Norah A. Terrault, Jennifer L. Dodge, Edward L. Murphy, John E. Tavis, Alexi Kiss, T. R. Levin, Robert G. Gish, Michael P. Busch, Arthur L. Reingold, Miriam J. Alter – 23 November 2012 – The efficiency of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission by sexual activity remains controversial. We conducted a cross‐sectional study of HCV‐positive subjects and their partners to estimate the risk for HCV infection among monogamous heterosexual couples. A total of 500 anti–HCV‐positive, human immunodeficiency virus–negative index subjects and their long‐term heterosexual partners were studied.

Emerson Y. Chen, Karl Baum, William Collins, Arthur Löve, Michael Merz, Sigurdur Olafsson, Einar S. Björnsson, William M. Lee – 23 November 2012 – The patient presented below gives us the opportunity to discuss challenges in the diagnosis of drug‐induced liver injury in an era of increasing awareness of hepatitis E. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;)

Donghee Kim, W. Ray Kim, Hwa Jung Kim, Terry M. Therneau – 23 November 2012 – The clinical and public health significance of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not well established. We investigated the long‐term effect of NAFLD on mortality. This analysis utilized the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 1988‐1994 and subsequent follow‐up data for mortality through December 31, 2006. NAFLD was defined by ultrasonographic detection of hepatic steatosis in the absence of other known liver diseases.

Manuel Hernández‐Guerra, Zaida Adrián de Ganzo, Yanira González‐Méndez, Eduardo Salido, Pedro Abreu, Miguel Moreno, Vanesa Felipe, Beatriz Abrante, Enrique Quintero – 23 November 2012 – Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) occurs with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and provokes systemic endothelial dysfunction, which is associated with oxidative stress and low nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Cirrhotic livers exhibit intrahepatic endothelial dysfunction, which is characterized by an impaired endothelium‐dependent response to vasodilators and hyperresponse to vasoconstrictors.

Eishiro Mizukoshi, Tatsuya Yamashita, Kuniaki Arai, Hajime Sunagozaka, Teruyuki Ueda, Fumitaka Arihara, Takashi Kagaya, Taro Yamashita, Kazumi Fushimi, Shuichi Kaneko – 23 November 2012 – Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is one of the treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is known to enhance host immune response. However, the epitopes to which enhanced immune responses occur, the impact on patient prognosis, and the functions and phenotype of T cells induced are still unclear.

Kristen J. Skvorak, Kenneth Dorko, Fabio Marongiu, Veysel Tahan, Marc C. Hansel, Roberto Gramignoli, K. Michael Gibson, Stephen C. Strom – 23 November 2012 – There is improved survival and partial metabolic correction of a mouse intermediate maple syrup urine disease (iMSUD) model after allogenic hepatocyte transplantation, confirming that a small number of enzyme‐proficient liver‐engrafted cells can improve phenotype. However, clinical shortages of suitable livers for hepatocyte isolation indicate a need for alternative cell sources.

Mark A. Barnes, Megan R. McMullen, Sanjoy Roychowdhury, Sorana G. Pisano, Xiuli Liu, Abram B. Stavitsky, Richard Bucala, Laura E. Nagy – 23 November 2012 – Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a multipotent protein that exhibits both cytokine and chemotactic properties, is expressed by many cell types, including hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells. We hypothesized that MIF is a key contributor to liver injury after ethanol exposure.

Taro Yamashita, Masao Honda, Yasunari Nakamoto, Masayo Baba, Kouki Nio, Yasumasa Hara, Sha Sha Zeng, Takehiro Hayashi, Mitsumasa Kondo, Hajime Takatori, Tatsuya Yamashita, Eishiro Mizukoshi, Hiroko Ikeda, Yoh Zen, Hiroyuki Takamura, Xin Wei Wang, Shuichi Kaneko – 23 November 2012 – Recent evidence suggests that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is organized by a subset of cells with stem cell features (cancer stem cells; CSCs). CSCs are considered a pivotal target for the eradication of cancer, and liver CSCs have been identified by the use of various stem cell markers.

Sébastien Anthérieu, Pamela Bachour‐El Azzi, Julie Dumont, Ziad Abdel‐Razzak, Christiane Guguen‐Guillouzo, Bernard Fromenty, Marie‐Anne Robin, André Guillouzo – 23 November 2012 – Drugs induce cholestasis by diverse and still poorly understood mechanisms in humans. Early hepatic effects of chlorpromazine (CPZ), a neuroleptic drug known for years to induce intrahepatic cholestasis, were investigated using the differentiated human hepatoma HepaRG cells.

Luigi Bolondi, Fabio Piscaglia – 23 November 2012