Hepatitis C virus–induced tumor‐initiating cancer stem–like cells activate stromal fibroblasts in a xenograft tumor model

Reina Sasaki, Pradip Devhare, Ratna B. Ray, Ranjit Ray – 30 June 2017 – Hepatitis C virus (HCV) often causes persistent infection and is an increasingly important factor in the etiology of fibrosis/cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, although the mechanisms for the disease processes remain unclear. We have shown previously that HCV infection generates an epithelial–mesenchymal transition state and tumor‐initiating cancer stem–like cells in human hepatocytes.

Sex differences between parental pregnancy characteristics and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in adolescents

Oyekoya T. Ayonrinde, Leon A. Adams, Trevor A. Mori, Lawrence J. Beilin, Nicholas Klerk, Craig E. Pennell, Scott White, John K Olynyk – 30 June 2017 – Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex chronic liver disorder. Examination of parental pregnancy‐related characteristics may provide insights into the origins of risk of NAFLD in offspring. We examined relationships between parental pregnancy‐related characteristics and NAFLD in 1,170 adolescent offspring aged 17 years participating in the Western Australian Pregnancy (Raine) Cohort Study.

Hepatitis B virus evades innate immunity of hepatocytes but activates cytokine production by macrophages

Xiaoming Cheng, Yuchen Xia, Elisavet Serti, Peter Daniel Block, Michelle Chung, Kazuaki Chayama, Barbara Rehermann, T. Jake Liang – 30 June 2017 – Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects hepatocytes specifically and causes immune‐mediated liver damage. How HBV interacts with the innate immunity at the early phase of infection, either with hepatocytes or other cells in the liver, remains controversial. To address this question, we utilized various human cell‐culture models and humanized Alb‐uPA/SCID mice.

Palliative care access for hospitalized patients with end‐stage liver disease across the United States

Barret Rush, Keith R. Walley, Leo A. Celi, Neil Rajoriya, Mayur Brahmania – 29 June 2017 – Patients with end‐stage liver disease (ESLD) often have a high symptom burden. Historically, palliative care (PC) services have been underused in this population. We investigated the use of PC services in patients with ESLD hospitalized across the United States. We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to conduct a retrospective nationwide cohort analysis. All patients >18 years of age admitted with ESLD, defined as those with at least two liver decompensation events, were included in the analysis.

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