Lionel Frangeul, Pascale Cresta, Michele Perrin, Françoise Lunel, Pierre Opolon, Henri Agut, Jean‐Marie Huraux – 30 December 2003 – A part of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) amino acid sequence, designated as an interferon (IFN)‐sensitive determining region (ISDR), has been shown to be correlated with a response to IFN in Japanese patients. We have shown previously that the presence of NS5A antibodies (Abs) detected by the INNOLIA test (IL‐NS5A Ab) is also correlated with a response to IFN.

Mark G. Swain, Paul Beck, Kevin Rioux, Tai Le – 30 December 2003 – “Sickness behaviors” such as lethargy, fatigue, and malaise occur commonly in patients with cholestatic liver diseases and contribute significantly to the morbidity associated with these diseases. However, the cause of these symptoms is unknown. Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) released within the brain has been implicated in the genesis of a number of “sickness behaviors,” including malaise and lethargy.

Joël Fort, Frédéric Oberti, Christophe Pilette, Nary Veal, Yves Gallois, Olivier Douay, Marie Christine Rousselet, Jean Rosenbaum, Paul Calès – 30 December 2003 – The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the early and chronic administration of octreotide in the prevention of hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension (PHT). Two experimental models of liver fibrosis caused by bile duct ligation (BDL) or CCl4 were divided into 4 rat groups: sham, placebo, and octreotide (10 and 100 μg/kg twice daily, subcutaneously).

Hitoshi Yoshiji, Shigeki Kuriyama, Junichi Yoshii, Masaharu Yamazaki, Masaji Kikukawa, Hirohisa Tsujinoue, Toshiya Nakatani, Hiroshi Fukui – 30 December 2003 – Angiogenesis is essential for the development of a solid tumor, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is a well‐known hypervascular tumor. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most potent angiogenic factors. Its role has not been clarified in vivo in HCC development.

Paul W. Thimister, Wim P. Hopman, Albert Tangerman, Gerd Rosenbusch, Hans L. Willems, Jan B. Jansen – 30 December 2003 – Bile salts modulate postprandial gallbladder emptying and pancreatic enzyme secretion, possibly by interfering with plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) responses. The regulatory role of bile salts in the absence of nutrients from the gut is poorly understood.

Ekkehard Schütz, Maria Shipkova, Victor W. Armstrong, Michael Oellerich – 30 December 2003

Mauro Borzio, Massimo Roncalli, Davide Treré, Massimo Derenzini – 30 December 2003

Martina Sterneck, Tatjana Kalinina, Stephan Günther, Lutz Fischer, Teresa Santantonio, Heiner Greten, Hans Will – 30 December 2003 – Two previous case reports suggest that hepatitis B virus (HBV) core promoter variants with a high replication competence contribute to the pathogenesis of fulminant hepatitis B (FHB). We recently found in HBV genomes from patients with FHB an accumulation of mutations within the core promoter region. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the phenotype of these HBV variants.

Anne T. Nies, Tobias Cantz, Manuela Brom, Inka Leier, Dietrich Keppler – 30 December 2003 – The polarized rat hepatoma/human fibroblast hybrid cell line, WIF‐B, forms apical vacuoles into which cholephilic substances are secreted. We studied expression, localization, and function of the apical conjugate export pump, Mrp2, in WIF‐B cells.

Wilhelm Nolte, Jens Wiltfang, Christian Schindler, Hans Münke, Knut Unterberg, Uta Zumhasch, Hans R. Figulla, Gerald Werner, Heinz Hartmann, Giuliano Ramadori – 30 December 2003 – A prospective study of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) including neuropsychiatric and psychometric evaluation, electroencephalography, and determination of arterial ammonia levels was performed in 55 cirrhotic patients treated consecutively by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).