bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of tissue harmonic imaging in focal hepatic lesions: Comparison with conventional sonography
Authors: SODHI KUSHALJIT SINGH , SIDHU RAVINDER , GULATI MADHU , SAXENA AKSHAY , SURI SUDHA , CHAWLA YOGESH 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the present study was to compare iissue harmonic imaging (THI) and conventional sonography in focal hepatic lesions.Methods: Fifty patients with focal hepatic lesions were enrolled for study. Conventional grayscale and THI was performed in all the patients and two sets of images of the lesions were recorded (one each for THI and conventional) and assessed for fluid–solid differentiation, detail and overall image quality. These images were compared with conventional sonographic images and graded better, same or worse as per the case. Lesions were confirmed by fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)/surgery/other modalities such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Results: Out of 50 patients with focal hepatic lesions, 21 patients had metastatic lesions (two single; 19 multiple) five patients had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), five patients had hydatid cysts, nine had simple hepatic cyst whereas five patients had liver abscess, three had focal fatty infiltration; and lymphoma and hemangioma were seen in one patient each. The first observer ranked THI better than standard sonography in 40 patients (80%) for fluid–solid differentiation, in 38 (76%) for detail and in 39 (78%) for overall image quality. The second observer ranked THI better than standard sonography in 39 patients (78%) for fluid–solid differentiation, in 40 (80%) for detail and in 42 (84%) for overall image quality. Tissue harmonic imaging provided additional information in eight patients (16%) and resulted in treatment alteration in three patients (6%).Conclusion: Tissue harmonic imaging was significantly better than conventional sonography for fluid–solid differentiation, detail and total image quality in focal hepatic lesions, especially in obese patients and patients with poor acoustic window.
Role of serum factors in epithelial cell responses to Helicobacter pylori infection in vitro
Authors: SIEVEKING DANIEL , LEACH STEVEN T , MITCHELL HAZEL M , DAY ANDREW S 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground: Gastric epithelial cell lines have been utilized extensively as tools to define aspects of the interactions between Helicobacter pylori and host epithelial cells. Fetal calf serum (FCS) is employed as a growth stimulant, but it is unclear whether this agent may in itself alter host responsesMethods: Two gastric epithelial cell lines were utilized to ascertain the effects of varying FCS concentration on cellular responses following H. pylori infection. Media containing 0%, 5% or 10% FCS was added to cell lines prior to infection with H. pylori of defined genotype. Cellular interleukin (IL)‐8 production was measured as a marker of cellular response. Effects of altered FCS upon cell viability were also determined by trypan blue exclusion.Results: Interleukin‐8 production by AGS cells following H. pylori infection was not altered by variation of media FCS concentration. However, KATO‐III cells produced greater amounts of IL‐8 when media was FCS‐free than at 5% or 10% FCS. Although cellular viability was not altered in AGS cells exposed to varied concentrations of FCS, viability was decreased in serum‐free KATO‐III cells, but not when cells were kept at 5% FCS.Conclusions: Serum‐derived factors alter cellular responses to H. pylori infection in a cell‐line‐dependent manner and impaired cellular viability may relate to this effect. However, the mechanisms for these observations are unclear and further work is now required to determine the nature of these important interactions.
Timing of lamivudine administration according to Child class in patients with decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: BAE SI HYUN , YOON SEUNG KEW , CHOI JONG YOUNG , JANG JEONG WON , CHO SE HYUN , YANG JIN MO , HAN NAM IK , AHN BYUNG MIN , CHUNG KYU WON , SUN HEE SIK 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground:  Few clinical trials have investigated the use of lamivudine (LAM) in patients with decompensated cirrhosis related to chronic hepatitis B. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of extended LAM treatment and to determine the timing of LAM administration in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.Methods:  A total of 17 patients were treated with LAM 100 mg/day. The mean duration of follow up was 28 ± 8.4 months (range: 14–42 months). All patients were evaluated for evidence of clinical, biochemical and serologic replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. There were 12 patients with Child class B and five with Child class C.Results:  Ten of 17 patients (58.2%) responded to LAM treatment. Of the breakthrough patients, six (86%) had YMDD motif variants. Clinical improvement was observed in nine out of 10 responders (90%), six of the seven breakthrough patients (86%) and five of six patients with YMDD variant DNA. Mean time to achieve a 2‐point reduction in Child–Pugh–Turcotte score was 14 months in patients with Child class C, compared with 5.9 months in those with Child class B (P < 0.001). Mean time required to gain a 0.5 g/dL increment in albumin was 14 months in Child class C and 5.8 months in Child class B. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion was achieved in five of 13 HBeAg‐positive patients at the last follow up and during the follow‐up period.Conclusion:  Long‐term administration of LAM for patients with decompensated cirrhosis is effective. Earlier LAM administration in Child class B patients led to improved clinical outcomes.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Analysis of abnormal recovery pattern of liver function tests after surgical repair of bile duct strictures
Authors: NEGI SANJAY SINGH , CHAUDHARY ADARSH 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground: Gradual normalization of conventional liver function tests occurs in a majority of patients with extrahepatic biliary obstruction following adequate biliary drainage. Abnormal recovery pattern of liver function has been reported in up to 70% of these patients and there is scarcity of relevant information about this. The purpose of the present paper was to identify variables predictive of abnormal recovery pattern of liver function tests after surgical repair of benign biliary stricture.Methods: Patient data, disease‐related characteristics and serial liver function tests were prospectively collected in 64 patients with post‐cholecystectomy bile duct strictures undergoing hepaticojejunostomy. Hepatic histology (fibrosis, portal inflammation, ductular proliferation and cholestasis) was independently graded by two pathologists using a previously validated scale. A cut‐off limit of longer than 2 weeks for normalization of liver function tests following definitive surgical repair was considered abnormal. The patients were accordingly dichotomized into groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed.Results: Fourteen patients (22%) each had abnormal recovery pattern of serum bilirubin and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels while 13 (20%) had abnormal recovery pattern of serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) levels. Multivariate analysis revealed basal serum bilirubin level was an independent predictor of abnormal recovery pattern of serum bilirubin level while basal ALT level as well as degree of hepatic fibrosis were independent predictors of abnormal recovery of serum ALT level. Similarly, basal SAP level and degree of hepatic fibrosis were independent predictors of abnormal recovery of SAP level.Conclusions: Basal values of liver function tests and degree of hepatic fibrosis are the most important predictors of abnormal recovery pattern of liver function following adequate biliary decompression in patients with post‐cholecystectomy bile duct stricture.
Distribution of the heterogeneity of des‐γ‐carboxyprothrombin in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: UEHARA SOICHIRO , GOTOH KATSUHIRO , HANDA HIROSHI , TOMITA HIROSHI , SENSHUU MITIKO 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground and Aim: Our aim was to evaluate the heterogeneity of des‐γ‐carboxyprothrombin (DCP) in the plasma of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), benign liver diseases, and normal controls and compare the DCP values by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for two types monoclonal antibodies (MU‐3 and 19B7).Methods: We purified DCP from the plasma of 17 patients with HCC, three patients with metastatic liver tumors (MTLT), 12 with acute hepatitis (AH), five with chronic hepatitis (CH), nine with liver cirrhosis (LC), and 10 normal controls (NC). The DCP was analyzed by using immunoaffinity chromatography, reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography and measured by using an ELISA.Results: In HCC, the synthesis of the 1‐, 3‐, and 4‐Gla (γ‐carboxyglutamic acid) DCP variants markedly increased, and those levels accounted for more than 50% of the DCP. The synthesis of the 3‐, and 4‐Gla DCP gradually increased in order of AH, CH, and LC patients. The MU‐3 antibody reacted with the 1‐, 3‐ and 4‐Gla DCP variants, whereas the 19B7 antibody reacted with the 6‐, 7‐ and 8‐Gla variants. The DCP was measured by ELISA, markedly increased in order of NC, AH, CH, LC, and HCC cases. The correlation of the ratios (1 + 3 + 4)‐Gla/(6 + 7 + 8)‐Gla DCP and MU‐3/19B7 was positive and statistically significant (r = 0.786, n = 56).Conclusions: According to the severity of liver damages, the synthesis of the 1‐, 3‐ and 4‐Gla DCP variants that lost the Ca binding from the outside of the Gla‐domain of the prothrombin molecule increases and the MU‐3/19B7 ratio is believed to reflect this.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Response to vaccination against hepatitis B in patients with Behcet's disease
Authors: ERKEK EMEL , AYASLIOGLU ERGIN , ERKEK AYHAN BULENT , KURTIPEK GULCAN SAYLAM , BAGCI YETER 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Hepatitis B virus infection is an important public health problem in Turkey. Although hepatitis B vaccination is regarded as safe and effective for the general population, recommendations for hepatitis B immunization in patients with Behcet's disease are not clear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the response of patients with Behcet's disease to hepatitis B vaccination and to determine whether hepatitis B vaccination has any adverse effects on the course of the disease.Methods:  Thirteen patients with Behcet's disease and 15 healthy individuals were enrolled into a prospective study. All subjects received the 3‐dose series of routine hepatitis B vaccine. Anti‐hepatitis B surface response was evaluated 1–3 months after the third dose of vaccine.Results:  The responder rates for patient and control groups were 12/13 (92.8%) and 14/15 (93.8%), respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of both the responder rates and mean antibody titers.Conclusions:  These preliminary findings might suggest that the majority of patients with Behcet's disease develop protective antibody response after hepatitis B vaccination and that the immune response against hepatitis B surface antigen is adequate, efficient and intact.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Adverse hepatic events caused by radiotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: FURUSE JUNJI , ISHII HIROSHI , NAGASE MICHITAKA , KAWASHIMA MITSUHIKO , OGINO TAKASHI , YOSHINO MASAHIRO 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground:  Radiotherapy is often used to treat patients with unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present study examines the nature and frequency of adverse events with respect to liver function in such patients after radiotherapy.Methods:  Forty‐six patients with HCC who underwent radiotherapy were retrospectively examined. Radiotherapy was applied using coplanar 2–3‐beam arrangements to a target dose of 50 Gy/5 weeks. The adverse hepatic events were evaluated according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Late Radiation Morbidity Scoring Scheme during the acute phase and the late phase by following the patients for up to 1 year. The influence on survival by adverse hepatic events and other factors was analyzed.Results:  The full irradiation dose of 50 Gy was given to 40 patients (87.0%). Grade 3 or 4 toxicity was observed in 18 (39.1%) within 3 months after radiotherapy and in 11 (33.3%) of 33 thereafter, respectively. The most frequent and serious adverse events were hyperbilirubinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and ascites. The independent adverse prognostic factors for survival were portal vein tumor thrombus (P = 0.0012), tumor response (P = 0.011), acute adverse hepatic event (P = 0.012), and late adverse hepatic event (P = 0.015).Conclusions:  Hypoalbuminemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and ascites were important hepatic adverse events that developed after applying radiotherapy to treat advanced HCC. These adverse events seriously affected survival.
Prognostic potential of hepatocyte volume and cytokine expression in cirrhotic portal hypertension
Authors: KHAN SABOOR , DODSON ANDREW , CAMPBELL FIONA , KAWESHA ANTHONY , GRIME J STEVEN , CRITCHLEY MAIR , SUTTON ROBERT 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground: Differentiating the prognosis of Child‐Pugh A and B patients is difficult, particularly following an acute variceal hemorrhage. We have examined the prognostic significance of hepatocyte volume (HV) and the expression of selected cytokines controlling liver repair and regeneration.Methods: Forty Child‐Pugh A and B cirrhotic patients surviving a first acute variceal hemorrhage were recruited prospectively. Hematological, biochemical, neurological, hemodynamic, radio‐nuclear and histological  assessments  were  carried  out  following  recovery  (at  3 weeks).  Fibrosis  (%)  and  HV  were calculated using histological morphometry and radio‐nuclear liver volume assessment. Immunohistochemistry was used in liver biopsy specimens to assess markers of proliferation (PCNA) and the expression of mitogens (TGF‐α, TGF‐β1) or their receptors (C‐met and EGFR).Results: In total, 27 patients died during the follow‐up period. HV was predictive of survival in Child‐Pugh grade A patients (χ2 = 10.5,P = 0.0012), but percentage fibrosis and regeneration factor expression were not predictive in either Child‐Pugh A or B patients. Cox regression modeling with Child‐Pugh grade demonstrated HV to be an independent predictor of survival (χ2 = 7.1,P = 0.02).Conclusions: HV predicts survival independently in cirrhotic portal hypertension, and may help to differentiate prognosis in those at the more favorable end of the disease spectrum. Liver cytokine expression 3 weeks following an acute variceal bleed did not appear useful in determining prognosis.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Polymerase chain reaction based analysis of the cytotoxin associated gene pathogenicity island of Helicobacter pylori from saliva: An approach for rapid molecular genotyping in relation to disease status
Authors: TIWARI SANTOSH K , KHAN ALEEM A , AHMED KHAJA S , ALI S MAHABOOB , AHMED IRSHAD , HABEEB AEJAZ , KAUSER FARHANA , HUSSAIN M ABID , AHMED NIYAZ , HABIBULLAH CHITTOOR M 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground and Aims: The genetic composition of the intricate cytotoxin associated gene pathogenicity island (cag PAI) of Helicobacter pylori is known to significantly influence the outcome of the disease. Hence, analysis of complete cag PAI of H. pylori isolated from saliva would be of immense importance in standardizing saliva as a reliable non‐invasive diagnostic specimen and also to evaluate the type of H. pylori infection. The aim of the present study was to analyze the genes of cag PAI of H. pylori for their presence and correlating them with the disease status of the patients.Methods:  One hundred and twenty patients (55 duodenal ulcer [DU], 25 gastric ulcer and 40 non‐ulcer dyspepsia [NUD]) were investigated for the present study. Eight pairs of oligonucleotide primers (cagA1, cagA2, cagAP1, cagAP2, cagE, cagT, LEC1 and LEC2) of five different loci; cagA, cagA promoter region, cagE which represents cagI region, cagT and LEC representing cagII were used to detect the presence of the cag PAI genes by polymerase chain reaction.Results:  The comprehensive analysis of the genes constituting cag PAI showed almost equivalent prevalence of all the genes between both the study groups (ulcer and NUD) included. Little significant difference was found in the percentage distribution in both the clinical groups. cagE and cagT were found in a larger proportion of the ulcer group (92.5% and 96.2%) compared with the NUD group (77.5% and 85%), respectively.Conclusion:  Saliva could be efficiently used as a non‐invasive source for H. pylori and cagT might be an important locus of the cag PAI, thus greatly influencing the disease condition of the subjects.
DNAzyme‐mediated cleavage of survivin mRNA and inhibition of the growth of PANC‐1 cells
Authors: LIANG ZHIYONG , WEI SHUANZENG , GUAN JIAN , LUO YUFENG , GAO JIE , ZHU HONG , WU SHAFEI , LIU TONGHUA 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Survivin has functions in both the regulation of cell division and the inhibition of apoptosis, and it is expressed in most human tumors but not in normal adult tissues. It is a potential target for cancer gene therapy. In the present study, we designed a DNAzyme targeting human survivin mRNA and tried to determine its effect on human pancreatic carcinoma cell line PANC‐1.Methods:  We designed and synthesized a ‘10–23’ antisurvivin mRNA DNAzyme, testified its cleavage activity by cell‐free test, then delivered it into the PANC‐1 cell line through liposome, and detected its effect on survivin mRNA expression by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot methods, evaluated its influence on the growth of PANC‐1 cells by apoptosis detection, growth curve, and flow cytometry.Results:  Our results showed that the DNAzyme digested mRNA substrates of survivin efficiently in a dosage‐ and time‐dependent manner, markedly increased apoptosis and inhibited the growth of human pancreatic carcinoma cell line PANC‐1, compared with the disabled DNAzyme and untreated controls.Conclusions:  Our results showed that the designed DNAzyme against survivin mRNA is a good candidate for cancer gene therapy of human pancreatic carcinoma.
A continuum damage model applied to high‐temperature fatigue lifetime prediction of a martensitic tool steel
Authors: VELAY V. , BERNHART G. , DELAGNES D. , PENAZZI L. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTHigh‐temperature operational conditions of hot work tool steels induce several thermomechanical loads. Depending on the processes, (i.e. forging, die casting or extrusion), stress, strain, strain rate and temperature levels applied on the material are nevertheless very different. Thus, lifetime prediction models need to be able to take into account a broad range of working conditions. In this paper, a non‐isothermal continuum damage model is identified for a widely used hot work tool steel AISI H11 (X38CrMoV5) with a nominal hardness of 47 HRc. This investigation is based on an extensive high‐temperature, low‐cycle fatigue database performed under strain rate controlled conditions with and without dwell times in the temperature range 300–600°C . As analysis of experimental results does not reveal significant time‐dependent damage mechanisms, only a fatigue damage component was activated in the model formulation. After normalization, all fatigue results are defined on a master Woehler curve defined by a nonlinear damage model, which allows the parameter identification. Last, a validation stage of the model is performed from thermomechanical fatigue tests.
Tell Me Why I Don't Like Mondays: Investigating Day of the Week Effects on Job Satisfaction and Psychological Well-Being
Authors: Taylor Mark P. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe paper explores the relationship between the day of the week on which a survey respondent is interviewed and their self-reported job satisfaction and mental health scores by using data from the British Household Panel Survey. Evidence presented here confirms that self-reported levels of job satisfaction and subjective levels of mental distress systematically vary according to the day of the week on which respondents are interviewed even when controlling for other observed and unobserved characteristics. However, we find that the main conclusions from previous studies of the determinants of job satisfaction and mental well-being are robust to the inclusion of day-of-interview controls.
A Statistical Study of the Triple-Link Model in the Synoptic Problem
Authors: Abakuks Andris 
Published: August 2005

SummaryIn New Testament studies, the synoptic problem is concerned with the relationships between the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. A careful specification in probabilistic terms is set up of what is known as the triple-link model, and, as a special case, the double-link model. Counts of the numbers of verbal agreements between the gospels are examined to investigate which of the possible triple-link models appears to give the best fit to the data.
Measuring Agreement Between Two Statistics with Applications to Age Standardization
Authors: Fay Michael P. , Lee Ji-Hyun 
Published: August 2005

SummaryWe detail a general method for measuring agreement between two statistics. An application is two ratios of directly standardized rates which differ only by the choice of the standard. If the statistics have a high value for the coefficient of agreement then the expected squared difference between the statistics is small relative to the variance of the average of the two statistics, and inferences vary little by changing statistics. The estimation of a coefficient of agreement between two statistics is not straightforward because there is only one pair of observed values, each statistic calculated from the data. We introduce estimators of the coefficient of agreement for two statistics and discuss their use, especially as applied to functions of standardized rates.
Re-examining Informative Prior Elicitation Through the Lens of Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods
Authors: Hahn Eugene D. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryIn recent years, advances in Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques have had a major influence on the practice of Bayesian statistics. An interesting but hitherto largely underexplored corollary of this fact is that Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques make it practical to consider broader classes of informative priors than have been used previously. Conjugate priors, long the workhorse of classic methods for eliciting informative priors, have their roots in a time when modern computational methods were unavailable. In the current environment more attractive alternatives are practicable. A reappraisal of these classic approaches is undertaken, and principles for generating modern elicitation methods are described. A new prior elicitation methodology in accord with these principles is then presented.