No significant correlation exists between core promoter mutations, viral replication, and liver damage in chronic hepatitis B infection

Yoon Keun Chun, Jee Youn Kim, Hong Jung Woo, Soo Myung Oh, Insug Kang, Joohun Ha, Sung Soo Kim – 30 December 2003 – Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core promoter mutants have been proposed to contribute to severe liver damage by increasing viral loads, but this has not yet been clearly shown. To examine the effects of core promoter mutants on viral load and liver damage, we first developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based semiquantitative HBV DNA detection method with a high sensitivity (able to detect as low as 103 molecules/mL).

High prevalence of the very rare wilson disease gene mutation Leu708Pro in the Island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain): A genetic and clinical study

Luis García‐Villarreal, Susan Daniels, Sarah H. Shaw, David Cotton, Margaret Galvin, Jeanne Geskes, Paula Bauer, Angel Sierra‐Hernández, Alan Buckler, Antonio Tugores – 30 December 2003 – The molecular basis of Wilson disease (WD), an autosomal recessive disorder, is the presence of mutations in the ATP7B gene, a copper transporting ATPase.

Increased hepatic iron and cirrhosis: No evidence for an adverse effect on patient outcome following liver transplantation

Katherine A. Stuart, Linda M. Fletcher, Andrew D. Clouston, Steve V. Lynch, David M. Purdie, Paul Kerlin, Darrell H. G. Crawford – 30 December 2003 – It has been suggested that preexisting severe hepatic iron overload may adversely affect outcome after liver transplantation. The pathogenesis of iron overload in cirrhosis in the absence of hemochromatosis gene (HFE) mutations is poorly understood.

Viral clearance in hepatitis C (1b) infection: Relationship with human leukocyte antigen class II in a homogeneous population

Liam J. Fanning, John Levis, Elizabeth Kenny‐Walsh, Freda Wynne, Michael Whelton, Fergus Shanahan – 30 December 2003 – The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of a significant relationship between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II and the clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The study group consisted of 156 Irish women who iatrogenically received HCV 1b–contaminated Anti‐D immunoglobulin between May 1977 and November 1978. Thus, the study population was homogeneous in terms of gender, source of infection, and ethnicity.

Bile acid synthesis in cultured human hepatocytes: support for an alternative biosynthetic pathway to cholic acid

Magnus Axelson, Ewa Ellis, Birgitta Mörk, Kristina Garmark, Anna Abrahamsson, Ingemar Björkhem, Bo‐Göran Ericzon, Curt Einarsson – 30 December 2003 – The biosynthesis of bile acids by primary cultures of normal human hepatocytes has been investigated. A general and sensitive method for the isolation and analysis of sterols and bile acids was used, based on anion exchange chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Following incubation for 5 days, 8 oxysterols and 8 C27 ‐ or C24 ‐bile acids were identified in media and cells.

DNA‐based immunization produces Th1 immune responses to hepatitis delta virus in a mouse model

Yi‐Hsiang Huang, Jaw‐Ching Wu, Mi‐Hua Tao, Wan‐Jr Syu, Sheng‐Chieh Hsu, Wei‐Kuang Chi, Full‐Young Chang, Shou‐Dong Lee – 30 December 2003 – Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) superinfection is one of the major causes of fulminant hepatitis in endemic areas of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Currently, there is no effective treatment or vaccine against HDV superinfection. DNA‐based immunization is a promising antiviral strategy to prevent or treat persistent viral infections. In this study, we investigated the immunological effects of DNA vaccines against HDV in BALB/c mice.

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