Kim Krogsgaard, Peter Kryger, Jan Aldershvile, Poul Andersson, Christian Brechot, The Copenhagen Hepatitis Acuta Programme – 1 January 1985 – Sera from 77 consecutive patients with acute type B hepatitis were examined for hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) by a spot hybridization method. The median follow‐up time was 8 months (range, 1 week to 3 years). HBV DNA was detected in 26 (34%) patients on admission to the hospital. A significant positive correlation was found between short duration of symptoms and the presence of HBV DNA (p < 0.025).

Chaur‐Young Yang, Yun‐Fan Liaw, Chia‐Ming Chu, I‐Shyan Sheen – 1 January 1985 – In order to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ascitic pH and lactate for early confirmation of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), 109 consecutive patients with ascites were studied.

Anna Mae Diehl, John K. Boitnott, H. Franklin Herlong, James J. Potter, Mary Ann Van Duyn, Elizabeth Chandler, Esteban Mezey – 1 January 1985 – A controlled randomized study was performed in 15 patients with biopsy‐proven alcoholic hepatitis to determine the effect of the administration of a parenteral amino acid‐glucose solution for 1 month on nutritional, clinical, biochemical and histological parameters. All patients were allowed ad libitum consumption of a hospital diet. Five patients received the amino acid‐glucose solution, while 10 received the glucose solution without amino acids.

Peter S. Richards, Thomas M. Saba – 1 January 1985 – The phagocytic activity of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) in the liver is important in host resistance to shock. Fibronectin is a large molecular weight glycoprotein which influences particulate uptake by phagocytic cells. This study addressed the effect of repeated low‐dose endotoxin challenge on immunoreactive fibronectin and reticuloendothelial phagocytic function in rats. Intravenous Escherichia coli endotoxin increased circulating immunoreactive fibronectin by 100% within 24 hr; normalization was within 96 hr.

Giuseppe Maggiore, Michelle Hadchouel, Fausto Sessa, Maria Vinci, Antonio Craxi, Maria D. Marzani, Constantino De Giacomo, Daniel Alagille – 1 January 1985 – The prevalence of intrahepatic delta antigen and/or anti‐delta antibody was retrospectively investigated in 102 children with chronic HBsAg‐positive hepatitis who were seen consecutively in three medical institutions between 1974 and 1982. Delta infection markers were found in 13 patients (12.7%) who exhibited high serum titers of anti‐delta antibody; intrahepatic delta antigen was detected in ten.

Yun‐Fan Liaw, George Papaevangelou – 1 January 1985

Philippe Van Hootegem, Johan Fevery, Norbert Blanckaert – 1 January 1985 – Unconjugated bilirubin and its mono‐ and diester conjugates were measured by alkaline methanolysis and normal‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (AMHPLC) in 195 serum specimens obtained from 63 patients with various hepatobiliary disorders and from 47 healthy adult controls. With this assay, esterified bilirubins were undetectable in the controls, and detection of esterified pigment in a sample was interpreted as an abnormal result.

Kurt Einarsson, Bo Angelin, Ingemar Björkhem, Hans Glaumann – 1 January 1985 – The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of measuring individual serum bile acids in patients with suspected alcoholic liver disease. A highly accurate and specific massfragmentographic technique with high sensitivity was used. Anicteric patients with fatty liver (n = 10) and liver cirrhosis (n = 9) were compared with healthy controls (n = 27). The measurement of serum bile acids did not discriminate patients with fatty liver from controls.

Takeshi Okanoue, Masaharu Ohta, Shinji Fushiki, Ongyoku Ou, Kazutomo Kachi, Tadao Okuno, Tatsuro Takino, Samuel W. French – 1 January 1985 – Rat livers were perfused with 0.5% Triton X‐100 for 30 to 60 min and studied by scanning electron microscope. Three‐dimensional filamentous networks were visualized in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes in situ. Branching and end‐to‐side contacts of intermediate filaments, and intermediate filaments which were connected with microtubules and microfilaments were noted. Numerous filaments were observed in the perinuclear region and at the cell border.

Robert C. Harvey, Dale Taylor, Connie N. Petrunka, Andrew D. Murray, Steven M. Strasberg – 1 January 1985 – The concentration of 25 major, minor and trace elements in human bile was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Gallbladder bile was obtained during surgery from patients with cholesterol gallstones, pigment stones and with no biliary tract abnormalities (controls). Comparison of the concentration of elements (microgram per gram of solids) did not reveal any significant differences among the three patient groups.