M Bolognesi, D Sacerdoti, C Merkel, G Gerunda, A Maffei‐Faccioli, P Angeli, R M Jemmolo, G Bombonato, A Gatta – 1 May 1996 – The spleen plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and maintenance of portal hypertension. Few data exist about splenic hemodynamics evaluated by duplex sonography in this condition. Twenty‐six normal subjects, 207 patients with portal hypertension of various causes, and in different splenoportal hemodynamic conditions, and 31 patients with liver transplantation were evaluated.

M Merli, O Riggio, L Dally – 1 May 1996 – A total of 1,053 cirrhotic patients were included in a prospective study to determine whether malnutrition is a risk factor for mortality in cirrhotic patients. Child‐Pugh classification as well as clinical and biochemical variables were used to assess the severity of cirrhosis. Nutritional status was evaluated both by anthropometric and clinical measurements. Patients were defined as malnourished when midarm muscle area (MAMA) and/or midarm fat area (MAFA) were below the 5th percentile of an age‐ and sex‐matched population.

G A Kullak‐Ublick, U Beuers, G Paumgartner – 1 May 1996 – Bile acids are taken up into human liver by Na+‐dependent and Na+‐independent transport mechanisms. In hepatocarcinogenesis, numerous liver‐specific functions are lost and the uptake of organic anions is markedly reduced. We have investigated the molecular and functional derangements of bile acid transport in the human hepatoblastoma cell line HepG2. Uptake of [3H]‐taurocholic acid was saturable and entirely Na+ independent, with the kinetic characteristics of the human liver organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP).

K D Lindor, C Bru, R A Jorgensen, J Rakela, J M Bordas, J B Gross, J Rodes, D B McGill, C C Reading, E M James, J W Charboneau, J Ludwig, K P Batts, A R Zinsmeister – 1 May 1996 – The risk of complications from percutaneous liver biopsy is low, but discomfort is common and complications require hospitalization in approximately 4% of patients. The optimal method of performing these biopsies is unknown.

M R Kilmurry, E J Heathcote, K Cauch‐Dudek, K O'Rourke, R J Bailey, L M Blendis, C N Ghent, G Y Minuk, S C Pappas, L J Scully, U P Steinbrecher, L R Sutherland, C N Williams, L J Worobetz – 1 May 1996 – Treatment of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) using ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) leads to a reduction in serum bilirubin. The first objective of this study was to assess the performance of certain prognostic indicators for PBC after the introduction of treatment with UDCA.

P Martin‐Sanz, M J Diaz‐Guerra, M Casado, L Bosca – 1 May 1996 – Incubation of primary cultures of fetal hepatocytes with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) elicited the expression of nitric oxide (NO) synthetase as well as antagonized the apoptotic cell death evoked by treating the cells with transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1). In addition to LPS, exposure of the cells to chemical NO donors also protected against apoptotic cell death when assayed at concentrations in the low micromolar range.

A O Williams, A D Knapton – 1 May 1996 – Hepatic silicosis, cirrhosis, liver cell adenoma, and carcinomas developed in nude mice (NCr‐Nu) given quartz by the subcutaneous and intraperitoneal routes. Syrian golden hamsters (15:16 EHS:cr) given quartz by both routes developed extensive fibrosis and cirrhosis and had higher morbidity and mortality rates after 3 months. Crystalline silica (quartz) induces fibrosis, adenomas, and carcinomas in the lungs of Fisher 344 rats, but certain strains of mice and hamsters are resistant to quartz‐induced pulmonary carcinogenesis.

1 May 1996

Kevork M. Peltekian, Leonard Makowka, Roger Williams, Laurence M. Blendis, Gary A. Levy, Prostaglandins in Liver Transplantation Research Group – 1 May 1996 – Prostaglandins (PG) are involved in the regulation of many physiological processes in the liver and play a major role in the pathophysiology and treatment of liver diseases. In addition to their effects on cell growth and immune function, PGs have shown cytoprotective effects on hepatocytes in various toxic, ischemic, and infectious models of liver injury.

Cameron N. Ghent, William J. Wall – 1 May 1996