bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Background Factors and Evaluation of a Population at High Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Miyazawa Kouji , Moriyama Mitsuhiko , Mikuni Morio , Matsumura Hiroshi , Aoki Hiroshi , Shimizu Toshihiro , Yamagami Hiroaki , Kaneko Miki , Shioda Atsuo , Tanaka Naohide , Arakawa Yasuyuki 
Published: July 2003

<i>Objective:</i> We investigated the background clinical factors of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosed at our institute and, from these results, determined those factors important for evaluation of a population at high risk of HCC. <i>Methods:</i> This study comprised 250 patients diagnosed with HCC from 1990 through 1995 in the Nihon University Itabashi Hospital. Background clinical factors, such as the results of blood chemistry at the time of the first angiography, were examined. <i>Results:</i> Markers of viral hepatitis in the 250 cases were as follows: type B (B-HCC), 29 (11.6%), type C (C-HCC), 201 (80.4%); type B+C, 3 (1.2%), and non-B, non-C (NBNC-HCC), 17 (6.8%). Approximately 35% of B-HCC and NBNC-HCC cases, but only 6% of C-HCC cases, exhibited platelet counts (PLT) equal to or more than 200,000/ml. On the other hand, 56.5% of the C-HCC cases exhibited PLT less than 100,000/ml, in contrast to less than 30% of the B-HCC and NBNC-HCC cases. Irrespective of the etiology of HCC, male sex and a history of smoking were characteristic risk factors. The percentages of abnormal results in combinations of tests in the B-HCC, C-HCC and NBNC-HCC subsets were: 69, 97 and 70% in the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) + PLT group (group A); 83, 98 and 70% in the group A + alanine aminotransferase (ALT) group (group B), and 86, 98 and 100% in the group B + γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP) group (group C), respectively. When hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C antibody (HCV-Ab) were also taken into account, abnormal results were found in every case in all of the HCC groups. <i>Conclusion:</i> C-HCC was found predominantly in cases with liver cirrhosis, whereas B-HCC and NBNC-HCC were observed more frequently in cases without liver cirrhosis. Testing for HBsAg and HCV-Ab, in addition to AST, ALT, PLT and γ-GTP, is considered necessary when screening for HCC.
Efficacy of Lamivudine Therapy and Factors Associated with Emergence of Resistance in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Japan
Authors: Suzuki Fumitaka , Tsubota Akihito , Arase Yasuji , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Akuta Norio , Hosaka Tetsuya , Someya Takashi , Kobayashi Masahiro , Saitoh Satoshi , Ikeda Kenji , Kobayashi Mariko , Matsuda Marie , Satoh Junko , Takagi Kimiko , Kumada Hiromitsu 
Published: July 2003

<i>Objective: </i> Several reports have examined the efficacy of long-term lamivudine therapy and the risk factors involved in emergence of viral resistance in Japanese patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, the patient cohorts in such studies are relatively small. <i>Methods:</i> We analyzed 234 chronically HBV-infected Japanese patients who were treated with lamivudine for more than 12 months. They comprised patients with HBV genotype A (n = 8), genotype B (n = 21), genotype C (n = 203) and other HBV genotypes (n = 2). <i>Results:</i> In most patients, lamivudine resulted in normalization of alanine transaminase (ALT) levels at 6 and 12 months, and suppression of serum HBV DNA to undetectable levels by the branched chain DNA probe assay (bDNA). Rates of ALT normalization and non-detection of HBV DNA were higher among patients with genotype B than genotype C disease. The proportions of patients who achieved HBeAg loss were 27, 42 and 45% after 6 months, 1 year and 2 years, respectively. The emergence of mutations was not different among genotypes A, B and C by the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analyses identified high HBV DNA level (bDNA ≧100 MEq/ml) as an independent factor associated with emergence of the YMDD motif mutation in all patients. Among patients with genotype C disease, which is the predominant HBV genotype in Japan, multivariate analysis also identified high HBV DNA level and HBeAg positivity as factors associated with emergence of resistance. <i>Conclusion:</i> Patients exhibiting these factors at the commencement of lamivudine treatment must be monitored carefully at regular intervals for emergence of viral resistance.
Treatment of Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury in Newborn Rats with TPCK 3 h after Hypoxia Decreases Caspase-9 Activation and Improves Neuropathologic Outcome
Authors: Feng Yangzheng , LeBlanc Michael H. 
Published: July 2003

N-Tosyl-<i>L</i>-phenylalanyl-chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) reduces apoptosis in vitro. Pretreatment with TPCK reduces brain injury. Would treatment after injury reduce damage? Seven-day-old rats had the right carotid artery ligated and were subjected to 2.5 h of 8% oxygen and were treated intraperitoneally 3 h after hypoxia with 10 mg/kg of TPCK or vehicle. Brain damage was measured 22 days after injury. bcl-2, bax, and cytochrome c where measured by Western blot 24 h after injury. Caspase-9 and caspase-3 activity were measured enzymatically 24 h after injury. Treatment with TPCK reduced the loss of the right hemisphere caused by injury from 27.6 ± 2.8% SEM (vehicle, n = 56) to 19.8 ± 2.8% (TPCK, n = 61, p < 0.05). Hypoxic ischemia increased cytosolic cytochrome c from 0.25 ± 0.04 to 0.4 ± 0.04 optical density (OD; p < 0.05), but TPCK had no effect (0.31 ± 0.03 OD). TPCK reduced caspase-9 activity from 72 ± 30 to 43 ± 5 fluorescence units/h/mg (p < 0.05 vs. vehicle), and caspase-3 activity from 66 ± 10 to 39 ± 3.7 fluorescence units/h/mg (p < 0.05 vs. vehicle). Treatment with TPCK 3 h after hypoxic ischemia reduced brain infarct size. TPCK may act by reducing caspase-9 activation by cytochrome c.
Reduction of IL-12 p40 Production in Activated Monocytes after Exposure to Diesel Exhaust Particles
Authors: Nilsen A.M. , Hagemann R. , Eikås H. , Egeberg K. , Nørkov T. , Sundan A. 
Published: July 2003

<i>Background:</i> A reduction of IL-12 production by lung macrophages may partly explain the presumed adjuvant effect of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in allergy and asthma. IL-12 stimulates T helper type 1 (Th1) lymphocytes, which inhibit Th2 cells via Th1-specific cytokines. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of DEP on the production of IL-12 p40 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated monocytes. <i>Methods:</i> The human monocytic cell line Mono-Mac-6 was stimulated with LPS (200 ng/ml) and grown with DEP (0–200 µg/ml) for 0, 6 or 24 h. IL-12 p40 and the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF were analysed in the cell supernatants by ELISA and a cell assay, respectively. <i>Results:</i> Levels of IL-12 p40 correlated inversely with the DEP exposure concentrations, whereas TNF increased in parallel to the DEP concentrations. At a DEP concentration of 200 µg/ml, the amount of IL-12 p40 was 35% of that observed without DEP. The corresponding TNF value was 230% of the control. Reduced viability, binding of cytokines to DEP or endotoxin in the DEP samples cannot fully explain the changes in the concentrations of these two cytokines. <i>Conclusion:</i> DEP seem to inhibit the production of IL-12 p40 and stimulate that of TNF in activated monocytes. This may partly explain the presumed adjuvant effect of DEP in atopy; by altering the Th1/Th2 balance via down-regulation of IL-12, the Th2 response characteristic of allergy and asthma may be favoured.
The Short-Term Effects of Different Regimens of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Left Ventricular Structure and Performance in Healthy Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Fenkci Veysel , Yilmazer Mehmet , Alpaslan Mete , Onrat Ersel , Fenkci Semin 
Published: July 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To compare the short-term effects of different hormone replacement therapy (HRT) regimens on left ventricular structure and function in healthy postmenopausal women. <i>Methods:</i> Forty-two apparently healthy postmenopausal women were evaluated prospectively in this controlled study. Subjects were divided into 4 groups. Ten subjects, who did not accept HRT or any other treatments, formed the control group. The remaining subjects were assigned to receive oral estradiol (2 mg/day) + norethisterone acetate (1 mg/day) (n = 11), transdermal estradiol (0.05 mg) + norethisterone acetate (0.25 mg) (n = 11) or tibolone (2.5 mg/day) (n = 10) therapy during 12 weeks. Echocardiography and Doppler techniques were used to assess the cardiac effects of different HRT regimens. <i>Results:</i> After 12 weeks of treatment, there were significant increases in left ventricular ejection fraction (transdermal group: p = 0.008, oral group: p = 0.003, tibolone group: p = 0.005) and cardiac output (transdermal group: p = 0.003, oral group: p = 0.003, tibolone group: p = 0.021) in all treatment groups. In addition, in the transdermal group, a slight increase in left ventricular end-diastolic volume was significant (p = 0.046). <i>Conclusion:</i> These data suggest that oral and transdermal HRT regimens and tibolone may contribute to the improvement in left ventricular systolic function without having an effect on left ventricular structure after short-term administration in healthy postmenopausal women.
Effect of Stress and Adrenalectomy on Urocortin II mRNA Expression in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus of the Rat
Authors: Tanaka Yasushi , Makino Shinya , Noguchi Tohru , Tamura Kanae , Kaneda Tadafumi , Hashimoto Kozo 
Published: July 2003

Urocortin II (Ucn II) is a novel corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-related peptide discovered as a selective agonist for type-2 CRH receptor. In the rat or mouse brain, Ucn II mRNA shows weak expression mainly in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the locus coeruleus (LC). Understanding the regulation of Ucn II mRNA expression under varying conditions provides new insights into central stress response. We examined expression of Ucn II mRNA in the PVN and LC following immobilization stress, water deprivation, and adrenalectomy. Rats subjected to immobilization stress exhibited a dramatic induction of Ucn II mRNA expression in the parvocellular part of the PVN at the end of 2 h of immobilization. In contrast, water deprivation for 3 days induced Ucn II mRNA expression mainly in the magnocellular part of the PVN. Although water-deprived rats showed a marked decrease in their food intake, pair-fed rats failed to alter PVN Ucn II mRNA expression, suggesting that osmotic stimuli per se, but not reduced food consumption during water deprivation, caused Ucn II mRNA induction in the magnocellular part of the PVN. Adrenalectomized rats failed to show an increase in Ucn II mRNA in the PVN when compared to sham-operated rats. Double-label in situ hybridization revealed colocalization of Ucn II mRNA in approximately 45% of the CRH mRNA-expressing cells in the parvocellular part of the PVN following immobilization, or colocalization in most of the vasopressin mRNA-expressing cells in the magnocellular part of the PVN following water deprivation. In the LC, no induction of Ucn II mRNA was observed in any of the three experimental conditions, indicating that the regulation of Ucn II mRNA expression was site-specific. The results show a stressor-specific regulation of Ucn II mRNA expression in the PVN and raise the possibility that Ucn II mRNA plays a modulatory role in stress-induced alteration of anterior and posterior pituitary function, depending on the type of stress.
Higher Plasma 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid Levels Are Associated with SSRI-Induced Nausea
Authors: Ueda Nobuhisa , Yoshimura Reiji , Shinkai Koji , Sakata Yumi , Nakamura Jun 
Published: July 2003

We investigated the association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; paroxetine or fluvoxamine) and nausea with regard to plasma 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (p5-HIAA) levels. Forty-eight patients meeting the DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder and treated with paroxetine or fluvoxamine participated in this study. p5-HIAA levels after SSRI administration were significantly higher in the nausea group than those in the nonnausea group (nausea group: 8.0 ± 4.6 ng/ml; nonnausea group: 3.6 ± 2.2 ng/ml; p < 0.01). On the other hand, no significant difference was found between the nausea and nonnausea group in terms of p5-HIAA levels before each drug administration. These results suggest that SSRI-induced nausea is associated with serotonergic hyperactivity in the gastrointestinal tract.
The Atypical Antipsychotics Risperidone, Clozapine and Olanzapine Differ Regarding Their Sedative Potency in Rats
Authors: Ahnaou A. , Megens A.A.H.P. , Drinkenburg W.H.I.M. 
Published: July 2003

The atypical antipsychotics risperidone, clozapine and olanzapine were studied for their ability to antagonise apomorphine-induced stereotypy and to affect electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in rats. The compounds antagonised apomorphine-induced stereotypy with ED<sub>50</sub>s of 0.15 mg/kg s.c. for risperidone, 0.42 mg/kg s.c. for olanzapine and 1.3 mg/kg s.c. for clozapine. At a dose close to that required for apomorphine antagonism (0.16 mg/kg s.c.), risperidone induced only minor changes in EEG power spectral activity. At a higher dosage (0.63 mg/kg s.c.) it increased the power density in the high frequency range (9.8–18.6 Hz), characteristic of a sedative-like effect. Olanzapine and clozapine caused a dose-dependent increase in power density in all frequency bands. These effects were already present at doses (0.04 and 0.16 mg/kg s.c., respectively) 10 times below those required for apomorphine antagonism. The effects increased dose-dependently and were pronounced at the doses required for apomorphine antagonism. These results in rats are in agreement with the clinical observation that risperidone has less propensity for inducing sedation at therapeutic dose levels than olanzapine and clozapine.
Patient-Controlled Epidural Analgesia after Major Urologic Surgeries
Authors: Aribogan Anis , Doruk Nurcan , Aridogan Atilla , Akin Sule , Balcioglu Okan 
Published: July 2003

The efficiency and safety of patient-controlled epidural analgesia by using tramadol alone and combined with bupivacaine were investigated for postoperative pain treatment after major urological surgeries. For PCEA: in group I (n = 17) a loading dose of 20 mg tramadol with a continuous infusion of 1 mg/ml tramadol at a rate of 8 ml/h was given. In group II (n = 17), patients received an initial loading dose of 20 ml bupivacaine 0.125% and a supplemental continuous infusion of 8 ml/h. In group III (n = 17), a loading dose of 20 mg tramadol with 20 ml bupivacaine 0.125% were given and a supplemental infusion of 1 mg/ml tramadol in 20 ml bupivacaine 0.125% combination was begun with a rate of 8 ml/h. A demand epidural bolus dose of 5 ml with a lockout time of 30 min was also used in all patients. VAS for pain intensity, vital signs, sedation scale and side effects was monitored at 0, 15, 30 min and 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h of the postoperative period. Statistical significance was determined using Kruskal-Wallis, Fisher’s exact, analysis of variance for repeated measurements and Tukey tests. The hemodynamic values and sedation scales were insignificantly different (p > 0.05). The adequate analgesia was provided in all patients. However VAS values were significantly lower in group III than in groups I and II at every measurement (p < 0.05). The incidence of side effects in all three groups was low (p > 0.05). In conclusion, we suggested that a combination of tramadol with bupivacaine can provide the most effective and safe postoperative analgesia with minimal risk for side effects.
Surgical Enucleation for the Treatment of Renal Tumors
Authors: Franks Michael E. , Hrebinko Ronald L. , Konety Badrinath R. 
Published: July 2003

<i>Introduction:</i> We analyzed our institutional experience with surgical enucleation for the primary treatment of small renal tumors. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> Patient demographics, histological features, effect of different types of vascular control and outcome from surgery were analyzed in 45 patients. A majority of the tumors (67%) were diagnosed incidentally. <i>Results:</i> All were stage T<sub>1</sub>, 77% were low grade (I–II) and 23% were high grade (III–IV). Complication occurred in 12% of patients. At a mean follow-up of 34 months (range 7–97), 28 of 33 patients (84%) with malignant tumors were alive without evidence of disease. One patient with a solitary kidney developed recurrent tumor after enucleation that required nephrectomy. Mean operative time was significantly lower with the compression technique versus direct vascular control (164 ± 12 min vs. 233 ± 15 min, p = 0.002). There were no differences in outcome between the two techniques. <i>Conclusions:</i> Surgical enucleation is a safe and viable procedure for the treatment of small renal tumors. Manual compression of the kidney appears to be at least as effective as clamping of the renal vessels in obtaining vascular control during the procedure and is more expeditious.
Benign Retroperitoneal Schwannoma Presenting as a Giant Adrenal Tumor
Authors: Hettiarachchi Janaka A. , Finkelstein Michael P. , Schwartz Alec M. , Johnson G. Blake , Konno Sensuke , Choudhury Muhammad S. 
Published: July 2003

We report a 51-year-old man with a primary adrenal tumor presenting as a giant juxta-adrenal benign schwannoma. The patient was initially admitted for persistent fevers and underwent a sepsis workup. Abdominal ultrasound initially revealed an incidental right suprarenal mass, which measured 10 × 10 × 11 cm, estimated by computed tomography. Following a successful laparotomy, histologic examination confirmed that this giant tumor was a benign retroperitoneal schwannoma. Postoperatively, the patient remains disease-free, undergoing rehabilitation.
Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Reference Values for an Automated Chemiluminescence Immunoassay System: Results from a Multicenter Study
Authors: Brabant Georg , von zur Mühlen Alexander , Wüster Christian , Ranke Michael B. , Kratzsch Jürgen , Kiess Wieland , Ketelslegers Jean-Marie , Wilhelmsen Lars , Hulthén Lena , Saller Bernhard , Mattsson Anders , Wilde Jürgen , Schemer Rudolf , Kann Peter 
Published: July 2003

<i>Background:</i> Analysis of insulin-like growth factor I in serum (S-IGF-I) is an integral component in the diagnosis of GH-related disorders and is going to be of interest in the diagnosis and follow-up of many disorders. The objective of the present study was to develop cross-sectional reference values for S-IGF-I measured by an automated chemiluminescence immunoassay (Nichols Advantage<sup>®</sup>). <i>Methods:</i> The study included samples from 3,961 healthy subjects (2,201 males, 1,760 females) aged 1 month to 88 years. Six laboratories were involved in this study and the samples were analyzed by one of seven automated immunoassay systems run in these laboratories. For data analysis, polynomial age and sex-specific models were fitted after transformation of S-IGF-I values. <i>Results:</i> The results show the well-known age dependency of S-IGF-I levels. At ages <20, higher S-IGF-I levels were seen in girls with an estimated mean peak of 410 µg/l at age 14 and an estimated mean peak of 382 µg/l at age 16 in boys. Thereafter, a rapid decrease was seen to approximately 25 years of age, followed by a slow age-dependent decrease. In adulthood, S-IGF-I in males were slightly, but significantly higher than in females. It could be shown that the mean values of some reference sample subgroups differed significantly from the total mean. However, the multicenter approach used in this study reduces the impact of systematic population, sample handling and laboratory differences on the calculated reference mean. <i>Conclusion:</i> The present study establishes age- and sex-specific reference values for a fully automated immunoassay system based on a large population of healthy subjects. The established reference values may be used for this immunoassay system in different laboratories provided that the systematic difference between systems is low.
Epidermal Growth Factor Regulates Ca<sup>2+</sup> Uptake in Primary Cultured Renal Proximal Tubule Cells: Involvement of cAMP, PKC and cPLA<sub>2</sub>
Authors: Han Ho Jae , Park Soo Hyun , Lee Yun Jung 
Published: July 2003

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is known to play an important role in modulating renal transport functions. Thus, we investigated the effect of EGF on Ca<sup>2+</sup> uptake and its related signals in the primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubule cells. EGF (50 ng/ml, 1 h) stimulated Ca<sup>2+</sup> uptake. Its effect was blocked by AG 1478 (an EGF receptor antagonist), genistein or herbimycin A (tyrosine kinase inhibitors). EGF increased intracellular cAMP level and SQ 22536 (an adenylate cyclase inhibitor), Rp-cAMP (a cAMP analogue), or PKI (a protein kinase A inhibitor) blocked the EGF-induced stimulation of Ca<sup>2+</sup> uptake. EGF-induced stimulation of Ca<sup>2+</sup> uptake was also blocked by neomycin or U-73122 (phospholipase C inhibitors), staurosporine, H-7, or bisindolylmaleimide I (protein kinase C inhibitors), nifedipine or methoxyverapamil (L-type Ca<sup>2+</sup> channel blockers). It increased IPs formation by 167 ± 5% compare to control within 90 s. On the other hand, EGF increased [<sup>3</sup>H]-arachidonic acid release, which was significantly blocked by PKC inhibitors. In addition, PGE<sub>2</sub>, one of cyclooxygenase metabolites, and 5,6-EET, one of cytochrome P-450 metabolites, increased Ca<sup>2+</sup> uptake. These results suggest that cAMP, PLC/PKC, and PLA<sub>2</sub> are involved in EGF-induced stimulation of Ca<sup>2+</sup> uptake.
The Failing Male God: Emasculation, Death and Other Accidents in the Ancient Mediterranean World
Authors: Casadio Giovanni 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is threefold. Starting from a new analysis of some selected sources but also from a reappraisal of the highlights of scholarly literature, it aims to reassess the category of the Mediterranean "dying and rising gods," or "deities subject to vicissitude." A first conclusion is that in spite of past and present criticism this category holds it own and is still valuable for the work of the historian of religions. Secondly it is argued that an evaluation of some significant details in the parallel stories of Attis, Adonis, Osiris (and, mutatis mutandis, those of Dionysus and Mithras) demonstrates that deep-seated human urges may determine the formation of recurring mythical motifs. In order to clarify the background of this process, some Freudian formulas (the castration complex, the fear of death vs. the fear of castration) may be put to the test and yield profitable results. Another, "meta-critical" implication of this discussion is that our ways of collecting data, making comparisons, and suggesting solutions may be deeply conditioned by personal concerns.