Maria R. De Miglio, Maria R. Muroni, Maria M. Simile, Diego F. Calvisi, Paola Tolu, Luca Deiana, Angelo Carru, Gabriella Bonelli, Francesco Feo, Rosa M. Pascale – 30 December 2003 – Molecular mechanisms of basal and D‐amphetamine (AMPH)‐induced apoptosis were studied in rat liver nodules, 12 (N12) and 30 (N30) weeks after initiation, and in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by diethylnitrosamine in rats subjected to resistant hepatocyte model. Basal apoptosis in hematoxylin/eosin– and propidium iodide–stained sections was higher in nodules and HCC than in normal livers.

Michael Bauer, Inge Bauer, Natalie V. Sonin, Nicole Kresge, Rajiv Baveja, Yukihiro Yokoyama, David Harding, Jian X. Zhang, Mark G. Clemens – 30 December 2003 – Endothelins (ET) are important regulators of the hepatic microcirculation that act through different receptor subtypes. We investigated functional significance of ETB receptors in mediating microhemodynamic effects of ETs in normal and endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS])‐primed rat liver. LPS priming (Escherichia coli O26:B6; 1 mg · kg−1) selectively increased ETB mRNA and led to a shift in available receptors to the ETB subtype.

Àngels Escorsell, Josep Maria Bordas, Beatriz Castañeda, Josep Llach, Joan Carles García‐Pagán, Joan Rodés, Jaume Bosch – 30 December 2003 – Noninvasive measurements of variceal pressure adequately reflect the hemodynamic effects of propranolol on portal hypertension. However, the prognostic value of variceal pressure responses during continued propranolol therapy has not been evaluated, and it is unclear whether this may substitute invasive measurements of portal pressure response.

Josep M. Llovet, Jordi Bruix, Gregory J. Gores – 30 December 2003

Tim Shaw, Stephen Locarnini – 30 December 2003

Kevin McLaughlin, Sandra Wajstaub, Paul Marotta, Paul Adams, David R. Grant, William J. Wall, Anthony M. Jevnikar, Kamilla S. Rizkalla – 30 December 2003 – Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is associated with immunosuppression and lymphotrophic viral infections. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been identified as a risk factor for non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, but no association between HCV and PTLD has been shown.

Giorgio Enrico Gerunda, Daniele Neri, Roberto Merenda, Franco Barbazza, Fabio Zangrandi, Francesco Meduri, Marco Bisello, Michele Valmasoni, Antonio Gangemi, Alvise Maffei Faccioli – 30 December 2003 – The aim of this study was to clarify whether chemoembolization (TACE) before liver resection (LR) can reduce postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence and improve disease‐free and overall survival. Eighty‐nine patients with tumor‐stage (TNM) I‐II HCC were evaluated for LR. Patients were prospectively allocated to LR alone or TACE plus LR based on their place of residence.

Nagappan Kumar, David Grant – 30 December 2003 – Gastrointestinal transplantation is a life‐saving option for patients who have chronic intestinal failure and cannot tolerate total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Early referral is important because of the scarcity of donors and the increased risk of complications in debilitated recipients. One‐year patient survival rates range from 50% to 70%. Despite the use of intense immune suppression, most patients experience at least 1 episode of graft rejection. More than 80% of the survivors are able to stop TPN and resume an unrestricted oral diet.

Fatima A. Figueiredo, E. Rolland Dickson, Tousif M. Pasha, Michael K. Porayko, Terry M. Therneau, Michael Malinchoc, Sara R. DiCecco, Nickie M. Francisco‐Ziller, Pavla Kasparova, Michael R. Charlton – 30 December 2003 – Protein‐calorie malnutrition, best measured by body cell mass (BCM) depletion, has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with end‐stage liver disease.

Andrea Duchini, R. Michael Hendry, David C. Redfield, Paul J. Pockros – 30 December 2003 – Infection with influenza virus poses specific problems in pediatric and adult liver transplant recipients, both before and after liver transplantation. These include a higher rate of pulmonary and extrapulmonary complications, development of rejection with graft dysfunction, prolonged shedding of influenza virus, and increased drug‐resistance. Hepatic decompensation may occur during influenza infection in patients with cirrhosis.