Meetings and Courses

Announcements for this section should be submitted in the correct format at least 3 months before the required date of publication. This list is provided as a service to readers; inclusion does not imply endorsement by the HBPD INT.

Section editor

Shui-Ying Lei

Email: hbpdje@gmail.com

March, 2014

Non-coding RNAs in liver function and dysfunction March 8-9, 2014; Miami, Florida, USA

Course directors are Gregory J. Gores, MD; Nicholas F. LaRusso, MD; and Gyongyi Szabo, MD, PhD. This conference will present current basic and clinically relevant research findings by multidisciplinary experts on the biology and pathobiology of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in liver. Learning objectives are to: 1) review knowledge of the basic mechanisms by which ncRNAs help regulate normal liver function; 2) review the underlying mechanisms by which alterations in normal ncRNA cellular functions result in disease; 3) review the critical molecular pathways, potential biomarkers and therapeutic ncRNA targets of disease treatment; 4) stimulate collaborations and new research by participants addressing the roles of ncRNAs in liver function and dysfunction. For more information, please visit: http://www.aasld. org/additionalmeetings/Pages/basicstcrnas.aspx.

Asian Pacific Association for the study of the liver

March 12-15, 2014; Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

This meeting will have the themes outlined above as its platform, with a clear attempt to showcase the extraordinary quality of research in hepatology that is occurring in the Asian Pacific Region. An outstanding research workshop, an abundance of presidential, plenary and free papers, as well as multiple translational research symposia throughout the program will take this meeting to new levels. A postgraduate course devoted to viral hepatitis will allow the registrants to fully understand the new developments in this field. The postgraduate course will be complemented by a series of highly relevant clinical symposia throughout the meeting. For further information, please visit: http:// www.apasl2014.com/apasl-australia/.

AprilAACR annual meeting 2014

April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, California, USA

The 105th annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research will be held on April 5-9, 2014, in San Diego, California, USA. The program committee chairperson is Scott W. Lowe, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. This AACR annual meeting will highlight the latest and most exciting discoveries in every area of cancer research, and it will provide a unique opportunity for investigators from all over the world to meet, network, and forge new scientific interactions. This year's annual meeting theme, "Harnessing Breakthroughs · Targeting Cures," reflects the great progress being made in cancer research as discoveries in the lab are translated into treatments in an increasingly targeted and precise manner. An important new feature of the AACR annual meeting 2014 will be to include talks by rising stars in cancer research in several of the major sessions. For more information, please visit: http://www.aacr.org/home/scientists/meetings--workshops/- aacr-annual-meeting-2014.aspx.

The international liver congress? 2014---49th annual meeting of the European Association for the study of the liver

April 9-13, 2014; London, UK

The international liver congress? will take place on April 9-13, 2014 at the International Convention Centre ExCeL, London, UK. The international liver congress ? 2014 will build on its record breaking success by providing multiple opportunities to exchange expertise and network, and state-of-the-art scientific program. For further information, please visit: http://www.easl.eu/_ the-international-liver-congress/- general-information.

American College of Physicians: internal medicine 2014

April 12, 2014; Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, USA

In this session, Dr. Naga P. Chalasani will discuss the epidemiology and patterns of abnormal liver tests and how should they be evaluated. He will focus his discussion on NAFLD and when to refer a patient with suspected NAFLD to a GI/liver specialist and the general indications for a liver biopsy. For more information, please visit: http://im2014.acponline.org/.

June2014 joint international congress of ILTS, ELITA & LICAGE

June 4-7, 2014; Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London, UK

The goal of this congress is to broaden the education of scientists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, physicians, nurses, and organ procurement personnel in the care and treatment of liver transplant patients. The official language of the congress is English. For more information, please visit: http://2014.ilts.org/.

Emerging trends in antifibrotic drug trials: strategies and endpoints

June 21-22, 2014; Chicago, Illinois, USA

Course directors are Detlef Schuppan, MD, PhD; Scott L. Friedman, MD; Jonathan A. Dranoff, MD; and Natalie J. Torok, MD. This emerging trends conference will bring together experts from the field with the ultimate goal to generate consensus to facilitate trials of antifibrotics in humans. Goals and learning objectives are to: 1) identify clinical endpoints for antifibrotic treatment; 2) understand the design of clinical trials for antifibrotic treatment; 3) enhance collaborative efforts -- including the FDA and pharmaceutical companies; 4) develop consensus for existing and future trials in fibrosis research. For more information, please visit: http://www. aasld.org/additionalmeetings/Pages/emergingtrendsantifi brotic.aspx.

September

8th ILCA annual conference

September 5-7, 2014; Kyoto, Japan

The goals of the International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA) are as follows: 1) is committed to promoting basic, clinical, translational, multidisciplinary and multi-national liver cancer research, including the development of clinical trials; 2) fosters, encourages and facilitates scientific exchange and dissemination of knowledge; 3) strives to educate physicians, scientists, allied healthcare professionals and the general public at large; 4) will educate international and national health authorities on the diagnosis, prevention and management of liver cancer; 5) values collaboration with other learned societies, governmental organisations, professional associations, groups, institutions and individuals who contribute to progress in the field. For more information, please contact: International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA), Avenue de Tervueren, 300, B-1150 Brussels, Belgium. Tel: 32-0-2-789-2345; Fax: 32-0-2-743-1550; Email: info@ilca-online.org. Website: http://www.ilca2014.-org/.

AASLD/EASL special conference on hepatitis C

September 12-13, 2014; Sheraton New York, New York, USA

Course directors are Adrian M. Di Bisceglie, MD, FACP; Michael W. Fried, MD; Alessio Michele Aghemo, MD, PhD; and Darius Moradpour, MD. The objectives of this conference are to: 1) evaluate the impact of new strategies for screening of hepatitis C in the United States and abroad; 2) understand the changing global epidemiology of HCV infection; 3) recognize the role and limitations of non-invasive tests for staging hepatic fi brosis; 4) understand the strengths and limitations of recently approved therapeutic regimens compared to if rst generation triple therapy regimens; 5) understand barriers to care and identify potential solutions to improve global access to new HCV therapies. For more information, please visit: http://www.aasld.org/ additionalmeetings/Pages/hcvspecialconference. aspx.

2nd world congress on controversies in gastroenterology (CIGI)

September 12-14, 2014; Xi'an, China

The 2nd CIGI congress aims to circulate up-to-date information and provide unique opportunities for world leaders within the field to debate most vital and contentious issues in the field of gastroenterology and endoscopy. This thought-provoking academic dialogue will bring to light the most current clinical and technological questions. The scientific program will include overviews, state-of-the-art lectures and controversial debates. The format includes a significant allocation of time for interactive debates and questions from the audience to each panel of experts. Participants are encouraged to take an active role in the discussions with faculty members which follow each debate, in a unique and open environment. Through these exciting discussions, key issues will be raised and provide practitioners with tailored recommendations regarding patient care. For more information, please contact: Headquarters & Administration: 53 Rothschild Boulevard, PO Box 68, Tel Aviv, 6100001, Israel. Tel: 972-3-5666166; Fax: 972-3-5666177; Email: Info@ comtecmed.com. Comtec China: Suite 405, Universal Center Building, 175 Xiang Yang Road South, Shanghai 200031, China. Tel: 86-21-54660460; Fax: 86-21-54660450; Email: china@comtecmed.com. Website: http://www. comtecmed.com/CIGI.

10.1016/S1499-3872(14)60017-5)