bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti‐HCV immunoglobulin M antibody in patients with hepatitis C
Authors: KIKUCHI TAKASHI , ONJI MORIKAZU , MICHITAKA KOJIRO , SAITO IZUMU , MIYAMURA TATSUO , OHTA YASUYUKI 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAnti‐hepatitis C virus (HCV) immunoglobulin M antibody titres were measured by an enzyme‐linked immuno‐sorbent assay method in 16 patients with non‐A, non‐B acute hepatitis (NANB AH), 13 with non‐A, non‐B fulminant hepatitis (NANB FH) and nine with type C chronic hepatitis. Anti‐HCV IgM was positive in one of the 16 patients with NANB AH, six of the 13 with NANB FH, and five of the nine with type C chronic hepatitis. Anti‐HCV IgG was positive in eight of the 16 patients with NANB AH and eight of the 13 with NANB FH. Either anti‐HCV IgM or anti‐HCV IgG were positive in 10 of the 13 patients with NANB FH. All of the five anti‐HCV IgM positive patients with type C chronic hepatitis were undergoing an exacerbation of the diseases, while all of the anti‐HCV IgM negative patients were in a remission stage which had lasted for more than 6 months.The findings of this study suggest that anti‐HCV IgM is useful for the early diagnosis of type C FH and may be a useful marker of diseases activity in type C chronic hepatitis.
Lack of hepatic benefit by oxygen inhalation during vasopressin infusion in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: IWAO TADASHI , TOYONAGA ATSUSHI , SUMINO MICHIHIRO , OHO KAZUHIKO , SAKAKI MUNENORI , KEGAMI MOTOKII , NISHIZONO MASATOSHI , TANIKAWA KYUICHI 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTVasopressin has been found to impair hepatic function in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether oxygen inhalation could improve hepatic function during vasopressin infusion. Vasopressin (0.3iu/min) was infused into eight patients with cirrhosis for 50min. During the first 30min they were ventilated by room air and for the following 20min by oxygen (approximate 50% of FiO2). The extra oxygen inhalation caused a typical increase in arterial (+ 7%, P 0.01), portal venous (+8%, P 0.05), and hepatic venous (+9%, P 0.01) oxygen content. No effect was noted in arterio‐hepatic venous and portal venous‐hepatic venous oxygen content difference in comparison with the values after vasopressin alone. The hepatic perfusion remained unchanged. These results suggest that the extra oxygen did not increase hepatic oxygen uptake. Similarly, intrinsic clearance of indocyanine green did not improve. It is concluded that oxygen supplement in this setting has no hepatic benefit in patients with cirrhosis.
Peptic ulcers and abdominal aortic aneurysms
Authors: CHENG STEPHEN W. K. , FOK MANSON , WONG JOHN 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTUpper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in 106 of 204 Chinese patients with intact abdominal aortic aneurysms, ninety‐seven for screening and nine for gastrointestinal bleeding or pain. Peptic disease was discovered in 38 patients: 12 duodenal ulcers, 12 gastric ulcers, four duodenal and gastric ulcers, three duodenitis, three gastritis and four previously operated for ulcers. The eight patients who bled before aneurysmectomy all had gastric ulcers; four required emergency operation and two died. Only two patients bled from duodenal ulcers, both after aneurysmectomy and one died. Excluding gastritis and duodenitis, peptic ulcer was found in 26.4% of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. Half of these ulcers were gastric ulcers and 50% of them bled before aneurysmectomy. Duodenal ulcers tend to remain asymptomatic before operation and two of 12 (16.7%) bled postoperatively. The risk of bleeding for ulcers associated with aneurysms was 10 of 28 (35.7%) ulcers. The result of this uncontrolled study suggests that routine endoscopic screening should be used in all patients with aortic aneurysms and early surgery should be offered for gastric ulcers.
Inflammatory bowel disease: An uncommon problem in Singapore
Authors: TAN C. C. , KANG J. Y. , GUAN R. , YAP I. , TAY H. H. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTFifty patients with inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, 40; Crohn's disease, seven; indeterminate colitis, three) treated in one gastroenterology unit in Singapore over a 10 year period were reviewed. Clinical features were similar to those described in Western patients. Of the three main races of Singapore it was found that Indians are more susceptible to these diseases than Chinese or Malays. A survey of all gastroenterologists in Singapore indicated a possible prevalence of 8.6 per 100 000 people for ulcerative colitis and 1.3 per 100 000 people for Crohn's disease. These prevalence rates are much lower than those reported for Western populations.
Decreased interleukin‐2 receptor β chain expression by peripheral blood lymphocytes in chronic liver disease
Authors: MASUMOTO TOSHIKAZU , ONJI MORIKAZU , OHTA YASUYUKI 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTTo investigate the decrease in natural killer (NK) activity in chronic liver disease, interleukin‐2 receptor β chain (IL‐2R β) expression was assessed by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) using flow cytometry and an IL‐2R β chain‐specific mouse monoclonal antibody. The percentage of IL‐2R β chain‐positive PBL was significantly decreased in patients with chronic viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in comparison with normal controls (P < 0.01). Among chronic viral hepatitis patients, it was significantly less in those with chronic active hepatitis than in those with chronic persistent hepatitis (P < 0.05). Two‐colour flow cytometry revealed that the IL‐2R β chain was mainly expressed by CD8+ or CD16+ cells in both the controls and the liver disease patients. CD8dull+ cells (NK cells) constituted more than 60% of the CD8+ cells expressing the IL‐2R β chain. Expression of the IL‐2R β chain with CD8 or CD 16 was also significantly decreased in chronic liver disease patients compared with controls. In chronic viral hepatitis, there was a significant correlation between NK activity and the percentage of IL‐2R β+ PBL (P < 0.001, r= 0.916), as well as between NK activity and the percentage of PBL co‐expressing both the IL‐2R β chain and CD16 (P < 0.001, r= 0.850). These findings suggest that decreased expression of the IL‐2R β chain by PBL may result in diminished NK activity in chronic liver disease.
Mutation of the core region of HBV‐DNA and submassive hepatic necrosis in patients with anti‐HBe‐positive chronic hepatitis B
Authors: NONAKA T. , ONJI M. , HORIIKE N. , OHTA Y. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThree patients with submassive hepatic necrosis developed acute liver failure during the severe reactivation of chronic hepatitis B. The activity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA polymerase increased in all three patients immediately before the onset of hepatic failure. Liver biopsy specimens obtained before and after the episode of submassive hepatic necrosis showed progression to advanced liver cirrhosis.The nucleotide sequences of the precore and core regions of HBV‐DNA were investigated in two of the three patients and in another two patients with piecemeal and bridging necrosis. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the HBV‐DNA core region changed after reactivation in the the two patients with submassive hepatic necrosis, while the sequences in the other two patients with piecemeal necrosis remained unchanged before and after reactivation. These results suggest that the antigenicity of the HBV‐DNA core region may have been changed before and after severe reactivation. Due to mutation at the core region, a different type of epitope would be expressed on the hepatocytes after submassive hepatic necrosis, which would not be a target for the cytotoxic T cell. This was evident by the continuation of the normal serum GPT for 5 and 9 years, respectively.
Three‐dimensional ultrastructure of normal rat hepatocytes by quick‐freezing and deep‐etching method
Authors: FURUTA K. , OHNO S. , GIBO Y. , KIYOSAWA K. , FURUTA S. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe three‐dimensional ultrastructure of nuclei and cell organelles including rough‐surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (RER), mitochondria, and cytoskeleton were studied in normal rat hepatocytes by the quick‐freezing and deep‐etching method. Peroxisomes and mitochondria were observed as spherical structures with granular matrices. Peroxisomes were identified by their size and matrices, which were more condensed than those of mitochondria. Ribosomes were identified as granular structures and were attached to the surface of endoplasmic reticulum. Cytoskeletal filaments were identified by their differences in diameter on the replica membranes, as well as in conventional ultrathin sections. Microfilaments were mainly localized around the bile canaliculi and adjacent to sinusoids. Intermediate filaments were observed around the bile canalicular microfilaments. Only a few filaments were observed near the lateral plasma membranes. Cross‐bridges measuring 5–7 nm in diameter were localized between the lamellae of RER and the surface of mitochondria. The quick‐freezing and deep‐etching method could be used to clarify the three‐dimensional association between the cytoskeleton and membrane‐bound organelles in hepatocytes.
Stimulation of pyloric contractions by intraduodenal triglyceride is persistent and sensitive to atropine
Authors: FRASER R. , FONE D. , HEDDLE R. , HOROWITZ M. , DENT J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIntraduodenal lipid infusion stimulates phasic and tonic pyloric contractions and suppresses antral contractions. This study determined: (i) whether this response is sustained over 90 min; and (ii) the role of muscarinic mediation of this response. Antropyloroduodenal motility was recorded in 17 healthy volunteers with a sleeve/sidehole manometric assembly. Subjects received either a 90 min intraduodenal infusion of saline or triglyceride (20% Intralipid) at a rate of 1 mL/min; 30 min after the start of this infusion, the eight subjects who received triglyceride were given intravenous atropine 15 μg/kg over 30 s, followed by a maintenance infusion of 4 μg/kg/h until the study was completed.Intraduodenal triglyceride infusion stimulated isolated pyloric pressure waves consistently, producing a median rate of 2.4 per min after 30 min of triglyceride infusion, compared with a median rate of 0 per min pre‐infusion. In intravenous saline studies, there was a reduction (P 0.05) in the median rate of isolated pyloric pressure waves to 1.3 per min at 90 min, when compared with pyloric pressure waves at 30 min. Atropine reduced isolated pyloric pressure waves to a median rate of 0 per min, significantly different from preatropine (P 0.01) and from intravenous saline studies (P <0.0001). These results indicate that the phasic pyloric response to intraduodenal lipid persists during 90 min stimulation, albeit with significant attenuation. In humans, muscarinic cholinergic blockade prevents the occurrence of triglyceride stimulated localized pyloric contractions.
Clinical evaluation of a newly established anti‐HCV assay for the diagnosis of hepatitis C in Japan
Authors: ISHIGURO N. , TOMIMATSU M. , NAGAHARA H. , OBATA H. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTo develop a more dependable method of diagnosing hepatitis C, serum anti‐hepatitis C virus (HCV) was examined by using a new assay (anti‐HCV second generation). The results were compared with those of either the conventional assay (anti‐HCV first generation) or HCV‐RNA analysis. With the first generation assay, anti‐HCV was detected in 69% of post‐transfusion acute hepatitis (AH), 44% of sporadic AH, 50% of needlestick exposed AH, 72% of chronic hepatitis (CH), 77% of liver cirrhosis (LC) and 86% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These results were remarkably increased by using the second generation assay (92% in post‐transfusion AH, 72% in sporadic AH, 100% in needlestick exposed AH, 96% in CH, 96% in LC and 97% in HCC). Furthermore, in the early stages of AH (from 1–5 weeks after onset), anti‐HCV was not detected in all 18 patients by the first generation assay, but was found in 10 of them by using the second generation assay. The failure to detect anti‐HCV with the first generation assay was mainly due to a lack of the core region coding peptide (C22‐3) in this assay.In the AH‐resolving group, anti‐HCV second generation did not disappear, but the titre tended to be lower than that in the CH‐developing group. Thus, the second generation assay for anti‐HCV was considered to be a more useful tool for not only the diagnosis of hepatitis C but also for determining prognosis.
Hypothalamic‐pituitary adrenal function in end‐stage non‐alcoholic liver disease
Authors: McDONALD J. A. , HANDELSMAN D. J. , DILWORTH P. , CONWAY A. J. , McCAUGHAN G. W. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Patients with end‐stage liver disease have significant mortality often associated with intercurrent episodes of bleeding or sepsis. Intact adrenal function is essential in such situations. In order to test the hypothesis that adrenal insufficiency might be present in severe liver disease, hypothalamic‐pituitary adrenal function was evaluated in patients with end‐stage liver disease awaiting transplantation.The study had a prospective, open comparative design with patients restricted to those having non‐alcoholic liver disease in order to avoid the confounding direct effects of alcohol on adrenocortical function. Fifty‐one consecutive patients with end‐stage, non‐alcoholic liver disease undergoing evaluation for liver transplantation and 40 healthy controls were studied. Patients who had used corticosteroids (n= 8) or who were unable to complete the investigations (n= 5) were excluded leaving 38 patients eligible for analysis. Adrenal function was evaluated under basal conditions by single morning measurements of plasma total and free cortisol, corticosteroid‐binding globulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and by adrenal stimulation indirectly using insulin‐induced (0.1 U/kg, i.v.) hypoglycaemia and/or directly by adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH); 250 μg tetracosactrin, i.v.) stimulation. Compared with healthy controls, patients with liver disease had a 64% reduction in maximal increments of plasma cortisol to indirect adrenal stimulation via insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia and a 39% reduction to direct adrenal stimulation by ACTH (all P < 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between the severity of underlying liver disease as assessed by Child‐Pugh scores and peak control responses to ACTH (r= ‐0.647, P < 0.0001) and insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia (r= ‐0.597, P < 0.0001). Patients with liver disease also exhibited significantly blunted and delayed hypoglycaemic responses to insulin (0.1 U/kg), brisker growth hormone responses of reduced magnitude and decreased corticosteroid‐binding globulin levels. Baseline morning cortisol, free cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels were unchanged compared with healthy controls. Patients on spironolactone had lower basal and peak cortisol responses to ACTH and hypoglycaemia, but the reductions were unrelated to spironolactone dose. Although insulin resistance and spironolactone therapy are confounding factors, it can be concluded that hypothalamic‐pituitary regulation of adrenal function is defective in end‐stage non‐alcoholic liver disease. It is therefore possible that functional central adrenal insufficiency might contribute to the mortality of patients with end‐stage liver disease and raises the question of the need for controlled studies of adrenocortical replacement therapy during acute deteriorations (sepsis and haemorrhage) in severe hepatic disease.
Measurement of intravariceal pressure by fine needle direct puncture in hepatitis B surface antigen‐positive cirrhotic patients: The effect of vasopressin
Authors: CHAO YEE , WANG SUN‐SANG , LEE FA‐YAUH , LIN HAN‐CHIEH , LO GIN‐HO , TSAI YANG‐TE , LEE SHOU‐DONG 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe pressure of oesophageal varices was determined by fine needle direct puncture in 19 patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive cirrhosis after the first episode of variceal bleeding before endoscopic sclerotherapy. Both the stability and reliability of the measurement of intravariceal pressure by fine needle puncture were confirmed. Seven patients received intravenous 1 mL normal saline. Intravariceal pressure did not change before and after injection of normal saline (16.3 ± 4.0 vs 16.0 ± 4.0 mmHg, P > 0.05). Twelve patients received intravenous 1 units vasopressin and this caused a significant reduction in intravariceal pressure (15.6 ± 2.6 vs 10.3 ± 2.9 mmHg, P lt; 0.0001). The average basal intravariceal pressure in these patients was 15.8 ± 3.1 mmHg. After intravariceal pressure was recorded, the needle was left in situ and endoscopic sclerotherapy commenced immediately. During the investigation, no adverse reaction or complication was encountered. It was concluded that the measurement of intravariceal pressure by fine needle direct puncture followed by immediate sclerotherapy is a safe and simple method to evaluate the short‐term effect of drug prevention from oesophageal variceal bleeding and that vasopressin causes reduction of intravariceal pressure.
Extrahepatic portal vein obstruction in adults detected by ultrasound with frequent lack of portal hypertension signs
Authors: SUGIURA NOBUYUKI , MATSUTANI SHOUICHI , OHTO MASAO , EBARA MASAAKI , YOSHIKAWA MASAHARU , YAMAGUCHI TAKETO , OKUDA KUNIO , MIKI MAKOTO 
Published: March 2008

AbstractExtrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPO) was seen in 54 adult patients at the Chiba University Hospital and affiliated hospitals from 1978 to 1991. They were classified according to the background disease (Group A, unknown aetiology; Group B, benign disease; Group C, malignant disease).Among the initial symptoms and signs, abdominal pain was the most frequent in Group A (37%), and symptoms attributable to the primary disease in Groups B (44%) and C (75%). Definite or probable diagnosis was made in 45 of the 54 patients (81.8%) by ultrasound (US) examination carried out because of these symptoms and signs.Signs of portal hypertension were observed in 67% of patients; oesophageal varices were seen in 60%. Extrahepatic portal vein obstruction without portal hypertension signs was characterized by thick extensive hepatopetal collaterals or patency of some intrahepatic portal veins.Extrahepatic portal vein obstruction patients without portal hypertension remained free of its signs for more than 3 years of follow up and, in fact, EHPO without portal hypertension signs was a common occurrence. Emphasis is made on the diagnostic value of US examination which was useful in identifying the relation of clinical manifestation of EHPO to pathophysiology, and on the frequent lack of portal hypertension signs in this disease.
Regional differences in microvascular response in rat intestine during acute elevation of portal pressure
Authors: NAGATA HIROSHI , SEKIZUKA EIICHI , MORISHITA TETSUO , HOUZAWA SHIGENARI , OSHIO CHIKARA , MIURA SOHICHIRO , TSUCHIYA MASAHARU 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe effect of acute elevation of portal pressure on the blood flow of rat intestinal microvessels was studied using a laser Doppler velocimeter and in vivo microscopy. The total intestinal blood flow decreased when portal pressure increased more than + 15 cmH2O above the basal value. Blood flow in villus capillaries did not change at portal pressures of + 5 to + 15 cmH2O, but did decrease at + 20 cmH2O. Blood flow in muscle capillaries decreased at all steps of portal hypertension. Red blood cell velocity was decreased by portal hypertension in large venules, but not in small venules of the submucosa. Large venules, but not small venules, dilated in acute portal hypertension. Large arterioles in the submucosa constricted, while small arterioles dilated at portal pressures of + 10 to + 15 cmH2O. In conclusion, the intestinal microvascular flow response differs according to the degree of portal hypertension and the location on the microvascular tree. Blood flow in villus capillaries and in small submucosal venules is maintained at a small degree of portal hypertension.
Whole body oxygen consumption during extracorporeal hepatic resection: Usefulness of continuous monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation
Authors: KAWASAKI TOSHIHIRO , IRITA KAZUO , SAKAGUCHI YOSHIRO , OKABE HIRONAO , OKAMOTO HIROTSUGU , INABA SHOICHI , INOUE HIDEFUMI , YOSHITAKE JUNICHI , TAKAHASHI SHOSUKE 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWhole body oxygen consumption was measured using a thermodilution fibreoptic catheter in two patients undergoing extracorporeal hepatic resection. Each patient had virtually normal liver function before the operation. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained in a standard fashion and a venovenous bypass instituted. The anhepatic periods were 302 and 157 min. Upon removal of the liver, the oxygen consumption decreased by about 40% (50 mL/min), while the mixed venous oxygen saturation increased by about 15%. Following re‐implantation, the oxygen consumption recovered and increased transiently above control values, while the mixed venous oxygen saturation changed in a reciprocal way. Monitoring whole body oxygen consumption instead of hepatic oxygen consumption seemed helpful in estimating restoration of blood flow and functions in the liver after reperfusion. It was also suggested that changes in oxygen consumption as well as those in cardiac output and haemoglobin concentration could be predicted easily by continuous monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation during the peri‐anhepatic period.
Clinical evaluation of serum tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1 levels in patients with liver diseases
Authors: MUZZILLO D. A. , IMOTO M. , FUKUDA Y. , KOYAMA Y. , SAGA S. , NAGAI Y. , HAYAKAWA T. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSerum levels of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1 (TIMP‐1) were measured in 268 patients with liver diseases by means of a one‐step sandwich enzyme immunoassay. In the cases of acute hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis (CAH), liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the levels of TIMP‐1 were higher than those of the control group. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1 levels correlated with type III procollagen peptide and with type IV collagen, indicating TIMP‐1 as a useful marker for hepatic fibrosis. Levels of TIMP‐1 also correlated with aspartate aminotransserase and alanine aminotransferase levels and showed the highest levels in acute hepatitis. Thus, TIMP‐1 might also reflect hepatic inflammation. Serum levels of α‐fetoprotein and TIMP‐1 had a significant positive correlation in patients with HCC. A cut‐off level of TIMP‐1 between LC and HCC was set at 440 ng/mL, having a low sensitivity and a high specificity. These results suggest the usefulness of TIMP‐1 as a tumour marker in cases of HCC where α‐fetoprotein levels are not elevated.
Elevated growth hormone levels in patients with non‐alcoholic chronic liver disease
Authors: ILAN Y. , OREN R. , TUR‐KASPA R. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractHigh serum concentrations of growth hormone (GH) were found in five patients with chronic liver diseases, including auto‐immune chronic active hepatitis (two cases), Budd‐Chiari syndrome, primary biliary cirrhosis and hepatitis B virus associated cirrhosis. Mean levels of GH were 27.8 units (normal up to 5). In three patients elevated prolactin levels were also found (mean 37.3 units for two females, normal up to 20), and 36 units in one male (normal up to 9). No other endocrine disorders were found.Although the association of raised GH levels in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis is well known, its occurrence in patients with non‐alcoholic chronic liver disease is not fully established. We describe the effect of the disease course, and steroid treatment on GH levels in one patient with auto‐immune chronic active hepatitis, and propose possible mechanisms for this elevation.