Steven F. Bronk, Gregory J. Gores – 1 July 1991 – The purposes of this study were to determine the pH dependence of lethal endothelial cell injury during oxidative stress and the pH dependence of those cellular mechanisms proposed to result in endothelial cell killing. Oxidative stress was produced in rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells with H2O2 (5 mmol/L). Cell survival was dependent on the extracellular pH. Indeed, after 180 min of incubation with H2O2, cell survival was only 27% at pH 7.4,45% at pH 6.8 (p <0.05) and 62% at pH 6.4 (p <0.05).

Hubert E. Blum, T. Jake Liang, Eithan Galun, Jack R. Wands – 1 July 1991 – Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a major medical problem worldwide. Apart from HBsAg carriers, hepatitis B virus has also been identified in some HBsAg—individuals with or without antibodies to viral antigens. The molecular mechanisms underlying hepatitis B virus persistence in HBsAg—individuals are unresolved, however. To identify a possible genetic basis for viral persistence, we cloned the viral genome from the liver of a patient serologically immune to hepatitis B virus infection.

Javier Ariza, Xavier Xiol, Maria Esteve, Fernando Fernández Bañeres, Josefina Liñares, Teresa Alonso, Francisco Gudiol – 1 July 1991 – Aztreonam and cefotaxime were compared in 44 cirrhotic patients who had 52 episodes of gramnegative spontaneous peritonitis. Patients were randomized into two therapeutic groups of similar characteristics. Group A (28 episodes) received 0.5 gm of aztreonam every 8 hr, and group B (24 episodes) received 1 gm of cefotaxime every 6 hr, for a planned 14‐day period.

John L. Gerin – 1 July 1991

Marek Rudnicki, David W. McFadden, Josef E. Fischer – 1 July 1991 – A simple method of biliary‐enteric anastomosis, without the use of surgical microscopy, is described. There were no signs of cholestasis after 3 mo of follow‐up. A modified procedure using a silicone elastomer catheter as a stent for the biliary‐enteric anastomosis resulted in biliary obstruction within 3 wk after surgery. Our experimental bile duct implantation technique is a simple and useful experimental method for the investigation of chronic biliary diversion and biliary physiology.

Winston L. Hutchinson, Yvette S. White, Elizabeth A. Fagan, Philip J. Johnson, Roger Williams – 1 July 1991 – To determine the factors underlying the apparent reduction in binding ability of thyroxine‐binding globulin in hepatocellular carcinoma, hormonebinding characteristics were further examined in patients with this disease and in control subjects. No differences in affinity constants with respect to triiodothyronine or serum thyroxine‐binding globulin from hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhotic and normal subjects were found.

Monique F. Kleinherenbrink‐Stins, J. Hans van de Boom, Donald Schouten, Paul J. M. Roholl, M. Niels van der Heyde, Adriaan Brouwer, Theo J. C. V. Berkel, Dick L. Knook – 1 July 1991 – The interaction of low density lipoprotein, acetylated low density lipoprotein and apolipoprotein E—free high density lipoprotein with parenchymal, endothelial and Kupffer cells of human liver was visualized. For this purpose, the fluorescent phospholipid analog 1,1′‐dioctadecyl‐3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethyl indocarbocyanine perchlorate was used to label the lipoproteins.

Antonio Ponzetto, Luigi Fiume, Barbara Forzani, Shi Yun Song, Corrado Busi, Alessandro Mattioli, Cosima Spinelli, Maria Marinelli, Antonina Smedile, Elisabetta Chiaberge, Ferruccio Bonino, Gian Battista Gervasi, Mariella Rapicetta, Giorgio Verme – 1 July 1991 – The woodchuck was selected to study the efficacy of liver‐targeted antiviral drugs on hepadnavirus replication.

Nankei Aoyama, Toshihide Ohya, Kimberly Chandler, Susan Gresky, R. Thomas Holzbach – 1 July 1991 – Nonbile salt cholephiles and bile salts are two classes of organic anions that are efficiently taken up and excreted by the liver. Recent evidence suggests that a microtubular system–dependent, colchicine‐sensitive transcellular pathway may transport both classes of these ligands. The relationship of this pathway to flux rates, however, remains unclear. Some structural evidence suggests an important role for a Golgi‐associated vesicular system.

Elihu M. Schimmel – 1 July 1991