Current diagnosis and management of primary sclerosing cholangitis

Jens J. W. Tischendorf, Andreas Geier, Christian Trautwein – 28 May 2008 – Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an important liver disease with major morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis of PSC is confirmed by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography is performed in patients needing therapeutic endoscopy. As a result of the unknown cause of the disease, current medical therapies are unsatisfactory.

Role of Kupffer cells in the induction of tolerance of orthotopic liver transplantation in rats

Yong Chen, Zuojin Liu, Shaoyong Liang, Xiaofeng Luan, Feiwu Long, Jie Chen, Yong Peng, Lünan Yan, Jianping Gong – 28 May 2008 – Because the role of Kupffer cells (KCs) in liver transplantation (LT) tolerance is not well understood, we investigated their role in liver allograft acceptance in rats. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either an LT group or a transplantation group pretreated with GdCl3 (Gd group).

Comparison of four model for end‐stage liver disease–based prognostic systems for cirrhosis

Teh‐Ia Huo, Han‐Chieh Lin, Samantha C. Huo, Pui‐Ching Lee, Jaw‐Ching Wu, Fa‐Yauh Lee, Ming‐Chih Hou, Shou‐Dong Lee – 28 May 2008 – Serum sodium (Na) has been suggested for incorporation into the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) to enhance its prognostic ability for patients with cirrhosis. Three Na‐containing models—the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease with the incorporation of serum sodium (MELD‐Na), the integrated Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (iMELD), and the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease to sodium (MESO) index—were independently proposed for this purpose.

Hepatitis C virus JFH‐1 strain infection in chimpanzees is associated with low pathogenicity and emergence of an adaptive mutation

Takanobu Kato, Youkyung Choi, Gamal Elmowalid, Ronda K. Sapp, Heidi Barth, Akihiro Furusaka, Shunji Mishiro, Takaji Wakita, Krzysztof Krawczynski, T. Jake Liang – 27 May 2008 – The identification of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) strain JFH‐1 enabled the successful development of infectious cell culture systems. Although this strain replicates efficiently and produces infectious virus in cell culture, the replication capacity and pathogenesis in vivo are still undefined.

Adenine nucleotide changes in the remnant liver: An early signal for regeneration after partial hepatectomy

Sara Crumm, Montserrat Cofan, Egle Juskeviciute, Jan B. Hoek – 27 May 2008 – Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PHx) is orchestrated by multiple signals from cytokines and growth factors. We investigated whether increased energy demand on the remnant liver after PHx contributes to regenerative signals. Changes in the tissue's energy state were determined from adenine nucleotide levels.

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