bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of simvastatin on hepatic cholesterol metabolism, bile lithogenicity and bile acid hydrophobicity in patients with gallstones
Authors: Smith Jeffery L , Roach Paul D , Wittenberg Leonie N , Riottot Michel , Pillay S. Praga , Nestel Paul J , Nathanson Les K 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background and Aims
: There is limited information available on the effects of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors on hepatic and biliary cholesterol metabolism in patients with gallstones. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of simvastatin on the regulatory elements of cholesterol metabolism that determine the concentrations of cholesterol in plasma and bile.
Methods
: Thirty‐one gallstone patients were enrolled in the study; 17 were treated with 20 mg simvastatin daily for 3 weeks prior to cholecystectomy and 14 served as controls. Samples of blood, liver, gall‐bladder bile and bile from the common bile duct (CBD) were collected and analysed.
Results
: The plasma cholesterol (−30%), triacylglycerol (−23%) and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (−42%) concentrations were significantly lowered by simvastatin treatment, as was the plasma lathosterol : cholesterol (−70%), which reflects whole‐body cholesterol synthesis. Despite these changes, the hepatic LDL receptor protein and LDL receptor activity in circulating mononuclear cells were similar in both groups. There were no differences in the plasma phytosterol : cholesterol, which reflects the intestinal cholesterol absorption capacity or in the activity of hepatic acyl‐coenzyme A : cholesterol acyltransferase. There were however, lower cholesterol concentrations in CBD (−68%) and gall bladder (−41%) bile, and decreased lithogenic (−47%) and bile acid hydrophobicity (−22%) indices of CBD bile in the simvastatin group.
Conclusions
: These data indicate that simvastatin reduced plasma and biliary cholesterol levels primarily by reducing cholesterol synthesis. The reduction in CBD bile lithogenicity and bile acid hydrophobicity by simvastatin suggests that this agent may be useful for people who have early stages of cholesterol gallstone development and in whom a choleretic effect is required.
Incidence and prevalence of ulcerative colitis in the Songpa‐Kangdong District, Seoul, Korea, 1986–1997
Authors: Yang Suk‐Kyun , Hong Weon‐Seon , Min Young I , Kim Hak Y , Yoo Jae Y , Rhee Poong‐Lyul , Rhee Jong C , Chang Dong K , Song In S , Jung Sung A , Park Eung‐Bum , Yoo Hyo M , Lee Dong K , Kim Young K 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background and Aims
: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is regarded as a rare disease in developing countries, but accurate data are generally lacking. We performed the present study to evaluate the incidence and prevalence of UC in Korea.
Methods
: A retrospective study was performed from 1986 to 1997 in the Songpa‐Kangdong district of Seoul, Korea. To recruit UC patients as completely as possible, multiple information sources including all medical facilities in the study area and three referral centres located nearby, but outside the study area were used. The incidence and prevalence rates were adjusted using the 1997 Korean population statistics.
Results
: During the study period, a total of 94 incident cases were identified, for an adjusted mean annual incidence rate of 0.68 per 100 000 inhabitants. On 31 December 1997, 91 patients with UC lived in the study area, giving an adjusted prevalence rate of 7.57 per 100 000 inhabitants. By using the Poisson regression analysis, the annual incidence rate increased significantly from 0.20 per 100 000 inhabitants in 1986–1988 to 1.23 per 100 000 inhabitants in 1995–1997 (P < 0.005). Patient age at diagnosis, the interval from onset of symptoms to diagnosis, and the disease extent at diagnosis were fairly constant throughout the study period.
Conclusions
: The incidence and prevalence of UC in our study area are still low compared with those of Western countries, but the incidence rate is steadily increasing.
Yield from colonoscopic screening in people with a strong family history of common colorectal cancer
Authors: Dowling Damian J , John D James B St , Macrae Finlay A , Hopper John L 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background and Aims
: People with a strong family history of common (so‐called ‘sporadic’) colorectal cancer are generally advised to undergo colonoscopic screening, but the starting age for this is unclear. An audit was performed to study the age‐related yield of screening colonoscopy in this risk group.
Methods
: A prospective audit of the outcome of screening colonoscopy was performed on a cohort of 232 people with a strong family history of common colorectal cancer. All were registrants in a familial bowel cancer service solely because of their family medical history. They had no bowel symptoms and no prior endoscopic investigation of the large bowel.
Results
: Neoplastic lesions were detected by using colonoscopy in 33 participants. In 27 participants, the major lesion was a small tubular adenoma, four had an advanced adenoma and two had cancer. More neoplastic (P = 0.02) and advanced neoplastic (P = 0.03) lesions were found in those patients aged ≥ 50 years. Only one advanced adenoma was detected in a participant below the age of 50 years.
Conclusion
: The yield from screening colonoscopy in young people (< 50 years) with a strong family history of common colorectal cancer is low, placing doubt on the need for colonoscopic screening before the age of 50 years.
Human biliary β‐glucuronidase activity before and after relief of bile duct obstruction: Is it the major role in the formation of pigment gallstones?
Authors: Chen Chiung‐Yu , Shiesh Shu‐Chu , Tsao Hui‐Chen , Lin Xi‐Zhang 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background and Aims
: The bacterial β‐glucuronidase (bBG) can deconjugate conjugated bilirubin to form calcium bilirubinate gallstone. Yet, the role of the human biliary β‐glucuronidase (hBG) in the pathogenesis of pigment gallstone formation still remains unsolved.
Methods
: Hepatic bile was collected from bile‐duct‐obstructed patients on the day of, and 3 days after, biliary drainage. Patients were divided into pigment‐stone (PS) group (n = 34) and stone‐free (SF) group (n = 29). All patients of the PS group had the complication of cholangitis. The concentrations of bile contents and the activities of bBG and hBG were measured.
Results
: The activities of hBG and bBG in bile obtained on the day of biliary drainage were higher in the PS group than in the SF group (activities corrected for bile salt concentration: hBG 128.7 ± 340.0 vs 13.1 ± 25.0 U/mmol; bBG 12.5 ± 22.2 vs 4.6 ± 7.7 U/mmol, P < 0.05). This difference disappeared after biliary drainage. The changes of enzyme activity in the bile of the SF group were unremarkable before and after biliary drainage. The mean concentrations of bile pigments and free calcium in the PS group were lower than those in the SF group.
Conclusions
: An increase in the activity of hBG may be a secondary response, developed after bile duct inflammation because it was elevated only when the bile duct obstruction was associated with infection.
Changes in prostaglandin and nitric oxide levels in the hyperdynamic circulation following liver resection
Authors: Lai Oi Fah , Chow Pierce Kh , Tan Sally , Song In Chin , Soo Khee Chee , Aw Swee Eng , Yu Wing Kwong , Fook‐Chong Stephanie Mc , Satchithanantham Somanesan , Chan Steven Tf 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background and Aims
: Significant changes in hepatic haemodynamics occur after major hepatectomy, but the pathogenesis of this phenomenon is unclear. This study investigates the serum profile of prostaglandin and nitric oxide in the hepatic and systemic circulation before and after hepatectomy and the temporal relationship of these to changes in the hepatic blood flow.
Methods
: Blood samples were collected from the internal jugular, portal and hepatic veins of six Yorkshire pigs (17–25 kg) before, immediately after and 48 h after partial hepatectomy.
Results
: Serum levels of prostacyclin I2 (PGI2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) from the systemic circulation, the portal circulation and from the hepatic veins were found to differ considerably even before hepatectomy. After the hepatectomy was performed, there was a significant rise in PGI2 levels in the systemic circulation (P = 0.027). Hepatic blood flow and cardiac output were measured before hepatectomy, 24 and 48 h after hepatectomy in another six pigs. A significant increase in hepatic blood flow (P = 0.029) occurred after the hepatectomy and this was accompanied by a concomitant increase in the cardiac output (P = 0.042). The increase in PGI2 concentration in the systemic circulation after hepatectomy appears to accompany the development of hyperdynamic hepatic and systemic circulations. No significant change was found in circulating PGE2 levels in the systemic, portal and hepatic veins at the three collection intervals (i.e. pre, post and 48 h after hepatectomy). The PGE2 levels in the hepatic vein, however, were significantly higher from than in the portal vein (P = 0.028). No significant changes were observed in the level of nitric oxide.
Conclusion
: This study demonstrates an increase in the total hepatic blood flow after hepatectomy together with a threefold increase in prostacyclin in the systemic circulation. The liver was identified as the main source of circulatory prostaglandin.
Activation of mucosal phospholipase D in a rat model of colitis
Authors: Sakamoto Teruhiko , Okamura Shin‐Ichi , Saruya Shin‐Ya , Yamashita Satoshi , Mori Masatomo 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background and Aims: Phospholipase D (PLD) hydrolyzes phosphatidylcholine and produces lipid second messengers. Although cellular PLD has recently been recognized as an important signal‐transmitting enzyme, the role of PLD in pathophysiologic conditions is largely unknown. In particular, the regulation of PLD in intestinal inflammation has not been previously investigated. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the role of PLD in experimental colitis.Methods: Rats were intracolonically administered acetic acid and assessed for mucosal damage, mucosal PLD activity, mucosal myeloperoxidase activity, mucosal chemiluminescence and luminal concentration of leukotriene B4. Acetic acid treatment induced acute mucosal injury that was maximal at 24 h after treatment.Results: Mucosal PLD activity was significantly elevated and correlated with mucosal damage. Chemiluminescence in colitic mucosa was inhibited by the addition of ethanol which suppresses the formation of phosphatidic acid catalyzed by PLD.Conclusion: These results suggest that PLD is activated in experimental colitis in rats and that PLD may play a role in mucosal damage induced by reactive oxygen metabolites.
Endogenous endothelin in a rat model of acute colonic mucosal injury
Authors: Sugimachi Masamitsu , Kiyohara Tatsuya , Murayama Yoko , Minami Takeshi , Miyazaki Yoshiji , Miyagawa Jun‐Ichiro , Shinomura Yasuhisa , Matsuzawa Yuji 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background: Endothelin (ET) is involved in various biologic activities in non‐vascular and vascular tissues. While ET has some significant effects on gastrointestinal functions, the possible role of endogenous ET in the host response to mucosal injury has not been well clarified.Methods: The present study describes an investigation of the effects of an endothelin A receptor antagonist, BQ‐123, on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), mucus and albumin flux into the perfusate in a rat model of acute colonic injury, induced by acetic acid perfusion. The present study also examined localization of ET in damaged rat colons by using immunohistochemistry.Results: A 4% acetic acid treatment induced mild mucosal damage of perfused rat colon and increased LDH as well as albumin and protein‐bound hexose release into the perfusate. Pretreatment with BQ‐123 significantly reduced LDH activity and protein‐bound hexose concentration in the perfusate and delayed the reduction of albumin leakage from damaged mucosa. Vascular endothelial, neural and surface epithelial cells of the colon showed strong ET‐like immunoreactivity. Mucosal damage markedly influenced ET expression by epithelial cells. Mild mucosal damage decreased the ET expression by surface epithelial cells while moderate mucosal damage induced a mosaic location of ET‐positive epithelial cells in the crypt. Severe mucosal damage abolished the ET expression by epithelial cells.Conclusions: Endothelin may play a role in the host response to acute mucosal damage. Mucosal ET production is significantly affected by mucosal injury.
Predictors of health‐care consultation for recurrent abdominal pain among urban schoolchildren in Malaysia
Authors: Boey Christopher Chiong Meng , Goh Khean‐Lee 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim: To look at the predictors of health‐care consultation for recurrent abdominal pain among urban schoolchildren in Malaysia.Methods: Recurrent abdominal pain was defined as ‘at least three episodes of abdominal pain, severe enough to affect a child's activities over a period longer than 3 months. A health‐care consulter was defined as a child who had been brought to see a doctor regarding recurrent abdominal pain at least once in the past year. Children aged between 9 and 15 years were randomly chosen from schools in the city of Petaling Jaya, given questionnaires to fill in and interviewed to determine whether they fulfilled the above criteria for having symptoms of recurrent abdominal pain and for being a consulter. Bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed on the data obtained.Results: One hundred and forty‐three (9.61%) children fulfilled the criteria for recurrent abdominal pain out of a total of 1488 schoolchildren interviewed. There were 65 (45.5%) consulters and 78 (54.5%) non‐consulters. Among the consulters, the male to female ratio was 1:1.4, while among the non‐consulters, the ratio was 1:1.1. On bivariate analysis, the Chinese had a significantly lower likelihood to consult a doctor (P = 0.02), while the other two races did not show any increase in consultation (Malays, P = 0.08; Indians, P = 0.21). Among those with severe pain, there was a significantly higher prevalence of consulters (P < 0.01). Furthermore, those whose sleep was interrupted by abdominal pain were more likely to consult (P < 0.01). Children who had consulted a doctor were more likely to be missing school because of abdominal pain (P < 0.01). Following multiple logistic regression analysis, ethnicity was no longer a significant predictor.Conclusions: Approximately 45.5% of schoolchildren with recurrent abdominal pain in an urban setting were brought to see a doctor. Predictors of recent health‐care consultation were school absence, pain severity and interruption of sleep caused by abdominal pain.
Long‐term follow up of chronic hepatitis C patients after α‐interferon treatment: A functional study
Authors: Giannini Edoardo , Fasoli Alberto , Botta Federica , Testa Emanuela , Romagnoli Paola , Ceppa Paola , Testa Roberto 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim: To evaluate the long‐term functional outcome of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with interferon (IFN) therapy.Methods: Thirty‐six patients with CHC were followed up for a mean of 36 months (± 19, SD) after a course of IFN therapy. Biochemical, virological (qualitative hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐RNA and HCV genotype), and functional (monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) test) evaluations were carried out at the time of liver biopsy. Patients were divided into long‐term responders (LTR), relapsers (RR), or non‐responders (NR) according to IFN therapy outcome. At the end of follow up, patients were non‐invasively re‐evaluated by means of biochemistry, qualitative HCV‐RNA, MEGX test, and liver ultrasonography.Results: A significant decrease in MEGX values was observed in all patients. However, when patients were examined according to treatment outcome, only NR and RR showed a significant decrease in liver function as compared to pretreatment levels (MEGX30, 80.5 ± 26.8–62.9 ± 24.2 ng/mL, P < 0.01; MEGX60, 72.9 ± 18.1–60.5 ± 19.7 ng/mL, P < 0.05; MEGXAUC, 3816 ± 1243–3095 ± 1205 ng/mL per h, P < 0.05). On the contrary, LTR patients showed no significant modifications in MEGX values at each sampling time (MEGX15, 72.9 ± 31.4–70.3 ± 29.7 ng/mL; MEGX30, 84.0 ± 27.6–71.5 ± 21.8 ng/ mL; MEGX60, 69.5 ± 26.8–63.2 ± 14.4 ng/mL; MEGXAUC 4028 ± 1378–3620 ± 1041 ng/mL per h). At the end of follow up, LTR patients showed normal liver biochemistry and negativity of serum HCV‐RNA, while NR and RR patients showed a significant decrease in platelets.Conclusions: In CHC patients long‐term response to IFN therapy, besides favoring positive clinical and virologic long‐term outcome, results in maintaining preserved liver function. Furthermore, IFN therapy seems to determine a decrease in the rate of functional disease progression, even in NR and RR. The MEGX test may be considered as a useful tool for performing serial follow up of CHC patients.
Epidemiology of gallstone disease in Chandigarh: A community‐based study
Authors: Singh Virendra , Trikha Bandana , Nain Chanderkanwal , Singh Kartar , Bose Shashankamohan 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: Cholelithiasis is frequent in our country (India), and is a common cause for abdominal surgery. We studied the prevalence of gallstone disease and its association with various risk factors in the city of Chandigarh.Methods: A house‐to‐house survey of residents aged 15 years or above in a subsector of Chandigarh was conducted as a part of a pilot survey. All individuals with a history of gallstone disease, and equal or more number of asymptomatic individuals were asked to attend the outpatient department of the Postgraduate Medical Institute. On the basis of the pilot survey, the sample size to be studied was 2648 and we screened 2649 persons.Results: Two hundred and fifty‐four individuals attended the outpatient services of the Institute, and 248 underwent an ultrasound. There were 37 symptomatic and 211 asymptomatic individuals (male : female, 93:155). Gallstone disease was seen in 24 out of 37 (64.9%) in the symptomatic, and seven out of 211 (3.3%) in the asymptomatic group. Out of these, 27 females and four males had gallstone disease (mean age: 48.30 ± 16.03 years). Approximately 67% of patients were between 20 and 60 years of age. Gallstone disease was more frequently seen in those from high socioeconomic status as compared to middle socioeconomic status (χ2 = 8.9, d.f. = 1, P < 0.01), and in multiparous as compared to nulliparous females (χ2 = 4.8, d.f. = 1, P < 0.05). Body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, and a vegetarian/non‐vegetarian diet did not influence the prevalence of gallstone disease.Conclusions: Gallstone disease is frequent in northern India. Gallstones were frequent in those belonging to high socioeconomic status and multiparous females. However, body mass index, smoking, alcohol or other dietary habits did not make a difference.
Influence of hepatitis C virus on the profiles of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Dai Chia‐Yen , Yu Ming‐Lung , Chuang Wan‐Long , Lin Zu‐Yau , Chen Shinn‐Cherng , Hsieh Ming‐Yuh , Wang Liang‐Yen , Tsai Jung‐Fa , Chang Wen‐Yu 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground:Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the most common causes of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The influence of HCV infection on the clinicopathological and virological profiles of chronic HBV infection was investigated.Methods:A total of 100 chronic HBV carriers with histopathological diagnoses by liver biopsy were studied. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and anti‐HCV antibody were tested. Serum HCV‐RNA was detected by using a nested reverse transcription–PCR assay. A branched DNA (bDNA) assay was used to detect HBV‐DNA and quantitate the serum levels.Results:Eighteen (18%) of 100 patients were positive for anti‐HCV and HCV‐RNA. Patients with concurrent HCV and HBV infection were significantly older than those without HCV infection (P < 0.05). The positive rates of HBeAg and HBV‐DNA as well as the serum levels of HBV‐DNA in patients with concurrent HCV and HBV infection were significantly lower than those without concurrent HCV and HBV infection (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, and P < 0.001, respectively). By using multivariate analysis, the factors of seroconversion of HBeAg and decreasing level of HBV‐DNA were significantly correlated to concurrent HCV and HBV infection in chronic HBV carriers. The factors of increasing age and concurrent HCV and HBV infection were significantly correlated to seroconversion of HBeAg.Conclusions:The concurrent HCV and HBV infection in chronic HBV carriers might result in a suppression of HBV replication that presented with a lower level of serum HBV‐DNA and HBeAg seroconversion. Nevertheless, neither more obvious increase in biochemical parameters nor histopathological progression to more advanced liver diseases was observed.
Maintenance of connexin 32 and 26 expression in primary cultured rat hepatocytes treated with 3‐acetylpyridine
Authors: Higaki Nagato , Mitaka Toshihiro , Sato Fumihiko , Hirata Koichi , Mochizuki Yohichi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aim: We recently reported that primary rat hepatocytes treated with 3‐acetylpyridine (3‐AP), an analog of nicotinic acid, could maintain hepatic differentiated functions such as albumin, tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase, and connexin 32 (Cx32) mRNA expressions for more than a week. In the present experiment, we investigated the expression of not only Cx32, but also Cx26 in cells treated with 10 mmol/L 3‐AP in detail.Methods: We examined the expression of Cx32 and Cx26 in primary rat hepatocytes by using the methods of immunocytochemistry, immunoelectron microscopy, northern blotting, and dye‐transfer.Results: The hepatocytes treated with 3‐AP were polygonal with a large cytoplasm from day 3, and were maintained for approximately 2 weeks, whereas the cells without 3‐AP began to die from day 4. Immunocytochemically in the cells with 3‐AP, many Cx32‐ and Cx26‐positive spots were observed between most adjacent cells, and the intensity of positive spots increased with time in culture, whereas in the cells without 3‐AP, Cx32‐ and Cx26‐positive spots disappeared at day 4. Furthermore, most Cx26‐positive spots were colocalized with Cx32‐positive ones. The amounts of Cx32 and Cx26 mRNA transcripts in the cells with 3‐AP at day 14 were more than 80% and approximately 30% of those of Cx32 and Cx26 mRNA transcripts in the cells at day 1, respectively. Gap junctional intercellular communication was maintained in the cells treated with 3‐AP at day 8, although it was lost in the cells without 3‐AP.Conclusion: Thus, the addition of 10 mmol/L 3‐AP to the medium enhanced the maintenance of Cx32 and Cx26 expression, which is one of the hepatic differentiated functions, in primary rat hepatocytes for a long time.