bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dietary fiber fraction of germinated barley foodstuff attenuated mucosal damage and diarrhea, and accelerated the repair of the colonic mucosa in an experimental colitis
Authors: Kanauchi Osamu , Iwanaga Toshihiko , Andoh Akira , Araki Yoshio , Nakamura Tomohiko , Mitsuyama Keiichi , Suzuki Asuka , Hibi Toshifumi , Bamba Tadao 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aims: Germinated barley foodstuff (GBF) contains protein and insoluble dietary fiber. We have previously shown in ulcerative colitis patients and a colitis model that GBF feeding attenuates mucosal damage by increasing luminal butyrate levels. However, the detailed mechanism remains unclear because of its heterogeneous nature. The present study was carried out to: (i) evaluate the active ingredient in GBF; and (ii) examine its effect on the repair process in colonic inflammation by using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitis model.Methods: Colitis was induced by feeding a diet containing 0.5–3.5% DSS to male Sprague–Dawley rats. (i) Active ingredient: GBF was fractionated enzymatically into fiber‐ and protein‐rich fractions. Each fraction was administered to DSS‐colitis rats. Clinical signs, cecal short chain fatty acid concentrations and serum α1‐acid glycoprotein (AAG) levels were determined. (ii) Effect on mucosal repair: GBF with or without salazosulfapyridine (SASP), or SASP alone was administered to rats after the onset of colitis. Seven days after initial treatment, the number of epithelial cells in HE sections was evaluated morphologically in a blind fashion and serum AAG was determined.Results: (i) Germinate barley foodstuff and GBF‐fiber significantly attenuated the clinical signs of colitis and decreased serum AAG levels, with a significant increase in cecal butyrate production, while GBF‐protein did not. (ii) Treatment with GBF alone and GBF plus SASP significantly accelerated colonic epithelial repair and improved clinical signs.Conclusions: These findings suggest that the fiber fraction of GBF may effectively enhance luminal butyrate production, and thereby accelerate colonic epithelial repair in colitis.
Metabolic genotypes and risk for colorectal cancer
Authors: Butler Wendy J , Ryan Philip , Roberts‐Thomson Ian C 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground:Inherited polymorphisms that influence carcinogen metabolism or the composition of bile may influence the risk for the development of colorectal cancer.Methods:The frequency of polymorphisms involving N‐acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1), NAT2, cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), CYP2D6, CYP2E1, glutathione S‐transferase M1 (GSTM1), GSTT1 and apolipoprotein E were compared in 219 white adults with sporadic colorectal cancer and 200 white controls attending for blood donation at a blood bank. Polymorphisms were determined by using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) after amplification of genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data were analyzed by using standard statistical methods for a case– control study, and reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).Results:None of the genotypes, either alone or in combination, showed a strong association with colorectal cancer. Inheritance of the GSTT1 null genotype conferred a twofold risk of cancer that was statistically significant with crude data (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.38–3.43), but not after adjustment for age (OR 1.91; 95% CI 0.99–3.70). There was also a trend towards a lower risk for proximal (right‐sided) cancers in patients with apolipoprotein ɛ4 (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.31–1.33).Conclusion:No strong associations have been found between metabolic genotypes and colorectal cancer risk in Australia. Large studies will be required to confirm weak associations and to establish relationships between cancer risk, metabolic genotypes and exposure to dietary or other environmental carcinogens.
Laterally spreading tumor: Clinicopathological study in comparison with the depressed type of colorectal tumor
Authors: Ohno Yasuhiko , Terai Takeshi , Ogihara Tatsuo , Hirai Shu , Miwa Hiroto 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim: To evaluate the difference between laterally spreading colorectal tumors (LSTs) with depression and depressed‐type colorectal tumors.Methods: Sixteen LSTs showing the appearance of non‐distinct, gently sloping central depressions were compared clinicopathologically with 14 depressed‐type tumors that were larger than 10 mm in size.Results: The mean size of LSTs with depression was 13.5 ± 3.4 mm, which was significantly larger than that of the depressed type colorectal tumors (11.2 ± 1.5 mm). The invasion of the depressed‐type colorectal tumors was significantly deeper than that of LSTs with depression, despite the larger size of the LSTs. The surface structures (pit patterns) of both types of tumors were apparently different; the pit patterns of LSTs with depression were almost of the type IIIL pit, while that of the depressed‐type tumors were almost of type V pits (P < 0.01). Histologically, LSTs with depression appeared to grow in a superficial replacing manner on the edge of the lesions, while depressed‐type tumors grew in an expanding manner.Conclusion: It seems appropriate that these LSTs with depression should be distinguished from depressed‐type colorectal tumors and regarded as constituting a new clinical entity.
Characterization of hepatitis B virus surface antigen‐specific CD4+ T cells in hepatitis B vaccine non‐responders
Authors: Suzuki Tomohiko , Yamauchi Katsumi , Kuwata Tomo , Hayashi Naoaki 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim: To study the mechanisms of hepatitis B vaccine non‐response, we examined hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg)‐induced proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from hepatitis B (HB) vaccinees.Methods: Subsequently, we have examined the features of HBsAg‐reactive CD4+ T cells in HB vaccine non‐responders (NR). Based on serum antibodies to HBsAg (anti‐HBs) titers, we divided these vaccinees into three groups: high responder (HR), middle responder (MR) and non‐responder (NR), and examined HBsAg‐induced proliferation of their PBMC.Results: We found that the in vitro response of PBMC to stimulation with HBsAg was correlated with their serum anti‐HBs titer (mean stimulation index was 10.71 in HR, 4.37 in MR and 1.96 in NR). However, by the deletion of CD8+ T cells, the increased response was observed in two of four NRs.Conclusions: The present results have also shown that at least four distinct HBsAg‐reactive CD4+ clones existed (variable gene of T cell receptor β (Vβ) 17 + clone restricted with HLA‐DR locus (DR4), Vβ8 + clone restricted with HLA‐DQ locust (DQ7), and both Vβ5.1 + clone and Vβ20 + clone restricted with either DR9 or DQ3) in NRs. The results demonstrated that heterogeneous HBsAg‐reactive CD4 clones existed in some HB vaccine NRs.
Pharmacokinetics of roxatidine acetate in patients with chronic liver disease
Authors: Tsutsumi Mikihiro , Ueshima Yasuhiro , Takase Shujiro 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aim: Patients with liver disease are prone to develop peptic ulceration and often receive H2‐receptor antagonists. Therefore, it is important to clarify whether the pharmacokinetics of H2‐receptor antagonists is affected by hepatic function. However, pharmacokinetics of a new H2‐receptor antagonist, roxatidine acetate, in chronic liver disease has not been well known. In this study, we analyzed the pharmacokinetics of roxatidine in patients with liver disease.Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 11 patients with chronic hepatitis, 11 patients with cirrhosis and six healthy subjects. Under fasting conditions, 75 mg of roxatidine acetate was administered orally, and plasma roxatidine levels were determined sequentially from 3 to 12 h. Relationships between pharmacokinetic variables and each parameter related to hepatic functions were also investigated.Results: There was no difference in the pharmacokinetic variables and serum levels of roxatidine between chronic hepatitis and healthy controls. In contrast, in cirrhosis, serum roxatidine levels were significantly higher than those in chronic hepatitis and normal control. Half‐life, the area under the plasma concentration–time curve and clearance in cirrhosis were also significantly longer, bigger and smaller than those in chronic hepatitis and healthy controls, respectively. The half‐life became longer and the clearance became smaller in parallel with the progression of liver disease. Serum levels of hyaluronate and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase showed a good correlation with half‐life, clearance and elimination rate. A good correlation between creatinine clearance and elimination rate was found.Conclusion: Pharmacokinetics of roxatidine acetate is affected by hepatic function, and the dosage of roxatidine acetate for patients with liver disease, especially cirrhosis, should be modified.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the management of pancreaticobiliary disorders in children
Authors: Poddar Ujjal , Thapa Babu R , Bhasin Deepak K , Prasad Arun , Nagi Birendra , Singh Kartar 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aim: The role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is not yet fully established in children. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of ERCP in the diagnosis and management of various pancreaticobiliary disorders in children.Methods: Eighty‐four ERCPs were performed over 5.5 years in 72 children with suspected pancreaticobiliary tract disorders with an adult‐type duodenoscope. In all cases, indications, procedure time, ERCP findings, complications, patients course and therapeutic intervention (if any) were recorded.Results: The mean (± SD) age of these children was 8.8 ± 3.3 years. Successful cannulation was possible in 70 (97%) cases. Of the 44 cases with suspected biliary tract disease, 14 had a choledochal cyst, 13 had portal biliopathy, two each had CBD stones, primary sclerosing cholangitis and a bile leak, one had biliary ascariasis, eight had a normal cholangiogram, and CBD cannulation failed in two. Eight of the 28 children with suspected pancreatic disorders had chronic pancreatitis, five had pancreatic duct disruption, three had pancreas divisum and the rest had a normal pancreatogram (including all eight children with unexplained abdominal pain). Therapeutic ERCP was performed in 22 children, endoscopic nasobiliary or a nasocystic drain was placed in 16, biliary stenting was conducted in two, pancreatic duct stenting was conducted in three, and minor papilla dilation was conducted in one child. Six children had mild procedure‐related complications.Conclusion: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is very useful in the treatment of cholangitis, bile leak, pseudocyst and pancreatic fistulae in children. However, its role in unexplained abdominal pain is doubtful.
Intracellular inhibition of the replication of hepatitis B virus by hammerhead ribozymes
Authors: Feng Ying , Kong Yu‐Ying , Wang Yuan , Qi Guo‐Rong 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is frequently associated with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and so has become a major worldwide health problem. Hammerhead ribozymes have recently gained some attention as potential tools to inhibit viral infection, for which there are no general effective therapies available.Methods: A hammerhead ribozyme, RzC, was designed to target the sequence encoding the tail region of the HBV core protein. The activities of the ribozyme were analyzed in vitro and in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells.Results: In vitro, RzC cleaves HBV‐RNA at its target site up to 30%, while the disabled ribozyme, dRzC, which has a one‐base mutation in the catalytic site, did not cleave the target RNA at all. When the ribozymes were cotransfected into HepG2 cells with the HBV genome‐containing plasmid, p3.6II, the inhibition of HBV replication by RzC was greater than that by dRzC, indicating that the active catalytic domain of the hammerhead ribozyme could increase the extent of antisense‐mediated inhibition. In addition, there was a gradient of effectiveness in which the greater the amount of released ribozyme, the greater the reduction in HBV progeny DNA.Conclusions: These results suggest the possibility of hammerhead ribozyme‐mediated gene therapy for the treatment of HBV infections.
A female with asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis associated with pernicious anemia
Authors: Takahashi Toru , Honma Terasu , Ishizuka Kisei , Fuse Ichiro , Asakura Hitoshi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe experienced a female case with asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis that was associated with pernicious anemia after 16 years from the onset. She was 52 years old when she first visited a clinic in 1981 for liver dysfunction treatment. Antimitochondrial antibody was negative and antipyruvate dehydrogenase complex antibody was positive in a low titer in its immunoglobulin (Ig)M type. Histological examination of her liver revealed a presence of definite chronic non‐suppurative destructive cholangitis with numerous epithelioid cell granuloma. She had been given 600 mg of the oral daily dose of ursodeoxycholic acid since 1992. Macrocytic anemia incidiously appeared in September 1999. An immunological examination detected negative antiparietal cell antibodies and positive anti‐intrinsic factor antibodies. Her bone marrow smear showed numerous megaloblasts and serum vitamin B12 in her blood was low at 99 pg/mL. Severe reversed atrophic‐type gastritis (type A gastritis) was demonstrated by the use of dye‐endoscopy with Congo red. Her macrocytic anemia dramatically improved after intramuscular administration of vitamin B12. In conclusion, attention should be given to the association of pernicious anemia during the follow up of primary biliary cirrhosis.
Influence of Helicobacter pylori infection and cetraxate on gastric mucosal blood flow during healing of endoscopic mucosal resection‐induced ulcers
Authors: Adachi Kyoichi , Suetsugu Hiroshi , Moriyama Nobuyuki , Kazumori Hideaki , Kawamura Akira , Fujishiro Hirofumi , Sato Hiroshi , Okuyama Toshihiko , Ishihara Shunji , Watanabe Makoto , Kinoshita Yoshikazu 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aim: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is known to affect the gastric microcirculation, and cetraxate is reported to accelerate gastric ulcer healing, possibly by augmenting gastric mucosal blood flow (MBF). The aim of this study is to clarify the effect of H. pylori infection and cetraxate on MBF during gastric ulcer healing.Methods:Forty‐two patients who had undergone endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) were studied. Mucosal blood flow was measured by the use of a laser Doppler flowmeter in the surrounding mucosa and at the ulcer margin, before, 1 day, 1 week and 4 weeks after EMR. Helicobacter pylori infection was confirmed by the use of bacterial culture and histology. After EMR, patients were randomly assigned to receive 30 mg lansoprazole (u.i.d; L‐regimen) or 30 mg lansoprazole (u.i.d.) with 200 mg cetraxate (q.i.d; LC‐regimen) for 4 weeks.Results:The MBF ratio (MBF at ulcer margin/MBF in surrounding mucosa) 1 week after EMR was significantly lower than that before or 4 weeks after EMR only in H. pylori‐positive patients treated with the L‐regimen. No such decrease in MBF was observed after 1 week in H. pylori‐positive patients treated with the LC‐regimen or in H. pylori‐negative patients.Conclusion:A transient decrease in MBF was detected at the ulcer margin during healing of EMR‐induced ulcers in H. pylori‐infected patients. Cetraxate seemed to prevent this decrease in MBF.
Antimitochondrial autoantibodies in saliva and sera from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Ikuno Nobuhiro , Mackay Ian R , Jois Jennifer , Omagari Katsuhisa , Rowley Merrill J 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aims: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a cholestatic autoimmune liver disease characterized by antimitochondrial autoantibodies (AMA) in serum, for which the reactants are E2 subunits of the three 2‐oxoacid dehydrogenase (2‐OAD) enzymes, particularly pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC‐E2). Some 70% of patients with PBC have a coexisting autoimmune disease including Sjögren's syndrome. We aimed to ascertain the frequency and isotype of AMA in saliva in PBC.Methods: Serum and saliva from 12 patients with PBC were tested for AMA by immunoblotting on bovine heart mitochondria, and by an automated microassay based on inhibition of the enzymatic activity of PDC.Results: Autoantibodies of the immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgM, and IgA immunoglobulin isotypes against the E2 subunits of 2‐OAD enzymes were demonstrable in PBC in serum (12 of 12 cases) and saliva (nine of 12 cases). Salivary autoantibodies, like serum autoantibodies, were predominantly reactive with PDC and of the IgG isotype. Results for serum and saliva corresponded closely with regard to reactivity with individual enzymes of the 2‐OAD enzyme family, and to the autoantibody isotype that was predominantly expressed, and also in the capacity to inhibit the enzymatic activity of PDC.Conclusions: The presence of AMA in saliva to 2‐OAD enzymes indicates that salivary glands could participate in the pathogenetic process of PBC. The detection of salivary AMA by a semi‐automated enzyme inhibition assay offers possibilities for rapid population screening for detection of preclinical PBC among at‐risk individuals, middle‐aged to older women.
Brachyspira aalborgi infection in four Australian children
Authors: Heine Ralf G , Ward Peter B , Mikosza Andrew Sj , Bennett‐Wood Vicki , Robins‐Browne Roy M , Hampson David J 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim: The clinical presentation of four children and adolescents (two males and two females with a mean age of 12.4 years; range 9–16 years) with colorectal spirochetosis is discussed.Results: Symptoms included persistent diarrhea (n = 2), rectal bleeding (n = 1) and abdominal pain (n = 2). In all patients, colorectal spirochetosis was an unanticipated finding on colonic histology, and the presence of spirochetes was confirmed by the use of electron microscopy. Spirochetes were identified as Brachyspira aalborgi by using PCR amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase sequences in all four patients. No other enteric pathogens were found.Conclusions: Although all patients appeared to respond to antibiotic treatment, the clinical significance of B. aalborgi as a human pathogen requires further investigation.
Evaluation of a new formulation CLOtest
Authors: VIIALA CHARLIE H , WINDSOR HELEN M , FORBES GEOFF M , CHAIRMAN SIMON O , MARSHALL BARRY J , MOLLISON LINDSAY C 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aims The CLOtest® and other rapid urease detection kits are widely used in the endoscopic diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori. A new formulation CLOtest has been developed with the goal of obtaining a positive result more rapidly. The aims of this study were to validate the sensitivity and specificity of the new test and compare the time taken for a positive result to be visible in both the new and standard CLOtest.Methods Patients presenting for endoscopy at three Western Australian hospitals were prospectively enrolled. Gastric mucosal biopsies were obtained for the standard and new CLOtest and for histology. Grading of color change was conducted by staff blinded to the type of CLOtest used and conducted according to a standardized color chart. Helicobacter pylori status was defined by the combination of a positive standard CLOtest and histology, against which the new CLOtest was compared. Results were obtained at 1, 3 and 24 h, and at one center, at 10 min intervals for the first hour.Results Three hundred and thirty‐five patients were enrolled. Eighty‐eight Helicobacter pylori‐positive individuals were identified. At 24 h, the new test correctly identified all 88, with one false‐positive result (sensitivity 100%, specificity 99.6%). At 1 h, sensitivity was 93% with a number of early false‐positive results reducing specificity to 96%. Compared to the current CLOtest, the new formulation became positive faster at 20 min (P = 0.001, n = 51), but was similar at 1 h (P = 0.06, n = 88) and equivalent at 3 h.Conclusions The new formulation CLOtest is sensitive and specific, with a trend to give early positive results more quickly, although accuracy at 3 and 24 h is the same.
Microscopic colitis
Authors: TAGKALIDIS PETER , BHATHAL PRITHI , GIBSON PETER 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Microscopic colitis is an umbrella term used to include two idiopathic inflammatory bowel disorders that present with chronic watery diarrhea, normal endoscopic findings and characteristic inflammatory changes on histology. Collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis are distinguished by the presence of a thickened subepithelial collagen table. It is likely that they are a spectrum of one disease, but this is yet to be proven. The majority of cases tend to undergo spontaneous remission within a few years of onset, and their clinical course is benign, with no increase in risk of colorectal cancer. Sufficient evidence exists to suggest that microscopic colitis occurs as a response to one or more luminal antigens. A variety of medications have been reported in the treatment of this condition, but only colloidal bismuth and budesonide have thus far been shown to be effective in randomized controlled trials.© 1902 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd
Effects of splenectomy on liver volume and prognosis of cirrhosis in patients with esophageal varices1
Authors: Tomikawa Morimasa , HASHIZUME MAKOTO , AKAHOSHI TOMOHIKO , SHIMABUKURO RINSHUN , GOTOH NORIKAZU , OHTA MASAYUKI , SUGIMACHI KEIZO 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: Several previous studies have shown that hepatic regeneration after partial hepatic resection accelerates over time once a splenectomy has been performed. This was a retrospective study investigating whether a splenectomy has some beneficial effects for cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices.Methods: Ninety‐three patients underwent either esophageal transection, including splenectomy (splenectomy group), or endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (controls) for esophageal varices. No patient had hepatocellular carcinoma and the grades of their hepatic function were from mild to moderate. The changes in hepatic and splenic functions and liver volume were evaluated, as well as the probability of survival.Results and Conclusions: Both plasma white blood cell and platelet counts significantly increased in the

splenectomy group compared to the controls (P < 0.05). The proportion of liver volume 1 year after the treatments compared to the volume before the treatments (which was 100%) was 96.4% in splenectomy group and 94.4% in controls. No patient had serious complications, such as severe infection caused by the splenectomy. The two groups showed no statistically significant differences in survival rates throughout this study. Although hypersplenism significantly was improved by splenectomy, no difference in changes in liver volume nor survival probability between the two groups was found. Further studies, such as those with a large number of patients, long‐term volumetric analysis, or histopathological examination, are needed to clarify fully the effects of splenectomy on cirrhotic patients.