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.

Experts to discuss latest trends in treatments, diagnostic techniques for managing HCC

Today, world renowned experts have assembled in Dubrovnik, Croatia to discuss the latest trends in treatment and cutting edge research in diagnostic techniques that will shape the future management of hepatocellular carcinoma - the third most common cause of cancer-related death globally, and a leading cause of death among patients with liver cirrhosis.

28 Jun 2010

FDA approves OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test for HCV

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced approval of the first rapid blood test for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus for individuals 15 years and older.

25 Jun 2010

St. Luke's joins Dr. John Goss in celebration of his 1,000th liver transplantation procedure

St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital (St. Luke's) joins John Goss, M.D., in celebrating his milestone as he recently performed his 1,000th liver transplantation procedure. The largest liver transplant program in Houston's world-renowned Texas Medical Center, St. Luke's performs approximately 75 liver transplants annually. Additionally, St. Luke's liver transplant survival rate is the highest in the nation, with a one-year adult patient survival rate of 96.5 percent compared to the national expected survival rate of 89.38 percent.

24 Jun 2010

June issue of Clinic Women's HealthSource provides overview of anemia

Anemia is not a normal part of aging, yet it's fairly common in older adults and causes frailness, weakness and increased risk of falls. According to Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, more than one in 10 older adults has anemia. Twenty percent of women are anemic by age 85.

24 Jun 2010

Diet with high fructose, trans fats lead to fatty liver disease with scar tissue

Scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have discovered that a diet with high levels of fructose - levels equivalent to that in high fructose corn syrup - and of trans fats not only increases obesity, but also leads to significant fatty liver disease with scar tissue.

23 Jun 2010

Study evaluates effect of Viusid on oxidative stress, cytokine parameters in patients with CHC

The pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C is associated with severe oxidative stress and non-selective immunological disturbance that lead to necroinflammation and the progression of fibrosis. Several trials have suggested that antioxidant and immunostimulant therapies may have a beneficial effect. Two previous clinical studies have reported that the Viusid related effect on histologic features, especially fibrosis, appears to be associated with antioxidant and/or immunomodulatory properties.

18 Jun 2010

Homeless Brisbane population at risk of dying early: survey

A recent survey has shown that more than 50 percent of Brisbane’s homeless community is at a higher risk of early deaths. The survey was conducted by interviewing at least 231 people who live on Brisbane's streets, using an index to determine their risk of dying or mortality risk.

14 Jun 2010

Genetic variation can predict how people infected with hepatitis C react to treatment: Scientists

A small genetic change can predict how people infected with hepatitis C react to treatment, paving the way to personalised therapy for this difficult to treat disease, the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics will hear today (Sunday 13 June). Dr. Zoltan Kutalik, from the Department of Medical Genetics, University of Lausanne, Switzerland, will tell delegates that individuals with this change, in a gene encoding for the antiviral cytokine (cell-signalling molecule) interferon lamda, reacts less well to treatment.

14 Jun 2010

Vital Therapies commences enrollment in ELAD SILVER trial for acute-on-chronic liver failure

Vital Therapies, Inc., (VTI) is pleased to announce that the first two subjects have been enrolled at King's College Hospital in London in the expansion of its SILVER (Stabilization In LiVER failure) clinical trial in Europe. The trial is evaluating whether VTI's biological cellular therapy product, ELAD®, can prevent deterioration of liver function and improve the survival of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).

9 Jun 2010

USPTO grants ISCO patent to International Stem Cell's hpSC

International Stem Cell Corporation, www.intlstemcell.com, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted ISCO patent number 7,732,202, the first of several pending patents relating to its development of human parthenogenetic Stem Cells. Human parthenogenetic stem cells are a new type of pluripotent stem cell that allows immune matching to potentially solve critical immune rejection problems, and does not involve the ethical issues that surround the use of fertilized human embryos.

8 Jun 2010

Combined cardiac bypass and liver tumor surgery performed on 63-year-old Nigerian

Adding another feat to the history of cardiothoracic surgery at Fortis Hospitals Bangalore, the team of experts led by noted Dr. Vivek Jawali, Chief Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Dr. Ramcharan Thiagarajan, Consultant Surgical GI & Hepato-Pancreatic Biliary Surgoen has performed a combined cardiac bypass and liver tumor surgery on a 63 year old Nigerian.

8 Jun 2010

Liver surgery improves survival in people with bowel cancer

Patients with bowel cancer that has spread to the liver and who are eligible for surgery, are around 40 per cent more likely to survive if they undergo an operation to remove the liver disease.

2 Jun 2010

Alcohol consumption in Portugal represents heavy economic burden for that country's health system

The World Health Organization has estimated that 3.2 percent of the "burden of disease" around the world is attributable to the consumption of alcohol. Portugal is currently ranked eighth in the world in alcohol consumption. A new study has found alcohol consumption in Portugal represents a heavy economic burden for that country's health system.

1 Jun 2010

New treatment benefits patients with advanced liver disease due to HCV infection: Researchers

Researchers at the UCLA Medical Center found that antiviral therapy during compensated cirrhosis, when compared with all other strategies, is the most cost-effective approach to treating patients with advanced liver disease due to hepatitis C infection. Full details appear in the June issue of Liver Transplantation, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

28 May 2010

Physician experts review current practices for pain management in cirrhotic patients

In the May issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, physician experts review current practices for pain management in cirrhotic patients. The physician experts reviewed all current literature available on PubMed and MEDLINE with no limits in the search to recommend a uniform and practical guide to approaching analgesia in the cirrhotic patients.

27 May 2010

NASH-induced cirrhosis is greater risk factor for HCC: Cleveland Clinic study

A study conducted by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic finds that patients suffering from cirrhosis preceded by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are at an equal risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma than those who develop cirrhosis resulting from hepatitis C virus. Results of this study appear in the June issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

26 May 2010

Salix Pharmaceuticals announces availability of Xifaxan tablets for reducing risk of overt HE recurrence

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. today announced the availability of Xifaxan (rifaximin) 550 mg tablets for the reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy recurrence in patients 18 years of age or older. Those HE patients may now fill their Xifaxan 550 mg prescriptions in U.S. pharmacies and should speak with their doctors about this important treatment option.

24 May 2010

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