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Discovery of unusual HBV in shrews offers new opportunity to better understand the disease

The discovery of an unusual hepatitis B virus from shrews offers new opportunities of better understanding the chronic progression of the disease. International research teams were able to demonstrate that an important protein which is essential for the development of a chronic course of infection is not present in this virus.

3 Aug 2019

Genetics may influence the composition of the microbiome more than environmental factors

Researchers have found that the microbiome is influenced by genetics much more than it is by the maternal birth environment.

29 Jul 2019

Trial shows nor-urso as an effective treatment option for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

A team led by Michael Trauner at MedUni Vienna's Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology demonstrated the beneficial effect of synthetically produced bile acid with the active agent nor-ursodeoxycholic acid (nor-urso) in the hitherto incurable liver disease primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) around two years ago.

29 Jul 2019

Comprehensive cell atlas of the human liver

The liver is one of the largest and most versatile organs of the human body. It turns sugars, proteins, and fats from our food into substances useful for the body and releases them to the cells.

11 Jul 2019

Researchers identify genes linked with survival in children with biliary atresia

Scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have identified an expression pattern of 14 genes at the time of diagnosis that predicts two year, transplant-free survival in children with biliary atresia – the most common diagnosis leading to liver transplants in children.

19 Jun 2019

Men who eat yogurt twice a week are less likely to develop bowel cancer

Eating two or more servings of yogurt (over 245g) per week can reduce the risk of men developing pre-cancerous growths that can lead to bowel cancer.

19 Jun 2019

Scientists describe microbiome composition in patients suffering from IBD and PSC

In 2012, Professor Jeroen Raes launched the Flemish Gut Flora Project. Sequencing fecal samples of over 3,000 healthy volunteers, Prof. Raes and his team defined the boundaries of a normal, health-associated gut microbiota.

18 Jun 2019

Bacteriophage can have a profound impact on the dynamics of gut microbiome, study finds

The gut microbiome is a complex, interconnected ecosystem of species. And, like any ecosystem, some organisms are predators and some are prey.

7 Jun 2019

Early removal of some pancreatic cysts could decrease cancer risk, save lives

By analyzing medical records of 901 adults who had surgery for a certain type of precancerous pancreatic cyst, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine and The Karolinska Institute in Sweden have updated parameters for an anatomical “marker” that can tell more precisely if these cysts are likely to develop into lethal pancreatic cancers.

From Johns Hopkins Medicine 15 May 2019

New link found between NAFLD and rare pregnancy complication

A new link has been found between a rare and serious condition that typically presents as itchy palms during pregnancy and the world's most common chronic liver disease, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week® 2019.

9 May 2019

Unusually small antibodies could help CAR T-cell therapies to kill solid tumors

In 1989, two undergraduate students at the Free University of Brussels were asked to test frozen blood serum from camels, and stumbled on a previously unknown kind of antibody. I

12 Apr 2019

Unexpected function of enzyme in sounding alarm about liver damage could lead to new treatments

On a normal day, the cells of a human liver do what they do best - making key blood proteins, clearing toxins from the blood and sending their remains down the digestive tract in a never-ending stream of bile.

9 Apr 2019

Gut microbiome signatures in colorectal cancer transcend culture and diet

Patients with colorectal cancer have the same consistent changes in the gut bacteria across continents, cultures, and diets -- a team of international researchers, from University of Copenhagen among others, find in a new study.

4 Apr 2019

New analysis establishes global microbial signatures for colorectal cancer

Cancers have long been known to arise due to environmental exposures such as unhealthy diet or smoking. Lately, the microbes living in and on our body have entered the stage as key players: while stomach cancer can be caused by a single bacterial species, Helicobacter pylori, the role that gut microbes play in the development of colorectal cancer - the third most common cancer worldwide - is less clear.

2 Apr 2019

New research aims to turn worms against parasite-associated cancer

Billions worldwide are infected with tropical worms. Unsurprisingly, most of these people live in poor countries, kept poor by the effects of worm-related malnourishment.

26 Mar 2019

Study finds how Salmonella bacteria sense presence of bile acids in their surroundings

When bacteria enter the digestive tracts of their hosts, including humans, they encounter a highly acidic environment.

21 Mar 2019

Machine learning approach sheds light on the biology of liver and kidneys after toxin exposure

Exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is a reality of life. Our ancestors, faced with naturally occurring toxins, evolved mechanisms to detoxify and expel damaging substances.

15 Mar 2019

Researchers identify first genetic defect linked to biliary atresia

A nationwide consortium of researchers has identified the first genetic defect linked to biliary atresia, a mysterious liver disease that is the leading cause for liver transplantation in children.

5 Mar 2019

Researchers are developing and testing novel gene therapy to cure Crigler-Najjar syndrome

Crigler-Najjar syndrome affects about one in a million people at birth. Because of a defective gene, these individuals lack an essential enzyme in their liver to eliminate bilirubin, a toxic bile pigment that accumulates in all body tissues causing jaundice and potentially leading to irreversible and lethal neurological damage.

28 Feb 2019

New study finds how high-fat diets fuel colorectal cancer growth

As cancer death rates drop overall, doctors have noted a frightening anomaly: deaths from colorectal cancer in people under 55 appear to be creeping up. According to the American Cancer Society, deaths in this younger group increased by 1 percent between 2007 and 2016.

22 Feb 2019