David E. Jones, Jeremy M. Palmer, Stephen J. Yeaman, John A. Kirby, Margaret F. Bassendine – 30 December 2003 – The autoimmune liver disease primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is characterized by autoreactive responses to a highly conserved self‐antigen, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). We recently reported the development of PBC‐like lesions in SJL mice sensitized with PDC and have named this model disease experimental autoimmune cholangitis (EAC). In the present study, the breakdown of tolerance to PDC has been investigated in animals sensitized for EAC.

Oliver F. James, Raj Bhopal, Denise Howel, Jackie Gray, Alastair D. Burt, Jane V. Metcalf – 30 December 2003 – There is a widespread impression that the number of patients with the autoimmune liver disease primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is increasing, although its incidence and prevalence vary widely.

Toshinori Kamisako, Inka Leier, Yunhai Cui, Jörg König, Ulrike Buchholz, Johanna Hummel‐Eisenbeiss, Dietrich Keppler – 30 December 2003 – The secretion of bilirubin conjugates from hepatocytes into bile represents a decisive step in the prevention of hyperbilirubinemia.

Mark V. Mazziotti, Lauren K. Willis, Robert O. Heuckeroth, Marie C. LaRegina, Paul E. Swanson, Paul A. Overbeek, David H. Perlmutter – 30 December 2003 – Extrahepatic biliary atresia (BA) is a devastating disease of the neonate in which the hepatic and/or common bile duct is obliterated or interrupted. Infants and children with this diagnosis constitute 50% to 60% of the pediatric population that undergoes orthotopic liver transplantation. However, there is still very little known about the etiology and pathogenesis of BA.

Antonietta Cargnel, Guido Gubertini, Carlo Magnani, Simona Bosis, Fulvia Colombo, Mario Clerici – 30 December 2003

Sarah Jane Schwarzenberg – 30 December 2003

Thomas M. Shehab, Seema S. Sonnad, Mark Jeffries, Naresh Gunaratnum, Anna S. Lok – 30 December 2003 – Approximately 4 million Americans are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Most patients with hepatitis C have no symptoms until cirrhosis is established. Thus, initial diagnosis and management of hepatitis C rely on primary care physicians identifying and screening high‐risk individuals.

Richard Whalen, Don C. Rockey, Scott L. Friedman, Thomas D. Boyer – 30 December 2003 – Oxidative stress, mediated partly by lipid peroxidation products, may lead to increased collagen synthesis by hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Stellate cells are protected from oxidative stress by enzymes of detoxication such as the glutathioneS‐transferases (GSTs), which form glutathione conjugates with lipid peroxidation products (e.g., 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal [HNE]).

Ivo W. Graziadei, Russell H. Wiesner, Paul J. Marotta, Michael K. Porayko, J. Eileen Hay, Michael R. Charlton, John J. Poterucha, Charles B. Rosen, Gregory J. Gores, Nicholas F. LaRusso, Ruud A. F. Krom – 30 December 2003 – Liver transplantation is the only effective therapeutic option for patients with end‐stage liver disease due to primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). In this study, we analyzed a single center's experience with 150 consecutive PSC patients who received 174 liver allografts. Mean follow‐up was 55 months.

Anthonise A. Louis, Peter Van Eyken, Barbara A. Haber, Carol Hicks, Gerry Weinmaster, Rebecca Taub, Elizabeth B. Rand – 30 December 2003 – Mutations in Jagged1, a Notch ligand, have been shown to result in Alagille syndrome (AGS), however, the causal link between haploinsufficiency of Jagged1 and intrahepatic ductal paucity is unknown. This survey was performed to determine the expression pattern of Jagged1 in the fetal and postnatal liver.