MicroRNA‐23b cluster microRNAs regulate transforming growth factor‐beta/bone morphogenetic protein signaling and liver stem cell differentiation by targeting Smads

Charles E. Rogler, Lauretta LeVoci, Tammy Ader, Aldo Massimi, Tatyana Tchaikovskaya, Raquel Norel, Leslie E. Rogler – 29 July 2009 – Transforming growth factor‐beta / bone morphogenetic protein (TGFβ/BMP) signaling has a gradient of effects on cell fate choice in the fetal mouse liver. The molecular mechanism to understand why adjacent cells develop into bile ducts or grow actively as hepatocytes in the ubiquitous presence of both TGFβ ligands and receptors has been unknown. We hypothesized that microRNAs (miRNAs) might play a role in cell fate decisions in the liver.

Alterations in the functional capacity of albumin in patients with decompensated cirrhosis is associated with increased mortality

Rajiv Jalan, Kerstin Schnurr, Rajeshwar P. Mookerjee, Sambit Sen, Lisa Cheshire, Stephen Hodges, Vladimir Muravsky, Roger Williams, Gert Matthes, Nathan A. Davies – 29 July 2009 – Albumin concentration is diminished in patients with liver failure. Albumin infusion improves survival of cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and it is hypothesized that this may be due in part to its detoxifying capabilities. The aim of this study was to perform detailed quantitative and qualitative assessment of albumin function in patients with cirrhosis.

Diagnostic value and utility of the simplified International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) criteria in acute and chronic liver disease

Andrew D. Yeoman, Rachel H. Westbrook, Thawab Al‐Chalabi, Ivana Carey, Nigel D. Heaton, Bernard C. Portmann, Michael A. Heneghan – 29 July 2009 – Diagnostic criteria for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) have been created and revised by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG). Simplified criteria have been created, but remain independently unvalidated. We report on the diagnostic accuracy of the simplified criteria in patients across a range of diagnoses, including a subset of patients presenting with fulminant liver failure who required liver transplant.

Specific role for acyl CoA:Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (Dgat1) in hepatic steatosis due to exogenous fatty acids

Claudio J. Villanueva, Mara Monetti, Michelle Shih, Ping Zhou, Steve M. Watkins, Sanjay Bhanot, Robert V. Farese – 29 July 2009 – Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, characterized by the accumulation of triacylglycerols (TGs) and other lipids in the liver, often accompanies obesity and is a risk factor for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrosis. To treat or prevent fatty liver, a thorough understanding of hepatic fatty acid and TG metabolism is crucial.

Thymus cell antigen‐1‐expressing cells in the oval cell compartment

Mladen I. Yovchev, Jialin Zhang, David S. Neufeld, Petar N. Grozdanov, Mariana D. Dabeva – 29 July 2009 – Thymus cell antigen‐1 (Thy‐1)‐expressing cells proliferate in the liver during oval cell (OC)‐mediated liver regeneration. We characterized these cells in normal liver, in carbon tetrachloride‐injured liver, and in several models of OC activation.

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