Articles tagged with Liver
Experts advocate for widespread screening of 'Baby Boomer' generation in Canada due to high prevalence and lack of awareness. Early treatment makes hepatitis C curable, saving lives and reducing healthcare costs.
A simple 'traffic light' test developed by the University of Southampton has shown promise in reducing harmful drinking rates and potentially preventing hundreds of alcohol-related deaths. The test, which costs £50, can detect hidden liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in high-risk populations and advises patients to reduce or avoid drinking.
A new imaging technique, MRE, can accurately detect fibrosis in children with chronic liver disease, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study showed high accuracy in detecting advanced fibrosis in obese patients, potentially reducing the need for costly and invasive liver biopsies.
Researchers developed a test that can clearly distinguish early liver cancer cells from normal liver cells by giving them a distinctive red-brown hue. The test uses a probe to detect and stain a microRNA called mir-21, which is found in liver cancer but not healthy liver cells.
Researchers have developed a high-yield method for isolating viable hepatocytes from cryopreserved neonatal livers, showing better thawing recovery than those from adult livers. This breakthrough may provide an alternative source for liver cell transplantation, potentially improving patient outcomes.
A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that the body's production of fructose from non-fructose containing carbohydrates may be a key factor in obesity and insulin resistance. Researchers found that mice converted glucose to fructose in the liver, leading to the development of fatty liver and insulin resistance.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in developing better tests for liver toxicity, which could lead to safer medicines and more drugs reaching patients. The new tests can detect liver damage without causing permanent harm, allowing patients to continue taking medications.
Researchers suggest that anti-PD-1 antibodies could be effective in treating hepatitis C and other persistent viral infections. The study found that animal models with HCV infection showed improved immune function after treatment with PD-1 blocking antibodies.
A combination of sofosbuvir and ribavirin achieved high sustained virologic response rates in patients with unfavorable treatment characteristics, including advanced liver disease and high baseline HCV RNA levels. The regimen was well-tolerated and safe, with a lower relapse rate compared to traditional interferon-based therapy.
A new all-oral drug regimen has been found to be highly effective in clearing the hepatitis C virus and well tolerated in patients who historically have had unfavorable prognoses. The study showed a cure rate of about 70 percent using regimens without interferon, offering hope for those with chronic HCV infection.
A team of UCLA researchers is working on a new approach to improve the quality of donor livers, aiming to reduce organ rejection and increase transplant survival rates. They plan to target specific immune activation pathways and enhance local mechanisms that promote liver regeneration.
A novel machine learning-based approach predicts hepatotoxic potential of antisense oligonucleotides based on chemical sequence. The method achieved 74% accuracy in predicting toxicity and was used to redesign a therapeutic oligonucleotide with reduced potential for liver harm.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that increased caffeine intake may reduce fatty liver in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Consuming four cups of coffee or tea a day could be beneficial in preventing and protecting against the progression of NAFLD.
A recent study published in Immunity has identified interleukin-33 as a central factor in the formation of liver fibrosis. The research suggests that targeting this molecule could provide a promising new approach to protecting against liver fibrosis and chronic liver disease.
A new study found that replacing soybean oil with fish oil in intravenous nutrition can reverse intestinal failure-associated liver disease in children. After 17 weeks, nearly 80% of patients experienced a reversal of their liver disease, while only 5% of those who received soybean oil saw a reversal.
Researchers found that weight loss surgery can reverse the symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by altering DNA methylation and gene expression. This study provides insight into the mechanisms behind bariatric surgery's benefits beyond weight loss.
Research reveals metabolic syndrome is common among liver transplant recipients, with exercise potentially reducing complications. The study suggests structured exercise programs during the first year after surgery could benefit patients.
Researchers at University of Bristol suggest combining antiviral treatment, opiate substitution therapy, and high-coverage needle and syringe programs to achieve substantial reductions in HCV prevalence among people who inject drugs. This approach can lead to a 45% reduction in HCV prevalence over ten years.
A gene mutation disrupts immune cell activity, causing liver attacks in autoimmune hepatitis. Researchers create model to study treatment targets and therapies.
Scientists at MIT have developed a system to grow liver tissue that can support the liver stage of malaria parasites, allowing for testing of new drugs and vaccines. The system was used to study a vaccine for P. falciparum and showed promising results.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that split liver transplantation carries no increased risk of failure in recipients, allowing surgeons to save young patients and adults. By allocating infants and small children first and splitting available livers, doctors can virtually eliminate waitlist mortality for children.
A new study published in the journal Radiology found that excess liver and muscle fat can increase the risk of osteoporosis by affecting bone marrow quality. Higher levels of bone marrow fat were linked to increased fracture risk, suggesting that obesity can weaken bones.
A new study published in Hepatology reveals that higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with an increased risk of gallstone disease, especially in women. The research found a significant correlation between BMI and gallstone risk, with women facing a higher risk than men.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have created a new model to allocate organs from deceased donors more equitably. The model uses mathematical formulas similar to those used in redistricting maps to analyze supply and demand factors, reducing geographic disparities by half and significantly decreasing waitlist deaths.
Researchers have developed two compounds that show promise as safer alternatives to acetaminophen, reducing the risk of liver damage. The new substances have a similar architecture to acetaminophen but are non-toxic to liver cells grown in the laboratory.
Patients who survived acetaminophen overdose have significantly lower overall health, reporting more days of impaired mental and physical health, pain, anxiety, and depression. The study also found that these patients had higher rates of substance abuse and psychiatric disease compared to non-overdose survivors and transplant recipients.
Researchers found that circadian rhythm disruption and alcohol combination leads to liver disease, a previously unrecognized risk factor. The study suggests that lifestyle factors like shift work and poor sleep can promote gut leakiness and increase disease susceptibility.
A new study published in Radiology found that moderate-intensity exercise significantly decreases fat volume in the abdomen, liver, and around the heart in patients with type 2 diabetes. The results suggest that exercise can reduce cardiovascular risk by targeting specific fat deposits.
Researchers discovered a novel fluorescent protein in the freshwater eel that can bind to bilirubin, enabling high sensitivity and accuracy for clinical tests. This breakthrough may contribute to liver function assessment and eel conservation efforts.
A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that green coffee bean dietary supplements do not protect against obesity-related disorders when given at higher doses. The research linked chlorogenic acid to an unhealthy build-up of fat in the liver.
A new study shows that split liver transplants can last just as long as whole organs in young children, potentially reducing waitlist mortality rates. The data from 2,679 pediatric patients who received liver transplants between 1995-2010 indicates improved safety of partial livers.
Researchers found that partial livers from deceased adult and teen donors have become less risky for infants, saving their lives. The study's findings suggest that the use of partial grafts from deceased donors has increased significantly over time, accounting for up to 32% of liver transplants in children.
Researchers at Mount Sinai have discovered a novel liver progenitor cell that can be differentiated from human embryonic stem cells and produce mature liver cells. This breakthrough discovery has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of liver disease, potentially overcoming the organ shortage issue.
Researchers found a strong association between low vitamin D levels and high HBV replication in patients with chronic HBV. The study suggests that vitamin D may help control HBV levels and proposes further investigation of its therapeutic potential.
Researchers found that daily sunscreen use significantly slows skin aging, with a 24% decrease in photoaging compared to discretionary application. In contrast, a survey of 1,820 physicians revealed that only about 43% had basic electronic health record systems and 10% met meaningful use criteria, highlighting challenges in EHR adoptio...
Researchers at MIT have identified 12 chemical compounds that help liver cells maintain their normal function while grown in a lab dish, and multiply to produce new tissue. The compounds can also mature induced pluripotent stem cells into fully functional hepatocytes.
Researchers at UC Irvine have discovered a new mechanism by which estrogen suppresses lipid synthesis in the liver, revealing potential new approaches for treating certain liver diseases. The study found that estrogen acts on cell membrane-based receptors to inhibit lipid synthesis, changing long-held views in the field.
A new study found that coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), an autoimmune disease of the bile ducts. Researchers also highlighted the need for better palliative care for terminally ill cirrhotic patients, who often face significant symptoms and challenges.
A large group of U.S. patients with PSC and primary biliary cirrhosis showed an association between coffee consumption and reduced risk of PSC. The study suggests that PSC differs from primary biliary cirrhosis in terms of lifestyle factors, potentially offering new insights into disease causes and treatment.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins scientists reveals an association between elevated cadmium levels and increased risk of liver disease in men. Higher levels of cadmium in urine were found to be nearly 3.5 times more likely to lead to liver-related deaths compared to lower levels.
Researchers found that transgenic expression of normal CFTR in the intestine of CF pigs eased meconium ileus, a common symptom of CF. Despite this improvement, other CF symptoms persisted, highlighting tissue-specific gene replacement as a potential treatment strategy.
Harvard researchers have discovered a novel hormone that regulates glucose production in the liver, offering new avenues for treating type 2 diabetes. The study found that switching off this hormone improves glucose metabolism, providing a potential therapeutic target.
Researchers found that a new antiviral treatment could halve chronic HCV prevalence among people who inject drugs in 15 years. In cities like Edinburgh, where chronic prevalence is lower, the treatment is projected to reduce HCV rates by 25%. Doubling treatment rates and increasing budget may be needed to scale up the therapy.
A study found that patients taking tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antagonists are at risk of developing acute liver injury, with most cases involving autoimmunity or hepatocellular injury. The condition is typically resolved after discontinuing the drug, but some patients may experience recurrence.
A recent mouse study published at the International Liver Congress 2013 suggests that regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk of developing liver cancer. The study found that mice fed a high-fat diet and subjected to regular exercise had a 71% lower incidence of tumours larger than 10mm compared to sedentary mice.
A new scoring system defines patients who achieve the most benefit from TACE treatment, differentiating those who may benefit from repeat sessions and those who are unlikely to respond. This finding presents a challenge for the design of phase III trials for intermediate-stage HCC.
New data from clinical trials demonstrate substantial improvements in detecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) using urinary metabolite profiles. The tests show higher sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional methods, offering hope for early detection and improved survival rates.
A study found that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an independent predictor of early atherosclerosis and 10-year cardiovascular risk. Patients with NAFLD had higher carotid intima-media thickness and Framingham score, indicating increased cardiovascular risk.
Researchers have made progress in targeting cccDNA using novel therapeutic approaches, including liver regeneration and epigenetic control. Studies show that inducing hepatocyte turnover and blocking cell entry can accelerate the clearance of viral minichromosomes.
A new study at the International Liver Congress found that probiotics reduced the development of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients by 50% over nine months. Probiotics work by reducing ammonia production in the gut, a key mediator of cerebral dysfunction.
Research revealed a significant increase in chronic liver disease risk among women with high BMI and heavy alcohol intake. Women are twice as sensitive to alcohol-related liver damage, and low BMI combined with high alcohol consumption poses greater risks.
Beta-blockers reduce portal hypertension, gastrointestinal permeability, and bacterial translocation in patients with cirrhosis. Non-invasive techniques like spleen stiffness predict clinical complications.
Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered that a synthetic form of vitamin D can deactivate the switch governing fibrotic response in mouse liver cells, suggesting a potential new therapy for fibrotic diseases. This finding could lead to the development of a safer and more effective treatment for liver fibrosis.
A recent study published in Liver Transplantation found that living liver donors experience a 0.2% mortality rate and life-threatening 'near-miss' events. Centers with more experience performing live donor procedures had lower rates of complications, suggesting the need for comprehensive information and education for donors.
Researchers found that infection with nematodes reduced body weight by up to 15% in obese mice and lowered fasting blood glucose levels. The study suggests a potential therapeutic effect of nematode infection on metabolic disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease and allergies.
Recent studies demonstrate encouraging data for direct-acting antiviral agents in a wide range of HCV patient populations. The trials showed high SVR12 rates and low adverse events, with some regimens achieving up to 90% success rate, offering new treatment options for patients with genotype 1, 4, 5, or 6.
Scientists have discovered that dietary medium chain triglycerides (MCT) can prevent the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with obesity and type II diabetes. MCT substitution for polyunsaturated fat reduces liver fat accumulation and progression of injury, suggesting a potential future therapy.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive test for diagnosing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a more advanced form of NAFLD. The phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) technique shows fair diagnostic accuracy for NASH and could improve clinical procedures.
Researchers have identified a gene variant ID associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) diagnosis, including steatosis, steatohepatitis, and fibrosis. The study suggests that screening for this variant could lead to earlier detection and improved management of NAFLD.
Researchers discovered vitamin E can alleviate symptoms of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice, a common complication of obesity. The study suggests that supplementation with vitamin E may have significant public health benefits.