This trend was apparent, but not statistically significant,

across the three categories of ALF. Moreover, administration of steroids to patients with a high Model for End-Stage Liver Disease GSK-3 signaling pathway score (>40) was associated with diminished survival. Although this cautions against indiscriminate use of steroids in ALF, it is possible that a subgroup, which is yet to be characterized, may profit from steroid treatment. (Hepatology 2014;59:612-621.) Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 gene polymorphism has established itself in recent years as one of the most robust genetic markers in hepatology: It is a marker for steatosis, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk. This gene encodes for adiponutrin, an enzyme involved in triglyceride metabolism, and it is likely that its presence in hepatocytes is responsible for its effects on the progression

of liver disease. To demonstrate this, Dunn et al. investigated 101 HCV patients who underwent liver transplantation (LT), which creates an iatrogenic chimeric situation. The CC variant of the rs738409 polymorphism was present in 56% of donors and 57% of recipients. Time to stage >2 fibrosis or HCV-related mortality/graft loss was assessed as the primary endpoint. Recipient genotype was not associated with this endpoint, whereas the donor CC polymorphism was significantly associated with this endpoint. These results may have been even more convincing if the hepatic PR-171 nmr histology of the graft at time of transplantation had been

taken into account. (Hepatology 2014;59:453-460.) LT patients are subjected to numerous radiologic investigations, which expose them to ionizing radiation, while on the waiting list for, as well as after, LT. This is particularly the case for patients transplanted for HCC. It has not been established how much harm this type of investigation is causing to this population of patients. Lee et al., from the Presbyterian Hospital in New York, set out to www.selleck.co.jp/products/PD-0332991.html quantify exposure to ionizing radiation retrospectively in 74 patients. Fifty-one percent had an exposure above 50 mSv per year. Patients with HCC had a 4-fold higher exposure than those without HCC. The researchers put these findings into perspective: Background radiation is approximately 3 mSv per year, and nuclear power plant workers are limited to an annual exposure of 20 mSv. Then, as stated by the researchers in the title, this is a matter for potential concern. Thus far, this exposure has not been linked to specific outcomes, but it would be prudent to consider magnetic resonance imaging and sonography ahead of the more harmful radiologic investigations, where possible. (Hepatology 2014;59:496-504.) “
“We read with great interest the article by Liu etal.,1 who studied the virus-host interaction and viral kinetics and evolution during the early phase of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in human subjects.