bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kinetics of the hepatitis C virus during interferon therapy as a marker of therapeutic response
Authors: Nakamuta Makoto , Fukutomi Takayoshi , Shimohashi Naoya , Kinukawa Naoko , Uchimura Koutaro , Tada Seiya , Motomura Kenta , Enjoji Munechika , Kato Masaki , Iwamoto Hiroaki , Tanabe Yuichi , Imari Yasuhisa , Sakamoto Shigeru , Sakai Hironori , Nawata Hajime 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: The viral load and subtype of hepatitis C virus (HCV) are predictors of the efficacy of interferon (IFN) therapy. The kinetics of HCV during IFN therapy have been described recently, suggesting that HCV infection is highly dynamic. These observations have raised the issue as to whether early monitoring of the viral load can help guide IFN therapy.Methods: We measured HCV‐RNA levels at 0, 24 and 48 h after the start of IFN‐α treatment (10 MU daily for 2 weeks and then three times weekly for 22 weeks) or IFN‐β treatment (6 MU daily for 6 weeks). Then we analyzed the relationship between HCV kinetics and therapeutic response using stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results: The exponential decay slope of the viral load during the first 24 h, not the first 48 h or the next 24 h, was a predictor of viral eradication at 6 months after completion of the treatment (sustained response; P = 0.0023). This decay slope was not affected by the HCV serotype or the type of IFN used. Initial viral load and HCV serotype were also predictors, as reported previously (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0347, respectively). We also proposed a model using a prognostic index that predicted a sustained response with more than 80% sensitivity, specificity and efficacy in an independent and external group of patients.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the exponential decay slope of the viral load during the first 24 h was an important predictor of the response to IFN therapy as well as the initial viral load and HCV serotype. The model may also be useful for the clinical management of IFN therapy.
Fecal occult blood and flexible sigmoidoscopy screening for colorectal cancer: Modeling the impact on colonoscopy requirements and cancer detection rates
Authors: Olynyk John K , Platell Cameron F , Collett Judith A 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim: The aim of this study was to estimate the colonoscopy requirements and the likely impact of fecal occult blood and flexible sigmoidoscopy screening on the detection of colorectal cancer by using previously published data.Methods: Fecal occult blood and flexible sigmoidoscopy screening programs were applied to the 2.04 million subjects aged 50–65 years, at a participation rate of 40%. The following strategies were evaluated: Fecal occult blood testing with colonoscopy follow up of all positive tests; flexible sigmoidoscopy with colonoscopy follow up of all adenomatous polyps; and flexible sigmoidoscopy with colonoscopy follow up of all adenomatous polyps > 10 mm in size.Results: The fecal occult blood program detected 5.6% of all colorectal cancer cases at a rate of 2914 colonoscopies/percentage of detection of colorectal cancer. The flexible sigmoidoscopy program detected 14% of all colorectal cancer cases at a rate of 8160 colonoscopies/percentage of detection of colorectal cancer. The flexible sigmoidoscopy program with follow up of adenomatous polyps > 10 mm in size detected 13% of all colorectal cancer cases at a rate of 1230 colonoscopies/percentage of detection of colorectal cancer.Conclusions: Flexible sigmoidoscopy screening followed by colonoscopic follow up of adenomatous polyps > 10 mm in size is the most efficient screening strategy in terms of colonoscopies generated and cases of colorectal cancer detected.
Chronic narcotic use in inflammatory bowel disease patients: Prevalence and clinical characteristics
Authors: Edwards John T , Radford‐Smith Graham L , Florin Timothy HJ 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground:Narcotic addiction can be a significant problem in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, there are few published reports about this problem.Methods:All patients prescribed narcotics chronically in the absence of demonstrable organic pathology were identified on the computerized Brisbane IBD Research Group database (n = 332 patients with informative data as of 1 January 1999). Individual case records were reviewed with regard to clinical, psychiatric and social characteristics of these patients, and the prevalence of psychiatric disorders were compared with a control group of IBD patients.Results:Eleven patients were identified. Nine had complete datasets, eight with Crohn’s disease (CD), of which six had previous stricturing ileal disease, and one patient had ulcerative colitis, making a prevalence of 2.7% of IBD patients and 5.1% of CD patients. A 67% prevalence of a psychiatric disorder in narcotic users was significantly greater than the 8% prevalence in the control group of IBD patients (odds ratio 22, 95% CI 3.24–177).Conclusions:A significant proportion of IBD patients without demonstrable organic pathology were chronic narcotic users. Psychiatric disorders are common in this subgroup, as with chronic functional abdominal pain syndromes. It is suggested that inappropriate narcotic use in IBD patients can be reduced by appreciating that narcotics are a temporary therapy only for IBD patients, and awareness of pre‐existing social and psychiatric disorders, which not only impact on clinical presentation of pain, but also help define the subgroup of patients who are at risk of narcotic misuse.
Spatio‐temporal expression of trefoil peptide following severe gastric ulceration in the rat implicates it in late‐stage repair processes
Authors: Ulaganathan Meera , Familari Mary , Yeomans Neville D , Giraud Andrew S , Cook Gregory A 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: The trefoil peptide (TFF1) is a member of a family of mucin‐associated regulatory peptides that are widely distributed in gastrointestinal tissues and have been implicated in the maintenance of the gastric mucosa. The role of TFF1 in gastric mucosal repair was examined by analysis of the spatio‐temporal expression of TFF1 following gastric ulceration in the rat.Methods: Gastric ulcers were induced in rats by application of glacial acetic acid to the serosa of the fundus. At various time points post injury (0–28 days), macroscopic and microscopic examination of the gastric mucosa was performed. In addition, the spatio‐temporal expression of TFF1 protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were identified by immunohistochemistry, TFF1 message by in situ hybridization, and acidic/neutral secreting mucins by Alcian blue‐periodic acid–Schiff staining.Results: In normal rat gastric tissue, TFF1 peptide and mRNA were expressed in mucosal cells of the superficial epithelium. Trefoil peptide and mRNA were significantly induced between 4 and 28 days post ulceration, with expression extending beyond the superficial epithelium and being localized to acidic mucin‐producing cells deep within the repairing mucosa.Conclusions: Spatio‐temporal expression of TFF1 mRNA and peptide following macroscopic repair implicates TFF1 as a potential mediator of late stage‐repair processes. Whether this is through direct stimulation of cellular differentiation or the enhancement of mucosal protective properties through an interaction with gastric mucins remains to be elucidated.
Profile of hepatocellular carcinoma in India: An insight into the possible etiologic associations
Authors: Sarin Shiv Kumar , Thakur Varsha , Guptan Rajkumar C , Saigal Sanjeev , Malhotra Veena , Thyagarajan Sadras P , Das Bhudev C 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground:Several etiologic factors including hepatitis viruses, alcohol and aflatoxin have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There is, however, limited information from the Indian subcontinent.Methods:Seventy‐four consecutive cases of HCC were studied. A detailed history, tests for hepatitis B virus (HBV; HBsAg, HBeAg, anti‐HBe, IgG anti‐HBc, anti‐HBs and HBV‐DNA), hepatitis C virus (HCV; anti‐HCV and HCV‐RNA) infection, liver histopathology and HBV‐DNA integration by using Southern blot hybridization were studied. A p53 gene mutation was also studied by using PCR and single‐strand conformation polymorphism.Results:Hepatocellular carcinoma patients were predominantly males (mean age 49.5 ± 14.0 years). Portal hypertension and cirrhosis were seen in 56 (76%) patients, more often (P < 0.05) in viral marker positive cases. Forty‐five percent of patients had features of hepatic decompensation at presentation. Evidence of HBV infection was present in 53 (71%) patients. Twenty‐six (49%) of these patients had either HBeAg + ve, HBV‐DNA + ve (n = 12), or HBsAg – ve, HBV‐DNA + ve (n = 14) forms of HBV infection. Hepatitis B virus DNA integration in the liver tissue was seen in 10 of 17 (59%) patients. Infection with HCV alone was detected in three (4%) and dual HBV and HCV infection in six (8%) patients. A majority (78.5%) of the chronic alcoholics had associated viral infection. The etiology of HCC remained undetermined in 15 (20%) patients. The p53 gene mutations were detected only in three of 21 (14%) liver tissues. Aflatoxin toxicity, oral contraceptive use or metabolic disorder were not seen.Conclusions:In India: (i) HBV infection is the predominant factor for the development of HCC, often related to mutant forms of HBV; (ii) a majority of the HCC patients have overt cirrhosis of the liver; and (iii) HCV and alcohol per se are uncommonly associated.
Relationship among gastric motility, autonomic activity, and portal hemodynamics in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Miyajima Hitoshi , Nomura Masahiro , Muguruma Naoki , Okahisa Toshiya , Shibata Hiroshi , Okamura Seisuke , Honda Hirohito , Shimizu Ichiro , Harada Masafumi , Saito Ken , Nakaya Yutaka , Ito Susumu 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aims:We examined the effects of the autonomic nervous function and the volume of portal blood flow to clarify the mechanism of the abnormal gastric motility in patients with liver cirrhosis.Methods:Heart rate variability, electrogastrogram (EGG), and volume of portal blood flow were measured before and after a meal in 27 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC group) and in 20 normal subjects (N group). Autonomic nervous function was evaluated by using spectral analysis of heart rate variability. We used the cine phase‐contrast (PC) method, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the portal flow, while the peak frequency and spectral power of the EGG were measured at pre‐ and postprandial change.Results:The ratio of low frequency power to high frequency power (LF/HF) was significantly higher, and the HF power was significantly lower in the LC group than in the N group both before and after a meal. In both groups, the electrogastrographic peak power ratio before and after a meal showed a positive correlation with the HF ratio, and an inverse correlation with the LF/HF ratio. In addition, portal blood flow volume was significantly decreased in the LC group than in the N group. However, the increased rate of portal blood flow after a meal correlated positively with the increased rate of electrogastrographic peak power. Moreover, gastric motility was positively correlated with esophageal varices and coma scale with the use of multivariate analysis.Conclusions:Parasympathetic hypofunction, sympathetic hyperfunction and portal hemodynamics were closely related with gastric motility in cirrhotic patients. In addition, gastric motility was decreased, at least in part, by the ingestion of food in cirrhotic patients because of abnormalities in autonomic functions and portal blood flow following a meal.
Helicobacter pylori alters n‐6 fatty acid metabolism and prostaglandin E2 synthesis in rat gastric mucosal cells
Authors: Nakaya Atsuko , Wakabayashi Hiroyuki , Imamura Lisa , Fukuta Kanako , Makimoto Shinya , Naganuma Kotaro , Orihara Tadahiro , Minemura Masami , Shimizu Yukihiro , Nagasawa Tetsuro , Hamazaki Tomohito , Watanabe Akiharu 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aims:Little is known about whether Helicobacter pylori infection alters fatty acid metabolism in gastric mucosal cells. By using cultured rat gastric mucosal cells (RGM‐1), we investigated the effect of H. pylori broth culture filtrates on this point. Furthermore, our study aimed to find out whether n‐6 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids from linoleic acid are formed in RGM‐1 cells.Methods:Rat gastric mucosal cells were incubated with 10, 20 and 40 μg/mL of linoleic acid or medium alone. Phosphatidylcholine content extracted from whole RGM‐1 cells was quantitated by using a densitometer, and its fatty acid composition was analyzed by using gas chromatography. Prostaglandin E2 concentration in the culture medium was measured by using radioimmunoassay. The expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)‐1 and COX‐2 was examined by using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. In addition, after incubation with [1‐14C] linoleic acid, radioactivities of both linoleic acid and arachidonic acid components of the PC fraction were counted. The effects of H. pylori broth culture filtrates on PC content, its fatty acid composition and prostaglandin (PG)E2 synthesis were also assessed.Results:Linoleic acid addition caused an increase in the composition of arachidonic acid, as well as linoleic acid, and also in PGE2 concentration. Cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 expression was induced in RGM‐1 cells by the addition of linoleic acid. In addition, [1‐14C] linoleic acid added to the culture medium was converted to [1‐14C] arachidonic acid in RGM‐1 cells. Helicobacter pylori broth culture filtrates decreased linoleic acid composition and increased arachidonic acid composition. Moreover, after incubation with H. pylori broth culture filtrates, PGE2 concentrations were higher than that of the controls.Conclusions:These findings suggest the presence of fatty acid elongase and Δ5‐ and Δ6‐desaturases synthesize arachidonic acid from linoleic acid in RGM‐1 cells. Thus, H. pylori infection may enhance PGE2 synthesis and accelerate n‐6 fatty acid metabolism in gastric mucosal cells, which could make the gastric mucosal barrier more fragile.
Seroepidemiological study of Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic people in South Korea
Authors: Kim Jin Ho , Kim Hak Yang , Kim Na Young , Kim Sang Woo , Kim Jae Gyu , Kim Jae Jun , Roe Im Hwan , Seo Jeong Kee , Sim Jae Geon , Ahn Hyoengsik , Yoon Byung Chul , Lee Sang Woo , Lee Yong Chan , Chung In Sik , Jung Hwoon Yong , Hong Weon Seon , Choi Kyoo Wan 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background: Helicobacter pylori infection occurs throughout the world and causes gastroduodenal diseases in all age groups. The prevalence of H. pylori infection varies between countries and races. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in asymptomatic healthy people in South Korea.Methods: From March 1998 to October 1998, 5732 asymptomatic subjects who responded to the self‐assessment questionnaires from 54 hospitals in South Korea were enrolled in this study. The serum levels of antibodies for H. pylori immunoglobulinG were measured by using an ELISA test.Results: The overall seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was 46.6% and there was no statistical difference between males (47.2%) and females (45.9%). In adults, a significant difference was observed between genders. According to the geographic areas, the high prevalent provinces were Kangwon (53.4%), Cheju (52.9%) and Cholla province (50.6%); Seoul (41.9%) was the lowest prevalent area. The seroprevalence increased with age and was highest when patients were aged in their 40s (78.5%). The characteristic feature of our study was that the infection rate was steeply increased in three age groups (10–12 year olds, 16–19 year olds and those aged in their 20s). In Seoul, there was no difference in the prevalence rate among the districts studied.Conclusions: This nation‐wide seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in South Korea was 46.6%, which showed the transition from a developing country to a developed country. More studies on the epidemiological factors and the route of transmission of H. pylori infection should be warranted.
Novel murine autoimmune‐mediated liver disease model induced by graft‐versus‐host reaction and concanavalin A
Authors: Unno Rie , Matsuzaki Yasushi , Itoh Shinichi , Doy Mikio , Shoda Junichi , Tanaka Naomi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aims: We have previously reported that cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ T cells induced autoimmune liver diseases in mice with graft‐versus‐host reaction (GVHR) because of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II disparity. To analyze the progression of the autoimmune‐related mechanism in the liver, concanavalin A (Con A) was injected in mice undergoing GVHR. The aim of this study is to clarify whether Con A deteriorates murine hepatic lesions induced by GVHR, and to elucidate the participation of the cytokines of liver‐infiltrating CD4+ T cells.Methods: Mice (F1; B6.C‐H‐2bm12× B6) were intravenously injected with B6 T spleen cells. Concanavalin A (15 mg/kg) was administrated 5 days after cell transfer. We examined serum transaminase, antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA), antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and histological changes. Liver‐infiltrating CD4+ T cells were sorted and their cytokine mRNA expression was examined by the use of reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR).Results: Graft‐versus‐host reaction + Con A mice revealed an elevated serum transaminase, elevated AMA and ANA titers, increased periportal cellular infiltration, piecemeal necrosis and bridging necrosis in the liver. In this group, interferon (IFN)‐γ mRNA expression was more elevated than it was in the GVHR mice. However, there was no difference in the expression of interleukin (IL)‐10 mRNA between the two groups.Conclusion: The results suggest that Con A deteriorates the GVHR‐induced hepatic lesions, and IFN‐γ and IL‐10 of CD4+ T cells might be implicated in the progression of autoimmune‐related hepatic lesions. This model might offer an aspect for the investigation of progressive mechanisms in T‐cell‐ mediated hepatobiliary injury.
Analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma tumor growth detected in sustained responders to interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C1
Authors: Toyoda Hidenori , Kumada Takashi , Honda Takashi , Hayashi Kazuhiko , Katano Yoshiaki , Nakano Isao , Hayakawa Tetsuo , Fukuda Yoshihide 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: By analyzing a tumor growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) detected in sustained responders (SR) to interferon (IFN) therapy for chronic hepatitis C, we sought to determine the duration of follow up in SR that would be sufficient to detect HCC. In addition, we sought to elucidate the presence of HCC, which truly developed after the eradication of hepatitis C virus (de novo HCC development).Methods: Tumor volume doubling time (DT) was calculated in a total of 46 cases of HCC detected in SR after IFN therapy. Based on DT, the annual growth rate was estimated for each tumor. Survival was compared between patients with HCC ≤ 30 mm and patients with HCC > 30 mm in diameter.Results: Doubling time in SR was similar to the previously reported DT of HCC irrespective of IFN therapy. However, extensive DT was observed in three HCCs despite relatively poor differentiation, which may represent de novo HCC development. In the analysis of tumor growth, all HCCs grew to exceed 20 mm in estimated diameter between 6 months and 7 years after the end of IFN therapy. Better survival was observed in patients with HCC ≤ 30 mm in diameter compared with patients with HCC > 30 mm (P = 0.0107). In surviving patients, recurrences of HCC were very infrequent.Conclusions: We may be able to detect most HCC in SR between 6 months and 7 years after IFN therapy. However, we cannot neglect the presence of de novo HCC development after the eradication of HCV, which makes it difficult to determine completely sufficient follow‐up duration after IFN therapy in this population.
Alcoholic liver disease: A clinical series in an Australian private practice
Authors: Hourigan Kevin J , Bowling Francis G 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aim: The published literature on alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in Australia lacks a large clinical series out of private practice as distinct from hospital‐based hepatology referral units. This series describes the presentation and clinical features of ALD in a consecutive series out of metropolitan private practice in Australia.Methods: A retrospective descriptive study by case‐note review found 297 cases of ALD at a Brisbane practice over 20 years. The main outcome measures were: clinical features and stage at presentation, reasons for referral, and the predictive value of aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio.Results: Most patients (57.9%) had no symptoms of liver disease and 29 patients (9.8%) had neither symptoms nor signs. Cirrhosis was found in 41% of patients and hepatitis‐fibrosis was found in 26% of patients. The male to female (M : F) ratio was 4.7:1. The AST/ALT ratio was not reliably predictive of ALD stage. The average reported daily alcohol intake was 131 g. Females drank less on average and presented a more vigorous clinical picture.Conclusions: This series presents the spectrum of ALD in a metropolitan Australian private practice. Many patients are asymptomatic on presentation. All heavy drinkers should be targeted for early investigation without waiting for volunteered symptoms or abnormal physical signs. The male to female ratio in ALD is higher than hitherto reported. The AST/ALT ratio is not generally applicable in the staging of ALD. The differences from hospital series data suggest the demography and epidemiology of ALD in Australia are incomplete, and further study is warranted.
Comparison of clinicopathological features of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma seropositive for α‐fetoprotein alone and those seropositive for des‐γ‐carboxy prothrombin alone1
Authors: Okuda Hiroaki , Nakanishi Toshimi , Takatsu Kazuko , Saito Akiko , Hayashi Naoaki , Yamamoto Masakazu , Takasaki Ken , Nakano Masayuki 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground:There has been no comparative study of the clinicopathological features of HCC patients who are seropositive for α‐fetoprotein (AFP) alone and those who are seropositive for des‐γ‐carboxy prothrombin (DCP) alone. The authors, thus, performed this comparative study.Methods:The clinicopathological features of patients with solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), who underwent a hepatectomy were compared among the four below groups according to the seropositivity of AFP and DCP: group A, seronegative for both AFP below 20 ng/mL and DCP below 40 mAU/mL; group B, seropositive for AFP above 100 ng/mL and seronegative for DCP; group C, seronegative for AFP and seropositive for DCP above 100 mAU/mL; and group D, seropositive for both AFP and DCP.Results:Group B patients showed a higher incidence of HCC with an indistinct margin, and a somewhat higher incidence of small HCC less than 2 cm in greatest dimension compared with group C patients. By contrast, group C patients had a higher frequency of HCC with a distinct margin compared with that of an indistinct margin, large tumors more than 3 cm compared with that of small tumors less than 2 cm, and a somewhat higher frequency of moderately to poorly differentiated HCC compared with that of well‐differentiated HCC. Our HCC cases showed advanced clinicopathological features in the order of group C, group B and group A. Groups C and D patients showed similar characteristics.Conclusions:Hepatocellular carcinoma patients who were seropositive for AFP alone demonstrated clinicopathological features of less advanced HCC compared with those who were seropositive for DCP alone.