Because of the increasing burden of hepatitis C and fatty liver disease, there is an explosion in the prevalence of chronic liver failure and hence its complications. The onset of Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) in these patients has a significant impact on the quality of life, morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, the approach observed by most clinicians to this complex disorder is minimalistic. Hepatic Encephalopathy provides a comprehensive review on pathophysiology and clinically important aspects in HE. Topics in basic physiology, nitrogen metabolism, new insights into pathogenesis and brain edema are covered in great detail. The authors have made a special effort by simplifying the complex aspects of pathogenesis and diagnosis so that it can be easily understood and applied clinically. This volume also focuses on recent developments regarding diagnoses of subtle forms of HE, also known as minimal or covert HE as well as on new treatments. Hepatic Encephalopathy will be of great value to gastroenterologists, hepatologists, pathologists, medical residents, fellows, internists, and general practitioners who treat patients with hepatic encephalopathy.

Autoimmune (IgG4-related) Pancreatitis and Cholangitis reviews the breadth of clinical, imaging, histological, laboratory, and imaging features associated with IgG4-associated systemic disease, especially AIP and IAC. Written by experts in their fields, each chapter includes an overview of existing data as well as the most up-to-date scientific information and emerging data. The book also addresses areas of uncertainty and controversy, briefly highlighting clinical and research needs relative to the respective topic. Comprehensive and easy to use, Autoimmune (IgG4-related) Pancreatitis and Cholangitis is a valuable resource for physicians who deal with or are interested in these complex disease processes, including gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and surgeons.

This volume presents the most recent developments in diagnosis and treatment of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and those who continue to be refractory to conventional GERD therapies. The book delineates the role of newly developed endoscopic therapies in GERD and outlines the best candidates for surgical fundoplication. Topics as the risks associated with GERD, lifestyle modification in GERD and the role of H2RA and proton pump inhibitor therapy in treating reflux disease are also explored. Written by authorities in the field, Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a concise yet comprehensive resource that is useful for primary care providers, gastroenterologists, pulmonologists, surgeons and ENT specialists.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Targeted Therapy provides a detailed repository of the latest information regarding HCC epidemiology, diagnosis, imaging, pathology, staging, and treatment options. This volume also provides an up-to-date guide for treatment that explores not only traditional treatments, but newer investigational treatment options including, surgical resection, liver transplantation, ablation (radiofrequency, microwave), percutaneous ethanol or acetic acid injection, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), intra-arterial radiation therapy, and systemic chemotherapy. Heptocellular Carcinoma: Targeted Therapy will be of great value to all health care professionals and trainees worldwide who have an interest in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC, including surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, and pathologists.

In recent years, knowledge about the cell biology of the cholangiocytes and the function of the bile ducts has increased considerably. Their role in liver diseases is increasingly recognized. As a consequence, important progress has been made not only in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology but also in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary liver diseases. This book, the proceedings of the Falk Symposium 107 on Diseases of the Liver and the Bile Ducts - New Aspects and Clinical Implications', held in Prague, Czech Republic, on April 30-May 2, 1998, brings together scientists and clinicians to highlight the most recent advances in molecular biology, physiology, diagnosis and therapy of diseases of the biliary system. World experts cover a broad spectrum of topics from genetic tests to endoscopy and from medical treatment to liver transplantation.

The Liver in Biology and Disease was conceived as a sequel in the series "Principles of Medical Biology," whose general aim continues to be the integration of human biology and molecular cell biology into modern molecular medicine. It is a volume molded by the Information Revolution which few will deny has forced the teaching faculties in our medical schools to curtail and prune the teaching load and focus on fundamentals and principles. With this intention in mind, a volume of this nature takes into account the close dependence of progress in the medical sciences on bioinformatics (gene and protein analysis) or more precisely, computational biology and of course, the Internet. In general, it follows the pattern of its predecessors.
*Chapters are illustrated with numerous figures and references are current
*Clear, concise and accurate text about a large number of liver diseases
*Describes the liver's histology, biochemistry, and pathology in molecular terms

Although cell turnover in normal adult liver is extremely low, hepatic tissue is notorious for its almost infinite capacity to regenerate in cases of viral, toxic or traumatic damage. Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most frequent malignancies worldwide and causes more than a million deaths per year. The mechanisms governing normal proliferation and malignant transformation of liver cells are of utmost interest for the understanding of regeneration and hepatocarcinogenesis and for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Therefore, the International Falk Workshop held in Halle, Germany, on January 29-30 1998, focused on the issues of normal and malignant liver cell growth. Knowledge in this area of research has expanded rapidly during recent years. This book of proceedings summarizes the latest advances both in basic science and clinical research. Stimulating discussion set the basis for the development of new strategies in diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and for the manipulation of regeneration in cases of acute or chronic loss of functional liver tissue.

At the Mie International Symposium held in Japan in April 1994, leading scientists reviewed recent advances in the understanding of the contractile mechanism in smooth muscle. The present volume collects the papers presented at the symposium, summarizing the latest advances in smooth muscle function and emphasizing important components of the contraction-relaxation cycle. Topics include a discussion of the smooth muscle cell membrane, with emphasis on its ion channels; the regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ levels and the relationship to force in smooth muscle; aspects of the two key regulatory enzymes involved with myosin phosphorylation-dephosphorylation; the molecular basis for pharmacomechanical coupling in smooth muscle; developments in the basic contractile mechanisms involving the crossbridge cycle of tonic and phasic muscle; the role of myosin light chains; and many others. The approach is broad and presents contemporary opinions in pharmacology, physiology, and biochemistry as they relate to smooth muscle function. The book will appeal not only to those working in these disciplines, but to vascular clinicians, obstetric-gynecological physicians, and gastroenterologists as well.

The condition of prolonged obstructive jaundice with patent bile ducts was first described in 1851 by Addison and Gull of Guy's Hospital, London. The term primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) was defined in 1950 by Ahrens and colleagues of the Rockefeller Institute, New York. The condition was considered rare but this changed in 1965 with the discovery of a definitive diagnostic serum mitochondrial antibody test and the recognition that a raised serum alkaline phosphatase value, often discovered incidentally, could be a diagnostic pointer. If the diagnosis is made earlier, the end stages are rarely reached as death is replaced by liver transplantation. On November 6th 1997, in Chicago, an International Faculty discussed in depth the clinical features, pathogenesis and treatment of PBC, no longer considered a rare disease. The course of PBC is long, but some 18 years after the discovery of a positive mitochondrial antibody test in a symptom free patient with normal serum biochemistry, 83% will have developed abnormal tests and 76% will be symptomatic. Identification of those who will progress rapidly is difficult. The serum antimitochondrial profile may be useful but this is a very specialist technique. Mathematical prognostic models are useful in therapeutic trials and in the selection and timing of patients for liver transplantation but have limited value in individual patients. An increasing serum bilirubin level remains the most important indicator of rapid progression. Its value however can be negated by the use of ursodeoxycholic acid which has a bilirubin-lowering effect."

As a major transplantation center, the University of Pittsburgh has conducted more than 300 liver transplants. Because the problems faced by an institution contemplating the initiation of such an organ transplantation program are many, unique, and often unexpected, the university has been beseiged by requests from other physicians and hospitals for training and advice. This book represents much of the accumulated experience on hepatic transplantation to date.

Laparoscopic Liver, Pancreas and Biliary Surgery: Textbook and Illustrated Video Atlas is the perfect learning tool for all surgeons managing patients requiring advanced liver, pancreas and biliary surgery minimally invasively. This highly immersive text and video atlas will provide surgeons from trainee to advanced levels of practice, including, general surgeons, hepato-pacreatico-biliary surgeons, transplant surgeons and surgical oncologists, with a step-by-step, multi-media teaching atlas on performing laparoscopic liver surgery, anatomically correct, safely and effectively. The atlas will teach the surgeons to perform anatomic liver resections of each liver segment expertly and logically, and will cover lobectomies, extended resections, advanced laparoscopic pancreas surgery (including Whipple) and other procedures. A special emphasis is placed on reproducibility of excellence in surgical technique. Each video will be supported by outstanding illustrations for each technique and 3D renderings of the relevant anatomy. The educational step-by step high-definition videos teach everything you need to know, including critical aspects like patient positioning, port placement, dissection and much more. Led by the pioneers in laparoscopic liver, pancreas and biliary surgery, Brice Gayet and Claudius Conrad, the textbook-chapters will be authored by world experts and will contain surgical tips and tricks garnered from their unique experiences, to improve care, management of complications, relevant society guidelines and excellence in oncologic care for patients with hepato-pancreato-biliary cancers.

Hepatic sinusoidal cells such as sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, hepatic stellate cells, and pit cells play an important role in hemodynamic and metabolic function and are involved in various liver diseases. The frequent involvement of sinusoidal cells in pathologic conditions is explained by the diverse actions of those cells, an understanding of which is essential to clinicians. Generously illustrated, this volume presents results of recent studies on hepatic sinusoidal cells in liver diseases, with an introduction to the structure and function of the various types of sinusoidal cells. The in-depth focus of the book is on the role of hepatic sinusoidal cells in relation to liver injury and regeneration, hepatic sinusoidal microcirculation, alcoholic liver diseases, hepatic fibrosis, liver tumor, liver transplantation, cholestasis, and congenital lipidosis, thus providing a valuable reference source for practitioners and researchers.

In recent years there have been huge advances in the understanding of the genetic and molecular basis of the fibrocystic diseases. This volume provides a thorough review of fibrocyctic diseases that affect the liver. It contains in-depth discussions of the genetics, molecular biology, pathogenesis, histology, clinical presentations, complications of, treatment, and prognosis of the conditions affecting children and adults, and hence will be the gold-standard reference for these conditions. In addition, the histological features that distinguish these conditions from other potentially fibrosing hepatopathies are illustrated. Conditions with syndromic features involving the kidney or other organ systems are also reviewed. Thorough review of the clinical phenotypes, their presentations, treatment, potential complications of, and prognosis is discussed.

Fibrocystic Diseases of the Liver will be an invaluable resource for hepatologists, gastroenterologists, nephrologists, and hepatic surgeons who care for children and adults with liver disease, as well as basic scientists in molecular genetics, hepatobiliary pathophysiology, hepatology and nephrology.

More than 2 million people in Japan have chronic hepatitis C and many of them will lose their lives to liver cirrhosis or complications of hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis C virus-related diseases are a serious concern both in developing countries and in Japan and the United States, where the number of patients is also in the millions. Therapeutic modalities recently developed in Japan, including interferon therapy and nutritional supportive therapy, are gaining worldwide acceptance. At this critical juncture, HCV and Related Liver Diseases presents new information on etiology, pathology, diagnosis, and therapy. Viral hepatitis was the theme of the Yamaguchi Symposium on Liver Disease, meeting in December 1998 and attended by leading hepatologists and virologists. Collected in this volume are the papers from the symposium, providing a valuable resource for hepatologists, gastroenterologists, and others working to understand and treat viral hepatitis.

This book is written as a reference and guidebook for practicing surgeons, gastroenterologists, and interventional radiologists with an interest in hepatobiliary diseases. It presents a strategy to enhance surgeons practice and the care of patients.

This book is the proceedings of Falk Symposium 157, entitled ?Chronic Hepatitis: Metabolic, Cholestatic, Viral and Autoimmune?, held in Freiburg, Germany, on 10--11 October 2006 (one of three symposia during the XIII Falk Liver Week 2006). It provides up-to-date information on new developments in the field of chronic hepatitis and its various entities. In recent decades we have learned how heterogeneous the clinical entity of chronic hepatitis has become. The liver, as the central organ of metabolism and detoxification, is more than ever a target of disease processes evolving from the spread of obesity in the western world. Apart from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), alcoholic liver disease is still the most prevalent liver disease in the west...

The therapeutic handling of autoimmune liver disease is limited because basic mechanistic insights into immunologically mediated pathophysiology have not yet been translated into standard pharmacological treatments. A future expansion of the incidence of autoimmune liver diseases is anticipated because of growing rates of exposure to an increased variety of xenobiotics of dietary, pharmaceutical or environmental origin. This book, the proceedings of an International Falk Workshop held in Konstanz, Germany, January 23-24, 1997, aims to share front-line thinking among immunologists, biochemists, pharmacologists and clinicians in order to better understand the aetiology of this liver disease and its relation to extra-hepatic factors.

Since the discovery of superoxide dismutase more than three decades ago, there has been rapid growth in the knowledge of oxidative stress and disease. This volume containing the proceedings of the 13th Yamaguchi Symposium on Liver Disease includes discussion of the direct cellular effects of hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteins on hepatocytes and reviews evidence that oxidative stress caused primarily by the HCV core protein plays a key role in disease pathogenesis. Also included are chapters on new aspects of oxidative stress and liver disease such as carbon monoxide as a regulator of liver microcirculation, hepatic iron accumulation and the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma, and oxidative stress in the absence of inflammation in hepatocarcinogenesis. This collection of papers from the Yamaguchi Symposium creates a valuable reference resource for physicians and hepatologists.