bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Preoperative Portal Vein Embolization on Liver Volume and Hepatic Energy Status of the Nonembolized Liver Lobe in Humans
Authors: Chijiiwa K. , Saiki S. , Noshiro H. , Kameoka N. , Nakano K. , Tanaka M. 
Published: April 2003

Clinically portal vein embolization (PVE) is presently preferred to extended hepatectomy. Nevertheless, its effect on hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and energy charge levels, which are essential for organ viability, has been little studied in humans. Fourteen patients with (n = 7) and without (n = 7) preoperative right PVE participated in this study. Changes in hepatic lobar volume and serum liver function tests were examined before and after percutaneous transhepatic right PVE. Liver volume (cm<sup>3</sup>) was calculated on computed tomograms before and 20 ± 3 days after PVE. At the time of surgery (mean of 25 days after PVE), small liver specimens were obtained from portal vein (PV) nonembolized left lobes immediately after laparotomy without any ischemic procedures. Concentrations of adenine nucleotides were measured by high performance liquid chromatography, and hepatic energy charge levels were calculated. These values were compared with those in control patients who had not undergone preoperative PVE. Serum liver function tests including the indocyanine green retention rate did not differ significantly before and after PVE. The volume of the PV-nonembolized left lobe significantly increased after right PVE (from 473 ± 32 to 624 ± 66 cm<sup>3</sup>), with a significant increase in the percentage of the left lobe to total liver volume. The concentrations of AMP, ADP, and ATP, and hepatic energy charge levels in the PV-nonembolized left lobe were similar to those of the control liver. These results suggest that preoperative right PVE increases the volume of the nonembolized left lobe, keeping the hepatic engery charge and ATP levels similar to the control liver, thereby increasing the total amount of ATP and hepatic energy reserve of the PV-nonembolized lobe in proportion to its volume increase at the time of surgery.
Total Pancreatico-Duodenal Transplantation with Portal Venous Drainage: Metabolic Assessments in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Elian N. , Carnot F. , Bailbé D. , Cugnenc P.-H. , Altman J.-J. 
Published: April 2003

A perfect metabolic correction of diabetes is essential to completely eradicate long-term chronic complications. Only a total pancreatic graft with portal venous drainage enables such an achievement. Isogenic Lewis rats were used for donors, recipients and controls. Pancreatico-duodenal transplantation was either heterotopic with systemic venous drainage (n = 12) or paratopic with portal drainage (n = 11). All animals were regularly monitored for non-fasting plasma glucose and insulin. Both techniques promptly restored the non-fasting plasma glucose to normal values (p < 0.003). Normo-insulinemia (47.4 ± 6.4 μU/ml) was obtained in the paratopic group, while the heterotopic group showed hyperinsulinism (132.0 ± 15.2 μU/ml). Perfect metabolic control justifies the additional technical difficulties of total paratopic pancreatic transplantation with portal venous drainage.
Hepatic Lymphocyte Transplantation in Hyperbilirubinemic Gunn Rats
Authors: Yoshida Y. , Kobayashi E. , Nozawa M. , Uchida H. , Fujimura A. , Yamanaka T. , Miyata M. 
Published: April 2003

Hepatic lymphomyeloid cells (HLCs) are thought to contain liver stem cells. We investigated whether HLCs generated enzyme-producing cells in vivo. HLCs from normal Wistar/Shi rats and rats in which liver ischemia was induced using a portal clamp 4 days previously were studed histopathologically and characterized using flow cytometry. Splenic lymphocytes obtained from these animals were compared as a control. The proliferative activity of HLCs and splenic cells from both groups was also tested by stimulation with concanavalin A. HLCs contained a significantly higher number of NK–T cells and OV6+ cells compared with the splenic cells. The HLCs from rats in which liver ischemia was induced tended to have greater proliferative activity than those from normal rats, while the proliferative activity of splenic lymphocytes was impaired by liver ischemia. The HLCs obtained from Wistar/Shi rats with liver ischemia were then injected into hereditary hyperbilirubinemic Gunn rats to determine whether the HLCs generated enzyme-producing cells. After injection of these stimulated HLCs, the titer of serum bilirubin in the recipient rats was markedly reduced over a long time course (6.80 ± 0.93 to 4.87 ± 0.22 mg/dl after 1 month and 3.52 ± 1.33 mg/dl after 6 months). The results of the present study indicate that HLCs have different populations than splenic cells, and ischemia-reperfusion of the liver increased their proliferative activity. HLC transplantation successfully reduced high bilirubin levels over a long time course.
Effects of Dibutyryl Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate on the Ultrastructure of Endothelial Cells in Rat Lungs Cold Preserved for 15 Hours
Authors: Ueda M. , Hasegawa S. , Nakamura T. , Hirata T. , Fukuse T. , Suzuki Y. , Wada H. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (db-cAMP) has been shown to protect vascular endothelial cells by increasing the level of intracellular cAMP, and we have previously reported its effectiveness in lung preservation. Here, the effects of db-cAMP in lung preservation were ultrastructurally investigated, and the ultrastructural changes before reperfusion were correlated with pulmonary function after reperfusion. <i>Methods:</i> The lungs of 17 Lewis rats were flushed with perfusate and prostaglandin E<sub>1</sub>, and were then divided into three groups. In the fresh group (n = 6), the lungs were flushed with extracellular-type trehalose-containing (ET-K) solution and were reperfused immediately. In the control group (n = 6) and db-cAMP group (n = 5), the lungs were flushed with ET-K solution and ET-K solution plus db-cAMP (2 m<i>M</i>), respectively, and were reperfused after cold preservation at 4°C for 15 h. Before reperfusion, tissue was sampled and ultrastructurally analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. <i>Results:</i> In the endothelial cells of pulmonary arterioles, the incidence of protrusion was significantly lower in the fresh and db-cAMP groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). The incidence of detachment and microvillus formation were significantly lower in the fresh and db-cAMP groups than in the control group (p < 0.01). The ultrastructure of the alveoli did not allow separation of the control and db-cAMP groups. The shunt fraction and wet to dry weight ratio of the lung tissue after reperfusion were significantly lower in the fresh and db-cAMP groups than in the control group (p < 0.01). Positive correlations were found between the incidence of these ultrastructural changes in the endothelial cells of the pulmonary arterioles and pulmonary function after reperfusion. <i>Conclusion:</i> These findings suggest that db-cAMP might attenuate the lung injury caused by cold preservation and ischemia-reperfusion, partly by suppressing the acceleration of the structural changes in the endothelial cells in the pulmonary arterioles.
Correlation of Change in Uterine Activity to Blood Loss in theThird Stage of Labour
Authors: Choo W.L. , Chua S. , Chong Y.S. , Vanaja K. , Oei P.L. , Ho L.M. , Roy A.C. , Arulkumaran S. 
Published: April 2003

In 47 women, the change in the uterine activity after the administration of a uterotonic agent was correlated with the amount of blood loss during the same period of time. Uterine activity was measured by a Gaeltec<sup>®</sup> catheter-tipped pressure transducer inserted transcervically within 5 min of delivery of the placenta. A uterotonic agent (either intravenous syntocinon, intramuscular syntometrine or oral misoprostol) was given after the insertion of the intrauterine pressure catheter and pressure recorded for another 90 min. Blood loss over the same 2-hour period was collected with absorbent paper which was then assessed by colorimetric measurement of the haemoglobin content in the sample. Our results show that the change in uterine activity is associated with the total blood loss. However, there is a poor linear correlation between the two variables probably because of the biological variation in myometrial activity and differences in coagulation mechanisms in normal women.
Single Fetal Demise in a Twin Gestation: Umbilical Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Baxi Laxmi V. , Daftary Aditya , Loucopoulos Andrew 
Published: April 2003

<b>Background: </b>Single fetal demise in a twin pregnancy is a rare event, the common causes being twin-twin transfusion syndrome, chromosomal or congenital anomalies and abnormalities of the umbilical cord and placenta. Umbilical vein thrombosis is a very rare cause of single fetal demise in twins. <b>Case:</b> Three days after a reassuring biophysical profile, a 40-year-old primigravida with twin pregnancy presented at 38 weeks’ gestation in early labor when demise of 1 of the twins was recognized. She underwent a cesarean section for arrest of labor, delivering twin A, a stillborn female weighing 2,360 g and twin B, a liveborn male weighing 2,200 g. Umbilical vein thrombus was noted in twin A. <b>Conclusion:</b> Umbilical vein thrombosis is a rare and sudden cause of fetal demise.
Maternal Circulating Nitrite Levels Are Decreased in both Normal Normotensive Pregnancies and Pregnancies with Preeclampsia
Authors: Hata Toshiyuki , Hashimoto Michio , Kanenishi Kenji , Akiyama Masashi , Yanagihara Toshihiro , Masumura Sumio 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To evaluate whether maternal nitric oxide synthesis in pregnancies with preeclampsia is different from that in normal normotensive pregnancies. <i>Materials:</i> Maternal circulating combined nitrate and nitrite levels or nitrite level were compared between 10 normotensive nonpregnant women, 30 normotensive pregnant women (10 first-trimester, 10 second-trimester, and 10 third-trimester pregnancies), 20 normotensive postpartum women (10 at 1 week after delivery, and 10 at 4 weeks after delivery), and 13 preeclamptic women (32 to 40 weeks’ gestation). End-products of nitric oxide synthesis were measured from maternal venous blood samples using a fluorometric assay. <i>Results:</i> Maternal circulating nitrite levels in nonpregnant women (1.13 ± 0.22 μ<i>M</i>) were significantly higher than those in the first-trimester pregnant women (0.68 ± 0.13 μ<i>M</i>), second-trimester pregnant women (0.65 ± 0.13 μ<i>M</i>), third-trimester pregnant women (0.48 ± 0.17 μ<i>M</i>), first puerperal week women (0.36 ± 0.16 μ<i>M</i>), and fourth puerperal week women (0.67 ± 0.17 μ<i>M</i>), respectively (p < 0.05). Maternal circulating nitrite level was decreased with advancing gestation, still remained low just after delivery, and was increased 4 weeks later. There was no significant difference in maternal circulating nitrite level between preeclamptic women (0.40 ± 0.17 μ<i>M</i>) and third-trimester pregnant women (0.48 ± 0.17 μ<i>M</i>). However, there were no significant differences in maternal circulating combined nitrate and nitrite levels among the gorups. <i>Conclusion:</i> These results suggest that the maternal nitric oxide synthesis is not changed in normal normotensive pregnancies and pregnancies with preeclampsia. However, plasma nitrite level, which has stronger spasmolytic activity than the activity of the nitrate, was decreased in both normal normotensive pregnancies and pregnancies with preeclampsia.
Comparative Study of Cervical Laminar Tents prior to Extra-Amniotic Injection of Ethacridine Lactate (Rivanol) and a Condom-Nelathon Catheter Method for Second-Trimester Pregnancy Interruption in Vietnam
Authors: Järnbert Arne , Klang Bengt , Vinh Nguyen Thi , Ham Nguyen Ngoc 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To determine whether the regimen for termination of second-trimester pregnancies using laminaria tents 12–24 h prior to extra-amniotic ethacridine lactate (Rivanol) instillation, is more effective in shortening the insertion-expulsion interval than the presently used method of abortion induction by a condom/Nelathon catheter. <i>Design:</i> A prospective randomised comparative study was performed at Uong Bi General Hospital in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, on 91 women undergoing pregnancy termination in the second trimester. <i>Interventions:</i> The subjects were randomly allocated to 2 treatment groups, receiving either the Nelathon catheter-condom method (n = 50) or by insertion of a laminaria tent into the cervical canal for preinduction, 13–29 h before extra-amniotic instillation of ethacridine lactate (n = 34). Seven subjects were not pretreated with the laminaria tent. <i>Main Outcome Measures:</i> The insertion-expulsion intervals and the incidence of side effects were assessed. <i>Results:</i> The mean insertion-expulsion interval in the 2 groups was not significantly different (mean 27.5 ± 16.1 and 26.4 ± 16.4 h, respectively), calculating the insertion-expulsion interval from the start of active treatment, i.e. from the instillation of Rivanol or insertion of the Nelathon catheter and condom, until expulsion of the fetus. <i>Conclusions:</i> The laminaria-Rivanol method for pregnancy interruption is not more advantageous than the existing Nelathon catheter-condom method. Simple, successful and cost-effective methods in achieving second-trimester abortion in the Vietnamese context have therefore to be identified and tested.
Detection of Transforming Growth Factor-α in the Serum of Gastric Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Choi Jin-Hyuk , Kim Hugh Chul , Lim Ho-Yeong , Nam Dong Ki , Kim Hyun Soo , Yi Sun Young , Shim Kang-Sup , Han Woon Sup 
Published: April 2003

Transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) is a ligand for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and it is overexpressed in various malignancies including lung, esophageal, colorectal, ovarian and gastric carcinomas. In patients with gastric carcinoma, its overexpression may be associated with advanced stage or poor prognosis. We have recently demonstrated that the mean serum level for EGFR in gastric carcinoma patients was significantly elevated compared with that of healthy controls. Using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the levels of TGF-α were determined in serum from 40 patients with gastric carcinoma (5 patients with stage I, 2 stage II, 4 stage III, and 29 stage IV patients) and 33 healthy controls. The mean serum level for TGF-α in the gastric carcinoma patients was significantly elevated as compared with that of healthy controls (104 ± 235 vs. 22 ± 16 pg/ml; p = 0.03). Eleven patients with gastric carcinoma (27.5%) showed elevated serum TGF-α levels above the cutoff value of 54 pg/ml (defined as 2 standard deviations above the mean of the control group). No significant association was noted between the positivity of TGF-α and clinicopathologic characteristics including gender, age and stage. However, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma showed a higher positivity of serum TGF-α (43.8%) compared with other histologic types, which was marginally significant (p = 0.06). These results suggest that serum TGF-α could be useful as a tumor marker of gastric carcinoma for predicting prognosis and follow-up after surgery in patients whose initial serum TGF-α levels are elevated.
Metabolic Factors in the Renal Response to Amino Acid Infusion
Authors: Claris-Appiani Aldo , Ardissino Gianluigi , Tirelli Amedea S. , Daccò Valeria , Corbetta Carlo , Guidi Laura , Moretto Eugenia , Assael Baroukh M. , Sereni Fabio 
Published: April 2003

In order to investigate the renal effects of amino acids (AA) with different metabolic fate, we compared the changes in glomerular and tubular function, nitrogen metabolism and glucoregulatory hormones in 7 volunteers during two infusions, one of a complete solution of amino acids (MIX-AA), which included five AA electively metabolized at the splanchnic level, and the other of a solution containing only essential AA (EAA), which escape splanchnic metabolism. MIX-AA increased GFR and RPF (from 104 ± 6 to 122 ± 13 and from 488 ± 46 to 572 ± 34 ml/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup>), stimulated splanchnic metabolism as demonstrated by rises in urinary urea excretion (from 20.7 ± 2 to 30.6 ± 7.5 mg/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup>) and the plasma glucagon/insulin ratio (from 21.4 ± 13 to 26.7 ± 15), and caused increases in fractional excretion of AA, FeNa and free-water clearance. During MIX-AA infusion significant correlations were observed between the individual values of GFR and the urea excretion rate (r = 0.66), and between GFR modifications (ΔGFR) and the plasma glucagon/plasma insulin ratio (r = 0.40). No change in renal function, urea excretion and the glucagon/insulin ratio was observed with EAA. An intermediate splanchnic step (increased plasma glucagon/insulin ratio and ureagenesis) seems necessary in the pathway leading to the nonessential AA-induced rise in GFR; this might stimulate an ultimate intrarenal pathway (possibly involving the diluting segment) via a still undefined mechanism.
Circadian Blood Pressure Changes and Cardiac Abnormalities in IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Szelestei Tamás , Kovács Tibor , Barta József , Nagy Judit 
Published: April 2003

The absence of diurnal blood pressure rhythm is characteristic of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis already before they develop hypertension. The prognostic importance and possible target organ-damaging effect of the absence are unknown. Simultaneously, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and echocardiographic investigations were done in 12 normotensive and 38 hypertensive IgA nephropathy patients. The hypertensive patients were treated with either angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) alone or in combination with a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. The absence of a night-time blood pressure reduction was frequent in both groups (5/12 vs. 20/38). In the hypertensive patients, blood pressure and left ventricular mass index were higher (124.6 ± 23.3/81.2 ± 15.3 vs. 106.6 ± 33.4/67.4 ± 21.8 mm Hg, p < 0.001, and 124.1 ± 46.2 vs. 89.2 ± 45.6 g/m<sup>2</sup>, p < 0.01). Diastolic left ventricular function was better in normotensive patients, in whom E wave/A wave ratio (E/A) and decelaration time values correlated closely with the diastolic diurnal index (E/A, r = 0.86, p < 0.01; DT, r = –0.70, p < 0.01). In the hypertensive patients, both the left ventricular wall thickness and diastolic function were significantly related to nighttime blood pressure and diurnal index values, but there was no relationship with daytime blood pressure. In conclusion, in IgA nephropathy patients there are mild cardiac abnormalities before they develop hypertension, the abnormalities bearing the closest correlation with the decrease in diurnal blood pressure rhythm. These data suggest the inefficacy of ACEI and calcium channel blockers in treating nighttime hypertension and in reestablishing diurnal rhythm. These phenomena are of great importance in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic malfunction.
Circulating Concentrations of Soluble Interleukin 6 Receptors gp80 and gp130 in Chronic Renal Failure and Effects ofRenal Replacement Therapy
Authors: Frieling Johan T.M. , van Hamersvelt Henk W. , Wijdenes John , Hendriks Thijs , Sauerwein Robert W. , van der Linden Cees J. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Circulating receptors modulate the biological effects of cytokines. Renal insufficiency is known to influence the concentrations of the soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors p55 and p75. No data are available on the concentrations of the circulating interleukin 6 (IL-6) receptors gp80 and gp130 during chronic renal insufficiency. <i>Methods:</i> We compared the serum concentrations of the IL-6 receptors gp80 and gp130 to those of the TNF receptors p55 and p75 in end-stage chronic renal failure, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, and hemodialysis (HD). <i>Results:</i> In healthy controls the concentrations of gp80, gp130, p55, and p75 in serum were 82.1 ± 24.3, 87.9 ± 20.2, 1.1 ± 0.2, and 1.7 ± 0.3 ng/ml, respectively. These concentrations were increased to, respectively, 112.2 ± 18.0, 186.0 ± 37.7, 10.5 ± 4.3, and 15.0 ± 7.5 ng/ml in chronic renal failure, to 138.8 ± 18.0, 181.3 ± 46.1, 25.5 ± 5.2, and 19.1 ± 3.4 ng/ml in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, and to 107.9 ± 29.4, 146.6 ± 30.5, 22.9 ± 6.3, and 16.8 ± 6.0 ng/ ml in HD (before dialysis session). The concentrations after HD were higher for p75 only. <i>Conclusions:</i> The data show that the concentrations of the IL-6 receptors (gp80 and gp130) are elevated in chronic renal insufficiency. The increase is relatively low as compared with the elevation of the TNF receptors in this situation. HD does not result in a consistent change in serum concentrations of the various receptors.
A Prospective Study of Hepatitis C Viremia in Renal Allograft Recipients
Authors: Mahmoud Ihab M. , Sobh Mohamed A. , Amer Galal M. , El-Chenawy Farha A. , Gazareen Sanaa H. , El-Sherif Assam , El-Sawy Esam , Ghoneim Mohamed A. 
Published: April 2003

In an attempt to study the impact of HCV viremia on renal transplant clinical course and outcome, we prospectively followed 133 HBsAg-negative end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, in whom HCV-RNA-PCR results were available, from the pre- to post-transplant period. Eighty (60%) ESRD patients tested PCR-positive, of these, 12 (15%) were anti-HCV negative by second generation ELISA. The viremic patients had a longer time on dialysis (p < 0.001), received more blood units (p < 0.001) and had a higher frequency of pre-transplantation liver disease (p < 0.001). Further, 41% of PCR-positive patients gave a history of antischistosomal treatment compared with 23% of PCR-negative ones (p = 0.048). Recipients with and without HCV viremia were followed for a mean of 31.8 ± 5.8 (range 6–42) months and 29.8 ± 9 (range 6–41) months respectively, p = 0.14. While the prevalence of HCV viremia increased from 60 to 64% at the last follow-up, the anti-HCV seroprevalence decreased from 63 to 61%. PCR-positive patients had higher rates of both acute (p = 0.005) and chronic (p < 0.001) liver disease after transplantation compared with PCR-negative patients. However, none of our HCV RNA positive recipients developed a fulminant liver disease or hepatic failure until the last follow-up. Stepwise logistic regression analysis identified pre-transplant liver disease (Odds ratio = 2.4; p = 0.07) and a cumulative corticosteroid dose in excess of 15 g at the last follow-up (Odds ratio = 3; p = 0.03) as independent predictors of post-transplant hepatic dysfunction in PCR-positive patients. Azathioprine was discontinued due to hepatic dysfunction in a significantly (p = 0.005) higher proportion of viremic patients compared with the non-viremic ones. There were no significant differences between PCR-positive and -negative patients in terms of frequencies and individual causes of graft and patient losses. Our results demonstrate that HCV infection is extremely prevalent in Egyptian hemodialysis patients and is responsible for most hepatic dysfunctions after transplantation. Although HCV viremia did not negatively affect graft or patient outcome until 31 months post-transplantation, the authors would recommend that a viremic patient should have a liver biopsy before transplantation and be immunosuppressed with caution post-transplantation. A longer follow-up may be required to exclude increased rates of HCV-induced hepatic mortalities.