The immune response against SARS-CoV-2 is comprised of both cellular and humoral arms. Antibody-based serological tests are being developed to achieve higher sensitivity and specificity. Administration of convalescent plasma containing anti-viral antibodies was proposed to improve the outcome in severe cases. In this paper, we review some of the aspects associated with the development of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and their potential use for improved diagnosis and therapy.

This study examines the quality of outpatient preventive care in a large, ethnically diverse cohort of outpatients with cirrhosis at a high-volume tertiary liver transplant center. Receipt of evidence-based quality indicators, including preventive processes for ascites, esophageal varices, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, and general cirrhosis care, was variable and overall low. These findings suggest that larger system redesign efforts are needed to improve the quality of care, beyond just improving access to specialty providers.

Changes in SMA, myostatin, BTR and ammonia were compared between the splenectomy/PSE and non-treatment group. Significant differences were observed between the splenectomy/PSE and non-treatment group for the median ΔBTR, Δammonia, Δmyostatin, and ΔSMA.

To gain insights into mechanisms underlying coagulopathy in malnutrition, we fed mice a low-protein, low-fat diet and assessed hepatic gene expression and plasma coagulation indices. Malnourished males were affected more profoundly than females, and exhibited coagulopathy, decreased expression of fibrinogen-alpha and factor 11, decreased FXR activation, and decreased FXR binding to regulatory elements on these two coagulation factor genes. These findings are associated with profoundly depleted PPAR-alpha protein, peroxisome loss, and decreased concentrations of FXR agonist bile acids in malnourished males but not females.