1 To determine serum ATX, various cytokines, and outcome parameters of BA patients compared with those in age-matched controls.
2 To analyze expression and hepatic localization of ATX in liver tissues of BA patients compared with those in age-matched controls.
3 To explore DNA methylation of ATX promoter regions in BA patients compared with those in age-matched controls and to compare methylation levels of ATX promoter regions between fibrosis and non-fibrosis BA patients.
4 To examine the telomere length in BA patients compared with age-matched controls and to evaluate the relationship of telomere length and outcome parameters of BA patients.
5 To evaluate Alu and LINE-1 methylation compared with age-matched controls.
