bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of Listeria monocytogenes by polymerase chain reaction in intestinal mucosal biopsies from patients with inflammatory bowel disease and controls
Authors: Chen Wangxue , Li Dong , Paulus Barbara , Wilson Ian , Chadwick Vinton S 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background and Aims: Components of the intestinal microflora are believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in genetically susceptible hosts acting either as a non‐specific antigenic stimulus or as a specific pathogen. Listeria monocytogenes has been suggested as an organism with the potential to cause IBD. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of L. monocytogenes DNA in intestinal biopsies from patients with IBD and from non‐IBD controls by using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Methods: The DNA was extracted from 274 colonoscopic biopsies, which were obtained from 23 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 28 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 39 non‐IBD control patients. Nested PCR amplification was used to detect the presence of the L. monocytogenes listeriolysin O (hly) gene. The sequences of positive PCR products were determined and compared with databases.Results: The sensitivity of our nested PCR was 10 fg L. monocytogenes DNA. Overall, L. monocytogenes DNA was detected in 13.0% patients with CD, 17.9% patients with UC and 25.6% non‐IBD control patients or in 29 of 274 (10.6%) endoscopic biopsies. Among them, L. monocytogenes DNA was detected in four of 67 (6%) biopsies from patients with CD, five of 94 (5.3%) biopsies from patients with UC and 20 of 113 biopsies (17.7%) from non‐IBD control patients. Sequence analysis of positive PCR products demonstrated more than 95% similarity to the hly gene sequence of L. monocytogenes, confirming the authenticity of our PCR products.Conclusion: Listeria monocytogenes DNA was detected in the intestine of both patients with IBD and in non‐IBD control patients, probably reflecting the widespread presence of this organism in the environment. The low yield of positive biopsies in our IBD patients (5–6%) and the fact that the detection rate of L. monocytogenes DNA was similar in endoscopic biopsies from IBD patients and non‐IBD controls does not support a direct role for L. monocytogenes in the pathogenesis of IBD, at least in New Zealand patients.
Comparison of the expression of ABH/Lewis‐related antigens in polypoid and non‐polypoid growth types of colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Nakagoe Tohru , Fukushima Kiyoyasu , Nanashima Atsushi , Sawai Terumitsu , Tsuji Takashi , Jibiki Masa‐Aki , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Yasutake Toru , Ayabe Hiroyoshi , Matuo Tatsuki , Tagawa Yutaka 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aims: Colorectal tumors can be classified based on their growth pattern into the polypoid growth‐type (PG‐type) and non‐polypoid growth‐type (NPG‐type). To ascertain whether there is any relationship between the expression of particular blood group‐related antigens (A, B, H, Lewis (Le) a, sialyl Lea, Lex, sialyl Lex) in a colorectal tumor, and a tumor having polypoid or non‐polypoid growth, we examined 78 PG‐type and NPG‐type colorectal cancers.Methods: Fourteen PG‐type and 64 NPG‐type colorectal carcinomas were subjected to immunohistochemical analyses by using monoclonal antibodies against A, B, H, Lea, sialyl Lea, Lex and sialyl Lex.Results: The patients with NPG‐type carcinomas had a significantly younger age of onset, significantly smaller maximal tumor diameter, significantly higher rate of lymph node metastasis and significantly worse prognosis than those with PG‐type carcinomas. Among the 32 tumors of patients with blood type A or AB, isoantigen A was expressed in a significantly larger percentage of NPG‐type carcinomas than PG‐type carcinomas (95.8 vs 62.5%, respectively; P = 0.014). Among all 78 tumors, sialyl Lex antigen was expressed in a significantly larger percentage of NPG‐type than PG‐type carcinomas (90.6 vs 64.3%, respectively; P = 0.010). Multivariate analysis using the logistic regression model revealed that isoantigen A and sialyl Lex expression were independent predictive risk factors for the development of NPG‐type colorectal carcinoma.Conclusions: These data suggest that the expression of isoantigen A and sialyl Lex in a colorectal carcinoma partially determines whether the tumor will have polypoid or non‐polypoid growth.
Role of endothelin in endotoxin‐induced hepatic microvascular dysfunction in rats fed chronically with ethanol
Authors: Horie Yoshinori , Kato Shinzo , Ohki Eiji , Tamai Hironao , Ishii Hiromasa 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: We examined the role of endothelin in endotoxin‐induced hepatic microcirculatory disturbance in pair‐fed rats given a liquid diet containing ethanol or isocaloric control.Methods and Results: One lobe of the liver was observed with the use of an intravital microscope. Erythrocytes (RBCs) labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) were injected, and the flow velocity of the FITC‐RBCs in the sinusoids was measured with an off‐line velocimeter. The flow velocity decreased 30 min after 1 mg/kg of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered to the controls, and portal pressure (PP) was increased at 60 min. In ethanol‐fed rats, however, both the flow velocity and PP increased in the early phase (at 10 min), and in the late phase, flow velocity decreased and PP increased more than in the controls. The LPS‐induced decrease in flow velocity was blunted, when BQ‐123, an antagonist of endothelin receptor subtype A, was infused into ethanol‐fed rats, and BQ‐123 also attenuated the change in PP. The plasma endothelin levels in both systemic and portal blood of the ethanol‐fed rats were higher than in the controls.Conclusions: These results suggest that endothelin plays a role in the LPS‐induced hepatic microcirculatory disturbance, especially in alcohol‐fed animals.
Expression of interleukin‐6, leukemia inhibitory factor and their receptors by colonic epithelium and pericryptal fibroblasts
Authors: Rockman Steven P , Demmler Kirsten , Roczo Nandor , Cosgriff Angela , Phillips Wayne A , Thomas Robert J S , Whitehead Robert H 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aim: The cellular configuration of the human colon suggests a predetermined organization that creates specific microenvironments. The role of pericryptal fibroblasts in this microenvironment has been the subject of considerable speculation. This study examined the expression of growth factors and their receptors by colonic crypt epithelium and pericryptal fibroblasts.Methods and Results: Pericryptal fibroblast cells were isolated and cultured from decrypted human colonic mucosa. The pericryptal fibroblast cells expressed messenger RNA (mRNA) for interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), LIF receptor α, and the common coreceptor glycoprotein 130 (GP130), but not the IL‐6 receptor α. Interleukin‐6 protein expression was confirmed by the analysis of conditioned medium and immunohistochemistry. In comparison, normal colonic epithelial cells express mRNA for LIF but not IL‐6 as well as the receptors for GP‐130, IL‐6 receptor α but not LIF receptor α. As cultures of normal human colonic epithelial cells were not available, the conditioned medium was assayed from established colon carcinoma cell lines and demonstrated a secretion of LIF but not IL‐6 protein.Conclusion: The expression of reciprocal cytokine and receptor expression suggest that there is a paracrine relationship between pericryptal fibroblasts and colonic epithelium.
Hepatic covalent adduct formation with zomepirac in the CD26‐deficient mouse
Authors: WANG MIN , GORRELL MARK D , ABBOTT CATHERINE A , JAGGI RENE , MARGUET DIDIER , DICKINSON RONALD G 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aims: Zomepirac (ZP), a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID), has been reported to cause immune‐mediated liver injury. In vivo, ZP is metabolized to a chemically reactive acyl glucuronide conjugate (ZAG) which can undergo covalent adduct formation with proteins. Such acyl glucuronide‐derived drug‐protein adducts may be important in the development of immune and toxic responses caused by NSAID. We have shown using immunoabsorptions that the 110 kDa CD26 (dipeptidyl peptidase IV) is one of the hepatic target proteins for covalent modification by ZAG. In the present study, a CD26‐deficient mouse strain was used to examine protein targets for covalent modification by ZP/metabolites in the liver.Methods and Results: The CD26‐deficient phenotype was confirmed by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry analysis, RT‐PCR, enzyme assay and immunoblotting. Moreover, by using monoclonal antibody immunoblots, CD26 was not detected in the livers of ZP‐treated CD26‐deficient mice. Immunoblots using a polyclonal antiserum to ZP on liver from ZP‐treated mice showed three major sizes of protein bands, in the 70, 110 and 140 kDa regions. Most, but not all, of the anti‐ZP immunoreactivity in the 110 kDa region was absent from ZP‐treated CD26‐deficient mice.Conclusion: These data definitively showed that CD26 was a component of ZP‐modified proteins in vivo. In addition, the data suggested that at least one other protein of approximately 110 kDa was modified by covalent adduct formation with ZAG.
Plasma and urine levels of urinary trypsin inhibitor in patients with acute and fulminant hepatitis
Authors: LIN SHI DE , SATO AKIHIRO , TAKIKAWA YASUHIRO , SHIRAKAWA KAMON , SUZUKI KAZUYUKI 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aim Urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) is synthesized by hepatocytes and excreted into urine. Plasma and urine UTI levels have been measured to evaluate whether these levels may be useful markers in various pathological conditions. However, there has been no study on plasma and urine UTI levels in patients with acute liver diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate plasma and urine UTI levels and their relationship with the severity of hepatic damage in patients with acute liver diseases.Methods Plasma and urine UTI levels were measured by newly developed enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 15 patients with acute hepatitis (AH), 12 patients with acute severe hepatitis (ASH) and 10 patients with fulminant hepatitis (FH), as assessed on admission. The serial changes in plasma and urine UTI were also observed in some patients with AH and ASH.Results Plasma UTI levels (U/mL, median [25–75th percentile]) were: 11.0, (9.5–16.1) in patients with AH; 7.8 (5.6–11.5) in those with ASH; 6.5 (4.0–9.5) in patients with FH; and 9.7 (7.3–11.0) in normal controls. Plasma UTI levels in patients with FH were significantly lower than in those with AH. Plasma UTI levels showed significant positive correlations with the levels of prothrombin time (PT), hepaplastin test, antithrombin III, α2‐plasmin inhibitor, plasminogen (Plg) and fibrinogen. After the recovery of liver dysfunction, increased plasma UTI levels in patients with AH were decreased, whereas previously decreased plasma UTI levels in patients with ASH were increased. Urine UTI levels were significantly increased in patients with AH compared with those of normal controls. In patients with ASH and FH, urine UTI levels were increased but not significantly. Urine UTI levels significantly positively correlated with PT and Plg. After the recovery of liver dysfunction, previously increased urine UTI levels in patients with AH were decreased. The correlation between plasma UTI and urine UTI levels was not significant.Conclusions The findings of the present study suggested that the levels of plasma and urine UTI changed in patients with AH and were closely related to the abnormalities of coagulo‐fibrinolysis, including PT. Further studies are needed to clarify whether these levels may be useful markers to predict the prognosis of acute hepatitis.
Relationship between nuclear factor‐κB activation and virulence factors of Helicobacter pylori in Japanese clinical isolates
Authors: MAEDA SHIN , ANARSANAA JAZAG , MITSUNO YUZO , HIRATA YOSHIHIRO , AKANUMA MASAO , IKENOUE TSUNEO , OGURA KEIJI , YOSHIDA HARUHIKO , SHIRATORI YASUSHI , OMATA MASAO 
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background:
Several factors have been proposed as a possible virulence determinant of Helicobacter pylori infection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate these candidates in nuclear factor (NF)‐κΒ activation, which is a critical regulator of genes involved in inflammatory reactions.
Methods:
We determined the status of cagE, iceA, HP0441 (a virB4 homolog), the s1 signal sequence of vacA and babA2 by polymerase chain reaction, all of which are candidate virulence determinants, in 107 H. pylori strains isolated from Japanese patients. Nuclear factor‐κΒ activation was evaluated by the luciferase reporter assay. The gastric mucosa of the hosts was examined histologically.
Results:
The cagE gene was positive in 102 (95.3%) strains, iceA1 was positive in 71 (66.4%) strains, HP0441 was positive in 68 (63.6%) strains, vacA s1 was positive in 105 (98.1%) strains and babA2 was positive in 103 (96.3%) strains. Nuclear factor‐κΒ was activated by all cagE‐positive strains, but was not activated by any of the cagE‐negative strains. The status of iceA or HP0441 was not associated with NF‐κΒ activation. Neutrophil infiltration in gastric mucosa was significantly more severe in patients infected with cagE‐positive strains than in patients infected with negative strains. No association was found between the degree of neutrophil infiltration and the status of HP0441 or iceA. Due to very high positivity of vacA s1 and babA2 in Japanese strains, their roles remain to be investigated.
Conclusions:
The cag pathogenicity island (PAI) status, as determined by cagE polymerase chain reaction, but not the status of iceA or HP0441, is closely associated with NF‐κΒ activation and the degree of gastric mucosal inflammation in the hosts.© 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Comparison of clinical manifestations and epidemiology between acute hepatitis A and acute hepatitis E in Taiwan
Authors: Su Chien‐Wei , Wu Jaw‐Ching , Huang Yi‐Shin , Huo Teh‐Ia , Huang Yi‐Hsiang , Lin Chen‐Chun , Chang Full‐Young , Lee Shou‐Dong 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background and Aims
: Acute hepatitis A (AHA) and acute hepatitis E (AHE) are endemic in developing countries. They share similar transmission routes and clinical manifestations. To compare the differences in epidemiology, clinical picture and prognosis between these two enterically transmitted forms of hepatitis, we enrolled 58 consecutive AHA or AHE patients (42 men and 16 women; age 16–74 years) from January 1990 to April 2001.
Results
: In comparison to AHA, patients with AHE were older (56.2 ± 15.4 vs 30.7 ± 11.0 years, P < 0.0001), and more frequently had a history of travel within 3 months before onset of illness (68.8 vs 30.8%, P = 0.003). In laboratory data, AHE patients had lower serum levels of albumin (3.4 ± 0.4 vs 3.8 ± 0.4 g/dL, P = 0.016), alanine aminotransferase (1912 ± 1587 vs 3023 ± 1959 U/L, P = 0.015), and aspartate aminotransferase (1681 ± 1444 vs 2374 ± 2869 U/L, P = 0.24), but a higher serum bilirubin level (17.8 ± 12.3 vs 8.7 ± 5.0 mg/dL, P = 0.003) than AHA patients. Moreover, five (15.6%) patients with AHE compared with none with AHA died. This probably indicates that AHE had a worse outcome than AHA in our study. In analysis of epidemiological factors, older age of onset of illness was the only significant predicator of outcome. From an epidemiological survey, most AHE patients were imported while most AHA patients were not. However, native AHE and imported AHA did occur in Taiwan.
Conclusion
: Patients with AHE in Taiwan had older age of onset, more records of traveling history, and poorer clinical manifestations than those with AHA, and age seemed to be the most important factor to influence outcome.© 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Relationship between human leukocyte antigen‐DRB1 and autoimmune hepatitis type I in Chinese patients
Authors: QIU DE‐KAI , MA XIONG 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim: To analyze the association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DRB1 with autoimmune hepatitis type I (AIH) among Chinese patients in the Shanghai area.Methods: In 32 patients and 48 healthy controls, polymerase chain reaction amplified with sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP) was performed to elucidate the relevance of certain alleles or polymorphic sequences of HLA‐DRB1 with autoimmune hepatitis.Results: The HLA‐DRB1 typing by PCR‐SSP showed that DR4 had a significantly increased frequency among patients with AIH versus that of healthy controls (46.9 vs 20.8%; relative risk = 3.35, P = 0.014). In the subtypes of DR4, there was a trend of an increase in the gene frequency of DRB1*0405 in patients with AIH versus that of healthy controls (21.9 vs 6.3%, P = 0.04, but corrected P (Pc) = 0.08). In addition, our analysis indicated a significant increase in the alleles frequency encoding Leu‐Leu‐Glu‐Gln‐Lys‐Arg (LLEQRR) from the third hyperpolymorphic region (HVR3) of DR4 in the patients with AIH (86.7% of DR4 positive patients vs 40.0% in DR4 positive controls, P = 0.016, Pc = 0.028, relative risk (RR) = 9.75).Conclusion: Type I AIH among Chinese patients is associated with HLA‐DR4. There is a relevance of type I AIH and LLEQRR sequence within the third hyperpolymorphic region of the DRB1 allele.© 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Clinical characteristics of Japanese reflux esophagitis patients as determined by Los Angeles classification
Authors: INAMORI MASAHIKO , TOGAWA JUN‐ICHI , NAGASE HAJIME , ABE YASUNOBU , UMEZAWA TADASHI , NAKAJIMA ATSUSHI , SAITO TOSHIFUMI , UENO NORIO , TANAKA KATSUAKI , SEKIHARA HISAHIKO , KAIFU HIROKI , TSUBOI HIDEO , KAYAMA HIDEYUKI , TOMINAGA SHIZUO , NAGURA HIROSHI 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground:  Recent studies have shown that the number of patients with reflux esophagitis is increasing in Japan, but the prevalence and risk factors associated with reflux esophagitis in Japanese patients are not well defined.Methods:  By using all endoscopic records in the Katta General Hospital from April through to September 1999, we identified 392 patients. We examined the Los Angeles classification, peptic ulcer, gastric mucosal atrophy, hiatal hernia and other medical variable factors for their contribution to esophagitis in the patients.Results:  Patients (13.8%) were diagnosed as having reflux esophagitis with a mucosal break. In a multivariate analysis, reflux esophagitis was associated with hiatal hernia (odds ratio (OR) 2.276, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.164–4.450), with patients over 65 years of age (OR 2.521, 95% CI 1.238–5.134) and the open type of gastric mucosal atrophy (OR 0.420, 95% CI 0.225–0.785). There was no significant difference between esophagitis and Helicobacter pylori infection and peptic ulcer.Conclusions:  We observed that age, hiatal hernia and a lower rate of gastric mucosal atrophy were associated with the proportion of mucosal breaks accompanying esophagitis.
22q11 deletions in patients with conotruncal heart defects
Authors: WORTHINGTON S , BOWER C , HARROP K , LOH J , WALPOLE I 
Published: March 2003

Objective:To ascertain the frequency of 22q11 deletions in a representative population of conotruncal heart defects (CTD) and determine which children are at risk of having a deletion.Methodology:A clinical and laboratory evaluation of 90 children with CTD, including isolated and syndromic cases.Results:Fifteen children (17%) were shown to have 22q11 deletions by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies with the Oncor probe N25. Varying degrees of developmental delay/learning disabilities and facial dysmorphism were common in these children. None of the isolated cases without dysmorphism had a deletion.Conclusion:22q11 deletions are a significant cause of a specific form of congenital heart disease, CTD. It is important to have a high index of suspicion of the 22q11 deletion disorders in children with CTD and other extracardiac manifestations so that the diagnosis can be made early and appropriate interventions implemented.
Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in thalassaemic children with elevated serum ferritin levels
Authors: LAU KY , CHAN YL , LAM WWM , LI CK , METREWELI C 
Published: March 2003

Objective:Despite modern treatment with hypertransfusion and chelation therapy, growth retardation continues to be observed in a significant proportion of thalassaemic children. The underlying reason remains unclear, but hypothalamic‐pituitary axis disorder has been implicated. We aimed to assess iron overloading in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in thalassaemic children with elevated serum ferritin, with and without growth retardation.Methodology:Twelve thalassaemic children on hypertransfusion and chelation therapy with high serum ferritin were investigated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Five children, all over 10 years of age, had growth retardation. Gradient recalled echo sequence was used to highlight any susceptibility effect that could be due to iron in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.Result:There was no evidence of abnormal hypointense signal in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland in the patients studied, regardless of the presence of growth retardation.Conclusion:There was no apparent characteristic MRI appearances of iron deposition in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland in thalassaemic children with high serum ferritin.
Predicting readmission to hospital with asthma
Authors: RAYMOND D , HENRY RL , HIGGINBOTHAM N , COORY M 
Published: March 2003

Objectives:To determine whetherreadmission to hospital for children aged 1–7 years with asthma can be predicted; and to discover whether factors related to the severity of the attack and past pattern of asthma, assessment of the parents’ intention to treat the child with inhaled therapy, perceived consequences of treatment, habits of treatment and self‐efficacy show a difference between those children subsequently readmitted and those who were not.Methods:A specifically developed questionnaire was administered to parents of 121 children admitted with asthma. Clinical assessment was made of severity of the acute attack and past pattern of the asthma. One year after admission subjects were reviewed to determine those who had been readmitted.Results:On univariate analysis, the negative perceived consequences of treatment with inhaled therapy were associated with an increased risk of readmission over a one‐year period (P=0.04). After adjusting for confounders (place of birth of mother, two‐ or one‐parent family) and the effect‐modifier of past pattern of the asthma (infrequent episodic, frequent episodic, persistent), the greater the negative perceived consequences of treatment, the more likely there would be readmission in children with infrequent episodic asthma. After adjusting for potential confounders, using logistic regression a decrease of one standard deviation in the negative perceived consequences score resulted in a one‐third decrease in the odds of readmission (odds ratio (OR)=0.31, 95% CI 0.12–0.83).Conclusions:Parents whose children are readmitted see greater negative perceived consequences of treatment. If asthma is infrequent episodic, the negative perceived consequences may be an inhibitor of treatment, whereas for more severe past patterns of asthma the severity is the controller of treatment. If parental negative consequences could be decreased, admissions for asthma may decrease.