Margo A. Denke, Scott M. Grundy – 1 July 1988 – Bile acid binding resins are indicated for treatment of elevated plasma low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. In normoglyceridemic patients, plasma concentrations of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol are closely linked, and for this reason resin treatment of elevated total cholesterol levels in these patients is rational and warranted. Hypertriglyceridemic patients may also have elevated total cholesterol concentrations, and several such patients have been treated with resin.

Herbert L. Bonkovsky – 1 July 1988

Anna S. F. Lok, Ching‐Lung Lai, Pui‐Chee Wu – 1 July 1988 – Of 1,801 Chinese subjects, age 1 to 90 years, screened for hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody (HBsAg, anti‐HBs) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc), 214 (11.9%) had an isolated, positive anti‐HBc result; anti‐HBc was reproducibly present in the initial sera in only 66% and persisted after an interval of 2 weeks to 3 months in only 73%. There was a strong correlation between the rates of reproducibility and persistence of isolated anti‐HBc and the initial anti‐HBc titers.

Bruno Clément, Pierre‐Yves Rescan, Georges Baffet, Olivier Loréal, Dominique Lehry, Jean‐Pierre Campion, André Guillouzo – 1 July 1988 – Previous studies have shown that laminin is present in basement membranes in normal liver but failed to identify cellular sources. We have investigated the extracellular and intracellular distribution of laminin in normal rat and human liver, in fibrotic human liver and in primary hepatocyte cultures from both species by light and electron microscopy using the indirect immunoperoxidase technique.

Francisco Lozano, Albert Parés, Luis Borche, Montserrat Plana, Teresa Gallart, Joan Rodés, Jordi Vives – 1 July 1988 – An antinuclear immunofluorescence pattern displaying a thin ring confined to the nuclear envelope was assessed in sera from 38 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and in sera from a control group of 277 patients with other antinuclear antibody‐positive diseases. This rim‐like antinuclear reactivity was present in sera from 20 primary biliary cirrhosis patients (52.6%) but in only two patients from the control group (0.7%) (p < 0.001).

Anthony J. Demetris, Bernd H. Markus, Carlos Esquivel, David H. Van Thiel, Susan Saidman, Robert Gordon, Leonard Makowka, Gregory D. Sysyn, Thomas E. Starzl – 1 July 1988 – A retrospective histopathologic review of all pathologic specimens from 394 adult liver transplant patients was undertaken with clinical correlation to determine if primary biliary cirrhosis has affected the posttrans‐plant course compared to all other indications for liver transplantation and if recurrent primary biliary cirrhosis has occurred after liver transplantation.

Robert A. Levine – 1 July 1988 – 16,16 Dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (dmPGE2), a known cytoprotective agent, was examined for its ability to alter the course of fulminant hepatitis in an experimental model of fulminant viral hepatitis, murine hepatitis virus type 3 (MHV‐3). Fully susceptible BALB/cJ mice, infected with 100 50% lethal doses (LD50) of MHV‐3 developed histologic and biochemical evidence of fulminant hepatitis, as evidenced by massive hepatic necrosis with hypoglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and a markedly elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (mean, 1,402 ± 619 IU/liter).

Mark A. Kane – 1 July 1988 – In 1983, a comprehensive programme was introduced to halt the spread of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and to reduce mortality from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Alaskan Natives, in whom the incidence of HBV infection was high. This programme includes: serological screening of all Alaskan Natives; immunization of susceptible persons, including all newborn babies, with hepatitis B vaccine; and testing HBsAg‐positive carriers twice a year for α‐fetoprotein (AFP) to detect HCC at an early stage.

Paul H. Edelstein, Bruce A. Runyon – 1 July 1988

Cho‐Il Kim, Maria Anna Leo, Nancy Lowe, Charles S. Lieber – 1 July 1988 – To study possible mechanisms whereby vitamin A and ethanol may affect liver plasma membranes, rats were fed liquid diets containing either 6 international units of vitamin A per kcal or 5 times more, with or without ethanol (36% of total energy as isocaloric substitution for carbohydrate).