Werner‐J. Mayet, Georg Hess, Guido Gerken, Siegbert Rossol, Rita Voth, Michael Manns, Karl‐Hermann Meyer ZumBüschenfelde – 1 July 1989 – Recombinant human α‐interferon is now under intensive investigation as therapy for chronic Type B hepatitis. Recent reports have suggested that prolonged α‐interferon therapy may induce autoimmune reactions. We have evaluated the problem of autoimmunity related to α‐interferon therapy by testing for 15 different antibodies in the sera of 31 patients treated with α‐interferon.

E. Rolland Dickson, Patricia M. Grambsch, Thomas R. Fleming, Lloyd D. Fisher, Alice Langworthy – 1 July 1989 – The ideal mathematical model for predicting survival for individual patients with primary biliary cirrhosis should be based on a small number of inexpensive, noninvasive measurements that are universally available. Such a model would be useful in medical management by aiding in the selection of patients for and timing of orthotopic liver transplantation. This paper describes the development, testing and use of a mathematical model for predicting survival.

1 July 1989

1 July 1989

Franklin M. Klion – 1 July 1989

Caroline R. Taylor – 1 July 1989 – The accuracy of ultrasound assessment of portal vein patency has been defined by comparing it with the results of arterial portography in 115 cases. The accuracy of arterial portography was confirmed in 21 cases where orthotopic liver transplantation was performed and used as a “benchmark” against which to assess the ultrasound findings. Ultrasound correctly assessed portal vein patency in 87.5% of patients. It was more accurate in assessing patency (90%) than occlusion (68%).

Hervé Emonard, Jean‐Alexis Grimaud – 1 July 1989 – In schistosomiasis mansoni, eggs trapped in portal venules of the liver induce a granulomatous inflammatory reaction and subsequently fibrosis. Upon specific schistosomicidal treatment, however, fibrosis undergoes a marked reversal. The features of this process as regards collagen metabolism were examined in mice using praziquantel as the schistosomicidal drug, which was given 68 days after infection.

Stefano Milani, Hermann Herbst, Detlef Schuppan, Eckhart G. Hahn, Harald Stein – 1 July 1989 – The expression of α2(I), α1(III) and α1(IV) procollagen mRNA was analyzed in normal and CCl4‐induced fibrotic rat liver by in situ hybridization using RNA probes. In normal liver, moderate amounts of α2(I) and α1(III) procollagen transcripts were found in sinusoidal cells, in stromal cells of the portal tracts and in the vicinity of central veins, whereas a1(IV) procollagen gene expression was below the threshold of detection.

Vladimir R. Babaev, Vladimir A. Kosykh, Vladimir P. Tsibulsky, Vadim O. Ivanov, Vadim S. Repin, Vladimir N. Smirnov – 1 July 1989 – The binding and uptake of native low‐density lipoproteins and malondialdehyde‐treated low density lipoproteins by human hepatocytes in primary culture has been analyzed. Experiments with 125I‐labeled malondialdehyde‐treated low‐density lipoproteins showed that cultured liver cells took up and degraded malondialdehyde‐treated low‐density lipoproteins, but the cell type(s) responsible for this action remain unclear.

Kenneth K. Wang, Albert J. Czaja, Sandra J. Beaver, Vay L. W. Go – 1 July 1989 – To determine the frequency, predisposing factors and consequences of extrahepatic malignancy following long‐term immunosuppressive therapy of severe HBsAg‐negative chronic active hepatitis, 149 patients who had received prednisone (20 mg daily) or prednisone (10 mg daily) in combination with azathioprine (50 mg daily) for at least 6 months were evaluated systematically for 109 ± 5 months (range: 7 to 223 months).