bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interferon‐γ regulates apoptosis by releasing soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors in a gastric epithelial cell line
Authors: FURUTA SHIMAKO , GOTO HIDEMI , NIWA YASUMASA , OHMIYA NAOKI , KAMIYA KENJI , OGURI AKIHIKO , HAYAKAWA TETSUO , MORI NAOYOSHI 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background and Aims
: Interferon (IFN)‐γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are predominant cytokines produced in the gastric mucosa of patients with Helicobacter pylori‐infected gastritis. Several studies reported that IFN‐γ and TNF induced the synergistic effect on many cell lines. We attempted to clarify the apoptotic activity and the synergistic effect of IFN‐γ and TNF on the gastric epithelial cell, and whether IFN‐γ relates to soluble TNF receptors (sTNF‐R) release from the gastric epithelial cell.
Methods
: On the gastric epithelial cell line MKN45, cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of IFN‐γ and TNF were examined. Next, sTNF‐R released in response to IFN‐γ and the protective effect of sTNF‐R against the cytotoxic activity of TNF and IFN‐γ were examined by blocking the release of sTNF‐R with a serine protease inhibitor such as phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride.
Results
: Interferon‐γ significantly decreased cell viability, but TNF decreased it only slightly. Interferon‐γ and TNF did not make a synergistic effect on cell viability and apoptosis. Interferon‐γ and TNF induced sTNF‐R release from gastric epithelial cells. Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride significantly inhibited shedding of sTNF‐R and a synergistic effect of TNF and IFN‐γ on apoptosis was observed.
Conclusion
: These results suggest that sTNF‐R released by IFN‐γ regulate the injury on the gastric epithelial cell line induced by TNF.© 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Gastrointestinal dysmotility in patients with acute pancreatitis
Authors: WANG XINGPENG , GONG ZIHUA , WU KAI , WANG BINGXIAN , YUANG YAOZONG 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aims: Gut‐origin bacterial translocation is one of the major causes of pancreatic necrotic tissue infection in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The gastrointestinal dysmotility is supposed to be the fundamental event in this process. To test this hypothesis, alteration of colonic transit time (CTT) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) was investigated. In order to evaluate the possible mechanisms involved in gastrointestinal dysmotility, changes of serum motilin (MTL), cholecystokinin (CCK) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in patients with AP were also measured.Methods: Twenty‐four non‐consecutive patients with AP and 25 controls were included in this study. The diagnosis of AP was based upon clinical features, biochemical indices and radiological investigation. The severity of AP at admission was evaluated according to the APACHE‐II and Balthazar computed tomography (CT) scoring system. Total and segmental CTT in patients with AP and in controls were determined by ingestion of radiopaque markers (Sitzmarks®) according to the modified Metcalf's method. Meanwhile, serum MTL and CCK were assessed using radioimmunoassay (RIA), and serum VIP was measured by using ELISA in this study.Results: Compared to the controls, the total CTT and segmental CTT (mainly right and left hemicolon) were prolonged significantly in 10 patients with SAP and 14 patients with MAP; P < 0.05. Moreover, the total CTT and segmental CTT were markedly more delayed in patients with SAP than in patients with MAP; P < 0.05. The concentrations of serum MTL and CCK were significantly decreased in both MAP and SAP patients compared with those in controls (P < 0.01). There was no significant differences in serum MTL and CCK levels between the SAP and MAP groups; P > 0.05. In addition, the concentration of serum VIP was increased in AP patients, and it reached statistical significance in patients with SAP (P < 0.05).Conclusions: In conclusion, gastrointestinal dysmotility often occurred in patients with AP, especially more severely in SAP patients. One of the possible mechanisms might be related to the synergic actions of gut hormones, such as MTL, CCK and VIP.© 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
In vitro binding of hepatitis C virus to CD81‐positive and ‐negative human cell lines
Authors: SASAKI MINA , YAMAUCHI KATSUMI , NAKANISHI TOSHIMI , KAMOGAWA YUMIKO , HAYASHI NAOAKI 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim: The aim of the present study is to study the mechanism of entry of hepatitis C virus (HCV) into human cells. We examined the in vitro binding of HCV to various human cell lines with or without CD81 expression.Methods: We first used three cell lines, two hepatocyte‐derived, huH‐7 and HepG2, and one colon cancer cell line, Cw2. Among them, HepG2 did not express TAPA‐1 (CD81) on their surface but two others did. They were incubated with HCV + serum for 1 h and HCV‐RNA in extracted RNA obtained from these cells was examined by using both a quantitative test and reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR).Results: We found that a significant amount of HCV‐RNA was detected in huH‐7 and HepG2 but not in Cw2. In addition, the titer of HCV‐RNA in serum‐incubated CD81‐transfected HepG2 was similar to that of the non‐transfected titer, and the binding between HCV and huH‐7 was not inhibited by anti‐CD81. Under the same condition, HCV‐RNA tended to be detectable in serum‐pulsed hepatocyte‐derived cell lines, but not in the others.Conclusion: These results suggest that while CD81, as reported, specifically binds to HCV‐E2 protein, the entry of HCV into human hepatocytes might be regulated by CD81‐unrelated molecule(s).© 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Low‐dose ethanol attenuates gut ischemia/reperfusion‐induced liver injury in rats via nitric oxide production
Authors: HORIE YOSHINORI , YAMAGISHI YOSHIYUKI , KATO SHINZO , KAJIHARA MIKIO , KIMURA HIROYUKI , ISHII HIROMASA 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The acute administration of low‐dose ethanol was demonstrated to attenuate liver injury elicited by gut ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Nitric oxide (NO) has been found to be a modulator of adhesive interactions between leukocytes, platelets, and endothelial cells, but there has been much controversy about the effects of ethanol on NO regulation. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of NO in ethanol‐reduced hepatic microvascular dysfunction elicited by gut I/R.Methods:  Male Wistar rats were exposed to 30 min of gut ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Intravital microscopy was used to monitor leukocyte recruitment and non‐perfused sinusoids (NPS). Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were measured 6 h after the onset of reperfusion. In another set of experiments, ethanol (10%, 1 g/kg) was administered before ischemia.Results:  Gut I/R elicited increases in the number of stationary leukocytes, NPS, and plasma ALT activities; all of which were attenuated by pretreatment with ethanol or an NO donor. Gut I/R caused the apoptosis of hepatocytes, which was prevented by pretreatment with ethanol. Pretreatment with an NO synthase inhibitor diminished the protective effects of ethanol. The administration of ethanol increased plasma nitrite/nitrate levels.Conclusion:  These results suggest that low‐dose ethanol attenuates the gut I/R‐induced hepatic microvascular dysfunction and sequential liver injury by increasing sinusoidal NO levels.
Anti‐Helicobacter pylori therapy in India: Differences in eradication efficiency associated with particular alleles of vacuolating cytotoxin (vacA) gene
Authors: CHAUDHURI SUJIT , CHOWDHURY ABHIJIT , DATTA SIMANTI , MUKHOPADHYAY ASISH K , CHATTOPADHYA SANTANU , SAHA DHIRA R , DHALI GOPAL , SANTRA AMAL , NAIR G BALAKRISH , BHATTACHARYA SUJIT , BERG DOUGLAS E 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The efficiency of Helicobacter pylori eradication varies geographically, as do many parameters that might affect therapeutic efficiency, including bacterial genotype. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficiency of H. pylori eradication using a 10‐day proton pump inhibitor‐based triple‐therapy regimen (omeprazole, clarithromycin and amoxycillin) in an eastern Indian patient population, and to find out the relationship, if any, of the success or failure of the therapy to known features of bacterial genotype.Methods  Helicobacter pylori infections were analyzed in 66 duodenal ulcer patients by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, rapid urease tests, histology and culture. The cytotoxin‐associated gene (cagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin (vacA) gene status of cultured strains were studied by polymerase chain reaction. Treatment was given for 10 days and endoscopy was repeated at 4 and 12 weeks post therapy to monitor ulcer healing and H. pylori eradication.Results:  Ulcer healing was observed in 60 patients (96.77%). Helicobacter pylori was eradicated in 41 (62.12% intention to treat, 66.13% per protocol) of the 66 duodenal ulcer patients, but not in the other 25. The bacteria from 47 patients were genotyped. The only significant disease‐associated difference in patterns observed was that the vacA m1 allele was represented more disproportionately among patients with eradication failures (68%) than in those with successful eradication (39%) (P < 0.05) No significant association of vacAs1 (signal sequence allele) or cag pathogenicity island status with persistence was detected.Conclusions:  This study highlights the public health need for cheaper, more cost‐effective anti‐H. pylori therapies for developing countries, and suggests that subtle features of bacterial genotype can influence therapeutic efficiency. The possibility that particular vacA mid region alleles affect persistence, perhaps through toxin action on particular gastric cell types, merits further study.
Failure of therapeutic vaccination using hepatitis B surface antigen vaccine in the immunotolerant phase of children with chronic hepatitis B infection
Authors: DIKICI BUNYAMIN , BOSNAK MEHMET , UCMAK HASAN , DAGLI ABDULLAH , ECE AYDIN , HASPOLAT KENAN 
Published: March 2003

Summary Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of specific hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination as active immunotherapy in treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection during the immune‐tolerant phase in children with normal aminotransferase levels and high viral load.Methods:  Fifty‐one immunotolerant patients were randomly and prospectively recruited into two groups. Group 1 included 23 patients that were vaccinated with three standard injections of the GenHevac B vaccine in the deltoid or quadricep muscle, initially, and at 30 days and 60 days, for specific immunization. Group 2 contained 28 patients who did not receive any medication or vaccination and were recruited as the control group. Post‐vaccination evaluation was performed at 6 months from the first injection and at the end of the 12th month by serological and virological analyses. A response criterion to therapy was defined as loss of HBV‐DNA in serum and hepatitis B early antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion (loss of HBeAg, development of antibody to HBeAg (anti‐HBe)).Results:  The mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) value in group 1 at the beginning of the vaccination was 33.6 ± 8.1 IU/L; this changed to 31.7 ± 9.0 IU/L at 6 months after first injection and 29.2 ± 7.1 IU/L at the end of 12 months (P > 0.05). In this group, mean HBV‐DNA load at the starting point of the vaccination was 3709 ± 1126 pg/mL; this value changed to 3569 ± 726 pg/mL at the sixth month and 3295 ± 832 pg/mL at the 12th month (P > 0.05). In group 2, the mean ALT values at the beginning of therapy, and at the 6th and 12th month were 32 ± 8 IU/L, 31.8 ± 8 IU/L, and 29.7 ± 7 IU/L, respectively (P > 0.05), and the mean viral load of HBV‐DNA values were 3827 ± 1375 pg/mL, 3498 ± 886 pg/mL, and 3059 ± 731 pg/mL, respectively (P > 0.05). The load of HBV DNA of all patients in both groups was greater than 2000 pg/mL. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean ALT values and mean viral load of HBV DNA (P > 0.05) between group 1 and group 2 at the end of the 6th and 12th months. Except for one each patient in each group, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBeAg clearance or antibody to HBsAg (anti‐HBs) and anti‐HBe seroconversion were not observed during the follow‐up period (P > 0.05).Conclusion:  In this study, comparison of vaccinated and unvaccinated groups of immunotolerant children with CHB infection showed no difference in the clearance of HBV DNA and seroconversion of HBeAg to anti‐HBe. Different immunization protocols should be considered for future investigations in the immunotolerant phase of children with CHB infection.
Evaluation of the albumin‐γ‐glutamyltransferase isoenzyme as a diagnostic marker of hepatocellular carcinoma‐complicating liver cirrhosis
Authors: POMPILI MAURIZIO , ADDOLORATO GIOVANNI , PIGNATARO GIULIA , ROSSI CRISTINA , ZUPPI CECILIA , COVINO MARCELLO , GRIECO ANTONIO , GASBARRINI GIOVANNI , RAPACCINI GIAN LUDOVICO 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim: The present study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of albumin‐γ‐glutamyltransferase isoenzyme in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods: Electrophoretic assays of γ‐glutamyltransferase isoenzymes were performed on sera from 190 cirrhotics with (n = 131) or without (n = 59) hepatocellular carcinoma, 36 patients with chronic active hepatitis, 17 patients with liver metastases, and 16 control subjects. In the group of cirrhotic patients, the serum level of α‐fetoprotein was also assessed.Results: Albumin‐γ‐glutamyltransferase was found in 88 of 131 cirrhotics with hepatocellullar carcinoma, 14 of 59 cirrhotics without hepatocellular carcinoma, nine of 17 patients with liver metastases, and in none of the chronic active hepatitis or control patients. Within the cirrhotic subgroup, albumin‐γ‐glutamyltransferase was effective in detecting hepatocellular carcinoma in general (sensitivity: 67%; specificity: 76%; diagnostic accuracy: 70%), and small hepatocellular carcinoma (< 3 cm; corresponding figures: 58, 76, and 69%). The best α‐fetoprotein value discriminating between hepatocellular carcinoma and non‐hepatocellular carcinoma cirrhotics was 20 ng/mL (sensitivity: 54%; specificity 85%; accuracy: 64%). The combined use of albumin‐γ‐glutamyltransferase and α‐fetoprotein, > 20 ng/mL, was associated with greater sensitivity and accuracy (84 and 74%, respectively) than those observed with either of the two markers considered alone.Conclusions: Albumin‐γ‐glutamyltransferase appears to be a sensitive diagnostic marker of both advanced and small hepatocellular carcinoma‐complicating liver cirrhosis.
Microbiology of choledochal bile in patients with choledocholithiasis admitted to a tertiary hospital
Authors: FLORES CRISTINA , MAGUILNIK ISMAEL , HADLICH EVERTON , GOLDANI LUCIANO Z 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim: The present study was designed to investigate the microbiology of choledochal bile of patients with cholangitis and choledocholithiasis.Methods: We identified and determined the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria isolated in the bile of patients with cholangitis and choledocholithiasis diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).Results: Nineteen (82.6%) of 23 patients with choledocholithiasis had positive bile cultures. A single agent was detected in 11 patients (57.9%), while a mixed growth, with pathogens ranging from two to three species, were seen in eight patients (42.1%). Patients with clinical manifestations of cholangitis had significantly higher counts of colonies per mL of bile (> 105 cfu/mL).The predominant Gram‐negative aerobic bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli (9, 31.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (5, 17.2%), Enterobacter cloacae (2, 6.9%), Pantoea agglomerans (1, 3.4%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1, 3.4%). The predominant Gram‐positive bacteria were Enterococcus faecalis (5, 17.2%) and Streptococcus sp. (5, 17.2%). Bacteroides fragilis was isolated in one patient with mixed growth. All Gram‐positive bacteria isolated in bile were sensitive to ampicillin, and all Gram‐negative bacteria isolated were sensitive to gentamicin with a minimum inhibitory concentration (CIM90) ranging from 0.5 to 1.0‐µg/mL. Gram‐negative bacteria were also sensitive to imipenem, fluorquinolones, second and third generation cephalosporins. Although all five isolates of E. faecalis were sensitive to ampicillin, two of five (40%) E. faecalis isolates demonstrated high levels of resistance to gentamicin.Conclusion: E. coli, K. pneumoniae, E. faecalis and Streptoccocus sp. were the most common bacteria isolated in the bile of patients with cholangitis and choledocholithiasis, which were sensitive to a simple therapeutic regimen, such as the combination of ampicilin and gentamicin.
A randomized controlled trial of two methods for collection of sterile urine in neonates
Authors: TOBIANSKY R , EVANS N 
Published: March 2003

Objective:To test whether urethral catheterization (UC) is better than suprapubic bladder aspiration (SPA) as a method for collection of sterile urine in neonates.Methods:Thirty‐three babies, requiring sterile collection of urine, were randomly assigned to either urethral catheterization (n=16), median gestation 28±3.9 weeks, median birth weight 968 g (range 650–4100) or SPA (n=17), median gestation 26±5.6 weeks, median birth weight 926 g (range 771–4070). The primary outcome was success in obtaining urine. Secondary outcomes were complications and urine culture results.Results:Some urine was obtained in 11 (64.7%) babies in the SPA group and in 13 (81.2%) babies in the catheter group. Sufficient urine for analysis (>0.5 ml) was obtained in 10 (58.8%) in the SPA group versus 5 (31.2%) babies in the catheter group. There were more contaminated specimens in the catheter group but this was not significant in this small study.Conclusions:In this small randomized controlled trial urethral catheterization offered no significant advantage over SPA.
Traumatic pancreatitis: Long‐term review of initial non‐operative management in children
Authors: Holland AJA , Davey RB , Sparnon AL , Chapman M , LeQeusne GW 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To assess the safety and long‐term efficacy of an initial non‐operative approach to the management of pancreatic trauma in children. Methodology: Retrospective case‐note review of children admitted to our institution with the diagnosis of pancreatic trauma over a 10‐year period from 1985 to 1994 inclusive. Results: Fourteen children were identified with a diagnosis of traumatic pancreatitis. Eleven of the injuries were secondary to motor vehicle accidents or trauma from a bicycle handlebar. In seven patients there were associated intra‐abdominal injuries and in eight patients the traumatic pancreatitis was complicated by development of a pseudocyst. Three pseudocysts settled without intervention, two resolved with percutaneous external drainage and the remaining three required open surgery. The mean in‐patient stay was 21.2 days. The average length of follow‐up was 7.7 years with no observed long‐term complications. Conclusions: Non‐operative management of traumatic pancreatitis in the absence of complete duct transection is safe in children and does not appear to be associated with adverse sequelae.
Centro‐temporal spikes in non‐epileptic children: A long‐term follow up
Authors: Verrotti A , Greco R , Altobelli E , Domizio S , Sabatino G , Morgese G , Chiarelli F 
Published: March 2003

Objective: This study was undertaken in order to determine the natural evolution of centro‐temporal spikes (CTS) in a healthy paediatric population. Methodology: Forty children and adolescents (mean age ± SD: 9.9 ± 4.1 years) with non‐epileptic disturbances (tics, headache, pavor nocturnus, vertigo, etc), who showed CTS during routine EEG recordings were studied. No patient suffered from seizures. A clinical and electroencephalographic follow‐up of at least 5.5 years was carried out in all subjects. Results: At the follow‐up examination, 33 of the 40 cases (82.5%) had no CTS or other epileptic discharges in awake and sleep EEGs, while six subjects continued to show CTS discharges in sleep EEG. Among those subjects who showed persistence of CTS in sleep EEG, rolandic epilepsy developed in two cases, while all other subjects continued to be seizure free. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that CTS can be present in non‐epileptic children and adolescents; in the majority of subjects this EEG abnormality disappears spontaneously and only a small percentage of subjects who have persistence of this pattern develops rolandic epilepsy.
An iron treatment trial in an Aboriginal community: Improving non‐adherence
Authors: Kruske SG , Ruben AR , Brewster DR 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To compare supervised vs unsupervised oral iron treatment in anaemic Aboriginal children living in a remote community with a 40% prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia. Methodology: A randomised unblinded clinical trial in children < 6 years presenting to a remote Health Centre with anaemia. Oral iron prescribed as a daily unsupervised dose (group A) was compared to twice weekly supervised administration (group B) over 12 weeks. Parenteral iron (group C) was reserved for failure of oral treatment. Results: Only 3 of 25 children in group A responded to treatment compared to 23 of 26 children in group B (odds ratio = 7.7, 95% confidence interval 2.6–25.0). After six weeks of treatment, the mean haemoglobin rise was 0.96 g/L in group A compared to 10.9 g/L in group B and 12.4 g/L in group C. On entry to the study, 29.4% of subjects were underweight, 33.3% stunted and 35.3% microcephalic. The mean catch‐up in weight/height on iron treatment over the study was only 0.28 (0.08, 0.48) Z‐scores. Conclusions: Oral iron as directly observed twice weekly treatment is superior to unsupervised therapy. In view of the poor compliance with unsupervised treatment and the high prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia (along with stunting and microcephaly) in Aboriginal children in northern Australia, we propose to undertake in partnership with communities a nutritional intervention program with a high energy weaning food fortified with micronutrients (iron, vitamin A, zinc, folate) as the most effective strategy to address these nutritional problems in the weaning period.
Factors associated with recurrent hospitalization in chronically ill children and adolescents
Authors: Kelly AF , Hewson PH 
Published: March 2003

Objectives: To determine factors associated with recurrent hospitalization in children with chronic illnesses in the Barwon Region. Methodology: Patients with four or more admissions to the Geelong Hospital children’s ward over a 12‐month period were identified. Their records were reviewed and the opinions of involved staff (medical, nursing, psychiatry, psychology, and social work) were sought. Multidisciplinary discussions were held to identify factors precipitating or maintaining the need for hospitalization. The numbers, illnesses and profiles of those admitted recurrently were compared with the data from the Barwon Paediatric Consultation Profile from the same period, and with those patients seen by the local counselling service for young people with chronic illnesses. Results: Twenty‐seven children had four or more admissions over the 12 months; these represent 0.05% of the child population regionally, or 2% of those with chronic illness. They account for 8.7% of hospital admissions and 16% of inpatient days. Two‐thirds (18/27) had major psychosocial issues largely responsible for their admissions. A checklist was formulated of important medical, family, social, psychological, developmental, and institutional considerations. The most frequently identified psychosocial issues were medical dependency, psychological or medical problems affecting other family members, family and medical disparity regarding the treatment agenda, the lack of more intensive community supports, and medical controversy regarding best management. Conclusions: Ongoing medicalization and medical dependency, driven both by staff and families, can perpetuate recurrent hospitalization. Further awareness and training in these issues and development of community resources will be necessary if this process is to be changed.