bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Management of ascites in cirrhosis
Authors: BATALLER RAMÓN , ARROYO VICENTE , GINÈS PERE 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAscites is one of the earliest and most common complications of patients with cirrhosis. A typical circulatory dysfunction characterized by arterial vasodilation, high cardiac output and stimulation of vasoactive systems is commonly present in these patients and is associated with a poor prognosis. The treatment of ascites has been based on the combination of a low‐sodium diet and the administration of diuretics. The reintroduction of paracentesis and the recent introduction of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) are the most relevant innovations in the treatment of ascites during the past two decades, although controlled trials in large series of patients are needed to delineate whether TIPS is a safe and useful treatment for these patients.
Assessment of energy status and fructose metabolism of liver in obstructive jaundice by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: KAINUMA OSAMU , ASANO TAKEHIDE , IKEHIRA HIROO , OGAWA ERI , ISONO KAICHI 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe effect of cholestasis on hepatic energy status and fructose metabolism in jaundiced rats and patients was investigated using 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Rats with obstructive jaundice (OJ group) were studied 7 days after bile duct ligation. Drainage rats were studied at 3 days (DR3 group) and 7 days (DR7 group) after the relief of 1 week obstruction of the common bile duct. In the bile duct ligated rat, the β‐adenosine triphosphate (ATP)/Pi (inorganic phosphate) ratio was significantly lower than in sham‐operated controls. This ratio recovered rapidly in the DR3 and DR7 groups. The maximum increase in the phosphomonoester peak (PMEmax) after an intravenous bolus of fructose was significantly reduced in both the OJ and DR3 groups, and was accompanied by a decrease in hepatic fructokinase activity. The PMEmax and the fructokinase activity recovered in the DR7 group. In a clinical study, the β‐ATP/Pi ratio in six healthy volunteers was comparable to that of 15 patients with obstructive jaundice, regardless of their biliary drainage status. The PMEmax in all patients (serum bilirubin ≥ 5 mg/dL), irrespective of biliary drainage, was significantly lower than in volunteers. Furthermore, the PMEmax in four of the eight patients with biliary drainage (serum bilirubin < 5 mg/dL) was lower than in volunteers. It is concluded that while energy status in jaundiced patients is well maintained, fructose phosphorylation is inhibited and recovery is delayed after the relief of obstruction compared with serum bilirubin. For the non‐invasive evaluation of damaged liver function in jaundice, 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a useful technique.
The effect of cisapride on oral and intravenous glucose tolerance in normal subjects
Authors: WISHART JUDITH M , HOROWITZ MICHAEL , CAMPBELL JOANNE , JONES KAREN L 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTCisapride is used widely for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis. There is some evidence that cisapride may influence insulin secretion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cisapride on plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin and C‐peptide in response to oral and intravenous glucose loads. Twelve normal subjects took cisapride and placebo, each for 10 days using a randomized, double‐blind, crossover design. In each treatment phase, the plasma glucose, insulin and C‐peptide response to intravenous (0.5 g/kg) and oral (75 g) glucose loads was evaluated on separate days. Gastric emptying of the oral glucose load was also measured. After the intravenous glucose load, plasma concentrations of C‐peptide were higher (P < 0.01) on cisapride when compared with placebo (e.g. peak C‐peptide 2.08 ± 0.25 nmol/L vs 1.78 ± 0.22 nmol/L, P < 0.01) while there was no significant difference in plasma glucose or insulin. Cisapride had no effect on the rate of gastric emptying of the oral glucose load. Mean plasma concentrations of insulin and C‐peptide were higher after oral glucose on cisapride than placebo, but these differences were not significantly different. These observations indicate that cisapride may increase glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion.
Selective depletion of neutrophils by a monoclonal antibody, RP‐3, suppresses dextran sulphate sodium‐induced colitis in rats
Authors: NATSUI MASAAKI , KAWASAKI KATSUTOSHI , TAKIZAWA HIDEAKI , HAYASHI SHUN‐ICHI , MATSUDA YASUNOBU , SUGIMURA KAZUHITO , SEKI KEIICHI , NARISAWA RINTARO , SENDO FUJIRO , ASAKURA HITOSHI 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAdministration of dextran sulphate sodium to animals induces acute colitis characterized by infiltration of large numbers of neutrophils into the colonic mucosa, which histologically resembles human active ulcerative colitis. It has been reported that neutrophils and the reactive oxygen metabolites produced by them are involved in the progress of ulcerative colitis. This study was intended to clarify their roles by using this animal model. First, possible sources and species of reactive oxygen metabolites were determined using luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence with addition of enzyme inhibitors and reactive oxygen metabolite scavengers. Next, to examine whether neutrophils and hypochlorous acid derived from them contribute to tissue injury, we administered RP‐3, a monoclonal antibody capable of selectively depleting neutrophils, and taurine, a hypochlorous acid scavenger, to rats treated with dextran sulphate sodium. Addition of azide, taurine, catalase, superoxide dismutase and dimethyl sulphoxide into colonic mucosal scrapings significantly inhibited chemiluminescence production, but allopurinol and indomethacin had no effects. These results suggest that excessive hypochlorous acid, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical are generated by the inflamed colonic mucosa. Intraperitoneal injections of RP‐3 significantly suppressed bleeding, tissue myeloperoxidase activity, chemiluminescence production and erosion formation. On the other hand, administration of taurine tended to inhibit bleeding and erosion formation to some extent, although it could not significantly suppress them. These data suggest that neutrophils play an important role in the development of this colitis and that hypochlorous acid might be one of the causes of tissue injury induced by neutrophils.
Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of gastric cancer among the Korean population
Authors: KIM HAK Y , CHO BYUNG D , CHANG WOONG K , KIM DONG J , KIM YONG B , PARK CHOONG K , SHIN HYUNG S , YOO JAE Y 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT Helicobacter pylori infection has been associated with chronic atrophic gastritis, a precursor of gastric cancer. We conducted a prospective, case‐controlled study to investigate whether H. pylori infection increases the risk of gastric cancer in Korean people with a high risk of gastric cancer. We enrolled 160 gastric cancer patients who were confirmed by endoscopic biopsy during 1994 and 160 age‐matched control subjects with non‐ulcer dyspepsia were compared to document the relationship between H. pylori infection and gastric cancer. The presence of H. pylori infection was determined by the rapid urease test and/or histology by Wright‐Giemsa staining. The overall presence of H. pylori infection was 60% in gastric cancer patients and 51.9% in age‐matched control subjects (odds ratio 1.39; 95% confidence interval 0.894–2.17; P= 0.143). Carcinomas of cardia, body and antrum were not associated with H. pylori infection (odds ratio 1.43, 1.69 and 1.29, respectively; 95% confidence interval, 0.271–7.52, 0.787–3.62 and 0.689–2.43, respectively; P= 0.178, 0.177 and 0.642, respectively) nor was the intestinal or diffuse type of cancer (odds ratio 1.39 and 1.40, respectively; 95% confidence interval 0.791–2.45 and 0.681–2.87, respectively; P= 0.250 and 0.835, respectively). Gender was not a risk for gastric cancer. In contrast to previous studies, these results do not provide evidence of H. pylori infection for gastric carcinogenesis in Korea.
Hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe: Early diagnosis and active treatment may result in long‐term survival
Authors: LU CHING‐LIANG , WU JAW‐CHING , CHIANG JEN‐HUEY , LUI WING‐YIU , CHAU GAR‐YANG , LEE SHOU‐DONG 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the caudate lobe is rare and the prognosis of patients with HCC in the caudate lobe has been reported to be poor. Resection for HCC in the caudate lobe has carried a higher rate of surgical risk and early recurrence. The effect of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in treating HCC in the caudate lobe remains unknown. With the wide application of modern diagnostic modalities, we can now detect HCC at an earlier stage for active treatment (surgery or TAE). The aim of the present study was to analyse the effect of different treatments for HCC in the caudate lobe. From 1985 to 1994, 15 patients with HCC in the caudate lobe were retrospectively studied. Another 264 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed HCC treated by TAE were selected as the control group. Two patients underwent surgical resection and survived well without recurrence after 43 and 136 months, respectively. Ten patients underwent TAE and their survival rate was similar to that of the 264 consecutively TAE‐treated controls with HCC not in the caudate lobe (P=0.19). The 1, 3 and 5 year survival rates for TAE‐treated patients in the caudate lobe were 67.7, 31.1 and 12.6%, respectively, while in controls these figures were 53.0, 18.4 and 9.1%, respectively. Two of the three patients receiving supportive treatment died within 1 month after diagnosis. Those patients having a smaller solitary tumour without intrahepatic metastasis tended to survive longer. In conclusion, HCC in the caudate lobe does not always indicate a poor prognosis so long as early detection and active treatment (surgery or TAE) are available. Transcatheter arterial embolization may act as an alternative treatment modality for patients with HCC in the caudate lobe.
Increased prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among patients affected with intestinal‐type gastric cancer at non‐cardiac locations
Authors: WU MING‐SHIANG , CHEN SHU‐YUAN , SHUN CHIA‐TUNG , LEE WEI‐JEI , WANG HSIU‐PO , WANG TEH‐HONG , CHEN CHIEN‐JEN , LIN JAW‐TOWN 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTPrevious data on the association of Helicobacter pylori infection with gastric cancer by demographic or histological features are inconsistent due to a univariate analysis of limited case numbers. The aim of the present study was to determine such an association by the use of a large series of patients and multiple variables analysis. The serum IgG antibodies against H. pylori were measured in 397 patients with histologically verified gastric cancer. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to define the association between seropositivity and demographic or tumour characteristics of gastric cancer. The overall seropositivity of H. pylori was 63%. In univariate analysis, the prevalence was significantly lower among patients with cardia (50%) or diffuse‐type (56.6%) cancers than those with non‐cardia (64.8%) or intestinal‐type (70.3%) cancer (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). There was no statistical difference between H. pylori infection rate and gender, age or tumour stage. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed tumour location and histology remained significant factors associated with seropositivity of H. pylori with an odds ratio of approximately 2.0. Analysis of combined histology and location revealed that patients with intestinal‐type cancer at non‐cardia locations had the highest odds ratio of 3.93 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.55–10.0) compared with the lowest odds ratio of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.30–1.62) in diffuse cardia cancer (P< 0.005). Our data indicate H. pylori infection in gastric cancer is independently affected by the histological subtype and by tumour location.
Enteral branched‐chain amino acids increase the specific activity of jejunal glutaminase and reduce jejunal atrophy
Authors: McCAULEY ROSALIE D , HEEL KATHRYN A , HALL JOHN C 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTBranched‐chain amino acid (BCAA)‐enriched nutrient solutions reduce gut atrophy associated with parenteral nutrition. We hypothesized that this effect was mediated by phosphate‐dependent glutaminase. Thirty male Wistar rats (300–350 g) underwent a standardized surgical procedure and were then randomized into three groups to receive 6 days of ad libitum enteral nutrition. The animals were fed a solution of conventional nutrients, a solution of conventional nutrients enriched with 2.0% BCAA or a solution of conventional parenteral nutrients enriched with 2.5% glutamine. When compared with rats fed conventional nutrients, rats fed BCAA and glutamine had less jejunal atrophy (P< 0.05) and a greater specific activity of phosphate‐dependent glutaminase in the jejunum (131%; P< 0.05). It is concluded that enteral BCAA reduce atrophy of the jejunum via the generation of glutamine.
Liver involvement in epidemic haemorrhagic fever: In situ hybridization, immunohistochemical and pathological studies
Authors: SUN HUI‐CHEN , DENG PING‐FEI , WANG CHUN‐JIE , JIA TAI‐HE , LAI JIA‐QI , ZHANG WEN , WANG XIAO‐XU , XIU HE‐MING 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTIn the present study, liver biopsy specimens from 37 patients with epidemic haemorrhagic fever (EHF) were investigated by using light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry for the EHF virus envelope protein G2 and in situ hybridization (ISH) for EHF viral RNA. Immunostaining and in situ hybridization were both positive, and a few of the aetiological agents, the EHF virus (EHFV) particles, were found individually within the dilated Golgi cisternae and vesicles, and the dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum of the hepatocyte. The pathological alterations of the liver cells infected with EHFV were: hepatocellular degeneration, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and spotty necrosis; moreover, zonal necrosis was present and adjacent to the narrowed and occluded sinusoids. In degenerated and spotty necrotic cells, the positive signals from of ISH for EHFV RNA and those from immunostaining for the virus protein were both stronger than those in the zonal liver cell necrosis area. The results showed that hepatocellular degeneration and spotty necrosis might be directly related to the virus and its duplication inside the liver cells, while the zonal necrosis was ischaemic and thought to be caused by microcirculation dysfunction.
Recent advances in the pathophysiology of portal hypertension
Authors: TSAI YANG‐TE , LIN HAN‐CHIEH , LEE SHOU‐DONG 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTPortal hypertension is a common complication of chronic liver disease. Increased resistance to portal blood flow through a cirrhotic liver initiates the development of portal hypertension. In addition, alteration of neural and humoral regulations, endothelins, and stellate cells all contribute to the increased intrahepatic resistance. Moreover, the collateral circulation represents an additional site of increased resistance to portal blood flow. Increased splanchnic blood flow appears to play an important role in the maintenance of chronic portal hypertension. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this haemodynamic derangement including increased circulating vasodilators, endothelial‐derived vasodilators, and decreased vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictors. Finally, the development of portal hypertension induces peripheral arterial vasodilatation. The arterial vasodilatation may result in an increase in vascular underfilling which in turn leads to sodium retention and plasma volume expansion. The increased plasma volume is necessary for the development of increased cardiac output and the full expression of hyperdynamic circulation in portal hypertension.
Short‐term effect of portal vein arterialization on hepatic protein synthesis and endotoxaemia after extended hepatectomy in dogs
Authors: OGATA AKIRA , MIYAZAKI MASARU , OHTAWA SATORU , OHTSUKA MASAYUKI , NAKAJIMA NOBUYUKI 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTTo assess the effect of partial portal arterialization on the remaining liver after usually lethal extended hepatectomy, 30 mongrel dogs underwent 84% partial hepatectomy and were divided into three groups as follows: group 1, 84% partial hepatectomy (n= 10); group 2, 84% partial hepatectomy and splenectomy (n= 10); group 3, 84% partial hepatectomy and splenectomy and splenic artery—vein (A‐V) shunt (n= 10). Another five dogs were pre‐operatively killed normal controls. Portal vein flow (PVF) decreased to about 60% in groups 1 and 2, but PVF in group 3 was maintained at the preoperative level. Oxygen saturation of portal vein blood increased markedly, to between 83% (group 1) and 88% (group 3). Portal vein pressure (PVP) increased in groups 1 and 2 by 1.6 to 1.7 times the preoperative value, but no significant difference in PVP, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and arterial ketone body ratio was found between the three groups. Plasma endotoxin levels after 84% partial hepatectomy were significantly lower in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2. Both of hepatocellular and secretory protein synthesis were enhanced in group 3 compared with the other two groups. These results suggest that partial portal arterialization using a splenic A‐V shunt might bring about a beneficial effect on remaining liver function after extended hepatectomy.
Racial differences in Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in Singapore: Correlation with differences in peptic ulcer frequency
Authors: KANG JY , YEOH KG , HO KY , GUAN R , LIM TP , QUAK SH , WEE A , TEO D , ONG YW 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to determine, first, whether racial differences exist in the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Singapore, and second, whether these differences correlate with racial differences in peptic ulcer frequency. A commercial serological test for immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibody to H. pylori which was 90% sensitive and 83% specific in our population was used to screen 403 adult blood donors of Chinese, Malay and Indian origin, aged between 15–60 years. Serum specimens from 84 paediatric patients admitted to the Paediatrics Department, National University of Singapore, with non‐gastroenterological illnesses were also tested. In all three races, seroprevalence of H. pylori increased with age. Indians have the highest prevalence of infection followed by Chinese and Malays. Peptic ulcer prevalences are known to be highest in Chinese, followed by Indians and Malays. The Malays have the lowest prevalence of H. pylori and peptic ulcer among the three races in Singapore. Indians have a higher prevalence of H. pylori antibodies but a lower frequency of peptic ulcer than the Chinese. Racial differences in peptic ulcer frequency between Chinese and Indians are not explained by the prevalence of H. pylori infection; other environmental or genetic factors may be involved.
Oesophageal cancer associated with other primary cancers: A study of 31 patients
Authors: KOIDE NAOHIKO , YAZAWA KAZUYUKI , KOIKE SHOICHIRO , ADACHI WATARU , AMANO JUN 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of oesophageal cancer associated with other primary cancers and the survival rate after surgery for the patients with these cancers. Of 202 patients with oesophageal cancer treated in the Second Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine between 1981 and 1995, 31 patients (15.3%) had oesophageal cancer associated with other primary cancers. Twenty‐one synchronous and 10 metachronous associated cancers were found and 25 of them were resected. Early‐stage oesophageal cancer was much more frequent in the associated cases than in the non‐associated cases. The stomach was the most frequently associated organ. The numbers of cases with triple and quadruple cancers were three and one, respectively. Three of these cases had intervals of over 6 years between tumours. Three cases with other primary cancers which had intervals of over 7 years after oesophagectomy were found, and two were carcinomas of the reconstructed gastric tube. In the outcome after surgery for oesophageal cancer, there was no difference between the associated and the non‐associated cases, and also no difference between the synchronous and metachronous associated cases. Regarding the five‐year and 10‐year survival rates after surgery for the first cancers, the synchronous cases had a poorer outcome than did the metachronous cases. In conclusion, oesophageal cancer with other primary cancers is not always rare, and its outcome is not poor compared with that of the non‐associated cases. These patients may achieve survival by early detection of both lesions and positive treatment. It is important to consider the risk of other primary cancers after oesophagectomy, and the success of the reconstructed gastric tube should be followed by endoscopy.
Cytotoxic T lymphocyte clone specific for autologous human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SUHC‐1
Authors: YOSHIZAWA KANAME , OTA MASAO , KIYOSAWA KENDO 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTWe established a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clone directed against an autologous hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line SUHC‐1 which had been established in our department from a patient with HCC associated with hepatitis C virus infection. The CTL clone lysed autologous SUHC‐1 cells but did not lyse autologous Epstein‐Barr (EB) virus‐transformed B cells, natural killer (NK) cell‐sensitive erythroleukaemia cell line K562, the NK‐resistant B cell line Daudi, or allogeneic HCC cell lines, Hep‐G2, Hep‐3B, Mahlavu and PLC/PRF/5. The CTL clone expressed CD3 and CD8 molecules. The cytotoxic activity of the clone was inhibited by anti‐CD3, anti‐CD8 and anti‐histocompatibility antigen (HLA) class I monoclonal antibodies. These results indicated that the CTL clone recognized HCC tumour antigen in an HLA class I‐restricted manner. Furthermore, we investigated the T cell receptor (TCR) gene usage of the CTL clone. The CTL clone expressed TCRαβ. We searched for expression of TCR variable (V) α and β regions and sequenced complementary determining region (CDR) 3 of the clone. The clone expressed Vα14, junctional (J) region α9.7 and Vβ7, Jβ2.1. The amino acid sequence of the N region of the α chain was S‐P‐G‐G‐G‐G‐A‐D‐G‐L‐T and of the N‐D‐N region of the β chain was S‐W‐T‐G‐A‐S‐T‐D‐T‐Q‐Y. These results suggested that HLA class I‐restricted CTL play an important role in the elimination of human HCC cells.