The safety and efficacy of nasobiliary drainage in the treatment of refractory cholestatic pruritus: a multicentre European study

BACKGROUND

Pruritus is a common symptom associated with cholestatic liver diseases. To date only small single centre case series have suggested efficacy of nasobiliary drainage in relieving cholestatic pruritus.

AIM

To perform a multicentre study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nasobiliary drainage in cholestatic pruritus.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of all patients treated with nasobiliary drainage for refractory cholestatic pruritus between 2006 and 2015 at five European centres. Pruritus was quantified using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and liver enzymes, serum bilirubin and total serum bile salts (TBS) were measured before (pre-NBD) and after nasobiliary drainage (post-NBD). We analysed the duration of treatment response and associated complications.

RESULTS

In total, 27 patients (59% females) underwent 29 nasobiliary drainage procedures. The median duration of NBD was 7 days. NBD decreased pruritus in 89.6% of cases (VAS from 10.0 to 0.3, P < 0.0001). The median percentage decline in pruritus VAS was 94% and 33% of patients were free of pruritus within 24 h of starting drainage. The duration of treatment response was independent of duration of drainage (P = 0.12) and bile output. Significant improvements were seen in the median levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.001) and serum bilirubin (P = 0.03) but not in serum TBS (P = 0.07). Mild post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (31%) was the most frequent complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Nasobiliary drainage is effective in relieving cholestatic pruritus in most patients and has favourable effect on biomarkers of cholestasis. Nasobiliary drainage may be associated with high risk of adverse events, especially pancreatitis. Prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Uncommon branching pattern of the hepatic arteries in a living donor: a case report and brief literature review

Numerous variations of the hepatic arteries are common in surgical patients. We present a 35-year-old woman who was admitted to our department in order to assess possibility of becoming living donor. Preoperative computed tomography scan revealed anomalous branching pattern of the hepatic arteries. In this case right posterior sectoral artery has been given off by the greater pancreatic artery, left hepatic artery has been replaced by the artery arising from the left gastric artery and double segment 4 branches have been observed. To the best of our knowledge, this pattern has not been described in the literature, yet.

A genetic variant in the promoter of phosphate-activated glutaminase is associated with hepatic encephalopathy

BACKGROUND

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a serious complication of liver cirrhosis. Recently, a microsatellite in the promoter region of the phosphate-activated glutaminase (GLS ) gene was associated with the risk of HE. The aim of the present study was to investigate, using the critical flicker frequency (CFF) test, whether the described GLS variant increases the risk of developing HE in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

We recruited 158 patients (66% men; mean age 59 years, range 23-86) with liver cirrhosis. Mean model for end-stage liver disease score was 13.8 (range 5-35); 48% of patients presented with Child-Pugh score B or C. The presence and severity of HE were determined by the CFF test, with frequencies ≤39 Hz denoting cases. GLS variants were genotyped by sequencing the microsatellite in the promoter region and were classified as short, long or short-long forms (depending on the length of the macrosatellite alleles).

RESULTS

In total, 53% of patients had abnormal CFF results (i.e. ≤39 Hz; range for entire cohort 26-57). The GLS microsatellite distribution amongst patients was short form (20%), long form (32%) and short-long form (48%) and was consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. CFF values differed significantly between groups (P = 0.043). Carriers of the GLS long microsatellite had a significantly higher risk of HE according to multivariate analyses (odds ratio 3.23, 95% confidence interval 1.46-7.13, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

CFF results were significantly lower amongst carriers of the GLS long microsatellite. Our findings support the role of the GLS long microsatellite in the development of HE; this could be important for identifying susceptible patients and for the prevention of this condition.

Physics at the [Formula: see text] linear collider

A comprehensive review of physics at an [Formula: see text] linear collider in the energy range of [Formula: see text] GeV-3 TeV is presented in view of recent and expected LHC results, experiments from low-energy as well as astroparticle physics. The report focusses in particular on Higgs-boson, top-quark and electroweak precision physics, but also discusses several models of beyond the standard model physics such as supersymmetry, little Higgs models and extra gauge bosons. The connection to cosmology has been analysed as well.

[First data concerning the medical supply of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Germany - a survey in university hospital centers of hepatology]

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) currently is one oft the most common reasons for chronic liver injury in the western world. In the European and American population the prevalence is up to 30 %. The medical supply of German patients with NAFLD is variable and has not been analyzed to date.

METHODS

We sent questionnaires to all university liver centers in Germany (11 questions) concerning the medical supply of patients with NAFLD. Questions included the rate of patients with fatty liver disease in the outpatient clinics, metabolic comorbidities and the kind of assignment. Besides that, individual clinical standards were documented. We compared longitudinal changes between 2008 and 2013.

RESULTS

The return rate of questionnaires was 65 % (n = 20). Analysis showed that the portion of NAFLD patients in the university outpatient clinics had increased between 2008 and 2013 with the predominant part of patients being assigned from external practitioners and not from internal departments of the hospital. Only few patients were assigned by diabetologists or endocrinologists, but on the other hand most liver outpatient clinics investigated their NAFLD patients for metabolic disorders. Cooperation between liver outpatient clinics and other medical services was moderate and was rated average, joint conferences were held rarely. Follow-up visits of patients with NAFLD take place regularly in all centers, however based on different criterions. A consistent algorithm concerning risk assessment and invasive workup does not exist.

CONCLUSION

The awareness concerning patients with NAFLD seems to have grown in recent years. Nevertheless, the medical supply of these patients is quite heterogenous and consistent standards do not exist. Therefore, a common guidline is urgently required.

Selenium in Gluten-free Products

The nutritional value of gluten-free products is the subject of interest for food technologists and nutritionists, as the only effective treatment for celiac disease is a lifelong gluten-free diet. As selenium deficiencies in celiac disease are observed, the aim of the study was to determine the selenium content in 27 grain gluten-free products available on the European Union (EU) market. Moreover, selenium content in products based on popular gluten-free cereals like corn, rice, and buckwheat and in relatively new or less popular products based on oat, amaranth, teff, and quinoa was compared. Selenium content in the tested products ranged from 0.9 to 24.5 μg/100 g. The average content of selenium in products based on popular gluten-free cereals was 2.8 μg/100 g and in products based on oat, amaranth, teff, and quinoa was 10.8 μg/100 g. It indicates that products based on less popular grains, especially on oat, should be more frequently chosen as a source of selenium by people on gluten-free diet than traditionally consumed gluten-free grains.

Universal dependence of the spin wave band structure on the geometrical characteristics of two-dimensional magnonic crystals

In the emerging field of magnon-spintronics, spin waves are exploited to encode, carry and process information in materials with periodic modulation of their magnetic properties, named magnonic crystals. These enable the redesign of the spin wave dispersion, thanks to its dependence on the geometric and magnetic parameters, resulting in the appearance of allowed and forbidden band gaps for specific propagation directions. In this work, we analyze the spin waves band structure of two-dimensional magnonic crystals consisting of permalloy square antidot lattices with different geometrical parameters. We show that the frequency of the most intense spin-wave modes, measured by Brillouin light scattering, exhibits a universal dependence on the aspect ratio (thickness over width) of the effective nanowire enclosed between adjacent rows of holes. A similar dependence also applies to both the frequency position and the width of the main band gap of the fundamental (dispersive) mode at the edge of the first Brillouin zone. These experimental findings are successfully explained by calculations based on the plane-wave method. Therefore, a unified vision of the spin-waves characteristics in two-dimensional antidot lattices is provided, paving the way to the design of tailored nanoscale devices, such as tunable magnonic filters and phase-shifters, with predicted functionalities.

Improved survival in liver transplant recipients receiving prolonged-release tacrolimus in the European Liver Transplant Registry

This study was a retrospective analysis of the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR) performed to compare long-term outcomes with prolonged-release tacrolimus versus tacrolimus BD in liver transplantation (January 2008-December 2012). Clinical efficacy measures included univariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors influencing graft and patient survival at 3 years posttransplant. Efficacy measures were repeated using propensity score-matching for baseline demographics. Patients with <1 month of follow-up were excluded from the analyses. In total, 4367 patients (prolonged-release tacrolimus: n = 528; BD: n = 3839) from 21 European centers were included. Tacrolimus BD treatment was significantly associated with inferior graft (risk ratio: 1.81; p = 0.001) and patient survival (risk ratio: 1.72; p = 0.004) in multivariate analyses. Similar analyses performed on the propensity score-matched patients confirmed the significant survival advantages observed in the prolonged-release tacrolimus- versus tacrolimus BD-treated group. This large retrospective analysis from the ELTR identified significant improvements in long-term graft and patient survival in patients treated with prolonged-release tacrolimus versus tacrolimus BD in primary liver transplant recipients over 3 years of treatment. However, as with any retrospective registry evaluation, there are a number of limitations that should be considered when interpreting these data.

Effect of yellow lupine (L. luteus) on the egg yolk fatty acid profile, the physicochemical and sensory properties of eggs, and laying hen performance

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different dietary inclusion of raw yellow lupine seed meal (YLM) on laying hen performance, the fatty acid (FA) profile, physicochemical, and sensory properties of eggs. A total of 224 Lohmann Brown laying hens at 32 wk age were fed isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets for 16 wk. The control diet contained soybean meal (SBM), and in study diets SBM was replaced with YLM at 100, 200, or 300 g/kg. In comparison with soybean, lupine seeds had a higher content of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) and raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO) (29.5 vs. 14.0 and 8.56 vs. 5.91% DM). The dietary 300 g/kg lupine seeds increased the content of NSP and RFO in the ration, from 9.34 to 13.39 and 1.36 to 2.54%, respectively. The YLM inclusion level had no adverse effect on laying performance, including feed intake, FCR, egg production, and egg weight. The final BW of hens fed lupine-based diets were significantly higher compared with the control (P=0.039). Throughout the study, dietary treatments had no effect on eggshell and albumen quality. An increase in the inclusion rate of YLM was followed by a linear increase (P<0.001) in yolk color intensity. Dietary treatments had no influence on the aroma, taste, and texture of eggs evaluated in laying hens at 46 wk age. The inclusion of lupine seeds in experimental diets caused a linear increase in n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) content and the n-6/n-3 ratio (all P<0.001), but it had no influence on the atherogenic and the thrombogenic indices of egg yolk lipids. The results of this study indicate that YLM can be included at 300 g/kg in layer diets as a partial substitute for soybean meal without compromising laying performance, the physicochemical, and sensory properties of eggs.

The relevance of intestinal dysbiosis in liver transplant candidates

BACKGROUND

The gut microbial ecosystem plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. However, the association of microbial community structure with the severity of liver dysfunction is not completely understood.

METHODS

Fecal microflora was assessed in 40 patients with liver cirrhosis listed for primary liver transplantation (LT). Independent associations between fecal microbial counts and serum bilirubin, serum creatinine, international normalized ratio (INR), and the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score were established in multiple linear regression models.

RESULTS

Bifidobacterium (standardized regression coefficient [sβ] = -0.549; P < 0.001), Enterococcus (sβ = 0.369; P = 0.004), and yeast (sβ = 0.315; P = 0.018) numbers were independently associated with serum bilirubin, while Escherichia coli counts (sβ = 0.318; P = 0.046) correlated with INR, and Bifidobacterium counts (sβ = 0.410; P = 0.009) with serum creatinine. Only Bifidobacterium (sβ = -0.468; P = 0.003) and Enterococcus (sβ = 0.331; P = 0.029) counts were independent predictors of the MELD score. Bifidobacterium/Enterococcus ratio, proposed as a measure of pre-LT gut dysbiosis, was significantly related to the MELD score following the adjustment for the absolute Bifidobacterium (sβ = -0.333; P = 0.029) and Enterococcus (sβ = -0.966; P = 0.003) numbers. This pre-transplant dysbiosis ratio (PTDR) was significantly correlated with Enterococcus (R = -0.897; P < 0.001) but not with Bifidobacterium (R = 0.098; P = 0.546) counts. Among the other components of gut microflora, only hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 )-producing Lactobacillus strains significantly influenced Enterococcus counts (sβ = 0.349; P = 0.028) and PTDR (sβ = -0.318; P = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

While the abundance of both Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus is related to liver dysfunction, the size of the Enterococcus population seems to be the most important determinant of pre-LT gut dysbiosis in cirrhotic patients. The H2 O2 -producing Lactobacillus strains potentially ameliorate this dysbiotic state.

Sleep disordered breathing in patients with heart failure

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a common co-morbidity in patients with heart failure (HF). Both its forms - central and obstructive sleep apnea - are highly prevalent in this population. SDB fragments sleep, impairs life quality, worsens exercise tolerance, worsens HF and is an independent predictor of poor prognosis. Still, SDB remains largely undiagnosed. Therefore, early detection of SDB seems to be of primary importance, especially in the presence of new diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) increases left ventricular ejection fraction and stroke volume in virtually all HF patients with obstructive and in 50% with central sleep apnea. For those in whom central sleep apnea is not suppressed by CPAP, a trial of adaptive servoventilation is recommended. Although no randomized, controlled trials have shown improvement in mortality, several observational studies have shown that effective treatment of both forms of sleep apnea with various positive airway pressure devices improves survival of HF patients. Currently, 2 large trials with newer masked based therapies with adaptive servoventilation are in progress. This article is a brief overview of present knowledge, the pathophysiology, diagnostic approach and therapy of SDB.

Review and prospects of magnonic crystals and devices with reprogrammable band structure

Research efforts addressing spin waves (magnons) in microand nanostructured ferromagnetic materials have increased tremendously in recent years. Corresponding experimental and theoretical work in magnonics faces significant challenges in that spinwave dispersion relations are highly anisotropic and different magnetic states might be realized via, for example, the magnetic field history. At the same time, these features offer novel opportunities for wave control in solids going beyond photonics and plasmonics. In this topical review we address materials with a periodic modulation of magnetic parameters that give rise to artificially tailored band structures and allow unprecedented control of spin waves. In particular, we discuss recent achievements and perspectives of reconfigurable magnonic devices for which band structures can be reprogrammed during operation. Such characteristics might be useful for multifunctional microwave and logic devices operating over a broad frequency regime on either the macroor nanoscale.

Evaluation of total tumor volume and pretransplantation α-fetoprotein level as selection criteria for liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular cancer

INTRODUCTION

Appropriate selection of hepatocellular cancer (HCC) patients for liver transplantation is crucial to minimize the risk of recurrence and provide long-term outcomes comparable with those for other indications. Selection criteria based on total tumor volume (TTV) and α-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations were proposed in a recent large study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of liver transplantation for HCC within and beyond these criteria.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 104 patients with HCC who underwent liver transplantation. Risk factors for overall survival and tumor recurrence were evaluated. Overall survival and cumulative tumor recurrence rate for patients with TTV <115 cm(3), AFP concentration <400 ng/mL, and no macrovascular invasion (76/104; 73.1%) were evaluated and compared with those for the remaining patients (28/104; 26.9%).

RESULTS

Pretransplantation AFP concentration >400 ng/mL (P = .016; hazard ratio [HR], 3.36; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.25-9.03) was the only risk factor for overall survival. TTV >115 cm(3) (P = .021; HR 4.29; 95% CI, 1.24-14.81) and AFP concentration >400 ng/mL (P = .002; HR 6.97; 95% CI, 2.02-24.03) were independent risk factors for recurrence. The estimated 3-year tumor recurrence rate was 4.2% for patients with TTV <115 cm(3), AFP concentration <400 ng/mL, and no macrovascular invasion compared with 57.2% for the remaining patients (P < .00001). The 3-year overall survival rate of patients within and beyond this criteria was 81.7% and 64.6%, respectively (P = .0628).

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to other criteria, selection of HCC patients for liver transplantation on the basis of TTV and AFP concentration relates to both morphological features and tumor biology. Although fulfillment of these criteria was more than 1.5-fold higher than that of the Milan criteria, the rate of tumor recurrence was exceptionally low.

Forbidden band gaps in the spin-wave spectrum of a two-dimensional bicomponent magnonic crystal

The spin-wave band structure of a two-dimensional bicomponent magnonic crystal, consisting of Co nanodisks partially embedded in a Permalloy thin film, is experimentally investigated along a high-symmetry direction by Brillouin light scattering. The eigenfrequencies and scattering cross sections are interpreted using plane wave method calculations and micromagnetic simulations. At the boundary of both the first and the second Brillouin zones, we measure a forbidden frequency gap whose width depends on the magnetic contrast between the constituent materials. The modes above and below the gap exhibit resonant spin-precession amplitudes in the complementary regions of periodically varying magnetic parameters. Our findings are key to advance both the physics and the technology of band gap engineering in magnonics.

Treatment of early hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Early hepatic artery thrombosis remains one of the major causes of graft failure and mortality in liver transplant recipients. It is the most frequent severe vascular complication after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) accounting for >50% of all arterial complications. Most patients need to be considered for urgent liver retransplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Among 911 OLTs in 862 from 1989 to 2011, we observed 23 cases (2.6%) of acute early hepatic artery thrombosis. Seventeen patients were qualified immediately for liver retransplantation, and 6 underwent endovascular therapies, including intra-arterial heparin infusion or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stent placement.

RESULTS

Among patients who were assigned to early liver retransplantation, 11/17 survived with 3 succumbling due to postoperative complications, including 1 portal vein thrombosis, and 3 succumbling on the waiting list. All patients who underwent endovascular therapy survived with an excellent result obtained in 1 who underwent treatment<24 hours after arterial thrombosis. In 2 patients we achieved a satisfactory result not requiring retransplantation, but 3 patients assigned to endovascular treatment>24 hours after arterial thrombosis needed to be reassigned to liver retransplantation because of poor results of endovascular treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular treatment efforts should be made to rescue liver grafts through urgent revascularization depending on the patient's condition and the interventional expertise at the transplant center, reserving the option of retransplantation for graft failure or severe dysfunction.

Influence of selected factors on survival after liver retransplantation

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the survival of adult liver retransplant recipients depending on selected factors: time from the primary transplantation, cold ischemia time, indications for retransplantation, patient age and United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) status.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between December 1989 and March 2011, we performed 43 orthotopic liver retransplantations (re-OLTs) among patients aged 20-62 years including 24 women and 19 men. The cold ischemia time was 250-820 minutes. UNOS status before re-OLT: UNOS 1 (n=19; 44%) UNOS 2A (n=15; 35%), and UNOS 2B (n=4; 9%). The time from OLT to re-OLT was 1-2, 146 days. The indications for re-OLT were arterial thrombosis (n=14; 33%), anastomotic biliary complication (n=3; 7%), recurrence of the original disease (n=9; 21%), hepatic vein thrombosis (n=1; 2%), primary nonfunction (PNF) dysfunction (n=2; [5%] /6 [14%]), de novo hepatitis C cirrhosis (n=2; 5%) and other etiologies (n=6; 14%).

RESULTS

The 6-year survival among the primary OLT group was 80% compared with 58% among the re-OLT group (P=.0001). One-year survivals in the re-OLT group according to UNOS status 1, 2A, and 2B were 47%, 60%, and 75%, respectively (P=.475). There was a low negative correlation between survival time and time between OLT and re-OLT. There was a low positive correlation between survival time and cold ischemia time. There was a low negative correlation between survival time and patient age.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant difference in survival between OLT and re-OLT. There was a correlation between survival time and time to re-OLTx; a shorter time corresponded to longer survival. There was a poor correlation between survival time and patient age. UNOS status before re-OLT and indication for re-OLTx influenced survival.

Pregnancy outcomes among female recipients after liver transplantation: further experience

INTRODUCTION

Liver transplantations give female recipients an ability to carry pregnancies successfully. However, solid organ transplantations exacerbate the pregnancy including maternal and neonatal outcomes. The aim of our study was to evaluate and identify the obstetric outcomes in women with a prior liver transplantation.

METHODS

We analyzed all pregnant woman who had undergone a prior liver transplantation and afterward delivered from 2001 to 2011. Complete data were assessed in 39 deliveries and 40 live births. Three women were pregnant twice after liver transplantation.

RESULTS

The mean gestational age at birth measured 37.2±2.2 weeks. The most common obstetric complications were premature labor (12/39,30.8%), hypertension (10/39, 25.6%), and symptomatic urinary tract infections (7/39, 18%). Other complications were pregestational diabetes (n=1), cholestasis (n=3), and of severe anemia treated with blood transfusions (n=2). The mean time from organ transplantation to delivery was 67.6±47.2 months. Acute graft rejections occurred among pregnant women 7.7% (3/39) of studied. Only 8 (20.5%) deliveries were finished vaginally. Infants small for gestational age were diagnosed in 20% (8/40). One case displayed a congenital urinary tract malformation. None of the neonates died neonatally.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnancies are possible after liver transplantation and likely end with successful maternal and newborn outcomes. Some cases experience an increased risk of obstetric complications. Therefore, posttransplant pregnancies must be regularly monitored with a multidisciplinary approach.

Severe hepatocellular dysfunction in obstetric cholestasis related to combined genetic variation in hepatobiliary transporters

Obstetric cholestasis (OC) is a cholestatic disorder with a prominent genetic background including variation in diverse hepatobiliary lipid transporters, such as ABCB4 (phospholipids) and ABCB11 (bile salts). Given a marked hepatocellular dysfunction in an OC patient indicated by > 40-fold rise in alanine aminotransferase activity and minor gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase increases, we performed genotyping of candidate gene variants associated with adult cholestatic phenotypes. Genetic analysis revealed the heterozygous ABCB4 mutation p.R590Q, the ABCB11 variant p.V444A and the lithogenic ABCG8 variant p.D19H. Aggregation of multiple hepatobiliary transporter variants is rare in OC, and may cooperate to negatively modulate hepatobiliary transport capacities.

The common adiponutrin variant p.I148M does not confer gallstone risk but affects fasting glucose and triglyceride levels

Recently the common adiponutrin (PNPLA3) polymorphism p.I148M has been identified as a genetic determinant of severe forms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease. Additionally, insulin resistance - linked to the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis - increases the risk of developing gallstones. Here we assessed whether the PNPLA3 p.I148M (c.444 C-G) polymorphism affects glucose and lipid levels and increases gallstone risk. We analysed 229 individuals with gallstones from 108 families (age 24-80 years, BMI 17-55 kg/m(2)) and 258 gallstone-free controls (age 20-70 years, BMI 14-43 kg/m(2)). Fasting glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol serum levels were determined. The p.I148M polymorphism was genotyped using a PCR-based assay with 5'-nuclease and fluorescence detection. Case-control association tests and nonparametric linkage (NPL) analysis in sib-pairs were performed. Individuals carrying the [GG] genotype had significantly (P<0.0001) higher median fasting glucose levels as compared to [GC] and [CC] carriers. After adjustment for multiple testing, we detected a trend for an association between triglyceride levels and variant adiponutrin in gallstone patients (P=0.032), and gallstone cases carrying the genotype [CC] presented with significantly higher triglyceride levels than the corresponding controls (P<0.003). No significant effects on cholesterol metabolism were detected. Neither genotype distributions nor NPL scores provided evidence for association or linkage between the PNPLA3 variant and gallstones. In conclusion, homozygous carriers of the PNPLA3 risk allele display higher fasting glucose. Although this adiponutrin variant may affect triglyceride homeostasis, it does not increase the risk of cholelithiasis.

Heterozygosity for the alpha1-antitrypsin Z allele may confer genetic risk of cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Alpha1-antitrypsin (α1AT) deficiency caused by Z allele homozygosity represents a well-established risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. Previous studies have also implicated α1AT Z heterozygosity in cholangiocarcinogenesis.

AIM

To assess the 'common' Z and S alleles as well as the promoter variant rs8004738 for association with cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODS

We genotyped 182 Caucasian patients and 350 controls for rs28929474 (Z), rs17580 (S) and the variant rs8004738. Exploratory analyses were performed in relation to gender and cholangiocarcinoma localisation.

RESULTS

rs28929474 was significantly enriched in the cholangiocarcinoma group (4.1 vs. 1.7%; OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.14-5.32; Bonferroni corrected p(c) = 0.036), reinforced by Armitage trend testing (OR 2.53; p(c) = 0.032). The rs8004738 (promoter) minor allele tended to be overrepresented in Z heterozygotes (30.0 vs. 16.7%: P = 0.13). Exploratory data analyses suggested a high genetic risk for extrahepatic tumour localisation (OR 3.0; p(c) = 0.016) and potentially female Z allele carriers (OR 3.37; unadjusted P = 0.022, p(c) = 0.088).

CONCLUSIONS

These data point to a novel role of α1AT Z heterozygosity as a potential genetic susceptibility factor for cholangiocarcinoma formation and suggest a contribution of aberrant α1AT function in biliary carcinogenesis. However, given the overall low rs28929474 minor allele frequency, larger studies are warranted to confirm and extend our findings.

The haploinsufficient Col3a1 mouse as a model for vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a rare genetic disorder resulting from mutations in the α-1 chain of type III collagen (COL3A1) and manifesting as tissue fragility with spontaneous rupture of the bowel, gravid uterus, or large or medium arteries. The heterozygous Col3a1 knockout mouse was investigated as a model for this disease. The collagen content in the abdominal aorta of heterozygotes was reduced, and functional testing revealed diminishing wall strength of the aorta in these mice. Colons were grossly and histologically normal, but reduced strength and increased compliance of the wall were found in heterozygotes via pressure testing. Although mice demonstrated no life-threatening clinical signs or gross lesions of vascular subtype Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV, thorough histological examination of the aorta of heterozygous mice revealed the presence of a spectrum of lesions similar to those observed in human patients. Lesions increased in number and severity with age (0/5 [0%] in 2-month-old males vs 9/9 [100%] in 14-month-old males, P < .05) and were more common in male than female mice (23/26 [88.5%] vs 14/30 [46.7%] in 9- to 21-month-old animals, P < .05). Haploinsufficiency for Col3a1 in mice recapitulates features of vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in humans and can be used as an experimental model.

Gallstone disease in Swedish twins: risk is associated with ABCG8 D19H genotype

OBJECTIVE

Recently, variants of the hepatocanalicular cholesterol hemitransporters ABCG5/8 were linked to gallstone disease; ABCG8 D19H in Caucasians and ABCG5 Q604E in Chinese. We investigated these polymorphisms in Swedish twins by merging the Swedish Twin Registry with the Hospital Discharge and Causes of Death Registries for gallstone disease-related diagnoses.

DESIGN

All monozygotic (MZ) twins with gallstone disease alive in the Stockholm area were invited to participate. Gallstone disease was defined by entry in all above mentioned registries, questionnaire or abdominal ultrasound.

SUBJECTS

ABCG5 Q604E and ABCG8 D19H genotyping was performed in 24 unique MZ and eight dizygotic (DZ) twins from concordant pairs. Screening of the TwinGene database for gallstone disease resulted in an additional 20 concordant MZ and 54 twins from concordant DZ pairs. We included 109 concordantly stone-free MZ and 126 stone-free independent DZ twins as controls.

RESULTS

Amongst the 341 twins, 20.8% carried at least one D19H allele as compared to 9.4% of stone-free controls. The association analysis showed that D19H positivity significantly increased the risk of gallstone disease [odds ratio (OR), 2.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.33-4.82; P = 0.004]. We also found a trend for a positive association between gallstone disease and the Q604E variant (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.00-2.16; P = 0.052).

CONCLUSION

Twins carrying a heterozygous or homozygous ABCG8 D19H genotype have a significantly increased risk of gallstone disease. Our study confirms the ABCG8 D19H genotype as a major risk factor for gallstone disease.

Implications of overweight in gastric cancer: A multicenter study in a Western patient population

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of overweight on surgical and long-term outcomes in a Western population of patients with gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

An electronic database of all patients with resectable GC treated between 1986 and 1998 at seven university surgical centres cooperating in the Polish Gastric Cancer Study Group was reviewed. Overweight was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m(2) or higher.

RESULTS

Four hundred and ninety-two of 1992 (25%) patients were overweight. Postoperatively, higher BMI was associated with higher rates of cardiopulmonary complications (16% vs 12%, P = 0.001) and intra-abdominal abscess (6.9% vs 2.9%, P < 0.001). However, other complications and mortality rates were unaffected. The median disease-specific survival of overweight patients was significantly higher (36.7 months, 95% confidence interval (CI) 29.0-44.4) than those with BMI<25 kg/m(2) (25.7 months, 95%CI 23.2-28.1; P = 0.003). These differences were due to the lower frequencies of patients with T3 and T4 tumours, metastatic lymph nodes, distant metastases, and non-curative resections. A Cox proportional hazards model identified age, depth of infiltration, lymph node metastases, distant metastases, and residual tumour category as the independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Overweight is not the independent prognostic factor for long-term survival in a Western-type population of GC.

Orthotopic liver transplantation for cholestatic diseases

BACKGROUND/AIMS

According to the data of the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR), liver transplantations (LTx) as a result of bile duct diseases were reported in 12.0% of cases. The aim of this study was to overview retrospective indications for operation and results of patients who underwent LTx for cholestatic diseases.

METHODOLOGY

725 LTx were performed between January 1989 to December 2008, including 173 (23.9%) patients with cholestatic diseases. 80 pts (46.2%) were operated because of PBC, 63 pts (36.4%) with PSC and 12 pts (6.9%) with SBC as a result of iatrogenic bile ducts injuries. In 6 pts (3.5%) Caroli's disease was the reason for transplantation and another 11 pts (6.4%) were operated because of infiltration of alveococcosis into the bile duct. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) developed in 6 pts with PSC (9.5%) undergoing LTx. The last patient (0.6%) of our group was operated because of mucoviscidosis. 24 pts (13.9%) underwent unsuccessful surgical treatment prior to the LTx.

RESULTS

142 pts (82.1%) presented good outcome, but complications in postoperative period were present in 31 pts (17.9%). 8 pts (4.6%) required re-laparotomy: 6 pts due to intraperitoneal bleeding and hematoma in the first postoperative week and 2 pts due to liver abscess, 1 month and 3 months after LTx respectivelly. 4 patients (2.3%) died in the first week after LTx (septic complications, acute rejection). 5 patients with CCC died in the period of 7 to 26 months after LTx. This was caused by the recurrence of the cancer. The overall mortality was 8.1% (14 pts). 4 pts (2.3%) underwent ReLTx due to various origins--one case due to hepatic artery thrombosis, another was ischemic type biliary lesion (ITBL) and two patients due to recurrence of PBC and PSC. Cumulative 1, 5 and 10 year recurrence-free survival rates after LTx were: 94.6% / 88.7% / 72.1% in PBC group, 95.3% / 86.5% / 70.2% in PSC group and 73.9% / 69.2% / 59.3% in SBC group of patients.

CONCLUSION

There is no doubt that LTx is a good and effective option of treatment for patients with cholestatic diseases. Nevertheless the long-term benefits of LTx depend on precise indications and timing of the operation.

Results of treatment of acute liver failure patients with use of the prometheus FPSA system

OBJECTIVE

Herein we have presented the results of treatment of acute liver failure (ALF) patients with the use of the Prometheus FPSA dialysis system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To January 2009, we performed 278 FPSA procedures in 114 patients, including 52 experience and ALF. The patients who underwent the FPSA procedure consisted of 32 women and 20 men of overall mean age of 33 +/- 12 years. The causes of ALF were: Wilson's disease (n = 15), unknown origin ALF (n = 11), amanita phalloides intoxication (n = 7), paracetamol intoxication (n = 8), acute hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (n = 7), liver insufficiency after parenchymal resection (n = 2) drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome (n = 1), rabdomyolysis (n = 1), or primary nonfunction (PNF) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) (n = 1). All procedures were performed using the Prometheus 4008H Fresenius Medical Care liver support system. The average number of treatments per patient was 2.41 and the average time for each FPSA treatment was 6.3 hours. The average heparin dose used during the procedure was 750 IU/h.

RESULTS

After the whole treatment regimen, we observed significant improvements in the biochemical results. The average concentrations improved: serum ammonia (before 249.2 mug/dL versus after 109.7 mug/dL); serum bilirubin (before 21.53 mg/dL versus after 8.81 mg/dL), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST; before 2456.4 U/L versus after 1068.8 U/L); serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT; before 2958.2 U/L versus after 1595.8 U/L); serum urea (before 58.5 mg/dL versus after 21.1 mg/dL); serum creatinine (before 2.9 mg/dL versus after 1.7 mg/dL); and pH value (before 7.11 versus after 7.32). After Prometheus treatment OLT was performed in 33 patients. Among the 28 who survived (53.8%), 22 underwent OLT and 6 did not have OLT. Among the 24 patients who died (46.2%), 13 were before OLT and 11 after OLT.

CONCLUSION

The Prometheus 4008H Fresenius Medical Care Liver support system was useful method of detoxification for patients with ALF, serving as an element of pretransplantation care.

Prediction of graft loss and death in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) can be accurately determined using the Mayo Clinic Score (MRS), a mathematical model which predicts patient survival. The purpose of our study was to determine the risk of graft loss and/or death among patients who were listed or transplanted because of PSC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed the data of 52 patients, who were placed on the transplant list due to PSC between January 2000 and November 2008 and either did or did not undergo liver transplantation (OLT). The primary end point (EP1) of the study was the patient death for any cause. The secondary end point (EP2) was recurrence of PSC or appearance of CCC or death related to the primary liver disease after OLT (PSC recurrence). The observation time was 60 months. According to the calculated MRS, patients were divided into 3 groups: group A (MRS < 0.56); group B (0.56 < or = MRS < 1.56), and group C (MRS > 1.56). The analysis was performed using the LIFETEST and PHREG Procedures of the SAS System.

RESULTS

The risk of EP1 occurrence was 2.0 per 1 point of MRS (P < .0006). The risk of EP2 was 2.1 per 1 point of MRS (P < .001). Groups B and C compared with group A showed risks of death of: 0.79 (P = NS) and 6.59 (P < .08), respectively. The percentage of 5-year patient survival rate were 94%, 94%, and 45% according to groups A, B, and C, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The risk of death in patients with MRS > 1.56 was 6.59-fold higher than those with MRS < 0.56. MRS > 1.56 significantly decreased 5 year survival among patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Prevalence and predictors of acute renal injury in liver transplant recipients

Renal failure is a major factor impacting liver transplant outcomes. Renal functional impairment predicts decreased survival, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence, risk factors, and resolution of acute kidney injury (AKI) among liver transplant recipients during the operative hospital stay. We analyzed data from 99 orthotopic liver transplantations (OLT) performed at our center in 2008. Posttransplantation occurrence of AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine (SCr) concentration of 0.3 mg/dL or more, namely, 1.5-fold from baseline. AKI was observed among 31.31% of liver transplant recipients (n = 31). The mean increase in SCr was 2.49 +/- 0.78-fold from baseline. The mean posttransplant SCr level was 2.59 +/- 0.92 mg/dL. Renal replacement therapy was introduced to 16.12% (n = 5) liver recipients developing AKI. Among them, 2 subjects (6.45%) died. The mean SCr level at the time of discharge from the hospital was 1.17 +/- 0.57 mg/dL among the AKI group compared with 0.77 +/- 0.32 mg/dL among the group without AKI. Pretransplant renal impairment expressed by an elevated SCr concentration (relative risk [RR] = 1.25; P = .0386) and treatment with exogenous vasoconstrictors during the operation (RR = 2.27; P = .016) were identified as risk factors for developing AKI after liver transplantation.

Impact of tumor characteristic on the outcome of liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is a well-established treatment for cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who meet the Milan criteria. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of survival among 65 patients with HCC in cirrhotic livers who underwent liver transplantation (OLT).

METHODS

From January 2001 to December 2008, we performed 655 OLT in 615 patients. HCC was diagnosed in 58 patients before OLT and in 65 by histological examination of the explanted livers; 74% of the patients met Milan criteria by histological examination.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 27 months (range = 1-96). We analyzed patient age and gender, etiology of liver disease, Child score at transplantation, rejection episodes, tumor number/size, vascular invasion, and differentiation grade. There was no significant difference in survival among patients grouped according to the Model for End-stage Liver Disease staging system for HCC. The 5-year survival of patients with low differentiated (G3) HCC was significantly worse than that of those with moderately differentiated (G2) or well-differentiated (G1) HCC: 50%, 81%, and 86% respectively, (P < .01). Patients with microvascular invasion displayed a worse 5-year survival than those without vascular invasion (42% vs 80%; P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis indicated that the histological grade of the tumors and evidences of microscopic vascular invasion were the most useful predictive factors for overall survival among patients with cirrhosis after liver transplantation for HCC.

Correlation between selected prognostic factors and postoperative course in liver transplant recipients

AIM

The objective was to identify the major prognostic factors influencing liver function after transplantation that predict the postoperative course and long-term survival among liver transplant recipients. We analyzed the results of biochemical, microbiological, serologic, and pathologic studies of the donor and recipient, as well as intraoperative data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of 542 liver transplant recipients, 215 (39.7%) were analyzed in the period from 1989 to 2006. Patients were divided according to the mechanism leading to the liver disease: group I, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (n = 80, 37.0%); group II, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (n = 33, 15.0%); group III, HBV and HCV infection (n = 13, 6.0%); group IV, alcoholic liver disease (ALD) (n = 66, 31.0%); and group V, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (n = 23, 11.0%).

RESULTS

Prediction of patient survival based on clinical parameters showed a better prognostic value than that based only on liver function tests. Transplant urgency scores-Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), delta MELD and United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)-enabled us to predict early and long-term patient survival after liver transplantation. Update of these scores, reflecting the patient's condition, enabled us to evaluate pretransplant life-threatening factors and urgency level. Organ donation predictive factors were age, viral status, and degree of liver steatosis. Cold and warm ischemia times still were major prognostic factor. Routine biliary drainage resulted in worse long-term survival than non-drained patients. Liver transplantation for ALD showed the highest complication rate. Chronic liver rejection occurred more frequently in the AIH transplanted group. The most useful predictive factors for 1-year survival were urea/creatinine and liver function tests: aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase the International normalized ratio, and Quick.

CONCLUSION

The prognosis of patient outcomes after liver transplantation based on clinical parameters showed greater value than evaluation of the laboratory data.