William G. Rector, Frederick Lewis, Alastair D. Robertson, Gregory T. Everson – 1 September 1990 – The aim of this study was to determine whether liver function and portosystemic shunting are related to renal sodium retention in alcoholic liver disease. Twenty‐three studies were performed; 10 patients had ascites. Liver function was assessed from the plasma elimination rates of antipyrine, caffeine and stable isotopes of cholic acid, the latter administered both orally [2,2,4,4‐2H] and intravenously [24‐13C].

Gearld Y. Minuk, Tony Gauthier, Abraham Benarroch – 1 September 1990 – Polyamines have been reported to play an important role in stimulating hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy. To determine whether changes in systemic or hepatic polyamine concentrations correlate with the extent of the regenerative stimulus, serum and tissue putrescine, spermidine and spermine concentrations were determined in groups of adult male rats (n = 6 to 12/group) 0, 24, 48, and 72 hr after 30%, 70% or 90% partial hepatectomy.

Douglas Simon, Lawrence J. Brandt – 1 September 1990 – Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed in twenty‐six AIDS patients to evaluate either abdominal pain suggestive of biliary tract disease, fever, serum alkaline phosphatase elevation, or a combination of these findings. Twenty patients (77%) had abnormal cholangiograms and four distinct patterns were identified: (1) papillary stenosis (n = 3); (2) sclerosing cholangitis (n = 4); (3) sclerosing cholangitis with papillary stenosis (n = 10); and (4) long extrahepatic bile duct strictures (n = 3).

1 September 1990

Shimon Reif, Victor P. Terranova, Mamdouh El‐Bendary, Emanuel Lebenthal, James K. Petell – 1 September 1990 – The expression and localization of extracellular matrix proteins in rat liver was investigated as a function of liver development. Levels of extracellular matrix proteins were measured by dot‐blot or immunoblot protocols using monospecific antibodies prepared against collagen types I, III and IV; laminin; fibronectin; and fibronectin receptor. Proline and hydroxyproline levels from extracted liver collagen were quantitated by Pico Tag analysis.

Stephan Krählenbühl, Jürg Reichen, Arthur Zimmermann, Peter Gehr, Jörg Stucki – 1 September 1990 – To investigate whether the impairment of mitochondrial function in cirrhosis is due to a reduction in liver cell mass or whether mitochondrial function is altered specifically, we analyzed mitochondrial volume and surface density of mitochondrial membranes in control and cirrhotic rats by stereological means. Cirrhosis was induced by long‐term exposure to phenobarbital and CC14.

Robert L. Stahl, Alexander Duncan, Michael A. Hooks, J. Michael Henderson, William J. Millikan, W. Dean Warren – 1 September 1990 – Orthotopic liver transplantation may be associated during the postoperative period with hepatic artery thrombosis, a catastrophic occurrence generally necessitating emergency retransplantation. To assess the contribution of the coagulation mechanism to this complication, the levels of procoagulant and anticoagulant proteins were followed in 41 liver transplant patients during the first 10 postoperative days.

Jacqueline S. Partin, Bernard P. Lane, John C. Partin, Lawrence R. Edelstein, Cedric J. Priebe – 1 September 1990 – Plexiform neurofibromatosis of the liver was recognized by needle biopsy of the liver in an 11‐yr‐old boy who had a 2‐yr history of diarrhea, intermittent abdominal pain, failure to gain weight and progressive abdominal distention. Imaging studies demonstrated a large retroperitoneal mass; a laparotomy was performed. At surgery, the mesentery was greatly thickened by neurofibromas, and plexiform neurofibroma extended through the hilum of the liver.

G. A. Morali, L. M. Blendis – 1 September 1990 – The pathogenesis of ascites formation in cirrhosis is uncertain. It is still under debate whether the effective blood volume is reduced (underfilling theory) or whether the intravascular compartment is expanded (overflow theory). This problem has not yet been solved because of insufficient tools for measuring the central blood volume. We have developed a method that enables us to determine directly the central blood volume, i.e., the blood volume in the heart cavities, lungs, and central arterial tree.

Yang O. Huh – 1 September 1990