ISSN:0815-9319    

DOI:10.1111/j.1440-1746.1996.tb00019.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTThe acute systemic haemodynamic effects of cigarette smoking are well known, but there are no studies dealing with the possible smoke‐related acute changes of splanchnic circulation in man. In the present study we evaluated the acute effects of cigarette smoking on portal blood flow (PBF) in normal subjects by the use of Doppler ultrasound. Twenty‐three normal volunteers were asked to smoke two cigarettes with a known total nicotine content (1.1 mg each) in a supine position. Each cigarette was smoked during a 5 min period and a 5 min interval between the two cigarettes was allowed. Both mean PBF velocity and volume were evaluated at time 0 (basal values) and 8, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min after the first inhalation of the first cigarette. The basal mean PBF velocity (22 cm/s; 95% CI 20.9–24.2) was significantly decreased at 8 min (19 cm/s; 95% CI 17.9–20.8;P<0.0007) and 15 min (20 cm/s; 95% CI 17.8–21.3;P<0.005). Similarly, the PBF volumes at 8 min (710 mL/min; 95% CI 660–876;P<0.002) and 15 min (750 mL/min; 95% CI 650–862;P<0.005) were significantly lower than those measured at time 0 (850 mL/min; 95% CI 766–987). Both mean PBF velocity and volume measured at successive times did not differ significantly from basal values. The present study shows that cigarette smoking causes acute and transient reduction of PBF velocity and volume in

ISSN:0815-9319    

DOI:10.1111/j.1440-1746.1996.tb00020.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTTo examine inter‐spouse transmission as one of the potential routes of infection for hepatitis C virus (HCV), 121 patients with HCV‐related chronic liver disease who tested positive for antibodies to HCV (anti‐HCV) and their spouses were studied. Of these, 21 (17.4%) patients had spouses with anti‐HCV. In 12 couples, the HCV genotype matched (type II: 10 couples, type III: two couples). The genotype differed in six couples. One patient was positive for anti‐HCV, but negative for HCV‐RNA, while the spouse was positive for both. The remaining two couples were only positive for anti‐HCV. Genetic heterogeneity in the hypervariable region 1 of HCV was analysed in 11 couples with matched genotypes. In two couples, no mutation was recognized in the putativeE2/NS1genes using the heteroduplex method. The present study provides evidence to verify household transmission of HCV between patients and their spouses. These results suggest that inter‐spouse transmission may be a potential route of transmission of HCV infection. However, other environmental factors (e.g. the duration of the marriage) ca

ISSN:0815-9319    

DOI:10.1111/j.1440-1746.1996.tb00021.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTInterferon is effective in only a limited number of patients with the 1b type of hepatitis C virus (HCV), indicating that a combination therapy with other antiviral drugs may be essential to obtain better results. In the present pilot study, the effects of a combination therapy with interferon (IFN) and an antibacterial drug, ofloxacin, were analysed. Ten patients with chronic type C hepatitis received the combination therapy (combination group). Six million units of natural IFN‐α were administered daily for 3 weeks and then three times a week for 21 weeks. The combination therapy was initiated at the beginning of the eighth week of IFN treatment and 600 mg ofloxacin per day was administered for 12 weeks. As a control, changes in HCV‐RNA were also analysed in patients who were treated with only IFN for the same period (IFN‐alone group). In the combination group, serum transaminase levels and the titres of HCV decreased significantly with ofloxacin administration. Such changes were not observed in the IFN‐alone group. The incidence of HCV‐negativity at the end of ofloxacin administration of the combination group was significantly higher than in the IFN‐alone group. The complete response rate was twice as high in the combination group as in the IFN‐alone group. In two patients who did not respond well to the IFN‐alone treatment, ofloxacin administration was commenced after the 24th week. Serum transaminase levels were normalized and HCV‐RNA became negative in these two patients after the administration of ofloxacin. These results suggest that combination therapy with IFN and ofloxacin may be an effective treatment for chroni

ISSN:0815-9319    

DOI:10.1111/j.1440-1746.1996.tb00022.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTA 60‐year‐old woman presented with chronic active hepatitis C whose HCV‐RNA genotype was II according to Okamoto's classification and serum HCV‐RNA concentration was 104copies/mL. Agranulocytosis was induced 13 days from the commencement of interferon (IFN)‐α 2b (6 MU/day) therapy, so the IFN therapy was immediately discontinued. The agranulocytosis improved rapidly with the administration of a granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF). The possibility that IFN was associated with maturational arrest of myeloid progenitor cells was considered. During the course of 3 years of follow‐up, her liver function has remained normal and serum HCV‐RNA

ISSN:0815-9319    

DOI:10.1111/j.1440-1746.1996.tb00023.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTThe aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) and hyaluronan have previously been studied in different liver diseases. The results of these studies are controversial. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between PIIINP and hyaluronan levels and the clinical, biochemical and histological features of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and its prognosis. Fifty‐five PBC patients were studied at the time of diagnosis of PBC and were followed up for a mean of 58 months. During the follow‐up period 21 patients died. In addition, 30 healthy subjects were examined in the present study. Hyaluronan and PIIINP were measured by radioimmunoassay and the levels of both PIIINP and hyaluronan were higher in PBC patients than in healthy volunteers (P<1.8 times 10‐6and 1.6 times 10‐9, respectively). Hyaluronan and PIIINP levels were above normal values in 82 and 84% of PBC patients, respectively. There were correlations between PIIINP and hyaluronan and the histological stage of PBC (r=0.44,P<0.004 andr=0.56,P<0.00001, respectively). The correlation between PIIINP and hyaluronan was 0.46 (P<0.0035). In symptomatic patients, both PIIINP and hyaluronan values were higher than in controls (P<0.002 andP<0.006, respectively). The levels of PIIINP correlated significantly with bilirubin (r=0.43,P<0.006), while hyaluronan was correlated with age (r=0.33,P<0.015), pruritus (r=0.32,P<0.02), fatigue (r=0.41,P<0.003), hepatomegaly (r=‐0.46,P<0.0008), the presence of oesophageal varices (r=0.34,P<0.002), weight loss (r=0.29,P<0.05), bilirubin (r=0.54,P<0.0001), albumin (r=‐0.30,P<0.04), extent of fat excretion (r=0.53,P<0.009) and length of symptomatic period before diagnosis of PBC (r=0.43,P<0.002). Using Cox's logistic regression analysis, survival was found to be influenced by bilirubin concentration but not by hyaluronan, PIIINP, age, albumin or histological stage. Therefore, hyaluronan is a more sensitive marker for predicting advanced PBC than is PIIINP. However, neither hyaluronan nor PIIINP gave any indication of prognos

ISSN:0815-9319    

DOI:10.1111/j.1440-1746.1996.tb00024.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTA case is described of a 58 year old Caucasian male with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) who first presented with acanthosis nigricans of both axillae, skin pigmentation, which was pronounced over the posterior surface of the neck, and generalized pruritus. Following orthotopic liver transplantation for progressive liver disease, the skin pigmentation, pruritus and acanthosis nigricans resolved. It is believed that this is the first reported case of acanthosis nigricans occurring in association with PBC, a phenomenon that resolved after liver transplantation.

ISSN:0815-9319    

DOI:10.1111/j.1440-1746.1996.tb00025.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

This companion article to ‘Career Paths for Medical Research’ (F.Gasmenterol. Hepatol., issue 9) comprises the text of papers presented at the Symposium held as a Festschrift to celebrate the distinguished career and contributions of Professor June Halliday. The contributors include leading international, national and local experts in iron metabolism and their presentations are in the form of up‐to‐date reviews or, in some cases, original unpublished contributions to the field. As such, the proceedings represent a comprehensive ‘mini‐textbook’ of recent advances in iron metabolism with particular reference to iron storage disease. The articles should, therefore, be of wide interest to readers o

ISSN:0815-9319    

DOI:10.1111/j.1440-1746.1996.tb00026.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

In celebrating this very special day, it is appropriate to look back on the achievements of the Brisbane Liver Group, in which June Halliday has played such a key and pivotal role. Over the years the group's interests have included a whole range of interwoven iron themes, but as hereditary (genetic) haemochromatosis (HH) is central to a number of these themes, it provides a good starting point.

ISSN:0815-9319    

DOI:10.1111/j.1440-1746.1996.tb00027.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTIron is transported in the blood plasma, mainly bound to transferrin, but in abnormal conditions other iron containing compounds may become important. These include ferritin, haemopexin‐haem, haptoglobin‐haemoglobin and non‐specific non‐transferrin‐bound iron, all of which are taken up from the circulation by the liver. Transferrin‐bound iron can be used by all types of cells in amounts that depend on their complement of transferrin receptors. Immature erythroid cells are the most active in this function. Investigations using reticulocytes as an example of erythroid cells have demonstrated the presence of two mechanisms for the uptake of ferrous iron. One, a high affinity process disappears as reticulocytes mature. It probably represents the mechanism by which iron derived from transferrin is transported into the cytosol after receptor‐mediated endocytosis of the iron‐transferrin complex. The other mechanism has a lower affinity for iron, is retained when reticulocytes mature and is probably associated with Na+transport across the cell membrane. The physiological characteristics of the two iron transport processes and the evidence for the above conclusions are summarized in th

ISSN:0815-9319    

DOI:10.1111/j.1440-1746.1996.tb00028.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY