Characterization of apomucin expression in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas and their precursor lesions: An immunohistochemical study

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.

Performance characteristics and results of a large‐scale screening program for viral hepatitis and risk factors associated with exposure to viral hepatitis B and C: Results of the National Hepatitis Screening Survey

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.

Retransplantation for precore mutant‐related chronic hepatitis B infection: Prolonged survival in a patient receiving sequential ganciclovir/famciclovir therapy

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.

Glucose and potassium metabolic responses to insulin during liver transplantation

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.

Long‐term immunosuppression without corticosteroids after orthotopic liver transplantation: A positive therapeutic aim

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%.

Tissue‐specific growth suppression and chemosensitivity promotion in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by retroviral‐mediated transfer of the wild‐type p53 gene

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.

Changes in S‐adenosylmethionine synthetase in human liver cancer: Molecular characterization and significance

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.

Influenza vaccination following liver transplantation in children

David R. Mack, Stephen A. Chartrand, Elizabeth I. Ruby, Dean L. Antonson, Byers W. Shaw, Thomas G. Heffron – 1 November 1996 – Our objective was to determine the immunologic response to two influenza vaccine doses in 39 children who had undergone liver transplantation. Patients received two doses of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine 4 weeks apart. Sera were collected 4 weeks after each dose and analyzed by a hemagglutination inhibition assay (HAI) for evidence of antibody response to the antigens A/Taiwan/1/86 (H1N1), A/Beijing/32/92 (H3N2), and B/Panama/45/95.

Effect of total hepatic vascular exclusion during liver resection on hepatic ultrastructure

M. E. Moussa, C. E. Sarraf, S. Uemoto, H. Sawada, N. A. Habib – 1 November 1996 – The aim of this investigation was to observe ultrastructural changes in the liver in response to warm ischemia during liver surgery. In 11 noncirrhotic patients, hepatic resection was performed under total vascular exclusion (TVE). The mean duration of warm ischemia was 28 minutes (range 16–48 minutes). Three specimens were taken from each patient: before clamping, at the end of TVE, and after reperfusion. Biopsy specimens were studied by light microscopy and by transmission electron microscopy (EM).

Morbidity and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation

Jeffrey S. Plotkin, Victor L. Scott, Anthony Pinna, Brent P. Dobsch, Andre M. De Wolf, Yoogoo Kang – 1 November 1996 – Thirty‐two patients with coronary artery disease who underwent liver transplantation between 1990 and 1994 were identified. Coronary artery disease was managed medically (n = 9), by angioplasty (n = 1), or surgically (n = 22) prior to liver transplantation. Two patients underwent simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting and liver transplantation. Complete preoperative cardiac evalution was performed in all patients.

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