bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Natural history of hepatitis B surface antigen‐positive cirrhosis in Taiwan: A clinicopathological study
Authors: TSAI SUN‐LUNG , YANG PEI‐MING , LAI MING‐YANG , CHEN DING‐SHINN , HSU HEY‐CHI , WANG TEH‐HONG , SUNG JUEI‐LOW 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTTo clarify the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐associated liver cirrhosis, the clinical, laboratory and histological features of 174 untreated hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive cirrhotics were analysed, with a mean follow‐up period of 34 months (range 8–135 months) after liver biopsy. Male patients were predominant (86.8%) and the mean age of the whole group was 45 years, s.d. = 12 (range 15–82 years). Serum HBeAg and HBV‐DNA positivity were 38.9% and 31.8%, respectively. The calculated annual rate of spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion was 6.4% which was significantly lower than that (12%) of patients with HBeAg‐positive chronic active hepatitis (CAH). Superinfection by δ‐agent was rare, and anti‐δ antibody was detected in only 1.7% of them. The occurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma in the whole group was 5.7%/year which was not higher than that of HBsAg‐negative cirrhotics (6.2%/year). Serial liver biopsy showed that in the late evolution of cirrhosis, hepatitic activity tended to decline. Active cirrhosis may represent the intermediate stage between CAH and inactive liver cirrhosis. The 5‐year survival probability rate of the patients belonging to Child's functional classes A, B and C was 83.4% (s.d. = 5.7), 79.2% (s.d. = 9.4) and 30.9% (s.d. = 14.3), respectively. Most patients were in a well‐compensated state on entry into the study and remained stable for several years after diagnosis. Major causes of death include massive variceal bleeding, hepatic failure and/or hepatorenal syndrome, infection and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Pharmacogenetic aspects of biological variability
Authors: KÜPFER A. , ZEUGIN T. , PREISIG R. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTIn the field of pharmacogenetics, new insights have been obtained over the past few years with respect to hepatic hydroxylation and acetylation of drugs. Metabolic defects within the particular enzyme systems can be accompanied by multiple consequences, such as altered pharmacokinetics and unexpected side‐effects of drugs.In Caucasian populations, the genetic defect of hydroxylation of debrisoquine occurs in approximately 9% of the population. The mephenytoin‐type drug hydroxylation defect, resulting from another hydroxylation polymorphism, can be demonstrated in 5% and 18% of Caucasian and Asian population samples, respectively. Such interindividual (phenotypic) differences of oxidative drug elimination can be detected after the peroral administration of a single dose of debrisoquine and mephenytoin followed by an 8 h urine collection. In hydroxylation‐deficient subjects, dose‐dependent drug toxicities occur after chronic drug administration of β‐blockers, antidepressants, perhexiline, phenacetine and others.With respect to the acetylation polymorphism, rapid and slow acetylator phenotypes exhibit approximately a 1: 1 distribution in Caucasian populations. That particular phenotype can be determined in plasma or urine after peroral administration of 500 mg sulfadimidine. A new test for the assessment of polymorphic acetylation has recently become available in the form of acetylamino‐formylamino‐methyluracil analysis in urine after peroral administration of caffeine. The clinical consequences of the inherited rapid and slow acetylation capacity of the liver are primarily relevant for slow acetylator phenotypes, because side‐effects of isoniazid, salazopyrine, hydralazine and procainamide occur more frequently in this condition.Pharmacogenetics and ecogenetics are two closely related entities. It might therefore be speculated that pharmacogenetically determined predispositions will also influence the metabolism of as yet unknown endo‐ and xenobiotic substances. Their varying abundances, for
Acute hepatitis due to etretinate
Authors: KAMM MICHAEL A. , DAVIES DAVID J. , BREEN KERRY J. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTA case of acute hepatitis is reported in a 62 year old woman who had been treated for severe psoriasis with the aromatic retinoid, etretinate. Her clinical condition and liver function tests continued to deteriorate after cessation of the drug, but there was a marked initial response to therapy with prednisolone. Liver biopsy showed hepatitis with focal necrosis. There was clinical and biochemical evidence of relapse when prednisolone was withdrawn after 4 months, necessitating a further 11 months of prednisolone therapy.
A comparison between des‐γ‐carboxy prothrombin and α‐fetoprotein as markers of hepatocellular carcinoma in southern African Blacks
Authors: KING MICHAEL A. , KEW MICHAEL C. , KUYL JOHAN M. , ATKINSON PETER M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstratDes‐γ‐carboxy prothrombin (DCP), a precursor of prothrombin, has been reported recently to be as good a marker, or even better, of hepatocellular carcinoma than α‐fetoprotein (α‐FP). The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of the two markers have been compared in 98 southern African Blacks with hepatocellular carcinoma and in 120 Black controls with various diseases which might be mistaken clinically for this tumour: 32 with hepatic metastases, 33 with amoebic hepatic abscesses, and 55 with chronic hepatic parenchymal disease. DCP levels were measured using a chromogenic assay with Dispholidus typus venom and staphylocoagulase. The agreement between the two methods was excellent (r= 0.995). α‐FP concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. DCP levels were raised in 66 of 98 patients (67.3%) and α‐FP levels in 82 of 98 patients (83.7%) with hepatocellular carcinoma (P= 0.006). The specificity of DCP was also less than that of α‐FP, although the difference just failed to reach statistical significance (P= 0.085). The predictive values of both a positive and a negative test for DCP were significantly less than those for α‐FP (P= 0.047 and 0.048, respectively). When, in an attempt to eliminate false positive results, the diagnostic cut‐off level for DCP was increased from 1.5 to 5.0 mu/ml and that of α‐FP from 20 to 400 ng/ml, the differences between the two markers remained the same. If the two tests were used together, the number of false negative α‐FP results was reduced from 16.3% to 7.1% and the number of equivocal α‐FP results was reduced from 11.2% to 5.1%. It is concluded that DCP is less useful than α‐FP as a single marker of hepatocellular carcinoma in southern African Blacks. However, the two markers can be used together profitably.
Chylous ascites in cirrhosis: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: CHENG WENDY S. C. , GOUGH IAN R. , WARD MICHAEL , CROESE JOHN , POWELL LAWRIE W. 
Published: March 2008

AbstratChylous ascites is an uncommon clinical entity which results from the accumulation of fat, predominantly chylomicrons, in the ascitic fluid. Conventional treatment methods are unsatisfactory. A patient is reported with chylous ascites associated with cirrhosis and portal hypertension in whom the ascites, the renal insufficiency and the fluid and electrolyte disturbances were corrected by the insertion of a Denver peritoneovenous shunt.
A prospective evaluation of biopsy site in the diagnosis of gastric malignancy: The margin or the base?
Authors: LIN HWAI‐JENG , LEE FA‐YAUH , TSAI YANG‐TE , LEE SHOU‐DONG , LIN CHING‐YI , TSAY SHYH‐HAW , CHIANG HUNG 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe diagnostic value of endoscopic biopsy from the ulcer margin (six specimens) and the base (six specimens) in 46 cases of gastric malignancy was evaluated. The biopsy positive rates for malignancy from the ulcer margin and the base were 42 of 46 (91.3%) and 37 of 46 (80.4%), respectively (P= 0.2312). The diagnostic positive rate was increased to 95.6% (44 of 46) when the results of 12 biopsy specimens obtained from the ulcer margin and the base were combined. The diagnostic positive rate was not statistically different when the morphology or the location of the gastric malignancy was considered. No complication of massive bleeding or perforation was found after both sites had been biopsied. It is concluded that the margin and the base of a gastric malignant ulcer are both suitable and diagnostically effective for endoscopic biopsy. If the ulcer margin of the gastric malignancy is difficult to approach, the ulcer base appears to be a satisfactory alternative site for endoscopic biopsy.
Applications of molecular genetics to gastrointestinal and liver diseases. I. Technical approaches
Authors: SUMMERS KIM M. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTRecent developments in recombinant DNA techniques have allowed an understanding of the molecular genetics of many diseases, some affecting the gastrointestinal tract and liver. DNA probes which detect sequences within or near disease genes can be selected by direct approaches, if the gene product or primary gene function is known, or by indirect methods when the chromosomal location is known. Such probes have resulted in extensive family studies which can now define risks to family members of developing a genetic disease. The development of the polymerase chain reaction will also be of considerable use in clinical genetics and in the diagnosis of some infectious diseases. The techniques are summarized and examples of their use are given. A glossary of terms is also provided.
Experimental mesenteric ischaemia in sheep: Gut peptide release and haemodynamic changes
Authors: SOMJEN G. , FLETCHER D. R. , SHULKES A. , HARDY K. J. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAbstract Mesenteric ischaemia remains a frequently lethal condition. An improvement in survival is only likely with earlier diagnosis. Even with action upon early diagnosis and reestablishment of circulation, fatal shock often follows.This study was designed to determine the possible role of gastrointestinal regulatory peptides in the haemodynamic pathophysiology of acute mesenteric arterial ischaemia and whether measurement of these peptides would have diagnostic potential.Fourteen anaesthetized sheep were studied, seven with acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion and seven with acute superior mesenteric and coeliac artery (SMA + CA) occlusion. Changes in peptide levels and haemodynamic changes were similar in the two experimental groups, but were more pronounced in the more severe ischaemia of SMA + CA occlusion.No major changes in systemic plasma gastrin, pancreatic polypeptide, neurotensin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) occurred during ischaemia. There was, however, a fivefold increase in VIP in portal venous plasma during SMA + CA occlusion. In the reperfusion period there were increases in VIP concentrations in both systemic and portal circulations in both groups.During ischaemia there was a rise in mean arterial pressure and peripheral resistance and a fall in cardiac output. Reperfusion was characterized by systemic and splanchnic vasodilation coincident with the rise in systemic plasma VIP. It is concluded that VIP which is released from the ischaemic intestine is likely to mediate a component of vasodilation seen during reperfusion.
Effect of smoking on gastric acid secretion in patients with duodenal ulcer
Authors: RAMESH G. N. , KOCHHAR R. , BROOR S. L. , GHOSH P. , SHARMA B. K. , MEHTA S. K. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAbstract The effect of smoking on gastric secretion was studied in 15 consecutive patients with duodenal ulcer – six normosecretors (basal acid output ≤ 3 mEq/h), and nine hypersecretors (basal acid output > 3 mEq/h). The volume, acid output, acid concentration, and pH of the gastric juice measured before, during and after 1 h of smoking did not show any significant difference in these patients taken as a single group, or when the normosecretors and hypersecretors were analysed as separate groups (P > 0.05 for each parameter in each group). The higher acid output before and during smoking in hypersecretors than in normosecretors was due to the higher acid concentration in the gastric juice (P < 0.01). Study of the pH curves of the gastric juice after acute smoking showed that hypersecretors had a lower pH for a longer duration compared with normosecretors. This could make the hypersecretors with a history of chronic smoking more prone to developing duodenal ulcer.
Ethanol‐induced gastric mucosal damage in the rat with Taenia‐stimulated hypertrophic gastropathy
Authors: CHO C. H. , PFEIFFER C. J. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAbstract The susceptibility to ethanol‐induced lesions was studied in rats with experimental hypertrophic gastropathy, in order to examine the nature of gastric mucosal resistance in this condition. Acute erosions were induced by a standard per os method of administration with graded concentrations of ethanol; underlying mucosal hypertrophic gastropathy was induced by infection with Taenia taeniaeformis. The gastric mucosal content of histamine and serotonin was also assessed. Hypertrophic gastropathy was characterized by mucus cell hyperplasia, greatly increased stomach weight, increased mucosal content of histamine, and no effect in resistance to gastric injury induced by graded doses of ethanol. Correlated changes in serotonin content with treatment were not observed, but mucosal histamine content was correlated inversely with ethanol administration in both parasite‐infected and non‐infected rats. This model of hypertrophic gastropathy could be of interest to study the pathogenesis of hypertrophic gastropathy and its response to known injurious agents.
Resected case of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with lupoid hepatitis
Authors: MOTOO YOSHIHARU , WAKATSUKI TOSHINOSUKE , TANAKA NOBUYOSHI , HINOUE YOSHINOBU , KOBAYASHI KENICHI , HATTORI NOBU , MATSUI OSAMU , IZUMI RYOHEI , NAKANUMA YASUNI , OHTA GOROKU 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAbstract A 65 year old woman with lupoid hepatitis developed hepatocellular carcinoma which was diagnosed at an early stage. She had no history of blood transfusion and serum hepatitis B virus markers were negative. Prednisolone and 6‐mercaptopurine were administered for the treatment of lupoid hepatitis. A hepatocellular carcinoma was detected by the elevation of serum α‐fetoprotein and imaging studies. A tumour, 1.4 cm in diameter, was located in the lateral segment of the left hepatic lobe. It was resected by hepatic subsegmentectomy. Histological study showed a hepatocellular carcinoma of Edmondson type II against a background of posthepatitic cirrhosis. The patient was in good condition 2.5 years after the operation.
Progression of radiological changes in relapsing and chronic pancreatitis
Authors: KASUGAI TATSUZO , TANEHIRO KENJI , KURIMOTO KUMIKO , FUJIWARA KATSUHIKO , KUNO NOBUYOSHI 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAbstract Progression of radiological changes was noted in 19 (22.1%) of 86 cases of relapsing or chronic pancreatitis followed by serial pancreatograms. The initial feature of chronic pancreatitis was focal minimal pancreatitis, characterized by an irregular dilatation of several side branches on the pancreatogram. Some patients with focal minimal pancreatitis demonstrated progression of the extent and severity of changes only in side branches while others progressed further to moderate or advanced chronic pancreatitis showing changes in the main pancreatic duct. Most of the progressive cases were alcoholic, and some showed progression to advanced pancreatitis within 4 years. Rapid progression of radiological changes was associated with relapses of acute pancreatitis. No remarkable changes were observed in many non‐alcoholic patients, whereas some cases complicated with gallstones showed progression of disease in the side branches during a follow‐up period of 3–7 years.
Study of hepatic venous wedge and intraperitoneal pressures in cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites treated by dialytic ultrafiltration
Authors: LAI KAR NENG , PUN CHIU ON , LEUNG JOSEPH W. C. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAbstract Three cirrhotic patients with intractable ascites and one patient with malignant ascites received dialytic ultrafiltration of ascitic fluid by a haemofilter system for symptomatic relief. The haemofilter removes fluid and substances with a molecular weight less than 50 000 daltons and the concentrated ascitic fluid was reinfused into the pertioneal cavity after ultrafiltration. The changes in intraperitoneal and hepatic venous wedge pressures were studied in these patients. Dialytic ultrafiltration of ascites was associated with a parallel fall of both intraperitoneal and hepatic venous wedge pressures in cirrhotic patients but not in the patient with malignant ascites. The intraperitoneal and hepatic venous wedge pressures remained low for 18 h after completion of dialytic ultrafiltration. The mean arterial pressure and central venous pressure remained unchanged despite rapid removal of ascitic fluid. The interrelationships between the intraperitoneal pressure, hepatic venous wedge pressure, and vascular volume are discussed.
Hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic liver in Trieste
Authors: MELATO MAURO , VALENTE MATTEO , MUCLI EZIO , MUUSE MAXAMED MACALLIN , TARAGLIO STEFANO 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTOne hundred consecutive cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis observed at autopsy were studied and their pathological aspects were compared with those reported in the literature. The results, which are representative of HCC epidemiology in a geographical area where cirrhosis is mostly due to alcohol abuse, show that similarities in the architectural pattern of HCC and weight of the liver exist between our material and samples with different aetiology and epidemiology. A relationship between the histological grade of HCC and its propensity to metastasize was demonstrated. The reported better prognosis of clear cells per se could not be confirmed, although clear cell HCC occurred exclusively in grade 2. It was also demonstrated that the relationship between grading and staging was strongly influenced by the association of HCC with cirrhosis, which is a fact that is usually overlooked by the common staging (and grading) methods.
Polymeric IgA antibody to gliadin in the serum of patients with coeliac disease
Authors: BARTHOLOMEUSZ R. C. A. , LABROOY J. T. , DAVIDSON G. P. , HETZEL P. , JOHNSON R. B. , SHEARMAN D. J. C. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Secretory component (SC) binding assays which detect polymeric IgA (pIgA) in serum were used to measure serum antigliadin pIgA and total pIgA in patients with coeliac disease. Total IgA antigliadin antibody in serum and intestinal fluid was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relationship of pIgA antibody to dietary gluten and the antigliadin IgA antibody in intestinal fluid was examined.Twenty‐nine serum samples were assayed, twelve from patients ingesting gluten and seventeen from patients who had excluded gluten from their diet for 6 months. Eight of these were paired samples from 4 adults on and off gluten. In addition, paired samples of both intestinal fluid and serum were obtained from 7 children on and off gluten.Polymeric IgA antibody to gliadin was detected in 11 of 12 subjects on gluten but in only 3 of 17 who had excluded gluten. Three of the four adults from whom paired serum samples were obtained had pIgA antigliadin, but only while on gluten. Three of the seven children in whom intestinal and serum antibody were assayed had pIgA to gliadin, which could not be detected after exclusion of gluten, although their intestinal antibody level remained elevated. There was no change in total pIgA levels with diet although the levels were higher than those seen in normal subjects.We conclude that pIgA antibody to gliadin is frequently found in the serum of coeliac patients ingesting gluten. It disappears with gluten elimination at a time when the IgA antigliadin antibody in intestinal fluid has not altered.
Quantitative study of apoptosis in normal rat gastroduodenal mucosa
Authors: Benedetti Antonio , Mancini Raniero , Marucci Luca , Paolucci Franca , Jezequel Anne Marie , Orlandi Francesco 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe occurrence of apoptosis in the normal gastrointestinal mucosa has been given little consideration until now, although the phenomenon may be of interest in the light of recent hypotheses about its role in physiological cell renewal. In the present study, a quantitative evaluation conducted on normal gastric and duodenal mucosa of young rats has shown that apoptosis is a rare but constant phenomenon: 1.4±1.1 (mean±1 s.d.) apoptotic bodies were observed within the surface epithelium of single gastric pits and 3±1 in duodenal villi. In both situations, the apoptosis showed a preferential localization in the juxtaluminal segments of the epithelium. This phenomenon appears distinct from passive exfoliation of mucosal cells and, as an expression of ‘programmed cell death’, it is likely to contribute to the normal intestinal epithelial cell turnover.
Antibody to herpes simplex virus type 1 in peptic ulcer patients
Authors: KANG J. Y. , LEE T. P. , GUAN R. , TAY H. H. , YAP I. , MATH M. V. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIt has been postulated that herpes simplex virus type 1 may be a causative factor of duodenal ulcer. Serum antibody titres to herpes simplex virus type 1 in duodenal and gastric ulcer patients were compared with race‐, sex‐and age‐matched controls. No differences in antibody titres could be demonstrated between duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer patients and their respective controls, between gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer patients or between acute and convalescent sera in either gastric or duodenal ulcer. Although Chinese are more susceptible to ulcer disease than Malays and Indians, antibody titres were comparable between subjects of different races. The results of this study do not support a causal role for herpes simplex virus in peptic ulcer disease.
Case‐control study on oesophageal cancer in southern Thailand
Authors: CHONGSUVIVATWONG VIRASAKDI 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA case‐control study was conducted in southern Thailand to test the hypothesis that alcohol consumption, smoking, rubber processing and nutritional deficiency were risk factors for oesophageal cancer. Cases (n= 40) were recruited from patients admitted to the University Hospital, where the first interview took place. Age‐ and sex‐matched controls (n= 129) were selected from closest neighbours of the case. The case: control ratio varied from 1:1 to 1:6, depending on the availability of controls. Logistic regression analysis gave a relative risk for drinking and smoking of 5.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.1–15.1), whereas the relative risk for alcohol drinking only was 4.7 (95% CI = 0.5–42) and for smoking only was 1.6 (95% CI = 0.7–4). Data on dietary habits were not analysed because of great variation. Rubber processing was not a significant risk factor. It was concluded that combined alcohol and cigarette consumption are important risk factors for oesophageal cancer in southern Thailand.