bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunoreactive‐somatostatin concentrations of the human stomach and mood state in patients with functional dyspepsia: A preliminary case–control study
Authors: KANEKO H. , MITSUMA T. , FUJII S. , UCHIDA K. , KOTERA H. , FURUSAWA A. , MORISE K. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractImmunoreactive‐somatostatin (ir‐SS) concentrations of the gastric mucosa and mood state in patients with functional dyspepsia were examined. The subjects were 12 patients with upper abdominal discomfort, nausea and/or vomiting (motility disorder group) and 14 patients complaining of upper abdominal pain (ulcer‐like disorder group) for more than a month without any organic upper‐gastrointestinal tract disease proven by endoscopy. These patients were compared with either an age‐ and sex‐matched group of asymptomatic outpatients without any organic disease (control group: n= 26) or to a group of patients with peptic ulcer (n= 19). Somatostatin concentrations of the stomach were measured by radio‐immunoassay, and the mood state of each subject was assessed by Manifest Anxiety Scale (MAS) and Self‐rating Depression Scale test. Immunoreactive‐somatostatin concentrations of the gastric mucosa were significantly higher in the ulcer‐like disorder group than in the peptic ulcer, motility disorder or control group, and gastric juice levels were higher in the ulcer‐like disorder group. The psychometric tests showed that the motility disorder group was more depressive than the ulcer‐like disorder group, but there were no differences between the motility disorder, ulcer‐like disorder and peptic ulcer group in MAS scores or environmental factors. These results indicate that there may be two different subgroups in functional dyspepsia influenced by both ir‐SS concentration of the stomach and/or mood state.
Measurement of occult upper gastrointestinal tract blood loss: A direct comparison of radiochromium and haem‐porphyrin assay techniques
Authors: YOUNG G. P. , JOHN D. J. B. ST , LYNCH N. M. , McHUTCHISON J. G. , BARRACLOUGH D. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractFaecal haem‐porphyrin assay by the HemoQuantTM method has many practical advantages over the well‐validated, radiochromium (51Cr‐tagged red cell) method for measuring gastrointestinal blood loss. Because haem may be absorbed but the chromic ion is not, the two measures were directly compared in low‐grade bleeding from the proximal gastrointestinal tract. Blood loss was measured by both methods simultaneously in 40 patients with osteoarthritis before and during medication with aspirin preparations. Mean (geometric) daily blood loss before aspirin usage measured 0.60 mL by radiochromium (range 0.13–1.62) and 0.47 mL (0.14–1.40) by HemoQuantTM (P= 0.042). On aspirin, bleeding rose to 1.57 mL/day (0.43–4.85) by radiochromium and to 0.72 mL/day (0.23–3.0) by HemoQuantTM (P≤ 0.0001). The two measures correlated well, r= 0.847 (P≤ 0.0001), but the regression coefficient was 0.417, reflecting the lower estimates of bleeding by HemoQuantTM. In four normal subjects who ingested 51Cr‐labelled red cells (26–41 mL) over 3 days, recovery of 51Cr was complete (103 ± 2%, ± s.e.), but recovery of haem‐porphyrins was only 63 ± 13% (P= 0.01), presumably because of absorption of haem. Although faecal haem‐prophyrin assay is of considerable clinical utility, it is a quantitative index rather than an absolute measure when low amounts of bleeding originate from the proximal gastrointestinal tract.
Low prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with auto‐immune hepatitis type 1
Authors: TANAKA EIJI , KIYOSAWA KENDO , SEKI TAKESHI , MATSUMOTO AKIHIRO , SODEYAMA TAKESHI , FURUTA SEIICHI , KUMAGAI TOSHIKO , KOHARA MICHINORI 
Published: March 2008

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies were measured in 28 patients with auto‐immune hepatitis type 1 using six different assay kits, three for C100–3 antibody and three for second generation HCV antibody, and two confirmatory tests to determine the prevalence of HCV infection in auto‐immune hepatitis. These patients were confirmed to have human leucocyte antigen DR 4 or 2 which is susceptible to auto‐immune hepatitis in Japanese. Of the 28 patients, four (14.3%) were positive for HCV antibody in all assays and reacted positively in at least one of the two confirmatory tests, indicating a true positive finding. Eight were positive for HCV antibody only by the Ortho ELISA kit and were negative in both confirmatory tests. The cut‐off level for these results was low and became negative soon after the patients received corticosteroid treatment. Thus, these eight patients are presumed to be false‐positive reactors. Hepatitis C virus RNA was detected in the serum of two of the four patients with HCV antibody and in none of 24 patients without HCV antibody. No significant difference was observed between the patients with and without HCV antibody in terms of clinical background, liver function tests and auto‐antibodies. Our results showed that the prevalence of a past or present HCV infection in patients with auto‐immune hepatitis in Japan is low; thus, auto‐immune hepatitis is thought to be distinct from hepatitis type C. However, it is also suggested that HCV infection can potentially trigger auto‐immune hepatitis.
Ultrastructural filament organization of hepatocyte cytoplasm revealed by embedment‐free sections of rat liver
Authors: KEEGAN ANDREW , BATEY ROBERT 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe cytoplasmic matrix of rat liver cells was examined by embedment‐free electron microscopy of polyethylene glycol (PEG) embedded tissue from which the PEG had been removed subsequently. Non‐ionic detergent extraction of fresh blocks of tissue permitted the major cytoskeletal components to be visualized in relatively thick embedment‐free sections. Immunolabelling confirmed the presence of the major cytoskeletal proteins (actin, cytokeratin and tubulin) in these sections. Hence, this method permits the examination of the ultrastructural organization of the cytoskeleton of the hepatocyte in blocks of fresh hepatic tissue.
Natural history of chronic hepatitis B virus infection: New light on an old story
Authors: CHEN DING‐SHINN 
Published: March 2008

AbstractChronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most common persistent virus infection in man. It causes significant morbidity and mortality, and therefore is important. Extensive studies on clinicopathologic studies and long‐term follow up on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers have largely disclosed the natural history of chronic HBV infection.The infection easily becomes chronic when contracted in early infancy. As high as 90% of babies born to HBV carrier mothers will also become HBsAg carriers. Once chronic infection is established, it is refractory, and HBsAg carriage usually persists for life. However, the chronic infection is not monotonous, it actually evolves from an HBV replicative phase to a non‐replicative phase. The host responds differently and with more complexity in different phases. The virus‐host interactions, divided into three phases, virus tolerance, virus clearance and residual HBV integrated phases, result in a heterogeneous variety of hepatic lesions. The first two phases occur when HBV is actively replicating, and the last corresponds to the non‐replicative phase. The high HBV level (and hence HBV gene products) renders the host's immune system tolerant to the virus, and the infected host does not exert an effort to get rid of the virus. At this stage, the liver is nearly normal, and the host is asymptomatic. However, later in the replicative phase, the HBV replication begins to wane, and the immune tolerance is no longer maintained. Hepatitis B core antigen/hepatitis B e antigen (HBcAg/HBeAg)‐specific cellular immune responses result in lysis of the infected liver cells; the liver then begins to have active disease as revealed by the presence of lobular hepatitis. The asymptomatic carrier may then start to have symptoms of hepatitis. After a variable period, usually in years, the host eventually gets rid of active viral replication and only residual incomplete HBV genome integrated to host chromosomes is found. The carrier is now HBeAg negative/anti‐HBe positive, serum HBV DNA decreases to very low levels, and the disease becomes qulescent at this stage.The outcome of the host is determined by the hepatic lesions caused by HBV‐host interactions mentioned above, with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as the major sequelae of chronic HBV infection. Although HCC is usually preceded by HBV‐induced cirrhosis, this is not always the case. Cirrhosis and HCC may develop independently, with cirrhosis as the most important precipitating factor or cofactor of HCC. A significant proportion of HBsAg carriers, particularly the males, will eventually die of these sequelae.
BOOK REVIEWS
Authors: Jones D. Brian 
Published: March 2008

Book reviews in this article:Drug‐induced Hepatic Injury 2nd edn. Edited by B. H. C. Stricker. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam,Gastrointestinal Bleeding. Edited by Choichi Sugawa, Bernard M. Schuman and Charles E. Lucas. Igaku‐ShoinAtlas of Laparoscopic Surgery. Edited by E. J. Reddick, W. B. Saye and J. D. Corbitt, Jr. RavenManual of Gastroenterology Procedures. Edited by Douglas A. Drossman.Hepatic Transport and Bile Secretion: Physiology and Pathophysiology. Edited by Nicola Tavoloni and Paul D. Berk.Motility Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Principles and Practice. By S. Anuras
Cytomegalovirus infection after liver transplantation in children
Authors: MELLON A. , SHEPHERD R. W. , FAOAGALI J. L. , BALDERSON G. , ONG T. H. , PATRICK M. , CLEGHORN G. J. , LYNCH S. , STRONG R. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractPost‐liver transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection (seroconversion or virus isolation) and CMV disease (infection plus clinical signs and symptoms) were studied in relation to pretransplant recipient and donor serology, age, nutritional status and the effect of paediatric versus adult (reduced size) grafts. Of 70 children receiving 79 transplants, 26 (37%) had evidence of CMV infection, and eight (11.5%) had evidence of CMV disease, four of whom died. The primary infection rate (where the recipients were CMV negative) was 71% with mortality of 7% with most receiving a CMV‐positive graft. The active secondary infection rate (reactivation or reinfection, where the recipients were CMV positive) was 60% with mortality of 12.5%. No significant differences in infection or disease rates were found comparing malnourished versus well‐nourished patients, or between those who received whole or reduced‐size grafts. The high prevalence of CMV infections supports the view that clinical signs alone are inadequate to direct investigations for CMV. Both primary and active secondary CMV infection can result in serious morbidity and mortality in children receiving liver transplants. These data do not support the strategy of providing immunoprophylaxis to seronegative recipients only, at least in paediatric liver transplantation.
Concomitant adenosquamous carcinoma of the common bile duct and early adenocarcinoma of the gall‐bladder
Authors: HAYASHI NAOKO , YAMAGUCHI YASUO , OGAWA MICHIO 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe report a 59 year old male with obstructive jaundice and a clinical diagnosis of carcinoma of the midportion of the common bile duct. Examination of the surgical specimen revealed a small tumour in the neck of the gall‐bladder. Histologic examination revealed the tumour in the common bile duct was an adenosquamous carcinoma whereas that in the gall‐bladder was an early papillary adenocarcinoma. Thus, this is a rare case of the simultaneous development of adenosquamous carcinoma and early papillary adenocarcinoma in the biliary tree.
Implications of isolated HBsAg positivity: Hepatitis B virus variant and immune incompetence
Authors: WU J.‐S. , NII S.‐L. , CHOU W.‐H. , SHEU L. , LIU W.‐T. , CHEN C.‐Y. , TANG B.‐H. , LU C.‐F. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn order to study the implications of isolated hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity, 24 041 serum samples from schoolchildren aged 6–12 years were tested for HBsAg, antibody to HBsAg (anti‐HBs) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) by radio‐immunoassay. Five hundred and sixty‐two (2.3%) of the 24 041 cases were positive for HBsAg but negative for both anti‐HBs and anti‐HBc. The second and third testings were performed 1–4 and 5–9 months after the initial testing. The cases of group (V), those who lost HBsAg within 9 months, had low titres of HBsAg and were negative for both hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and antibody to HBeAg (anti‐HBe); the cases of group (H), those who remained isolated HBsAg positive in the last testing, had high titres of HBsAg and were positive for HBeAg. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA were detected by polymerase chain reaction method using oligonucleotide primers derived from C and pre‐C regions in 20 sera of group (V) and 11 sera of group (H). However, using primers from the S region, HBV DNA was detected in only 11 sera of group (H), but in none of 20 sera of group (V). On sequencing of HBV DNA from each two sera of both groups, nucleotide and amino acid sequences of C and pre‐C regions with high homology to that of the HBV‐adr strain were obtained from sera of both groups and also for S regions in group (H) but not in group (V). It is concluded that isolated HBsAg positivity could be ascribed to (i) HBV‐variant with probable mutation in the S region — (H); and (ii) immune incompetence of the host — (H); with prevalence rates of 2.17 and 0.087%, respectively, in the mass screening survey.
Chromosomal localization of the human urokinase plasminogen activator receptor and plasminogen activator inhibitor type‐2 genes: Implications in colorectal cancer
Authors: WEBB GRAHAM , BAKER MARK S. , NICHOLL JILLIAN , WANG YAO , WOODROW GRAEME , KRUITHOF EGBERT , DOE WILLIAM F. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Activation of the proenzyme of urokinase (uPA) on the surface of cancer cells has been implicated in the initiation of focal proteolytic mechanisms that permit invasion and metastasis by colon cancers. The activity of uPA on the cell surface appears to be a function of the number of uPA‐specific receptors (uPAR) and the extent of inhibition of uPA by plasminogen activator inhibitors (PAI). The mapping of the genes coding for uPAR, and for PAI‐2, was performed to determine whether their chromosomal localization suggested their involvement in the genetic alterations associated with cancer cell DNA.This study confirms the localization of the human urokinase plasminogen activator receptor gene to chromosome 19q and, using in situ hybridization, provides a precise localization to chromosome 19q13.2. In addition, our results confirm the previous allocation of the human plasminogen activator inhibitor‐2 gene to a location 18q21.3 → 18q21.1, a location that corresponds to the commonest (>70%) somatic deletions found in colorectal carcinomas. The mapping of the uPAR and PAI‐2 genes enables the elucidation of their possible involvement in the genetic alterations that determine the invasive and metastatic phenotypes in colorectal cancer.
Peptic ulcer in hepatic cirrhosis and renal failure
Authors: KANG J. Y. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract The prevalence of peptic ulcer in cirrhotic patients is similar to that reported for the general population. Although gastric acid outputs ar normal or lower in cirrhotic subjects compared with non‐cirrhotics, the frequency of non‐response to histamine H2‐receptor antagonists is higher. Peptic ulcer disease in the cirrhotic seems to pursue a more virulent course compared with that in the non‐cirrhotic subject.Peptic ulcer prevalences in patients dying of uraemia or in uraemic patients on maintenance dialysis treatment are comparable with those in the general population. However, the frequency of peptic ulcer, especially complicated ulcer, is increased following renal transplantation. Ulcer complications in this context are associated with a high mortality rate. Pre‐transplant risk factors for subsequent development of peptic ulcer remain to be identified and the value of histamine H2‐receptor antagonists in prophylaxis is as yet unproven.
Comparison of brush before biopsy, suction cytology, brush after biopsy and endoscopic biopsy in the diagnosis of carcinoma oesophagus
Authors: SINGH TARANPREET , GUPTA NARENDAR M. , BHASIN DEEPAK K. , RAJWANSHI ARVIND , MALIK ASHOK K. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA study was conducted on 40 patients of carcinoma oesophagus to compare the diagnostic yield of brush before biopsy, suction cytology, brush after biopsy and endoscopic biopsy. The positive yield with brush before biopsy was 87.5%, with suction cytology 90%, with brush after biopsy 100% and with endoscopic biopsy 90%. Difference in the yield of brush after biopsy compared to other modalities was statistically insignificant (P <0.05). However, the quantitative yield of the material was significantly high (P <0.05) in the brush after biopsy compared to brush before biopsy. Of these three cytological modalities brush after biopsy appears to be the cytological technique of choice to be used as an adjunct to endoscopic biopsy.
Total paracentesis in non‐alcoholic cirrhotics with massive ascites: Mid‐term effects on systemic and hepatic haemodynamics and renal function
Authors: WANG SUN‐SANG , LU CHI‐WEN , CHAO YEE , LEE FA‐YAUH , CHEN TZEN‐WEN , LIN HAN‐CHIEH , LEE SHOU‐DONG , TSAI YANG‐TE , LO KWANG‐JUEI 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSingle total paracentesis (4.8–11 L) was performed in 23 patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive cirrhosis and massive ascites and its effects on systemic and hepatic haemodynamics and renal function were examined over 5 days. Severe hypotension occurred in six (26.1%) patients from 6 to 54 h after paracentesis. In the remaining 17 patients, compared to the baseline, there was an increase in the cardiac output (6.1 ± 0.3 vs 6.7 ± 0.3 L/min, P <0.001) and a decrease in right atrial pressure (8.8 ± 0.8 vs 4.3 ± 0.7 mmHg, P <0.001), systemic vascular resistance (1160 ± 61 vs 976 ± 50 dyne·s·cm −5, P <0.001), and wedged hepatic venous pressure 30 min after completion of paracentesis. After 5 days, right atrial pressure, systemic vascular resistance and wedged hepatic venous pressure returned to baseline, while the cardiac output dropped to a level lower than the baseline (5.7 ± 0.7 L/min, P<0.05). Hepatic venous pressure gradient had returned to baseline after 5 days. Serial tests of serum creatinine level showed an increase from day 3 (1.34 ± 0.14 vs 1.04 ± 0.10 mg/dL, P <0.05). On day 5, creatinine clearance (55.7 ± 5.4 vs 41.9 ± 5.3 mL/min, P <0.05) and effective renal plasma flow (351 ± 32 vs 293 ± 29 mL/min, P <0.05) were decreased, compared to the baseline. Based on these data, infusion of a volume expander may be necessary for total paracentesis to avoid systemic haemodynamic complications in non‐alcoholic cirrhosis.
High rate of mixed genotypes of hepatitis C virus in patients of an epidemic area in Japan
Authors: YAMADA MASAHIKO , FUKUDA YOSHIHIDE , IMOTO MASAMI , KOYAMA YASUO , HAYAKAWA TETSUO , TAKAYAMA TETSUO , NAGURA HIROSHI 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe subjects of this study were 151 patients (69 males and 82 females) who underwent examination and liver biopsy owing to liver dysfunction in an epidemic area with hepatitis C. Second generation hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV Ab) was positive in 116 (76.8%) of 151 cases. HCV‐RNA was detected in 120 (79.5%) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In 7 (4.6%) cases, HCV Ab could not be found, but HCV‐RNA was detected. Three (2.0%) cases were positive for HCV Ab but negative for HCV‐RNA. On the basis of variation in nucleotide sequence within a restricted region in the putative core gene of HCV, HCV genotypes were classed into four types of I, II, III and IV by PCR. The genotypes were identified in 120 cases. Ninety‐eight (81.7%) cases carried one of the four types. Type II was found in 76 (63.3%) cases and type III in 22 (18.3%). The other 22 (18.3%) carried simultaneously two different genotypes (mixed type): 21 (17.5%) cases with type II + III and one (0.8%) case with type II + IV. In comparison with the incidence of HCV mixed types in cases with hepatitits C in a non‐epidemic area, carriers of mixed types were found at a significantly higher rate in the epidemic area. Liver biopsy of 120 cases with identified HCV genotypes in the epidemic area showed 93 cases of chronic active hepatitis, nine of chronic lobular hepatitis, 10 of chronic persistent hepatitis and eight of liver cirrhosis. No significant correlation could be detected between liver histology and HCV genotypes. Of the 120 cases, 63 (52.5%), 54 (45.0%) and 12 (10.0%) cases had past histories of folk remedies accompanying bleeding, operation and transfusion, respectively. The repetition of these medications may have caused a high ratio of carriers of the mixed genotypes of HCV.
Oesophageal perforation following endoscopic variceal ligation and balloon tamponade
Authors: HOU MING‐CHIH , LIN HAN‐CHIEH , CHANG FULL‐YANG , LEE FA‐YAUH , CHEN TSENG‐SHING , LEE SHOU‐DONG 
Published: March 2008

AbstractEndoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) related complication is rarely reported. A case is presented of a 74 year old man with oesophageal variceal bleeding who developed oesophageal perforation following EVL and balloon tamponade. An oesophageal wall defect was induced by EVL and tissue repair was hindered by decompensated liver reserve and shock status; concomitant balloon tamponade precipitated oesophageal perforation. The case is reported to draw attention to oesophageal perforation after concurrent use of balloon tamponade and EVL.
Immune response after hepatitis A vaccination in haemodialysis patients: Comparison with hepatitis B vaccination
Authors: KURAMOTO I. , FUJIYAMA S. , MATSUSHITA K. , SATO T. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis study evaluates the immune response of 20 haemodialysis (HD) patients vaccinated with hepatitis A (HA) vaccine and eight patients vaccinated with hepatitis B (HB) vaccine. Twenty patients and 22 healthy adults were immunized three times (months 0, 1 and 6) intramuscularly with a 0.5 μg dose. All members of both groups were positive for the antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti‐HAV) after three vaccinations. The geometric mean titres at 7 months were similar in both groups. No serious side effects were observed. Eight of the HD patients with HA vaccination were injected with yeast‐derived hepatitis B vaccine. The three doses of 10 μg were administered intramuscularly at 0, 1 and 6 months. The occurrence of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti‐HBs) was late in HD patients and the anti‐HBs level in HD patients was lower than that in healthy subjects. These results indicate that this HA vaccine has good immunogenicity compared with the HB vaccine and that the standard three doses of HA vaccine given at 0, 1 and 6 months are safe and effective even in HD patients.
Cruveilhier‐Baumgarten syndrome: An efficient spontaneous portosystemic collateral preventing oesophageal varices bleeding
Authors: CATURELLI EUGENIO , POMPILI MAURIZIO , SQUILLANTE MARIA MADDALENA , SPERANDEO GIUSEPPE , CARUGHI STEFANO , SPERANDEO MARCO , PERRI FRANCESCO , ANDRIULLI ANGELO , CELLERINO CATERINA , RAPACCINI GIAN LUDOVICO 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe protective role of large spontaeous portosystemic shunts in oesophageal varices bleeding due to portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis is still debated. A series of 20 consecutive patients with haemodynamically efficient collaterals involving the para‐umbilical‐epigastric venous route (evaluated by Echo‐Doppler flowmetry) is reported. All patients presented absent or mild oesophageal varices at endoscopy. During a mean follow‐up period of 23.5 months, no patient developed large varices or experienced variceal bleeding. Hepatic encephalopathy was present in 35% of patients. Haemodynamically efficient spontaneous portosystemic shunts may protect cirrhotic patients from the risk of oesophageal varices forming and bleeding. The diversion of large amounts of blood from portal to systemic circulation correlates with the higher trend of hepatic encephalopathy in these patients.