C Tibbs, P Donaldson, J Underhill, L Thomson, K Manabe, R Williams – 1 December 1996 – In the search for factors which may influence susceptibility to and outcome from chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, few studies have considered the influence of host genes. In the present investigation we have performed HLA DRB1, DQA1, DQB1, and DPB1 genotyping on 104 northern European patients with chronic HCV infection and 177 racially and geographically matched controls.

Gian Luca Grazi, Alighieri Mazziotti, Claudia Sama, Elio Jovine, Francesco Stefanini, Rolando Paladini, Roberto Rossi, Antonino Cavallari – 1 November 1996 – The presence of a positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) has been considered a highly questionable indication for orthotopic liver transplantation. We report our experience in the treatment of HBsAg‐positive HBV‐DNA—negative cirrhotics with liver transplantation, whether or not followed by passive prophylaxis with specific immunoglobulins.

A A Demetriou – 1 November 1996

I Wéry, M Kaouass, P Deloyer, J Buts, H Barbason, G Dandrifosse – 1 November 1996 – In the present study, we investigated the effects of spermine on postnatal liver maturation in suckling rats. The animals were given spermine either per os (8 μmol) or by intraperitoneal injection (1 μmol), once daily for three or five days. The percentage of liver cells in different cell cycle phases and of diploid cells in the parenchyma was estimated.

J Sastre, F V Pallardó, R Plá, A Pellín, G Juan, J E O'Connor, J M Estrela, J Miquel, J Viña – 1 November 1996 – Mitochondrial damage may be a major cause of cellular aging. So far, this hypothesis had only been tested using isolated mitochondria. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of mitochondria in aging using whole liver cells and not isolated mitochondria only.

A Hayasaka, N Suzuki, N Fujimoto, S Iwama, E Fukuyama, Y Kanda, H Saisho – 1 November 1996 – Background: Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9), a 92‐kd gelatinase/type IV collagenase, has been implicated as playing an important role in cancer invasion and metastasis. A previous study showed that serum type IV collagenase activity correlated with metastasis by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aims of this study were to determine the plasma levels of immunoreactive MMP‐9 in patients with HCC and to compare the levels with the clinical features including vascular invasion.

J C Cutrin, D Cantino, F Biasi, E Chiarpotto, M Salizzoni, E Andorno, G Massano, G Lanfranco, M Rizzetto, A Boveris, G Poli – 1 November 1996 – In 19 patients who have undergone orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), the trend and degree of cholestasis was statistically monitored in terms of plasma levels of L‐gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) and total bilirubin. In addition, the ultrastructure of the bile canaliculus was examined during the entire OLT procedure, i.e., during explantation, cold ischemia, and after 60 to 90 minutes of organ reperfusion.

G Marinos, N V Naoumov, R Williams – 1 November 1996 – Interferon alfa (IFN‐α) treatment is effective in only a proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The mechanisms for therapeutic failure remain unknown but high levels of HBV replication are known to inhibit the immunopotentiating effects of IFN‐α.

C Tiribelli, J D Ostrow – 1 November 1996 – The workshop covered three major areas: Unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) chemistry and physical chemistry; UCB transport and intracellular trafficking; and evaluation and therapy of neonatal and congenital hyperbilirubinemias. Findings of studies in the chemistry and physical chemistry area were as follows. (1) Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of highly enriched 13COOH mesobilirubin in water‐dimethyl sulfoxide systems indicated that the pKa values of the carboxyl groups are 4.2 and 4.9, respectively.

A W Burr, K J Hillan, K E McLaughlin, R Ferrier, C Chapman, J Mathew, A D Burt – 1 November 1996 – Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is mitogenic for hepatocytes and some tumor cell lines. Elevations in plasma HGF levels have been detected in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it is possible that HGF is involved in the promotion and/or progression of tumor growth. We measured serum and liver tissue HGF levels during chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Wistar rats were given diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in drinking water for 10 weeks with controls receiving drinking water only.