Distinct microRNA profiles are associated with the severity of hepatitis C virus recurrence and acute cellular rejection after liver transplantation

Deepak Joshi, Siamak Salehi, Helen Brereton, Matthew Arno, Alberto Quaglia, Nigel Heaton, John O'Grady, Kosh Agarwal, Varuna Aluvihare – 13 February 2013 – Recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with accelerated fibrosis rates after liver transplantation (LT) and is the leading cause of graft failure. Furthermore, distinguishing recurrent HCV from acute cellular rejection (ACR) can be problematic, and this can lead to inappropriate treatments and adverse outcomes.

The mTOR pathway in hepatic malignancies

Mamatha Bhat, Nahum Sonenberg, Gregory J. Gores – 13 February 2013 – The mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a critical role in cellular metabolism, growth, and proliferation and has been evaluated as a target for therapy in various malignancies. The mTOR pathway is a major tumor‐initiating pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma, with up‐regulation seen in up to 50% of tumors. Metformin, which represses mTOR signaling by activating adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase, has been shown to decrease liver carcinogenesis in population studies.

Prospective Evaluation of Single‐Operator Peroral Cholangioscopy in Liver Transplant Recipients Requiring an Evaluation of the Biliary Tract

Domingo Balderramo, Oriol Sendino, Rosa Miquel, Cristina Rodriguez de Miguel, Josep M. Bordas, Graciela Martinez‐Palli, Maria L. Leoz, Antoni Rimola, Miguel Navasa, Josep Llach, Andrés Cardenas – 12 February 2013 – In this descriptive study, we examined the role of single‐operator cholangioscopy (SOC) in the evaluation of biliary complications after liver transplantation (LT). We prospectively included adult recipients of deceased donor LT who were referred for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography between June 2009 and July 2011.

Liver fatty acid binding protein (L‐Fabp) modulates murine stellate cell activation and diet‐induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Anping Chen, Youcai Tang, Victoria Davis, Fong‐Fu Hsu, Susan M. Kennedy, Haowei Song, John Turk, Elizabeth M. Brunt, Elizabeth P. Newberry, Nicholas O. Davidson – 11 February 2013 – Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is crucial to the development of fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Quiescent HSCs contain lipid droplets (LDs), whose depletion upon activation induces a fibrogenic gene program.

Scavenger receptor BI and ABCG5/G8 differentially impact biliary sterol secretion and reverse cholesterol transport in mice

Arne Dikkers, Jan Freak de Boer, Wijtske Annema, Albert K. Groen, Uwe J.F. Tietge – 11 February 2013 – Biliary lipid secretion plays an important role in gallstone disease and reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). Using Sr‐bI/Abcg5 double knockout mice (dko), the present study investigated the differential contribution of two of the most relevant transporters: adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‐binding cassette subfamily G member 5 and 8 (ABCG5/G8) and scavenger receptor class B type I (SR‐BI) to sterol metabolism and RCT.

MicroRNA‐140‐5p suppresses tumor growth and metastasis by targeting transforming growth factor β receptor 1 and fibroblast growth factor 9 in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hao Yang, Feng Fang, Ruimin Chang, Lianyue Yang – 11 February 2013 – By comparing the expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in different hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) subtypes, we identified miR‐140‐5p as an HCC‐related miRNA. We found that miR‐140‐5p was significantly decreased in HCC tissues and all of six liver cancer cell lines examined and its expression levels were correlated with multiple nodules, vein invasion, capsular formation, and differentiation, as well as overall and disease‐free survival of HCC.

Embolization of large spontaneous portosystemic shunts for refractory hepatic encephalopathy: A multicenter survey on safety and efficacy

Wim Laleman, Macarena Simon‐Talero, Geert Maleux, Mercedes Perez, Koen Ameloot, German Soriano, Jordi Villalba, Juan‐Carlos Garcia‐Pagan, Marta Barrufet, Rajiv Jalan, Jocelyn Brookes, Evangelos Thalassinos, Andrew K. Burroughs, Juan Cordoba, Frederik Nevens, on behalf of the EASL‐CLIF‐Consortium – 7 February 2013 – Refractory hepatic encephalopathy (HE) remains a major cause of morbidity in cirrhosis patients. Large spontaneous portosystemic shunts (SPSSs) have been previously suggested to sustain HE in these patients.

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