Y Zhang, M Kanzaki, H Mashima, T Mine, I Kojima – 1 August 1996 – Activin A is an autocrine inhibitor of initiation of DNA synthesis in rat hepatocytes. The present study was conducted to characterize the cell‐surface receptors for activin A in cultured rat hepatocytes by measuring 125I‐activin A binding. Scatchard analysis of 125I‐activin A binding indicated the existence of two classes of binding sites with apparent Kd values of 3 × 10−.10 mol/L and 3.5 × 10−.9 mol/L.

S E Raper – 1 August 1996

S Noda, S Masumi, M Moriyama, Y Kannan, M Ohta, T Sugano, J Yamate – 1 August 1996 – The response of hepatic macrophages and the effects of platelet‐ activating factor (PAF) in perfused liver were studied during production of experimental cirrhosis induced by thioacetamide (TAA) in female Sprague‐Dawley rats. Within 4 weeks of TAA administration (300 mg/L drinking water), an increase in hepatic macrophage population and enlargement in cell size preceded the alterations characteristic of cirrhosis.

H M Karpoff, C Tung, B Ng, Y Fong – 1 August 1996 – An increasing number of hepatic resections are being performed as potentially curative surgery for malignant liver neoplasms. Hepatectomy and subsequent liver regeneration produce a local environment that enhances growth of microscopic residual tumor. To determine if pretreatment with murine interferon γ (IFN‐γ) can protect against such enhanced tumor growth, Buffalo rats were randomized to receive a 3‐day treatment of IFN‐γ (50,000 U/qD intraperitoneally) or saline.

S Miyagawa, S Kawasaki, M Makuuchi – 1 August 1996 – Clinicopathological and prognostic features in patients who had undergone hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were examined in relation to viral infection. Among 175 patients, cirrhosis was diagnosed histologically in 134, while 41 had noncirrhotic livers. One hundred twenty‐four patients were positive for antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti‐HCV) (HC group), 32 for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) (HB group), and 19 negative for both anti‐HCV and HBsAg (non‐B, non‐C group).

M G Pessoa, T L Wright – 1 August 1996

Z Ma, S S Lee – 1 August 1996 – In cirrhosis, cardiac contractile function has been extensively documented to be abnormal. At baseline, cardiac output is increased, and this is one of the characteristics of hyperdynamic circulation. However, when cirrhotic patients are challenged by pharmacological or physiological stress, ventricular hyporesponsiveness is revealed. Similar patterns have been noted in cirrhotic animal models.

R Oren, I Dotan, M Papa, Y Marravi, H Aeed, J Barg, L Zeidel, R Bruck, Z Halpern – 1 August 1996 – The coexistence of hyperkinetic circulation, hypermetabolism, and hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system is encountered in both cirrhosis and hyperthyroidism. Several drugs, such as propylthiouracil and propranolol, that are beneficial for treating some patients with chronic liver diseases are also prescribed for the treatment of thyrotoxicosis.

I K Schumacher, T Okamoto, B Kim, N R Chowdhury, J R Chowdhury, I J Fox – 1 August 1996 – Transplantation of hepatocytes has been shown to provide metabolic support during liver failure in experimental models. The potential clinical application of hepatocyte transplantation, however, is limited by the need for readily available, well‐characterized cells, and a worldwide shortage of donor organs.

D T Wong – 1 August 1996