Use of higher thromboelastogram transfusion values is not associated with greater blood loss in liver transplant surgery

Shen‐Chih Wang, Ho‐Tien Lin, Kuang‐Yi Chang, M. Susan Mandell, Chien‐Kun Ting, Ya‐Chun Chu, Che‐Chuan Loong, Kwok‐Hon Chan, Mei‐Yung Tsou – 23 June 2012 – Plasma‐containing products are given during the pre‐anhepatic stage of liver transplant surgery to correct abnormal thromboelastogram (TEG) values and prevent blood loss due to coagulation defects. However, evidence suggests that abnormal TEG results do not always predict bleeding. We questioned what effect using higher TEG values to initiate treatment would have on blood loss.

Investigation of residual hepatitis C virus in presumed recovered subjects

Kei Fujiwara, Robert D. Allison, Richard Y. Wang, Patricia Bare, Kentaro Matsuura, Cathy Schechterly, Krishna Murthy, Francesco M. Marincola, Harvey J. Alter – 23 June 2012 – Recent studies have found hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the majority of presumed recovered subjects. We investigated this unexpected finding using samples from patients whose HCV RNA and anti‐HCV status had been serially confirmed. HCV RNA was detected in PBMCs from 66 of 67 chronic HCV carriers.

A zebrafish model of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by dual expression of hepatitis B virus X and hepatitis C virus core protein in liver

Wangta Liu, Jim‐Ray Chen, Chih‐Hao Hsu, Yen‐Hsing Li, Yi‐Meng Chen, Chien‐Yuan Lin, Shin‐Jie Huang, Zen‐Kuei Chang, Yen‐Chun Chen, Chi‐Hsueh Lin, Hong‐Yi Gong, Ching‐Chun Lin, Koichi Kawakami, Jen‐Leih Wu – 22 June 2012 – The mechanisms that mediate the initiation and development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) associated with hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV, respectively) infection remain largely unclear.

New therapeutic paradigm for patients with cirrhosis

Emmanuel A. Tsochatzis, Jaime Bosch, Andrew K. Burroughs – 22 June 2012 – Cirrhosis is a major health problem, being the 5th cause of death in the U.K. and 12th in the U.S., but 4th in the 45 to 54 age group. Until recently cirrhosis was considered a single and terminal disease stage, with an inevitably poor prognosis. However, it is now clear that 1‐year mortality can range from 1% in early cirrhosis to 57% in decompensated disease. As the only treatment for advanced cirrhosis is liver transplantation, what is urgently needed is strategies to prevent transition to decompensated stages.

Liver X receptor β and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor δ regulate cholesterol transport in murine cholangiocytes

Xuefeng Xia, Dongju Jung, Paul Webb, Aijun Zhang, Bin Zhang, Lifei Li, Stephen D. Ayers, Chiara Gabbi, Yoshiyuki Ueno, Jan‐Åke Gustafsson, Gianfranco Alpini, David D. Moore, Gene D. LeSage – 22 June 2012 – Nuclear receptors (NRs) play crucial roles in the regulation of hepatic cholesterol synthesis, metabolism, and conversion to bile acids, but their actions in cholangiocytes have not been examined. In this study, we investigated the roles of NRs in cholangiocyte physiology and cholesterol metabolism and flux.

Hepatocyte‐specific deletion of farnesoid X receptor delays but does not inhibit liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice

Prachi Borude, Genea Edwards, Chad Walesky, Feng Li, Xiaochao Ma, Bo Kong, Grace L. Guo, Udayan Apte – 22 June 2012 – Farnesoid X receptor (FXR), the primary bile acid–sensing nuclear receptor, also plays a role in the stimulation of liver regeneration. Whole body deletion of FXR results in significant inhibition of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PHX). FXR is expressed in the liver and intestines, and recent reports indicate that FXR regulates a distinct set of genes in a tissue‐specific manner.

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