No abstract

The study was undertaken to determine the copper content in different human cataractous lenses. The level of copper increased with increasing age in nuclear brunescence and mixed cataractous lens and a low amount of copper was observed in the posterior subcapsular cataractous lens with increasing age. Cataractous lenses of females have greater amounts of copper compared with males. (BrJ Ophthalmol 1992; 76: 668-669) collected in glass containers, washed with Teepol, and rinsed with double distilled water to avoid contamination.Each lens was oven dried and weighed separately. They were then digested in 3 ml of a digestion mixture ofconcentrated nitric acid and perchloric acid in the ratio 3:1. The mixture was then evaporated to dryness and to the precipitate was added 10 mmol nitric acid. The level of copper was estimated at 324-9 nm in an atomic absorption spectrophotometer.'0 All the mean values were analysed by t test to determine the significance. Metals in human fluids and tissues are of potential importance not only in medical investigation but also in everyday clinical practice.' In recent times a role for trace elements in human nutrition has been identified and an involvement in different diseases.2

Aims and Objectives: Biliary atresia (BA) is a cholangiodestructive disease of the biliary tree. The first line of treatment is a Kasai portoenterostomy (PE) following which patients may develop cholangitis. We studied the effect of early cholangitis on the outcome of PE, namely jaundice clearance and early native liver survival (NLS). Methods: We reviewed the data of all children who developed cholangitis after PE from our prospectively maintained database of children with BA. The standardized treatment of all children in the database is described. The frequency and nature of these episodes were characterized, and the outcome of PE and NLS 1 year after PE was calculated. Results: Of 62 children who underwent PE in our institutions, 27 developed cholangitis. All episodes of cholangitis occurred within 14 months of PE. Of 25 children who cleared jaundice in the overall series, 19 had cholangitis. The incidence of cholangitis was significantly higher in children who cleared jaundice. Nine children who had cholangitis are alive with native livers for more than 1 year after PE. Twelve children had intractable cholangitis. Three of these children are alive with native liver 1 year after PE. Conclusion: In our series, cholangitis occurred in most children who cleared jaundice. Furthermore, the 1-year NLS of children who developed cholangitis was 33%.

Background/Aims: Biliary atresia (BA) is a cholangio-destructive disease of the infant liver presenting with features of obstructive cholangiopathy. The Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) is the first line of management. The aim of our study was to identify the characteristic features of liver histology in BA that impact the outcome of KPE. Patients and Methods: Data from 30 consecutive children was retrieved from our prospectively maintained database of children undergoing KPE. This included basic demographics, laboratory values and histopathological data from liver biopsy. The stages of fibrosis, presence of ductal plate malformation (DPM), giant cell transformation, extramedullary hematopoiesis and area percentage of α-SMA (α-smooth muscle actin) expression was correlated with jaundice clearance after KPE using standard statistical tests. Native liver survival was computed. Results: Overall, 13 (43%) children cleared jaundice in this series and 10 (33%) are alive with native liver. Lower area percent expression of α-SMA correlated with increased probability of jaundice clearance after KPE ( P < 0.001). There was no correlation between stage of fibrosis and jaundice clearance ( P = 0.52). DPM, giant cell transformation and extramedullary hematopoiesis did not correlate with outcome. All children who are alive with native liver had lower expression of α-SMA. Conclusion: α-SMA expression may be a potential predictor of jaundice clearance and native liver survival after KPE.

Aims:The aim of our study was to compare the outcome of Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) in children with biliary atresia (BA) older than 90 days to children less than 90 days and to study its safety and efficacy in children older than 90 days.Subjects and Methods:Relevant data were collected from our prospectively maintained database of all children with BA who underwent KPE over a 5-year period. Children were divided into two groups: Group 1 ≤90 days and Group 2 >90 days. Data analyzed and compared included total and direct bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and the outcome of procedure which was defined as a serum direct bilirubin <2 mg/dl within 6 months after surgery. Standard statistical tests were used for analysis.Results:Out of 62 children, 45 children were in Group 1 and 17 children were in Group 2. Children in Group 2 had similar total and direct bilirubin compared to children in Group 1. APRI, an indicator of fibrosis, was significantly increased in Group 2 (P = 0.08). About 47% of children in Group 2 had Stage III fibrosis on liver histology compared to 22% of children in Group 1. None of the children in Group 2 had synthetic liver failure (refractory ascites, hypoalbuminemia, or coagulopathy unresponsive to Vitamin K) or portal hypertension. KPE was successful in 29.4% of children in Group 2 and 44% in children in Group 1. There was no perioperative mortality in our group.Conclusions:KPE was successful in a third of children over 90 days of age and can be safely performed in this group. In the absence of synthetic liver failure, age should not be a disqualification for performing KPE.