Randolph P. Matthews, Steven F. EauClaire, Monica Mugnier, Kristin Lorent, Shuang Cui, Megan M. Ross, Zhe Zhang, Pierre Russo, Michael Pack – 7 December 2010 – Infantile cholestatic disorders arise in the context of progressively developing intrahepatic bile ducts. Biliary atresia (BA), a progressive fibroinflammatory disorder of extra‐ and intrahepatic bile ducts, is the most common identifiable cause of infantile cholestasis and the leading indication for liver transplantation in children.

Zhong‐Hua Lin, Yong‐Ning Xin, Quan‐Jiang Dong, Qing Wang, Xiang‐Jun Jiang, Shu‐Hui Zhan, Ying Sun, Shi‐Ying Xuan – 7 December 2010 – The aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI), a tool with limited expense and widespread availability, is a promising noninvasive alternative to liver biopsy for detecting hepatic fibrosis.

Alan F. Hofmann – 7 December 2010

Hui Yang, Qi Zhan, Yu‐Jui Yvonne Wan – 7 December 2010 – The synthetic retinoid fenretinide is one of the most promising clinically tested retinoids. Previously, we have shown that fenretinide induces apoptosis of Huh7 cells, but HepG2 cells are relatively resistant to fenretinide‐induced apoptosis. This study examines the interactive role of fenretinide and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) in inducing apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and the underlying mechanism.

Soo Han Bae, Su Haeng Sung, Eun Jung Cho, Se Kyoung Lee, Hye Eun Lee, Hyun Ae Woo, Dae‐Yeul Yu, In Sup Kil, Sue Goo Rhee – 7 December 2010 – Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are peroxidases that catalyze the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The active site cysteine residue of members of the 2‐Cys Prx subgroup (Prx I to IV) of Prxs is hyperoxidized to cysteine sulfinic acid (Cys‐SO2) during catalysis with concomitant loss of peroxidase activity. Reactivation of the hyperoxidized Prx is catalyzed by sulfiredoxin (Srx).

Isabel Gómez‐Hurtado, Pedro Zapater, Pablo Bellot, Sonia Pascual, Miguel Pérez‐Mateo, José Such, Rubén Francés – 7 December 2010 – Patients with cirrhosis receiving norfloxacin show a restored inflammatory balance that likely prevents clinical complications derived from an excessive proinflammatory response to bacterial product challenges. This study sought to investigate associated inflammatory control mechanisms established in patients with cirrhosis receiving norfloxacin. A total of 62 patients with cirrhosis and ascites in different clinical conditions were considered.

Tim O. Lankisch, Jochen Metzger, Ahmed A. Negm, Katja Voβkuhl, Eric Schiffer, Justyna Siwy, Tobias J. Weismüller, Andrea S. Schneider, Kathrin Thedieck, Ralf Baumeister, Petra Zürbig, Eva M. Weissinger, Michael P. Manns, Harald Mischak, Jochen Wedemeyer – 7 December 2010 – Early detection of malignant biliary tract diseases, especially cholangiocarcinoma (CC) in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), is very difficult and often comes too late to give the patient a therapeutic benefit. We hypothesize that bile proteomic analysis distinguishes CC from nonmalignant lesions.

Marco Senzolo, Maria T. Sartori, Kryssia Rodriguez‐Castro, Paolo Simioni, Valeria Rossetto – 6 December 2010

Catherine Rongey, Hal F. Yee – 6 December 2010

Marie‐Luise Berres, Christian Trautwein, Maximilian Schmeding, Dennis Eurich, Frank Tacke, Marcus Bahra, Peter Neuhaus, Ulf P. Neumann, Hermann E. Wasmuth – 6 December 2010 – The recurrence of liver fibrosis after liver transplantation (LT) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is responsible for graft loss and patient mortality. Although the contribution of the immune system to fibrosis recurrence is anticipated, systematic studies evaluating immune parameters as predictive markers of allograft fibrosis are lacking.