Hubert Hetz, Peter Faybik, Gabriela Berlakovich, Amir Baker, Andreas Bacher, Christopher Burghuber, Sigrid E. Sandner, Heinz Steltzer, Claus Georg Krenn – 1 June 2006 – Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) causes marked morbidity and mortality. We conducted a prospective pilot study to assess the safety and efficacy of molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) in treatment of EAD after OLT.

Gabriele I. Kirchner, Kinan Rifai, Tobias Cantz, Bjoern Nashan, Christoph Terkamp, Thomas Becker, Christian Strassburg, Hannelore Barg‐Hock, Siegfried Wagner, Rainer Lück, Juergen Klempnauer, Michael P. Manns – 1 June 2006 – In advanced stages of polycystic liver disease, often associated with polycystic kidney disease, a curative therapy is liver or combined liver‐kidney transplantation. However, little is known about long‐term outcome and quality of life.

Nguyen L. Toan, Le H. Song, Peter G. Kremsner, Dinh N. Duy, Vu Q. Binh, Bernd Koeberlein, Stefan Kaiser, Reinhard Kandolf, Joseph Torresi, C.‐Thomas Bock – 25 May 2006 – Eight genotypes (A‐H) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) have been identified. However, the impact of different genotypes on the clinical course of hepatitis B infection remains controversial. We investigated the frequency and clinical outcome of HBV genotypes and genotype mixtures in HBV‐infected patients from Vietnam, Europe, and Africa.

Xinhua Fang, Mirjam B. Zeisel, Jochen Wilpert, Bettina Gissler, Robert Thimme, Clemens Kreutz, Thomas Maiwald, Jens Timmer, Winfried V. Kern, Johannes Donauer, Marcel Geyer, Gerd Walz, Erik Depla, Fritz von Weizsäcker, Hubert E. Blum, Thomas F. Baumert – 25 May 2006 – Initiation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is mediated by docking of the viral envelope to the hepatocyte cell surface membrane followed by entry of the virus into the host cell.

Hartmut Jaeschke – 25 May 2006

Elwyn Elias – 25 May 2006

Adrian Reuben – 25 May 2006

Dirk J. van Leeuwen, James L. Bernat – 25 May 2006 – Advances in molecular genetics challenge the hepatology community to understand and implement genetic knowledge. Despite excitement about the potential benefits of new genetic information, concerns have been raised about the inappropriate use of genetic testing, clinicians' incorrect ordering and misinterpretation of test results, and discrimination in employment and insurability based on tests results.

Rodrigo Jover, Regina Rodrigo, Vicente Felipo, Ricardo Insausti, Javier Sáez‐Valero, M. Salud García‐Ayllón, Isabel Suárez, Asunción Candela, Antonio Compañ, Angel Esteban, Omar Cauli, Eva Ausó, Erika Rodríguez, Ana Gutiérrez, Eva Girona, Slaven Erceg, Pere Berbel, Miguel Pérez‐Mateo – 25 May 2006 – Studies of the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy are hampered by the lack of a satisfactory animal model. We examined the neurological features of rats after bile duct ligation fed a hyperammonemic diet (BDL+HD).

Michael R. Charlton, Paul J. Pockros, Stephen A. Harrison – 25 May 2006 – Obesity and the metabolic syndrome have hepatic manifestations, including steatosis and progression of fibrosis. In individuals with chronic hepatitis C, obesity is associated with inflammation, insulin resistance, steatosis, progression of fibrosis, and nonresponse to treatment with interferon or peginterferon alpha and ribavirin. Patients with both hepatitis C and obesity‐related nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are at greater risk for more advanced liver disease.