Selection‐driven immune escape is not a significant factor in the failure of CD4 T cell responses in persistent hepatitis C virus infection

Michael J. Fuller, Naglaa H. Shoukry, Toshifumi Gushima, David G. Bowen, Benoit Callendret, Katherine J. Campbell, Dana L. Hasselschwert, Austin L. Hughes, Christopher M. Walker – 25 January 2010 – Immune escape driven by selection pressure from virus‐specific CD8 T cells has been demonstrated in both chimpanzees and humans infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

CX3CL1 (fractalkine): A signpost for biliary inflammation in primary biliary cirrhosis

Shinji Shimoda, Kenichi Harada, Hiroaki Niiro, Akinobu Taketomi, Yoshihiko Maehara, Koichi Tsuneyama, Kentaro Kikuchi, Yasuni Nakanuma, Ian R. Mackay, M. Eric Gershwin, Koichi Akashi – 25 January 2010 – Improvements in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) may depend upon dissection of mechanisms that determine recruitment of mononuclear cells to intralobular bile ducts, including the role of the chemokine‐adhesion molecule CX3CL1 (fractalkine).

Long‐term efficacy of rosiglitazone in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: Results of the fatty liver improvement by rosiglitazone therapy (FLIRT 2) extension trial

Vlad Ratziu, Fréderic Charlotte, Carole Bernhardt, Philippe Giral, Marine Halbron, Gilles LeNaour, Agnès Hartmann‐Heurtier, Eric Bruckert, Thierry Poynard, LIDO Study Group – 25 January 2010 – Short‐term trials of glitazones in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) yielded controversial histological results. Longer treatment might result in additional improvement. After a 1‐year randomized trial, 53 patients underwent a control liver biopsy and were enrolled in an open‐label extension trial of rosiglitazone (RSG), 8 mg/day for 2 additional years.

Contemporary clinical research of traditional Chinese medicines for chronic hepatitis B in China: An analytical review

Lingyi Zhang, Guqi Wang, Weihong Hou, Ping Li, Andrea Dulin, Herbert L. Bonkovsky – 25 January 2010 – Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is major global health problem. In China, where about 120,000,000 persons are chronically infected, CHB has been treated for centuries with traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). This review summarizes and meta‐analyzes the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TCM formulations reported in China in 1998‐2008 for treatment of CHB.

Loss of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α function in human hepatocellular adenomas leads to aberrant activation of signaling pathways involved in tumorigenesis

Laura Pelletier, Sandra Rebouissou, Alain Paris, Estelle Rathahao‐Paris, Elisabeth Perdu, Paulette Bioulac‐Sage, Sandrine Imbeaud, Jessica Zucman‐Rossi – 25 January 2010 – Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) are benign liver tumors that usually develop in women who are taking oral contraceptives. Among these tumors, biallelic inactivating mutations of the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1A) transcription factor have been frequently identified and in rare cases of hepatocellular carcinomas developed in noncirrhotic liver.

Hemochromatosis in Italy in the last 30 years: Role of genetic and acquired factors

Anna Ludovica Fracanzani, Alberto Piperno, Luca Valenti, Mirella Fraquelli, Sabina Coletti, Alessandra Maraschi, Dario Consonni, Enzo Coviello, Dario Conte, Silvia Fargion – 25 January 2010 – The clinical presentation of hereditary hemochromatosis has changed markedly in recent years. The aim of this study was to analyze a large series of consecutive Italian patients with hemochromatosis diagnosed between 1976 and 2007 to determine whether the genetic background and the presence of acquired risk factors influenced the severity of iron overload and the natural history of the disease.

Toxicant‐associated steatohepatitis in vinyl chloride workers

Matt Cave, Keith Cameron Falkner, Mukunda Ray, Swati Joshi‐Barve, Guy Brock, Rehan Khan, Marjorie Bon Homme, Craig J. McClain – 25 January 2010 – Although nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is typically associated with obesity, it has also been reported to occur in lean individuals exposed to industrial chemicals. Occupational exposure to vinyl chloride (VC) is a well‐documented risk factor for hemangiosarcoma, but has not previously been associated with steatohepatitis. Here we evaluate liver biopsies from 25 nonobese, highly exposed VC workers for steatohepatitis.

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