Daniela Simon, Brian I. Carr – 1 November 1995 – We have studied the genetic profile of the host genome and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in HBV‐associated primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Comparative analyses of HCC cell line Hep 40 and the original biopsy specimens showed the episomal and replicating form of HBV only in the biopsy specimen from nontumor (NT) cirrhotic liver tissue, where a molecular change in the 1p36 region was detected (NT tissue showed a normal 46XY karyotype). In contrast, only integrated HBV was detected in HCC tumor (T) tissue and Hep 40 cells.

You‐Chen Chao, Tong‐Ho Young, Wei‐Kuo Chang, Hung‐Shang Tang, Chung‐Te Hsu – 1 November 1995 – The human cytochrome P4502E1 gene (P4502E1), coding for an ethanol‐inducible nitrosamine‐metabolizing P‐450, is involved in the metabolism of ethanol and many known carcinogens. Recently, restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLps) within the P4502E1 have been suggested as genetic markers of susceptibility to alcohol‐induced liver disease but the previous studies disagree whether alcoholics with c1 or c2 allele are more susceptible to alcohol‐induced liver disease.

Marja A. Boermeester, Irene H. Straatsburg, Alexander P. J. Houdijk, Catharina Meyer, Wilma M. Frederiks, Robert I. C. Wesdorp, Cornelis J. F. van Noorden, Paul A. M. van Leeuwen – 1 November 1995 – Impairment of various functions of the liver and concomitantly increased levels of parameters of liver damage, a clinical entity termed liver failure, is commonly seen after partial hepatectomy. We investigated in a rat model whether damage of the remnant liver was due to local inflammatory responses, and related to endotoxin or interleukin‐1 (IL‐1).

Dietmar Wurbs, Reinhild Klein, Luigi‐Maria Terracciano, Peter A. Berg, Leonardo Bianchi – 1 November 1995

Steven H. Belle, Katherine M. Detre, Kimberly C. Beringer – 1 November 1995 – For several medical interventions, increasing experience results in improved outcome. This finding may result from better patient selection or increased skill levels. This report examines whether there is a relationship between center experience and patient outcome for liver transplantation, and if so, whether the relationship is explained by patient or donor selection or level of experience required to obtain optimal results.

Nizar N. Zein, Jorge Rakela, John J. Poterucha, Jeffery L. Steers, Russell H. Wiesner, David H. Persing – 1 November 1995 – Chronic hepatitis C infection (CH‐C) accounts for a significant number of patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Recently, hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype‐dependent differences in disease outcome and therapeutic responses have been suggested.

Timothy M. McCashland, Teresa L. Wright, Jeremiah P. Donovan, Daniel F. Schafer, Michael F. Sorrell, Thomas G. Heffron, Alan N. Langnas, Ira J. Fox, Byers W. Shaw, Rowen K. Zetterman – 1 November 1995 – Although the incidence of spousal transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in chronic carriers is extremely low (1.4% to 8%), hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation is common with markedly increased serum HCV RNA levels. Thus, partners of these patients may be at higher risk of acquiring infection.

Nancy L. Ascher – 1 November 1995 – The shortage of liver grafts results in the fact that 8% of potential recipients die before receiving a graft. Liver graft division has therefore been proposed to maximize the current available liver graft pool. However, the question of benefit or additional risk for the recipients that this technique might carry remains unanswered.

Ulrika Broomé, Robert Löfberg, Béla Veress, Ljusk Siw Eriksson – 1 November 1995 – Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a biliary destructive disease mostly affecting patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). PSC has been suggested to be an independent risk factor for the development of colorectal malignancy in UC. Patients with PSC also have an increased risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma. This study aimed at assessing the cumulative risk of colorectal neoplasia in PSC and UC, and also to determine risk factors for the development of cholangiocarcinoma.

Nazzareno Ballatori, Zenaida Gatmaitan, Anh T. Truong – 1 November 1995 – Biliary excretion of methylmercury, a major route of elimination of this toxic compound, was less than 2% of control in Eisai hyperbilirubinemic (EHBR) rats, a mutant Sprague‐Dawley strain with a defect in biliary excretion of a variety of organic anions, including glutathione S‐conjugates and reduced glutathione (GSH). Biliary GSH excretion in EHBR rats was also <2% of controls, confirming previous findings.