bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Branched‐chain amino acids
Authors: Platell Cameron , Kong Sung‐Eun , McCauley Rosalie , Hall John C 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA), isoleucine, leucine and valine, are unique in that they are principally metabolized extrahepatically in the skeletal muscle. This observation led to the investigation of these nutrients in a number of clinical scenarios. By far the most intensively studied applications for BCAA have been in patients with liver failure and/or patients in catabolic disease states. However, the resulting studies have not demonstrated a clear clinical benefit for BCAA nutritional supplements. In patients with liver failure, the BCAA did improve nitrogen retention and protein synthesis, but their effect on patient outcome was less clear. Similarly, in critically ill septic patients, BCAA did not improve either survival or morbidity. The BCAA are important nutrients, and it seems that any specific benefits associated with their use will be based upon a greater understanding of the underlying cellular biology. Potential areas of further research may include the combination of BCAA supplements with other anabolic factors (e.g. growth hormone) in managing patients with catabolic disease states.
A short‐term eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori acute gastritis
Authors: Nomura Hideyuki , Miyake Katsuhisa , Kashiwagi Seizaburo , Sugiyama Toshiro , Asaka Masahiro 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and AimsAcute gastritis, caused by an initial infection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), may resolve spontaneously, but the infection sometimes becomes chronic. We examined the efficacy of a short‐term H. pylori eradication therapy on acute gastritis.MethodsAmong the 15 patients with hemorrhagic acute gastritis who were randomly allocated to group A (eradication therapy) or group B (Lansoprazole, LPZ), 10 of them started to receive treatment within 1 day after the disease onset. The other five patients began the eradication therapy 4–6 days after disease onset (group C). Eradication therapy consisted of a daily oral administration of each of 30 mg lansoprazole (LPZ), once a day; 400 mg clarithromycin, twice a day; 1000 mg amoxicillin, twice a day; and 300 mg rebamipide, three times a day, for one week. If the endoscopy was normal, medication was stopped for the following 4 weeks before gastric endoscopy was performed again in order to assess H. pylori eradication.ResultsAll group A patients were cured after the 1‐week treatment and therefore, they became H. pylori negative. Group B and C patients had erosions or ulcers after the 1‐week treatment and so received an additional 3‐week administration of LPZ. Four weeks later, their gastritis was cured and except for one group B patient, they became H. pylori‐negative.ConclusionIn patients with acute gastritis, caused by an initial H. pylori infection, eradication therapy was efficacious in achieving early healing. This therapy should be started as soon as possible after disease onset.
Seroprevalence of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus–RNA and anti‐envelope antibody in high‐risk populations in Taiwan
Authors: Hwang Shinn‐Jang , Chu Chen‐Wei , Lu Rei‐Hwa , Lan Keng‐Hsin , Wu Jaw‐Ching , Wang Yuan‐Jan , Chang Full‐Young , Lee Shou‐Dong 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background: GB Virus C (GBV‐C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) was identified in 1995–1996 as a transfusion‐transmissible virus. The diagnosis of GBV‐C/HGV infection is based on the detection of GBV‐C/HGV‐RNA by using polymerase chain reaction. Recently, an enzyme immunoassay detecting the antibodies to the viral protein, E2 envelope protein (anti‐envelope) of GBV‐C/HGV, has been developed.Methods: Serum GBV‐C/HGV‐RNA and anti‐envelope antibody were determined in 76 cases of intravenous drug users (IVDU), 76 patients with regular hemodialysis and in 80 prostitutes to evaluate the GBV‐C/HGV infection rate among high‐risk populations in Taiwan. Seventy‐six healthy blood donors were randomly selected and were used as a control group.Results: The prevalence of GBV‐C/HGV‐RNA in high‐risk populations was 33% for IVDU, 16% for patients with hemodialysis and 13% for prostitutes, which was significantly higher than the 3% obtained in the control group (P < 0.05 for all groups). The prevalence of anti‐envelope antibody was 13% for IVDU, 21% for patients with hemodialysis and 23% for prostitutes, which was not significantly different from the control group (11%). Among the 99 subjects who had positive GBV‐C/HGV markers, 97 were tested for exclusive positivity for either GBV‐C/HGV‐RNA or anti‐envelope antibody.Conclusions: The presence of serum anti‐envelope antibody usually indicates the clearance of serum GBV‐C/HGV‐RNA in patients infected with GBV‐C/HGV. GB Virus‐C/HGV infection in high‐risk populations, determined by the presence of serum GBV‐C/HGV‐RNA, may underestimate the true level of past and present infection.
Chronic hepatitis C is mild in menstruating women
Authors: Sartori Massimo , Andorno Silvano , Rigamonti Cristina , Grossini Elena , Nicosia Gabriella , Boldorini Renzo 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and AimsWomen with chronic hepatitis C may have a slower rate of disease progression than men. We have previously demonstrated a relationship between hepatic iron concentration and liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Our aim was to compare hepatic histologic findings, iron status and other factors putatively capable of determining the severity of chronic hepatitis between menstruating women and men of comparable age.MethodsWe studied 21 consecutive hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐RNA positive menstruating women and 24 consecutive HCV‐RNA positive men of comparable age, who underwent liver biopsy for chronic hepatitis C. Alcohol intake was recorded and blood tests, HCV genotyping, serum iron, unsaturated iron binding capacity, serum ferritin, hepatic iron concentration, and liver histology were evaluated.ResultsMenstruating women showed lower grading (2.7 ± 1.5 vs 3.6 ± 2, P = 0.09) and significantly lower staging (1.38 ± 1.11 vs 2.42 ± 1.64, P = 0.037) scores than men of comparable age. Among the factors putatively capable of determining the severity of chronic hepatitis, only the hepatic iron concentration correlated with the hepatic histologic staging in a multivariate analysis. Iron‐depleted women (transferrin saturation < 20% and/or serum ferritin < 9 μg/L) showed significant lower hepatic histologic grading (1.75 ± 0.7 vs 3.23 ± 1.55, P = 0.027) and staging (0.75 ± 1.03 vs 1.77 ± 1.01, P = 0.026) scores than women with normal iron status.ConclusionsMenstruating women with chronic hepatitis C may have a milder disease compared to men of comparable age, possibly because of menstrual blood loss and lower hepatic iron concentration. Women with chronic hepatitis C and iron deficiency have a milder disease compared to women with normal iron status, suggesting that iron deficiency results in a slower rate of disease progression.
Improved survival with oral administration of enteric‐coated tegafur/uracil for advanced stage IV‐A hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ishikawa Toru , Ichida Takafumi , Sugitani Soichi , Tsuboi Yasunori , Genda Takuya , Sugahara Satoshi , Uehara Kazuhiro , Inayoshi Jun , Yokoyama Junji , Ishimoto Yuiko , Asakura Hitoshi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aims: There is currently no proven chemotherapy regimen for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The principal chemotherapeutic approach in most cases is infusion therapy into the hepatic arteries feeding the tumors. However, the clinical effects of chemotherapy are extremely poor. Therefore, in the present study, we conducted a prospective randomized trial of the efficacy of oral administration of enteric‐coated tegafur/uracil for advanced HCC.Methods: From 1994 to 1999, a total of 56 consecutive patients with unresectable stage IV‐A HCC were studied prospectively to examine the efficacy of enteric‐coated tegafur/uracil in HCC and to determine the significant prognostic factors. Twenty‐eight patients were treated only with enteric‐coated tegafur/uracil without other anticancer treatment. Another 20 patients were given conservative management only. The remaining eight patients withdrew from the study.Results: In the group treated only with enteric‐coated tegafur/uracil, the median survival time and 1 and 2 year survival rates were 12.13 months and 55.3 and 36.9%, respectively. In the control group, the median survival time and 1 year survival rate were 6.20 months and 5.5%, respectively. By both univariate analysis and multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazards model, treatment with enteric‐coated tegafur/uracil was shown to be the factor most significantly favoring a better prognosis.Conclusions: Although the prognosis of most patients with stage IV‐A HCC is poor, administration of enteric‐coated tegafur/uracil induces long‐term survival and is an effective treatment for stage IV‐A HCC.
Survival of conditionally immortalized hepatocytes in the spleen of syngeneic rats
Authors: Kim Byung‐Ho , Sung Se‐Ra , Park Jai‐Kyung , Kim Young‐Il , Kim Kyeong‐Jin , Dong Seok‐Ho , Kim Hyo‐Jong , Chang Young‐Woon , Lee Joung‐Il , Chang Rin 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: Hepatocyte transplantation has been shown to be effective in the treatment of liver failure; however, the shortage of donor organs limits its clinical application. Several reports have suggested that conditionally immortalized hepatocytes (CIH) could be an alternative to primary hepatocytes. However, CIH are known to undergo apoptosis in vitro at a non‐permissive temperature, which is similar to body temperature.Methods: To investigate the duration of survival and in vivo apoptosis of CIH in the syngeneic host, the L2A2 cells (a kind of CIH) that were established from hepatocytes of a Lewis rat with a gene for a temperature‐sensitive Simian Virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen were transplanted into the spleen. Cells were isolated from the spleen that was removed periodically up to 6 months, and used to detect the presence of the L2A2 cells among them with the selective culture for CIH and T‐antigen PCR. In situ apoptosis of L2A2 cells was also examined. In order to improve the survival of transplanted L2A2 cells in the host, a group of rats were partially hepatectomized 1 day before transplantation was performed.Results: The L2A2 cells secreted albumin at a rate of 1.17 ± 0.18 μg/24 h per 106 cells in vitro. After transplantation, L2A2 cell colonies and PCR amplification bands appeared up to 14 and 7 days, respectively, but this duration was not prolonged by a partial hepatectomy. The spleen showed a large number of hepatocytes that were in the process of dying on the 5th day, and only a number of ghost hepatocytes were present on the 7th day of transplantation. No tumors were found during the 6‐month observation period.Conclusions: Conditionally immortalized hepatocytes can survive in the spleen for a limited period, in spite of the growth stimulation, most likely because they undergo apoptosis in vivo as well as in vitro at a non‐permissive temperature. These data suggest that the use of these cells in hepatocyte transplantation be limited to temporary hepatic support.
Binding sites for progastrin‐derived peptides in colonic crypts
Authors: Karelina Yulia , Baldwin Graham S 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aims: Gastrin17gly acts as a growth factor for the colonic mucosa. Studies on the binding properties of the receptor involved in transducing the proliferative effects have generally been confined to colorectal carcinoma cell lines, and no investigation of gastrin17gly receptors on normal colonocytes has yet been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the binding of 125I‐[Met15]‐gastrin17gly to normal colonic crypts.Methods: Crypts were released from normal rat and rabbit colonic mucosa by treatment with EDTA and isolated by centrifugation. The binding of 125I‐[Met15]‐gastrin17gly was measured in displacement experiments with increasing concentrations of either gastrin17gly, gastrin17 or gastrin receptor antagonists. The concentrations required for 50% inhibition were determined by the use of curve fitting.Results: 125I‐[Met15]‐Gastrin17gly bound to both rat and rabbit crypts, and displacement experiments with unlabeled gastrin17gly revealed that the IC50 values were 1.0 ± 0.6 and 0.6 ± 0.2 μmol/L, respectively. Binding was also competed by gastrin17, with IC50 values of 2.4 ± 1.7 and 2.4 ± 0.7 μmol/L, respectively. Binding was inhibited by the non‐selective gastrin/CCK receptor antagonists proglumide and benzotript, but not by the cholecystokinin (CCK)‐A receptor antagonist L364 718, or the gastrin/CCK‐B receptor antagonist L365 260.Conclusion: We conclude that the gastrin17gly binding site on normal colonic crypts has properties consistent with the gastrin/CCK‐C receptor.
Prevalence of functional dyspepsia and its relationship with Helicobacter pylori infection in a Japanese population
Authors: Kawamura Akira , Adachi Kyoichi , Takashima Toshiharu , Murao Mitsuyoshi , Katsube Tomoko , Yuki Mika , Watanabe Makoto , Kinoshita Yoshikazu 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim: To investigate the prevalence of functional dyspepsia and Helicobacter pylori infection and their relationship in a Japanese population.Methods: Two thousand five hundred people who visited Shimane Institute of Health Science for their annual medical check‐up from September 1998 to August 1999 were prospectively enrolled in the study. After routine medical examination, including an upper gastrointestinal study and an ultrasonographic examination, all subjects were asked standard questions to check for the presence of any symptoms that suggested dyspepsia. Helicobacter pylori infection was determined by using a serum IgG antibody concentration with an ELISA.Results: Of the 2500 persons investigated, 2263 showed no abnormal finding in any medical examination. The presence or absence of symptoms and H. pylori infection was investigated in these 2263 cases. Of these, 201 people (8.9%) experienced nausea, fullness and/or early satiety and were diagnosed as having dysmotility‐like dyspepsia, while 118 people (5.2%) experienced pain localized to the epigastrium and were diagnosed as having ulcer‐like dyspepsia. The frequency of these symptoms had a tendency to decline with age, although this was not statistically significant. In contrast, the rate of H. pylori infection increased with age. There was no significant relationship between H. pylori infection and any type of functional dyspepsia.Conclusions: Helicobacter pylori infection does not influence the prevalence of the dysmotility‐like and ulcer‐like dyspeptic symptoms.
Liver gene regulation in rats following both 70 or 90% hepatectomy and endotoxin treatment
Authors: Jensen Søren Astrup 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: The metabolic state effect of liver failure on liver gene regulation was evaluated in a rat model.Methods: Following 70 or 90% hepatectomy and lipopolysaccharide or vehicle treatment at intervals up to 24 h, the liver remnants were analyzed for mRNA levels for acute‐phase, liver‐specific and growth‐related proteins.Results: After 70% hepatectomy mRNA for alpha 1‐acid glycoprotein, alpha 2‐macroglobulin, thiostatin and fibrinogen, haptoglobin increased three‐ to sevenfold (P < 0.05), and mRNA for cyclin D and histone 3 increased seven‐ and 15‐fold (P < 0.05), respectively. After lipopolysaccharide injection and 70% hepatectomy were done, mRNA for acute‐phase proteins raised significantly (P < 0.05), more to five to 20‐fold, while mRNA for growth‐related proteins raised significantly (P < 0.05) less to three‐ to fourfold. After 90% hepatectomy, acute‐phase protein mRNA increased five‐ to ninefold (P < 0.05) more than after 70% hepatectomy, while mRNA for histone 3 and cyclin D did not increase within 24 h, which indicates a delayed growth after 90% hepatectomy. In 90% of hepatectomized rats treated with lipopolysaccharide, acute‐phase protein mRNA raised three‐ to sixfold (P < 0.05) less than after vehicle treatment.Conclusion: In endotoxemia from liver failure, the synthesis of acute‐phase proteins is upregulated by gene regulation at the expense of that for regeneration, which may be an appropriate response for immediate survival. In severe liver failure, endotoxin may interfere with the appropriate gene regulation.
Dietary factors in relation to the distribution of duodenal ulcer in India as assessed by studies in rats
Authors: Jayaraj A Paul , Tovey Frank I , Clark1 Charles G , Hobsley Michael 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: The prevalence of duodenal ulcer is less in the northern wheat‐eating regions of India and China than in the southern rice‐eating areas.Methods and Results: Experiments were conducted on rat peptic ulcer models in which controls were fed on either known ulcerogenic rice or rice plus tapioca diets or on non‐ulcerogenic stock diet. By using an ulcerogenic diet and pyloric ligation, unrefined wheat, wheat bran and their respective oils were protective against ulceration. Refined wheat, wheat germ and its oil were not protective. Freshly milled rice and unmilled rice were protective, but stored rice bran and its oil increased the ulceration. Fresh rice bran oil was not ulcerogenic, but on storage, it became ulcerogenic. By using stock diet and alcohol‐induced ulceration, the findings with whole wheat oil, wheat bran and wheat germ oil were confirmed. Rats fed on the stock diet subjected to pyloric ligation developed ulcers following intragastric injection of stored rice bran oil. This ulcerogenicity was counteracted by whole wheat oil.Conclusion: These results suggest that the factor of diet may well explain the regional differences in the prevalence of duodenal ulceration between North and South India and China where other etiologic factors are similar.
Antibodies to neutrophil cytoplasma in patients with ulcerative colitis and their first‐degree relatives in Thailand
Authors: Osangthamnont Charkaphan , Manatsathit Sathaporn , Pongprasopchai Supot , Viriyataveekul Ronnachai , Chaihirunkarn Supaporn , Leelakusolvong Somchai , Boonyapisit Sasiprapa 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: The prevalence of perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p‐ANCA) does not significantly vary in ethnically diverse populations. The prevalence of p‐ANCA is high in ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. While the prevalence of ulcerative colitis in Asian populations is low, it is interesting to know the prevalence of p‐ANCA in such a population.Methods: Sera from 33 cases of ulcerative colitis diagnosed during the last 10 years at the diarrhea clinic, Division of Gastroenterology, Siriraj Hospital, were prospectively compared with case controls consisting of 15 cases of diarrhea from non‐inflammatory bowel diseases and 25 non‐diarrheic patients. Indirect immunofluorescence assay was used to detect p‐ANCA in all the sera.Results: Positive p‐ANCA tests were found in 13 of the 33 patients with ulcerative colitis and in one of the 40 controls. Sensitivity of the test was 39.4% and the specificity was 97.5%. The one patient with positive p‐ANCA in the control group was the patient with irritable bowel syndrome. Of the 13 p‐ANCA‐positive ulcerative colitis patients, two cases were found to have proctosigmoiditis, seven cases had left‐sided colitis, and four cases had pancolitis. Perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies was one of the 22 cases of first‐degree relatives of ulcerative colitis patients (22 relatives from 12 index ulcerative colitis cases). There was no correlation between the positivity of p‐ANCA and disease activity, and extent of the disease.Conclusion: The prevalence of p‐ANCA in Thai patients with ulcerative colitis (39.4%) is lower than that in the Western population. Although the prevalence of p‐ANCA is low in the Thai population, it should serve as a useful tool in diagnosing ulcerative colitis in this part of the world where the disease is uncommon and difficult to diagnose. The negativity of p‐ANCA in almost all first‐degree relatives of Thai ulcerative colitis patients should be further elucidated.
When is molecular genetic testing for colorectal cancer indicated?
Authors: BARBARA LEGGETT 
Published: March 2003

Abstract  The genetic mutations causing many of the syndromes which confer a high inherited risk of colorectal cancer have now been identified. These include familial adenomatous polyposis, hereditary non‐polyposis colorectal cancer, Peutz‐Jeghers syndrome, Cowden’s syndrome and juvenile polyposis. In all these diseases, the precise mutation is nearly always unique to a particular family; there are few mutation hot spots. This means that mutation detection is technically demanding. Nonetheless, genetic testing can now be used clinically to confirm the diagnosis in affected individuals, and to predict whether an ‘at risk’ family member has inherited the disease and should therefore have endoscopic screening. Because current technology does not detect all mutations, a negative result in a definitely affected individual is diagnostically unhelpful and does not allow predictive testing of other family members. When a mutation can be detected, it is diagnostically very useful, and allows better management of all family members.© 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Chronic liver disease mortality attributable to hepatitis B and C in New Zealand
Authors: WEIR ROBERT P , BRUNTON CHERYL R , BLAKELY TONY A 
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background:
This research aimed to estimate the prevalence and population attributable risk percent (PAR%) of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infection among chronic liver disease (CLD) deaths in New Zealand. The PAR% is the percentage of CLD cases attributable to either HBV or HCV. Within New Zealand, there are large differences in HBV prevalence by ethnic group, so prevalence and PAR% estimates were made separately for the three major ethnic groups.
Methods:
The study sample was selected from CLD deaths between 1992 and 1997. Data were extracted from hospital records and coroners’ reports. The prevalence and PAR% of HBV and HCV were estimated.
Results:
Data were extracted for 303 of 359 decedents selected for inclusion. Hepatitis B virus and HCV test results were identified in 67 and 43%, respectively. Among those cases tested, the prevalence (and estimated PAR%) of HBV infection was 68% (PAR% 66%) for Pacific people, 54% (PAR% 52%) for Maori and 10% (PAR% 10%) for European New Zealanders. The prevalence (and estimated PAR%) of past or present HCV infection ranged between 8 and 15% (PAR% 8–14%) for the three major ethnic groups.
Conclusions:
The present study has demonstrated that HBV and HCV infections are important contributors to CLD mortality in New Zealand. With the introduction of universal hepatitis B vaccination in the late 1980s, we would expect the burden of CLD deaths attributable to HBV to decrease in the future. However, the burden of CLD deaths due to HCV is likely to increase.© 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd