bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recurrence of Hepatitis B is Associated with Cumulative Corticosteroid Dose and Chemotherapy Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Yi Nam-Joon , Suh Kyung-Suk , Cho Jai Young , Kwon Choon Hyuck , Lee Kwang-Woong , Joh Jae Won , Lee Suk-Koo , Kim Soon Il , Lee Kuhn Uk 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
The incidence of hepatitis B (HB) recurrence after a liver transplantation has been reduced by prophylaxis with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and lamivudine. However, the long-term incidence of recurrence is <10%, and the factors associated with HB recurrence are unclear. This study analyzed the factors associated with HB recurrence in 203 recipients who underwent liver transplantation for HB in 3 major centers in Korea over 4 years. Eighty-five patients (41.9%) had a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Preoperative active virus replicators with the HBeAg(+) (46.8%) and/or hepatitis B virus DNA(+) (39.4%) were observed in 136 patients (67.0%). The HB prophylaxis consisted of either HBIG monotherapy (n = 95, HBIG group) or combination therapy with lamivudine (n = 108, combination group). HB recurrence was defined as the appearance of the HBsAg. The follow-up period was 28.3 ± 13.1 months (mean ± SD). HB recurred in 21 patients (10.3%) after transplantation. The time from transplantation to recurrence was 16.3 ± 9.4 months. Pre-LT DNA positivity was more prevalent in HBIG group (55.8%) than in the combination group (39.8%) (P = 0.015). However, the incidence of HB recurrence was similar in the HBIG (6.3%) and combination group (13.8%), as well as between the active replicators (12.5%) and nonreplicators (4.1%) (P < 0.05). There was a far higher incidence of HB recurrence in patients receiving corticosteroid pulse therapy (21.0% vs. 7.9%), patients who experienced HCC recurrence (31.3% vs. 8.6%), and patients receiving chemotherapy to prevent HCC recurrence (25.0% vs. 4.4%) (P < 0.05). The cumulative corticosteroid dose was higher in patients who experienced recurrence of HB (P = 0.002). Multivariable analysis confirmed the effect of the cumulative corticosteroid dose and chemotherapy to be risk factors. Liver transplantation for HB is safe, with low recurrence rates if adequate prophylaxis is used. However, the cumulative corticosteroid dose and the chemotherapy used for HCC were risk factors for HB recurrence, so careful monitoring for HB recurrence is needed in these patients. Liver Transpl 13:451–458, 2007. © 2007 AASLD.
Inflammation is An Important Determinant of Levels of the Endogenous Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (ADMA) in Acute Liver Failure
Authors: Mookerjee Rajeshwar P. , Dalton Neil R. , Davies Nathan A. , Hodges Stephen J. , Turner Charles , Williams Roger , Jalan Rajiv 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Acute liver failure (ALF) is characterized by rapid progressive organ failure and poor outcome. The pathophysiology of multiorgan dysfunction in ALF remains unclear but increased systemic inflammatory response is believed to be an important determining factor. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, results from proteolysis and the liver is a major site for its metabolism. ADMA has been shown to independently predict outcome in multiorgan failure associated with severe liver dysfunction. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that proinflammatory cytokine driven responses are important in modulating ADMA levels in patients with acetaminophen-induced ALF. Blood samples were collected from 10 ALF patients (grade IV encephalopathy) from admission until the time of transplantation or death, and assayed for cytokines and ADMA. A total of 8 patients required treatment for raised intracranial pressure and all patients were managed with standard of care, including full mechanical ventilation and veno-venous hemofiltration. ADMA levels were markedly higher in ALF patients compared to age-matched controls (P < 0.001) and correlated with the levels of proinflammatory cytokines. In pretransplantation patients undergoing hepatic venous catheterization, we demonstrated no significant uptake of ADMA across the failing liver. However, following liver transplantation, ADMA levels reduced acutely. A timed study of ADMA levels during transplantation demonstrated a slight increase during the anhepatic phase but a marked and sustained reduction in ADMA following liver reperfusion. In conclusion, our data show a significant correlation between ADMA levels and proinflammatory cytokines, supporting a hypothesis that proinflammatory cytokines may regulate ADMA metabolism in ALF. Liver Transpl 13:400–405, 2007. © 2007 AASLD.
Orthotopic Liver or Multivisceral Transplantation As Treatment of Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Olausson Michael , Friman Styrbjörn , Herlenius Gustaf , Cahlin Christian , Nilsson Ola , Jansson Svante , Wängberg Bo , Ahlman Håkan 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Liver transplantation can be a therapeutic option for individual patients with neuroendocrine tumors metastatic only to the liver. In this consecutive series of 15 patients (5 multivisceral and 10 orthotopic liver transplantations) with well-differentiated carcinoids, or endocrine pancreatic tumors, we allowed higher proliferation rate (Ki67 <10%), large tumor burden, and higher age than previous studies. Liver transplantation offered good relief of symptoms, long disease-free intervals, and potential cure in individual patients. The survival of grafts and patients compared well with transplantation for benign disease. The overall 5-year survival was 90%. The recurrence-free survival of both multivisceral and liver transplantation related to the time after transplantation (about 20% at 5 years) despite inclusion of patients with higher risk. In conclusion, the critical prognosticators for long-term outcome still remain to be defined. The experience with multivisceral transplantation for patients with endocrine tumors of the pancreatic head is still limited. Liver Transpl 13:327–333, 2007. © 2007 AASLD.
Addition of Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase Activators to University of Wisconsin Solution
Authors: Ben Mosbah Ismail , Massip-Salcedo Marta , Fernández-Monteiro Izabel , Xaus Carme , Bartrons Ramon , Boillot Olivier , Roselló-Catafau Joan , Peralta Carmen 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
This study investigates how the addition of trimetazidine (TMZ) and aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR) to University of Wisconsin (UW) solution protects steatotic livers. Steatotic and nonsteatotic livers were preserved for 24 hours at 4°C in UW and UW with TMZ and AICAR (separately or in combination) and then perfused ex vivo for 2 hours at 37°C. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) or nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibition in livers preserved in UW with TMZ was also investigated. Hepatic injury and function (transaminases, bile production, and sulfobromophthalein clearance) and factors potentially involved in the susceptibility of steatotic livers to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), including vascular resistance, mitochondrial damage, adenosine triphosphate depletion, and oxidative stress were evaluated. AMPK, NO synthase (NOS), nitrate, and nitrite levels were also determined. The addition of TMZ and AICAR (separately or in combination) to UW reduced hepatic injury, improved functionality, and protected against the mechanisms responsible for the vulnerability of steatotic livers to I/R. Like AICAR, TMZ increased AMPK, constitutive NOS, and nitrates and nitrites, and conversely, AMPK or NO synthesis inhibition abolished the benefits of TMZ. In conclusion, TMZ, by means of AMPK, increased NO, thus protecting steatotic livers against their vulnerability to I/R injury. TMZ and AICAR may constitute new additives to UW solution in steatotic liver preservation, whereas a combination of both seems unnecessary. Liver Transpl 13:410–425, 2007. © 2007 AASLD.
Vaccination Against Hepatitis B in Liver Transplant Recipients
Authors: Bauer Tanja , Günther Matthias , Bienzle Ulrich , Neuhaus Ruth , Jilg Wolfgang 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
After liver transplantation for hepatitis-B-related diseases, patients currently receive lifelong treatment with hepatitis B immunoglobulin to prevent endogenous reinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Active immunization with hepatitis B vaccine would be a preferable alternative; however, most attempts to immunize these patients with standard vaccine have failed. A recent study with a new adjuvanted hepatitis B vaccine was exceptionally successful, leading to a high-titered long-lasting antibody response in 80% of all vaccinees. To identify the immunological mechanisms behind these unexpected results, the successfully vaccinated participants were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-specific T and B cells, and their cellular responses to revaccination with conventional vaccine were studied. HBsAg-specific CD4+ T lymphocytes could be detected in 13 of 16 patients after immunization with the new vaccine. Unexpectedly, these T cells produced almost exclusively interleukin (IL)-10 and had a CD4+/CD25+ phenotype. They were functionally active, suppressing cytokine secretion in HBsAg-specific (Th1) cells, thus representing antigen-specific regulatory T cells (TReg). Following a booster dose with conventional vaccine 22-31 months after completion of the initial vaccination series, the T-cell pattern in the revaccinated individuals changed substantially: 7 days after revaccination 9 of 11 individuals showed a switch to a Th1-type immune response with HBsAg-specific T cells secreting IL-2, interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha as observed in healthy controls. Four weeks after the booster, 4 patients still showed a Th1-type cytokine pattern, whereas in 5 patients only IL-10-secreting cells were detectable. After 1 year, in 3 of 4 revaccinated individuals only IL-10-secreting cells could be found, whereas the specific T cells of the fourth patient still showed a Th1-type of response. HBsAg-specific TReg cells could be demonstrated in HBV-positive liver transplant recipients successfully immunized with a new adjuvanted vaccine. Revaccination led to immediate disappearance of the these cells and the appearance of HBsAg-specific T cells with a Th1-type cytokine profile, which in most cases were replaced by the IL-10-secreting regulatory cells during the following months. The specific induction of TReg cells could contribute to the poor response of liver transplant recipients to conventional vaccine. In conclusion,, for successful vaccination of these patients, a vaccine with a strong inhibitory effect on TReg cells would be desirable. Liver Transpl 13:434–442, 2007. © 2007 AASLD.
Increased Ischemic Injury in Old Mouse Liver
Authors: Selzner Markus , Selzner Nazia , Jochum Wolfram , Graf Rolf , Clavien Pierre-Alain 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Although livers exhibit only minimal morphologic changes with age, how older livers tolerate pathologic conditions such as normothermic ischemia is unknown. Young 6-week-old mice and old 60-week-old mice underwent 60 minutes of hepatic ischemia and various periods of reperfusion. Markers of hepatocyte injury, hepatic energy content, and mitochondrial function were determined. Ischemic preconditioning and glucose injection were evaluated as protective strategies against reperfusion injury in old mice. Reperfusion injury was far worse in old mice compared with mice in the young control group. Ischemic preconditioning was highly protective against reperfusion injury in young but not in old mice. Older livers had dramatically reduced adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels and glycogen contents. The low intrahepatic energy level in old mice was associated with a reduced mitochondrial ATP production. Preoperative injection of glucose restored the intrahepatic ATP content and protected against reperfusion injury. Furthermore, glucose injection restored the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning, resulting in additive protection when both strategies were combined. Aging of the liver is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and decreased intrahepatic energy content, resulting in poorer tolerance against ischemic injury. Improving intrahepatic ATP levels in old livers by glucose injection protects the old liver against ischemic injury and restores the protective effects of ischemic preconditioning. Liver Transpl 13:382–390, 2007. © 2007 AASLD.
Electrical Properties of a Composite Film of Poly(acrylonitrile) Nanoparticles Coated with Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Han Seung‐Jin , Kim Bumsu , Suh Kyung‐Do 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA novel time‐ and cost‐saving technique to fabricate a CNT composite film was suggested by using poly(acrylonitrile) nanoparticles coated with functionalized carbon nanotubes. Composite films were formed with fCNTs attached to nanoparticles by hot pressing onto PMMA films. The electrical properties (conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness) of the films were investigated. It was observed that CNT/polymer composite films with PAN nanoparticles coated with fCNTs showed good electrical properties because of enhanced dispersity of CNTs in the polymer matrix.magnified image
Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization and Third‐Order Nonlinear Optical Properties of New Azobenzene‐Containing Side‐Chain Polymers
Authors: Li Najun , Xu Qingfeng , Lu Jianmei , Xia Xuewei , Wang Lihua 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique has been successfully applied to synthesize a series of nonlinear optically (NLO) active homopolymers, 4‐(4‐nitrophenyl‐diazenyl) phenyl acrylate (P‐NPAPA) and 4‐(4‐methoxyphenyl‐diazenyl) phenyl acrylate (P‐MPAPA), containing azobenzene groups on the side chain. The third‐order NLO properties of the polymer films were measured by the degenerated four‐wave mixing (DFWM) technique. A dependence of the χ(3) values and response times of polymers on their number‐average molecular weight and the electronic effect of the substituent (nitro‐ or methoxy‐) on the azobenzene group have been evidenced. The increasing χ(3) value of the polymer films at the magnitude of about 10−10 was displayed with increasing molecular weight and the presence of the push‐pull electronic system contributes much in enhancing the third‐order NLO susceptibility of polymers.magnified image
New Carbazole‐Based Copolymers as Amorphous Hole‐Transporting Materials for Multilayer Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Grigalevicius Saulius , Ma Liang , Qian Gang , Xie Zhiyuan , Forster Michael , Scherf Ullrich 
Published: February 2007

AbstractNew carbazole‐based copolymers, which contain various concentrations of 9‐alkyl‐3,6‐carbazole fragments in the main chain connected via alkylene spacers, have been synthesized by Ni(0)‐catalyzed Yamamoto‐type aryl‐aryl coupling reactions. Full characterization of the copolymer structure by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis is presented. These compounds represent amorphous materials of high thermal stability with glass transition temperatures of 151–162 °C and thermal decomposition starting at temperatures >390 °C. UV‐Vis absorption and photoluminescence emission of the copolymers confirmed that the effectively conjugated segment in the 3,6‐linked carbazole‐type copolymers is limited to dyads (dimeric units). However, copolymers with varying concentrations of the oligocarbazole chromophores demonstrate different charge injection and transport properties in multilayer light‐emitting diodes with the copolymers as the hole transport and Alq3 as the electroluminescent/electron transport layer. The device based on a copolymer composed of oligocarbazole blocks with an average length of around four carbazoles exhibited the best overall performance with a turn‐on voltage of 3.5 V, a maximal photometric efficiency of 4.1 cd · A−1 and maximum brightness of about 4 200 cd · m−2.magnified image
Recent advances in the treatment of thromboembolic diseases: Venous thromboembolism
Authors: Agrawal Y.K. , Vaidya Hitesh , Bhatt Hardik , Manna Kuntal , Brahmkshatriya Pathik 
Published: February 2007

AbstractVenous thromboembolic diseases are the major concern of rising cost of healthcare and are commonest health problem across the globe. Both genetic and acquired risk factors are believed to be strongly linked with these diseases. Commonly encountered problems to the therapy include dose fixing and routine monitoring, yet some serious problems of bleeding also necessitate the immediate need to develop new agents. The review is primarily concerned with the new developments in the treatment of thromboembolic diseases. Therapeutic applications of anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and thrombolytics have been discussed in enough detail. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 27, No. 6, 891–914, 2007
Controlling the photoluminescence of water‐soluble conjugated poly[2‐(3‐thienyl)ethyloxy‐4‐butylsulfonate)] for biosensor applications
Authors: López‐Cabarcos Enrique , Retama Jorge Rubio , Sholin Veronica , Carter Sue Ann 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe photoluminescence of poly[2‐(3‐thienyl)ethyloxy‐4‐butylsulfonate)] (PTE‐BS) in aqueous solution increases threefold on addition of the surfactant tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBA). Furthermore, the luminescence of the PTE‐BS/TBA system is reduced by more than five times by the addition of small amounts of the cationic electron acceptor methyl viologen (MV2+). The Stern–Volmer constant KSV = 1.4 × 104 L mol−1 for the quenching of the polymer–surfactant complex by MV2+ is approximately 60 times smaller than the KSV = 8.4 × 105 L mol−1 obtained in water polymer solutions without surfactant. Thus, the luminescence of PTE‐BS in aqueous solution can be modulated by complexing the polymer either with a surfactant or with a quencher. In this contribution we show that the surfactant/quencher tuning effect found in polymers of the phenylenevinylene family, such as poly(2,5‐methoxy‐propyloxysulfonate phenylenevinylene), also appears in polymers of the thiophene family such as PTE‐BS. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Light trapping effect of submicron surface textures in crystalline Si solar cells
Authors: Sai Hitoshi , Kanamori Yoshiaki , Arafune Koji , Ohshita Yoshio , Yamaguchi Masafumi 
Published: February 2007

AbstractRecently, submicron textures have been researched and applied to multicrystalline silicon solar cells in order to improve their optical performance. In this study, the antireflection and light trapping effects of submicron surface textures in crystalline Si (c‐Si) solar cells were quantitatively investigated by numerical simulations based on Maxwell's equations with a simple two‐dimensional (2D) surface grating model. The calculated results showed that the surface reflection loss can be effectively reduced by using submicron Si surface gratings with appropriate aspect ratios. On the other hand, higher order diffractions that are caused by surface gratings that increase optical path lengths and light absorption near the band gap wavelength are dominant only for those with periods greater than 0·5 µm. From these results, it was inferred that submicron textures are effective for light trapping as well as for antireflection in thin c‐Si solar cells if appropriate dimensions are chosen. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability of the co‐continuous morphology during melt mixing for poly(ε‐caprolactone)/polystyrene blends
Authors: Sarazin Pierre , Favis Basil D. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractOver the last 10 years, research into co‐continuous polymer blends has been intense. Despite these efforts, there are very few detailed studies on the stability of this complex morphology. In this work, blends of poly(ε‐caprolactone) and polystyrene were melt‐mixed in an internal mixer for time intervals of 0.5–120 min at set temperatures of 140 and 170 °C, and the effect of the mixing time on the co‐continuous morphology was studied. This blend system was chosen because each component could be selectively dissolved and this allowed for a complete study of the co‐continuous region. The phase continuity was measured with a solvent‐extraction gravimetric technique, and the concentration range for co‐continuity was determined. The phase size and phase size distribution were obtained with the mercury intrusion porosimetry technique. The results indicate that the co‐continuous morphology forms very early in the mixing process and achieves a stable morphology within the first 5 min of mixing for virtually all the co‐continuous compositions. For all cases studied, the co‐continuous morphology remains unchanged over mixing times as long as 1–2 h. These results support the notion of a stable steady‐state formation of co‐continuous morphologies during melt mixing similar to that observed for matrix/dispersed phase type blends. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 864–872, 2007
Spectroscopic studies of structural changes in irradiated LDPE and its blends
Authors: Ali Zakaria , Badr Yehia , Eisa Waiel 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe low temperature glass transition occurring at low temperature in polyethylene samples was studied using Fourier transform infrared, FT‐Raman spectroscopic techniques, which are known to be sensitive to any structural changes in the investigated samples. Anomalous behavior was obtained in the temperature range (98 K → 383 K) indicating the existence of phase transition occurring at about 98 K and disappearing at about 323 K while heating for unirradiated virgin low density polyethylene (VPE) sample with or without crosslinking agent (trimethylol propane triacrylate, TMPTA). Addition of TMPTA monomer caused severe changes in the temperature dependence of both unirradiated and irradiated polyethylene samples. The results given indicated the occurrence of abnormal temperature dependence, which is thought to be related with low temperature structural change resulting from local crosslinking in scrapped polyethylene (SPE) sample already suffering from high degree of crosslinking. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms confirmed the observed new phase transition observed in both unirradiated and irradiated TMPTA loaded VPE/SPE (50/50 wt %) blend. Irradiation, addition of TMPTA as a crosslinking agent, and blending VPE with SPE were found to affect remarkably the variation of the vibration spectrum of LDPE and consequently the resulting structural changes. The experimental results obtained were discussed and correlated with reorientational disorders of the molecular segments (local crosslinking). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 850–859, 2007