Hyperhomocysteinemia from trimethylation of hepatic phosphatidylethanolamine during cholesterol cholelithogenesis in inbred mice

Ji Zhang, Diane E. Handy, Yufang Wang, Guylaine Bouchard, Jacob Selhub, Joseph Loscalzo, Martin C. Carey – 12 May 2011 – Because hyperhomocysteinemia can occur in cholesterol gallstone disease, we hypothesized that this may result from trimethylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), which partakes in biliary phosphatidylcholine (PC) hypersecretion during cholesterol cholelithogenesis.

Carcinogen‐induced hepatic tumors in KLF6+/− mice recapitulate aggressive human hepatocellular carcinoma associated with p53 pathway deregulation

Mirko Tarocchi, Rebekka Hannivoort, Yujin Hoshida, Ursula E. Lee, Diana Vetter, Goutham Narla, Augusto Villanueva, Moshe Oren, Josep M. Llovet, Scott L. Friedman – 11 May 2011 – Inactivation of KLF6 is common in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, thereby abrogating its normal antiproliferative activity in liver cells. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of KLF6 depletion on human HCC and experimental hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo.

Liver transplantation in human immunodeficiency virus‐positive patients

Deepak Joshi, John O'Grady, Chris Taylor, Nigel Heaton, Kosh Agarwal – 11 May 2011 – With the successful introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is now regarded as a chronic illness with excellent long‐term outcomes. However, chronic exposure to viral etiologies (ie, chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C) and drug‐induced toxicity secondary to cART have resulted in increasing rates of mortality and morbidity due to end‐stage liver disease.

Toll‐like receptor 2 polymorphism and gram‐positive bacterial infections after liver transplantation

Sang‐Oh Lee, Robert A. Brown, Seung H. Kang, Rima C. Abdel‐Massih, Raymund R. Razonable – 11 May 2011 – Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) is an immune sensor for gram‐positive bacterial cell wall components. Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TLR2 gene that impair its function may, therefore, influence the risk and outcomes of gram‐positive bacterial infections.

Overdose with suicidal intent: Ethical considerations for liver transplant programs

Rosamond Rhodes, Sourabh Aggarwal, Thomas D. Schiano – 11 May 2011 – Liver transplantation (LT) programs encounter patients with fulminant hepatic failure resulting from suicide attempts involving acetaminophen or multidrug ingestion. Members of transplant teams often have different opinions about whether these patients should be offered transplantation. Disagreements can delay the transfer of these patients to a transplant facility and negatively affect their management.

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