is not superior to low dose terlipressin in acute variceal bleeding.
Hepatocyte growth factor: Molecular structure and implications for a central role in liver regeneration
Authors: MATSUMOTO KUNIO , NAKAMURA TOSHIKAZU 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTHepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a most potent factor for mature parenchymal hepatocytes in primary culture and may act as a trigger for liver regeneration. We purified HGF from rat platelets to homogeneity and cloned both human and rat HGF cDNA. HGF is a heterodimer molecule composed of the 69 kDa α‐subunit and the 34 kDa β‐subunit. HGF has no amino acid sequence homology with other known peptide growth factors and possesses the highest potential among known growth factors to stimulate proliferation of hepatocytes in primary culture. HGF is derived from a single chain precursor of 728 amino acid residues and the precursor is proteolytically processed to form a two‐chain mature HGF. The α‐subunit of HGF contains 4 kringle structures and HGF has a homology (38%) with plasmin. Biologically active recombinant human HGF could be expressed from COS‐1 cells and CHO cells transfected with cloned cDNA. HGF activity and the HGF mRNA level are markedly increased in the liver following insult such as hepatitis, by the administration of hepatotoxins, ischaemia, physical damage and partial hepatectomy. Moreover, HGF mRNA is induced in the lung and kidney, in the presence of liver injury. In situ hybridization revealed that HGF‐producing cells in liver are non‐parenchymal liver cells, presumably Kupffer and sinusoidal endothelial cells. Therefore, HGF from neighbouring cells (Kupffer and sinsuoidal endothelial cells) and distal organs (lung and kidney) may function as a trigger for liver regeneration by both a paracrine mechanism and an endocrine mechanism. HGF has mitogenic activity for renal tubular epithelial cells, epidermal melanocytes and keratinocytes as well as mature hepatocytes, and has the potential to promote cell migration for some epithelial cells, including normal human keratinocytes. Since cell growth and cell motility are relevant to tissue repair and embryogenesis, HGF may well have important roles in tissue repair and embryogenesis as well as in liver regeneration.
Cholestatic jaundice associated with Captopril therapy
Authors: CRANTOCK LUKE , PRENTICE ROGER , POWELL LAWRIE 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTCaptopril has attained widespread use as an effective agent in the treatment of heart failure and hypertension. Dermatological, renal and haematological toxicity associated with its use has been widely described and is usually well recognized. There have been comparatively few reports implicating it as causing hepatic drug reactions. Most descriptions have emphasized strongly cholestatic features, although a mixed hepatocellular cholestatic picture and predominant hepatocellular reactions have been reported. Between November 1972 and June 1990 only five cases of possible Captopril‐associated hepatic dysfunction were reported to the Australian Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee. Cases reported suggest equal sex distribution, latent period to development of abnormality between 1 week and 20 months, with slow resolution of jaundice and biochemical abnormality from 1 week to 6 months after withdrawal of the drug. One case of hepatic coma and death with massive acute hepatic necrosis on biopsy has been reported. Not uncommonly the accompanying systemic features suggest a syndrome of drug hypersensitivity.We report a case of Captopril‐induced cholestatic jaundice in which the abnormality occurred 2 weeks after commencement of the drug and resolved slowly upon discontinuation. The case illustrates two important points: first, the importance of taking a full history, obtaining detailed information about previous drug administration in patients admitted with jaundice; and second, in the case of Captopril‐induced liver disease, the jaundice may persist for many weeks after drug withdrawal.
Transplantation in primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: SALLIE RICHARD , O'GRADY JOHN , WILLIAMS ROGER 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTImproved immunosuppressive regimens, better postoperative intensive care and judicious patient selection have all resulted in increased patient survival following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), which has become the preferred option for most patients with end‐stage primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). As with most other clinical series, PBC is now the most common indication for OLT in the King's College hospital and Cambridge programmes. To date (30 July 1990), 129 patients with PBC have been transplanted, with overall actual 1 and 5 year survival rates of 65 and 63% respectively. When patients transplanted since 1985 are considered, both the 1 and 2 year survival rates are 78%. Immediate operative morality was 4.5%, generally due to uncontrollable bleeding, while further mortality within 30 days of operation—mainly consequent upon infection and multi‐organ failure—has fallen from 40% prior to 1985 to 9% since 1988. Thirteen per cent of patients have been retransplanted for vanishing bile duct syndrome, manifest in this series invariably within the first 6 months following OLT. Although rehabilitation in this series was excellent, a significant percentage of cases have continuing problems with metabolic bone disease, hypertension and renal impairment, mainly due to cyclosporin toxicity.
Protection by gabexate mesilate (FOY) of the exocrine pancreas in rats with acute pancreatitis induced by a supramaximal dose of caerulein
Authors: HIRANO TETSUYA , MANABE TADAO , TOBE TAKAYOSHI 
Published: March 2008

AbstractEarlier studies have reported that interstitial oedematous pancreatitis characterized by hyperamylasaemia can be seen during the early stage of stimulation of supramaximal dose of caerulein. The present study investigated the changes in both cellular and lysosomal fragility and the protective effects of a synthetic protease inhibitor gabexate mesilate (FOY) on this non‐invasive model of experimental pancreatitis. The infusion of FOY (50 mg/kg/h) prevented the caerulein‐induced increase in serum amylase and pancreatic oedema formation and reduced the elevated amylase content significantly. The administration of FOY with caerulein also reduced the increased lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) discharge significantly and inhibited the cathepsin B leakage from lysosomes in an in vitro incubation system. These results indicate that FOY plays its protective role at the subcellular level—that is, in lysosomes by inhibiting some proteases such as phospholipase A2. The importance of esterases in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis is demonstrated. This type of esterase inhibitor may be valuable clinically in the treatment of acute pancreatitis and these results also suggest the role of lysosomal fragility in the pathogenesis of progression of acute pancreatitis.
Dual colour fluorescein analysis of peripheral blood T cells in auto‐immune chronic active hepatitis
Authors: KATOH TATSUKO , YAMAUCHI KATSUMI , HAYASHI NAOAKI , OBATA HIROSHI 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBoth CD4 and CD8 T cells are subdivided into two phenotypically distinct sublineages via another two T cell markers, Leu‐8 and CD11b antigens. The proportions of these four T cell subsets, CD4+ Leu8+, CD4+ Leu‐8, CD8+ 11b+ and CD8+ 11b‐, were studied in patients with auto‐immune chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and compared with disease controls (hepatitis B surface antigen positive chronic active hepatitis) and healthy controls.We found that the proportion of CD4+ Leu8+ cells was significantly reduced compared with controls (P < 0.01), whereas those of the other cells were almost identical in all 3 groups. The absolute number of these CD4+ Leu8+ cells was also lower than that of controls (P < 0.01).Thus, the present study suggests that a reduced number of CD4+ Leu8+ cells is associated with the aberrant immune response in auto‐immune CAH.
Amino acid residues of core region of hepatitis B virus. Asymptomatic carriers versus patients with liver disease
Authors: EHATA TOSHIKI , OMATA MASAO , YOKOSUKA OSAMU , HOSODA KAZUHIKO , OHTO MASAO 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRecent molecular biological studies have shown that mutations of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genes may have an important role in the pathogenesis of HBV‐induced liver diseases. It has been suggested that the core antigen of HBV could be an immunologic target of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. In this study, nucleotide sequences encoding 183 amino acid residues of the core region of HBV were analysed in 4 asymptomatic healthy carriers and in 5 patients with chronic liver disease, in whom serum aminotransferase levels were fluctuating. A cluster of amino acid substitutions were found from codon 87 to 97 of the core region of HBV in all 5 patients with liver diseases. Such changes were not found in any of the asymptomatic carriers. These data suggest that the peptide sequence spanning 11 amino acid residues in this particular region may play an important role in the pathogenesis of B‐viral liver disease, and could be an immunologic target of cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
Plasma abnormal prothrombin (PIVKA‐π): A new and reliable marker for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: TAKIKAWA YASUHIRO , SUZUKI KAZUYUKI , YAMAZAKI KIYOSHI , GOTO TOSHINORI , MADARAME TAKEO , MIURA YOSHIAKI , YOSHIDA TOSHIMI , KASHIWABARA TOSHIFUMI , SATO SHUNICHI 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTWe evaluated the clinical usefulness of a protein induced by vitamin K absence, antagonist‐prothrombin (PIVKA‐π), in detecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) specifically in patients with liver cirrhosis, and the possible correlation between levels of PIVKA‐π and pathological features of HCC. Plasma levels of PIVKA‐π and α‐fetoprotein (AFP) were measured in 628 patients with various diseases, including 253 with liver cirrhosis and 116 with HCC. PIVKA‐π was detected (≥ 0.1 arbitrary unit/mL) in 54.3% of HCC and the concentration showed a positive correlation with the tumour size. As a screening test for the detection of HCC, PIVKA‐π produced values comparable with those of AFP with a sensitivity, specificity and validity of 52.8, 98.8 and 51.6% respectively. Sixteen of 45 patients (37%) with HCC who had low AFP (< 100 ng/mL) levels were positive for PIVKA‐π. No apparent relationship, however, could be found between the levels of PIVKA‐π and the aetiology or pathological findings of HCC. These results suggest that PIVKA‐π can be a reliable marker for detecting HCC in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Effect of glycyrrhizin on lysis of hepatocyte membranes induced by anti‐liver cell membrane antibody
Authors: SHIKI YASUKO , SHIRAI KOHJI , SAITO YASUSHI , YOSHIDA SHO , MORI YOSHIO , WAKASHIN MASAFUMI 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTStudies were made on why glycyrrhizin injection decreases the plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase activities in patients with chronic hepatitis.1 For this, rat hepatocytes were isolated, and incubated with antibody raised against rat liver cell membranes, and the effect of glycyrrhizin on their release of transaminase was investigated. Isolated rat hepatocytes released AST on incubation with anti‐liver cell antibody in the presence of complement. At this time, their endogenous phospholipase A2 activity was increased. Cultured hepatocytes also released the transaminase in the presence of venom phospholipase A2. Glycyrrhizin suppressed the release of transaminase in the presence of either anti‐liver cell membrane antibody or phospholipase A2. These results suggest that antibody treatment raised the phospholipase A2 activity in liver cell membranes, resulting in release of transaminases, and that glycyrrhizin suppressed this increase in phospholipase A2 activity and so inhibited the release of transaminase.
Relationship between intensity of Opisthorchis viverrini infection and hepatobiliary disease detected by ultrasonography
Authors: MAIRIANG EIMORN , ELKINS DAVID B. , MAIRIANG PISALN , CHAIYAKUM JITJAROEN , CHAMADOL NITTAYA , LOAPAIBOON VALLOP , POSRI SUMAREE , SITHITHAWORN PAIBOON , HASWELL‐ELKINS MELISSA 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTTwenty‐four locality‐, age‐ and sex‐matched groups of village residents with no light, moderate and heavy Opisthorchis viverrini infection were examined by ultransonography. Highly significant differences were observed between the groups in the relative size of the left lobe of the liver and the fasting and post‐meal size of the gall‐bladder. In addition, indistinct gall‐bladder wall, the presence of gall‐bladder sludge and strongly enhanced portal vein radicle echoes were most frequently observed in the heavily infected group. Two suspected cases of cholangiocarcinoma were identified from the heavy group. The results highlight the importance of intensity of infection on the frequency and severity of fluke‐associated hepatobiliary disease.
The effect of chilli on gastrointestinal transit
Authors: HOROWITZ MICHAEL , WISHART JUDITH , MADDOX ANNE , RUSSO ANTONIETTA 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe effects of chilli on gastrointestinal transit (gastric emptying, orocaecal transit, whole gut transit) were evaluated in eight healthy volunteers. In each subject, gastrointestinal transit of a standard test meal was measured on two separate days. On one of these occasions, 20 g of chilli powder was added to the meal. Gastric emptying was quantified with a radioisotopic technique, orocaecal transit by measurement of breath hydrogen concentrations and whole gut transit by counting the number of radio‐opaque markers in the stool. The rate of gastric emptying was slower (P < 0.05) and whole gut transit was faster (P < 0.02) after the meal containing chilli, compared with the other meal. There was no significant difference in orocaecal transit. These results show that ingestion of chilli is associated with significant effects on gastric emptying and intestinal transit.
Is the patient with an arthritic neck at risk during endoscopy?
Authors: BARNSLEY LESLIE , DENHAM JUDITH M. , DUGGAN JOHN M. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTTo determine whether upper gastrointestinal endoscopy poses a risk to patients with arthritis of the neck, 486 members of the Gastroenterology Society of Australia were surveyed by postal questionnaire. Replies were obtained from 323 members. More than 1.5 million endoscopies were covered and 11 respondents had experienced major complications related to neck arthritis. With one exception these were perforations of the upper gastrointestinal tract. There were no reports of serious neurological sequelae. Deaths resulted in two cases. We conclude that neck arthritis rarely causes complications from endoscopy.
Alteration of bile acid metabolism in two‐thirds hepatectomized rat
Authors: NAKAMURA KAZUHIKO , ICHIMIYA HITOSHI , NAKAYAMA FUMIO 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTBile acid metabolism after two‐thirds partial hepatectomy (PH) in rat was studied. Bile acid kinetics (i.e. synthesis rate and pool size) were determined by wash out method combined with gas liquid chromatography, and serum bile acids by gas liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Serum bile acid concentration was highest on the third day after PH, as the liver regeneration progressed but it gradually decreased with increasing cholic acid (CA)/chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), reflecting impaired hepatic uptake of bile acids and/or cholestasis during the early post‐hepatectomy period. Predominance of CA in bile acid synthesis, pool, and biliary secretion was also found. On the third day after PH, liver weight recovered to 66% of the control value, but enhancement of bile acid synthesis was not observed. Consequently, pool size remained at 50% of control. On the seventh day, synthesis of bile acid, especially of CA, was enhanced and pool size and liver weight returned to 68 and 72% of the respective control values. Bile acid synthesis was returned to the control value on the fourteenth day with concomitant restoration of liver weight and bile acid pool size. These changes in bile acid kinetics parallel the events during hepatic regeneration after PH.
Cholestatic hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed by deposits of Lipiodol and treated by combination of endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage and transcatheter arterial embolization
Authors: SHIINA SHUICHIRO , KOMATSU YUTAKA , KAWABE TAKAO , YOSHIURA KENTA , HAMADA EIJI , HATA YASUO , NIWA YASURO , KAWASE TAKAO , OTA SHINICHI , SHIRATORI YASUSHI , TERANO AKIRA , SUGIMOTO TSUNEAKI 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTCholestatic hepatocellular carcinoma, which grows into the bile duct and causes obstructive jaundice, is rare and difficult to diagnose. A case is presented in which cholestatic hepatocellular carcinoma was detected by deposit of Lipiodol. This is also the first case that was successfully treated by endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage and transcatheter arterial embolization.
The role of the vagus nerve in the protective action of acid inhibitors on ethanol‐induced gastric mucosal damage in rats
Authors: CHO C. H. , CHEN B. W. , HUI W. M. , LAM S. K. , OGLE C. W. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe role of vagus in the actions of different acid inhibitors on ethanol‐induced gastric damage and mucosal blood flow (GMBF) changes was studied in anaesthetized rats, using an ex vivo stomach chamber preparation. Subdiaphragmatic bilateral vagotomy decreased the basal gastric acid secretion and GMBF; it also intensified ethanol‐evoked lesions in the glandular mucosa. Misoprostol, omeprazole and cimetidine produced a similar degree of reduction in acid output. Misoprostol given subcutaneously (s.c.) (50 μg/kg), or added to the incubation solution (12.5 μg) for 15 min, markedly prevented ethanol‐induced lesion formation and reduction in GMBF. The reversing effect of s.c. injection of misoprostol on either lesion formation or on GMBF reduction was attenuated by vagotomy. Omeprazole protected against lesion formation only when present in the incubation solution (12.5 mg) of ex vivo chamber preparations of both vagus‐intact and vagotomized animals, but the effect was significantly less in the latter group. The drug also prevented the depressive action of ethanol in vagus‐intact animals. Cimetidine pretreatment (50 mg s.c. or 12.5 mg in incubation solution), however, did not modify the effects of ethanol on lesion formation and the GMBF. The findings indicate that the three different types of acid inhibitors exert different actions on ethanol‐induced gastric mucosal damage, although they produced similar inhibition of acid output. Vagotomy lowers the GMBF and attenuates the antiulcer action of misoprostol and omeprazole, especially when the drugs are given by the parenteral route.
Liver, lipoproteins and disease: II. Clinical relevance of disordered cholesterol metabolism in liver disease
Authors: POWELL ELIZABETH E. , KROON PAULUS A. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe alterations in the concentration and composition of lipoproteins that occur in liver disease indicate the central role of the liver in lipoprotein metabolism. A number of studies have characterized plasma lipoproteins in patients with liver disease, although in most cases the underlying molecular defects responsible for the changes are still undetermined.