Fritz von Weizsäcker, Josef Köck, Stefan Wieland, Jürgen Beck, Michael Nassal, Hubert E. Blum – 30 December 2003 – Hepadnaviral replication requires the concerted action of the polymerase and core proteins to ensure selective packaging of the RNA pregenome into nucleocapsids. Virus assembly is initiated by cis‐preferential binding of polymerase to the encapsidation signal ϵ, present on pregenomic RNA. Using the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) model, we analyzed how core protein is recruited to the RNA/polymerase preassembly complex.

Mylène Sebagh, Karin Blakolmer, Bruno Falissard, Bruno Roche, Jean‐Francois Emile, Henri Bismuth, Didier Samuel, Michel Reynès – 30 December 2003 – Chronic rejection (CR) after liver transplantation is thought to be a dynamic and potentially reversible process. The Banff working group has developed recommendations for its histopathologic staging.

Adrian Reuben – 30 December 2003

Hartmut Jaeschke – 30 December 2003

Adrian Reuben – 30 December 2003

Milan Jirsa, Lucie Muchová, Lubica Dráberová, Petr Dráber, František Šmíd, Masahide Kuroki, Zdenčk Mareček, Albert K. Groen – 30 December 2003 – A pronase resistant 85‐kd glycoprotein in the Concanavalin A–binding fraction (CABF) of biliary glycoproteins has been reported to act as a promotor of cholesterol crystallization. De Bruijn et al. (Gastroenterology 1996;110:1936‐1944) found this protein in a low‐density protein‐lipid complex (LDP) with potent cholesterol crystallization promoting activity. This study identifies and characterizes this protein.

Megan E. Briggs, Christiane Baker, Robert Hall, J. Michael Gaziano, David Gagnon, Natalie Bzowej, Teresa L. Wright – 30 December 2003 – This study was designed to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in veterans. Anti‐HCV testing was performed in 1,032 patients and a questionnaire regarding sociodemographic characteristics and potential risk factors was administered. Adjusted prevalence of unique HCV‐positive patients using outpatient services was 17.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 17.2%, 18.2%).

Ming Yin, Erwin Gäbele, Michael D. Wheeler, Henry Connor, Blair U. Bradford, Anna Dikalova, Ivan Rusyn, Ronald Mason, Ronald G. Thurman – 30 December 2003 – Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) and free radicals are produced in early alcohol‐induced liver injury. Recently, pathology caused by alcohol was blocked nearly completely in tumor necrosis factor α receptor 1 (TNF‐R1) knockout mice. With this model, it is now possible to evaluate whether free radicals are directly toxic or act as redox regulators of TNF‐α production.

Michael Schepke, Jörg Heller, Sebastian Paschke, Julia Thomas, Martin Wolff, Markus Neef, Max Malago, Gerhard J. Molderings, Ulrich Spengler, Tilman Sauerbruch – 30 December 2003 – Splanchnic vasodilatation and vascular hyporesponsiveness to vasopressors are characteristic features of patients with cirrhosis. Although the vascular response to different vasopressors has been shown to be attenuated in cirrhosis, alterations on the receptor level are discussed controversially. Thus, impaired postreceptor signaling has been postulated.

Peter Ferenci, Harald Brunner, Karin Nachbaur, Christian Datz, Michael Gschwantler, Harald Hofer, Rudolf Stauber, Franz Hackl, Wolfgang Jessner, Martha Rosenbeiger, Petra Munda‐Steindl, Karin Hegenbarth, Alfred Gangl, Wolfgang Vogel – 30 December 2003 – The initial clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) during interferon‐alfa therapy is dose‐dependent. Therefore, higher initial interferon doses (induction therapy) may improve treatment results. This concept was tested in a prospective, randomized controlled trial.