Joseph M. Romeo, Paul P. Ulrich, Michael P. Busch, Girish N. Vyas – 1 February 1993 – A novel reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay has been developed that uses drop‐in–drop‐out primers for the heminested amplification of hepatitis C virus complementary DNA. This assay has been used for analysis of the prevalence of hepatitis C virus RNA in a set of 53 plasma specimens from blood donations that were repeatedly reactive for hepatitis C virus antibodies with the first‐generation enzyme immunoassay.

Fuchu He, Chutse Wu, Qiang Tu, Guichun Xing – 1 February 1993 – Cloning of human hepatic stimulator substance requires clarification of whether the substance is the product of gene expression of liver cells. In this article the translation experiment in Xenopus laevis oocytes indicates that poly (A)+ messenger RNA of human fetal liver cells could conduct the biosynthesis of human hepatic stimulator substance.

James J. Crawford – 1 February 1993 – The vectorial nature of hepatocyte receptor‐mediated endocytosis (RME) and its susceptibility to cytoskeletal disruptors has suggested that a polarized network of microtubules plays a vital role in directed movement during sorting. Using as markers a wellknown ligand, asialoorosomucoid, and its receptor, we have isolated endocytic vesicles that bind directly to and interact with stabilized endogenous hepatocyte microtubules at specific times during a synchronous, experimentally initiated, single wave of RME.

Masaru Harada, Shotaro Sakisaka, Masao Yoshitake, Satoshi Shakadoh, Kazuhisa Gondoh, Michio Sata, Kyuichi Tanikawa – 1 January 1993 – Biliary copper excretion was examined in rats with acute, continuous and chronic copper loads. Copper was excreted into bile, and the concentration peaked 40 min after a venous injection of copper sulfate (127 ng/gm body weight). The excretion was significantly inhibited by colchicine. Therefore some copper may be transported in hepatocytes by a vesicular pathway and excreted into bile.

Stefan G. Hubscher, Matthew A. Lumley, Elwyn Elias – 1 January 1993 – A syndrome of idiopathic intrahepatic cholestasis occurs in some patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma. The underlying mechanism is poorly understood. In this paper we describe three patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma in whom severe intrahepatic cholestasis of unknown pathogenesis developed. In two cases jaundice was the presenting symptom; all three patients died with intractable liver damage.

Harold O. Conn – 1 January 1993

Diane C. Marsh, Paul K. Vreugdenhil, Vivian E. Mack, Folkert O. Belzer, James H. Southard – 1 January 1993 – Isolated hepatocytes, suspended in an organ preservation solution, can be preserved at 4°C for up to 6 days. After preservation, normothermic‐normoxic incubation causes loss of hepatocyte viability. The addition of 3 mmol/L glycine to the rewarming medium prevents the loss of viability. In this study we investigated the cytoprotective effects of glycine under many conditions known to cause hepatocellular injury to understand the mechanism of cold‐induced injury in the liver.

Shujiro Takase, Mikihiro Tsutsumi, Hiromu Kawahara, Nobuo Takada, Akira Takada – 1 January 1993 – Progression of alcoholic liver disease is closely related to drinking habits. However, prognosis of alcoholic liver disease is not determined just by drinking habits, but also by other factors. In this study, the roles of alcohol‐altered liver membrane antibody and hepatitis C virus infection were analyzed in alcoholic patients who were followed up for various lengths of time.

Josep Llach, Pere Ginès, Vicente Arroyo, Joan Manuel Salmerón, Angels Ginès, Joan Rodés, Wladimiro Jiménez, Joan Gaya, Francisca Rivera – 1 January 1993 – Adenosine is a potent endogenous renal vasoconstrictor. To investigate the sensitivity of the renal circulation to adenosine in cirrhosis, we evaluated kidney function and vasoactive hormones in 20 patients with cirrhosis before and after administration of dipyridamole (0.4 mg/kg, intravenously), a drug that increases extracellular levels of adenosine.

Ikko Higaki, Isao Matsui‐yuasa, Masanobu Terakura, Shuzo Otani, Hiroaki Kinoshita – 1 January 1993 – The effect of hepatocyte growth factor on ornithine decarboxylase activity was studied in primary cultured adult rat hepatocytes. Ornithine decarboxylase activity was increased 3 hr after the addition of hepatocyte growth factor and remained at a high level until 12 hr; thereafter it decreased, and it returned to the control level by 24 hr. Enzyme activity began to increase with 1 ng/ml hepatocyte growth factor and reached its maximum with 5 ng/ml hepatocyte growth factor.