Actin‐free Gc globulin: A rapidly assessed biomarker of organ dysfunction in acute liver failure and cirrhosis

Charalambos G. Antoniades, Philip A. Berry, Matthew Bruce, Timothy J.S. Cross, Andrew J. Portal, Munther J. Hussain, William Bernal, Julia A. Wendon, Diego Vergani – 30 August 2007 – Reductions in serum levels of Gc globulin, a hepatically synthesized component of the extracellular actin scavenger system responsible for complexing circulating actin and attenuating intravascular microthrombus formation, are associated with poor outcome in acute liver failure. Clinically applicable assays of the important actin‐free fraction (Af‐Gc) have not been available until now.

Performance of the new MELD‐Na score in predicting 3‐month and 1‐year mortality in chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B

Vincent Wai‐Sun Wong, Angel Mei‐Ling Chim, Grace Lai‐Hung Wong, Joseph Jao‐Yao Sung, Henry Lik‐Yuen Chan – 30 August 2007 – The new Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD)‐Na score has been validated in a population predominantly affected by chronic hepatitis C and alcoholic liver disease. We aimed to validate the score in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B–related complications admitted to the hospital from 1996 to 2003.

Liver transplantation for porphyria: Who, when, and how?

Avnish Kumar Seth, Michael N. Badminton, Darius Mirza, Scott Russell, Elwyn Elias – 30 August 2007 – Porphyrias are a heterogenous group of diseases that may result in disabling or life threatening neurovisceral symptoms and/or cutaneous photosensitivity. In acute intermittent porphyria, the clinical features, particularly neurological symptoms, may be life‐threatening and disabling. Conventional treatment with human hemin, though effective in reducing symptoms, does not reverse neuropathy when structural nerve damage has occurred and may cause intense phlebitis.

Excellent results of cardiac surgery in patients with previous liver transplantation

Farzan Filsoufi, Parwis B. Rahmanian, Javier G. Castillo, Eva Karlof, Thomas D. Schiano, David H. Adams – 30 August 2007 – Cardiovascular diseases requiring surgical therapy in patients with prior liver transplantation are rare. Little is known about the outcome of patients with liver allograft undergoing cardiac surgery. Herein we report our experience in this patient population with an emphasis on operative outcomes and mid‐term survival.

Intrahepatic portal cavernoma as an indication for liver transplantation

Cristina H. Hajdu, Takahiro Murakami, Thomas Diflo, Bachir Taouli, Jordan Laser, Lewis Teperman, Lydia M. Petrovic – 30 August 2007 – Cavernous transformation of the portal vein (portal cavernoma) consists of a periportal or/and intrahepatic venous collateral network, developed as a result of acute or long‐standing portal vein thrombosis. Better control of hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications in the patients with portal cavernoma substantially improves their life span and the clinical outcome.

Initial steroid bolus injection promotes vigorous CD8+ alloreactive responses toward early graft acceptance immediately after liver transplantation in humans

Hiroto Egawa, Shingi Uemoto, Yasutugu Takada, Kazue Ozawa, Satoshi Teramukai, Hironori Haga, Mureo Kasahara, Kouhei Ogawa, Hiroshi Sato, Masako Ono, Kenji Takai, Masanori Fukushima, Kayo Inaba, Koichi Tanaka – 30 August 2007 – We have found that steroid bolus withdrawal prior to graft reperfusion increased the incidence of acute cellular rejection (ACR). This study aims to clarify how initial steroid bolus (ISB) injection at reperfusion influences the kinetics of CD8+ alloreactive immune responses immediately after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

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