Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting the presence of altered serum proteins in an Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-infected patient with liver inflammation, comprising: obtaining a sample of serum from the patient; subjecting the sample to protein gel electrophoresis to separate proteins contained therein; staining proteins separated on the electrophoresis gel with silver nitrate solution; scanning the images of stained proteins into an image analysis scanner to obtain gel images; comparing the gel images to control samples of electrophoresis gels prepared from serum of normal patient and serum of HBV-infected patient with liver inflammation to determine whether the sample of serum from the patient contains specific serum proteins. This invention also provides serum protein biomarkers for the diagnosis of patients with HBV infection and liver inflammation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting the presence of altered serum proteins in an Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-infected patient with liver inflammation, comprising: obtaining a sample of serum from the patient; subjecting the sample to protein gel electrophoresis to separate proteins contained therein; staining proteins separated on the electrophoresis gel with silver nitrate solution; scanning the images of stained proteins into an image analysis scanner to obtain gel images; comparing the gel images to control samples of electrophoresis gels prepared from serum of normal patient and serum of HBV-infected patient with liver inflammation to determine whether the sample of serum from the patient contains specific serum proteins. This invention also provides serum protein biomarkers for the diagnosis of patients with HBV infection and liver inflammation.

Abstract: Products and methods for treating fibrosis, liver cirrhosis and cancer, and for altering or modulating the expression of genes regulated by transforming growth factor—beta (TGF-?) are provided. Nucleic acid molecules comprising TGF-response elements have a high affinity for transcription factors modulated by TGF-?. In one embodiment, nucleic acid molecules comprising TGF-? response elements can be used as decoys to alter the expression of genes regulated by TGF-? (e.g., pro?1(I) collagen) and treat a variety of conditions related to aberrant expression of TGF-? regulated genes (e.g., fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, tumors, cancers).

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting the presence of altered serum proteins in an Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-infected patient with liver inflammation, comprising: obtaining a sample of serum from the patient; subjecting the sample to protein gel electrophoresis to separate proteins contained therein; staining proteins separated on the electrophoresis gel with silver nitrate solution; scanning the images of stained proteins into an image analysis scanner to obtain gel images; comparing the gel images to control samples of electrophoresis gels prepared from serum of normal patient and serum of HBV-infected patient with liver inflammation to determine whether the sample of serum from the patient contains specific serum proteins. This invention also provides serum protein biomarkers for the diagnosis of patients with HBV infection and liver inflammation.

Abstract: Products and methods for treating fibrosis, liver cirrhosis and cancer, and for altering or modulating the expression of genes regulated by transforming growth factor—beta (TGF-?) are provided. Nucleic acid molecules comprising TGF-response elements have a high affinity for transcription factors modulated by TGF-?. In one embodiment, nucleic acid molecules comprising TGF-? response elements can be used as decoys to alter the expression of genes regulated by TGF-? (e.g., pro?1(I) collagen) and treat a variety of conditions related to aberrant expression of TGF-? regulated genes (e.g., fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, tumors, cancers).

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting the presence of altered serum proteins in an Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-infected patient with liver inflammation, comprising: obtaining a sample of serum from the patient; subjecting the sample to protein gel electrophoresis to separate proteins contained therein; staining proteins separated on the electrophoresis gel with silver nitrate solution; scanning the images of stained proteins into an image analysis scanner to obtain gel images; comparing the gel images to control samples of electrophoresis gels prepared from serum of normal patient and serum of HBV-infected patient with liver inflammation to determine whether the sample of serum from the patient contains specific serum proteins. This invention also provides serum protein biomarkers for the diagnosis of patients with HBV infection and liver inflammation.