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.

Jeremy Cobbold, Adrian Lim, Marzena Wylezinska, Cliona Cunningham, Mary Crossey, Howard Thomas, Nayna Patel, Jane Cox, Simon Taylor‐Robinson – 25 May 2006

Norman M. Kneteman, Amy J. Weiner, John O'Connell, Marc Collett, Tiejun Gao, Lea Aukerman, Rosemary Kovelsky, Zhi‐Jie Ni, Ahmad Hashash, Janine Kline, Belinda Hsi, Daniel Schiller, Donna Douglas, D Lorne J Tyrrell, David F. Mercer – 25 May 2006 – Compounds with in vitro anti‐hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity are often advanced directly into clinical trials with limited or no in vivo efficacy data. This limits prediction of clinical efficacy of compounds in the HCV drug pipeline, and may expose human subjects to unnecessary treatment effects.

Clifford S. Guy, Jinguo Wang, Tomasz I. Michalak – 25 May 2006 – The liver plays an increasingly recognized role in the host's immune responses. The direct contribution of hepatocytes as effector cells to local immunity, pathogen containment, and liver disease is not determined. This in vitro study examined whether hepatocytes can eliminate other cells via a CD95 ligand (CD95L or FasL)/CD95 (Fas)–mediated mechanism and whether this cytotoxic activity can be modulated by cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFN‐γ) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α).

Richard K. Sterling, Eduardo Lissen, Nathan Clumeck, Ricard Sola, Mendes Cassia Correa, Julio Montaner, Mark S. Sulkowski, Francesca J. Torriani, Doug T. Dieterich, David L. Thomas, Diethelm Messinger, Mark Nelson – 25 May 2006 – Liver biopsy remains the gold standard in the assessment of severity of liver disease. Noninvasive tests have gained popularity to predict histology in view of the associated risks of biopsy. However, many models include tests not readily available, and there are limited data from patients with HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection.