Correlation of DNA Damage Repair Gene FANCI with Prognosis and Immune Infiltration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveTo evaluate the expression level of DNA damage repair gene FANCI in hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） and its relationship with prognosis， clinical stage and immune infiltration. MethodsIn this study， TCGA， GTEx， TIMER2.0， HPA database and qRT-PCR， western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the expression of FANCI in HCC and its correlation with different clinical stages； Kaplan-Meier Plotter database was used to explore the relationship between FANCI and the prognosis of HCC； the TISIDB database was used to analyze the relationship between FANCI and immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoints in HCC； the STRING database was used to detect the protein binding with FANCI； the TCGA and GTEx databases were used for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis； Cell experiments were used to explore the role of FANCI in HCC. ResultsCompared with normal tissues， the mRNA and protein expression levels of FANCI in tumor tissues were up-regulated （P<0.001）； and HCC patients with high expression of FANCI had poor prognosis （P<0.001）； the expression of FANCI in tumor tissues was positively correlated with the number of activated CD4+ T cells， the number of Th2 cells and the expression of immune checkpoints， and B-cell and macrophage infiltration was significantly lower in the FANCI high expression group （P<0.01）； GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that FANCI-related genes were enriched in various biological processes such as amino acid transmembrane transporter activity； Cell experiments showed that knockdown of FANCI could inhibit the proliferation， invasion and migration of HCC （P<0.05）. ConclusionsFANCI is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues， which may play a role in suppressing anti-tumor immunity and acting on pathways such as amino acid transmembrane transport， and is associated with poor prognosis. The proliferation， invasion and migration ability of hepatocellular carcinoma are inhibited after knocking down FANCI.

EffectandMechanismof EZH1/2 InhibitorUNC1999onHepatocellularCarcinomaCell： aPreliminaryStudy / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

@#The aim of this study was to detect the effect and mechanism of EZH1/2 inhibitor UNC1999 on hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC- 7721.【Methods】Two groups including DMSO group（control group）and UNC1999 group were treated with different concentration of DMSO and UNC1999 for different time，respectively，then OD values were detected by using CCK- 8 kit to screen the appropriate action concentration and time of UNC1999. Cell proliferation rate was detected with EdU（5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine）Cell Proliferation Kit. The clone formation ability of cell was investigated by clone formation assay. Wound healing assay and transwell assay were used to detect the ability of migration and invasion. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining assay was performed to detect cell apoptosis. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle. RNA-seq was performed to detect the cell transcriptomics. qRT-PCR was conducted to investigate the related genes，including EZH1，EZH2 and NECTIN4. Western blot was conducted to detect the expression of EZH1 ，EZH2 and H3K27me3. 【Results】 Compared with the control group ，the UNC1999 group showed lower cell proliferation，inhibited ability of migration and invasion（P < 0.05）. In UNC1999 group，G0/1 block occurred in the cell cycle（P<0.05），while cell apoptosis had no significant change（P > 0.05）.【Conclusion】UNC1999 could inhibit HCC by suppressing the expression of EZH1 and EZH2 both in protein level，as well as their function of catalyzing histone methylation. EZH1 and EZH2 play important roles in HCC，which may be potential targets for HCC treatment. UNC1999 could significantly promote the expression of NECTIN4 isoform which has been reported to be associated with the response to anti-cancer drug ，suggesting that the combination of EZH1/2 inhibitor and anti-cancer drug may exert greater effect of inhibiting HCC. This can provide a new idea for clinical drug treatment of liver cancer.

Detection of Immune Cell Subsets of Peripheral Blood in Hepatocellular Carcinoma before Liver Transplantation / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective]To investigate the characteristics of immunophenotypes in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) before liver transplantation.[Methods]The immunophenotypes of T-,B- cells,monocytes,dendritic cells(DC)and NK-cells in peripheral blood from 6 HCC patient who were ready to have liver transplantation and 6 healthy volunteers were analyzed by multicolor flow cytometry.[Results]In the patients,the proportions of CD4+PD-1+T cells,Treg cell (CD4+CD25+CD39+T cells),CD19+B cells,Plasmablasts(CD27highCD38highIgD-IgM-),classical monocytes(CD14high CD16-)and mature NK-cells(CD3-CD56high)were all higher than those in the healthy controls(all P<0.05).However, marginal zone B cell(CD27+IgD+),Non-switched B cells(CD27+CD38dimIgM+),intermediate monocytes(CD14high CD16+)and immature NK-cells(CD3-CD56+)were lower than those in the healthy controls(all P<0.05). And there wasn't any obvious difference in quantity being observed among other cell types.[Conclusion]There was difference in the immunophenotypes of immune cells in peripheral blood between HCC patients before liver transplantation and healthy people.And this finding exerts important effects on monitoring the immune status of the patients after liver transplantation and guiding the administrations of immunosuppressors.

Pathological characteristics of liver allografts from donation after brain death followed by cardiac death in pigs / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Donation after brain death followed by circulatory death (DBCD) is a unique practice in China. The aim of this study was to define the pathologic characteristics of DBCD liver allografts in a porcine model. Fifteen male pigs (25-30 kg) were allocated randomly into donation after brain death (DBD), donation after circulatory death (DCD) and DBCD groups. Brain death was induced by augmenting intracranial pressure. Circulatory death was induced by withdrawal of life support in DBCD group and by venous injection of 40 mL 10% potassium chloride in DCD group. The donor livers were perfused in situ and kept in cold storage for 4 h. Liver tissue and common bile duct samples were collected for hematoxylin and eosin staining, TUNEL testing and electron microscopic examination. Spot necrosis was found in hepatic parenchyma of DBD and DBCD groups, while a large area of necrosis was shown in DCD group. The apoptosis rate of hepatocytes in DBD [(0.56±0.30)%] and DBCD [(0.50 ± 0.11)%] groups was much lower than that in DCD group [(3.78±0.33)%] (P<0.05). And there was no significant difference between DBD group and DBCD group (P>0.05)). The structures of bile duct were intact in both DBD and DBCD groups, while the biliary epithelium was totally damaged in DCD group. Under electron microscope, the DBD hepatocytes were characterized by intact cell membrane, well-organized endoplasmic reticulum, mild mitochondria edema and abundant glycogens. Broken cell membrane, mild inflammatory cell infiltration and sinusoidal epithelium edema, as well as reduced glycogen volume, were found in the DBCD hepatocytes. The DCD hepatocytes had more profound cell organelle injury and much less glycogen storage. In conclusion, the preservation injury of DBCD liver allografts is much less severe than that of un-controlled DCD, but more severe than that of DBD liver allografts under electron microscope, which might reflect post-transplant liver function to some extent.

Pathological characteristics of liver allografts from donation after brain death followed by cardiac death in pigs / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Donation after brain death followed by circulatory death (DBCD) is a unique practice in China. The aim of this study was to define the pathologic characteristics of DBCD liver allografts in a porcine model. Fifteen male pigs (25-30 kg) were allocated randomly into donation after brain death (DBD), donation after circulatory death (DCD) and DBCD groups. Brain death was induced by augmenting intracranial pressure. Circulatory death was induced by withdrawal of life support in DBCD group and by venous injection of 40 mL 10% potassium chloride in DCD group. The donor livers were perfused in situ and kept in cold storage for 4 h. Liver tissue and common bile duct samples were collected for hematoxylin and eosin staining, TUNEL testing and electron microscopic examination. Spot necrosis was found in hepatic parenchyma of DBD and DBCD groups, while a large area of necrosis was shown in DCD group. The apoptosis rate of hepatocytes in DBD [(0.56±0.30)%] and DBCD [(0.50 ± 0.11)%] groups was much lower than that in DCD group [(3.78±0.33)%] (P0.05)). The structures of bile duct were intact in both DBD and DBCD groups, while the biliary epithelium was totally damaged in DCD group. Under electron microscope, the DBD hepatocytes were characterized by intact cell membrane, well-organized endoplasmic reticulum, mild mitochondria edema and abundant glycogens. Broken cell membrane, mild inflammatory cell infiltration and sinusoidal epithelium edema, as well as reduced glycogen volume, were found in the DBCD hepatocytes. The DCD hepatocytes had more profound cell organelle injury and much less glycogen storage. In conclusion, the preservation injury of DBCD liver allografts is much less severe than that of un-controlled DCD, but more severe than that of DBD liver allografts under electron microscope, which might reflect post-transplant liver function to some extent.

Clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of digestive tract leakage after orthotopic liver transplantation / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of digestive tract leakage after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-one recipients had digestive tract leakage in early stage after OLT among 1173 cases from January 2000 to December 2010. There were 55 male and 6 female patients, aging from 36 to 61 years, with a median of 45 years. Digestive tract leakage included bile leakage (46 cases), gastric leakage (5 cases), duodenal leakage (1 case), jejunal leakage (4 cases), ileal leakage (1 case) and colon transversum leakage (4 cases). Ten of recipients with gastrointestinal leakage had 1 to 3 times of abdominal surgery before OLT. Abdominal drainage was used in 28 cases with bile leakage, and additionally, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic nasobiliary drainage and stenting were performed for 8 of them, and surgical neoplasty for another 18 patients with bile leakage. Simple surgical neoplasty of perforation was performed for 13 patients with gastrointestinal leakage, and diverticulectomy and neoplasty for 1 case with duodenal leakage, and partial jejunostomy for one severe jejunal leakage. Nutritional support was administered for all of cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence rate of digestive tract leakage in early stage after OLT was 5.20% (61/1173). Intra-operative iatrogenic injury of gastrointestinal tract was occurred in 6 cases with gastrointestinal leakage. After treatment, 11 cases died of multiple organ failure resulted from severe infection, with mortality of 18.0% (11/61), including 4 cases with bile leakage, with the mortality of 8.6% (4/46), and 7 cases with gastrointestinal tract leakage, with the mortality of 46.6% (7/15). The remanent 50 cases through comprehensive treatment with a span of 1 to 3 months recovered and discharged healthily. No digestive tract leakage reoccurred in the follow-up of 6 to 84 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The morbidity of digestive tract leakage in early stage after OLT is low, but its mortality is high, especially for gastrointestinal tract leakage. High dose corticosteroids therapy, history of abdominal operation and intra-operative iatrogenic injury may be high risk factor. Comprehensive treatment is crucial for improving prognosis.</p>

A study of the efficacy and safety of using hepatitis B surface antigen-positive donors for liver transplantation / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the outcomes of liver transplant recipients who received liver allografts from hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive donors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The medical records of 23 male patients (median age, 42.5 years; range: 29-61) who received HBsAg-(+) liver allografts in our organ transplant center were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had confirmed diagnosis of end-stage liver disease (ESLD) secondary to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, including 13 HBsAg(+)/HBeAg(-)/HBcAb(+) cases and 10 HBsAg(+)/HBeAb(+)/HBcAb(+) cases. After transplantation, all patients were administered oral entecavir and intravenous anti-hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) (2000 IU/d during the first week), along with a steroid-free immune suppression regimen. HBV-related antigen and antibody and HBV DNA were detected on post-transplantation days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 30. The liver allografts were monitored by ultrasound imaging. After discharge, monthly follow-up recorded liver function, renal function, acute rejection, infections, vascular complications, biliary complications, HBV recurrence, cancer recurrence, and patient survival.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two of the recipients died from severe perioperative pneumonia. The remaining 21 recipients were followed-up for 10 to 38 months, and all 21 patients remained HBsAg(+). One recipient developed biliary ischemia and required a second liver transplantation at five months after the primary transplantation. Three recipients (all primary) died from tumor recurrence at 9, 14, and 18 months post-transplantation, respectively. All other recipients survived and had acceptably low HBV DNA copy levels. Color Doppler imaging showed good graft function and normal texture. The patient and graft survival rates were 78.3% (18/23) and 73.9% (17/23), respectively. The recurrence rate of HBV infection was 100% (23/23). In surviving patients, no liver function abnormality, graft loss, or death was found to be related to the recurrence of HBV infection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Liver transplantation using HBsAg(+) liver grafts was safe for patients with ESLD secondary to HBV infection.</p>

Use of arterial conduit for arterial revascularization during liver and multivisceral transplantation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>At present, revascularization is still one of the most critical technologies in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Hepatic artery (HA) variations occur frequently in both donors and recipients. Moreover, there are always some pathological changes in the recipient hepatic artery. If handled improperly, it may cause complications after anastomosis. Therefore, arterial conduit could be used in primary OLT, re-OLT and multiple-OLT. This study aimed to investigate the indications, methods and techniques with usage of arterial conduit for HA revascularization during adult OLT.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We reviewed 1200 patients of consecutive OLTs performed during 2000 - 2009 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Of these patients, 48 recipients with artery variations received HA revascularization with usage of arterial conduit and special postoperative managements. The indications, methods, techniques, and the managements of postoperative complications in adult OLT with usage of arterial conduit for HA revascularization were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 48 cases with artery bypass, the arterial conduit were anastomosed between donor hepatic artery and recipient infrarenal aorta (n = 32), between donor hepatic artery and recipient suprarenal aorta (n = 10), and between donor upper abdominal organ cluster artery and recipient suprarenal aorta (n = 6). The technique was applied in 4% (48/1200 cases) of the whole OLTs performed in the same period, and the patency rate of the conduits was 100%. Forty patients (83.3%) survived, and the average survival time was 3.9 years. Eight patients (16.7%) died (all due to tumor recurrence), while the average survival time was 1.2 years. All these patients have not experienced artery-related complications in their survival time.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>When recipient HA has variations or pathological changes in OLT, the donor artery should be anastomosed to recipient abdominal aorta with an arterial conduit to achieve satisfactory outcomes. For arterial anastomosis can not be routinely performed, donor iliac artery as a conduit to be anastomosed with the recipient abdominal aorta is safe and effective.</p>

Effect of Campath-1H induction on immunosuppression in small intestine transplantation / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Campath-1H induction on immunosuppression in small intestine transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of a patient who underwent small intestine transplantation were retrospectively summarized.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Intraoperative Campath-1H induction by intravenous injection was administered. Triple immunosuppression(FK506, MMF and methylprednisolone) was used postoperatively. The lymphocyte and leukocyte decreased significantly following Campath-1H induction, and returned to normal after adjusting the dose of immunosuppressant and use of colony stimulating factor. There were no acute rejection, graft versus host disease, or severe infection during the immediate postoperative period. The patient recovered and discharged.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intraoperative Campath-1H induction and postoperative triple immunosuppression using FK506, MMF, and methylprednisolone may prevent rejection and graft versus host disease in the early stage after small intestine transplantation.</p>

Analysis on treatment outcomes in five patients with combined en bloc liver and pancreas transplantation / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the treatment outcomes after combined en bloc liver and pancreas transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Five patients with end-stage liver disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus received combined en bloc liver and pancreas transplantation after hepatectomy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five operations were performed successfully. The operative time ranged from 9 to 16 hours and blood loss from 1600 to 3000 ml. Postoperatively, one patients developed pulmonary infection, one died of graft-versus-host disease(GVHD), and one experienced acute renal failure. No intestinal fistula, anastomotic leakage, biliary complications, chronic and acute rejection and pancreatitis were seen. Liver function index including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin returned to normal levels a week after surgery, while levels of C peptide and blood glucose resumed within 1 to 2 weeks. Apart from 1 case died of GVHD, the other 4 maintained normal liver function during the follow up ranging from 2 to 23 months and no insulin was required for the diabetes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined en bloc liver and pancreas transplantation is technically feasible and an effective treatment for multi-organ diseases.</p>

Application of steroids minimization immunosuppressive regimen in liver transplantation / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the safety and feasibility of steroids minimization immunosuppressive regimen in liver transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and sixteen patients in line with the selecting criteria from January 2005 to June 2008 were divided into three groups according to the withdrawal of steroids: 40 cases in 3 months withdrawal group, 40 cases in 7 d withdrawal group and the other 36 cases in 24 h withdrawal group. The difference of recipients' survival, infection, acute rejection and steroids resistant acute rejection, wound healing, recurrence of HBV and hepatocellular cell (HCC), new on-set of diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension between the three groups were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The difference of recipients' survival, acute rejection including steroids resistant acute rejection, recurrence of HBV and HCC, hyperlipidemia between the three groups were not significant (P > 0.05), the incidence of wound un-healing and hypertension in 24 h withdrawal group was significantly lower than that in the other 2 groups (P < 0.05), the incidence of infection and new on-set diabetes in 24 h withdrawal group and 7 d withdrawal group was significantly lower than that in 3 months withdrawal group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Steroids minimization immunosuppressive strategy is safe and feasible in liver transplantation field, it will significantly reduce the steroids related complications without increasing the risk of rejection.</p>

Clinical and pathological analysis of chronic rejection following orthotopic liver transplantation / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical manifestation and pathological features of chronic rejection (CR) and the management of CR after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2004 to December 2006, there were 516 patients who had undergone OLT. All the clinical and pathological data were collected and retrospectively studied. Clinical manifestation, histopathological feature, diagnosis and anti-rejection treatment of CR were summarized and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of CR was 2.3% (12/516), including 7 cases with early phases of CR and 5 cases with late phases of CR. The main pathological changes of CR were the vanishing bile duct syndrome and obliterative arteriopathy;and the early stage of CR were the damage of inter lobular bile duct, necrotic inflammation in central lobule, and inflammatory cells infiltration in portal area. Among 12 patients with CR, 7 cases with early CR were reversed by methylprednisolone (MP) pulse treatment and adjusting immunosuppressant dose, including 2 cases of whom were prescribed OKT3 treatment and 2 cases treated by ATG, and 5 cases with late CR underwent liver retransplantation (re-LT). Two patients died from infection, 1 case died from multiple organ failure in perioperative period after re-LT, another 2 cases were cured by re-LT, and the CR related mortality was 25.0% (3/12).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Chronic rejection following OLT is lack of typical clinical manifestation and pathological features, and the pathological changes can overlap and coexist. Post-transplant liver biopsy and graft specimen after re-LT is still "gold standard" to CR diagnosis. Some of early CRs can be reversed by early diagnosis and early treatment; for late CR recipient, re-LT should be considered.</p>

Etiology and management of postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding after orthotopic liver transplantation / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the causes and treatment of postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 776 patients after OLT between January 2000 and December 2006 were analyzed retrospectively.The experiences in diagnosis and treatment of postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding after OLT were reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 18 patients (2.3%) after OLT, among whom 8 (44.5%) were from peptic ulcer, 3 (16.7%) from gastric and esophageal varices, 3 (16.7%) from gastroduodenitis, 3 (16.7%) from hemobilia, and 1 (5.6%) had diverticular bleeding in the jejunum. These 18 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding were managed with conservative treatment, endoscopic treatment, radiological interventional embolism,or exploratory laparotomy. Five patients died of gastrointestinal bleeding and the gastrointestinal bleeding-related mortality rate was 27.8%. After a mean follow up of 3.5 years, only 1 patient died of recurrence of hepatic cellular carcinoma while others survived disease-free.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Gastrointestinal bleeding may occur from different sites after OLT and the mortality is high. Prompt identification of the source of bleeding and correct management are required to improve the prognosis.</p>

Clinical analysis on multivisceral transplantation / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the indication, surgical and post-operative complications of the multivisceral transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The post-transplant complications of 8 patients who underwent multivisceral transplantation between May 2004 and May 2010 were analyzed. There were 7 male and 1 female, aged from 28 to 65 years. Five patients who suffered from non-resectable advanced upper abdominal malignancy experienced the liver, stomach, spleen, pancreas, duodenum, omentum and variable amounts of the colon resection, and then underwent standard multivisceral transplantation (included liver, stomach, pancreaticoduodenal and small bowel). After underwent hepatectomy while retaining the native pancreas and entire gastrointestinal, three recipients with end-stage liver cirrhosis and type 2 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) was performed combined en bloc liver/pancreaticoduodenal transplantation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Since the third day post-operation, all recipients no longer needed exogenous insulin and had normal blood glucose concentrations. Two weeks after transplantation, their liver function almost became normal. For the 5 recipients who suffered abdominal malignancy, the longest survival period was 326 days. Cause of death are recurrent tumor (n = 2), multiple organ failure (n = 3). All the 5 patients experienced infection. For 3 patients suffered cirrhosis and IDDM, the longest survival was over 18 month. Excepting the case 8 died of graft versus host disease, all were still living without apparently post-transplant complication.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Multivisceral transplantation is an alternative in the treatment of the patients with benign massive abdominal pathologies. Careful patient selection and technical modification are crucial to improve the outcome of these patients.</p>

Simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation: analysis of a single-center experience / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation (SLKT) has been proven to be a favorable treatment for combined renal and hepatic end-stage disease. However, recipients receiving SLKT have a long medical history, poor general condition that is often accompanied by anemia, hypoalbuminemia, coagulopathy, water-electrolyte imbalance and acid-base disorders. This study aimed to explore the indications, surgical techniques, therapeutic experience, prevention and treatment of postoperative complications of SLKT.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 22 SLKTs cases performed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2001 to December 2008 were retrospectively studied. Indications for SLKT, surgical techniques, perioperative fluid management, immunosuppressive regimen and experience in prevention and treatment of postoperative complications were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All operations were successfully performed. Postoperative complications occurred in 13 cases (59.1%), including pleural effusions (7), intra-abdominal bleeding (2), biliary complications (2), repeated upper gastrointestinal bleeding (1), and acute liver graft rejection (1). All complications were treated conservatively. In this study, there were five deaths during follow-up, in which three perioperative deaths occurred due to serious conditions. Mortality at 3 months was 13.6%. The one and three year patient survival rate was 81.3% and 73.9% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SLKT is an effective therapy for end-stage liver disease with chronic renal failure or severe damage to renal function. It is a complex surgical procedure, causing a large disturbance of circulation and fluid balance, and more postoperative complications. The SLKT surgical techniques selected are based on the experience of surgeons, the anatomy of the recipient and primary diseases. It is essential to use the correct perioperative fluid management, reasonable immunosuppressive regimen, and prevention and treatment of postoperative infections, to improve the long-term patient survival after SLKT.</p>

Evaluation of quality of life after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the influence of simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation on the quality of life of diabetic recipients with end-stage renal disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed a retrospective analysis of the data of diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease and evaluated the quality of life of the recipients using SF-36 health survey.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One patient died of cerebrovascular accident, and 7 patients recovered smoothly. During the follow-up lasting for a mean of 23.3 months, the blood glucose, C-peptide and creatine levels of the patients remained stable. The score of 8 domains of SF-36 of the diabetic recipient at 2 years after SPK transplantation showed a significant improvement compared with that before the operation, similar to that of Chinese normal population(P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SPK transplantation can achieve a significant improvement of the quality of life of diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease.</p>

Conversion to rapamycin in liver transpant recipients with renal insufficiency / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy of conversion from calcineurin-inhibitor (CNI) to rapamycin in liver recipients with CNI-associated renal insufficiency.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This retrospective study examined the liver transplant recipients who had switched from CNI to rapamycin between January 2004 and June 2008 in the first affiliated hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. The data of renal function before and after the conversion were analyzed by Wilcoxon sum rank test, and rapamycin-related adverse effects were also observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with that before conversion, the renal funtion 4 months after the conversion improved significantly (P<0.05). The blood lipid level 3 months after the conversion increased significantly (P<0.05) but were well controlled.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rapamycin can be used safely as a good alternative in liver transplant recipients with CNI-related renal insufficiency.</p>

Two-dose steroid combined with two-dose daclizumab and tacrolimus regimen in liver transplant recipients / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficiency and safety of two-dose steroid combined with two-dose daclizumab and tacrolimus (FK506) regimen in liver transplant recipients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>There were 74 patients who treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from September 2006 to March 2008. Expect for 7 patients who didn't measure up, 67 adult liver transplant recipients were randomized into two groups: conventional protocol group (n = 35) in which steroid was withdrawn in 3 months after operation, and two-dose steroid group (n = 32). Comparison of rejection, infection (bacteria, fungal and cytomegalovirus) and metabolic complications rates were studied between two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant differences between two groups in the rate of early postoperation hyperglycemia, the average dosage of insulin consumption among hyperglycemia recipients as well as the rate of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and infection during the follow-up period (P < 0.05). The rate of hypertension in early postoperation period, hyperlipemia and rejection rate during the follow-up period were similar in two groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Two-dose steroid combined with two-dose daclizumab and tacrolimus would be a safe and efficient immunosuppression strategy without increase the acute rejection rate hazard, that could reduce post-transplant infection and other complications from side-effect of long-term usage of steroid.</p>

Prevention and management of hepatitis B virus reinfection after liver transplantation / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reinfection and recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for HBV related end-stage liver disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 316 patients undergoing allograft orthotopic liver transplantation who lived more than 6 months and had HBV infection preoperative with complete data from March 2001 to March 2007 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. According to the HBV prevention strategy, these patients were divided into two groups: group with pure lamivudine (LAM) (n = 106) and group with lamivudine plus intramuscular injection of low dose anti-hepatis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) (n = 210).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Mean follow-up was 33.6 months. The rate of HBsAg negative conversion 1 week after OLT of the LAM group was 82.1% (87/106), significantly lower than that of LAM + HBIG group [91.0% (191/210), P < 0.05]. The rates of HBV reinfection, HBV recurrence, and YMDD mutation of the lamivudine group was 17.0% (18/106), 11.3% (12/106) and 8.5% (9/106) respectively, all significantly higher than those of LAM + HBIG group [6.2% (13/210), 3.8% (8/210) and 2.4% (5/210) respectively, P < 0.05 respectively]. All patients with HBV reinfection or HBV recurrence were treated with Adefovir, Entecavir or increased dose of HBIG and achieved better curative effect.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The therapy with high dose of HBIG combining with adefovir or entecavir is better for patients who have HBV reinfection. Patients with HBV recurrence after OLT should be administrated reasonable liver aid, immunity regulation and anti-hepatic fibrosis to obtain better transplant liver histological results and normal transplant liver function.</p>

Clinical and pathological analysis of acute rejection following orthotopic liver transplantation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Acute rejection is one of the most important factors for prognosis following liver transplantation. With the use of potent immunosuppressants, acute rejection does not always present typical manifestations. Moreover, other complications often occur concomitantly after liver transplantation, which makes early diagnosis of acute rejection more difficult. Acute rejection is best diagnosed by liver biopsy. Differentiation of clinical manifestations and pathological features plays an important role in achieving individualized immunosuppressive treatment and prolonging long term survival of patients given orthotopic liver transplants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2004 to December 2006, 516 orthotopic liver transplantations were performed at the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University. For patients who suffered acute rejection, clinical manifestations, histopathological features, diagnosis and anti-rejection treatment were summarized and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 86 cases (16.7%), of the 516 recipients, 106 episodes of acute rejection occurred, which included 9 with histopathological borderline changes, 36 Banff I rejections, 48 Banff II and 13 Banff III. Among these, 36 were cured by adjusting the dose of immunosuppressant and 65 were reversed by methylprednisolone pulse treatment. Five were methylprednisolone resistant, 3 of whom were given OKT3 treatment and 2 underwent liver retransplantation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Due to potent immunosuppressive agents, acute rejection following an orthotopic liver transplantation lacks typical clinical manifestations and pathological features. Acute rejection is best diagnosed by liver biopsy. Designing rational individualized immunosuppressive regimen based on clinical and pathological features of acute rejection plays an important role in prolonging long term survival of patients.</p>