Current controversies in biliary atresia. Edited by M. A. Hoffman, 110 pp. Georgetown, TX: R. G. Landes Co., 1992. $89.95
Batia Weisselberg, Richard J. Grand – 1 May 1993
Assessment of lymphokine‐activated killer activity and γ‐interferon production in patients with small hepatocellular carcinomas
Toshiji Saibara, Takashi Maeda, Masako Miyazaki, Saburo Onishi, Yasutake Yamamoto – 1 May 1993 – We have previously reported depressed γ‐interferon production and depressed lymphokine‐activated killer and natural killer activity in patients with relatively large hepatocellular carcinomas. These parameters were normal in cirrhosis.
Futile cycling between 4‐methylumbelliferone and its conjugates in perfused rat liver
Sanjeev Ratna, Masato Chiba, Lopamudra Bandyopadhyay, K. Sandy Pang – 1 May 1993 – Futile cycling between 4‐methylumbelliferone and its sulfate and glucuronide conjugates was examined in the single‐pass perfused rat liver preparation.
Induction of multidrug resistance gene expression during cholestasis in rats and nonhuman primates
Dieter Schrenk, Timothy W. Gant, Karl‐Heinz Preisegger, Jeffrey A. Silverman, Pamela A. Marino, Snorri S. Thorgeirsson – 1 May 1993 – P‐glycoprotein, an energy‐dependent plasma membrane drug‐efflux pump capable of reducing the intracellular concentration of a variety of hydrophobic xenobiotics, is encoded by mdr 1, a member of the multidrug‐resistant (mdr) gene family. The physiological function of this protein is unknown.
Role of the cyclic AMP response element in rat fibronectin gene expression
Sun Miao, Parmjeet K. Suri, Liu Shu‐Ling, Ann Abraham, Nanette Cook, Patrice Milos, Mark A. Zern – 1 May 1993 – Fibronectin expression is of considerable importance in normal and fibrotic liver. Plasma fibronectin levels are correlated with good prognosis in liver failure, and cellular fibronectin plays a crucial role in fibrogenesis. In this study, we observed that the H4II rat hepatoma cell line does not express fibronectin. Furthermore, a recombinant vector (pFGH) containing the promoter elements of the fibronectin gene showed no promoter function when transfected into this cell line.
Characterization of hepatitis C virus structural proteins with a recombinant baculovirus expression system
Henry H. Hsu, Mikhail Donets, Harry B. Greenberg, Stephen M. Feinstone – 1 May 1993 – We cloned and expressed the sequences encoding the structural proteins of the hepatitis C virus in a baculovirus eukaryotic expression system. Four recombinant constructs expressed sufficient hepatitis C virus–specific proteins in insect cell culture to allow analysis of protein cleavage, glycosylation and immunoreactivity. Using immunoblot analysis, we detected a 22‐kD protein corresponding to the hepatitis C virus capsid protein cleaved from a larger precursor.
Renal effects of acute isosorbide‐5‐mononitrate administration in cirrhosis
Joan M. Salmerón, Luis Ruiz Del Arbol, Angels Ginès, Joan C. García‐Pagán, Pere Ginés, Faust Feu, Joan Claria, Francisca Rivera, Jaume Bosch, Vicente Arroyo, Joan Rodés – 1 May 1993 – The aim of this study was to assess the effects of an oral dose (20 mg) of isosorbide‐5‐mononitrate on systemic hemodynamics, kidney function, plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations in 16 nonazotemic cirrhotic patients.