1%) and LGR5 (0.7%). Fractions revealed distinct gene expression patterns. Of all combinations, cells that co-expressed surface CD326 and SSEA4 demonstrated the highest gene expression for the proliferation marker MKi67 and hepatic markers DLK1, AFP and ALB, and were the only fraction negative for the biliary epithelial marker KRT19. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Temsirolimus.html Histology of adult and fetal liver showed cells positive for CD326 and SSEA4 but negative for CK19. CD326-positive cells represent a heterogeneous population, which in combination with SSEA4 potentially distinguishes bile duct epithelium from hepatic stem cells. These findings can help to further classify human hepatic progenitor stages. CD326-positive cells represent a heterogeneous population, which in combination with SSEA4 potentially distinguishes bile duct epithelium from hepatic stem cells. These findings can help to further classify human hepatic progenitor stages. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence will be diminishing due to use of direct acting antiviral agents (DAA), but there is still constant risk for HCC development. Elevated serum g-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity is associated with increased risk of liver cancer. In our study we tried to determine whether change in GGT activity may be useful in identifying patients with elevated risk of HCC development after DAA treatment. The study population consisted of 111 patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treated with DAA. Laboratory tests [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), GGT, a-fetoprotein (AFP)] and liver stiffness measurement (using FibroScan) were performed at the beginning and at the end of therapy. Pre-treatment ALT activity, GGT activity and AFP concentration in patients with CHC were directly associated with the stage of liver fibrosis. Elimination of HCV after DAA treatment caused significant reduction in serum GGT activity and was not associated with pre-treatment liver fibrosis. AFP concentration was significantly lower after treatment. It was observed regardless of pre-treatment AFP concentration, but the largest reduction was demonstrated in the group of patients with advanced fibrosis. In multivariate analysis there was no significant difference in GGT activity after treatment only in patients with pre-treatment normal AFP concentration and advanced liver fibrosis. Patients who after achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) did not lower both AFP concentration and GGT activity may have higher risk of HCC development. Special monitoring may be required in patients with advanced liver fibrosis and normal AFP concentration before treatment. Patients who after achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) did not lower both AFP concentration and GGT activity may have higher risk of HCC development. Special monitoring may be required in patients with advanced liver fibrosis and normal AFP concentration before treatment. Intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is the main cause of hepatitis B virus (HBV) persistence. Therefore, a noninvasive serum biomarker that can reflect intrahepatic cccDNA is required for evaluation of HBV virological, biochemical activity and therapeutic response. Aim of the study was to assess serum hepatitis B pregenomic RNA in low viremia patients (HBV DNA < 2000 IU/ml) and high viremia (HBV DNA > 2000 IU/ml). This study was carried out on two groups of chronic hepatitis B patients group A - 40 patients with low viremia (HBV DNA < 2000 IU/ml); group B - 40 patients with high viremia (HBV DNA > 2000 IU/ml when diagnosed). They were assessed before treatment and after 6 months of treatment (entecavir 0.5 mg/24 h). Serum HBV pregenomic RNA was quantified using RT-PCR. Pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) was significantly lower in group A than in group B (before treatment). Moreover, it was significantly lower after 6 months of treatment than before treatment in group B. A significant positive correlation was observed between pgRNA and HBV DNA in groups A and B (before treatment); however, after 6 months of treatment of group B patients, although 35 patients had undetectable HBV DNA, they showed detectable levels of serum pgRNA and pgRNA > 4000 IU/ml was associated with virological and biochemical activity. Serum HBV pregenomic RNA might be a promising marker for assessment of HBV virological, biochemical activity and evaluating therapeutic responses. Serum HBV pregenomic RNA might be a promising marker for assessment of HBV virological, biochemical activity and evaluating therapeutic responses. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, with poor treatment outcomes often because of delayed diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess the co-incidence of cirrhosis, alcohol abuse, hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and fatty liver disease in patients in the population of north-eastern Poland, to analyse the usefulness of α-fetoprotein (AFP) in the diagnosis of HCC and to assess the effectiveness of HCC treatment in this group. The study involved 104 patients diagnosed with HCC. The age, sex, comorbidities, HCC risk factors and levels of AFP were analysed. The effect of antiviral therapy of HCV and HBV on HCC development was observed and the effectiveness of therapies used in the treatment of HCC was assessed. Over 90% of patients with HCC were older than 45 years. The incidence of HCC was higher in men than in women. Patients with HCC were also diagnosed with cirrhosis (72%), alcohol abuse (35%), HCV infection (35%), HBV infection ufficient screening for HCC. Partial hepatectomy and radiofrequency ablation show comparable effectiveness in the treatment of HCC. Ultrasound surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among cirrhotic patients is the currently used modality but it is operator dependent. Combining a tumor marker with ultrasound may improve sensitivity for early HCC detection. Our aim was to assess the galectin-3 level among HCC and cirrhotic patients on top of chronic hepatitis C to evaluate its possible role as a tumor marker for HCC surveillance among cirrhotic patients. The study was conducted on 160 subjects. They were grouped as follows group 1 40 patients with HCC secondary to liver cirrhosis on top of chronic hepatitis C; group 2 40 patients with cirrhosis secondary to chronic hepatitis C; group 3 40 patients with chronic hepatitis C without advanced fibrosis; group 4 40 healthy controls. Serum galectin-3 levels were determined in all subjects using ELISA. Serum galectin-3 level was significantly higher in HCC patients than in those with chronic hepatitis C ( < 0.001). Also it was significantly higher among cirrhotic patients than in patients with chronic hepatitis C ( < 0.