Laurie DeLeve – 28 November 2006

David E. Smart, Karen Green, Fiona Oakley, Jonathan B. Weitzman, Moshe Yaniv, Gary Reynolds, Jelena Mann, Harry Millward‐Sadler, Derek A. Mann – 28 November 2006 – JunD is implicated in the regulation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and liver fibrosis via its transcriptional regulation of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1 (TIMP‐1) gene. In the present study we found in vivo evidence of a role for JunD in fibrogenesis. Expression of JunD was demonstrated in alpha‐SMA‐positive activated HSCs of fibrotic rodents and human livers.

Paolo Angeli, Florence Wong, Hugh Watson, Pere Ginès, CAPPS Investigators – 28 November 2006 – Low serum sodium concentration is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with cirrhosis, but its prevalence and clinical significance is unclear. To evaluate prospectively the prevalence of low serum sodium concentration and the association between serum sodium levels and severity of ascites and complications of cirrhosis, prospective data were collected on 997 consecutive patients from 28 centers in Europe, North and South America, and Asia for a period of 28 days.

Michael J. Krowka, Karen L. Swanson, Robert P. Frantz, Michael D. McGoon, Russell H. Wiesner – 28 November 2006 – Portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) is the elevation of pulmonary artery pressure due to increased resistance to pulmonary blood flow in the setting of portal hypertension. Increased mortality has occurred with attempted liver transplantation in such patients and thus, screening for POPH is advised. We examined the relationship between screening echocardiography and right heart catheterization determinations of pressure, flow, volume, and resistance.

Brigid Joseph, Vinay Kumaran, Ekaterine Berishvili, Kuldeep K. Bhargava, Christopher J. Palestro, Sanjeev Gupta – 28 November 2006 – Disruption of the hepatic endothelial barrier or Kupffer cell function facilitates transplanted cell engraftment in the liver. To determine whether these mechanisms could be activated simultaneously, we studied the effects of monocrotaline, a pyrollizidine alkaloid, with reported toxicity in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and Kupffer cells.

Sophie Buyse, Eric Vibert, Mylène Sebagh, Teresa Antonini, Philippe Ichai, Denis Castaing, Didier Samuel, Jean‐Charles Duclos‐Vallée – 28 November 2006 – Drug‐induced hepatotoxicity is an important cause of hepatocellular injury. Non‐nucleoside retroviral transcriptase inhibitors are known to cause hepatotoxicity. We describe a detailed case of fulminant hepatitis induced by nevirapine (Viramune) and treated by liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 12:1880–1882, 2006. © 2006 AASLD.

George FG Mells, John AC Buckels, Douglas Thorburn – 28 November 2006

Georges‐Philippe Pageaux, Lionel Rostaing, Yvon Calmus, Christophe Duvoux, Claire Vanlemmens, Jean Hardgwissen, Pierre‐Henri Bernard, Eric Barbotte, Lucille Vercambre, Michael Bismuth, Pierre Puche, Françis Navarro, Dominique Larrey – 28 November 2006 – The purpose of the study was to introduce mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in liver transplant recipients with renal dysfunction to decrease calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) dosages without increasing rejection risk.

Josep M. Llovet – 28 November 2006

Jerome Gouttenoire, Darius Moradpour, François Penin – 28 November 2006 – Hepatitis C virus is a major global health problem affecting an estimated 170 million people worldwide. Chronic infection is common and can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. There is no vaccine available and current therapies have met with limited success. The viral RNA genome encodes a polyprotein that includes 2 proteases essential for virus replication. The NS2‐3 protease mediates a single cleavage at the NS2/NS3 junction, whereas the NS3‐4A protease cleaves at 4 downstream sites in the polyprotein.