David J. Stewart – 1 December 1989 – To investigate volume‐regulating processes in the hepatocyte, a rapid and precise method of measuring cell volume in isolated hepatocytes was devised which uses a Coulter Counter equipped with a Channelyzer. Isolated hepatocytes exhibit a volume‐decreasing mechanism (potassium channel) which is triggered by cell volume increases as small as 10%. Cell volume increases in the hepatocyte may be mediated by activity of the Na:H exchanger.

Goran B. G. Klintmalm, Joseph R. Nery, Bo S. Husberg, Thomas A. Gonwa, Glenn W. Tillery – 1 December 1989 – One hundred four liver transplant recipients were retrospectively reviewed for the incidence of liver allograft rejection, the response to antirejection therapy and the impact of rejection on graft and patient survival. Liver biopsies were performed weekly during episodes of graft dysfunction and to follow response to treatment. Baseline immunosuppression consisted of cyclosporine and low‐dose prednisolone. Rejection was treated with steroids and with OKT3 as rescue.

1 December 1989

Maria Buti, Rafael Esteban, Rosendo Jardi, Francisco Rodriguez‐Frias, Jose Casacuberta, Juan Ignacio Esteban, Elena Allende, Jaime Guardia – 1 December 1989 – To investigate the presence of serum hepatitis delta virus antigen by immunoblot and its correlation with other markers of active viral replication (intrahepatic hepatitis D antigen, IgM antibody to hepatitis D and serum hepatitis D virus RNA), we studied serum samples from 50 patients with chronic hepatitis D virus infection (38 with and 12 without intrahepatic hepatitis D antigen).

James R. Jacob, Jorg W. Eichberg, Robert E. Lanford – 1 December 1989 – Primary chimpanzee hepatocytes were maintained in vitro utilizing a serum‐free medium. Hepatocyte functions were sustained throughout the culture period as demonstrated by the synthesis and secretion of liver‐specific plasma proteins characteristic for differentiated hepatocytes. Hepatocyte cultures established from a chimpanzee chronically infected with human hepatitis B virus exhibited the synthesis and secretion of hepatitis B virus proteins into the medium.

Xiao‐Li Ma, Enrique Baraona, Rolando Hernández‐Muñoz, Charles S. Lieber – 1 December 1989 – Acetaldehyde, a product of ethanol oxidation which forms adducts with proteins, has been incriminated in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver injury. High serum antibody titers against acetaldehyde‐protein adducts have been found not only in alcoholics but also in patients with nonalcoholic liver disease, suggesting a contribution of acetaldehyde derived from sources other than exogenous ethanol.

Harold O. Conn – 1 December 1989

Erik Schrumpf – 1 December 1989 – The association of primary sclerosing cholangitis and celiac disease was observed in three patients, an association not previously reported. All three patients were men who presented with chronic cholestatic liver disease at ages 32, 46, and 62 years, respectively. In each patient, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed the typical findings of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Histologic features of liver biopsy were compatible with the diagnosis. Two patients had associated chronic ulcerative colitis.

Christian Müller, Peter Knoflach, Christoph C. Zielinski – 1 December 1989 – Serum levels of soluble interleukin 2 receptor were determined in patients with acute viral hepatitis and patients with various chronic liver diseases. In addition, the ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis to generate soluble interleukin 2 receptor following mitogenic stimulation was studied in vitro.

Takashi Sonoda, Ken Shirabe, Kenji Takenaka, Takashi Kanematsu, Kotaro Yasumori, Keizo Sugimachi – 1 December 1989 – We studied 36 cases (38 nodules) of small hepatocellular carcinoma with special attention directed to detectability using angiography and histology. Among the 38 nodules, 31 nodules (81.6%) were evident. The remaining seven (18.4%) were not evident angiographically but were detected using ultrasonography and/or computed tomography, prior to angiography. An elevated level of serum α‐fetoprotein also suggested a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.