Psychosocial aspects of pediatric living donor liver transplantation

Sylvia Kroencke, Christian Wilms, Dieter Broering, Xavier Rogiers, Karl‐Heinz Schulz – 12 July 2006 – While the medical aspects of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) have been investigated to a comparatively large degree, only in recent years have psychosocial aspects like donors' quality of life and attitude towards living donation been dealt with. In the course of a retrospective study, we examined 36 pediatric living liver donors at an average of 4.5 ± 2.8 years postoperatively.

Analysis of renal function in the immediate postoperative period after partial liver transplantation

Luis Gajate, Ascensión Martín, Elena Elías, Maria T Tenorio, Angélica de Pablo, Cristina Carrasco, Adolfo Martínez, Angel Candela, Javier Zamora, Fernando Liaño – 12 July 2006 – Although renal dysfunction is common after liver transplantation, postoperative renal function after split liver transplantation (SLT) has not been well studied. Renal function immediately after surgery was analyzed retrospectively in 16 patients that received a SLT (SLT group).

Response to transarterial chemoembolization as a biological selection criterion for liver transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma

Gerd Otto, Sascha Herber, Michael Heise, Ansgar W. Lohse, Christian Mönch, Fernando Bittinger, Maria Hoppe‐Lotichius, Marcus Schuchmann, Anja Victor, Michael Pitton – 6 July 2006 – Criteria to select patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for liver transplantation (LT) are based on tumor size and number of nodules rather than on tumor biology. The present study was undertaken to assess the role of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in selecting patients with tumors suitable for LT.

Transient elastography for diagnosis of advanced fibrosis and portal hypertension in patients with hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation

Jose A. Carrión, Miquel Navasa, Jaume Bosch, Miquel Bruguera, Rosa Gilabert, Xavier Forns – 5 July 2006 – Recurrence of hepatitis C after liver transplantation (LT) is the main cause of graft loss and retransplantation. Frequent liver biopsies are essential to follow‐up hepatitis C virus (HCV)–induced liver damage. However, liver biopsy is an invasive and expensive procedure. We evaluated prospectively the diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive measurement of liver stiffness (by transient elastography) to assess the severity of hepatitis C recurrence after LT.

Different anti‐HCV profiles of statins and their potential for combination therapy with interferon

Masanori Ikeda, Ken‐ichi Abe, Masashi Yamada, Hiromichi Dansako, Kazuhito Naka, Nobuyuki Kato – 23 June 2006 – We recently developed a genome‐length hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA replication system (OR6) with luciferase as a reporter. The OR6 assay system has enabled prompt and precise quantification of HCV RNA replication. Pegylated interferon (IFN) and ribavirin combination therapy is the world standard for chronic hepatitis C, but its effectiveness is limited to about 55% of patients. Newer therapeutic approaches are needed.

Outcome of acute hepatitis C is related to virus‐specific CD4 function and maturation of antiviral memory CD8 responses

Simona Urbani, Barbara Amadei, Paola Fisicaro, Daniela Tola, Alessandra Orlandini, Luca Sacchelli, Cristina Mori, Gabriele Missale, Carlo Ferrari – 23 June 2006 – A timely, efficient, and coordinated activation of both CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets following HCV infection is believed to be essential for HCV control. However, to what extent a failure of the individual T cell subsets can contribute to the high propensity of HCV to persist is still largely undefined.

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