Prognosis in primary biliary cirrhosis: Model for decision making

E. Rolland Dickson, Patricia M. Grambsch, Thomas R. Fleming, Lloyd D. Fisher, Alice Langworthy – 1 July 1989 – The ideal mathematical model for predicting survival for individual patients with primary biliary cirrhosis should be based on a small number of inexpensive, noninvasive measurements that are universally available. Such a model would be useful in medical management by aiding in the selection of patients for and timing of orthotopic liver transplantation. This paper describes the development, testing and use of a mathematical model for predicting survival.

Assessment of portal vein patency: Pitfalls and problems in diagnostic comparative studies

Caroline R. Taylor – 1 July 1989 – The accuracy of ultrasound assessment of portal vein patency has been defined by comparing it with the results of arterial portography in 115 cases. The accuracy of arterial portography was confirmed in 21 cases where orthotopic liver transplantation was performed and used as a “benchmark” against which to assess the ultrasound findings. Ultrasound correctly assessed portal vein patency in 87.5% of patients. It was more accurate in assessing patency (90%) than occlusion (68%).

Active and latent collagenase activity during reversal of hepatic fibrosis in murine schistosomiasis

Hervé Emonard, Jean‐Alexis Grimaud – 1 July 1989 – In schistosomiasis mansoni, eggs trapped in portal venules of the liver induce a granulomatous inflammatory reaction and subsequently fibrosis. Upon specific schistosomicidal treatment, however, fibrosis undergoes a marked reversal. The features of this process as regards collagen metabolism were examined in mice using praziquantel as the schistosomicidal drug, which was given 68 days after infection.

In situ hybridization for procollagen types I, III and IV mRNA in normal and fibrotic rat liver: Evidence for predominant expression in nonparenchymal liver cells

Stefano Milani, Hermann Herbst, Detlef Schuppan, Eckhart G. Hahn, Harald Stein – 1 July 1989 – The expression of α2(I), α1(III) and α1(IV) procollagen mRNA was analyzed in normal and CCl4‐induced fibrotic rat liver by in situ hybridization using RNA probes. In normal liver, moderate amounts of α2(I) and α1(III) procollagen transcripts were found in sinusoidal cells, in stromal cells of the portal tracts and in the vicinity of central veins, whereas a1(IV) procollagen gene expression was below the threshold of detection.

Binding and uptake of native and modified low‐density lipoproteins by human hepatocytes in primary culture

Vladimir R. Babaev, Vladimir A. Kosykh, Vladimir P. Tsibulsky, Vadim O. Ivanov, Vadim S. Repin, Vladimir N. Smirnov – 1 July 1989 – The binding and uptake of native low‐density lipoproteins and malondialdehyde‐treated low density lipoproteins by human hepatocytes in primary culture has been analyzed. Experiments with 125I‐labeled malondialdehyde‐treated low‐density lipoproteins showed that cultured liver cells took up and degraded malondialdehyde‐treated low‐density lipoproteins, but the cell type(s) responsible for this action remain unclear.

Extrahepatic malignancy following long‐term immunosuppressive therapy of severe hepatitis B surface antigen‐negative chronic active hepatitis

Kenneth K. Wang, Albert J. Czaja, Sandra J. Beaver, Vay L. W. Go – 1 July 1989 – To determine the frequency, predisposing factors and consequences of extrahepatic malignancy following long‐term immunosuppressive therapy of severe HBsAg‐negative chronic active hepatitis, 149 patients who had received prednisone (20 mg daily) or prednisone (10 mg daily) in combination with azathioprine (50 mg daily) for at least 6 months were evaluated systematically for 109 ± 5 months (range: 7 to 223 months).

Human ontogeny of the bile duct to portal space ratio

Ellen Kahn, James Markowitz, Harvey Aiges, Fredric Daum – 1 July 1989 – Paucity of interlobular bile ducts is a common feature of cholestatic liver disease in premature infants. Whereas a bile duct to portal space ratio of 0.9 to 1.8 is cited by Alagille as the norm for children, there are no data regarding the normal bile duct to portal space ratio in preterm infants. In this study, by examining liver tissue obtained from autopsied fetuses and infants, we have determined that the bile duct to portal space ratio increases as a function of postconceptional age.

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