Then he showed that tissue from failing hearts contains far more TNF than healthy hearts do, suggesting it may degrade the fibrous tissue that holds the heart together.

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The French scientists looked at 163 non-drinkers who had fatty livers - where fat deposits build up in the organ, potentially leading to formation of fibrous tissue and then to cirrhosis or even liver cancer - to see how many of them had the sleep disorder.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Sleep disorder liver disease link

The body tries to wall off the fatty plaques with fibrous scar tissue, but inflamed plaques can produce enzymes that weaken the scar tissue.

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More than 2 million Americans suffer from debilitating heel pain stemming from inflammation of the plantar fascia, a fibrous band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot.

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