bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aspirin Downregulates Homocysteine Formation in Stimulated Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Authors: Schroecksnadel K. , Frick B. , Winkler C. , Wirleitner B. , Schennach H. , Fuchs D. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractModerate hyperhomocysteinaemia is established as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, thrombosis, stroke and dementia. Hyperhomocysteinaemia is mostly caused by the deficiency of B‐vitamins folate and vitamin B12, which are essential cofactors in the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. Interestingly, moderate hyperhomocysteinaemia is also often observed in chronic diseases, in which also elevated immune activation markers such as neopterin or sTNFR‐II are found. In order to simulate immune activation in vitro, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were stimulated with mitogens. Stimulation significantly increased homocysteine production in comparison with unstimulated PBMC; in parallel also neopterin formation was induced. Homocysteine formation was due to cell proliferation, proliferating T lymphocytes, and also the myelomonocytic cell line U‐937 produced homocysteine. Treatment with the anti‐inflammatory drug aspirin dose‐dependently inhibited homocysteine production and also neopterin formation in human PBMC. Treatment with salicylic acid showed similar effects as aspirin; FACS analysis showed that both compounds inhibited cell proliferation by arresting cells in the G0/G1‐phase. In U‐937, both compounds also slightly induced apoptosis at 5 mm. Proliferation‐induced homocysteine formation and in parallel also monocyte activation can be suppressed effectively by aspirin and salicylic acid in vitro, suggesting that also in vivo aspirin may downregulate not only inflammation but also formation of homocysteine.
Tumor cell dissociation score highly correlates with lymph node metastasis in superficial esophageal carcinoma
Authors: CHIBANA YOKO , FUJII SHIGEHIKO , ICHIKAWA KAZUHITO , FUJITA MIKIO , ONO YUKO , TOMITA SHIGEKI , IMURA JOHJI , KAWAMATA HITOSHI , TERANO AKIRA , FUJIMORI TAKAHIRO 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground:  It is still not clear which parameters are important for predicting the metastatic potential of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC). The purpose of the present paper was thus to investigate tumor cell dissociation (TCD) in SESCC as a predictive factor of lymph node metastasis.Methods:  Thirty‐three SESCC were classified into four groups based on the depth of tumor invasion. Carcinomas not invading as far as the muscularis mucosa were classified as group A; carcinomas invading to the muscularis mucosa or less than one‐third of the upper submucosa were classified as group B; those invading to the middle layer of the submucosa were classified as group C; and those invading one‐third of the lower submucosa were classified as group D. The TCD score was calculated by dividing the length of the TCD region by the maximal longitudinal length of the area of invasion into or beyond the lamina  propria,  and  multiplying  by  100.  E‐cadherin  expression  of  the  carcinomas  was  investigated  in  the TCD area and the successive area of mucosal invasive carcinoma (SAM).Results:  The incidence of lymph node metastasis was 0% in group A, 10% in group B, 36.4% in group C and 57.1% in group D. The mean TCD scores (±SEM) of SESCC with lymph node metastasis were higher than that without (85.3 ± 5.7, 16.3 ± 3.9, respectively; P < 0.001). In group C, the TCD score of cases with lymph node metastases was higher than in those without lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001). E‐cadherin expression was significantly reduced in the area of TCD compared with the SAM located over the TCD area (P < 0.001).Conclusions:  The TCD score is an important predictive marker for lymph node metastasis in SESCC. Clinical evaluation of TCD scores in endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) specimens would enable accurate prediction of lymph node metastasis and extend the indication of EMR treatment for SESCC.
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, endoscopic gastric findings and dyspeptic symptoms among a young Japanese population born in the 1970s
Authors: SHIMATANI TOMOHIKO , INOUE MASAKI , IWAMOTO KEIKO , HYOGO HIDEYUKI , YOKOZAKI MICHIYA , SAEKI TOSHINARI , TAZUMA SUSUMU , HORIKAWA YOKO 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground:  With the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection rapidly decreasing in Japan, endoscopic findings and dyspeptic symptoms need to be re‐evaluated.Methods:  In a health check‐up program, endoscopy was performed on 530 young Japanese subjects (371 men and 159 women) born in the 1970s. Helicobacter pylori infection was evaluated using serology and a rapid urease test. Endoscopic gastritis was classified according to the Sydney classification system, in addition to nodular gastritis. Dyspeptic symptoms were also recorded before endoscopy.Results:  Of the 530 subjects, 87 (16.4%) were H. pylori positive. Of the 443 H. pylori‐negative subjects, 349 (78.8%) were considered to have endoscopically normal gastric mucosa. However, of the 87 H. pylori‐positive subjects, only 19 (21.8%) tested normal (P < 0.001). The prevalence of several types of gastritis was significantly higher in H. pylori‐positive subjects compared with H. pylori‐negative subjects: atrophic gastritis (37.9% vs 1.1%, P < 0.001), flat erosive gastritis (29.9% vs 7.2%, P < 0.001), rugal hyperplastic gastritis (12.6% vs 0.0%, P < 0.001), and nodular gastritis (13.8% vs 0.0%, P < 0.001). Other types of gastritis were not related to H. pylori status. The prevalence of subjects with dyspeptic symptoms was significantly higher in H. pylori‐positive subjects compared with H. pylori‐negative ones (28.7% vs 6.5%, P < 0.001).Conclusion:  It is suggested that in consideration of its recent low prevalence and the slow increase in its infection, the prevalence of H. pylori‐related gastritis will gradually decrease in Japan. Further studies will be required to ascertain if there is a need for H. pylori eradication in this young population.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations as a predictor of steatohepatitis in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: GULSEN MUSTAFA , YESILOVA ZEKI , BAGCI SAIT , UYGUN AHMET , OZCAN AYHAN , ERCIN C NURI , ERDIL AHMET , SANISOGLU S YAVUZ , CAKIR ERDINÇ , ATES YUKSEL , ERBIL M KEMAL , KARAEREN NECMETTIN , DAGALP KEMAL 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground:  Although steatosis is common in patients with severe hyperhomocysteinemia due to deficiency of cystathionine β‐synthase, there are no satisfactory data on homocysteine concentrations in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical significance of plasma homocysteine concentrations in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease.Methods:  Seventy‐one non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease patients, 36 patients with chronic viral hepatitis and 30 healthy persons were enrolled in the study. Homocysteine levels were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Insulin, folate, vitamin B12 and lipoprotein levels were also determined in all groups.Results:  Homocysteine in the non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease group was found to be significantly higher than other groups. Homocysteine was found to be significantly higher in the non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis group when compared with simple steatosis group. A positive correlation was found between homocysteine and triglyceride, very‐low‐density‐lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, insulin, and index of insulin resistance in the non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease group, and a negative correlation was found between homocysteine and folate, or vitamin B12 in all groups. The homocysteine threshold for the prediction of steatohepatitis was 11.935 ng/mL. Furthermore; plasma homocysteine was a statistically significant predictor for severity of necroinflammatory activity in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis.Conclusions:  The plasma homocysteine concentrations were significiantly higher in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, while the concentrations were not affected by chronic viral hepatitis. Plasma homocysteine is a parameter for discriminating steatohepatitis from simple steatosis. Determining the plasma homocysteine concentrations may facilitate selection of steatosis patients in whom a liver biopsy should be performed.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Hepatitis C virus infection facilitates gallstone formation
Authors: CHANG TE‐SHENG , LO SING KAI , SHYR HUEIH‐YUAN , FANG JI‐TSENG , LEE WEI‐CHEN , TAI DAR‐IN , SHEEN I‐SHYAN , LIN DENG‐YN , CHU CHIA‐MING , LIAW YUN‐FAN 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground:  Bile duct damage and hepatic steatosis are two characteristic histological findings in hepatitis C virus infection; and high prevalence of hepatitis C antibody is noted in patients with cholangiocarcinoma. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between biliary diseases and hepatitis C virus infection.Methods:  Persons who received a general checkup in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between 2000 and 2002 were included. All of them had hemogram, serum biochemistry, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C antibody and ultrasonography studies. The prevalence of gallbladder stone, bile duct stone and gallbladder polyp/cholesterolosis were compared in different viral infection groups.Results:  Of the 28 486 persons, 22 967 were negative for both hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody (group NBNC), 4152 were hepatitis B surface antigen carriers (broup B), 1195 were positive for hepatitis C antibody (group C), and 172 were positive for both markers. The 379 persons (1.3%) having had cholecystectomy were considered to have gallbladder stone at the time when cholecystectomy was done. Gallbladder stone was found in 6.0% persons of group NBNC, 5.4% in group B and 11.7% in group C. The prevalence of gallbladder stone in group C was found especially high for age groups 31–40 years and 61–70 years. The prevalence of bile duct stone was higher in group C (0.4%) than in group NBNC or B (both 0.1%). Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that age, liver cirrhosis, body mass index, hepatitis C virus infection and gender were independent factors associated with gallbladder stone.Conclusions:  Hepatitis C virus infection facilitates gallstone formation.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Alteration of the expression of adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette transporters associated with bile acid and cholesterol transport in the rat liver and intestine during cholestasis
Authors: KAMISAKO TOSHINORI , OGAWA HIROSHI 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Multidrug resistance protein 2 (Mrp2), Mrp3, adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette transporter g5 (Abcg5) and adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette transporter g8 (Abcg8) have been identified as bile acid or cholesterol transporter in the enterocytes as well as hepatocytes. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate intestinal and hepatic adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette transporter expressions during cholestasis.Methods:  Experiment 1: Rats were subjected to bile duct ligation or sham operation. Blood, liver and small intestines were obtained 24 and 72 h after operation. Experiment 2: Rats were divided into four groups as follows: (i) control group; (ii) diosgenin group (fed with diosgenin in diet [1%(wt/wt)] for 7 days); (iii) ethinyl estradiol group (recieved ethinyl estradiol [5 mg/kg daily] for 5 days); and (iv) diosgenin‐ethinyl estradiol group (received ethinyl estradiol and diosgenin). After treatment, blood, bile, liver and intestines were obtained. The mRNA related to lipid and bile acid metabolism was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Results:  Intestinal Mrp2 and Abcg5/Abcg8 mRNA expression remarkably decreased 24 h after bile duct ligation (43% and 61%/54% of sham operation) and recovered 72 h after bile duct ligation (103% and 95%/83% of sham operation). Intestinal Mrp3 mRNA expression did not change after bile duct ligation. Intestinal Mrp2 mRNA expression was remarkably increased in diosgenin and diosgenin‐ethinyl estradiol groups in comparison with the control group. There were no significant differences in intestinal Mrp3 mRNA expression among the four groups. Hepatic Mrp3 mRNA expression was remarkably increased in the D, EE and DE groups in comparison with the control group (531%, 321% and 1160% of control, respectively, P < 0.01). Hepatic Abcg5 and Abcg8 mRNA expression decreased in ethinyl estradiol and diosgenin‐ethinyl estradiol groups compared with the control group and there were no differences in intestinal Abcg5 and Abcg8 mRNA expressions among the four groups.Conclusion:  Bile duct ligation affects not only hepatic but also the intestinal Mrp2 and Abcg5 and Abcg8 expressions. Intestinal Mrp2 mRNA level was regulated by factor in the lumen (e.g. diosgenin feeding). Cholestasis by ethinyl estradiol treatment was enhanced by diosgenin and the increase in hepatic Mrp3 mRNA level might affect the enhancement.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Hepatocellular carcinoma and octreotide: Treatment results in prospectively assigned patients with advanced tumor and cirrhosis stage
Authors: PLENTZ RUBEN R , TILLMANN HANS L , KUBICKA STEFAN , BLECK JÖRG S , GEBEL MICHAEL , MANNS MICHAEL P , RUDOLPH KARL L 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a major clinical problem. The only efficient treatment options are percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), radiofrequency ablation (RF) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), but these therapies are only applicable to patients with limited tumor spread and sufficient liver function. For patients with advanced tumor and poor liver function a systemic therapy is required. Octreotide, a somatostatin analog with antimitotic activity, is a controversial treatment option.Methods:  In the current study we prospectively assigned a group of 41 HCC patients with advanced HCC and cirrhosis stage to treatment with octreotide. The clinical and laboratory parameters were monitored and survival was analyzed using a Cox regression model.Results:  The medium survival in the group of all patients was 571 days. Using the Cox regression there was a significant difference in survival for alpha‐fetoprotein (P = 0.026) and Quick's test (P = 0.009) in consideration of the tumor dimension compared to the other characteristics. The tumor remained stable in 26 patients over a mean follow‐up of 21 months and progressed in 14 patients. One patient showed a partial response. There was no incidence of severe side‐effects (WHO grade 3–4). During the follow‐up time, 14 patients died because of their underlying disease.Conclusions:  Treatment with octreotide appears safe and patients show similar survival compared to a group of patients with advanced HCC treated with TACE. Further studies are necessary to investigate somatostatin receptor subtypes or receptor mutations of patients with advanced HCC in relation to their response.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Oral refeeding in patients with mild acute pancreatitis: Prevalence and risk factors of relapsing abdominal pain
Authors: CHEBLI JULIO MARIA FONSECA , GABURRI PEDRO DUARTE , DE SOUZA AÉCIO FLÁVIO MEIRELLES , JUNIOR ELSON VIDAL MARTINS , GABURRI ANA KARLA , FELGA GUILHERME EDUARDO GONÇALVES , DE PAULA ELIANE APARECIDA , FORN CECÍLIA GANIMI , DE ALMEIDA GERUSA VILELA , DE CASTRO NEHME FLAVIA 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground and Aim:  In acute pancreatitis (AP), oral refeeding may stimulate pancreatic secretion, increasing the inflammation of the glandular tissue causing relapse of abdominal pain or even exacerbation of the disease. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of abdominal pain relapse over oral refeeding in patients convalescing with AP as well as the impact of pain recurrence on the hospital stay.Methods:  Inclusion criteria were AP confirmed by biochemical and/or radiological data in the absence of severe disease or extensive necrosis. The same diet was offered to all patients during oral refeeding. Demographic, clinical, biochemical and radiological data were prospectively recorded and analyzed.Results:  A total of 130 patients were included. During the oral refeeding period, 32 (24.6%) patients had pain relapse, which was more common on days 1 (68.8%) and 2 (28.1%). Pain relapse was related to higher serum levels of lipase on the day before refeeding, higher serum levels of C‐reactive protein on the fourth day, and presence of peripancreatic fluid collections (P < 0.01). Pain relapse significantly increased total hospital stay (P < 0.01).Conclusions:  In patients with mild AP, pain relapse during oral refeeding was relatively high (24.6%), particularly on the first or second day. Their risk appeared be associated with more intense or persistent pancreatic inflammation on the day before refeeding, and presence of peripancreatic fluid collections. Pain relapse increased hospital stay, and likely overall costs on disease treatment.
Hepatic steatosis and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: KUMAR DINESH , FARRELL GEOFFREY C , KENCH JAMES , GEORGE JACOB 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Obesity associated hepatic steatosis has been suggested to have a premalignant potential. We determined whether hepatic steatosis predisposes to liver cancer in persons with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.Methods:  We compared the histological severity of steatosis in the index liver biopsies of 25 patients with chronic hepatitis C who subsequently developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with matched controls who did not. Cases were aged (mean) 54.7 years, 84% males, 76% genotype 1, and 64% fibrosis stage 4; and controls were matched for these characteristics. Those with a sustained virologic response to antiviral therapy were excluded.Results:  Duration of HCV infection, concomitant alcohol intake, body mass index and indices of past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were comparable between the groups. Controls were followed for a longer period after the index liver biopsy than were cases (113 months vs 55 months, P < 0.001). As determined by percentage area of biopsy core occupied by steatosis on computer assisted morphometric evaluation, and graded by semiquantitative histological assessment, steatosis was comparable among cases and controls. The odds of developing HCC among those with steatosis grades 1 and 2 did not differ significantly from those without steatosis. There was no association between increasing morphometric percentage area occupied by steatosis and the subsequent development of HCC. Neither steatosis grade or percent area of steatosis on biopsy were selected in multivariate regression analysis as independent predictors for the development of HCC.Conclusions:  Hepatic steatosis does not augment the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis in patients with chronic HCV infection.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Comparison between coefficient of R‐R interval variation and gastric emptying in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
Authors: ASAKAWA HIDEKI , ONISHI MAKI , HAYASHI ISAO , FUKUDA AYUMI , TOKUNAGA KATSUO 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground:  Autonomic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM).Method:  To clarify the relationship between cardiovascular autonomic function and gastric emptying rate, we investigated the gastric emptying and coefficient of R‐R interval variation (CVRR) of 84 type 2 diabetic patients: 28 cases without peripheral neuropathy and 56 cases with peripheral neuropathy. All patients were subjected to a gastric emptying test according to the marker method (administration of a capsule containing 20 pieces of radiopaque marker during breakfast, followed by abdominal X‐ray imaging 3 and 5 h later). Patients had their CVRR assessed at rest and during deep breathing.Results:  Gastric emptying scores were significantly correlated with CVRR during deep breathing and with the duration of DM, but neither age nor CVRR at rest in all patients. Gastric emptying scores and CVRR at rest and during deep breathing in patients with peripheral neuropathy were significantly deteriorated than those in patients without peripheral neuropathy. A significant correlation between gastric emptying and CVRR during deep breathing could be observed in the patients with peripheral neuropathy, but not in those without it.Conclusions:  These findings showed that CVRR during deep breathing might be a good indicator of diabetic gastropathy and that peripheral neuropathy was closely related with cardiac and gastric autonomic neuropathy in the type 2 diabetic patients.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Silent substitution S‐cone electroretinogram in subjects with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Mortlock Katharine E. , Chiti Zohreh , Drasdo Neville , Owens David R. , North Rachel V. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractA defect in the blue sensitive mechanism has been reported in certain ocular and systemic diseases. For example, tritanopic colour vision defects and changes to the S‐cone electroretinogram (ERG) have been demonstrated in glaucoma and diabetes mellitus. Electrophysiological methods of eliciting the S‐cone ERG, however, often result in considerable L‐ and M‐cone intrusion. We report the findings of a study employing the silent substitution S‐cone ERG technique, which is thought to represent an almost pure S‐cone signal, and the L'Anthony desaturated D15 colour vision test in subjects with Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus with no or minimal background retinopathy. The results of this study show a significantly increased S‐cone ERG b‐wave implicit time and significantly worse colour vision in those with background retinopathy compared with those with no diabetic retinopathy. This suggests that S‐cone pathway dysfunction may be responsible for the deterioration in colour vision found in diabetes mellitus.
The effect of strabismus on a young child's selection of a playmate
Authors: Johns Heather A. , Manny Ruth E. , Fern Karen D. , Hu Ying‐Sheng 
Published: August 2005

AbstractPurpose:  This study investigated the effect of strabismus on a child's playmate selection.Methods:  Photographs of orthotropic children aged 3–6 years were altered to simulate various magnitudes of strabismus. The pictures were arranged in pairs, one orthotropic child and one with strabismus. One hundred children aged 3–8 years viewed the photographs and were asked to select a playmate from each pair.Results:  Chi‐squared analysis found 23 children showed evidence that strabismus influenced their choices (p < 0.07). Of these 23, 12 preferred playmates with strabismus and 11 preferred orthotropic playmates. Chi‐squared analysis of all subjects combined found decisions were not based on the magnitude or direction of strabismus.Conclusions:  As only 11% of the children consistently selected against playmates with strabismus, and about the same percentage preferred playmates with strabismus (12%), the presence of strabismus does not appear to be a significant factor in peer acceptance in this age group.