Richard K. Sterling, Velimir A. Luketic, Arun J. Sanyal, Mitchell L. Shiffman – 30 December 2003 – Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a severe, life‐threatening disorder. Previous studies have suggested that intravenous prostaglandin treatment may improve survival in FHF. The present study was performed to further investigate the possible benefit of intravenous prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)for patients with FHF. A total of 18 patients, all excluded as candidates for hepatic transplantation, were studied. Thirteen of 18 participated in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial.

Tousif M. Pasha, Russell H. Wiesner, Linda M. Dahlke, Michael K. Porayko, Ruud A.F. Krom – 30 December 2003 – Neoral is a new formulation of cyclosporine based on microemulsion technology, designed to provide increased and more reliable absorption of the medication. The aim of this study was to assess whether conversion from Sandimmune to Neoral provides safe and effective oral immunosuppression in stable liver transplant recipients. We studied 59 stable liver transplant recipients (being treated with prednisone, azathioprine, and Sandimmune).

Sally E. Tarbell, Beverly Kosmach – 30 December 2003 – Although liver transplantation has become an effective treatment for end‐stage liver disease and liver/intestine transplantation is becoming an increasingly viable procedure for end‐stage short‐gut syndrome in children, little is known about the impact of these procedures on the child's family. Examination of the impact of these transplantations on the family is needed to identify psychosocial factors that may adversely affect the child's physical and emotional health and to plan for preventive interventions.

Frank V. Schiødt, Evren Atillasoy, A. Obaid Shakil, Eugene R. Schiff, Cary Caldwell, Kris V. Kowdley, Risë Stribling, Jeffrey S. Crippin, Steven Flamm, Kenneth A. Somberg, Hugo Rosen, Tim M. McCashland, J. Eileen Hay, William M. Lee, the Acute Liver Failure Study Group – 30 December 2003 – Little information is available on acute liver failure (ALF) in the United States. We gathered demographic data retrospectively for a 2‐year period from July 1994 to June 1996 on all cases of ALF from 13 hospitals (12 liver transplant centers).

Kenneth E. Sherman, Joelle Sickler, Jaime Aranda‐Michel, Frederick L. Weber, Stephen Martin, James Whiting, Douglas Hanto – 30 December 2003 – Hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation is a serious problem, leading to increased graft loss and morbidity in some individuals. Treatment with interferon and other agents is controversial and not highly efficacious. The use of an effective antiviral agent to reduce or eliminate viral burden is desirable.

Stephen M. Riordan, Roger Williams – 30 December 2003

Karin W. Houben, John L. McCall – 30 December 2003 – Liver resection is the treatment of choice for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurring in the absence of underlying chronic liver disease. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is reserved for patients with unresectable disease but remains controversial. The aim of this study was to review the published literature on OLT for HCC in patients without coexisting chronic liver disease. A Medline‐based search identified 126 patients reported in 16 papers over the last 32 years.

Ashokkumar B. Jain, Randeep Kashyap, Jorge Rakela, Thomas E. Starzl, John J. Fung – 30 December 2003 – The introduction of tacrolimus has shown decreased rates of acute and steroid‐resistant rejection after liver transplantation (LTx). The aim of the present study is to examine the long‐term efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in primary liver transplant recipients. The first 121 consecutive adults (aged >16 years) who underwent primary LTx at a single center from August 1989 to February 1990 were followed up until August 1997.

Alighieri Mazziotti – 30 December 2003

M. Susan Mandell – 30 December 2003