Q Xu, M Mantle, J G Pauletzki, E A Shaffer – 30 December 2003 – Although gallbladder stasis exists in most patients with cholesterol gallstones, it is unknown whether stasis is a causative factor of gallstone disease or merely a consequence of it. We studied the impact of sustained gallbladder stasis induced by a cholecystokinin (CCK)‐A receptor antagonist (MK‐329) on gallstone formation in ground squirrels fed either a trace or a high‐cholesterol diet. MK‐329 markedly inhibited gallbladder contraction in vitro in response to CCK (at EC100, control: 3.6 ± 0.5 vs.

T Heintges, J R Wands – 30 December 2003

G Missale, E Cariani, V Lamonaca, A Ravaggi, A Rossini, R Bertoni, M Houghton, Y Matsuura, T Miyamura, F Fiaccadori, C Ferrari – 30 December 2003 – The viral genotype may influence the response to interferon (IFN) treatment in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. To characterize potential mechanisms responsible for this effect, we assessed whether IFN modulation of HCV‐specific T‐cell responses differs in patients infected by different genotypes.

Russell H. Wiesner, Ruud A.F. Krom – 30 December 2003

Giorgio E. Gerunda, Roberto Merenda, Daniele Neri, Paolo Angeli, Franco Barbazza, Michele Valmasoni, Paolo Feltracco, Fabio Zangrandi, Antonio Gangemi, Diego Miotto, Alessandro Gagliesi, Alvise Maffei Faccioli – 30 December 2003 – Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) may be feasible even in the presence of diffuse portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in the recipient, providing hepatopetal portal flow to the graft can be ensured. Cavoportal hemitransposition was used in selected cases in which no other salvage solutions were technically possible.

François Mosimann, Jean‐Jacques Gonvers, Gilles Mentha, Emiliano Giostra, Christian Seiler, Jean‐François Dufour, Philippe Morel – 30 December 2003

Hugo E. Vargas, Forrest S. Dodson, Jorge Rakela – 30 December 2003 – Significant improvements in both patient and graft survival after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related liver failure have been made during the last decade. Recurrence of HBV infection has decreased, even in high‐risk patients.

Michael R. Charlton – 30 December 2003

Thomas W.

Frank Vinholt Schiødt, Peter Ott, Niels Tygstrup, Benny Dahl, Stig Bondesen – 30 December 2003 – Low admission values of the actin scavenger Gc‐globulin are associated with an adverse outcome in acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdose. This prospective longitudinal study including 84 patients with acetaminophen overdose characterizes the temporal profile of Gc‐globulin during the entire length of hospitalization. Serum Gc‐globulin (total, actin bound, and free) levels and actin‐complex ratio were measured on admission and every 12 hours until discharge.