Antoni Mas, María Buti, Rafael Esteban, José M. Sánchez‐Tapias, Josep Costa, Rosendo Jardí, Miquel Bruguera, Jaime Guardia, Joan Rodés – 1 June 1990 – Hepatitis B virus DNA and hepatitis D virus RNA, the most sensitive markers of hepatitis B and hepatitis D virus replication, were sought by molecular hybridization with radioactive probes in serial serum samples from 29 consecutive patients with HBsAg‐positive fulminant hepatitis. Nineteen patients had evidence of hepatitis D virus infection, as assessed by the presence in serum of delta antigen, anti‐delta antibodies, or both.

E. C. Martin – 1 June 1990 – Twenty pigs underwent (a) cystic duct occlusion by means of fluoroscopically guided transcatheter endoluminal bipolar radio‐frequency (RF) electrocoagulation and (b) gallbladder sclerotherapy with one of two different regimens of ethanol and sodium tetradecylsulfate (STS). Serum ethanol levels and hepatic enzyme tests showed no acute toxicity. Postmortem histologic studies showed that the bile ducts beyond the occlusion site remained entirely unaffected in all animals.

Jesper Sonne, Per Buch Andreasen, Steffen Loft, Martin Døsing, Frederik Andreasen – 1 June 1990 – The disposition of oral oxazepam was investigated in seven patients with decompensated cirrhosis and encephalopathy and in nine healthy individuals to further examine the hypothesis of preservation of glucuronidation in liver disease. The patients showed a severe reduction in the quantitative liver function as assessed by estimation of the clearance of antipyrine; the median value was 9 ml. min−1 and the range was 6 to 12 ml. min−1.

1 June 1990

Bernd Krone, Angela Lenz, Klaus‐Hinrich Heermann, Maria Seifer, Lu Xuangyong, Wolfram H. Gerlich – 1 June 1990 – HBsAg is known to bind to human serum albumin polymerized by glutaraldehyde, human serum albumin has been found in preparations of HBsAg by several investigators. However, it is not yet known whether natural human serum albumin binds to hepatitis B virus under physiological conditions. We studied the binding between natural or recombinant HBsAg and monomeric human serum albumin by immunological, biochemical and biophysical methods.

Joan Rodes – 1 June 1990 – The use of paracentesis has recently been reproposed as a safe and effective alternative to diuretics for management of ascites. We have investigated the clinical and biochemical effects of large‐volume paracentesis in 19 cirrhotics with tense ascites, and the relative changes in the hormones involved in sodium and water renal handling. Plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone (PA), and arginine vasopressin (AVP) levels and conventional liver and renal function tests were measured before and 1, 2 and 7 days after the paracentesis.

JÜRg Reichen – 1 June 1990

1 June 1990

Yun‐Fan Liaw – 1 June 1990 – The case of a young man with hepatitis A and a chronic course is presented. The patient recived a short course of steroid therapy for recurrence of symptoms following acute hepatitis A. Thereafter liver enzymes have remained marginally elevated for 4 years and annual liver biopsies have shown evidence of chronicity. HAV IgM Ab persisted for 1034 days with subsequent development of HAV IgG Ab. The possiblity of other viruses in the aetiology and the role of steroids in the development of chronicity are discussed.

Michael D. Kew – 1 June 1990 – Previous reports have emphasized the association of primary hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with idiopathic hemochromatosis with cirrhosis. In contrast, patients with idiopathic hemochromatosis without cirrhosis have no increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Phlebotomy therapy, by preventing the accumulation of parenchymal iron and subsequent cirrhosis, is believed to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma in the precirrhotic stage of the disease.