bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular genetic analysis for Ax phenotype of the ABO blood group system in Chinese
Authors: Deng Z. H. , Yu Q. , Wu G. G. , Lian Y. L. , Su Y. Q. , Li D. C. , Wang D. M. , Zhang S. Y. 
Published: October 2005

Background and Objectives  To elucidate the molecular genetic background of the Ax phenotype in the Chinese population.Materials and Methods  The ABO genes of eight Ax phenotype samples, four Ax and four AxB, were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and were cloned, along with those of 10 random A1 Chinese subjects. We analysed the ABO gene transcript structure and the sequences of two exons and one intron at the ABO locus.Results  Among the four Ax phenotype samples, we identified one Ax02, two Ax03 and one novel Ax allele with the 543G > T mutation in the A102 background. Two of five family members also carry the allele. Of the four AxB phenotypes, one was designated as cis‐AB‐1/B101; the other three were shown to carry one B allele and one O with the nt261G deletion. The B alleles of the latter three were identical to B101 except for single point mutation at nt700C > G, nt640A > G and nt641T > C, respectively. The novel B101‐like alleles were first associated with AweakB phenotypes.Conclusions  Two ABO*B(A) alleles and an Ax allele clearly differ from all previously reported ABO alleles, suggesting that the molecular genetic background of Ax is heterogeneous in the Chinese population.
Clinical features of hepatocellular carcinoma with extrahepatic metastases
Authors: NATSUIZAKA MITSUTERU , OMURA TAKUMI , AKAIKE TORU , KUWATA YASUAKI , YAMAZAKI KATSU , SATO TAKAHIRO , KARINO YOSHIYASU , TOYOTA JOUJI , SUGA TOSHIHIRO , ASAKA MASAHIRO 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackground:  There are few detailed clinical reports about extrahepatic metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the clinical features of extrahepatic metastases of HCC.Methods:  The clinical records of 482 patients who had been diagnosed as having HCC during the period from January 1995 to March 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. Extrahepatic metastases had been detected in 65 patients. Clinical features of those 65 patients were analyzed.Results:  Patients with extrahepatic metastases had more advanced intrahepatic tumors at the first diagnosis of HCC: 73.8% of the patients with extrahepatic metastases had tumors of intrahepatic tumor stage T3 or T4 according to the TNM classification, while only 28.5% of the patients without extrahepatic metastases had tumors of T3 or T4 (P < 0.001). Vessel invasion was also detected at the first diagnosis of HCC more frequently in the patients with extrahepatic metastasis (P < 0.001). The frequent metastatic sites were lung (53.8%), bone (38.5%), and lymph node (33.8%). Other metastatic sites were the adrenal gland, peritoneum, skin, brain and muscle. The median survival time and 1‐year survival rate were 7 months (range: 1–59 months) and 24.9%, respectively. Patients with Child–Pugh grade B and C (P = 0.0018) and patients with positive serum α‐fetoprotein (P = 0.011) had significantly poor prognosis.Conclusions:  Extrahepatic metastases of HCC are not rare. The possibility of extrahepatic metastases and the clinical features of extrahepatic metastases should be considered when examining patients with HCC, particularly those with advanced intrahepatic tumors, to enable precise evaluation of the spread of HCC and determination of the appropriate treatment method.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Hepatocyte growth factor accelerates the proliferation of hepatic oval cells and possibly promotes the differentiation in a 2‐acetylaminofluorene/partial hepatectomy model in rats
Authors: HASUIKE SATORU , IDO AKIO , UTO HIROFUMI , MORIUCHI AKIHIRO , TAHARA YOSHIHIRO , NUMATA MASATSUGU , NAGATA KENJI , HORI TAKESHI , HAYASHI KATSUHIRO , TSUBOUCHI HIROHITO 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackground:  Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is the primary agent promoting the proliferation of mature hepatocytes. The purpose of the present paper was to clarify the effects of HGF on the proliferation and  differentiation  of  hepatic  oval  cells  using  a  2‐acetylaminofluorene/partial  hepatectomy  (2‐AAF/PH) model in rats.Methods:  Recombinant human HGF (0.2 mg/day) was administered to 2‐AAF/PH rats for 7 days using osmotic pumps intraperitoneally implanted in conjunction with hepatectomy (day zero).Results:  Periportal basophilic areas consisting of oval cells were significantly enlarged by treatment with HGF on day 8. In control animals, expression of α‐fetoprotein (AFP) in the liver was gradually upregulated, leading a marked increase on day 12. In HGF‐treated rats, AFP expression was stimulated at an earlier date and decreased to an undetectable level on day 12. Conversely, expression of albumin transcripts, which was stimulated by HGF‐treatment at a later date, continued to increase even after HGF administration ceased, leading to an extremely high level on day 12. Moreover, treatment with HGF also stimulated the expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor‐1α and ‐4α at an early date.Conclusions:  These results indicate that, besides the proliferation of hepatic oval cells, HGF possibly promotes the differentiation to hepatocytes in vivo, suggesting that recombinant human HGF accelerates the regeneration of severely damaged livers, a situation in which the proliferation of mature hepatocytes is impaired.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Phase I–II trial of weekly gemcitabine plus high‐dose 5‐fluorouracil and leucovorin in advanced pancreatic cancer
Authors: SHIAH HER‐SHYONG , CHENG ANN‐LII , HSU CHIUN , HSU CHIH‐HUNG , LIU TSANG‐WU , CHANG JANG‐YANG , JAN CHANG‐MING , CHAO YEE , YU WEI‐LAN , CHUANG TSAI‐RONG , WHANG‐PENG JACQUELINE , CHEN LI‐TZONG 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackground:  Pancreatic cancer is a dismal disease. Few drugs, including gemcitabine and 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), have notable antitumor effects against advanced pancreatic cancer. The purpose of the present study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of 5‐FU and the efficacy and toxicity profile of weekly gemcitabine plus infusional 5‐FU/leucovorin in advanced pancreatic cancer.Methods:  Patients with histo‐/cytologically confirmed, advanced pancreatic cancer were eligible. Treatment consisted of a 30‐min infusion of gemcitabine (800 mg/m2), followed by a 24‐h infusion of 5‐FU and leucovorin (300 mg/m2) at day 1, day 8 and day 15 every 28 days, and was termed the GemFL24 regimen. The dose of 5‐FU was escalated from 1600, 2000, to 2600 mg/m2 in the phase I study, and fixed MTD for subsequent enrolled patients.Results:  Eighteen patients were enrolled in the phase I study, and 24 in phase II. The MTD of 5‐FU was 2000 mg/m2, with major dose‐limiting toxicities being febrile neutropenia and delayed recovery from neutropenia. The dose intensity of gemcitabine of the 35 patients with 5‐FU dosage set at MTD was 593 mg/m2 per week. In the entire series of 42 patients, myelosuppression was the main toxicity, with grade 3 neutropenia in eight patients, and grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia in six. On an intention‐to‐treat analysis, the overall and clinical benefit response rates were 22% and 46%, respectively; with median progression‐free and overall survival of 4.1 and 6.9 months, respectively.Conclusions:  The GemFL24 regimen is a feasible and moderately active treatment with manageable toxicities for advanced pancreatic cancer, and could be a basis for further combination with other anticancer drugs.
Sclerotherapy for gastric fundal variceal bleeding: Is complete obliteration possible without cyanoacrylate?
Authors: KOJIMA KUNIYUKI , IMAZU HIROO , MATSUMURA MASAHIKO , HONDA YASUHIRO , UMEMOTO NORIE , MORIYASU HIROHITO , ORIHASHI TORU , UEJIMA MASANOBU , MORIOKA CHIE , KOMEDA YORIAKI , UEMURA MASATO , YOSHIJI HITOSHI , FUKUI HIROSHI 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackground:  Many studies have suggested that endoscopic obliteration using cyanoacrylate for bleeding gastric fundal varices is effective. However, serious complications by injection of cyanoacrylate into varices have also been reported.Methods:  Thirty patients with bleeding gastric fundal varices underwent endoscopic injection sclerotherapy using 5% ethanolamine oleate under fluoroscopic guidance plus infusion of vasopressin and a transdermal nitroglycerin patch. The injection of 5% ethanolamine oleate was continued until it filled the varices and their feeder veins under fluoroscopic guidance. The injection needle was removed while thrombin glue was sprayed at the puncture site through the side hole of the injector needle to prevent bleeding from the puncture site.Results:  Complete hemostasis was achieved in 28/30 patients (93.3%). The cumulative rebleeding rate after 1, 3 and 5 years was 13%, 19% and 19%, respectively. The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year cumulative mortality rates were 31%, 54% and 59%, respectively. There was no complication related to infusion of vasopressin and sclerotherapy procedure.Conclusion:  The sclerotherapy method carried out using 5% ethanolamine oleate combined with infusion of vasopressin under fluoroscopic guidance might be a feasible method for obliteration of gastric fundal varices as an alternative to cyanoacrylate.
Improvement of gastrointestinal quality of life scores in cases of Helicobacter pylori‐positive functional dyspepsia after successful eradication therapy
Authors: SUZUKI HIDEKAZU , MASAOKA TATSUHIRO , SAKAI GEN , ISHII HIROMASA , HIBI TOSHIFUMI 
Published: October 2005

AbstractFunctional dyspepsia (FD) refers to a broad range of chronic upper abdominal symptoms associated with food intake. A definitive treatment for FD has not yet been established, and the effect of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication still remains under debate. The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) is a specific questionnaire for patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. The present study examined the quality of life (QOL) of patients with H. pylori‐positive FD following H. pylori eradication.Methods:  Sixty‐eight patients with FD who gave informed consent were recruited for the study. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by the culture and histological methods, and the H. pylori eradication consisted of a 7‐day course of lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin. The overall success of the treatment was confirmed by a 13C urea breath test (UBT) conducted 3 months after the eradication. The GSRS questionnaire was administered to the patient just before the start of the eradication therapy and at 3 months after the therapy, just before the UBT was performed.Results:  In successfully eradicated patients, the total GSRS and the abdominal pain score significantly decreased. In particular, the abdominal pain score and indigestion score were significantly decreased after successful eradication in patients with ulcer‐like FD or dysmotility‐like FD. Conversely, in patients in whom the eradication was unsuccessful, neither the total GSRS nor any of the individual symptom scores showed any significant change.Conclusion:  Successful H. pylori eradication improved the QOL of patients with FD, in particular H. pylori‐positive patients with ulcer‐like FD or dysmotility‐like FD.
Biochemical analysis of pancreatic fluid collections predicts bacterial infection
Authors: MÖNKEMÜLLER KLAUS E , HAREWOOD GAVIN C , CURIOSO WALTER H , FRY LUCIA C , WILCOX C MEL , MORGAN DESIREE E , BARON TODD H 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Despite our understanding of the pathophysiology of different types of pancreatic fluid collections (PFC), few studies have attempted to correlate the biochemical analysis of PFC contents with clinical and radiological characteristics. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of fluid analysis for discerning collection type (pseudocyst vs acute fluid collection with necrosis), presence of infection or communication with the pancreatic duct in the setting of acute and chronic pancreatitis.Methods:  Pancreatic fluid from 34 consecutive patients undergoing endotherapy of PFC was prospectively analyzed for seven variables: lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein, albumin, glucose, amylase, lipase and specific gravity.Results:  In multivariate analysis, adjusting for age and gender, high intracystic levels of protein (OR 6.2; 95% CI 1.3–37.0), LDH (OR 6.8 [2.3–38.3]), and albumin (OR 7.8 [1.3–67.4]), and low levels of glucose (OR 0.2 [0.03–0.9]) predicted the presence of PFC infection. The optimal threshold value for protein was 1000 g/dL, which achieved a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 75% for detecting infection; the optimal cut‐off for LDH was 1000 U/L (sensitivity 64%, specificity 85%), and the cut‐off for albumin was 500 g/dL (sensitivity 75%, specificity 85%). There were no statistically significant differences in biochemical fluid analysis with respect to fluid collection type (pseudocysts vs acute fluid collection with necrosis) and the presence of pancreatic duct communication.Conclusions:  Biochemical analysis of PFC fluid is clinically helpful in detecting fluid infection in patients with bacteria on Gram stain or positive fluid cultures. Our findings fail to support the utility of fluid analysis in characterizing cyst type, and we caution against its use in distinguishing pseudocysts from acute fluid collection with necrosis.
Hepatitis B virus core and core‐related antigen quantitation in Chinese patients with chronic genotype B and C hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: ROKUHARA AKINORI , SUN XIAOHONG , TANAKA EIJI , KIMURA TATSUJI , MATSUMOTO AKIHIRO , YAO DONGMEI , YIN LEI , WANG NA , MAKI NOBORU , KIYOSAWA KENDO 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core‐related antigen (HBcrAg) and HBV core antigen (HBcAg) assays were developed for the measurement of serum HBV load. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical utility of these assays in Chinese patients with chronic genotype B and C HBV infection.Methods:  One hundred and ninety‐three chronic hepatitis B patients were enrolled. Serum HBcrAg and HBcAg were measured by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay, and HBV‐DNA was measured by using a sensitive polymerase chain reaction assay. The data were analyzed in patients with HBV genotype B (HBV/B) and genotype C (HBV/C). The HBcrAg/HBcAg ratio was calculated and compared between patients with and without hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg).Results:  The concentrations of HBcrAg and HBcAg showed significant positive correlation with the HBV‐DNA concentration in both HBV/B (r = 0.79, P < 0.001, and r = 0.77, P < 0.001, respectively) and HBV/C (r = 0.87, P < 0.001, and r = 0.90, P < 0.001, respectively). The cut‐off for a positive HBcAg corresponded to approximately 4.5 log copies/mL, and that for a positive HBcrAg result corresponded to 3–4 log copies/mL. The HBcrAg/HBcAg ratio was higher in patients with HBeAg than in those without HBeAg.Conclusions:  The HBcrAg assay and HBcAg assay are clinically useful in viral quantitation of HBV/B and HBV/C. A combination of these assays would be a valuable tool for analyzing the clinical status of HBV infection.
Growth promoting and inhibiting effects of extracellular substances of soil microalgae and cyanobacteria on Escherichia coll and Micrococcus luteus
Authors: Safonova Elena , Reisser Werner 
Published: October 2005

SUMMARYDifferent taxa of chlorophycean, trebouxiophycean and xanthophycean soil microalgae and of cyanobacteria have been tested for the release of substances that inhibit the growth of either Echerichia coli (Migula) Castellani et Chalmersor Micrococcus luteus (Schroeter) Cohn. Experiments suggest two types of antibacterial effects: one type is constitutive; that is, the antibacterial activity is always present in the algal culture medium, as is the case with the Chroococcus turgidus (medium that inhibits the growth of Escherichia coli). The other type is induced; that is, the antibacterial activity occurs only when algae are in contact with bacteria. This is the case when growth of Micrococcus luteus is inhibited in co‐culture with Chroococcus turgidus (Kützing) Nägeli or with Xanthonema debile (Vischer) Silva and when growth of Escherichia coll is inhibited in co‐culture with Tetracystis sp. As well as inhibition, promotion of bacterial growth was observed. This was probably an unspecific effect resulting from soluble organic and inorganic substances, such as carbohydrates, that are generally present in algal cultures.
Diversity of locust gut bacteria protects against pathogen invasion
Authors: Dillon R. J. , Vennard C. T. , Buckling A. , Charnley A. K. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractDiversity–invasibility relationships were explored in the novel context of the colonization resistance provided by gut bacteria of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria against pathogenic bacteria. Germ‐free insects were associated with various combinations of one to three species of locust gut bacteria and then fed an inoculum of the pathogenic bacterium Serratia marcescens. There was a significant negative relationship between the resulting density of Serratia marcescens and the number of symbiotic gut bacterial species present. Likewise there was a significant inverse relationship between community diversity and the proportion of locusts that harboured Serratia. Host mortality was not negatively correlated with resistance to gut‐invasion by Serratia marcescens, although there were significantly more deaths among pathogen fed germ‐free insects than tri‐associated gnotobiotes. The outcome is consistent with the predictions of community ecology theory that species‐rich communities are more resistant to invasion than species‐poor communities.
Population structure, persistence, and seasonality of autochthonous Escherichia coli in temperate, coastal forest soil from a Great Lakes watershed
Authors: Byappanahalli Muruleedhara N. , Whitman Richard L. , Shively Dawn A. , Sadowsky Michael J. , Ishii Satoshi 
Published: October 2005

SummaryThe common occurrence of Escherichia coli in temperate soils has previously been reported, however, there are few studies to date to characterize its source, distribution, persistent capability and genetic diversity. In this study, undisturbed, forest soils within six randomly selected 0.5 m2 exclosure plots (covered by netting of 2.3 mm2 mesh size) were monitored from March to October 2003 for E. coli in order to describe its numerical and population characteristics. Culturable E. coli occurred in 88% of the samples collected, with overall mean counts of 16 MPN g−1, ranging from < 1 to 1657 (n = 66). Escherichia coli counts did not correlate with substrate moisture content, air, or soil temperatures, suggesting that seasonality were not a strong factor in population density control. Mean E. coli counts in soil samples (n = 60) were significantly higher inside than immediately outside the exclosures; E. coli distribution within the exclosures was patchy. Repetitive extragenic palindromic polymerase chain reaction (Rep‐PCR) demonstrated genetic heterogeneity of E. coli within and among exclosure sites, and the soil strains were genetically distinct from animal (E. coli) strains tested (i.e. gulls, terns, deer and most geese). These results suggest that E. coli can occur and persist for extended periods in undisturbed temperate forest soils independent of recent allochthonous input and season, and that the soil E. coli populations formed a cohesive phylogenetic group in comparison to the set of fecal strains with which they were compared. Thus, in assessing E. coli sources within a stream, it is important to differentiate background soil loadings from inputs derived from animal and human fecal contamination.
Thermally Enhanced Motions of Variable‐Inflow Surface Gravity‐Driven Flows
Authors: Moodie T. B. , Pascal J. P. , D'Alessio S. J. D. 
Published: October 2005

In this paper, we report on theoretical and numerical studies of models for suddenly initiated variable‐inflow surface gravity currents having temperature‐dependent density functions when these currents are subjected to incoming radiation. This radiation leads to a heat source term that, owing to the spatial and temporal variation in surface layer thickness, is itself a function of space and time. This heat source term, in turn, produces a temperature field in the surface layer having nonzero horizontal spatial gradients. These gradients induce shear in the surface layer so that a depth‐independent velocity field can no longer be assumed and the standard shallow‐water theory must be extended to describe these flow scenarios. These variable‐inflow currents are assumed to enter the flow regime from behind a partially opened lock gate with the lock containing a large volume of fluid whose surface is subjected to a variable pressure. Flow filament theory is used to arrive at expressions for the variable inflow velocity under the assumptions of an inviscid and incompressible fluid moving through a small opening under a lock gate at one end of a large rectangular tank containing the deep slightly more dense ambient fluid. Finding this time‐dependent inflow velocity, which will then serve as a boundary condition for the solution of our two‐layer system, involves solving a forced Riccati equation with time‐dependent forcing arising from the surface pressure applied to the fluid in the lock.The results presented here are, to the best of our knowledge, the first to involve variable‐inflow surface gravity currents with or without thermal enhancement and they relate to a variety of phenomena from leaking shoreline oil containers to spring runoff where the variable inflow must be taken into account to predict correctly the ensuing evolution of the flow.
Deconstructing the familiality of the emotive component of psychotic experiences in the general population
Authors: Jacobs N. , Myin‐Germeys I. , Derom C. , Vlietinck R. , van Os J. 
Published: October 2005

Objective:  Genetic and environmental influences on variation in distress associated with subclinical psychotic experiences were examined.Method:  A total of 289 twin pairs filled in the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences, a self‐report instrument assessing subclinical positive and negative psychotic experiences and associated distress (distresspos and distressneg). Using structural equation modelling, univariate and bivariate models were fitted.Results:  Univariate model fitting showed genetic and non‐shared environmental influences on both distresspos and distressneg. Bivariate model fitting showed that 52% of the correlation between the two phenotypes (r = 0.46) was because of shared genes and that non‐shared environmental factors accounted for 48% of the correlation.Conclusion:  Liability to psychosis not only refers to the development of psychosis per se, but also to the liability to develop dysfunctional emotional appraisals. The emotive component of psychosis liability involves genetic transmission of a general, non‐symptom‐specific distress factor that may be a target for molecular genetic research.