J Inadomi, J P Cello, J Koch – 1 September 1996 – The purpose of this study was to develop a method by which ascitic volume can be calculated using transcorporeal ultrasonography, and to determine the accuracy of this method by comparison with the volume of distribution of a radiolabeled tracer (indicator dilution technique [IDT]). Subjects with ascites confirmed by ultrasonography were recruited from the San Francisco General Hospital Gastroenterology and Liver Clinics.

C Hellerbrand, S C Wang, H Tsukamoto, D A Brenner, R A Rippe – 1 September 1996 – The hepatic stellate cell (HSC), following a fibrogenic stimulus, is transformed from a quiescent to an activated cell. HSC activation results in numerous changes in cellular morphology, cellular metabolism, and in the pattern of gene expression. Many of the changes that are observed in activated HSCs in animal models of hepatic fibrosis are also seen when these cells are activated by culturing on plastic.

Z Spolarics, D S Stein, Z C Garcia – 1 September 1996 – The study aimed to assess the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vivo (from Escherichia coli, 2 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally) on the production and elimination of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in rat hepatic endothelial and Kupffer cells. Twenty‐two hours after the injection of LPS, hepatic cells were isolated by collagenase and pronase digestion followed by centrifugal elutriation, and cell‐ associated H2O2 was determined by flow cytometry analysis using 2′,7′‐ dichloroflorescin diacetate (DCF‐diacetate).

M C Kew – 1 September 1996

Victor L. Scott, Andre M. De Wolf, Yoogoo Kang, Bella T. Altura, Mohamed A. Virji, D. Ryan Cook, Burton M. Altura – 1 September 1996 – Using a new ion‐selective electrode, plasma concentration of ionized magnesium was measured in nine adult patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. Baseline plasma ionized magnesium (IMg2+) concentration (0.49 ± 0.07 mmol/L) was slightly below normal values (0.55–0.66 mmol/L, 95% CI): Six patients had ionized hypomagnesemia and two of these had total hypomagnesemia.

O. Jurim, P. Martin, D. J. Winston, C. Shackleton, C. Holt, J. Feller, M. Csete, A. Shaked, D. Imagawa, K. Olthoff, J. Y. N. Lau, R. W. Busuttil – 1 September 1996 – The effect of ganciclovir prophylaxis on reinfection of hepatic allografts by hepatitis B virus (HBV) was studied in 26 patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for decompensated cirrhosis due to HBV.

Gerrit Krupski, Xavier Rogiers, Volkmar Nicolas, Rainer Maas, Massimo Malagó, Christoph E. Broelsch, Egon Bücheler – 1 September 1996 – Computed tomography (CT) has proven to be of great value and preciseness in the assessment of the segmental volume, e.g., in living related liver transplantation. The incisions of the falciform ligament and the left hepatic vein are used as landmarks of the proposed dissection plane when procurement of the left lateral lobe is planned.

G V Gregorio, H Jones, K Choudhuri, A Vegnente, F Bortolotti, G Mieli‐Vergani, D Vergani – 1 September 1996 – The most effective treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is interferon alfa (IFN‐α), a potentially severe side effect of which is the induction of autoimmunity. To assess whether IFN‐ α causes clinical or serological autoimmune manifestations, we studied 61 children randomized to receive 5 MU/m2 of IFN‐α three times per week for 12 weeks, with or without steroid priming or no treatment.

T Roskams, J Rosenbaum, R De Vos, G David, V Desmet – 1 September 1996 – The mechanism of bile ductular reaction and accompanying fibrogenesis depends on interactions of ductular cells with the matrix and growth factors. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are essential cofactors in cell‐matrix adhesion processes, in cell‐cell recognition systems, and in receptor‐growth factor interactions.

R L Gebhard, W F Prigge, H J Ansel, L Schlasner, S R Ketover, D Sande, K Holtmeier, F J Peterson – 1 September 1996 – Obese persons are at risk for cholesterol gallstones because their bile is saturated with cholesterol. The risk increases during rapid weight loss by means of certain very‐low‐calorie diets or gastric bypass surgery. Gallstone risk factors during rapid weight loss include increased bile cholesterol saturation index and gallbladder stasis.