The Degrees of Hepatocyte Cytoplasmic Expression of Hepatitis B Core Antigen correlate with Histologic Activity of Liver Disease in the Young Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

Subcellular localizaton of HBcAg have been found to be related to the activity of liver disease and HBV replication. The aim of this study was to determine whether the degree of expression of HBcAg in the hepatocyte nucleus and cytoplasm reflects the level of viral replication and histological activity in chronic HBV infection. A total of 102 patients with biopsy proven chronic hepatitis B were included. There was a highly significant correlation between the levels of HBV DNA in serum and the degree of expression of HBcAg in the nucleus for HBeAg-positive(p=0.000) and negative patients(p=0.04). There was a highly significant, correlation between the degrees of expression of HBcAg in hepatocyte cytoplasm and histologic activities (p<0.01) for HBeAg-positive patients. The degrees of expression of HBcAg in the hepatocyte cytoplasm correlated positively with the lobular activities (p<0.01), but not correlated with the portal activity and fibrosis for HBeAg-negative patients. In conclusion, in the young patients with chronic B viral hepatitis, the degree of expression of HBcAg in the hepatocyte nucleus may affect viral load, and the degree of expression of HBcAg in the hepatocyte cytoplasm may affect histologic activities of liver disease.

Gianturco Metallic Biliary Stent in Malignant Biliary Obstruction: Results of Follow-up in Dead Patients

PURPOSE: In order to study the patency, restenosis, efficacy, and complications of the metallic stent in the course of treatment of malignant biliary obstruction,the results of follow up of the dead patients after stent insertion were reviewed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Self-expandable Gianturco metallic stent with 10-mm diameter was successfully inserted in 33 patients :10 with Klatskin tumor, 7 with common bile duct cancer, 7 with gallbladder cancer, 5 with pancreatic cancer, 2 with recurred stomach cancer, one with periampullary cancer, one with hepatocellular carcinoma. RESULTS: The overall duration of survival and patency of the stents in 33 patients were 5.2 months(1-12 months) and 4.9 months(1.14 months), respectively. Restenosis of metallic stents was found in 9 cases(27%), after 6.1 months in average. Causes of stent occlusion were overgrowing of tumor in 5, overgrowing and ingrowing of tumor in 3, extraductal dislodgement in one case. Two cases of symptomatic cholangitis after stent placement were successfully treated with percutaneous cholecystostomy. Three cases of destruction and migration of metallic stents were found after 6 months. CONCLUSION: On the basis of our experience, insertion of Gianturco metallic biliary stent is an acceptable treatment method in the malignant biliary obstruction, especially for whom short term survival is expected.