The Week in Review: August 4 – August 11, 2017

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Friday, August 11, 2017

Research & Discoveries

Melbourne scientists are creating mini-livers in a dish
MELBOURNE scientists are creating mini livers in a dish using a world-first combination of human cells in an ambitious bid to grow liver tissue for transplants. The tiny experimental organs – developed from cells donated by cancer patients – will be used to test drugs and eventually treat disease.

Routine hospital tool found to predict poor outcomes after liver transplantation
A routinely used hospital tool can predict which liver transplant recipients are more likely to do poorly after surgery, according to a study led by Cedars-Sinai. The findings could help doctors identify which patients should receive physical therapy or other targeted interventions.

Hepatitis B

UK rations hepatitis B vaccine amid global shortage
UK health officials are putting a temporary limit on who can have a hepatitis B vaccination because stocks are running low. The move is in response to the wider, global shortage of the jab caused by manufacturing issues. UK travellers are being told they may not be able to get it before they leave Britain for higher-risk countries. Babies and high-risk groups will be prioritised under the measures that are expected to continue into 2018.

Subcirrhotic Liver Stiffness Cuts HCC Risk in Hepatitis B
For patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), achievement of subcirrhotic range of liver stiffness (sc-LS) with antiviral therapy (AVT) is associated with reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), according to a study published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. During the study period, the researchers found that after 2 years of AVT, 67.0% of patients achieved sc-LS and 13.4% of patients developed HCC.

Feel Good

Vancouver PRIDE 2017 Sunset Beach
HepCBC joined forces with the Vancouver Infectious Disease Centre to provide visitors to the PRIDE FESTIVAL with information about hepatitis C risk factors, testing, and treatment – plus the support available.