mTOR Signaling in X/A‐Like Cells Contributes to Lipid Homeostasis in Mice

Ziru Li, Ruili Yu, Wenzhen Yin, Yan Qin, Liangxiao Ma, Michael Mulholland, Weizhen Zhang – 23 August 2018 – Gastric mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is inversely associated with the expression and secretion of ghrelin, a 28‐aa peptide hormone produced by gastric X/A‐like cells. Ghrelin contributes to obesity and hepatic steatosis. We sought to control global lipid metabolism via the manipulation of gastric mTOR signaling in X/A‐like cells. We established a ghrl‐cre transgene in which the Cre enzyme is expressed in X/A‐like cells under the control of the ghrelin‐promoter.

Serum Autotaxin Concentrations Reflect Changes in Liver Stiffness and Fibrosis After Antiviral Therapy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Wataru Ando, Hiroaki Yokomori, Fumihiko Kaneko, Mana Kaneko, Koji Igarashi, Hidekazu Suzuki – 23 August 2018 – The purpose of this study was to determine whether serum autotaxin concentrations reflect liver stiffness in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) treated with direct‐acting antiviral agents. Adult patients with chronic HCV were enrolled from January 2016 to August 2017. Autotaxin concentrations in these patients were compared with those of a control group consisting of healthy individuals. Liver stiffness was determined by transient elastography.

Survey of Liver Transplantation Practices for Severe Acute Alcoholic Hepatitis

Saroja Bangaru, Mark R. Pedersen, Malcolm P. MacConmara, Amit G. Singal, Arjmand R. Mufti – 23 August 2018 – Liver transplantation (LT) has a demonstrated survival benefit in select patients with severe acute alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) who do not respond to steroids, but prior studies suggest low adoption among US LT centers. Our study explored current perceptions and practice patterns of LT for SAH in the United States. We administered a Web‐based survey to medical directors of US LT centers between May and October of 2017 to characterize practice patterns and perceptions of LT for SAH.

Serum Angiopoietin‐2 Predicts Mortality and Kidney Outcomes in Decompensated Cirrhosis

Andrew S. Allegretti, Xavier Vela Parada, Guillermo A. Ortiz, Joshua Long, Scott Krinsky, Sophia Zhao, Bryan C. Fuchs, Mozhdeh Sojoodi, Dongsheng Zhang, S. Ananth Karumanchi, Sahir Kalim, Sagar U. Nigwekar, Ravi I. Thadhani, Samir M. Parikh, Raymond T. Chung – 23 August 2018 – Acute kidney injury in decompensated cirrhosis has limited therapeutic options, and novel mechanistic targets are urgently needed. Angiopoietin‐2 is a context‐specific antagonist of Tie2, a receptor that signals vascular quiescence.

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