Recombinant adeno‐associated virus vector: Is it ideal for gene delivery in liver transplantation?

Zhen‐Fan Yang, Xiao‐Bing Wu, Tung‐Yu Tsui, Yun‐De Hou, John M. Luk, Sheung‐Tat Fan – 30 December 2003 – Recombinant adeno‐associated virus vector (rAAV) is an effective and safe gene‐delivery tool. However, its application in solid‐organ transplantation has not been addressed.

Systemic hemodynamic effects of treatment with the molecular adsorbents recirculating system in patients with hyperacute liver failure: A prospective controlled trial

Lars E. Schmidt, Lars Peter Wang, Bent A. Hansen, Fin Stolze Larsen – 30 December 2003 – The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of a single treatment with the molecular adsorbents recirculating system (MARS) on systemic hemodynamics and oxygen consumption (VO2) in patients with hyperacute liver failure (HALF). In a controlled design, eight patients with HALF were assigned to a 6‐hour MARS treatment, and five patients, to a control group that was mechanically cooled to match the MARS group. Systemic hemodynamic variables were determined hourly during the study period.

Predominance of pre‐S1 mutated hepatitis B virus in a patient following treatment with adefovir dipivoxil

Erica Villa, Valentina Boarino, Antonella Grottola, Roberta Gelmini, Nicole G. Lama – 30 December 2003 – A liver transplant recipient reinfected with a lamivudine‐resistant mixed wild‐type/pre‐S1–deleted hepatitis B virus (HBV) strain and rescued with adefovir dipivoxil was still HBV DNA positive after more than 1 year of therapy. Analysis of serum HBV DNA, amplified by polymerase chain reaction and directly sequenced by dideoxy nucleotide chain‐termination method, showed that adefovir inhibited the wild type, but not the pre‐S1–deleted HBV.

Toward better outcomes with tacrolimus therapy: Population pharmacokinetics and individualized dosage prediction in adult liver transplantation

Christine E. Staatz, Charlene Willis, Paul J. Taylor, Stephen V. Lynch, Susan E. Tett – 30 December 2003 – Patient outcomes in transplantation would improve if dosing of immunosuppressive agents was individualized. The aim of this study is to develop a population pharmacokinetic model of tacrolimus in adult liver transplant recipients and test this model in individualizing therapy. Population analysis was performed on data from 68 patients. Estimates were sought for apparent clearance (CL/F) and apparent volume of distribution (V/F) using the nonlinear mixed effects model program (NONMEM).

Conversion from intravenous to intramuscular hepatitis B immune globulin in combination with lamivudine is safe and cost‐effective in patients receiving long‐term prophylaxis to prevent hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation

Steven‐Huy Han, Paul Martin, Marc Edelstein, Rena Hu, Gregg Kunder, Curtis Holt, Sammy Saab, Francisco Durazo, Leonard Goldstein, Douglas Farmer, Rafik M. Ghobrial, Ronald W. Busuttil – 30 December 2003 – Recurrent hepatitis B infection after liver transplantation was previously frequent and associated with significant allograft failure and mortality. Recurrence rates of hepatitis B were improved with the use of passive immunoprophylaxis with hepatitis B immune globulin, and later, lamivudine monotherapy.

Effect of ischemic preconditioning on hepatic microcirculation and function in a rat model of ischemia reperfusion injury

Rahul S. Koti, Wenxuan Yang, Michael R. Dashwood, Brian R. Davidson, Alexander M. Seifalian – 30 December 2003 – Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) may protect the liver from ischemia reperfusion injury by nitric oxide formation. This study has investigated the effect of ischemic preconditioning on hepatic microcirculation (HM), and the relationship between nitric oxide metabolism and HM in preconditioning. Rats were allocated to 5 groups: 1. sham laparotomy; 2. 45 minutes lobar ischemia followed by 2‐hour reperfusion (IR); 3.

Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: A safe and effective bridge to liver transplantation

Robert J. Fontana, Halimi Hamidullah, Hanh Nghiem, Joel K. Greenson, Hero Hussain, Jorge Marrero, Steve Rudich, Leslie A. McClure, Juan Arenas – 30 December 2003 – The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in the United States. Although liver transplantation is an effective means of treating selected patients, pretransplantation tumor progression may preclude some patients from undergoing transplantation.

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