Liver Disease News and Research

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The liver is one of the largest solid organs of the body. It is located in the upper right part of the abdomen. Most of the organ lies under cover of the rib cage.

Developing specific liver cell lines from stem cells holds promise for new liver disease treatment: Researchers

By creating diseased liver cells from a small sample of human skin, scientists have for the first time shown that stem cells can be used to model a diverse range of inherited disorders. The University of Cambridge researchers' findings, which will hopefully lead to new treatments for those suffering from liver diseases, were published today in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

26 Aug 2010

SEB opens new state-of-the-art laboratory operation, R&D facility

Cryo-Cell International, Inc., one of the largest and most established leaders in stem cell innovation today announced that S-Evans Biosciences, the Company's exclusive Célle menstrual stem cell technology license partner in China has opened a new state-of-the-art laboratory operation and research & development facility located in a Hi-Tech park designated to become an epicenter for stem cell and genomics R&D; cellular therapies and stem cell cryopreservation services.

23 Aug 2010

Hepatitis E vaccine successful in clinical trial: Study

In a Clinical trial in China, a vaccine has been found to protect against Hepatitis E. Hepatitis E virus, usually spread via contaminated food and faeces usually runs its course before the patient recovers. However it can cause severe illness in elderly people and has a mortality rate of 1 to 3 percent. It can also kill 5 to 25 percent of affected pregnant women and those who survive can suffer high rates of miscarriage. Around a third of the world's population have been infected by the virus say researchers.

22 Aug 2010

Study finds Hispanics, Asians less likely to receive liver transplants

Researchers at the University of Michigan and Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, both in Ann Arbor, have identified geographic variation as a key factor accounting for disparities in access to liver transplantation among racial and ethnic groups.

20 Aug 2010

Study finds factor behind alcohol use disorder after liver transplantation

Patients who receive a liver transplant due to alcoholic liver disease need to demonstrate periods of abstinence and often attend addiction treatment before transplantation. However, alcohol use disorders can recur, as can other diseases requiring transplantation, and thus alcohol use after liver transplantation is not uncommon.

19 Aug 2010

Genome-wide study identifies key genetic variant associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) who carry an allele of the PNPLA3 gene have an increased risk of developing advanced disease, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and cirrhosis. A second study supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) validates these findings and further concludes that in pediatric patients, the same allele is associated with earlier disease presentation.

18 Aug 2010

Long-term entecavir therapy suppresses HBV DNA, normalizes ALT and improves liver histology

Researchers from this international study found that patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection who received at least 3 years of cumulative entecavir (antiviral) therapy achieved substantial histologic improvement and regression of fibrosis or cirrhosis. Full details of the study appear in the September issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).

18 Aug 2010

Long-term Entecavir therapy reverses fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B patients

17 Aug 2010

Research confirms genetic link to advanced fatty liver disease

17 Aug 2010

Hepatitis C rather than Donor Risk Index is major contributor to poor graft survival in transplant patients

The Donor Risk Index, which assesses donor characteristics impacting liver transplantation outcomes, does not bear the same impact on outcomes on a small scale as is suggested from large-scale, national data.

17 Aug 2010

August is National Immunization and Cataract Awareness Month

Childhood immunizations keep our children safe from a number of serious diseases. This is a good time of year to make sure your child is up-to-date on all of his/her immunizations. Continue reading to find out which vaccines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend for children 6 and under.

16 Aug 2010

Clinical cases that use IQQA-Liver for operative assessments exceed 1000: EDDA Technology

EDDA Technology announced today that the number of clinical cases evaluated for pre- and post- operative assessment using IQQA-Liver in hospitals has exceeded 1000 examinations, since the first commercial system installation in Q2 2009. EDDA's IQQA-Liver, now marketed worldwide, is a comprehensive workflow solution supporting modern multidisciplinary liver imaging evaluation and management.

12 Aug 2010

Scientific findings reveal combination antibiotic therapy effective for ulcerative colitis

The link between Hormone Replacement Therapy and reduced risk of distal large bowel cancer in women; a promising combination antibiotic therapy for ulcerative colitis patients; and the high-rate of alcoholic liver disease mortality, are among the scientific findings featured in the August issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology.

6 Aug 2010

Recommendations available for managing ascites, SBP and hepatorenal syndrome

The peer reviewed guidelines will be available in the September 2010 issue, (Volume 53, No.3) of the Journal of Hepatology and online in advance of publication at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20633946 . They also provide recommendations for the management of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepatorenal syndrome, which often affect patients with cirrhosis.

3 Aug 2010

VBDS secondary to nevirapine use in HIV-positive, pregnant female: Report

Vanishing bile duct syndrome refers to a group of disorders characterized by destruction and disappearance of intrahepatic (inside the liver) bile ducts. Multiple causes have been identified including infections, malignancies, autoimmune conditions and adverse effects of medications. The usual course of this condition is variable and many patients with VBDS respond to treatment of the underlying condition and/ or removal of the offending agent. However, others progress to cirrhosis and end stage liver disease requiring liver transplantation.

31 Jul 2010

Conatus acquires Idun Pharmaceuticals

Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today that Conatus acquired the Idun Pharmaceuticals subsidiary of Pfizer Inc. Financial terms were not disclosed. Conatus Pharmaceuticals is a privately-held drug development company focused on liver disease and oncology.

31 Jul 2010

Intercept signs CRADA with NIDDK for study of obeticholic acid in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for chronic fibrotic and metabolic diseases, today announced the signing of a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health to conduct a double blind, multi-center, study to evaluate the effects of obeticholic acid in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

28 Jul 2010

Can-Fite's CF102 decreases HCV viral load in liver cancer patients

Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd, a biotechnology company traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange reported today that a significant decrease in HCV viral load was detected in 3 patients with liver cancer who are treated daily orally with CF102. The company is studying CF102 as a treatment for liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC). The results announced today relate to data which came out of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of CF102 in the treatment of patients with advanced HCC.

26 Jul 2010

Securing universal access to HIV prevention, care, treatment and support

The biennial meeting of the global AIDS community concluded today with clear evidence of tangible progress in HIV research and programme scale up, yet facing an urgent need for increased resources, the protection of human rights, and broader use of scientifically sound prevention strategies. Delegates and organizers depart Vienna - where the conference opened 18 July under the theme of Rights Here, Right Now -- with a renewed commitment to push for securing universal access to HIV prevention, care, treatment and support.

23 Jul 2010

UDCA fails to improve overall histology in NASH patients: Study

A study conducted by researchers at Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany found that high doses of ursodeoxycholic acid, suggested by some studies to have a beneficial effect on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, does not improve overall histology in these patients. Full findings of this study are published in the August issue of Hepatology, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

21 Jul 2010

Liver Disease News and Research

Further Reading

Developing specific liver cell lines from stem cells holds promise for new liver disease treatment: Researchers

SEB opens new state-of-the-art laboratory operation, R&D facility

Hepatitis E vaccine successful in clinical trial: Study

Study finds Hispanics, Asians less likely to receive liver transplants

Study finds factor behind alcohol use disorder after liver transplantation

Genome-wide study identifies key genetic variant associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Long-term entecavir therapy suppresses HBV DNA, normalizes ALT and improves liver histology

Long-term Entecavir therapy reverses fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B patients

Research confirms genetic link to advanced fatty liver disease

Hepatitis C rather than Donor Risk Index is major contributor to poor graft survival in transplant patients

August is National Immunization and Cataract Awareness Month

Clinical cases that use IQQA-Liver for operative assessments exceed 1000: EDDA Technology

Scientific findings reveal combination antibiotic therapy effective for ulcerative colitis

Recommendations available for managing ascites, SBP and hepatorenal syndrome

VBDS secondary to nevirapine use in HIV-positive, pregnant female: Report

Conatus acquires Idun Pharmaceuticals

Intercept signs CRADA with NIDDK for study of obeticholic acid in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Can-Fite's CF102 decreases HCV viral load in liver cancer patients

Securing universal access to HIV prevention, care, treatment and support

UDCA fails to improve overall histology in NASH patients: Study

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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