Saket Singhal, Richard W. Ellis, Stephen G. Jones, Sarah J. Miller, Neil C. Fisher, J.G. Mark Hastings, David J. Mutimer – 30 December 2003 – The purpose of this study is to prospectively evaluate a strategy in which prophylaxis with amphotericin B lipid complex at 3 different dosages was targeted to liver transplant recipients at high risk for the development of invasive fungal infection (IFI). High risk was defined as a postoperative requirement for prolonged (≥5 days) intensive care unit (ICU) treatment.

Giuliano Testa, Massimo Malagó, Camino Valentín‐Gamazo, Gert Lindell, Christoph E. Broelsch – 30 December 2003 – Since the introduction of adult‐to‐adult living donor liver transplantation using the right lobe of the liver, biliary problems have led the list of complications resulting in postoperative morbidity. We report our experience with the first 30 living donor liver transplantations performed in our institution from August 1998 to January 2000. Patients were 21 men and 9 women, with a mean age 45 ± 16 years.

Gregory J. Gores – 30 December 2003 – Key Points

Juan Figueras, Laura Llado, Carlos Valls, Teresa Serrano, Emilio Ramos, Juan Fabregat, Antonio Rafecas, Jaume Torras, Eduardo Jaurrieta – 30 December 2003 – Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is one of the most difficult tumors to stage and treat. This study aims to evaluate (1) the best diagnostic imaging, (2) the usefulness of preoperative biliary drainage, (3) the resectability rate, and (4) the results of palliative treatments and surgical resection. Seventy‐six patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma with a mean age of 64 ± 11 years were treated at our institution from 1989 to 1999.

Edoardo Giannini, Roberto Testa – 30 December 2003

Rong‐Nan Chien, Chau‐Ting Yeh, Sun‐Lung Tsai, Chia‐Ming Chu, Yun‐Fan Liaw – 30 December 2003 – There are inconsistent data on the durability of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion after lamivudine is discontinued. The aim of this study was to examine the determinants for sustained HBeAg response to lamivudine therapy. Both host and viral factors as well as the drug factor were compared between 43 patients with sustained HBeAg response and 39 patients whose response was not sustained.

Rafael Esteban – 30 December 2003

Lawrence Serfaty, Antoine De Leusse, Olivier Rosmorduc, Benoit Desaint, Jean‐Francois Flejou, Olivier Chazouilleres, Renée E. Poupon, Raoul Poupon – 30 December 2003 – Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the first‐line treatment for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The long‐term administration of UDCA might indirectly favor colon carcinogenesis by increasing the fecal excretion of secondary bile acids or, in contrast, it might inhibit colon carcinogenesis, as demonstrated in animal models.

Philippe Lettéron, Angela Sutton, Abdellah Mansouri, Bernard Fromenty, Dominique Pessayre – 30 December 2003 – Although many steatogenic drugs inhibit mitochondrial fatty acid β‐oxidation, limited information is available on possible effects on hepatic lipoprotein secretion.

Anthony B. Post – 30 December 2003