bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatocyte transplantation
Authors: GUPTA SANJEEV 
Published: March 2003

Summary Repopulation of the liver with transplanted cells holds significant promise for developing novel therapies. The liver is a most suitable target for treating a variety of genetic, metabolic and acquired diseases. Liver disease, such as chronic viral hepatitis, constitutes an enormous burden worldwide. Advancing liver cell therapy requires insights into mechanisms of cell engraftment and proliferation, as well as unique requirements of specific diseases for correction by cell transplantation. This review highlights recent developments in the area of hepatocyte transplantation. Aspects concerning modulation of cell engraftment, regulation of gene expression and proliferation of transplanted cells are discussed. Other issues concern the current status of clinical applications of hepatocyte transplantation, as well as novel sources of cells that could benefit cell therapy in the future. The general conclusion is that cell therapy has become more practical in recent years and insights into how the normal liver and the diseased liver can be repopulated will offer effective ways to treat many disorders in the near future.© 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Endoscopic variceal ligation for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleed: Preliminary report of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: De Binay , Ghoshal Udaym , Das Tapas , Santra Amal , Biswas Pranab 
Published: March 2003

Background: Prevention of variceal bleeding, a major cause of morbidity and mortality, is an important goal in the management of patients with portal hypertension (PHT). Although propranolol has been found useful in preventing the first episode of variceal bleeding (primary prophylaxis) in cirrhotic PHT, it has limitations which include side effects, contraindications, non‐compliance and failure in some patients. Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) has not been used for primary prophylaxis. Methods: Thirty cirrhotic patients with PHT, grade III to IV oesophageal varices, hepatic venous pressure gradient ≥ 12 mmHg and no prior history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding were randomized to receive propranolol (to reduce their pulse rate by 25% from baseline, n = 15) and EVL (weekly to fortnightly until variceal eradication, n = 15). The two groups were comparable. All the patients in EVL group had variceal eradication during 3.8 ± 2.2 sessions. Results: There was no major complication or interval bleeding. During a follow‐up period of 17.6 ± 4.7 months, varices recurred in three, two of which bled (successfully treated by EVL). In contrast, during this period of follow up one patient in the propranolol group had variceal bleeding (P = NS). Side effects of propranolol included symptomatic bradycardia requiring reduction of dose in one of 15 patients. Conclusions: Although sample size in this study is small, it seems that EVL may be a good option for primary prophylaxis for variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhotic PHT; further studies on a larger number of patients and longer follow up are required.
Minimal role of GB virus‐C/hepatitis G virus in fulminant and subfulminant hepatitis in Taiwan
Authors: Liu Chun‐Jen , Kao Jia‐Horng , Lai Ming‐Yang , Chen Pei‐Jer , Chu Jan‐Show , Chen Wendy , Chen Ding‐Shinn 
Published: March 2003

Background: The role of GB virus‐C/hepatitis G virus (GBV‐C/HGV) in fulminant hepatitis (FH) and subfulminant hepatitis (SFH) remains unclear. Methods: Thirty‐two FH or SFH patients, with adequate clinical information and serum specimens, were studied. Serum samples were tested for hepatitis markers and genomes of hepatitis A–E viruses, as well as GBV‐C/HGV. Results: Of the cases of FH/SFH studied, one (3%) was caused by anti‐tuberculosis agents, 26 (81%) had hepatotropic virus infection, and five (16%) had no identifiable cause. Of the 26 patients with hepatotropic virus infection, five had acute hepatitis B infection (one with acute hepatitis D virus (HDV) co‐infection), one had acute hepatitis C infection, 16 were hepatitis B surface antigen carriers with reactivation or superimposed by unidentified agent(s) (two had triple virus infections), three were hepatitis B carriers with HDV superinfection, and one had GBV‐C/HGV infection in addition to exposure to halothane. GBV‐C/HGV‐RNA was detected in only three of 32 patients (9%) and all had a history of blood transfusion or co‐existing causative factors. Of the 26 patients with hepatotropic virus infection, 18 were tested for antibodies against GBV‐C/HGV envelope protein and seven were reactive, suggesting past infection. Conclusions: The role of GBV‐C/HGV in causing FH and SFH is minimal in Taiwan and HBV infection remains the major aetiology. These findings also suggest the existence of as yet unrecognized agents, responsible for such catastrophic illnesses.
Increased neutrophil chemotaxis in obstructive jaundice: An in vitro experiment in rats
Authors: Tsuji Kazuyuki , Kubota Yoshitsugu , Yamamoto Shin , Yanagitani Kaori , Amoh Yasuo , Takaoka Makoto , Ogura Mami , Kin Hideyuki , Inoue Kyoichi 
Published: March 2003

Background and Aims: Changes in neutrophil functions in obstructive jaundice have been poorly understood. An in vitro experimental study was performed to evaluate the effect of obstructive jaundice on the functions of macrophages (secretion of neutrophil chemoattractants) and neutrophils (chemotaxis and superoxide anion generation). Methods: Obstructive jaundice was produced in rats by 7 day bile duct ligation. Peripheral neutrophils and peritoneal macrophages were harvested from either normal, sham‐ligated or bile duct‐ligated rats and supernatants of the monolayers of the respective macrophages were prepared after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Neutrophil chemotaxis was evaluated with a modified Boyden method. Results: The supernatant of the bile duct‐ligated rat macrophages showed a chemotactic effect on normal rat neutrophils with insignificant difference from the supernatant of the sham‐ligated rat macrophages. Chemotaxis of the bile duct‐ligated rat neutrophils towards the supernatant of the normal rat macrophages was significantly increased, compared with that of sham‐ligated rat neutrophils. Similarly, neutrophils from bile duct‐ligated rats showed significantly greater chemotaxis to formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine than the sham‐ligated rat neutrophils. Superoxide anion generation in response to formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine or phorbol myristate acetate was significantly increased in the bile duct‐ligated rats compared with the sham‐ligated rats. Conclusions: The results suggest that the neutrophil is primed in terms of chemotaxis and superoxide anion generation in obstructive jaundice. How these activated neutrophils play a role in the inflammatory response to obstructive jaundice should be evaluated.
Extracorporeal support and hepatocyte transplantation in acute liver failure and cirrhosis
Authors: Riordan Stephen M , Williams Roger 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe relative shortage of donor organs and lack of immediate availability mean that many patients with acute liver failure die before orthotopic liver transplantation can be performed. An effective temporary liver support system could improve the chance of survival with or without a transplant being ultimately carried out. Recent technological advances resulting in improved maintenance of hepatocyte viability and function in culture and bioreactor designs which facilitate adequate perfusion of the cellular component and removal of products of cellular metabolism have led to the development of a number of bioartificial devices for liver support. Three such devices have undergone preliminary clinical evaluation in the setting of acute liver failure, with a statistically significant reduction in raised intracerebral pressure along with improvements in consciousness level and some biochemical parameters associated with treatment with one of these. Several other devices with different characteristics have shown promise in vitro and/or in animal models but await clinical evaluation. Several new totally artificial systems have also been described, along with the emergence of isolated hepatocyte transplantation, with reports of successful ‘bridging’ to liver transplantation. Controlled trials on a multicentre basis in well‐defined patient groups and with standardized outcome measures will be required to properly evaluate the clinical value of each of these approaches to providing liver support in acute liver failure and cirrhosis. A better understanding of mechanisms underlying multiorgan failure and of factors inhibiting liver regeneration, thereby allowing a more targeted approach, will be essential to the further development of effective liver support strategies in these settings.
Superinfection of TT virus and hepatitis C virus among chronic haemodialysis patients
Authors: Ikeuchi Tetsu , Okuda Kunio , Yokosuka Osamu , Kanda Tatsuo , Kobayashi Susumu , Murata Motoi , Hayashi Haruyuki , Yokozeki Kazuo , Ohtake Yoshio , Kashima Takashi , Irie Yasubumi 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: The TT virus (TTV), a new DNA virus found in Japan from a patient with post‐transfusion hepatitis non‐A–non‐G, is frequently positive in the sera of patients with liver disease. It is not established whether this virus causes liver damage. We studied the frequency of superinfection of this virus and hepatitis C virus (HCV) known to be endemic among haemodialysis patients, and the possible deleterious effect of TTV on HCV‐induced chronic liver disease.
Methods
: We used primers from a conservative region in the TTV genome (Okamoto, 1998) to detect TTV. Sera from 163 dialysis patients positive for anti‐HCV and 77 dialysis patients negative for anti‐HCV (control) were tested.
Results
: TT Virus positivity was 35% among HCV antibody (anti‐HCV)‐positive patients and 45.4% among anti‐HCV‐negative patients. TT Virus positivity was unrelated to the length of haemodialysis or amounts of blood the patients had received in the past. More anti‐HCV‐positive patients had a history of transfusion, but TTV positivity was not as closely associated with transfusion as anti‐HCV positivity. The severity of chronic liver disease was estimated from peak serum alanine aminotransferase levels in the preceding 6 months. Among anti‐HCV positives, TTV‐positive patients tended to have less active disease; at least there was no indication that TTV superinfection aggravated chronic hepatitic C in long‐term dialysis patients. Four of 35 anti‐HCV‐negative, TTV‐positive patients had chronic active liver disease, while none of the anti‐HCV‐negative and TTV‐negative patients did.
Conclusions
: TT Virus infection is prevalent among haemodialysis patients. Its transmission occurs not only by blood transfusion, but also by non‐parenteral infection. Superinfection of TTV does not exert deleterious effects on the liver disease induced by HCV. However, it may cause chronic hepatitis in a limited number of patients, but remains dormant most of the time. Triple infection, HCV and TTV plus HBV or HGV (one case each), did not cause severe liver disease.
Endoscopic sphincter dilation in patients with bile duct stones: Immediate and medium‐term results
Authors: Ueno Norio , Ozawa Yoshifumi 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: Endoscopic sphincter dilation (ESD) is believed to successfully treat bile duct stones without serious procedure‐related complications.
Methods
: We evaluated the efficacy, safety and limitations of this relatively new procedure in a consecutive series of patients to establish the clinical role of this modality for treating bile duct stones. One hundred and forty‐three consecutive patients were treated by ESD between July 1995 and March 1998. The balloons used were a Maxforce 5‐Fr or Olbert 5‐Fr balloon‐tipped catheter with a maximal diameter of 8 mm. Mechanical lithotriptor (ML) or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) were used when stones were large and/or numerous and a Dormia basket or retrievable balloon catheter was used to extract the stones entirely. Procedure‐related symptoms and chemical data after the procedure were monitored during and after ESD at least until the following morning. To diagnose residual stones accurately, intraductal ultrasonography was routinely used.
Results
: Although the majority of patients complained of subtle pain during balloon inflation and demonstrated oozing during and after balloon inflation, the procedures were well tolerated. Complete stone extraction was achieved in 139 (97.2%) of the patients. Mechanical lithotriptor and ESWL were used to assist stone clearance in 79 (55.2%) and 23 (16.1%) patients, respectively. Mild pancreatitis occurred in six patients (4.2%). However, there were no other serious complications. Stone recurrence was identified in six patients and these stones were re‐extracted by subsequent ESD procedures.
Conclusions
: A high success rate for stone extraction and the relative safety of this procedure was confirmed. However, there was recurrence in a relatively high percentage of patients within a short period and this may be a forthcoming issue in ESD. Long‐term follow‐up observation and the establishment of countermeasures for stone recurrence seem to be essential.
C ASE R	EPORT: Clostridium septicum infection presenting as liver abscess in a case of choriocarcinoma with liver metastasis
Authors: Lee Chern‐Horng , Hsieh Sen‐Yung 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Clostridium septicum is an anaerobic, Gram‐positive bacillus. Infection with this organism has a known association with malignant diseases, especially colon and haematological cancers. Clostridium septicum is rarely found to be a pathogen of liver abscess. Herein, we report the case of a female choriocarcinoma patient with liver metastasis in which C. septicum infection presented as a gas‐forming liver abscess. This case and previous reports indicate that once C. septicum is identified as a pathogen in liver abscess, metastatic liver tumours should be highly suspected.© 1999 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd
HELICOBACTER PYLORI IN GASTRIC CANCER
Authors: Simadibrata Marcellus , Yuwono Vera , Rani A. Azis 
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveHelicobacter pylori (Hp) has a dominan role in gastroduodenale diseases i.e chronic active gastritis peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. The prevalence of gastric cancer in Indonesia from upper GI endoscopy examinations was 1.33‐4.2%. The prevalence of Hp infection in gastric cancer worlwide is between 52 ‐ 94%. Hp infection may lead chronic active gastritis to be dysplasia and then carcinoma. The aim of this study is to find the prevalence of Hp infection in gastric cancer, the relation between Hp and gastric cancer.Material & MethodsThe gastric cancer cases who were treated in Ciptomangunkusumo hospital and Abdiwaluyo hospital in 2 years (1998‐1999) were included in this study. As control we included chronic gastritis cases in the same years and same hospital. All of the patients were done endoscopical examination, mucosal biopsy for pathological examination or CLO test and serum Hp serology examination (IgG Helicobacter pylori). Hp infection was thought to be positive if minimally the pathological examination positive or both of CLO test & Hp serology positive. Exclusion if incomplete data, the patient refused to follow the study. Statistic chi‐square test or fisher test.ResultWe got 21 cases of gastric cancer and 78 cases of chronic gastritis. The most frequent characteristic of gastric cancer patients was age group 50‐59 yo(38.09%), male(80.95%), batak ethnic(38.09%), blood A group (50%). The symptom of the patients were upper GI bleeding (42.85%), abdominal mass (66.66%). Hp was positive in 17/21(80.95%) of gastric cancer patients and 17/78(21.79%) of chronic gastritis patients, respectively (p=0.000001).Hppositive in adenocarcinoma (52.38%), signet ring cell carcinoma (19.04%), carcinoid tumor (4.76%) & malt lymphoma (4.76%).ConclusionHp infection is very frequent in gastric cancer.
PRESENCE OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI IN BILE AND BILE DUCT MALIGNACIES
Authors: Bulajic Milutin , Jovanovic Ivan , Lohr Matthias 
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveTo evaluate the role of H. p in biliary malignancies, in conjunctions with smoking and coffee consumption habits.Material & Methods89 patients (m = 41, f = 47; AGE 57.7 ± 16.4), referred to the clinic for diagnosis of hepatobiliary diseases. All the patients underwent full clinical workup, including anamnestic data on smoking and coffee consumption habits. The fast urease test on gastric biopsy specimens was done in all the cases. Bile was sampled during routine ERCP. The final diagnosis was established by surgery, pathohistology, and/or long term clinical follow‐up. DNA was extracted for nested PCR for H.p. urease A gene producing a 258 bp product.ResultBile duct malignancies were detected in 15/89 patients (16.8%). H.p was detected in bile by PCR in 12/15 patients (80%), and all of them were H.p. positive on fast urease test. In the remaining 74 patients (bile calculosis 48, cholangitis 17, miscellaneous 9) PCR detected H.p. in 36 patients (48.6%). The group of patient with biliary malignancies had approximately the same ratio smokers/nonsmokers as in the group of patients with other biliary pathology. However, when the patients with PCR for H.p. in bile were excluded, and the group stratified according to the duration and daily quantity of smoking, the group with tumors was made up by heavy, long term smokers (41.7%;>20 pack years) in comparison to the benign condition (13.85%). The duration of coffee consumption was without difference between the analyzed groups (approx. 30 years), but concerning the daily quantity of coffee, the group with biliary malignancies consumed larger amounts (>3 cup/day), in comparison to the other (66.7% vs 30.5 %, respectively).ConclusionThere seems to be a strong link between bile duct malignancies and H.p. in bile. The conjuctional effect of smoking to biliary malignancies is based on both long duration and daily quantity, while the coffee consumption has a influence in term of daily amounts rather than duration.
ASCORBIC ACID EFFECT TO PURSUE HELICOBACTER PYLORI’S GROWTH: IN VITRO STUDIES
Authors: Pratomo Bogi , Achmad Harijono 
Published: March 2003

BackgroundAscorbic acid was known had a role as redox agent for biological oxidation and perform antioxidant function by removing free radicals. Because of its ability as an antioxidant ,hypothetically ascorbic acid could indirectly solve helicobacter pylori infection and prevented chronical gastritis become malignancy of the stomach. Purpose : To know the direct influence of ascorbic acid with different concentration to the growth of Helicobacter pylori.MethodsLaboratory invitro experimental eksplorative. Simple randomized design research. This research design use one control,namely no ascorbic acid Helicobacter pylori. Independent variable used in this research was ascorbic acid with various dosage from 0,5 up to 500 mg. The dependent variable was Helicobacter pylori growth counted qualitative and quantitative. Controle variable used is BAP, liquid thioglicate seeding,anaerobic jar and dosage of Helicobacter pylori isolat malang 109 permililitre. Helicobacter pylori identification based on several criteria such as colonies,urease test, oxidase test,catalyst test ,lump sugar reaction,and microscopic observation by gram stain. Ascorbic acid whose concentration measured is inoculated by Helicobacter pylori, then incubated in the anaerobic jar for 48 hour. To see the growth of Helicobacter pylori, a qualitative counting is done with seeing snoring of the jar. Planting is done in BAP from clear test tube,then incubated in the anaerobic jar for 2 days after that we count the numbers of colonies of bacteries grow on BAP using total plate count. Such biochemical test and microscopic observation perform to prove the bacteries was Helicobacter pylori. To analyze the data,variant analysis,LSD,and analitic descriptive test was used.ResultQualitative count result shows that there is no Helicobacter pylori growth(giving scored 0), begin from the treatment group using concentration 125 mg up to 500 mg. In the quantitative count, the preventive ability of ascorbic acid 125 mg is 11,46 %, 300 mg is 32 %,400 mg is 49,4 % and 500 mg is 58,78 %. In ANOVA we get the number of colonies grow show a significant difference on the five treatment group (p< 0,05 ) . By LSD test, the helicobacter pylori with 500 mg ascorbic acid group shows significant decreasing of the colony numbers ( p < 0,05 ) compared to controling group and 125 mg ascorbic acid group.ConclusionsThe giving of ascorbic acid from the concentration of 400 mg up to 500 mg will decrease Helicobacter pylori growth.Dosage of ascorbic acid 500 mg has the highest preventive ability compared with another group. This preventive mechanism probably concern with ability of ascorbic acid as antioxidant.
GENOTYPING OF VIRULENCE FACTORS IN H. PYLORI USING A MICROARRAY WITH FOCUS ON THE CAG PATHOGENICITY ISLAND
Authors: Sillèn Anna , Eriksson Lena , Engstrand Lars 
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveThe aim of this work was to identify genetic differences regarding virulence factors in Helicobacter pylori, including the cag pathogenicity island (PAI). Sixty strains isolated from patients belonging to case‐control study was analyzed H. pylori infection is associated with chronic gastritis, duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer. Vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA) producing strains of H. pylori are mostly isolated from patients with the more severe diseases. The CagA (cytotoxin associated gene A) protein is associated with cytotoxin production, and the corresponding gene cagA is found in ca. 60% of H. pylori strains. The CagA gene is located in the cag pathogenicity island, which is 38 kb in size and contains 28 open reading frames. The function of the CagA protein is still unknown. Hitherto, no study has been made to investigate if it actually is the cagA gene which determines the pathogenicity or if it can be one (or several) of the neighbouring genes.Materials & MethodsThe cases have adenocarcinoma and the controls have different non‐cancer GI diseases. We have set up a microarray system, which enables us to screen for genotypic differences for a large number of strains. The microarray consist of 45 PCR products spotted onto poly‐L‐lysine coated slides. These PCR products were amplified from all 28 predicted genes in the H. pylori cag PAI and from 17 other virulence genes. As template in the PCR reactions, DNA from the sequenced strain 26695 was used. The PCR primers were designed based on the public whole genome sequence from 26695 strains. The arrays were made by a GMS 417 Arrayer. Genomic DNA was prepared using bacteria from a whole agar plate. The DNA was digested by AluI and fluorescently labelled with Cy3‐dCTP by random priming. Hybridisation was performed o.n. and the arrays were then scanned for signals using the GMS 418 Array Scanner.ResultsAnalysis of the clinical isolates showed a great variety in the genetic make‐up concerning the cag PAI. Strains that are cagA negative can still contain a large fragment of the PAI and vice versa. Partial deletions of the PAI was especially observed among the control strains. Furthermore, the array is sensitive enough to differentiate between the vacA gene subtypes (s1/s2 and m1/m2) which earlier have been made by PCR.ConclusionWe have shown that it is very important to distinguish between a cagA negative strain and a cag PAI negative one. Statistics from these 155 strains will hopefully pinpoint which gene/‐s that is the real virulence determinant in the cag PAI ‐ if it is cagA or some other gene.