J Cai, W Sun, J Hwang, S C Stain, S C Lu – 1 November 1996 – S‐adenosylmethionine synthetase (SAMS) catalyzes the formation of S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) and is essential to normal cell function. There are two forms of SAMS, liver‐specific and nonliver‐specific (often referred to as “kidney”), which are products of two different genes. SAMS isoenzymes differ greatly in kinetic parameters and sensitivity to inhibition by methionine analogs. The current work studied changes in SAMS and their significance in liver cancer.

G W Xu, Z T Sun, K Forrester, X W Wang, J Coursen, C C Harris – 1 November 1996 – Selective expression of cytotoxic gene products in tumor cells is one of the goals of gene therapy for treating cancer. We are developing such a strategy for the treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by linking the wild‐type p53 (WT‐p53) gene with HCC‐associated transcriptional control elements (TCE) to achieve selective growth inhibition of retrovirally transduced HCC cells.

Gerald M. Fraser, Konstantinos Grammoustianos, Jayendravandan Reddy, Keith Rolles, Brian Davidson, Andrew K. Burroughs – 1 November 1996 – Long‐term treatment with corticosteroids after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) may cause adverse effects, particularly hypertension, diabetes, and bone disease. The results of steroid withdrawal from long‐term immunosuppression in 114 patients after OLT was reviewed. Initial treatment was with corticosteroids, azathioprine, and cyclosporine A in 76.3% and with antithymocyte globulin in 17.5%.

Robert E. Shangraw, John G. Hexem – 1 November 1996 – Insulin regulates glucose and potassium metabolism by acting differently upon peripheral tissues (e.g., skeletal muscle) and the splanchnic bed, including the liver. Liver disease is accompanied by “insulin resistance” of glucose metabolism, whereby glucose intolerance occurs despite relatively increased plasma insulin concentration. However, it is unknown whether insulin resistance extends to potassium metabolism.

Geoffrey McCaughan, Peter Angus, Scott Bowden, Tim Shaw, Allan Breschkin, Ross Sheil, Stephen Locarnini – 1 November 1996 – Retransplantation for hepatitis B—related liver allograft failure is rarely successful. Recurrence of infection is almost universal, and the second allograft is invariably lost more rapidly than the first. In a recent multicenter study, only 1 of 20 hepatitis B virus (HBV)—positive patients who underwent liver retransplantation survived beyond 6 months.

S Kaur, L Rybicki, B R Bacon, J L Gollan, V K Rustgi, W D Carey – 1 November 1996 – Chronic viral hepatitis frequently goes undetected until cirrhosis develops. Although the effect of interferon on the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in asymptomatic persons is unknown, treatment may modify the course of the infection, producing cures in some. In September 1992, screening for HBV and HCV was offered in 40 centers throughout the United States. Demographic features, potential risk factors, and symptoms were studied.

M Sasaki, Y Nakanuma, Y S Kim – 1 November 1996 – To date, seven apomucins have been characterized and their expression in malignant and premalignant lesions is under evaluation. In this study, we examined the expression of MUC1, MUC2, MUC3, and MUC5/6 apomucins in cholangiocarcinoma (CC) and biliary epithelial dysplasia.

J Van de Water, L B Gerson, L D Ferrell, J R Lake, R L Coppel, K P Batts, R H Wiesner, M E Gershwin – 1 November 1996 – Whether primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) recurs after liver transplantation has remained an interesting and controversial issue; rejection, viral hepatitis, and drug effects all may mimic recurrent PBC histologically and biochemically. Furthermore, reliable clinical criteria for PBC recurrence are lacking.

J F Debatin, B Zahner, C Meyenberger, B Romanowski, W Schopke, B Marincek, W A Fuchs – 1 November 1996 – Flow volume in the azygos venous system was quantitated with Cine‐phase contrast (PC) velocity mapping in volunteers and compared with patients with known portal hypertension, who were referred for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement. Subsequently, the TIPS‐induced hemodynamic effects on portal and azygos flow were analyzed.

A Ordinas, G Escolar, I Cirera, M Vinas, F Cobo, J Bosch, J Teres, J Rodés – 1 November 1996 – A defect in hemostasis has been repeatedly reported in patients with cirrhosis. However, the nature of this defect has not been fully characterized. We explored adhesive and cohesive functions of platelets from cirrhotic patients at different stages of disease development. The response of platelets to standard activating agents was tested by aggregometric procedures.