Chest computed tomography is more likely to show latent tuberculosis foci than simple chest radiography in liver transplant candidates

Jiwon Lyu, Sung‐Gyu Lee, Shin Hwang, Sang‐Oh Lee, Oh‐Hyun Cho, Eun Jin Chae, Sang Do Lee, Woo Sung Kim, Dong Soon Kim, Tae Sun Shim – 19 April 2011 – Although the detection and treatment of latent tuberculosis infections (LTBIs) in transplant candidates are essential, current diagnostic methods for LTBIs are limited, especially in immunocompromised subjects. Pretransplant chest computed tomography (CT) may reveal more LTBI foci and thus predict the development of posttransplant tuberculosis (TB) more efficiently; however, this hypothesis has not yet been investigated.

Pediatric liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis

Tamir Miloh, Ravinder Anand, Wendy Yin, Miriam Vos, Nanda Kerkar, Estella Alonso, for the Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation Research Group – 19 April 2011 – Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare cholestatic liver disease in children. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics and outcomes of children with PSC who were listed for liver transplantation (LT).

Krüppel‐like factor 15 activates hepatitis B virus gene expression and replication

Jie Zhou, Thomas Tan, Yongjun Tian, Bojian Zheng, J.‐H. James Ou, Eric J. Huang, T.S. Benedict Yen – 18 April 2011 – Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a small DNA virus that requires cellular transcription factors for the expression of its genes. To understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate HBV gene expression, we conducted a yeast one‐hybrid screen to identify novel cellular transcription factors that may control HBV gene expression. Here, we demonstrate that Krüppel‐like factor 15 (KLF15), a liver‐enriched transcription factor, can robustly activate HBV surface and core promoters.

Mitochondrial calcium regulates rat liver regeneration through the modulation of apoptosis

Mateus T. Guerra, Emerson A. Fonseca, Flavia M. Melo, Viviane A. Andrade, Carla J. Aguiar, Lídia M. Andrade, Ana Cristina N. Pinheiro, Marisa C. F. Casteluber, Rodrigo R. Resende, Mauro C. X. Pinto, Simone O. A. Fernandes, Valbert N. Cardoso, Elaine M. Souza‐Fagundes, Gustavo B. Menezes, Ana M. de Paula, Michael H. Nathanson, Maria de Fátima Leite – 18 April 2011 – Subcellular Ca2+ signals control a variety of responses in the liver. For example, mitochondrial Ca2+ (Ca) regulates apoptosis, whereas Ca2+ in the nucleus regulates cell proliferation.

Emergence of hepatitis B virus S gene mutants in patients experiencing hepatitis B surface antigen seroconversion after peginterferon therapy

Chao‐Wei Hsu, Chau‐Ting Yeh – 18 April 2011 – With anti–hepatitis B virus (anti‐HBV) therapy using peginterferon, the seroconversion of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), which is considered a cure of the disease, can be achieved in a small percentage of patients. Eight of 245 consecutive patients (3.27%) with chronic hepatitis B who received peginterferon therapy at our center achieved HBsAg seroclearance. Surprisingly, two of the eight patients remained viremic according to standard HBV DNA assays.

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