Association of serum adipocytokines with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: The pathogenic mechanisms of hepatic steatosis in hepatitis C (HCV) remain unclear.

Aim: To assess the potential role of cytokines and adipokines in HCV-related steatosis and fibrosis.

Methods: We profiled several adipokines, cytokines, and related soluble molecules in 99 HCV patients and analyzed their potential associations with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis.

[Performance of record linkage for cancer registry data linked with mammography screening data].

The evaluation of the German Mammography Screening Program requires record linkage with data from cancer registries in order to measure the number of false-negative mammograms and interval cancers. This study aims at evaluating the performance of the established linkage method based on identifiers encrypted by the standard procedure of the German cancer registries. In addition, the results are compared with an alternative method based on plain text identifiers.

Gene expression profile associated with superimposed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Hepatic steatosis occurs in 40-70% of patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus [chronic hepatitis C (CH-C)]. Hepatic steatosis in CH-C is associated with progressive liver disease and a low response rate to antiviral therapy.

Aim: Gene expression profiles were examined in CH-C patients with and without hepatic steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis.

Long-term follow-up of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver.

Background & Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a wide spectrum of conditions ranging from simple hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) convincingly. NASH is the only subtype of NAFLD that has been shown to progress relatively, although these findings were reported from studies with short follow-up periods. We assessed the long-term outcomes of a NAFLD cohort.