bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevention of human hepatocellular carcinoma with natural lymphoblastoid alpha interferon
Authors: OON CHONG JIN 
Published: March 2003

Abstract  Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients have a high risk of recurrence within 5 years of hepatic resection and suitable long‐term maintenance therapy is required. An open‐ended controlled trial on 30 HBsAg positive Child Pugh's grade A cirrhotic patients was started in September 1986 using Wellferon (natural lymphoblastoid alpha interferon). Ten patients had standard adriamycin and mitomycin C monthly for 6 months, then discontinued when the course was completed. Twenty other patients had this regime, plus the addition of Wellferon given at 3 MU i.m. daily for 10 days. No HCC recurrence was observed in the interferon group. Followed to 14 years, 11 of the interferon‐treated patients are still well and HCC free, whereas none of the chemotherapy patients are alive. High incidence of recurrence occurred in those who discontinued interferon (IFN), reduced the dose, or took the scheduled dose, but at longer intervals of more than 3 months. Wellferon, a natural α‐IFN has potent inhibitory effects and reduces the risk of HCC development. It is a suitable agent for long‐term maintenance prophylactic therapy for high‐risk resected HBsAg positive HCC patients.© 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Sodium butyrate induces alkaline phosphatase gene expression in human hepatoma cells
Authors: Khan Khaleque , Tsutsumi Takuya , Nakata Keisuke , Kato Yuji 
Published: March 2003

Background and Aims: Butyrate, a natural product of colonic bacterial flora, has been reported to increase the activities of a number of enzymes, including alkaline phosphatase, (ALP) in several cancer cell lines. However, butyrate‐induced ALP gene expression in human hepatoma cells has not been previously demonstrated. In the present study, the effects of sodium butyrate on cell growth and proliferation, cellular activity and expression of ALP gene in human hepatoblastoma‐derived HepG2 cells were investigated. Methods: The HepG2 cells were treated with sodium butyrate (0–1 mmol/L) and the number of viable cells were counted at 24, 48 and 72 h after treatment. A [3H]‐thymidine incorporation study was performed at different concentrations of sodium butyrate for 48 h. The cellular activity of ALP in HepG2 cells by sodium butyrate was measured by a substrate‐specific enzymatic assay. To elucidate the effects of sodium butyrate on ALP gene expression, a northern blotting experiment employing hybridization with mouse placental ALP cDNA was performed. Results: Cell growth and proliferation were dose‐dependently inhibited by sodium butyrate. Cellular ALP activity was significantly increased in HepG2 cells in a time‐ and dose‐dependent fashion by treatment with sodium butyrate and a maximum activity was observed at 48 h. These effects were reversible when sodium butyrate was removed from the culture medium. By northern blot analysis, the level of ALP messenger RNA was dose‐dependently elevated by sodium butyrate. Conclusion: Butyrate, at a concentration relevant to the normal physiology of the liver, causes augmented expression of ALP mRNA in HepG2 cells. We assume that increased ALP synthesis in HepG2 cells by sodium butyrate results from an enhanced rate of transcription rather than translation of mRNA.
Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric metaplasia in the duodenal bulb in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer
Authors: Futami Hajime , Takashima Misako , Furuta Takahisa , Hanai Hiroyuki , Kaneko Eizo 
Published: March 2003

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether the amount of Helicobacter pylori and the extent of gastric metaplasia in the duodenal mucosa play critical roles in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer. Methods: Duodenal and gastric biopsy specimens were obtained from H. pylori‐positive patients with duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer or chronic gastritis. The extent of gastric metaplasia was evaluated histologically and endoscopically using the methylene blue test. In this study, we performed competitive polymerase chain reaction, a highly sensitive and quantitative method for determining the amount of H. pylori gastric and duodenal mucosa. The prevalence and extent of gastric metaplasia and the amount of H. pylori in the duodenal bulb in the three patient groups were compared. The correlation between the amount of H. pylori in the duodenum and gastric antrum and extent of gastric metaplasia were also determined. Results: The prevalence and extent of gastric metaplasia and the amount of H. pylori in the duodenal bulb in patients with duodenal ulcer were much higher than in patients with gastric ulcer or chronic gastritis. A positive correlation was found between the amount of H. pylori in the duodenum and the extent of gastric bulb and that in the antrum. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that H. pylori colonization in the duodenal bulb may play a critically important role in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer and that the amount of H. pylori in the duodenal bulb may be related to the amount of H. pylori in the gastric antrum and the extent of gastric metaplasia in the duodenal bulb.
Clinical evaluation of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy using n‐butyl‐2‐cyanoacrylate for gastric variceal bleeding
Authors: Ogawa Kenji , Ishikawa Shinya , Naritaka Yoshihiko , Shimakawa Takeshi , Wagatsuma Yoshihisa , Katsube Akao , Kajiwara Tetsuro 
Published: March 2003

Background: Emergency endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) has been applied to the initial treatment of gastric variceal bleeding and various methods have been attempted. Methods: Emergency EIS was performed on 38 patients with gastric variceal bleeding using either the ethanolamine oleate (EO) method or n‐butyl‐2‐cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl) method and the outcome was compared. Results: Complete haemostasis was defined as continuous haemostasis lasting for 14 days or more. Complete haemostasis was achieved in 52.4% of patients in the EO method versus 100% of those treated with the Histoacryl method, a significant difference, suggesting that the Histoacryl method was superior for achieving haemostasis in an emergency. The cumulative non‐bleeding rate was also significantly higher in patients treated with Histoacryl, indicating the durability of haemostasis. There were no serious complications in patients who received either method of sclerotherapy. Post‐EIS surgery was required in 42.8% of patients treated with EO, while no surgery was required in those treated with Histoacryl, supporting the greater haemostatic effect of Histoacryl. Although there was no significant difference in the cumulative survival rates of patients treated by these two methods, death from haemorrhage was avoided by using Histoacryl. Conclusions: Based on these results, the Histoacryl method is thought to be the initial treatment of choice for gastric variceal bleeding, because it achieved superior haemostasis compared with EO and death by haemorrhage was avoided.
Tauroursodeoxycholic acid enhances phagocytosis of the cultured rat Kupffer cell
Authors: Funaoka Masato , Komatsu Masafumi , Toyoshima Itaru , Mikami Kenichiro , Ono Tsuyoshi , Hoshino Takao , Kato Junji , Kuramitsu Tomoyuki , Ishii Tohru , Masamune Osamu 
Published: March 2003

Background: Ursodeoxycholic acid is used in the treatment of acute and chronic intrahepatic cholestasis because it ameliorates cholestasis and protects hepatocytes. However, few studies have examined the effect of bile acids on the function of Kupffer cells. Methods: The effect of various bile acids on cultured rat Kupffer cells was studied in terms of phagocytic activity in response to latex particles and morphological alterations. Video‐enhanced differential interference contrast microscopy was used. Results: Taurochenodeoxycholic acid and taurodeoxycholic acid reduced the number of latex particles incorporated into Kupffer cells, but taurocholic and tauroursodeoxycholic acids enhanced phagocytosis of latex particles. Inhibition of phagocytosis by taurochenodeoxycholic acid or taurodeoxycholic acid was essentially dose dependent. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid also enhanced phagocytosis by Kupffer cells in which phagocytosis had been reduced by pretreatment with taurochenodeoxycholic acid or taurodeoxycholic acid. Incorporated latex particles had a distinct translocation speed of 0.084 ± 0.024 μm/s (mean maximum speed ± SD); the speed was in the same range with tauroursodeoxycholic acid treatment. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid induced a 56% expansion of cytoplasm, associated with increased ruffling and movement of intracellular organelles. Conclusions: These observations suggest that tauroursodeoxycholic acid enhances membrane trafficking without changing translocation speed.
C ASE R	EPORT: Percutaneous drainage of the pancreatic head hydatid cyst with obstructive jaundice
Authors: Yattoo Ghulam Nabi , Khuroo Mohammad Sultan , Zargar Showkat Ali , Bhat Fayaz Ahmad , Sofi Bashir Ahmad 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe report a rare case of a patient with a primary hydatid cyst in the head of the pancreas who presented with obstructive jaundice caused by extrinsic compression of the intrapancreatic portion of the bile duct. The patient was treated successfully by ultrasound‐guided percutaneous drainage of the cyst using hypertonic (20%) saline as the scolicidal agent and albendazole chemoprophylaxis before and after the drainage. The cyst was not visible on ultrasonography at 6 months follow up. Clinical, sonographic and serological follow up to 35 months showed no evidence of cyst recurrence or dissemination. In endemic areas of hydatid disease, hydatid cyst should be a differential diagnosis in cystic lesions of the pancreas in patients presenting with obstructive jaundice.
C ASE R	EPORT: Mucinous cholangiocarcinoma featuring a multicystic appearance and periportal collar in imaging
Authors: Mizukami Yusuke , Ohta Hitoyoshi , Arisato Satoshi , Nakano Yasuhiro , Murakami Masanori , Orii Yutaka , Saito Hiroya , Sakurai Yasuo , Sakurai Hiroharu , Sato Teiko , Uno Yuji , Nakanuma Yasuni , Ohhira Motoyuki , Kohgo Yutaka 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA case of mucinous cholangiocarcinoma (CC), a rare histological type of CC, featuring unusual images is reported. The patient was hospitalized because of acute development of jaundice and fever. Computed tomography demonstrated multiple cystic lesions in the liver and a band‐like low density area parallel to the intrahepatic portal vein, a so‐called ‘periportal collar’. Endoscopic cholangiography revealed a stricture of the hepatic duct with slight upstream dilatation. Cytology of the bile juice and fine‐needle aspiration of the cystic lesion in the liver disclosed mucinous carcinoma. The patient died of multiorgan failure 3 weeks after admission. The autopsied liver showed that multiple mucus lakes were lined with adenocarcinoma cells and signet ring cells were floating in the mucus lakes. The cancer cells had spread along the portal tract and invaded into the hepatic parenchyma.© 1999 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd
Characterization of antibody responses against rectal mucosa‐associated bacterial flora in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Matsuda H , Fujiyama Y , Andoh A , Ushijima T , Kajinami T , Bamba T 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: Previous reports on faecal microflora have demonstrated that the total number of aerobes and coliforms was increased in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Based on the hypothesis that the pathogenesis of UC may be closely associated with the mucosal microflora, we investigated alterations in the mucosa‐associated microflora of UC patients.
Methods and Results
: The bacterial counts for both aerobes and anaerobes increased in UC patients. In particular, we detected the highest bacterial counts of Bacteroides vulgatus and these bacteria were isolated most frequently. In addition, we also investigated the serum antibody responses against the bacteria isolated from the affected mucosa by serum bacterial agglutination tests and immunoblotting. A high agglutination titre against B. vulgatus, Bacteroides fragilis, and Clostridium ramosum was detected in most UC patients, and the percentage of positive immunoreactivity was much higher in UC patients than in healthy controls. From the results of the immunoblotting, a unique antigenic determinant of B. vulgatus (BV43–26), a 26‐kDa protein from the outer membrane, was discovered. The serum immunoreactivity (immunoglobulin (Ig) G) against this 26‐kDa protein was much higher in UC patients (53.8%) than in the control sera (9.1%). The serum immunoreactivity (IgG) against a 50‐kDa protein isolated from the whole cell protein of Escherichia coli (EC48‐1) was also higher in UC patients (29.2%) than in normal controls (6.3%).
Conclusions
: These results suggest that B. vulgatus and a specific antibody response directed against it may play an important role in the pathogenesis of UC.
Effect of hepatobiliary disease, chronic hepatitis C and hepatitis B virus infections and interferon‐α on porphyrin profiles in plasma, urine and faeces
Authors: Gibson Peter R , Grant Janine , Cronin Virginia , Blake Dennis , Ratnaike Sujiva 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: Documentation of the profiles of porphyrins in hepatobiliary disease is limited. Strong associations of hepatitis B and C virus infections with porphyria cutanea tarda have suggested causal relationships. This study aimed to determine the nature of porphyrin abnormalities in hepatobiliary disease and the effect of interferon‐α on porphyrin profiles.
Methods
: Total porphyrins were measured in the plasma, urine and faeces of 83 patients with hepatobiliary disease (37 hepatitis C, 20 hepatitis B, 26 other causes) and 12 clinical controls, and porphyrin profiles were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography.
Results
: Porphyrins were elevated in the plasma of 11 and urine of 23 patients with hepatobiliary disease, as a result of elevated coproporphyrin I. This was reflected in increased coproporphyrin I:III ratios. Abnormal total porphyrin levels had a significant negative correlation with plasma albumin, and a positive correlation with bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, but not with aminotransferases. Total urinary porphyrins were elevated in three control patients, but coproporphyrin I:III ratios were normal. Although not seen in plasma or urine, porphyrins that are specific for porphyria cutanea tarda were found in the faeces of six patients, but this occurred with similar frequency in hepatitis B or C infection (four of 50) as in the clinical controls (two of 12). Interferon‐α had no effect during or after therapy in six patients with hepatitis C.
Conclusions
: Reduced biliary excretion of coproporphyrin I occurs in more severe cholestasis and/or hepatic dysfunction. A causal relationship between viral liver disease and porphyria cutanea tarda which is unlikely to be precipitated by interferon‐α, is not supported.
Interferon treatment is not associated with a worsening of psychiatric symptoms in patients with hepatitis C
Authors: Mulder Roger T , Ang Michael , Chapman B , Ross Alison , Stevens Isabel F , Edgar Christine 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Aim
: To study prospectively the psychiatric side effects of interferon‐α in patients with hepatitis C.
Methods
: Sixty‐three consecutive patients at a hepatitis clinic were recruited. All were assessed using a psychiatric interview (SCID) and monitored using a self‐reporting psychiatric symptom questionnaire (SCL‐90).
Results
: Patients on interferon did not suffer a drop in mood or an increase in anxiety or irritability. The subgroup with past depression also did not suffer an increase in depressive symptoms. No patients attempted suicide.
Conclusions
: The risk of serious psychiatric symptoms when being treated with interferon‐α may not be high. Psychiatric illness or the possibility of psychiatric complications should not be used as a reason to refuse this treatment to patients with hepatitis C.© 2000 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd
Pancreatic vasoactive intestinal polypeptide‐oma as a cause of secretory diarrhoea
Authors: Masel Sharon L , Brennan Barbara A , Turner J Harvey , Cullingford Graham L , Cullen Digby J 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA 42‐year‐old woman presented with a 4‐year history of worsening diarrhoea that was watery, profuse and confirmed to be secretory in nature. She had tested positive for phenolphthalein on urinary laxative screening but continued to deny laxative usage. Her vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) level was subsequently found to be markedly elevated. Despite a normal abdominal ultrasound, a computed tomography scan revealed a 5‐cm pancreatic tail mass. Octreotide scanning was used to exclude metastatic disease and she went on to have surgical removal of a localized pancreatic vasoactive intestinal polypeptide‐oma which resulted in the complete resolution of her diarrhoea.
Mucosectomy for gastric cancer: Current status in Japan
Authors: Tada Masahiro , Tanaka Yoshiyuki , Matsuo Naoki , Shimamura Tomotaka , Yamaguchi Kensei 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAdvances in techniques of image diagnosis have enabled the detection of minute or small cancer lesions in the stomach. Patients with such cancer, in principle, were treated surgically, but accumulated histopathological data on surgical cancer specimens revealed that many of these patients did not have any metastatic lesions. For those localized cancers, local treatment of primary lesions by endoscopy gives curative results. It has been demonstrated that endoscopic therapy is curative in mucosal well‐differentiated adenocarcinoma not more than 20 mm in diameter without ulceration. Efforts to cure early gastric cancer without surgery yielded fruitful results and a new treatment concept was established. Even if there is a recurrence of the residual or metachronous lesions, they can be treated by further endoscopic treatment.
Efficacy of a 1‐week pantoprazole triple therapy in eradicating Helicobacter pylori in Asian patients
Authors: Goh Kl , Parasakthi N , Cheah Pl , Ranjeev Ck , Rosmawati M , Tan Ym , Chin Sc 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: The aim of the present paper was to determine the efficacy and tolerability of a 1‐week treatment regimen consisting of pantoprazole and two antibiotics: clarithromycin and amoxycillin, in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori.
Methods
: The patients selected had unequivocal evidence of H. pylori infection based on urease test, culture and histology on antral and corpus biopsies obtained at endoscopy. Patients received pantoprazole 40 mg twice a day, clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day and amoxycillin 1 g twice a day for 1 week and were assessed for successful eradication at least 4 weeks after completion of therapy by repeat gastroscopy and gastric biopsies. Eradication was defined as absence of bacteria in both antral and corpus biopsies tested by culture, histology and urease test.
Results
: One hundred and six patients were recruited for the study. The mean age was 48.0 years (range: 23–74 years). Four patients defaulted follow up and five patients were not compliant (taking less than 85%) with medications. Eradication rates on per‐protocol analysis were: 88/97 (90.7%; 95% CI: 83.1–95.7); and on intention‐to‐treat analysis they were: 88/106 (83.0%; 95% CI: 75.9–90.2). Side‐effects were in general mild and tolerable: 57 of 106 (53.7%) patients complained of a bitter taste; 15 (14.1%) complained of giddiness; 10 (9.4%) complained of increased abdominal pain; 11 (11.5%) complained of lethargy and 16 (15.1%) complained of loose motions. Pre‐treatment metronidazole resistance was encountered in 57/74 strains (77.0%). Clarithromycin resistance was not encountered in any of the strains.
Conclusions
: The pantoprazole 1‐week triple therapy with amoxycillin and clarithromycin is effective in H. pylori eradication. The treatment was well tolerated by patients. Metronidazole resistance was reported in a high percentage of strains isolated from patients. Clarithromycin resistance was, however, not detected in any of the strains.
Enhanced polyadenosine diphosphate‐ribosylation in cirrhotic liver and carcinoma tissues in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shiobara Masayuki , Miyazaki Masaru , Ito Hiroshi , Togawa Akira , Nakajima Nobuyuki , Nomura Fumio , Morinaga Naoko , Noda Masatoshi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim: The aim of this study is to assess the poly ADP‐ribosylation activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and in liver cirrhosis (LC) as compared to the activity in normal livers (NL).Methods: Hepatocellular carcinoma and LC tissues were sampled from 19 patients with HCC. Normal liver tissue was obtained from 19 patients with metastatic liver cancer. Poly ADP‐ribosylation activity of these tissues was measured by using [32P]‐adenylate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)‐incorporation into the 116‐kDa protein. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide glycohydrolase activity of these tissues was determined with thin layer chromatography. The immunohistochemical expression of Ki‐67 was also assessed as a parameter of cell proliferative activity.Results: The poly ADP‐ribosylation of the 116 kDa protein was significantly increased in patients with HCC and LC as compared with NL (P < 0.0001, P < 0.05, respectively) and was inhibited by poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibitors in a dose‐dependent manner. There was no significant difference in NAD glycohydrolase activity among the three groups. A significant correlation was found between the Ki‐67 positive cell rate and the relative radioactivity of poly ADP‐ribosylation in HCC patients (r = 0.794, P < 0.0001). The poly ADP‐ribosylation of the 116 kDa protein of LC was significantly higher in patients who had recurrences of HCC after hepatic resection than in patients without recurrence (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Poly ADP‐ribosylation of the 116 kDa protein in HCC patients might be enhanced with its proliferative activity, and poly ADP‐ribosylation of the same protein in LC patients might be a useful parameter of carcinogenic potential for predicting HCC recurrence after hepatectomy in patients who have had HCC.