Nelson Fausto The Greek myth of Prometheus with its picture of a vulture feasting on its chained victimhas traditionallyprovided a visualimageofliverregeneration. Itis apowerful and frightening representationbut ifone were to substitute the vulture by a surgeon and Prometheus by a patient laying on a properly prepared operating table, the outcomeoftheprocedurewould not differ significantlyfrom that describedbyGreek poets. Yet few of us who work in the field have stopped long enough to ask where this myth originated. Did the poet observe a case of liver regeneration in a human being? Was it brilliant intuition or perhaps, literally, just a 'gut feeling' of a poet looking for good rhymes that led to the prediction that livers grow when part of the tissueisremoved? Thisbookdoesnotattemptto solve these historical issues. Itdoes, instead, cover in detail some of the major modem themes of research on liver regen eration, injury and repair. As indicated in Dr. N. Bucher's chapter, the modem phase ofexperimental studies on liver regeneration started in 1931 with the publication by Higgins and Anderson of a method to perform a two-thirds resection of the liver of a rat. The technique described has 3 remarkable features: 1) it is highly reproducible, resulting in the removal of 68% of the liver, 2) it has minimal if any mortality, and 3) it consists only of blood vessel ligation and does not involve cutting through or wounding hepatic tissue.

Liver Regeneration: Basic Mechanisms, Relevant Models and Clinical Applications presents cutting-edge information on liver regeneration research through an integrated, systems-wide perspective. The book addresses discoveries on hepatic progenitor cells, liver regeneration after chemical damage, and liver regeneration as a prime therapy for liver failure and disease. By addressing the urgent need for translating basic research findings into clinically relevant modalities and potential therapeutic applications, the book provides the data needed to improve liver patient management. Hundreds of full-color, graphic photographs and illustrations underline key elements and show researchers and students important aspects of liver transplantation, immunofluorescence, and other techniques used in liver regeneration. Summarizes current liver regeneration studies and discussions on expected discoveries Provides an overview of standard scientific and cutting-edge technologies to study liver regeneration Presents details on the molecular mechanisms that affect liver regeneration Highly illustrated, with hundreds of full-color, graphic photographs and illustrations to enhance the learning process

This book is devoted to innovative medicine, comprising the proceedings of the Uehara Memorial Foundation Symposium 2014. It remains extremely rare for the findings of basic research to be developed into clinical applications, and it takes a long time for the process to be achieved. The task of advancing the development of basic research into clinical reality lies with translational science, yet the field seems to struggle to find a way to move forward. To create innovative medical technology, many steps need to be taken: development and analysis of optimal animal models of human diseases, elucidation of genomic and epidemiological data, and establishment of “proof of concept”. There is also considerable demand for progress in drug research, new surgical procedures, and new clinical devices and equipment. While the original research target may be rare diseases, it is also important to apply those findings more broadly to common diseases. The book covers a wide range of topics and is organized into three complementary parts. The first part is basic research for innovative medicine, the second is translational research for innovative medicine, and the third is new technology for innovative medicine. This book helps to understand innovative medicine and to make progress in its realization.

understanding the mechanisms involved in liver regeneration is of crucial importance for clinical medicine, not only regarding carcinogenesis and diabetes treatment, but also for the use of stem cells for cell therapy and liver surgery. This graduate-level text provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of liver regeneration. Hepatic stem cells are introduced and the important players involved in regeneration such as oval cells, bone marrow and stellate cells are reviewed. The cell signaling pathways that initiate liver regeneration and regulate the switch between proliferation and apoptosis are presented and the role of liver stem cells in tumorigenesis is discussed. The book also treats the epigenetic regulation of liver stem cells and the roles of inflammation and angiogenesis in liver regeneration. This compact overview of the fascinating regenerative capacity of the liver will be of interest to graduate students and post-docs in molecular biology, biochemistry and medicine.

Because of its marked capacity to regenerate and the ability of chemical carcinogens and viruses to ready transform hepatocytes, the liver has been used extensively as a model for investigating the molecular mechanisms of cellular proliferation and carcinogenesis. Recently, striking advances have occured in the understanding of hepatocyte growth regulation and the manner in which chemical agents and viruses alter these normal growth regulatory pathways in liver carcinogenesis. This explosion of information has occured in a multitude of researh disciplines. This book brings together current findings in a coherent manner, from a molecular point of view. Three sections cover in detail the areas of liver regeneration, liver carcinogenesis, and liver tumor therapy. The contributors are pioneers and leaders in this field. * Logical organization of material in three detailed and comprehensive sections: liver regeneration, liver carcinogenesis, and liver tumor treatment * Contributors are pioneers and leaders in the field * There are currently no books on this subject on the market * Research focus is at the molecular level

An extremely practical text, this new edition of Diseases of the Liver and Biliary System in Children covers the essentials of paediatric hepatology. The range of material is wide and has been revised and updated to include the latest advances. Many helpful algorithms and tables are included and the references at the end of each chapter have been carefully selected so as to provide the most up-to-date information available. A concluding section comprising some 100 carefully annotated plates, completes this text. Containing the contributions of 23 internationally acclaimed authorities, active both clinically and in research, the book provides an essential guide to the diagnosis and management of paediatric liver diseases, both common and uncommon for all those involved in the care of the child with liver disease. Diseases of the Liver and Biliary System in Children has become THE REFERENCE of choice for the paediatric gastroenterologist, hepatologist and surgeon.