Journal of hepatology
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Journal of hepatology · Oct 2008
ReviewNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease is strongly associated with carotid atherosclerosis: a systematic review.
To perform a systematic review of the studies addressing the association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). ⋯ Routine measurement of carotid IMT might be implemented in NAFLD patients, as they carry an increase of 13% of carotid IMT.
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Journal of hepatology · Oct 2008
Comparative StudyA non-invasive algorithm accurately predicts advanced fibrosis in hepatitis C: a comparison using histology with internal-external validation.
Biochemical tests and ultrasonography (US) are useful in the non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CH-C); however histology remains the reference standard. This multicenter, cross-sectional cohort study evaluated the accuracy of APRI (AST-to-platelet-ratio-index) and liver surface ultrasound nodularity (LSN), singularly and sequentially combined in an algorithm, in diagnosing advanced fibrosis (i.e. METAVIR F3,F4), to derive a prediction rule to confirm or exclude F3,F4. ⋯ An algorithm based on APRI and LSN confirms or excludes F3,F4 in 54% of CH-C patients with elevated ALT and suggests a highly probable diagnosis in a further one-sixth of patients, thus rendering liver biopsy unnecessary in these patients.
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Journal of hepatology · Aug 2008
Suppressor of cytokine signaling expression with increasing severity of murine hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Preservation of function requires tight regulation of the cellular events initiated when hepatic ischemia is followed by reperfusion (IR). One important mechanism modulating the cytokine-directed response to injury is Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling. SOCS1 and SOCS3 ensure appropriate intensity and duration of cytokine signaling through negative feedback on JAK-STAT signaling. The contribution of SOCS1 and SOCS3-mediated regulation to the evolution of hepatic IR injury is unknown. ⋯ Under the influence of IL-6-mediated STAT3 signaling, Socs1 serves as a complimentary regulatory mechanism when Socs3 is insufficient to limit cytokine-mediated inflammation after hepatic IR.
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Journal of hepatology · Apr 2008
Case ReportsSignificant improvement of portopulmonary hypertension after 1-week terlipressin treatment.
Cirrhosis associated with moderate and severe portopulmonary hypertension carries a poor prognosis. Optimal management has not yet been defined. ⋯ Here, we report the significant reduction of pulmonary arterial pressure after 1-week terlipressin treatment in a patient with concomitant hepato-renal syndrome. Terlipressin could be a novel and safe treatment for portopulmonary hypertension.