H Lafont, N Domingo, A Groen, E W Kaler, S P Lee, R Koehler, J D Ostrow, A Veis – 30 December 2003 – Two very similar small anionic, amphipathic proteins, a phospholipid‐binding apoprotein (anionic polypeptide fraction [APF]) and a calcium‐binding polypeptide (CBP), are found abundantly in bile and all types of gallstones. The often disparate properties among various preparations of APF/CBP could reflect different sources and separation procedures, leading to partly degraded and/or denatured protein and varied association of bile salts, lipids, bile pigments, and detergents.

F Violi, D Ferro, S Basili – 30 December 2003

I Altraif, D Lewall – 30 December 2003

S Lidofsky – 30 December 2003 – Intercellular communication among certain cell types can occur via ATP secretion, which leads to stimulation of nucleotide receptors on target cells. In epithelial cells, however, intercellular communication is thought to occur instead via gap junctions. Here we examined whether one epithelial cell type, hepatocytes, can also communicate via nucleotide secretion.

S Bruno, E Silini, A Crosignani, F Borzio, G Leandro, F Bono, M Asti, S Rossi, A Larghi, A Cerino, M Podda, M U Mondelli – 30 December 2003 – A prospective study was performed to establish whether infection with specific hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes was associated with an increased risk of development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis. A cohort of 163 consecutive hepatitis C virus antibody (anti‐ HCV)‐positive cirrhotic patients was prospectively evaluated for the development of HCC at 6‐month intervals by ultrasound (US) scan and α‐fetoprotein (AFP) concentration.

M Kurosaki, N Enomoto, T Murakami, I Sakuma, Y Asahina, C Yamamoto, T Ikeda, S Tozuka, N Izumi, F Marumo, C Sato – 30 December 2003 – In chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, genotypes other than genotype 1b of HCV (HCV‐1b) and low serum HCV‐RNA levels are known to be associated with favorable outcome of interferon alfa (IFN‐α) therapy. In addition, we recently reported a close correlation between the number of mutations in amino acid sequences 2209 to 2248 of the nonstructual protein 5A gene (NS5A2209‐2248) of HCV‐1b and the response to IFN‐α.

30 December 2003 – A panel of recognized experts in liver transplantation pathology, hepatology, and surgery was convened for the purpose of developing a consensus document for the grading of acute liver allograft rejection that is scientifically correct, simple, and reproducible and clinically useful. Over a period of 6 months pertinent issues were discussed via electronic communication media and a consensus conference was held in Banff, Canada in the summer of 1995.

D Alvarez, M de las Heras, R Abecasis, R Terg, S Gerona, L Albornoz, O Galdame, J Torres, R Mastai – 30 December 2003 – A nocturnal increase in portal pressure and blood flow was demonstrated in patients with cirrhosis, suggesting that these hemodynamic changes may contribute to the triggering of the hemorrhagic episodes observed during the night in these patients. It is known that propranolol reduces portal flow, thus reducing the risk of variceal bleeding.

C Gartung, S Schuele, S F Schlosser, J L Boyer – 30 December 2003 – Expression and function of the hepatic Na+/taurocholate cotransporter (ntcp) are down‐regulated in several models of experimental cholestasis. To test whether retention and/or depletion of biliary constituents are involved in ntcp regulation, ntcp expression was quantified in several animal models with altered levels of these constituents.

Hartmut Jaeschke – 30 December 2003