Are transient environmental agents involved in the cause of primary biliary cirrhosis? Evidence from space–time clustering analysis

Richard J. Q. McNally, Samantha Ducker, Oliver F. W. James – 28 September 2009 – The cause of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is unclear. Both genetic and environmental factors are likely to contribute. Some studies have suggested that one or more infectious agents may be involved. To examine whether infections may contribute to the cause of PBC, we have analyzed for space–time clustering using population‐based data from northeast England over a defined period (1987–2003).

Cytokeratin‐18 fragment levels as noninvasive biomarkers for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: A multicenter validation study

Ariel E. Feldstein, Anna Wieckowska, A. Rocio Lopez, Yao‐Chang Liu, Nizar N. Zein, Arthur J. McCullough – 28 September 2009 – Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We have recently demonstrated that plasma cytokeratin 18 (CK‐18) fragment levels correlate with the magnitude of hepatocyte apoptosis and independently predict the presence of NASH. The goal of this study was to validate the use of this biomarker for NASH diagnosis. The study was an ancillary study of the NASH Clinical Research Network (NASH CRN).

Overexpression of far upstream element binding proteins: A mechanism regulating proliferation and migration in liver cancer cells

Mona Malz, Achim Weber, Stephan Singer, Vera Riehmer, Michaela Bissinger, Marc‐Oliver Riener, Thomas Longerich, Christopher Soll, Arndt Vogel, Peter Angel, Peter Schirmacher, Kai Breuhahn – 28 September 2009 – Microtubule‐dependent effects are partly regulated by factors that coordinate polymer dynamics such as the microtubule‐destabilizing protein stathmin (oncoprotein 18). In cancer cells, increased microtubule turnover affects cell morphology and cellular processes that rely on microtubule dynamics such as mitosis and migration.

Incidence, risk factors, and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma in primary biliary cirrhosis: Comparative analysis from two centers

Anna Cavazza, Llorenç Caballería, Annarosa Floreani, Fabio Farinati, Miquel Bruguera, Diego Caroli, Albert Parés – 28 September 2009 – The limited information and divergent results on the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) may be due to the low prevalence of the disease and geographical and environmental differences.

Divergent adaptation of hepatitis C virus genotypes 1 and 3 to human leukocyte antigen–restricted immune pressure

Andri Rauch, Ian James, Katja Pfafferott, David Nolan, Paul Klenerman, Wendy Cheng, Lindsay Mollison, Geoff McCaughan, Nick Shackel, Gary P. Jeffrey, Ross Baker, Elizabeth Freitas, Isla Humphreys, Hansjakob Furrer, Huldrych F. Günthard, Bernard Hirschel, Simon Mallal, Mina John, Michaela Lucas, Eleanor Barnes, Silvana Gaudieri – 28 September 2009 – Many hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections worldwide are with the genotype 1 and 3 strains of the virus.

Expression of organic cation transporters OCT1 (SLC22A1) and OCT3 (SLC22A3) is affected by genetic factors and cholestasis in human liver

Anne T. Nies, Hermann Koepsell, Stefan Winter, Oliver Burk, Kathrin Klein, Reinhold Kerb, Ulrich M. Zanger, Dietrich Keppler, Matthias Schwab, Elke Schaeffeler – 28 September 2009 – An important function of hepatocytes is the biotransformation and elimination of various drugs, many of which are organic cations and are taken up by organic cation transporters (OCTs) of the solute carrier family 22 (SLC22).

Aerobic exercise training reduces hepatic and visceral lipids in obese individuals without weight loss

Nathan A. Johnson, Toos Sachinwalla, David W. Walton, Kate Smith, Ashley Armstrong, Martin W. Thompson, Jacob George – 28 September 2009 – Weight loss remains the most common therapy advocated for reducing hepatic lipid in obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Yet, reduction of body weight by lifestyle intervention is often modest, and thus, therapies which effectively modulate the burden of fatty liver but are not contingent upon weight loss are of the highest practical significance.

Subscribe to