Synthesis and crystal structure of 2,4,6,8-tetra-kis-(3,5-di--butyl-phen-oxy)pyrimido[5,4-]pyrimidine: expansion of the Piedfort concept.

The title host compound, CHNO, designed to self-assemble to form a new type of extended core Piedfort unit reminiscent of an eight-legged spider host, forms a number of crystalline inclusion compounds favouring oxygen-containing guest mol-ecules. We have established the presence of this unit in the unsolvated mol-ecular crystal at 100 K, which is monoclinic, space group 2/, with = 8. The new Piedfort unit is chiral and its core structure closely approximates to symmetry, with both enanti-omers present in the crystal.

The first members of the octasubstituted naphthalene spider-host series with type I (abababab) conformation: gateway to new nano-host gas storage materials.

Octakis(m-tolyloxymethyl)naphthalene, the first Type I spider host produced, crystallises from tetraglyme forming a novel channel structure with the host molecule attaining exact D(2) symmetry. The (flexible) channel structure is retained for guest CS(2), the host now only having exact C(2) symmetry. The octa-sulfone octakis(m-tolylsulfonylmethyl)naphthalene is also of Type I in its triclinic DMSO clathrate.

Acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf is caused by mutation in ATP2A2: evidence that it is allelic to Darier's disease.

Acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf is a localized disorder of keratinization affecting the distal extremities. Onset is early in life and the disease is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. Although histology of acrokeratosis verruciformis lesions shows no evidence of dyskeratosis, a possible relationship with Darier's disease has long been postulated on the basis of clinical similarity.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: a common cause of progressive chronic liver injury?

Aim: To investigate the natural history of patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by means of a prospective histological study.

Methods: One thousand five hundred and seventy one patients underwent liver biopsy at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow during the 10 year period 1985 to 1994. All biopsies were reported by a single pathologist: 62 were confirmed as having non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and prospective follow up was conducted in 1999.

The role of iron and haemochromatosis gene mutations in the progression of liver disease in chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is frequently associated with elevated markers of iron stores. Recessively inherited mutations in the HFE gene are responsible for iron accumulation in most cases of hereditary haemochromatosis and may have a role in HCV infection. They may also be associated with progressive liver fibrosis although this remains controversial.

Co-amoxiclav jaundice: clinical and histological features and HLA class II association.

Background And Aims: Jaundice associated with co-amoxiclav has been increasingly recognised. We aimed to characterise its clinical and histological features and to investigate linkage with human leucocyte antigen class II haplotypes.

Methods: We identified cases in the west of Scotland in the period 1991-1997 and performed polymerase chain reaction amplification and oligonucleotide probing on whole blood.

Basement membrane peptides as markers of liver disease in chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aim: Chronic hepatitis C is characterised by slow progression to liver fibrosis. In liver fibrosis, basement membrane components are increasingly deposited around the vessels and in the portal tracts. Serum assays can measure the two major components of the basement membrane, type IV collagen and laminin.

Expression of the mucosal vascular addressin, MAdCAM-1, in inflammatory liver disease.

Aims/background: The integrin alpha4beta7 and mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) are involved in normal recirculation of lymphocytes between the blood and the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract. In this study we have examined the expression of MAdCAM-1 in human liver.

Methods: MAdCAM-1 expression was determined in archival human liver tissues by immunohistochemistry.

Comparison of assays for N-amino terminal propeptide of type III procollagen in chronic hepatitis C by using receiver operating characteristic analysis.

Objective: During the process of liver fibrosis, type III procollagen is converted to type III collagen by cleavage of its amino terminal and carboxy terminal propeptides. Serum levels of amino terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) are a marker of collagen turnover in liver fibrosis. Two assays for PIIINP are available, one which measures both Col 1-3 (collagen synthesis) and Col 1 (collagen degradation) peptides, and one which measures Col 1-3 only.

Plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases -1 and -2 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) as noninvasive markers of liver disease in chronic hepatitis C: comparison using ROC analysis.

As chronic liver disease progresses, an imbalance occurs between synthesis and breakdown of extracellular matrix (ECM). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in degrading ECM while tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) prevent their fibrolytic action. We determined if plasma levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 are related to liver histology in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Hepatic blood flow changes in chronic hepatitis C measured by duplex Doppler color sonography: relationship to histological features.

Our aim was to determine if portal vein and hepatic artery blood flow indices are a noninvasive index of severity of liver disease in chronic hepatitis C. The effect of interferon-alpha treatment on liver blood flow was also studied. Liver blood flow measurements were recorded by duplex Doppler color sonography in 39 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 50 healthy controls, and a single patient with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Differential expression of CD32 isoforms following alloactivation of human T cells.

Receptors for the Fc region of immunoglobulin G (IgG) (Fc gamma Rs) exist in three main forms: membrane bound, soluble and cytoplasmic. The function of cytoplasmic Fc gamma Rs is poorly understood. We have previously demonstrated cytoplasmic Fc gamma RII (cCD32) within most normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), including T cells.

Demonstration of cytoplasmic CD32 (Fc gamma RII) within human lymphocytes following microwave treatment.

We have recently described a cytoplasmic from of CD32 (Fc gamma RII) within the vast majority of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) including T cells. The function of cytoplasmic CD32 is not known. These flow cytometric studies were conducted using single cell suspensions of PBL that had been pre-fixed and permeabilized using methanol/triton-X-100.

Nylon cloth macular amyloidosis.

In primary localized cutaneous amyloid, deposition of amyloid is confined to the skin without the involvement of any internal organs. Amyloid deposition in the skin is often scanty, and electron microscopy may be needed to confirm the presence of the typical amyloid fibrils. There have been several case reports of cutaneous amyloidosis associated with friction or rubbing of the skin.

alpha-Glutathione S-transferase levels in chronic hepatitis C infection and the effect of alpha-interferon therapy.

Serum alpha-glutathione S-transferase (alpha-GST) has been shown to be a sensitive marker of liver injury. We compared the relationship of both serum alpha-GST and alanine transaminase (ALT) with liver biopsy inflammatory activity in patients who had chronic hepatitis C infection (HCV), and examined the effects of alpha-interferon therapy on serum alpha-GST and ALT concentrations. Of 32 patients with chronic HCV infection studied, 17 received alpha-interferon 4.

Hepatocyte proliferation and serum hepatocyte growth factor levels in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

Background/methods: Hepatocyte growth factor is thought to be important in stimulating growth of the liver following injury. In this study we have measured serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor together with hepatocyte proliferation in liver biopsies, by detection of the Ki-67 antigen, in 23 patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

Results: Serum hepatocyte growth factor was elevated in all patients (median 0.