Experimental carcinoma of liver in macaque monkeys exposed to diethylnitrosamine and hepatitis B virus.

The effects of treatments with diethylnitrosamine (DENA) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) on macaque monkeys were investigated by virus serology and by light and electron microscopy. The experimental groups comprised 43 newborn or juvenile cynomolgus and rhesus monkeys of both sexes. HBV neither had a carcinogenic effect nor increased the oncogenic effect of DENA. However, HBV given to juvenile primates before treatment with DENA resulted in subsequent gross and microscopic alterations consistent with mild hepatitis and postnecrotic cirrhosis; multifocal liver carcinoma apparently developed within these cirrhotic nodules. The pathologic findings in the experimental animals were strikingly similar to those observed in liver cancer patients.     

Proximal selective vagotomy with or without pyloroplasty?]

Proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage is the operation of choice for uncomplicated duodenal ulcer. There are few contraindications for PGV as uremia, diabetes, hypertension, age over 65 years and a history of splenectomy. Only in cases of severe pyloric stenosis or bleeding ulcer or perforation in the pyloric area, a pyloroplasty should be added. The Wangensteen pyloroplasty is a safe drainage procedure and especially recommended in case of extensive scarring of the pylorus.     

Factors contributing to the evolution and outcome of cirrhosis in hepatitis C

A number of factors are important in the evolution of chronic hepatitis C to cirrhosis. These include the length of time that the patient has been infected, the age at exposure, dual infection with other viruses, alcohol use, and genotypes, especially in liver transplant recipients. The diagnosis of cirrhosis is made by clinical assessment of the patient, the use of imaging studies, a thoughtful laboratory evaluation, and histologic examination of liver tissue.     

Effects of thiourea on pulmonary vascular permeability and on lung and plasma histamine levels in rats

The intraperitoneal administration of thiourea (TU) to mature male rats results in a significant increase in lung vascular permeability to Evans Blue dye (EBD). On the other hand, young, sexually immature rats are resistant to this effect. The increase in lung vascular permeability in response to TU in mature rats is associated with corresponding increases in lung and plasma histamine levels. The correlation of increases in lung and plasma histamine in response to TU is similar to that reported for ammonium salts which produce similar pulmonary edema.