Colorimetric LPMO assay with direct implication for cellulolytic activity.

Background: Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are important industrial enzymes known for their catalytic degradation of recalcitrant polymers such as cellulose or chitin. Their activity can be measured by lengthy HPLC methods, while high-throughput methods are less specific. A fast and specific LPMO assay would simplify screening for new or engineered LPMOs and accelerate biochemical characterization.

Hepatic metabolism of C-methionine and secretion of C-protein measured by PET in pigs.

Hepatic amino acid metabolism and protein secretion are essential liver functions that may be altered during metabolic stress, e.g. after surgery.

[Addison's disease causing acute abdomen].

A 15 year-old girl with three days of upper abdominal pain was admitted to hospital. Vital parametres were within normal limits. Blood samples and abdominal computed tomography were normal.

Protein C activation during the initial phase of experimental acute pancreatitis in the rabbit.

Background: Disturbances of coagulation and fibrinolysis are well-known systemic effects of acute necrotising pancreatitis (ANP). The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate the initial events in the haemostatic activation during ANP in an animal model with relevance to the human situation.

Methods: ANP was introduced in 7 rabbits by infusion of chenodeoxycholic acid in the pancreatic duct.

Systemic and cell-mediated immune response after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy in patients with chronic liver disease. A randomized, prospective study.

Background: As impaired immune function observed in cirrhotic patients is known to increase the risk of postoperative complications, the immunological response to surgery was investigated.

Methods: Twenty-eight patients with postnecrotic liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis C and symptomatic gallstone disease were randomly allocated to laparoscopic (LC) or open cholecystectomy (OC). Changes in concentrations of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10) were followed and the effect of surgical trauma on the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16 and CD19) and NK cell cytotoxicity were measured.

Postoperative hepatic catabolic stress response in patients with cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis.

Open (OC) or laparoscopic (LC) cholecystectomy is considered a relative contraindication in patients with liver cirrhosis. The effect of LC and OC on the hepatic catabolic stress response was studied in patients with postnecrotic liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis to define the most suitable procedure from a metabolic point of view. Altogether 14 patients with cirrhosis and 14 with chronic hepatitis were randomized to LC or OC (n = 7 in each group).

A monoclonal anti-interleukin 8 antibody (WS-4) inhibits cytokine response and acute lung injury in experimental severe acute necrotising pancreatitis in rabbits.

Background: Interleukin 8 (IL-8) has recently been proposed to have an important role in mediating the development of the systemic sequelae associated with severe acute pancreatitis.

Aims: To define the role of IL-8 in acute pancreatitis by neutralising its effects with a monoclonal anti-IL-8 antibody (WS-4), in a rabbit model of severe acute pancreatitis.

Methods: Acute pancreatitis was induced by retrograde injection of 5% chenodeoxycholic acid into the pancreatic duct and duct ligation.

Graded experimental acute pancreatitis: monitoring of a renewed rabbit model focusing on the production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and CD11b/CD18.

Objective: To establish and monitor a rabbit model of graded severity of acute pancreatitis to test the hypothesis that interleukin-8 (IL-8) and the adhesion molecule complex CD11b/CD18 are involved in the development of systemic complications in severe acute pancreatitis.

Methods: Acute pancreatitis induction in rabbits by duct ligation with or without infusion of 5.0% or 0.

Effects of laparotomy vs pneumoperitoneum on the hepatic catabolic stress response in ambulatory and stationary settings in pigs.

Background: We recently demonstrated that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is followed by a much smaller hepatic catabolic stress response than conventional cholecystectomy. It is not known what is responsible for this difference.

Methods: Thirty pigs were randomly allocated to the following five treatment groups: (1) laparotomy, (2) pneumoperitoneum, (3) pneumoperitoneum with insertion of four trocars, (4) laparotomy, (5) pneumoperitoneum.

Biliary parasites.

Parasitic diseases of the biliary tract occur frequently in tropical and subtropical areas and cause high morbidity and mortality. In general, neither the clinical presentation nor the general laboratory findings are sufficiently unique to raise the possibility of a parasitic biliary infestation in the mind of the surgeon. Once considered, however, the presence of a parasitic biliary infestation is easily confirmed.

Sodium fusidate and the cytokine response in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis.

Background: New therapies designed to downregulate the aberrant immune response associated with severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) are being increasingly investigated in different experimental models of ANP. The aim of this study was to test the potential effects of sodium fusidate on the course of severe ANP in rabbits.

Methods: ANP was induced in 20 rabbits by retrograde injection of 5 per cent chenodeoxycholic acid into the pancreatic duct followed by duct ligation.