[Progress of the liver transplantation programme in Hungary].

The history of organ transplantation in Hungary dates back to 50 years, and the first succesful liver transplantation was performed in the United States in that time as well. The number of patients with end stage liver disease increased worldwide, and over 7000 patients die in each year due to liver disease in Hungary. The most effective treatment of end-stage liver disease is liver transplantation.

[50-year history of kidney transplantation in Hungary].

The first Hungarian kidney transplantation was performed by András Németh in Szeged in 1962, approximately 50 years ago. A preliminary agreement with Eurotransplant was signed in 2011, and special patient groups gained benefit from this cooperation in 2012, wnich lead to a full membership to Eurotransplant. This event inspired the authors to review the history of Hungarian kidney transplantation of the past 50 years, from the first operation to recent via the specific cornerstones of the transplant program.

Tacrolimus-based, steroid-free regimens in renal transplantation: 3-year follow-up of the ATLAS trial.

Background: Long-term use of corticosteroids is associated with considerable morbidity, including cardiovascular and metabolic adverse effects.

Methods: This study evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of two steroid-free regimens compared with a triple immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplant recipients. This was a 3-year follow-up to a 6-month, open-label, randomized, multicenter study.

Molecular profiling of parathyroid hyperplasia, adenoma and carcinoma.

The objective of the study was to examine proliferation and apoptosis associated gene expression in the whole sequence parathyroid lesions to reveal specific features of carcinoma. This study was based on surgically removed parathyroid tissues, gene expression analysis was performed both at gene and protein level. First, mRNA isolation was performed from deep-frozen tissue samples, and further apoptosis pathway-specific cDNA macroarray analysis was carried out.

Transplantation in Hungary--preface on the occasion of Transplantation Proceedings becoming the official journal of the Hungarian Transplantation Society.

The first, long-term successful kidney transplantation happened 37 years ago in Hungary. At the same time an organized renal program was initiated followed by transplantations of other solid organs. The authors remember previous milestone operations and the preceding events.

Tacrolimus combined with two different corticosteroid-free regimens compared with a standard triple regimen in renal transplantation: one year observational results.

Side effects of steroid use have led to efforts to minimize their use in transplantation. Two corticosteroid-free regimens were compared with a triple immunosuppressive therapy. Data from the original intent-to-treat (ITT) population (153 tacrolimus/basiliximab [Tac/Bas], 151 tacrolimus/MMF [Tac/MMF], and 147 tacrolimus/MMF/steroids [control]) were analyzed in a 12-month follow-up.

[Investigation of redox homeostasis in liver and renal transplant recipients].

The time course of free radical reactions is evaluated by the authors. Within pretransplant patients as of their poorly functioning metabolism free radical overproduction may be observed, hence their antioxidant capacity decreases. When the graft is functioning well, the free radical-antioxidant balance of homeostasis is reestablished.

Malignancies after renal transplantation during 33 years at a single center.

This study provides an analysis of incidence and characteristics of malignant tumors of 2535 patients who underwent renal transplantation between 1973 and 2007 at the Transplantation Center in Budapest. One hundred ninety-three malignant diseases were found in 188 patients (7.6%).

[Changes in gene expression in the course of proliferative processes in the parathyroid gland].

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in expression pattern of the most important genes connected with apoptosis in proliferative apoptotic lesions (hyperplasia, adenoma), applying cDNA microarray technique, in order to promote the possible diagnostic or therapeutic utilisation of any difference in gene expression compared to the healthy (normal) parathyroid gland. Samples were taken from surgically removed 2 hyperplasias, 2 adenomas and 2 normal parathyroid glands. The Apoptosis Gene Array (Superarray) was used.

[Diagnosis and treatment outcome in primary aldosteronism based on a retrospective analysis of 187 cases].

Introduction: Primary aldosteronism is the most common form of mineralocorticoid hypertension. The disease has been described by Jerome W. Conn in 1955; since that time there has been a great progress in the knowledge concerning the prevalence, diagnostics and treatment of the disease.

Two corticosteroid-free regimens-tacrolimus monotherapy after basiliximab administration and tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil-in comparison with a standard triple regimen in renal transplantation: results of the Atlas study.

Background: The side effects associated with corticosteroids have led to efforts to minimize their use in renal transplant patients. In this study we compared two corticosteroid-free tacrolimus-based regimens with a standard triple therapy.

Methods: This was a 6-month, phase III, open-label, parallel-group, multicenter study.

[Comparison of the results of conventional, crossclamp and piggyback technique in liver transplantation].

The authors evaluate the results of the technical variants of liver transplantion in the first 10 years. They present the technique of conventional and piggyback liver transplantation. Their aim is to compare the outcome of the two surgical implantation techniques.

[Clinical factors influencing the complications and survival of liver transplantation in Hungary].

Unlabelled: Clinical factors in association with the complications and the outcome of liver transplantation. The Hungarian experience. Demography, morbidity, perioperative characteristics and mortality.

[The demographic, perioperative and mortality characteristics of the Hungarian Liver Transplant Program].

Introductions: The authors summarize the demographic, morbidity and mortality characteristics of the Hungarian Liver Transplant Program.

Aims: They evaluate the changes and development, that has taken place with regard to indications, recipient population and characteristics, operation technique, and peroperative patient management.

Method: In order to present the development, data are compared between two time periods (before and after 1999).

[Our experiences with surgical treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors].

Introduction: Stromal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract are rare neoplasms, but they are the most common ones of mesenchymal origin. In a large proportion of patients clinical onset is represented by surgical emergencies. Incidence of GIST is calculated to be 10-20 cases per million per year.

Steroid withdrawal at 3 months after kidney transplantation: a comparison of two tacrolimus-based regimens.

The 6 month prospective, randomized study compared the steroid-sparing potential of two tacrolimus-based regimens after renal transplantation. A total of 489 patients were randomized (1:1) to receive tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)/steroids (n = 243; group Tac/MMF/S) or tacrolimus/azathioprine/steroids (n = 246; group Tac/Aza/S). At 3 months, steroids were tapered off in 267 (54.

Single-layer continuous suturing for end-to-end colonic anastomosis using a modified closed-bowel technique.

We describe our modified technique of performing one-layer continuously sutured colonic anastomosis, which we introduced in 1995. We also present the preliminary results of performing end-to-end intra-abdominal colonic anastomosis constructed by single-layer continuous suturing using the closed-bowel technique in 106 patients. Mortality was 2.

[New results in allotransplantation of pancreatic islet cells].

An up-to-date synthesis of pancreatic islet allotransplantation is included in this summary, with emphasis on new developments and clinical results of the field. Rationale for islet transplantation in type 1 diabetes mellitus, current patient selection criteria, clinical data, technical aspects of organ procurement, islet isolation and transplantation are highlighted. The current challenges are also presented and analysed.

Apoptosis and P53, Bcl-2 and Bax gene expression in parathyroid glands of patients with hyperparathyroidism.

Altogether 107 patients were operated on at the Department of Transplantation and Surgery of Semmelweis University in the past four years, for clinical symptoms of hyperparathyroidism. Clinical and laboratory data of the patients supported the diagnosis of primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism. Chronically impaired renal function was found in 52 cases.

Is obesity a favorable factor for resectability of rectal cancer?

Background/aims: It is well established that unresectable rectal tumors have a detrimental effect on long-term survival. Predictive factors for resectability focused on the body mass index and surgeon case volume were assessed in the present study.

Methodology: Data of 387 patients with rectal cancer and 284 patients with colon tumor who underwent elective surgical exploration during two periods (1986-1992 and 1994-2001) were evaluated.

[Combined interferon-alfa-2b and ribavirin therapy in patients with recurrent chronic hepatitis c after liver transplantation].

Unlabelled: Interferon with ribavirin therapy has been proposed for the treatment of hepatitis C recurring in liver transplants.

Aim Of The Study: Was to assess the efficacy of standard combination therapy (interferon plus ribavirin) of chronic hepatitis C in transplanted patients with recurrent severe HCV induced chronic hepatitis.

Methods: 12 patients with HCV-PCR positive reaction (genotype 1b) were treated with the therapy of interferon-alpha-2b (3 MU three times a week) and 800-1000 mg ribavirin daily.

Influence of obesity on lymph node recovery from rectal resection specimens.

Careful lymph node dissection from colorectal resection specimens is important procedure for cancer staging. Present study intended to assess the impact of surgical technique and patient's obesity on this process. Number of lymph nodes harvested by manual dissection from resection specimens of 141 patients with rectal cancer and the rate of nodal metastases were analyzed and compared in different groups of patients selected by length of resection specimen and body mass index.