Association between donor and recipient Interleukin-18 gene polymorphisms and the risk of infection after liver transplantation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the association between Interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene polymorphisms of the donor and recipient in liver transplant patients with bacterial infections.

Methods: Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs7106524, rs5744247, rs1946518, rs549908 and rs187238) of the IL-18 gene from the donors were genotyped and their association with post-operative bacterial infections was evaluated in liver transplant patients (N=113). A second independent group of liver transplant patients from a different organ transplant centre was also recruited for validation purposes (N=44).

Long-Term Outcomes of Simultaneous Liver-Kidney Transplant Patients with Hepatitis B Compared to with Liver Transplant Alone.

Background: The number and survival rate of simultaneous liver-kidney transplant (SLKT) recipients have increased dramatically since 2002. However, the long-term effectiveness of SLKT in patients with hepatitis B is unknown.

Material/methods: Forty-six patients who visited the Organ Transplant Center of the Shanghai First People's Hospital between January 2001 and May 2005 had hepatitis B virus infection and renal failure (any degree), and underwent organ transplantation: 21 patients underwent SLKT and 25 patients underwent liver transplant (LT) alone.

Case report: living donor liver transplantation for giant hepatic hemangioma using a right lobe graft without the middle hepatic vein.

Hepatic hemangioma patients with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome have reportedly been cured by liver transplantation. However, liver transplantation as a potential cure for a stable patient without Kasabach-Merritt syndrome remains debatable. We report the case of a 27-year-old female patient with a giant hepatic hemangioma.

Effect of ursodeoxycholic acid administration after liver transplantation on serum liver tests and biliary complications: a randomized clinical trial.

Background/aims: Endogenous hydrophobic bile acids are suspected to be one of the pathogenetic factors of biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). This study was designed to investigate the effects of hydrophilic ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) administration early after OLT on serum liver tests and the incidence of biliary complications.

Methods: 112 adult patients undergoing OLT from donation after cardiac death (DCD) were randomized to UDCA (13-15 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks; 56 patients) or placebo (56 patients).

Multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections after liver transplantation - spectrum and risk factors.

Objectives: Gram-negative bacilli infections, especially multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli infections, are the leading cause of high mortality after liver transplantation. This study sought to investigate the type of infection, infection rate, pathogenic spectrum, antibiotic-resistance profile, risk factors, and epidemiology of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infection.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted and data of 217 liver transplant patients receiving cadaveric livers between January 2007 and April 2010 were analyzed.

[Effects of non-bioartificial liver support system on Gc-globulin in patients with liver failure].

Objective: To investigate the effects of artificial liver support system(plasma exchange combined with continuous veno - venous hemodiafiltration, PE + CVVHDF) on Gc globulin in patients with liver failure.

Methods: 81 patients with liver failure were divided into 4 groups according to the treatment protocols and indicators such as liver function and clinical symptoms. Totally 29 effective cases and 14 ineffective cases in the ALSS group versus 15 effective cases and 23 ineffective cases in the medical group were included.

Assessment of islet graft survival using a 3.0-Tesla magnetic resonance scanner.

Some studies have recently described a magnetic resonance (MR) method for detection of iron-labeled islets transplanted into the liver. The aim of this work was to assess the survival of islet graft using a clinical 3.0-T scanner.

[Therapeutic effect of liver transplantation on acute liver failure].

Objective: To evaluate the short-term and long-term outcomes of emergent liver transplantation recipients with acute liver failure and to identify factors that influenced these outcomes.

Methods: 318 consecutive patients who underwent liver transplantations between January 2001 and December 2004 were analyzed retrospectively (all the cases were followed up to December 2005). According to UNOS grading scale, all recipients preoperative status were evaluated.

[The effects of p16 and Rb protein expression and NF-kappaB activity on hepatocarcinogenesis].

Objective: To study the relation between the expression of p16 protein and Rb (retinoblastoma) protein and the transcription activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and their roles in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Methods: p16 protein and Rb protein in 35 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and the peritumoral areas (more than 3 cm away from the tumor) were examined by Western blot analysis. The transcription activity of NF-kappaB in these tissues was detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and super-shift assays.