Does prophylactic ursodeoxycholic acid treatment of liver tranplant patients prevent acute rejection?
Susanne Keiding – 30 December 2003
Development of pseudointima and stenosis after transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic shunts: Characterization of cell phenotype and function
Arun J. Sanyal, Melissa J. Contos, Dorn Yager, Ya‐nan Zhu, Amy Willey, Martin F. Graham – 30 December 2003 – The clinical utility of transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic shunts (TIPS) is frequently complicated by the ingrowth of tissue into the stent lumen, causing stent stenosis. These studies were undertaken to define the cellular and matrix components of the pseudointima, define the phenotype and function of the mesenchymal cells in the pseudointima and maintain them in culture, and to study the differences between stenotic and nonstenosed stents. A total of 35 stents were evaluated.
A novel human tumor necrosis factor alfa mutein, F4614, inhibits in vitro and in vivo growth of murine and human hepatoma: Implication for immunotherapy of human hepatocellular carcinoma
Yoshinari Atarashi, Satoshi Yasumura, Shuji Nambu, Yukimatsu Yoshio, Jun Murakami, Terumi Takahara, Kiyohiro Higuchi, Akiharu Watanabe, Keizo Miyata, Masanari Kato – 30 December 2003 – Although treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has recently improved, most patients still relapse and die from this disease. The development of new therapeutic and preventive strategies for HCC is, therefore, required. A novel mutant protein (mutein) of human tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNF‐α mutein F4614,1SSSRGDSD··· 29V ··· 155L) was developed to decrease several adverse effects of TNF‐α.
Hepatitis C virus dynamics in vivo: Effect of ribavirin and interferon alfa on viral turnover
Stefan Zeuzem, Jürgen M. Schmidt, Jung‐hun Lee, Michael von Wagner, Gerlinde Teuber, W. Kurt Roth – 30 December 2003 – Treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C with recombinant interferon alfa (rIFN‐α) can cause a decrease of serum transaminases and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA. Recent trials evaluating combination therapy of IFN‐α and ribavirin suggested a potential synergistic effect.
The normal adult human liver biopsy: A quantitative reference standard
Aleta R. Crawford, Xi‐Zhang Lin, James M. Crawford – 30 December 2003 – In assessing adult human liver histology, questions remain concerning the normal number of portal tracts and bile ducts in a liver biopsy. We therefore reviewed liver biopsies obtained with use of a percutaneous Menghini cutting needle (14G, internal diameter 1.6 mm), from 16 patients undergoing liver biopsy for screening procedures (age 49 ± 14 years, ±SD) and found to be normal by histological examination.
The additive effect of sclerotherapy to patients receiving repeated endoscopic variceal ligation: A prospective, randomized trial
Gin‐ho Lo, Kwok‐hung Lai, Jin‐shiung Cheng, Chiun‐ku Lin, Jia‐sheng Huang, Ping‐i Hsu, Hui‐chun Huang, Hung‐ting Chiang – 30 December 2003 – Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is a new technique designed to manage esophageal varices. The effect of sclerotherapy following repeated banding ligation remains unknown. Seventy‐two patients with a history of esophageal variceal bleeding received regular EVL until variceal disappearance or until left with residual small varices.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in hepatorenal syndrome: Effects on renal function and vasoactive systems
Mónica Guevara, Pere Ginès, Juan Carlos Bandi, Rosa Gilabert, Pau Sort, Wladimiro Jiménez, Juan Carlos Garcia‐Pagán, Jaume Bosch, Vicente Arroyo, Juan Rodés – 30 December 2003 – Little information exists on the effects of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) in the management of cirrhotic patients with hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). The current study was aimed to prospectively evaluate the effects of TIPS on renal function and vasoactive systems in patients with type I HRS.
Chimeric oligonucleotides: An exciting answer that raises more questions
Martin J. Schuster, George Y. Wu – 30 December 2003
Effect of the prokinetic agent, erythromycin, in the richardson ground squirrel model of cholesterol gallstone disease
Qi‐Wei Xu, R. Brent Scott, Daimen T. M. Tan, Eldon A. Shaffer – 30 December 2003 – Impaired gallbladder motility and delayed intestinal transit contribute to cholesterol gallstone formation by impeding the enterohepatic circulation of bile salts and causing gallbladder stasis. The therapeutic value of erythromycin, a prokinetic motilin analog, was evaluated in an animal model of gallstone formation. Eighty ground squirrels were fed either a trace‐ (control) or a high‐ (1%) cholesterol diet.
Parenchymal cell apoptosis as a signal for sinusoidal sequestration and transendothelial migration of neutrophils in murine models of endotoxin and fas‐antibody–induced liver injury
Judy A. Lawson, Michael A. Fisher, Carol A. Simmons, Anwar Farhood, Hartmut Jaeschke – 30 December 2003 – Endotoxin (ET) induces neutrophil sequestration in hepatic sinusoids, the activation of proinflammatory transcription factors (nuclear factor κB [NF‐κB]) with up‐regulation of adhesion molecules on sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes. However, if galactosamine (Gal) is co‐administered with ET, neutrophils transmigrate and attack parenchymal cells. This suggests that a signal from parenchymal cells triggers neutrophil transmigration.