Edward Alabraba, Peter Nightingale, Bridget Gunson, Stefan Hubscher, Simon Olliff, Darius Mirza, James Neuberger – 25 February 2009 – Previously, we have found that the absence of the colon after liver transplantation (LT) protects the patient from recurrent primary sclerosing cholangitis (rPSC). As our previous observation has not been confirmed in other series, we have reviewed our cohort of patients grafted for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) with greater numbers and longer follow‐up to reassess the rate, consequences, and risk factors for rPSC.

Susagna Padrissa‐Altés, Rosa Franco‐Gou, Olivier Boillot, Anna Serafín, Antoni Rimola, Vicente Arroyo, Joan Rodés, Carmen Peralta, Joan Roselló‐Catafau – 25 February 2009 – This study examined whether angiotensin II (Ang II) blockers [Ang II type I receptor antagonist, Ang II type II receptor antagonist, and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor] could reduce hepatic injury and improve regeneration in reduced‐size orthotopic liver transplantation (ROLT) and whether the beneficial effects of ischemic preconditioning (PC) in ROLT could be explained by changes in Ang II.

Anne Marie Roque‐Afonso – 25 February 2009

Xiangbin Xing, Elke Burgermeister, Fabian Geisler, Henrik Einwächter, Lian Fan, Michaela Hiber, Sandra Rauser, Axel Walch, Christoph Röcken, Martin Ebeling, Matthew B. Wright, Roland M. Schmid, Matthias P.A. Ebert – 24 February 2009 – Farnesoid X receptor (FXR/Fxr) is a bile acid–regulated nuclear receptor that promotes hepatic bile acid metabolism, detoxification, and liver regeneration. However, the adaptive pathways under conditions of bile acid stress are not fully elucidated.

Heping Yang, Tony W. H. Li, Kwang Suk Ko, Meng Xia, Shelly C. Lu – 24 February 2009 – Toxic bile acids induce hepatocyte apoptosis, for which p53 and cyclin D1 have been implicated as underlying mediators. Both p53 and cyclin D1 are targets of c‐Myc, which is also up‐regulated in cholestasis. Myc and Mnt use Max as a cofactor for DNA binding. Myc‐Max typically activates transcription via E‐box binding. Mnt‐Max also binds the E‐box sequence but serves as a repressor and inhibits the enhancer activity of Myc‐Max.

Elizabeth M. Brunt, David E. Kleiner, Laura A. Wilson, Aynur Unalp, Cynthia E. Behling, Joel E. Lavine, Brent A. Neuschwander‐Tetri, NASH Clinical Research Network – 24 February 2009 – Adult nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by absent or mild portal chronic inflammation (CI); in children, portal CI may be predominant. This study correlated clinical features with portal CI. Centrally‐graded biopsies and temporally‐related clinical parameters from 728 adults and 205 children. From the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network (NASH CRN) were evaluated.

Benjamin Cieply, Gang Zeng, Tracy Proverbs‐Singh, David A. Geller, Satdarshan P. S. Monga – 24 February 2009 – Wnt/β‐catenin signaling plays an important role in liver development and regeneration. Its aberrant activation, however, is observed in a subset of primary hepatocellular cancers (HCCs). In the current study, we compare and contrast the tumor characteristics of HCC in the presence or absence of mutations in the β‐catenin gene (CTNNB1).

Ze‐Zhou Song – 24 February 2009

Matteo Ravaioli, Gian Luca Grazi, Matteo Cescon, Franco Trevisani, Fabio Piscaglia, Giorgio Ercolani, Antonio Daniele Pinna – 24 February 2009

Ghazaleh Aram, James J. Potter, Xiaopu Liu, Lan Wang, Michael S. Torbenson, Esteban Mezey – 24 February 2009 – Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate hepatic stellate cells and enhance fibrogenesis. This study determined the role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form (NADPH) oxidase deficiency in the development of hepatocellular necrosis, inflammation, and apoptosis in relation to fibrosis produced by chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration.