bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonographic features of amoebic abscess: Study in 59 patients
Authors: HADI SUJONO 
Published: March 2008

Sonographic examination was carried out in 59 patients with a clinical diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess during the previous 4 years (January 1982 to December 1985). The amoebic liver abscess was located in the right lobe in 45 patients, in the left lobe in eight patients, and in both lobes in six patients. The ultrasonic diagnosis was confirmed in the majority of patients by the indirect haemaglutination test (titres 1:512 or greater) coupled with excellent response to metronidazole, or by ultrasonic‐guided percutaneous aspiration producing anchovy sauce pus.The sonographic patterns of the abscess were evaluated. All patients had well‐defined hypoechoic lesions near the surface, which demonstrated fine homogeneous low‐level echoes throughout at a normal and a high‐gain setting, without a peripheral echo‐free halo. The configuration of the abscess was round, oval or lobulated. The walls were irregular in 53 patients, and showed a slight distal sonic enhancement. This ultrasonic feature is suggestive of amoebic liver abscess. The specific ultrasonographic features of amoebic liver abscess, combined with a feature of pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, or an abdominal abscess, were suggestive of the complications of liver abscess found in 19 patients.It is concluded that ultrasonography is a valuable aid in the diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess. It is of value not only for detection, but also for determination of the site, depth, size, and location of the complicating rupture of the abscess.
Small mass lesions in cirrhosis: Transition from benign adenomatous hyperplasia to hepatocellular carcinoma?
Authors: ARAKAWA MASAHIRO , SUGIHARA SHIGETAKA , KENMOCHI KUNIHIKO , KAGE MASAYOSHI , NAKASHIMA TOSHIRO , NAKAYAMA TOSHIMICHI , TASHIRO SEIKI , HIRAOKA TAKEHISA , SUENAGA MASAHIRO , OKUDA KUNIO 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Ten patients with cirrhosis, in whom small mass lesions were detected by imaging techniques and histological diagnosis of the resected specimens was difficult, are described. There were 17 grossly discrete lesions measuring 10 × 8 mm to 27 × 22 mm. Four were compatible with so‐called adenomatous hyperplasia showing no histological features of malignancy, and eight were equivocal as to whether they were benign or malignant. The other five lesions (in four patients) were hepatocellular carcinoma, co‐existing with apparently benign lesions. The eight equivocal lesions were eventually judged to be highly differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas. These benign‐appearing lesions, found by advanced imaging in patients with cirrhosis, create a serious problem in regions where primary liver cancer is endemic among cirrhotics, and hepatic resection is the preferred treatment.It is possible that these lesions represent a transition from adenomatous hyperplasia occurring in cirrhotic livers to hepatocellular carcinoma through a histologically equivocal state and that the current morphological methods are inadequate for differentiating malignant from benign lesions.
Delta infection in Japan: Immunohistological and immuno‐electron microscopic study of delta antigen in liver tissue
Authors: MORI JUNKO , ITO YOSHIMI , OMATA MASAO , YOKOSUKA OSAMU , OKUDA KUNIO 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Although the vast majority of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers of the world inhabit South‐east Asia, very little is known about delta infection in this area. Therefore, a serological and immunohistological study was made in the Tokyo‐Chiba area. One of 58 (1.7%) HBsAg carriers had anti‐delta antibody in a high titre in serum. Delta antigen was immuno‐histologically localized in the liver in two of 146 (1.4%) HBsAg carriers studied. The antigen was strongly stained in the nuclei, and positive cells were diffusely scattered throughout the liver in both cases. Neither subject was an illicit drug user: one had travelled to Italy 10 years earlier and the other had a blood transfusion during a 5‐year residence in Bangkok in the past.Thus, there is delta infection among non‐intravenous drug users in Japan. Delta infection has been linked to severe liver damage, occasionally fatal. Once introduced, it could become epidemic in a country where hepatitis B virus infection is endemic, and might spread among non‐drug users.
Studies on duck hepatitis B virus: Identification and epidemiological survey in Taiwan
Authors: CHANG ALLAN CHING‐HWA , SHIEN YONG‐SHOU , HUANG GUAN‐TARN , CHEN DING‐SHINN , LEE SHENG‐CHUNG , SUNG JUEI‐LOW 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe presence of duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) in domestic ducks in Taiwan was confirmed by DNA polymerase assay, Southern blot analysis and electron microscopy. To investigate the epidemiology of this virus, a total of 1274 serum samples were collected from 30 duck farms from different areas of Taiwan and studied by spot hybridization and/or DNA polymerase assay. The positive rates varied among different strains of ducks: 16% in 243 Pekin ducks, 12% in 392 Chinese common domestic ducks, 4% in 196 Muscovy, 25% in 292 Taiwan Kaiyas and 13% in 151 mule ducks. The positive rate was much higher in the younger ducks; it was highest (30.7%) in ducklings under 1 month of age, followed by ducks aged 1–12 months (11.8%), and lowest in those ducks older than 1 year (7.7%). It was concluded that the prevalence of DHBV infection in domestic ducks in Taiwan is generally high, and that the infected ducks may serve as an animal model for human hepatitis B virus infection which is also prevalent in Taiwan.
Pattern of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in northern India—An endoscopic study of 316 patients
Authors: DILAWARI J. B. , KAUR UPJEET , NARAYANAN V. A. , AUGUSTINE PHILLIP , DAS JAYARAM , ALI HASSAN , BAMBERY P. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThree hundred and sixteen patients with acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage were studied prospectively and consecutively. The most frequent cause was variceal bleeding due to portal hypertension (36%), followed by peptic ulceration (24%) and gastric erosions (19%). Variceal haemorrhage tended to be severe and had a high individual mortality rate. Associated acute mucosal lesions with portal hypertension were strikingly less frequent when compared with the experience from the West. Seven per cent of patients died of bleeding alone and an equal number of an associated systemic disorder or complication. Splenomegaly was present in all patients with a variceal haemorrhage due to non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension. However, in patients with portal hypertension due to cirrhosis splenomegaly was present in 63%. Endoscopy altered the clinical diagnosis in 13.2% of patients. Based on previous experience oesophago‐gastro‐duodenal endoscopy has been a useful tool in the management of acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.
Expression of urokinase‐type plasminogen activator in the mucosal lesions of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: ELLIOTT ROBERT , STEPHENS ROSS W. , DOE WILLIAM F. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe expression of plasminogen activators was analysed in mucosal homogenates from inflammatory bowel disease patients to determine whether the urokinase‐type (u‐PA) is implicated in the pathogenesis of mucosal tissue injury. Homogenates of mucosal biopsy tissue from ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, infectious colitis and normal control patients were subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The types of plasminogen activator present were detected by zones of lysis in a fibrin‐agarose gel overlay. All the tissues studied displayed tissue plasminogen activator activity (t‐PA). In ulcerative colitis, 18 of the 19 diseased colon biopsies, but none of six biopsies from uninvolved areas of the same colon, showed u‐PA activity. Similar results were found in 12 Crohn's disease patients. Biopsies from the infectious colitis group and from radiation colitis patients also showed both u‐PA and t‐PA activity. The age, sex, duration of disease, and presence and type of treatment did not affect u‐PA expression in the inflamed mucosa. The results suggest that u‐PA may be implicated in the mediation of tissue injury in the inflamed intestinal mucosa.
The relationship between portal pressure and plasma albumin in the development of cirrhotic ascites
Authors: WOOD L. J. , COLMAN J. , DUDLEY F. J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAscites develops as a result of avid renal sodium retention together with an imbalance of Starling's equilibrium at the level of the hepatic sinusoid and mesenteric capillary. This study aimed to examine the effect of the imbalance between portal pressure, measured as corrected wedged hepatic vein pressure (cWHVP) and plasma oncotic pressure, measured as plasma albumin on the development of cirrhotic ascites. Fifty‐two patients with biopsy‐proven alcoholic cirrhosis were studied on 72 separate occasions. The absence of ascites was determined by the combination of lack of signs of free intraperitoneal fluid and normal prothrombin time in patients not receiving diuretics. If signs of free intraperitoneal fluid were found, the presence of ascites was confirmed by ultrasonography or diagnostic paracentesis and graded clinically as mild, moderate or severe.Ascites tended to occur with a cWHVP > 15 mmHg and plasma albumin < 35 g/l, but there was a large overlap in values between patients with and without ascites. When plasma albumin was plotted against cWHVP a clear line of separation between the presence or absence of ascites could be obtained. The equation of the line was: Plasma albumin (g/l) ‐ 16 = 1.23 cWHVP (mmHg). Ascites was present in all patients with [Plasma albumin ‐ 16]/cWHVP < 1.23. There was no significant difference in plasma albumin, cWHVP or [Plasma albumin ‐ 16]/cWHVP between patients with mild, moderate or severe ascites. If [Plasma albumin ‐ 16]/cWHVP was > 1.23, ascites was not clinically detectable and these patients no longer required diuretics.The clinical applicability of this ratio was assessed in 16 patients who had no detectable ascites but who were still receiving diuretics. In all 10 patients with a ratio > 1.23 diuretics were ceased without reaccumulation of ascites. Thus this ratio may be used to predict when patients no longer require diuretic therapy.
Role of cholic acid in the dietary induction of cholesterol gall‐bladder stones in mice
Authors: WATTS M. J. WHITING AND J. MCK. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe diet of male Swiss mice was supplemented with cholesterol and different bile acids, or the plant sterol diosgenin, to determine the effect on cholesterol metabolism and gallstone formation. Cholic acid enhanced intestinal cholesterol absorption and markedly increased cholesterol levels in serum, liver and bile. In contrast, chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid and hyodeoxycholic acid inhibited the increase in cholesterol absorption and liver cholesterol content produced by a cholesterol‐supplemented diet. Biliary cholesterol reached saturated levels in mice fed cholesterol and cholic acid or diosgenin, but gallstones were observed only in association with the cholic acid‐containing diet. This diet also induced marked gall‐bladder enlargement with mucus glycoprotein hypersecretion. These results indicate that both supersaturated bile and gall‐bladder mucus production may be necessary for the development of gallstones in mice.
Percutaneous transhepatic catheterization of the portal venous system
Authors: BURCHARTH FLEMMING , JOYCE FREDERIC 
Published: March 2008

AbstractDuring recent years, percutaneous transhepatic catheterization of the portal venous system has become the most accurate procedure for investigation of the portal system. The procedure can be performed under local analgesia, is relatively simple, and complications are rare. The success rate is high, approximately 90%, especially when the liver hilum is localized by ultrasonography prior to catheterization. The free portal pressure can be measured. Selective catheterization of all portal tributaries can be performed. The indications are: portography in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and portal hypertension for delineation of collateral vein systems including gastro‐oesophageal varices; visualization of veins that may be used for portosystemic shunt operations; postoperative control of shunt patency; diagnosis of portal and hepatic vein thrombosis; localization of stenosis in the portal vein system; pre‐operative evaluation of patients with tumours in the biliary tract and pancreas; obliteration of bleeding oesophageal varices; and verification and localization of endocrine pancreatic tumours making curative resection possible. Further, transhepatic catheterization of the portal system may be used in research on the development of portal hypertension, collateral veins, variceal bleeding, and for haemodynamic, metabolic and pharmacologic studies in the gastrointestinal tract.
Increased expression of urokinase‐type plasminogen activator in colorectal carcinoma and in adenomatous polyps
Authors: ELLIOTT ROBERT , STEPHENS ROSS W. , SIM PHENG‐SIEW , DOE WILLIAM F. 
Published: March 2008

Human plasminogen activators (HPA) comprise the tissue type produced mainly by endothelial cells of 66 000 molecular weight (MW) which is principally involved in fibrinolysis (HPA66) and the urokinase type of 52 000 MW (HPA52) which is implicated in the invasion process of malignancy. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the pattern of HPA expression in histologically normal colonic mucosa, sporadic polyps, polyposis coli polyps, and in colon cancer tissue, to determine whether the expression of HPA52 is a correlate of neoplastic transformation of colonic epithelial cells. Homogenates of colonoscopic biopsies and resected colon tissue were subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the HPA activity was detected by a fibrin overlay gel. In histologically normal mucosal biopsies from non‐cancer‐bearing colons and in uninvolved mucosa from cancer‐bearing colons, only HPA66 was detected. By contrast, all 19 colon cancer specimens expressed HPA52 and 16 of these also showed HPA66 activity. Two of three colon cancer cell lines showed HPA52 activity, but none expressed HPA66. HPA52 activity was observed in 17 of 20 adenomatous polyps, all of which displayed HPA66 activity. No correlation was found between polyp size, degree of epithelial dysplasia or the type of polyp architecture, and the semiquantitative estimates of HPA52 activity as judged by the areas of fibrinolysis generated.This study of HPA52 in the colon epithelial neoplasms comprising adenomatous polyps, colon cancer tissue and colon cancer cell lines suggests that the transformation of the colon epithelial cell correlates with increased expression of HPA52, an enzyme that has been implicated in the invasive process of malignancy.
Effect of cholestasis produced by temporary bile‐duct occlusion on hepatic glutathione and γ‐glutamyl transferase levels in the pig
Authors: SHI E. C. P. , ROSE M. A. , HAM J. M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractImportant factors in drug metabolite‐induced hepatocellular injury are the production of toxic intermediaries by biotransformation processes and the protective capacity of hepatic detoxification systems. In the present study, the hepatic total glutathione (reduced glutathione plus oxidized glutathione), and γ‐glutamyl transferase (γGT) levels, which are important components of a hepatic detoxification system, were measured in pigs before, during, and after bile‐duct occlusion (BDO). The hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) level fell significantly in the group with BDO compared with a sham operated control group. However, there were no significant changes in the hepatic oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and γGT levels in the two groups. It was also demonstrated that the hepatic GSH level returned to normal 1 week after the BDO was relieved.
The effects of antiviral agents on serum hepatitis B e antigen levels in chronic type B hepatitis
Authors: KURAI KIYOHIKO , IINO SHIRO , KOIKE KAZUHIKO , MITAMURA KEIJI , ENDO YASUO , OKA HIROSHI 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn the present study, aiming at the evaluation of the effects of antiviral therapy on hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) levels, serum HBeAg concentration was determined serially by a quantitative assay in 44 patients with chronic hepatitis B who received a total of 73 courses of antiviral treatment. The posttreatment HBeAg levels were significantly lower than pretreatment baseline in all treated groups, not only at the end of treatment but also 6 months after the completion of therapy. The proportional decrease in treated patients was significantly greater than in 15 untreated controls. Six months after the completion of treatment, serum HBeAg became negative in seven out of 25 treatments with interferon, seven out of 28 with adenine arabinoside, and five out of 20 with adenine arabinoside 5'‐monophosphate. All patients who became negative for HBeAg had normalization of alanine aminotransferase as well. A progressive decrease in HBeAg in patients treated with multiple courses of drug was observed, and the frequency of negative tests increased, paralleling the number of courses of treatment.These results suggest that antiviral therapy may alleviate inflammatory changes in the liver by promoting clearance of HBeAg from the serum, and may eventually shorten the natural course of hepatitis associated with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
Measurement of carboxy terminal peptide of type I procollagen in sera of patients with viral hepatitis and liver cirrhosis
Authors: NIITSU YOSHIRO , KODA KYUHEI , ITO NOBUYUKI , OWADA MINORU , MORITA KOETSU , WATANABE NAOKI , KOHGO YUTAKA , SEIFTER SAM , URUSHIZAKI ICHIRO 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn the present investigation, a radioimmunoassay for carboxy terminal peptide of human type I procollagen (type 1 C‐peptide) was developed. Its clinical implication for serodiagnosis of hepatic fibrosis in 85 patients with viral hepatitis, 45 patients with post‐hepatitic liver cirrhosis and 37 patients with alcoholic liver diseases was evaluated in comparison with that of the previously established amino terminal peptide (type III N‐peptide) assay. Anti‐sera against type I procollagen was obtained by immunization of rabbit with purified type I procollagen from culture medium of IMR‐90.The serum level of type I C‐peptide in normal subjects was found to be 42 ng/ml (s.d. = 19). Type I C‐peptide levels in patients with acute hepatitis were within normal range, while in chronic hepatitis, the mean type I C‐peptide level increased as the grade of fibrosis advanced from grade I to III. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the mean type I C‐peptide level of grade III and that of liver cirrhosis. Increments of type I C‐peptide levels were also observed in alcoholic liver fibrosis (fatty liver with fibrosis and liver cirrhosis).On the other hand, type III N‐peptide assay appeared to reflect not only the degree of hepatic fibrosis, but also the degree of hepatic inflammation, giving the high levels in acute viral hepatitis.Collectively, the results indicate the usefulness of type I C‐peptide assay for monitoring hepatic fibrosis in viral hepatitis as well as in alcoholic liver disease.
Immunological aspects of chronic hepatitis
Authors: BÜSCHENFELDE KARL‐HERMANN MEYER ZUM , MANNS MICHAEL , GERKEN GUIDO 
Published: March 2008

AbstractChronic active hepatitis (CAH) is a clinically and histologically defined syndrome which is aetiologically heterogeneous. Immune reactions are involved in almost all types of chronic inflammatory liver diseases. The host's immune system is thought to contribute significantly to the degree of liver cell destruction in chronic hepatitis B—HBcAg is regarded as a major target antigen. Auto‐immune type CAH is a syndrome of unknown aetiology, a loss of tolerance against self antigens is thought to be a principal pathogenetic mechanism. At least three different subgroups of auto‐immune type CAH can be distinguished by circulating auto‐antibodies: antinuclear antibodies (ANA), smooth muscle antibodies (SMA), liver membrane auto‐antibodies (LMA); liver‐kidney‐microsomal antibodies (LKM); and antibodies to a soluble liver antigen (SLA). The identification of auto‐immune type CAH has clinical relevance since only auto‐immune type CAH seems to profit from immunosuppressive therapy. A suppressor T cell defect was demonstrated in chronic hepatitis B and auto‐immune type CAH. However, this defect could only be reversed by the addition of prednisone in vitro in auto‐immune type CAH. Present research concentrates on the evaluation of the precise cellular mechanisms leading to liver cell destruction. In vitro cytotoxicity assays including autologous target cell systems have several drawbacks due to the use of peripheral blood lymphocytes and the questionable viability of the hepatocytes isolated from liver biopsies. Immunohistological studies using monoclonal antibodies revealed that T8 positive T lymphocytes account for the majority of the inflammatory cell infiltrate. In addition, T cell clones derived from liver biopsies are mainly T8 positive and show cytotoxic function in vitro. At present, little is known about the antigen specificity of these liver‐derived T cell clones.
Nucleotide sequence of a hepatitis B virus genome of subtype adw isolated from a Philippine: Comparison with the reported three genomes of the same subtype
Authors: ESTACIO RHODORA C. , CHAVEZ CARLITA C. , OKAMOTO HIROAKI , LINGAO AUGUSTO L. , REYES MARITA T. , DOMINGO ERNESTO , MAYUMI MAKOTO 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe complete nucleotide sequence was determined for a hepatitis B virus genome of subtype adw (pFDW294) isolated and cloned from the plasma sample of a Philippino. The genome was 3221 base‐pair long with a point mutation at the 1376th nucleotide that affected the coding capacity of the P and X genes. There was a wide range of sequence divergence among pFDW294 and the reported three genomes of the same subtype (1.1–9.9%), occurring more often in the pre‐S region and the S gene than in the pre‐C region and the C gene.
Hydatid disease: A global health problem still to be solved*
Authors: GEMMELL M. A. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAn assessment has been made of the significance to human health of cystic (CHD) and alveolar (AHD) hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis. In the case of CHD, it is concluded that: morbidity is usually grossly underestimated; infection can usually be treated successfully by surgery, but not yet by drug therapy; and control in animals is generally feasible, but justification for its implementation requires an effective assessment of ill health in humans. For AHD it is concluded that: despite surgical intervention the infection is almost invariably fatal in the short rather than the long term, but drug treatment should improve the quality and duration of life; and methods and feasibility of control in animals have yet to be researched.