Mediterranean diet, physical activity, and family characteristics associated with cognitive performance in Italian primary school children: analysis of the I-MOVE project.

Working memory (WM) is a multicomponent system that supports cognitive functioning. It has been linked to a wide variety of outcomes including academic success and general well-being. The present study examined the relations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and WM among Italian children, adjusting for important parent characteristics and children's lifestyle habits. Data for this study was obtained from 106 children attending primary school in Imola (Italy) who were part of the I-MOVE study emphasizing school-based physical activity. Children's adherence to the MD was calculated using the KIDMED index (KI) based on the ZOOM-8 questionnaire. Physical activity (PA) levels were assessed using an actigraph accelerometer and WM using the backward digit span test. Univariate regression was used to select significant child-level and family measures associated with WM, which were then tested in a single multivariate regression model. Older age is positively associated with higher WM (ß = 0.36; 95% CI 0.25, 0.47). Dietary adherence (KI) (ß = 0.07; 95% CI 0.01, 0.14) and engagement in organized PA outside school hours (ß = 0.58; 95% CI 0.09, 1.10) are positively related to WM. Among the family measures, father's education was positively associated with WM for high school education and for university vs. middle school or lower, respectively. CONCLUSION: Adherence to the MD was associated with better WM capacity in primary school children. These findings can be used to guide policymakers in designing health promotion programs and instituting policies emphasizing healthy nutrition to improve physical health and boost cognitive functioning. WHAT IS KNOWN: • The development of working memory involves the entire childhood with a rapid spurt between 2 and 8 years of age. • Working memory plays a critical role in children's learning and academic performance and underlies higher-order cognitive abilities. WHAT IS NEW: • Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was associated with higher working memory capacity in primary school children. • Health promotion interventions based on PA and sound nutrition involving children benefit not only physical and mental health, but also cognitive health.

Identifying patient subgroups with different trends of patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) after elective knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly being used to assess the effectiveness of elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, little is known about how PROMs scores change over time in these patients. The aim of this study was to identify the trajectories of quality of life and joint functioning, and their associated demographic and clinical features in patients undergoing elective TKA. METHODS: A prospective, cohort study was conducted, in which PROMs questionnaires (Euro Quality 5 Dimensions 3L, EQ-5D-3L, and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Patient Satisfaction, KOOS-PS) were administered to patients at a single center undergoing elective TKA before surgery, and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Latent class growth mixture models were used to analyze the patterns of change in PROMs scores over time. Multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the association between patient characteristics and PROMs trajectories. RESULTS: A total of 564 patients were included in the study. The analysis highlighted differential patterns of improvement after TKA. Three distinct PROMs trajectories were identified for each PROMs questionnaire, with one trajectory indicating the most favorable outcome. Female gender appears to be associated with a presentation to surgery with worse perceived quality of life and joint function than males, but also more rapid improvement after surgery. Having an ASA score greater than 3 is instead associated with a worse functional recovery after TKA. CONCLUSION: The results suggest three main PROMs trajectories in patients undergoing elective TKA. Most patients reported improved quality of life and joint functioning at 6 months, which then stabilized. However, other subgroups showed more varied trajectories. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to explore the potential clinical implications of these results.

Critical role of the high mobility group A proteins in hematological malignancies.

The high mobility group A (HMGA) protein family is composed of three non-histone chromatin remodeling proteins that act as architectural transcriptional factors. Indeed, although HMGA proteins lack transcriptional activity per se, they bind the minor groove of DNA at AT-rich sequences, and, interacting with the transcription machinery, are able to modify chromatin modeling, thus regulating the expression of several genes. HMGA proteins have been deeply involved in embryogenesis process, and a large volume of studies has pointed out their key role in human cancer. Here, we review the studies on the role of the HMGA proteins in human hematological malignancies: they are overexpressed in most of the cases and their expression correlates with a reduced survival. In some cases, such as in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia, HMGA2 gene rearrangements have been also described. Finally, recent studies evidence a synergism between HMGA and EZH2 in diffuse B-cell lymphomas, suggesting an innovative therapy for this disease based on the inhibition of the function of both these proteins.

Acrylamide levels in smoke from conventional cigarettes and heated tobacco products and exposure assessment in habitual smokers.

Acrylamide (AA) is a neurotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic compound developed during heating at high temperatures. Foods such as potatoes, biscuits, bread and coffee are the main foodstuffs containing AA. Cigarette smoke may be a significant additional source of exposure. However, AA content may vary among different types of cigarettes. The study aimed to evaluate the AA content in conventional cigarettes (CC) and heated tobacco products (HTP) and its resulting exposure through their use. AA levels from the two types of cigarettes were determined by GC-MS and the daily exposure to AA was also ascertained. The margin of exposure (MOE) was calculated for neurotoxic and carcinogenic risk based on benchmark dose lower confidence limit for a 10% response (BMDL10) of 0.43 and 0.17, 0.30, and 1.13 mg/kgbw/day. AA level in CC ranged from 235 to 897 ng/cigarette, whereas HTP reported AA levels in the range of 99-187 ng/cigarette. The data showed a low neurotoxic risk for either CC or HTP, whereas a carcinogenic risk emerged through the smoking of CC based on different Benchmark doses. The carcinogenic risk for CC based on the highest Benchmark dose that was considered showed unsafe levels, as little as 10 CC cigarettes/day, whereas it was almost always of low concern for HTP. Another approach based upon the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) analysis led to similar results, exceeding, in some cases, the safety value of 10-4, as far as CC are concerned. Overall, the results confirmed that CC are a significant source of AA, and its levels were five times higher than in HTP.

Assessment of a collaborative concussion management strategy in a school-based sport program: Prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the implementation of a concussion management protocol in which a team physiotherapist is involved in the identification of concussions and return-to-play (RTP) decisions. DESIGN: A prospective injury surveillance cohort study in a school-based Canadian football program (4 teams; grades 8 to 12) over 4 years. For years 1 to 2, the team physician made all RTP decisions; over years 3 to 4, the team physiotherapist was allowed to make some RTP decisions using pre-established criteria defined in the protocol. SETTING: A high school in Québec, Que. PARTICIPANTS: Male student athletes between 11 and 17 years old. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Same-season recurrence (SSR) of concussion symptoms following RTP. RESULTS: A total of 119 concussions were identified (55 during the first 2 years and 64 during the last 2 years) during 27,741 athlete-exposures in 672 athlete-years for an incidence rate of 4.3 per 1000 athlete-exposures. During years 1 to 3, no SSR was observed following RTP clearance. During year 4 there was 1 case of SSR that occurred 11 days after clearance. The overall SSR rate of concussion symptoms following RTP clearance was 0.8%. CONCLUSION: A very low rate of SSR was achieved whether the team physician made all RTP decisions or the team physiotherapist was allowed to make some of the RTP decisions through the terms of the protocol.

The impact of advanced patient age in liver transplantation: a European Liver Transplant Registry propensity-score matching study.

BACKGROUND: The futility of liver transplantation in elderly recipients remains under debate in the HCV eradication era. METHODS: The aim was to assess the effect of older age on outcome after liver transplantation. We used the ELTR to study the relationship between recipient age and post-transplant outcome. Young and elderly recipients were compared using a PSM method. RESULTS: A total of 10,172 cases were analysed. Recipient age >65 years was identified as an independent risk factor associated with reduced patient survival (HR:1.42 95%CI:1.23-1.65,p < 0.001). After PSM, 2124 patients were matched, and the same association was found between elderly recipients and patient survival and graft survival (p < 0.001). As hepatocellular carcinoma and alcoholic cirrhosis were independent prognostic factors for patient and graft survival a propensity score-matching was performed for each. Patient and graft survival were significantly worse (p < 0.05) in the alcoholic cirrhosis elderly group. However, patient and graft survival in the hepatocellular carcinoma cohort were similar (p > 0.05) between groups. CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation is an acceptable and safe curative option for elderly transplant candidates, with worse long-term outcomes compare to young candidates. The underlying liver disease for liver transplantation has a significant impact on the selection of elderly patients.

Omental Infarction: An Underrecognized Cause of Right-Sided Acute Abdominal Pain in Children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of omental infarction (OI) in children with suspected appendicitis, the role of ultrasonography (US) in its diagnosis and management and the efficacy of conservative management. METHODS: Consecutive children with suspected acute appendicitis were prospectively enrolled. Ultrasonography was performed at baseline, during follow-up, before the discharge, and at 15-day intervals until US findings of OI disappeared. All children with a diagnosis of OI were treated conservatively. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-nine children (91 male; age range, 3-15 years) were evaluated. Eighty-four patients had acute appendicitis. Omental infarctions were found in 14 children (8 male; mean age, 9.8 ± 2.6 years), with an incidence of 7%. Ultrasonography depicted an echogenic mass consistent with OI in all children. Ultrasonography detected in 8 patients a normal-looking appendix, whereas in other 6 patients, it identified neither appendix nor indirect signs of acute appendicitis. A normal appendix has been detected by US during follow-up in 2 of these 6 patients. During follow-up, US finding of OI disappeared in all cases and no signs of acute appendicitis or other disease occurred. All 14 OIs were treated conservatively, with no reported complications. CONCLUSIONS: Omental infarction is an underestimated cause of abdominal pain in children accounting for 7% of patients with suspected appendicitis. Ultrasonography is a useful method for the diagnoses and to guide clinical management of OI. Conservative therapy is a safe option for the management of OI.

miRNAs and Biomarkers in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: An Update.

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the leading form of solid cancer and death affecting males between the ages of 20 and 40. Today, their surgical resection and chemotherapy are the treatments of first choice, even if sometimes this is not enough to save the lives of patients with TGCT. As seen for several tumors, the deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is also a key feature in TGCTs. miRNAs are small molecules of RNA with biological activity that are released into biological fluids by testicular cancer cells. Their presence, therefore, can be detected and monitored by considering miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic markers for TGCTs. The purpose of this review is to collect all the studies executed on miRNAs that have a potential role as biomarkers for testicular tumors.

Three Novel Bacteria Associated with Two Centric Diatom Species from the Mediterranean Sea, Thalassiosira rotula and Skeletonema marinoi.

Diatoms are a successful group of microalgae at the base of the marine food web. For hundreds of millions of years, they have shared common habitats with bacteria, which favored the onset of interactions at different levels, potentially driving the synthesis of biologically active molecules. To unveil their presence, we sequenced the genomes of bacteria associated with the centric diatom Thalassiosira rotula from the Gulf of Naples. Annotation of the metagenome and its analysis allowed the reconstruction of three bacterial genomes that belong to currently undescribed species. Their investigation showed the existence of novel gene clusters coding for new polyketide molecules, antibiotics, antibiotic-resistance genes and an ectoine production pathway. Real-time PCR was used to investigate the association of these bacteria with three different diatom clones and revealed their preference for T. rotula FE80 and Skeletonema marinoi FE7, but not S. marinoi FE60 from the North Adriatic Sea. Additionally, we demonstrate that although all three bacteria could be detected in the culture supernatant (free-living), their number is up to 45 times higher in the cell associated fraction, suggesting a close association between these bacteria and their host. We demonstrate that axenic cultures of T. rotula are unable to grow in medium with low salinity (<28 ppt NaCl) whereas xenic cultures can tolerate up to 40 ppt NaCl with concomitant ectoine production, likely by the associated bacteria.

Liver transplantation in patients with sickle cell disease: possible but challenging-a cohort study.

The liver is frequently affected in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), but few reports have described liver transplantation (LT) in patients with SCD. We present a thorough analysis of the largest single-center series of LT in patients with SCD and the first systematic review. There were 21 patients with a median age of 37.6 years. LT was performed for acute liver failure related to the sickling process (57%) or electively for end-stage liver disease (43%). Prior to LT, 13 patients (62%) were in the intensive care unit and required mechanical ventilation (33%), vasopressor therapy (24%), renal replacement therapy (10%), or molecular adsorbent recirculating system therapy (19%). Post-LT morbidity and mortality were 95% and 33%, respectively. Patient survival at 1 and 5 years were 58.3% and 41.7%, respectively, in the urgent group and 88.9% and 77.8%, respectively, in the elective group. A total of 22 transplant patients with SCD are described in 20 articles in the literature. The 1- and 5-year patient survival rates for the 18 evaluable patients were 75% and 65%, respectively. LT improves survival in patients with SCD and acute liver failure or end-stage liver disease but is associated with high morbidity during the early postoperative course.

De Novo Transcriptome Assembly and Gene Expression Profiling of the Copepod Calanus helgolandicus Feeding on the PUA-Producing Diatom Skeletonema marinoi.

Diatoms are the dominant component of the marine phytoplankton. Several diatoms produce secondary metabolites, namely oxylipins, with teratogenic effects on their main predators, crustacean copepods. Our study reports the de novo assembled transcriptome of the calanoid copepod Calanus helgolandicus feeding on the oxylipin-producing diatom Skeletonema marinoi. Differential expression analysis was also performed between copepod females exposed to the diatom and the control flagellate Prorocentrum minimum, which does not produce oxylipins. Our results showed that transcripts involved in carbohydrate, amino acid, folate and methionine metabolism, embryogenesis, and response to stimulus were differentially expressed in the two conditions. Expression of 27 selected genes belonging to these functional categories was also analyzed by RT-qPCR in C. helgolandicus females exposed to a mixed solution of the oxylipins heptadienal and octadienal at the concentration of 10 µM, 15 µM, and 20 µM. The results confirmed differential expression analysis, with up-regulation of genes involved in stress response and down-regulation of genes associated with folate and methionine metabolism, embryogenesis, and signaling. Overall, we offer new insights on the mechanism of action of oxylipins on maternally-induced embryo abnormality. Our results may also help identify biomarker genes associated with diatom-related reproductive failure in the natural copepod population at sea.

HMGA1-Regulating microRNAs Let-7a and miR-26a are Downregulated in Human Seminomas.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have underlined HMGA protein's key role in the onset of testicular germ cell tumors, where HMGA1 is differently expressed with respect to the state of differentiation, suggesting its fine regulation as master regulator in testicular tumorigenesis. Several studies have highlighted that the HMGA1 transcript is strictly regulated by a set of inhibitory microRNAs. Thus, the aim of this study is to test whether HMGA1 overexpression in human seminomas may be induced by the deregulation of miR-26a and Let-7a-two HMGA1-targeting microRNAs. METHODS: HMGA1 mRNA and Let-7a and miR-26a levels were measured in a seminoma dataset available in the Cancer Genome Atlas database and confirmed in a subset of seminomas by qRT-PCR and western blot. A TCam-2 seminoma cell line was then transfected with Let-7a and miR-26a and tested for proliferation and motility abilities. RESULTS: an inverse correlation was found between the expression of miR-26a and Let-7a and HMGA1 expression levels in seminomas samples, suggesting a critical role of these microRNAs in HMGA1 levels regulation. Accordingly, functional studies showed that miR-26a and Let-7a inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion capabilities of the human seminoma derived cell line TCam-2. CONCLUSIONS: these data strongly support that the upregulation of HMGA1 levels occurring in seminoma is-at least in part-due to the downregulation of HMGA1-targeting microRNAs.

Occurrence of Acrylamide in Italian Baked Products and Dietary Exposure Assessment.

Acrylamide (AA) is a neo-formed toxic compound that develops in foods during cooking at temperatures above 120 °C. AA shows in vivo neurotoxic and carcinogenic effects, and it is potentially carcinogenic for humans. Its occurrence is common in baked food, such as bread and similar products. This study set out to analyze bread and sweets from the Italian market to evaluate the effects of the benchmark thresholds set by EU Regulation 2017/2158 and to ascertain the exposure of the Italian population to AA, across three age groups, through the consumption of baked products, according to the margin of exposure (MOE) approach. Two hundred samples were tested, and the content of AA ranged from 31 to 454 µg/kg for bread and products thereof and from 204 to 400 µg/kg for the sweets category. The exposure data did not show any neurotoxic health concern, whereas the MOE related to the carcinogenic endpoint is well below the minimum safety value of 10,000.

Clinical significance and sonographic evolution of enlarged abdominal lymph nodes in children.

AIM: Paediatric evidence about the clinical implications of enlarged abdominal lymph nodes (EALN) is not univocal. The main purpose of our study was to evaluate the clinical significance and the morphological evolution of enlarged abdominal nodes in children with recurrent abdominal pain. METHODS: All children with recurrent abdominal pain diagnosed with EALN were enrolled at the involved centres between September 2017 and June 2018. Number, size, localisation, shape and architecture of nodes were accurately recorded along with clinical and laboratory data at enrolment and after three and six months. RESULTS: A total of 38 children were enrolled. After the six-month study period, 58% of them had lymph nodes reduced in size, 13% had unchanged lymph nodes, and 29% had lymph nodes increased in size. Overall, we observed a gradual, albeit slight reduction in the average size of enlarged nodes over the six-month period. The extent of size changes was not correlated with any clinical parameter. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that EALN are a non-specific finding, which is not worth a change in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of children with abdominal pain.

Up-to-date imaging review of paediatric soft tissue vascular masses, focusing on sonography.

The purpose of this article is to provide an up-to-date overview on imaging of paediatric vascular soft tissue masses, including both neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. We describe the-often challenging-imaging diagnosis-mainly performed by ultrasound (and secondarily by MRI) and differential diagnosis of vascular soft tissue lesions in children. We underline how important it is to determine whether a vascular anomaly has a regional vascular origin, or if there are other entities, ranging from benign to malignant lesions, which have flow-signal or blood degradation products. Even though clinical examination and patient's history are the first and indispensable steps in the initial diagnosis, the role of imaging is crucial, not only to determine whether a mass represents a true tumour/pseudo-tumour, but also to achieve a more correct diagnosis and determine the extension of the tumour/pseudo-tumour and its relation with the nearby anatomic structures.

Molecular Imaging of Vascular Calcification with 18F-Sodium-Fluoride in Patients Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

18F-Sodium Fluoride (NaF) accumulates in areas of active hydroxyapatite deposition and potentially unstable atherosclerotic plaques. We assessed the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in 50 adult patients with HIV (HIV+) who had undergone two cardiac computed tomography scans to measure coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression. CAC and its progression are predictive of an unfavorable prognosis. Tracer uptake was quantified in six arterial territories: aortic arch, innominate carotid artery, right and left internal carotid arteries, left coronary (anterior descending and circumflex) and right coronary artery. Thirty-one patients showed CAC progression and 19 did not. At least one territory with high NaF uptake was observed in 150 (50%) of 300 arterial territories. High NaF uptake was detected more often in non-calcified than calcified areas (68% vs. 32%), and in patients without than in those with prior CAC progression (68% vs. 32%). There was no correlation between clinical and demographic variables and NaF uptake. In clinically stable HIV+ patients, half of the arterial territories showed a high NaF uptake, often in the absence of macroscopic calcification. NaF uptake at one time point did not correlate with prior progression of CAC. Prospective studies will demonstrate the prognostic significance of high NaF uptake in HIV+ patients.

Level of Biogenic Amines in Red and White Wines, Dietary Exposure, and Histamine-Mediated Symptoms upon Wine Ingestion.

Biogenic amines (BAs) are involved in physiological processes. Foods where typically high levels of BAs occur are fermented food and beverage. This work set out to evaluate the occurrence of BAs in red and white wines, and to also ascertain the dietary exposure to BAs among consumers. Besides, a case report of a probable histamine intoxication upon ingestion of contaminated wine was described. The samples were analyzed through derivatization with dansyl chloride and HPLC-UV detection. Red wines showed higher levels of BAs, especially putrescine (PUT) and histamine (HIS), than white wines (median concentrations of 7.30 and 2.45 mg/L, respectively). However, results of our investigation showed that the dietary exposure to BAs through the consumption of wine (red and white) were lower than the recommended maximum levels for the acute exposure to HIS and tyramine (TYR). In contrast, the levels of BAs in wine on tap were much higher than in bottled wine and close to recommended values. The levels of HIS, TYR, and PUT in tap wine of 9.97, 8.23, and 13.01 mg/L, respectively, were associated with histamine-mediated symptoms in six young individuals after consumption of about three glasses of wine. The overall results and multivariate analysis confirm that red wine shows a higher concentration of BAs than white wine, especially putrescine and histamine. This finding is attributable to the malolactic fermentation that is common for most red wine production. It is also evident that incorrect preservation processes can lead to an increase in BA levels, probably due to the action of bacteria with high decarboxylase activity. The exposure values, although below the toxicity thresholds, could lead to histamine-mediated symptoms in susceptible individuals, also according to the case report discussed in this study.

Combined hepatic and portal vein embolization as preparation for major hepatectomy: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Some patients remain deemed unsuitable for resection after portal vein embolization (PVE) because of insufficient hypertrophy of the future remnant liver (FRL). Hepatic and portal vein embolization (HPVE) has been shown to induce hypertrophy of the FRL. The aim of this study was to provide a systematic review of the available literature on HPVE as preparation for major hepatectomy. METHODS: The literature search was performed on online databases. Studies including patients who underwent preoperative HPVE were retrieved for evaluation. RESULTS: Six articles including 68 patients were published between 2003 and 2017. HPVE was performed successfully in all patients with no mortality and morbidity-related procedures. The degree of hypertrophy of the FRL after HPVE ranged from 33% to 63.3%. Surgical resection after preoperative HPVE could be performed in 85.3% of patients, but 14.7% remained unsuitable for resection because of insufficient hypertrophy of the FRL or tumor progression. Posthepatectomy morbidity and mortality rates were 10.3% and 5.1%, respectively. The postoperative liver failure rate was nil. CONCLUSION: HPVE as a preparation for major hepatectomy appears to be feasible and safe and could increase the resectability of patients initially deemed unsuitable for resection because of absent or insufficient hypertrophy of the FRL after PVE alone.

Liver transplantation in elderly patients: a systematic review and first meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Elderly recipients are frequently discussed by the scientific community but objective indication for this parameter has been provided. The aim of this study was to synthesize the available evidence on liver transplantation for elderly patients to assess graft and patient survival. METHODS: A literature search of the Medline, EMBASE, and Scopus databases was carried out from January 2000 to August 2018. Clinical studies comparing the outcomes of liver transplantation in adult younger (<65 years) and elderly (>65 years) populations were analyzed. The primary outcomes were patient mortality and graft loss rates. This review was registered (Number CRD42017058261) as required in the international prospective register for systematic review protocols (PROSPERO). RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were included involving a total of 242,487 patients (elderly: 23,660 and young: 218,827) were included in this study. In the meta-analysis, the elderly group had patient mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.97-1.63; P = 0.09; I2 = 48%) and graft (HR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.81-1.47; P = 0.59; I2 = 12%) loss rates comparable to those in the young group. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients have similar long-term survival and graft loss rates as young patients. Liver transplantation is an acceptable and safe curative option for elderly transplant candidates.

Ligation versus no ligation of spontaneous portosystemic shunts during liver transplantation: Audit of a prospective series of 66 consecutive patients.

The management of large spontaneous portosystemic shunt (SPSS) during liver transplantation (LT) is a matter of debate. The aim of this study is to compare the short-term and longterm outcomes of SPSS ligation versus nonligation during LT, when both options are available. From 2011 to 2017, 66 patients with SPSS underwent LT: 56 without and 10 with portal vein thrombosis (PVT), all of whom underwent successful thrombectomy and could have portoportal reconstruction. The SPSS were either splenorenal (n = 40; 60.6%), left gastric (n = 16; 24.2%), or mesenterico-iliac (n = 10; 15.1%). Following portoportal anastomosis, the SPSS was ligated in 36 (54.4%) patients and left in place in 30 (45.5%) patients, based on the effect of the SPSS clamping/unclamping test on portal vein flow during the anhepatic phase. Intraoperatively, satisfactory portal flow was obtained in both groups. Primary nonfunction (PNF) and primary dysfunction (PDF) rates did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Nonligation of SPSS was significantly associated with a higher rate of postoperative encephalopathy (P < 0.001) and major postoperative morbidity (P = 0.02). PVT occurred in 0 and 3 patients in the ligated and nonligated shunt group, respectively (P = 0.08). A composite end point, which included the relevant complications in the setting of SPSS in LT (ie, PNF and PDF, PVT, and encephalopathy) was present in 16 (44.4%) and 22 (73.3%) patients of the ligated and nonligated shunt group, respectively (P = 0.02). Patient (P = 0.05) and graft (P = 0.02) survival rates were better in the ligated shunt group. In conclusion, the present study supports routine ligation of large SPSS during LT whenever feasible. Liver Transplantation 24 505-515 2018 AASLD.