http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/Journal.aspx?sid=2 The articles published in current issue in Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00054 To investigate the impact of MR bias field correction on response determination and survival prediction using volumetric tumor enhancement analysis in patients with infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma, after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00054 Mon, 10 Aug 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00021 This study was designed to analyze the effects of age and clinicopathological characteristics on prognosis of Chinese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00021 Mon, 10 Aug 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00032 With the availability of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and changing liver disease etiology for liver transplantation (LT), data on the changes in LT recipient population in the DAA era are scanty. http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00032 Tue, 21 Jul 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00045 Background and Aims: Recent accumulating evidence indicates the biological actions of autotaxin (ATX) in liver disease. However, the relationship between ATX and liver failure has not been reported. The present study aimed to examine alterations of serum ATX in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and evaluate whether serum ATX could be useful as an early warning biomarker of ACLF. Methods: Serum ATX was measured in 50 patients with hepatitis B-related ACLF, 14 patients with alcohol-related ACLF, 11 patients with hepatitis B-related pre-ACLF, 11 patients with alcohol-related Child-Pugh A cirrhosis, 39 patients with hepatitis B-related Child-Pugh A cirrhosis, 26 patients with chronic hepatitis B, and 38 healthy volunteers by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum ATX level was significantly higher in the pre-ACLF group than in the Child-Pugh A cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B groups but lower than in the ACLF group; furthermore, patients with pre-ACLF deteriorated to ACLF had significantly higher serum ATX levels than pre-ACLF patients that did not progress to ACLF. Serum ATX levels were significantly higher among male ACLF patients with preclinical infection, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis or pneumonia, as compared to patients with ACLF but no spontaneous bacterial peritonitis or pneumonia. Serum ATX levels were well correlated with serum biochemical parameters of liver function and model for end-stage liver disease score. Serum ATX ?84.1 ng/mL was a poor prognostic factor for ACLF (hazard ratio of 4.750, 95% confidence interval of 1.106-20.392, p=0.036). http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00045 Tue, 21 Jul 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00004 To evaluate the efficacy of Fuzheng Huayu (FZHY), a Chinese herbal formula, plus entecavir (ETV) in regression of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with significant fibrosis/cirrhosis. http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00004 Tue, 14 Jul 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00010 This study serves to revisit the effects of liver transplantation (LT) on employment in an era of improving survival outcomes post-transplant, and to identify areas of improvement in the transplant process to better optimize post-LT employment and patient satisfaction. http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00010 Wed, 8 Jul 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00022 Hepatocellular iron accumulation in patients with chronic liver disease has been linked to adverse outcomes. The objective of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with hemosiderosis. http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00022 Fri, 3 Jul 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00015 To better understand nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) disease progression and to evaluate drug targets and compound activity, we undertook the development of an in vitro 3D model to mimic liver architecture and the NASH environment. http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00015 Mon, 14 Sep 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00033 Chronic hepatitis B or C viral infection is a common cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Fibrosis regression can be achieved after long-term antiviral therapy (AVT). Monitoring of dynamic changes in liver fibrosis after treatment is essential for establishing prognosis and formulation of a follow-up surveillance program. Routine surveillance of fibrosis after AVT by liver biopsy, the gold standard for fibrosis assessment, is hindered by its invasive nature, sampling error and observer variability. Elastography is a noninvasive quantitative alternative that has been widely used and validated for the staging of liver fibrosis prior to treatment. Recently, increasing research interest has been focused on the role of elastography in longitudinal assessment of liver fibrosis after AVT. In this review, the basic principles, acquisition techniques, diagnostic performances, and strengths and limitations of ultrasound elastography and magnetic resonance elastography are presented. Emerging evidence regarding the use of elastography techniques for the monitoring of liver fibrosis after AVT is summarized. Current challenges and future directions are also discussed, designed to optimize the application of these techniques in clinical practice. http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00033 Mon, 24 Aug 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00036 Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are slow progressive diseases which have been increasing in prevalence. The pathogeneses of PBC and PSC are incompletely understood but the underlying mechanisms appear to be fundamentally autoimmune in origin. Although PBC and PSC appear to be separate entities, overlap has been described. Diagnosis depends on a combination of serological markers, imaging, and pathological criteria. The mainstay of treatment has been ursodeoxycholic acid and in some cases of extrahepatic biliary obstruction and overlap disorder, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has been useful. http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00036 Mon, 24 Aug 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00023 Liver fibrosis is not an independent disease. It refers to the abnormal proliferation of connective tissues in the liver caused by various pathogenic factors. Thus far, liver fibrosis has been considered to be associated with a set of factors, such as viral infection, alcohol abuse, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and autoimmune hepatitis, as well as genetic diseases. To date, clinical therapeutics for liver fibrosis still face challenges, as elimination of potential causes and conventional antifibrotic drugs cannot alleviate fibrosis in most patients. Recently, potential therapeutic targets of liver fibrosis, such as metabolism, inflammation, cell death and the extracellular matrix, have been explored through basic and clinical research. Therefore, it is extremely urgent to review the antihepatic fibrosis therapeutics for treatment of liver fibrosis in current clinical trials. http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00023 Thu, 30 Jul 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00034 In this review, we examine the pharmacokinetics and clinically relevant drug interactions of the newer generation direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, specifically sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (Epclusa??, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (Vosevi??, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (Maviret??, and elbasvir/grazoprevir (Zepatier??. We searched MEDLINE (1948-January 2020), Embase (1964-January 2020), Google, and GoogleScholar using the terms pharmacokinetics, drug interaction, drug metabolism, sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, Epclusa, voxilaprevir, Vosevi, glecaprevir, pibrentasvir, Maviret, elbasvir, grazoprevir, and Zepatier, from inception to January 13, 2020. The search was limited to randomized controlled trials, in vitro studies, prospective and retrospective human studies, drug monographs, abstracts, and conference proceedings. All relevant published literature on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions involving DAAs were reviewed and the data extracted. Numerous clinically relevant drug-drug interactions (DDIs) were identified with the newer generation DAAs and commonly prescribed drugs. NS3/4A protease inhibitors are more likely to be involved in DDIs, followed by NS5A inhibitors and NS5B polymerase inhibitor. The majority of clinically relevant DDIs are predictable, according to known pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamics, and physicochemical properties of DAAs; however, in select cases, unpredictable DDIs do occur. As expected, many drug interactions exist between newer generation DAAs and commonly prescribed medications. While the majority of clinically relevant interactions are predictable, many require therapeutic dose adjustment or careful selection of non-interacting drugs. In select cases, severe and unpredictable drug interactions can occur. Clinicians should consult hepatitis C virus pharmacotherapy experts and tertiary drug interaction resources when initiating DAA therapy in patients taking other medications. http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00034 Tue, 21 Jul 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00027 Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex clinical entity which can be secondary to many other diseases including hypothyroidism, characterized by lowering of thyroid hormones and increased thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). A lot of emerging data published recently advocates the hypothesis that hypothyroid induced NAFLD could be a separate clinical entity, even suggesting possible treatment options for NAFLD involving substitution therapy for hypothyroidism along with lifestyle modifications. In addition, a whole new field of research is focused on thyromimetics in NAFLD/NASH treatment, currently in phase 3 clinical trials. In this critical review we summarized epidemiological and pathophysiological evidence linking these two clinical entities and described specific treatment options with the accent on promising new agents in NAFLD treatment, specifically thyroid hormone receptor (THR) agonist and its metabolites. http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00027 Fri, 3 Jul 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00030 Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a global health problem, affecting about 20 million people worldwide. There is significant overlap of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HEV endemicity in many Asian countries where dual infections with HEV and HBV can occur. Though the clinical course of HEV is largely self-limited, HEV superinfection in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can result in acute exacerbation of underlying CHB. HEV superinfection in patients with CHB-related cirrhosis has been identified as a risk factor for decompensated cirrhosis and an independent predictor of mortality. Whereas acute HEV infection in pregnancy can cause fulminant liver failure, the few studies on pregnant patients with dual HBV and HEV infection have shown a subclinical course. Immunosuppression is a risk factor for the development of chronic HEV infection, which can be managed by decreasing the dose of immune-suppressants and administering ribavirin. Vaccination for HEV has been developed and is in use in China but its efficacy in patients with CHB has yet to be established in the USA. In this review, we appraise studies on dual infection with HEV and HBV, including the effect of HEV superinfection and coinfection in CHB, management strategies used and the role of active vaccination in the prevention of HEV. http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00030 Fri, 11 Sep 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00031 Emitasvir is a new type of hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) inhibitor, and the data of phase 2 trial has shown emitasvir-sofosbuvir to have good safety and tolerance. We conducted this phase 3 trial to further verify the efficacy and safety. http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00031 Wed, 2 Sep 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00047 Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is a pangenotypic regimen recently approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The objective of the present review was to summarize the findings from clinical trials to understand how patient-related factors influence glecaprevir/pibrentasvir efficacy (sustained virologic response rates at 12 weeks?fter treatment [referred to as SVR12]) and safety. http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00047 Thu, 20 Aug 2020 00:00:00 EST http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00043 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new respiratory infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (commonly known as SARS-CoV-2) with multiple organ injuries. The aim of this study was to analyze COVID-19-associated liver dysfunction (LD), its association with the risk of death and prognosis after discharge. http://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/ArticleFullText.aspx?sid=2&id=10.14218%2fJCTH.2020.00043