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Last Updated: Nov 17th, 2006 - 22:35:04 |
Latest Research
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Gastroenterology
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Liver
MR Elastography may help in early diagnosis of liver fibrosis
Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a new technique for using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to accurately measure the hardness or elasticity of the liver. First tests show this technology -- called MR Elastography (MRE) -- holds great promise for detecting liver fibrosis, a common condition that can lead to incurable cirrhosis if not treated in time.
Sep 8, 2006, 17:11
Latest Research
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Gastroenterology
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Liver
Why does prolonged IV feeding damage the liver?
Children who cannot eat on their own because of intestinal failure must rely on parenteral nutrition (PN), an intravenous method of feeding. Unfortunately, long-term PN can cause life-threatening liver disease, especially in infants, for reasons that have been unknown. Many infants who develop this complication die within a year of diagnosis, unless they can be weaned off PN or receive a liver/small intestine transplant. In the July issue of Pediatrics, researchers at Children's Hospital Boston report saving two babies' lives � with one able to come off a liver-transplant list � simply by changing the type of fat used in the PN solution.
Jul 3, 2006, 23:20
Latest Research
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Gastroenterology
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Liver
Coffee may reduce risk of alcoholic cirrhosis
Drinking coffee may be related to a reduced risk of developing the liver disease alcoholic cirrhosis, according to a report in the June 12 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Cirrhosis progressively destroys healthy liver tissue and replaces it with scar tissue. Viruses such as hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis, but long-term, heavy alcohol use is the most common cause of the disease in developed countries, according to background information in the article. Most alcohol drinkers, however, never develop cirrhosis; other factors that may play a role include genetics, diet and nutrition, smoking and the interaction of alcohol with other toxins that damage the liver.
Jun 13, 2006, 13:33
Latest Research
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Gastroenterology
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Liver
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Hepatitis
Chronic hepatitis in pediatric liver transplant patients
A new study on the long-term outcome of children undergoing liver transplants found that chronic hepatitis (CH) was common and that it was not detectible using standard blood tests. The presence of autoantibodies (antibodies that attack the body's own tissues) in these patients indicates that although not fully understood, CH may be related to the immune response.
May 3, 2006, 01:22
Latest Research
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Gastroenterology
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Liver
Nanoparticles may pose threat to hepatocytes
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh are to study the effects of nanoparticles on the liver. In a UK first, the scientists will assess whether nanoparticles �already found in pollution from traffic exhaust, but also used in making household goods such as paint, sunblock, food, cosmetics and clothes� can cause damage to the cells of the liver.
Apr 5, 2006, 14:08
Latest Research
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Gastroenterology
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Liver
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Hepatitis
Vaccinating Infants of Hepatitis B Mothers Prevents Infection - Systematic Review
Immunising newborn infants of mothers with hepatitis B prevents infection being transmitted from mother to child, finds a study published online by the BMJ.
Jan 31, 2006, 19:00
Latest Research
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Gastroenterology
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Liver
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Hepatitis
Need for treatment modification in older hepatitis C patients
A new study in Japan examining the effects of combination therapy on older patients with hepatitis C found more adverse effects necessitating discontinuation of treatment, lowering of dosages, and lower long-term benefits in this age group.
Jan 6, 2006, 03:35
Latest Research
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Gastroenterology
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Liver
Obese mice are more susceptible to liver abnormalities
Mice that were fed diets high in fat and sugar developed immune system abnormalities in their livers, including reduced numbers of natural killer T (NKT) cells. These diet-related changes may contribute to obesity-related liver disease, according to a new study. The study is published in the October 2005 issue of Hepatology, the official journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).
Oct 4, 2005, 00:34
Latest Research
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Gastroenterology
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Liver
TWEAK Induces Liver Progenitor Cell Proliferation
Liver injury can occur as a result of alcohol toxicity, necrosis, or a host of other factors. When the liver is injured, it responds with progenitor cell (oval cell) proliferation in the remaining parts of the organ. The oval cells can become either liver cells or epithelial cells, and are vital for recovery from liver injury. But the regulation of oval cell expansion is not well understood.
Aug 19, 2005, 13:51
Latest Research
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Gastroenterology
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Liver
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Hepatitis
Therapy may not be necessary for asymptomatic autoimmune hepatitis
It is not uncommon for patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), a disease in which the patient's own immune system attacks the liver, to have no symptoms. Such cases are being diagnosed more frequently due to the increased practice of administering routine liver enzyme and antibody tests.
Aug 15, 2005, 21:08
Latest Research
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Gastroenterology
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Liver
Inhibiting NF kappa B protects against Liver Injury
Liver damage after organ transplantation or hemorrhagic shock is due to a type of injury known as ischemia/reperfusion, occurring when blood flow is temporarily stopped and, upon restoration, leads to massive inflammation and death of liver cells.
Mar 18, 2005, 23:06
Latest Research
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Gastroenterology
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Liver
Dual and divergent roles of macrophages during liver injury and repair
Macrophages have been shown to perform both injury-inducing and reparative tasks during inflammation. In the January 3 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Jeremy Duffield and colleagues from the University of Edinburgh examined macrophage function in the injury and recovery phases of liver fibrosis in mice. They found that macrophages promote scarring during liver injury but enhance the breakdown of fibrotic tissue during recovery. The study is the first to demonstrate that functionally distinct populations of macrophages exists within the same tissue and that they play critical roles in both the injury and recovery phases of inflammatory scarring.
Jan 4, 2005, 19:42
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