Antonella Pellicoro, Fiona A. J. van den Heuvel, Mariska Geuken, Han Moshage, Peter L. M. Jansen, Klaas Nico Faber – 26 January 2007 – Bile acid–coenzyme A:amino acid N‐acyltransferase (BAAT) is the sole enzyme responsible for conjugation of primary and secondary bile acids to taurine and glycine. Previous studies indicate a peroxisomal location of BAAT in peroxisomes with variable amounts up to 95% detected in cytosolic fractions. The absence or presence of a cytosolic pool of BAAT has important implications for the intracellular transport of unconjugated/deconjugated bile salts.

Yun‐Fan Liaw – 26 January 2007

Antonio Nocito, Panco Georgiev, Felix Dahm, Wolfram Jochum, Michael Bader, Rolf Graf, Pierre‐Alain Clavien – 26 January 2007 – Hepatic ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) leads to the formation of leukocyte–platelet aggregates. Upon activation, platelets generate reactive oxygen species and release proapoptotic and proinflammatory mediators as well as growth factors. In cold hepatic ischemia, adhesion of platelets to endothelial cells mediates sinusoidal endothelial cell apoptosis. Furthermore, platelet‐derived serotonin mediates liver regeneration.

Diethard Monbaliu, Jos van Pelt, Rita De Vos, Joanne Greenwood, Jaakko Parkkinen, Tina Crabbé, Marcel Zeegers, Katrien Vekemans, Joël Pincemail, Jean‐Olivier Defraigne, Johan Fevery, Jacques Pirenne – 26 January 2007 – More extensive use of non‐heart‐beating donors (NHBD) could reduce mortality on liver transplantation waiting lists, but this is associated with more primary nonfunction (PNF).

26 January 2007

Tadahiro Uemura, Henry B. Randall, Edmund Q. Sanchez, Toru Ikegami, Gomathy Narasimhan, Greg J. McKenna, Srinath Chinnakotla, Marlon F. Levy, Robert M. Goldstein, Goran B. Klintmalm – 26 January 2007 – Initial graft function following liver transplantation is a major determinant of postoperative survival and morbidity. Primary graft nonfunction (PNF) is uncommon; however, it is one of the most serious and life‐threatening conditions in the immediate postoperative period.

Koichi Tanaka, Shinji Uemoto, Hiroto Egawa, Yasutsugu Takada, Kazue Ozawa, Satoshi Teramukai, Mureo Kasahara, Kohei Ogawa, Masako Ono, Hiroshi Sato, Kenji Takai, Masanori Fukushima, Kayo Inaba – 26 January 2007 – Previous studies have shown that postoperative infection is highest in transplant recipients with preexisting high levels of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). To study this phenomenon, 106 adult liver transplant recipients were divided into 3 groups, based on hierarchical clustering of the CD3+CD8+CD45 isoform fractions prior to living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Shashikiran Donthamsetty, Vishakha S. Bhave, Mayurranjan S. Mitra, John R. Latendresse, Harihara M. Mehendale – 26 January 2007 – This study tested whether hepatic steatosis sensitizes liver to toxicant‐induced injury and investigated the potential mechanisms of hepatotoxic sensitivity. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed a methionine‐ and choline‐deficient diet for 31 days to induce steatosis.

Arturo Gonzalez‐Quintela, Santiago Lojo, Esteban Otero, Luis F. Perez – 26 January 2007

Eric T. Castaldo, C. Wright Pinson, Irene D. Feurer, J. Kelly Wright, D. Lee Gorden, Beau S. Kelly, Ravi S. Chari – 26 January 2007 – Biliary complications following orthotopic liver transplantation have been reported in 10% to 30% of patients. Most surgeons perform an end‐to‐end choledochocholedochostomy with interrupted sutures for biliary reconstruction.