Integrated approach for the identification of human hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α target genes using protein binding microarrays

Eugene Bolotin, Hailing Liao, Tuong Chi Ta, Chuhu Yang, Wendy Hwang‐Verslues, Jane R. Evans, Tao Jiang, Frances M. Sladek – 25 January 2010 – Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is essential for liver function and is linked to several diseases including diabetes, hemophilia, atherosclerosis, and hepatitis. Although many DNA response elements and target genes have been identified for HNF4α, the complete repertoire of binding sites and target genes in the human genome is unknown.

Efficacy and safety of peginterferon alfa‐2a (40KD) plus ribavirin in hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis

Savino Bruno, Mitchell L. Shiffman, Stuart K. Roberts, Edward J. Gane, Diethelm Messinger, Stephanos J. Hadziyannis, Patrick Marcellin – 25 January 2010 – The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of peginterferon alfa‐2a (40KD)/ribavirin in patients with advanced fibrosis. Data from 341 genotype 1/4 patients (99 with bridging fibrosis/cirrhosis) treated for 48 weeks and 1547 genotype 2/3 patients (380 with bridging fibrosis/cirrhosis) treated for 16 or 24 weeks enrolled in three randomized international studies were analyzed.

Down‐regulation of connective tissue growth factor by inhibition of transforming growth factor β blocks the tumor–stroma cross‐talk and tumor progression in hepatocellular carcinoma

Antonio Mazzocca, Emilia Fransvea, Francesco Dituri, Luigi Lupo, Salvatore Antonaci, Gianluigi Giannelli – 25 January 2010 – Tumor–stroma interactions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are of key importance to tumor progression. In this study, we show that HCC invasive cells produce high levels of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and generate tumors with a high stromal component in a xenograft model. A transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) receptor inhibitor, LY2109761, inhibited the synthesis and release of CTGF, as well as reducing the stromal component of the tumors.

Toll‐like receptor 9 inhibition confers protection from liver ischemia–reperfusion injury

Zubin M. Bamboat, Vinod P. Balachandran, Lee M. Ocuin, Hebroon Obaid, George Plitas, Ronald P. DeMatteo – 25 January 2010 – Endogenous ligands such as high‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and nucleic acids are released by dying cells and bind Toll‐like receptors (TLRs). Because TLR9 sits at the interface of microbial and sterile inflammation by detecting both bacterial and endogenous DNA, we investigated its role in a model of segmental liver ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among refugees entering the United States between 2006 and 2008

David B. Rein, Sarah B. Lesesne, Ann O'Fallon, Cindy M. Weinbaum – 25 January 2010 – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing to identify chronic hepatitis B virus infection for foreign‐born persons from countries or regions with HBsAg prevalence of ≥2%. However, limited data exist to indicate which countries meet this definition. To address this data gap, we estimated the HBsAg prevalence among refugees entering the United States between 2006 and 2008.

Age‐specific prognosis following spontaneous hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B

Yi‐Cheng Chen, Chia‐Ming Chu, Yun‐Fan Liaw – 25 January 2010 – Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B virus infection confers a favorable prognosis, but untoward outcomes may develop in some patients. The impact of the age of HBeAg seroconversion on prognosis is not clearly known. HBeAg‐positive patients with biopsy‐proven chronic hepatitis B were followed up long‐term. Follow‐up studies included liver biochemistry, alpha‐fetoprotein, and ultrasonography every 3 to 6 months or more frequently if clinically indicated.

Gamma‐glutamyltransferase and disability pension: A cohort study of construction workers in Germany

Heiner Claessen, Hermann Brenner, Christoph Drath, Volker Arndt – 25 January 2010 – Given the accumulating evidence that gamma‐glutamyltransferase (γ‐GT) is not merely a sensitive marker for liver and bile disorders but also a risk marker for a multiplicity of other chronic diseases, γ‐GT may represent a promising risk indicator for occupational disability, which has emerged as an important public health problem.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 in predicting prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation

Deniz Nart, Banu Yaman, Funda Yılmaz, Murat Zeytunlu, Zeki Karasu, Murat Kılıç – 25 January 2010 – Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are known to play an important role in cell migration during cancer invasion by degrading extracellular matrix proteins. This study aimed to determine the role of MMP‐9 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) carcinogenesis. Eighty‐nine cases who underwent liver transplantation for HCC in cirrhotic liver were selected for this study.

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