Everolimus with or without mycophenolate mofetil in a liver transplantation setting: a single-center experience.

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and impact on renal function of everolimus in patients after liver transplantation (LT) with or without mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).

Methods: We evaluated LT recipients with calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-related renal dysfunction after everolimus initiation. Laboratory data, including evaluation of renal function based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at baseline (i.

Long-term outcome of pediatric kidney transplantation: A single-center experience from Greece.

Pediatric kidney Tx has critically altered the outcome in ESRD pediatric patients. The aims of this study were to determine long-term graft and patient survival in a homogeneous ethnic population. We reviewed the medical charts of pediatric kidney Tx performed between 1990 and 2012 in Greece.

Interleukin 18 binding protein ameliorates ischemia/reperfusion-induced hepatic injury in mice.

Inflammation-associated oxidative stress contributes to hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). Detrimental inflammatory event cascades largely depend on activated Kupffer cells (KCs) and neutrophils, as well as proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL) 18. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of IL 18 binding protein (IL 18Bp) in hepatic IRI of mice.

New nucleos(t)ide analogue monoprophylaxis after cessation of hepatitis B immunoglobulin is effective against hepatitis B recurrence.

New nucleos(t)ide agents (NAs) [entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir (TDF)] have made hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG)-sparing protocols an attractive approach against hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence after liver transplantation (LT). Twenty-eight patients transplanted for HBV cirrhosis in our centre were prospectively evaluated. After LT, each patient received HBIG (1000 IU IM/day for 7 days and then monthly for 6 months) plus ETV or TDF and then continued with ETV or TDF monoprophylaxis.

Everolimus-based immunosuppression in liver transplant recipients: a single-centre experience.

Purpose: Everolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, has been shown to reduce growth factor-mediated cell proliferation, but data regarding its effectiveness and impact on renal function and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in liver transplant (LT) recipients are limited.

Methods: We evaluated LT recipients with a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based immunosuppression regimen in whom everolimus treatment was initiated. The changes in laboratory data, including glomerular filtration rate (GFR), compared to the baseline (i.

HCC influence on patient survival after liver transplantation for HDV cirrhosis.

Background/aims: The effect of hepatocellular cancer (HCC) in patients transplanted for hepatitis B and D virus (HB/DV) cirrhosis is not well studied. Our aim was to study the long-term survival outcomes of patients who underwent liver transplantation for HB/DV cirrhosis with and without HCC.

Methodology: A total of 231 primary, adult, single- organ liver transplants were performed from 1990 to 2007.

Successful, combined long-term treatment of cerebral aspergillosis in a liver transplant patient.

Invasive aspergillosis has long been recognized as one of the most significant and often fatal opportunistic fungal infections in liver transplant recipients. We report a case of a liver transplant recipient who developed an Aspergillus fumigatus brain abscess that produced significant neurologic symptoms. The patient was managed successfully with a combination of surgery and medical treatment with Voriconazole.

Attenuation of liver ischemia/reperfusion induced apoptosis by epigallocatechin-3-gallate via down-regulation of NF-kappaB and c-Jun expression.

Introduction: Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) activates Kupffer cells and initiates severe oxidative stress with enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). ROS and TNF-alpha mediate the expression of nuclear factors and kinases, activating the signal transduction pathway, and triggering apoptosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) administration in inhibition of apoptosis by attenuating the expression of NF-kappaB, c-Jun, and caspase-3 in a model of severe hepatic I/R.

The natural history of vascular access for hemodialysis: a single center study of 2,422 patients.

Background: Our objective is to provide provision of primary and secondary patency rates data and incidence of complications. Despite the publication of some review articles and small prospective trials about vascular accesses, controversy still exists regarding the choice of the outflow conduit and especially the choice of the fistula to be formed in secondary and tertiary access procedures.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of 2,422 consecutive patients who underwent 3,685 vascular access procedures in a tertiary care hospital, including radial-cephalic (RCAVF), brachial-cephalic (BCAVF), brachial-basilic (BBAVF), and prosthetic graft (PTFE) fistulas.

Inhibition of intestinal ischemia/repurfusion induced apoptosis and necrosis via down-regulation of the NF-kB, c-Jun and caspace-3 expression by epigallocatechin-3-gallate administration.

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) activating signal transduction and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) administration in inhibition of apoptosis by attenuating the expression of NF-kB, c-Jun and caspace-3 in intestinal I/R. Thirty male wistar rats were used.

Papillomatosis of intra- and extrahepatic biliary tree: Successful treatment with liver transplantation.

Approximately 60 cases of biliary papillomatosis have been reported in the world literature, while only 6 cases have been reported to be treated with liver transplantation. This rare disease, which is characterized by relapsing episodes of obstructive jaundice and cholangitis that lead to secondary cirrhosis and death from sepsis or liver failure, it is also considered premalignant because of its frequent malignant transformation (25-50%). We present a case of a 43-year-old white man with papillomatosis of intra- and extrahepatic biliary tree who sought care for repeated episodes of obstructive jaundice and cholangitis.

Living-related transplantation of an ectopic pelvic kidney.

Ectopic kidneys are usually contraindicated for transplantation as a result of anomalous vascular and drainage system. Graft shortage increases the need of expanding the donor pool and the use of ectopic pelvic kidneys might provide a small but useful source. Transplantation of an ectopic pelvic kidney is a technically demanding procedure and very few cases have been published.

The protective effect of alpha-tocopherol and GdCl3 against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Purpose: To evaluate the combined effect of alpha-tocopherol and gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) in reducing lipid peroxidation after severe hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury.

Methods: Sixty male Wistar rats, 200-250 g, were randomly divided into six equal groups. There were two sham operation (SHAM) groups, two untreated IR groups, and two IR groups treated with GdCl3 and alpha-tocopherol (IRGT).

Mycophenolate mofetil impairs the integrity of colonic anastomosis.

Background: The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) during the three phases of colonic anastomosis healing and specifically to check the effect of MMF on the expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), one of the most important growth factors contributing to mechanical stability of colonic anastomosis.

Materials And Methods: Sixty male Wistar rats underwent colonic resection and end-to-end anastomosis. The animals were divided into two groups, a study group given MMF 40 mg/kg, intraduodenally and a control group given vehicle.