Stem/progenitor cells in liver regeneration

Tohru Itoh – 26 May 2016 – In severely or chronically injured livers where the proliferative capacity of hepatocytes is compromised, putative stem/progenitor cells are supposed to be activated. These cells are generally characterized as biliary epithelial cell marker‐positive cells that emerge ectopically in the parenchymal region of the liver, as determined by histopathological examination of various liver diseases in humans and animal models.

Multidrug‐resistant organisms in liver transplant: Mitigating risk and managing infections

Jonathan Hand, Gopi Patel – 26 May 2016 – Liver transplant (LT) recipients are vulnerable to infections with multidrug‐resistant (MDR) pathogens. Risk factors for colonization and infection with resistant bacteria are ubiquitous and unavoidable in transplantation. During the past decade, progress in transplantation and infection prevention has contributed to the decreased incidence of infections with methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus. However, even in the face of potentially effective antibiotics, vancomycin‐resistant enterococci continue to plague LT.

Liver Transplantation in Brazil

Paulo Lisboa Bittencourt, Alberto Queiroz Farias, Claudia Alves Couto – 26 May 2016 – Over 1700 liver transplantations (LTs) are performed annually in Brazil. In absolute terms, the country performs more LT surgeries than anywhere else in Latin America and is third worldwide. However, due to its increasing population and inadequate donor organ supply, the country averages 5‐10 LTs per million population, far lower than required. There is a marked heterogeneity in organ donation and LT activity throughout the country.

Hypoxia induces myeloid‐derived suppressor cell recruitment to hepatocellular carcinoma through chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 26

David Kung‐Chun Chiu, Iris Ming‐Jing Xu, Robin Kit‐Ho Lai, Aki Pui‐Wah Tse, Larry Lai Wei, Hui‐Yu Koh, Lynna Lan Li, Derek Lee, Regina Cheuk‐Lam Lo, Chun‐Ming Wong, Irene Oi‐Lin Ng, Carmen Chak‐Lui Wong – 26 May 2016 – A population of stromal cells, myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), is present in tumors. Though studies have gradually revealed the protumorigenic functions of MDSCs, the molecular mechanisms guiding MDSC recruitment remain largely elusive.

Progressive accumulation of mutations in the hepatitis B virus genome and its impact on time to diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Feng‐Yu Sung, Chia‐Ying Lan, Chi‐Jung Huang, Chih‐Lin Lin, Chun‐Jen Liu, Pei‐Jer Chen, Shi‐Ming Lin, Ming‐Whei Yu – 26 May 2016 – To evaluate how hepatitis B virus (HBV) genetic variation affected progression from chronic carrier state to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we analyzed HBV full‐length sequences in blood obtained <1‐20 years before diagnosis from 117 HCC cases and 118 controls nested in a cohort of 4,841 HBV carriers, for whom HBV genotypes B and C are predominant.

Adipocyte‐specific overexpression of retinol‐binding protein 4 causes hepatic steatosis in mice

Seung‐Ah Lee, Jason J. Yuen, Hongfeng Jiang, Barbara B. Kahn, William S. Blaner – 26 May 2016 – There is considerable evidence that both retinoids and retinol‐binding protein 4 (RBP4) contribute to the development of liver disease. To understand the basis for this, we generated and studied transgenic mice that express human RBP4 (hRBP4) specifically in adipocytes. When fed a chow diet, these mice show an elevation in adipose total RBP4 (mouse RBP4 + hRBP4) protein levels.

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