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.

Blockade of Janus kinase‐2 signaling ameliorates mouse liver damage due to ischemia and reperfusion

Maria Cecilia S. Freitas, Yoichiro Uchida, Danyun Zhao, Bibo Ke, Ronald W. Busuttil, Jerzy W. Kupiec‐Weglinski – 25 January 2010 – Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling is one of the major pathways for cytokine signal transduction. However, the role of the JAK/STAT pathway in liver ischemia/reperfusion is not clear. This study focuses on Janus kinase‐2 (JAK2), which functions upstream of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) in JAK/STAT, and its role in the mechanism of liver ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI).

Coronary artery disease in orthotopic liver transplantation: Pretransplant assessment and management

Javed Ehtisham, Mario Altieri, Ephrem Salamé, Eric Saloux, Isabelle Ollivier, Martial Hamon – 25 January 2010 – The prevalence of coronary artery disease in end‐stage liver disease is only now being recognized. Liver transplant patients are a high risk subgroup for coronary artery disease, even if asymptomatic. Coronary artery disease is a predictor of poor outcomes; therefore, identification of those at risk must be a key clinical priority.

Kupffer cells promote hepatic steatosis via interleukin‐1β–dependent suppression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α activity

Rinke Stienstra, Fredy Saudale, Caroline Duval, Shohreh Keshtkar, Johanna E. M. Groener, Nico van Rooijen, Bart Staels, Sander Kersten, Michael Müller – 25 January 2010 – Kupffer cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various liver diseases. However, their involvement in metabolic disorders of the liver, including fatty liver disease, remains unclear. The present study sought to determine the impact of Kupffer cells on hepatic triglyceride storage and to explore the possible mechanisms involved.

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