Low-to-moderate alcohol consumption is associated with increased fibrosis in individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Both metabolic dysfunction and alcohol consumption cause steatotic liver disease (SLD). New nomenclature and distinction of metabolic dysfunction-associated SLD (MASLD) and MetALD categories is based on arbitrary thresholds of alcohol intake. We assessed the impact of different levels of alcohol consumption on SLD severity and its interaction with metabolic comorbidities. METHODS: Population-based study with transient elastography (FibroScan®) data from participants in Spain (derivation) and U.S. (validation) cohorts. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP≥275 dB/m) identified SLD. At least one cardiometabolic risk factor was required to define MASLD. Among MASLD patients, low alcohol consumption was defined as an average of 5-9 drinks/week, moderate consumption as 10-13 drinks/week for females and 10-20 drinks/week for males, and increased alcohol intake (MetALD) as 14-35 drinks/week for females and 21-42 drinks/week for males. Significant fibrosis was defined as LSM≥8 kPa and at-risk MASH as FAST score≥0.35. RESULTS: The derivation cohort included 2,227 subjects with MASLD (9% reported low, 14% moderate alcohol consumption), and 76 cases with MetALD. Overall prevalence of significant fibrosis and at-risk MASH were 7.6% and 14.8%, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, alcohol consumption was independently associated with significant fibrosis and at-risk MASH. A dose-dependent increase in the prevalence of significant fibrosis and at-risk MASH was observed between the number of drinks/week and the number of cardiometabolic factors. The validation cohort included 1,732 participants with MASLD, of whom 17% had significant fibrosis and 13% at-risk MASH. This cohort validated the association between moderate intake and MASLD at risk of progression (OR=1.69 [95%CI 1.06-2.71]). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate alcohol intake is commonly seen in MASLD and increases the risk of advanced disease, in a similar magnitude to MetALD spectrum. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: Metabolic risk factors such as overweight, diabetes or dyslipidemia, and alcohol consumption can cause liver disease. These factors frequently co-exist, but their joint effects on liver fibrosis remain uncertain. This study analyzes subjects form the general population with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) enrolled in Spain and U.S. We show that moderate alcohol consumption has a supra-additive effect with metabolic risk factors, exponentially increasing the risk of liver fibrosis. These results suggest that patients with unhealthy metabolic status and MASLD have no safe limits of daily alcohol intake.

Budesonide as first-line treatment in patients with autoimmune hepatitis seems inferior to standard predniso(lo)ne administration.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In patients with non-severe acute or chronic autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) without cirrhosis, clinical practice guidelines recommend indistinct use of prednisone or budesonide. However, budesonide is infrequently used in clinical practice. We aimed to describe its use and compare its efficacy and safety with prednisone as first-line options. APPROACH AND RESULTS: This was a retrospective, multicenter study of 105 naive AIH patients treated with budesonide as the first-line drug. The control group included 276 patients treated with prednisone. Efficacy was assessed using logistic regression and validated using inverse probability of treatment weighting propensity score. The median time to biochemical response (BR) was 3.1 months in patients treated with budesonide and 4.9 months in those with prednisone. The BR rate was significantly higher in patients treated with prednisone (87% vs. 49% of patients with budesonide, p < 0.001). The probability of achieving BR, assessed using the inverse probability of treatment weighting propensity score, was significantly lower in the budesonide group (OR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.11-0.38) at any time during follow-up, and at 6 (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.29-0.89) and 12 months after starting treatment (0.41; 95% CI: 0.23-0.73). In patients with transaminases <2 × upper limit of normal, BR was similar in both treatment groups. Prednisone treatment was significantly associated with a higher risk of adverse events (24.2% vs. 15.9%, p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: In the real-life setting, the use of budesonide as first-line treatment is low, and it is generally prescribed to patients with perceived less disease activity. Budesonide was inferior to prednisone as a first-line drug but was associated with fewer side effects.

2023 updated MASCC/ESMO consensus recommendations: controlling nausea and vomiting with chemotherapy of low or minimal emetic potential.

PURPOSE: Review the literature to update the MASCC guidelines from 2016 for controlling nausea and vomiting with systemic cancer treatment of low and minimal emetic potential. METHODS: A working group performed a systematic literature review using Medline, Embase, and Scopus databases between June 2015 and January 2023 of the management of antiemetic prophylaxis for anticancer therapy of low or minimal emetic potential. A consensus committee reviewed recommendations and required a consensus of 67% or greater and a change in outcome of at least 10%. RESULTS: Of 293 papers identified, 15 had information about managing systemic cancer treatment regimens of low or minimal emetic potential and/or compliance with previous management recommendations. No new evidence was reported that would change the current MASCC recommendations. No antiemetic prophylaxis is recommended for minimal emetic potential therapy, and single agents recommended for low emetic potential chemotherapy for acute emesis, but no prophylaxis is recommended for delayed emesis. Commonly, rescue medication includes antiemetics prescribed for the next higher level of emesis. CONCLUSION: There is insufficient data to change the current guidelines. Future studies should seek to more accurately determine the risk of emesis with LEC beyond the emetogenicity of the chemotherapy to include patient-related risk assessment.

Innovative Therapeutic Approaches in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: When Knowing Your Patient Is Key.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a spectrum of disorders ranging from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Hepatic steatosis may result from the dysfunction of multiple pathways and thus multiple molecular triggers involved in the disease have been described. The development of NASH entails the activation of inflammatory and fibrotic processes. Furthermore, NAFLD is also strongly associated with several extra-hepatic comorbidities, i.e., metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Due to the heterogeneity of NAFLD presentations and the multifactorial etiology of the disease, clinical trials for NAFLD treatment are testing a wide range of interventions and drugs, with little success. Here, we propose a narrative review of the different phenotypic characteristics of NAFLD patients, whose disease may be triggered by different agents and driven along different pathophysiological pathways. Thus, correct phenotyping of NAFLD patients and personalized treatment is an innovative therapeutic approach that may lead to better therapeutic outcomes.

Faecal Microbiota Transplantation, Paving the Way to Treat Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease (CLD). Currently, the only therapeutic recommendation available is a lifestyle change. However, adherence to this approach is often difficult to guarantee. Alteration of the microbiota and an increase in intestinal permeability seem to be key in the development and progression of NAFLD. Therefore, the manipulation of microbiota seems to provide a promising therapeutic strategy. One way to do so is through faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Here, we summarize the key aspects of FMT, detail its current indications and highlight the most recent advances in NAFLD.

Fatty Liver Disease, Metabolism and Alcohol Interplay: A Comprehensive Review.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, and its incidence has been increasing in recent years because of the high prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in the Western population. Alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD) is the most common cause of cirrhosis and constitutes the leading cause of cirrhosis-related deaths worldwide. Both NAFLD and ArLD constitute well-known causes of liver damage, with some similarities in their pathophysiology. For this reason, they can lead to the progression of liver disease, being responsible for a high proportion of liver-related events and liver-related deaths. Whether ArLD impacts the prognosis and progression of liver damage in patients with NAFLD is still a matter of debate. Nowadays, the synergistic deleterious effect of obesity and diabetes is clearly established in patients with ArLD and heavy alcohol consumption. However, it is still unknown whether low to moderate amounts of alcohol are good or bad for liver health. The measurement and identification of the possible synergistic deleterious effect of alcohol consumption in the assessment of patients with NAFLD is crucial for clinicians, since early intervention, advising abstinence and controlling cardiovascular risk factors would improve the prognosis of patients with both comorbidities. This article seeks to perform a comprehensive review of the pathophysiology of both disorders and measure the impact of alcohol consumption in patients with NAFLD.

Environmentally friendly starch/alginate aerogels for copper adsorption from aqueous media. A microstructural and kinetic study.

This work investigated the synthesis and characterization of alginate/starch porous materials and their application as copper ions adsorbents from aqueous media. Initially, pregel aqueous solutions with different biopolymer concentrations (1, 3, and 5% w/w) and alginate contents (25, 50, and 75% w/w) were prepared. Hydrogel formation was performed by internal and external gelation methods. Finally, the drying step was done via CO2sc leading to aerogels and via freeze-drying leading to cryogels. Process parameters influence on the final properties of materials was evaluated by BET isotherms, SEM, EDS, and TGA. Regardless the gelation method applied, interesting materials with meso- and macro-pore structure were prepared from pregel mixtures with 3% w/w biopolymer concentration and an alginate content of only 25% w/w. Low alginate content reduces the final cost of the materials. Concerning copper removal, the adsorption data were well fitted to the pseudo-second order kinetic model for aerogels and cryogels, showing aerogels the highest adsorption capacity (40 mg/g) and removal efficiency (∼ 92%). Materials demonstrated excellent reusability throughout five consecutive adsorption/desorption cycles. Hence, environmentally friendly materials with a high practical value as low-cost bioadsorbents were synthesized, having great performance in the removal of copper ions from aqueous solution.

Feasibility of a hybrid clinical trial for respiratory virus detection in toddlers during the influenza season.

BACKGROUND: Traditional clinical trials are conducted at investigator sites. Participants must visit healthcare facilities several times for the trial procedures. Decentralized clinical trials offer an interesting alternative. They use telemedicine and other technological solutions (apps, monitoring devices or web platforms) to decrease the number of visits to study sites, minimise the impact on daily routine, and decrease geographical barriers for participants. Not much information is available on the use of decentralization in randomized clinical trials with vaccines. METHODS: A hybrid clinical trial may be assisted by parental recording of symptoms using electronic log diaries in combination with home collected nasal swabs. During two influenza seasons, children aged 12 to 35 months with a history of recurrent acute respiratory infections were recruited in 12 primary health centers of the Valencia Region in Spain. Parents completed a symptom diary through an ad hoc mobile app that subsequently assessed whether it was an acute respiratory infection and requested collection of a nasal swab. Feasibility was measured using the percentage of returned electronic diaries and the validity of nasal swabs collected during the influenza season. Respiratory viruses were detected by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Ninety-nine toddlers were enrolled. Parents completed 10,476 electronic diaries out of the 10,804 requested (97%). The mobile app detected 188 potential acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and requested a nasal swab. In 173 (92%) ARI episodes a swab was taken. 165 (95.4%) of these swabs were collected at home and 144 (87.3%) of them were considered valid for laboratory testing. Overall, 152 (81%) of the ARIs detected in the study had its corresponding valid sample collected. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid procedures used in this clinical trial with the influenza vaccine in toddlers were considered adequate, as we diagnosed most of the ARI cases on time, and had a valid swab in 81% of the cases. Hybrid clinical trials improve participant adherence to the study procedures and could improve recruitment and quality of life of the participants and the research team by decreasing the number of visits to the investigator site. This report emphasises that the conduct of hybrid CTs is a valid alternative to traditional CTs with vaccines. This hybrid CT achieved high adherence of participant to the study procedures. TRIAL REGISTRATION: 2019-001186-33 (EudraCT).

Use of adrenaline continuous infusion to treat hypotension during general anaesthesia in a cow and a calf.

BACKGROUND: Hypotension is one of the most common complications observed during inhalation anaesthesia in veterinary patients. Treatment of hypotension in cattle is more challenging than in other species, owing to the limited number of drugs licensed in food producing animals. The use of adrenaline as an infusion to support blood pressure has not been described previously in bovines. CASE PRESENTATION: A cow and a calf presented to University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital for bilateral mandibular fracture repair and bladder rupture repair respectively, developed severe anaesthetic related hypotension unresponsive to conventional treatments. In both cases an adrenaline infusion was started and slowly increased to effect, with infusion rates ranging from 0.01 to 0.25 µg/kg/min. Blood pressure increased as the adrenaline infusion rate increased, but clinically significant improvements in blood pressure were only observed with infusion rates exceeding 0.05 µg/kg/min. The side effect observed with adrenaline infusion was an increase in plasma lactate levels in both cases. Both animals were euthanised due to non-anaesthetic related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Maintenance of normotension is important during bovine anaesthesia to prevent the development of post-anaesthetic complications. In the cases described here, adrenaline was effective as an additional treatment of anaesthetic related hypotension. Further research is required to establish the recommended infusion rates, cardiovascular effects and possible side effects of adrenaline infusion administration as a treatment for hypotension in bovines.

Reality of the emetogenic level of irinotecan.

PURPOSE: To assess the emetogenic potential of different chemotherapy (CT) regimens in daily clinical practice in an outpatient setting. To optimize antiemetic prophylaxis if necessary METHODS: Prospective and retrospective review of the emetogenic potential of CT regimens used in adult patients in an outpatient setting RESULTS: We assess the chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) of 50 different CT regimens used on 157 different patients in an outpatient setting. We found that the CT usually classified as highly emetogenic, including cisplatin and anthracycline-cyclophosphamide combination, had the higher incidence of CINV (37.5 and 54.4% respectively). The antineoplastic drugs usually considered to be moderately emetogenic had, as expected, lower rates of emesis with the exception of irinotecan, which presented a pattern of nausea and/or vomiting (NV) similar to the highly emetogenic CT with a global incidence of 48.5%. The appearance of emetic symptoms had impact on quality of life in 70% of the patients, with nausea being the main emetic symptom. CONCLUSION: Antiemetic prophylaxis for highly emetogenic CT could be improve. Irinotecan CT regimens have a high emetogenic potential more than moderate and require more intensive antiemetic prophylaxis too.

A retrospective report (2003-2013) of the complications associated with the use of a one-man (head and tail) rope recovery system in horses following general anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The mortality rate of horses undergoing general anaesthesia is high when compared to humans or small animal patients. One of the most critical periods during equine anaesthesia is recovery, as the horse attempts to regain a standing position. This study was performed in a private equine practice in Belgium that uses a purpose-designed one-man (head and tail) rope recovery system to assist the horse during the standing process.The main purpose of the retrospective study was to report and analyse complications and the mortality rate in horses during recovery from anaesthesia using the described recovery system. Information retrieved from the medical records included patient signalment, anaesthetic protocol, duration of anaesthesia, ASA grade, type of surgery, recovery time and complications during recovery. Sedation was administered to all horses prior to recovery with the rope system. Complications were divided into major complications in which the horse was euthanized and minor complications where the horse survived. Major complications were further subdivided into those where the rope system did not contribute to the recovery complication (Group 1) and those where it was not possible to determine if the rope system was of any benefit (Group 2). RESULTS: Five thousand eight hundred fifty two horses recovered from general anaesthesia with rope assistance. Complications were identified in 30 (0.51%). Major complications occurred in 12 horses (0.20%) of which three (0.05%) were assigned to Group 1 and nine (0.15%) to Group 2. Three horses in Group 2 suffered musculoskeletal injuries (0.05%). Eighteen horses (0.31%) suffered minor complications, of which five (0.08%) were categorised as failures of the recovery system. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports the major and minor complication and mortality rate during recovery from anaesthesia using a specific type of rope recovery system. Mortality associated with the rope recovery system was low. During recovery from anaesthesia this rope system may reduce the risk of lethal complications, particularly major orthopaedic injuries.

Age-standardized incidence, mortality rate, and trend changes of thyroid cancer in the Balearic Islands during the 2000-2020 period: a population-based study.

Objective: Global thyroid cancer (TC) incidence is growing worldwide, but great heterogenicity exists among published studies, and thus, population-specific epidemiological studies are needed to adequate health resources and evaluate the impact of overdiagnosis. Methods: We conducted a Public Health System database retrospective review of TC incident cases from 2000 to 2020 in the Balearic Islands region and evaluated age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age at diagnosis, gender distribution, tumor size and histological subtype, mortality rate (MR), and cause of death. Estimated annual percent changes (EAPCs) were also evaluated and data from the 2000-2009 period were compared to the 2010-2020 period when neck ultrasound (US) was routinely performed by clinicians at Endocrinology Departments. Results: A total of 1387 incident cases of TC were detected. Overall, ASIR (×105) was 5.01 with a 7.82% increment in EAPC. A significant increase in the 2010-2020 period was seen for ASIR (6.99 vs 2.82, P < 0.001) and age at diagnosis (52.11 vs 47.32, P < 0.001) compared to the 2000-2009 period. A reduction in tumor size (2.00 vs 2.78 cm, P < 0.001) and a 6.31% increase in micropapillary TC (P < 0.05) were also seen. Disease-specific MR remained stable at 0.21 (×105). The mean age at diagnosis for all mortality groups was older than survivors (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of TC has grown in the 2000-2020 period in the Balearic Islands, but MR has not changed. Beyond other factors, a significant contribution of overdiagnosis to this increased incidence is likely due to changes in the routine management of thyroid nodular disease and increased availability of neck US.

Trastuzumab and thyroid dysfunction: An association to be aware of.

The incidence of autoimmune thyroid disorders is higher among women with breast cancer (BC) than in other solid malignancies, while it has not a prognostic impact. Trastuzumab (T) is a humanized monoclonal antibody approved for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive BC in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and metastatic scenarios. Since 2014, subcutaneous (SC) T has been employed with the same efficacy as the intravenous formulation together with an easier way of administration. To date, autoimmune thyroiditis has been linked rarely to the use of intravenous T, and no cases have been related to the SC presentation. We report two cases of HER2-positive early BC patients who developed hypothyroidism during maintenance therapy with SC T that required levothyroxine supplementation. SC T includes recombinant human hyaluronidase to facilitate tissue penetration of the drug. This enzyme may alter the thyroid gland stroma and facilitate the development of thyroid disorders. Thyroid function tests are recommended in patients on SC T.

SARS-CoV-2 and Liver Transplant: How Has It Behaved in This Sixth Wave?

BACKGROUND: Since the declaration of a new variant of concern (VOC), Omicron, by the World Health Organization in November 2021, a quick spread has been documented worldwide, being the main VOC in the sixth wave in Spain. The Omicron variant has more transmissibility, lower virulence, and less risk of severe disease than previously described VOC. Here we analyze the current wave of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in liver transplant recipients (LTRs). METHODS: A retrospective observational study of 355 LTRs was conducted in La Rioja and Cantabria regions of Spain. Epidemiological and clinical parameters were gathered on the basis of clinical records and telephone interviews. RESULTS: In the current wave of infection, a higher number of LTRs have been found to be infected than the sum of the previous 5 waves (30 versus 16 LTRs). Of the 30 infected LTRs, 29 (96.6%) had received 3 vaccine doses (mRNA based), in a median of 93 d (interquartile range, 86-108) before infection. Eight of 30 LTRs (24.0%) were asymptomatic and 21 LTRs (67.8%) were with mild symptoms with a mean duration of 4.6 d (interquartile range, 2.5-7), whereas in the unvaccinated LTRs, the symptoms were fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Moreover, in the sixth wave, intrafamiliar transmission was the main route of infection (17/30; 56.6%), and nosocomial transmission was confirmed in 2 LTRs (6.6%). CONCLUSIONS: In our series, increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant was confirmed, including nosocomial infection, with a lower risk of severe disease in LTRs. These findings could be supported by the universal vaccination of LTRs and less virulence of the Omicron variant.

Antibody response to the messenger RNA-1273 vaccine (Moderna) in liver transplant recipients.

Different reports have shown the clinical and serologic response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines in preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the general population, but few studies have examined these responses in transplant recipients. We assessed the vaccine immunogenicity of two doses (100 µg) of the mRNA-1273 vaccine (Moderna) administered with a 28-day interval in liver transplant recipients (LTRs) at follow-up at the Marques de Valdecilla University Hospital. LTRs without a history of COVID-19 infection were tested for SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies directed against the spike protein (S) a median of 43 days after receiving the second Moderna vaccine dose. Clinical data, including immunosuppressive regimen and routine laboratory data, were obtained from the medical record of each patient up to 3 months before the date of the first vaccination. Factors associated with serologic response were evaluated through logistic regression. In total, 129 LTRs who had anti-S results were included. Most patients were men (n = 99; 76.7%) with a median age of 63 years (interquartile range, 56-68). Alcohol (43.4%) and chronic hepatitis C (18.6%) were the most frequent causes of liver transplantation. A positive anti-S IgG response was observed in 113 LTRs (87.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 80.8-92.2). A strong inverse relationship between mycophenolate mofetil use and serologic response was found (odds ratio, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.02-0.26; p = 0.001). Conclusion: Most LTRs develop an immunological response to the Moderna SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-based vaccine. An immunosuppressive regimen that includes mycophenolate predicts a weak serologic response.

Lithium dilution cardiac output measurements in isoflurane-anaesthetised goats: Jugular versus cephalic lithium chloride administration.

The administration of lithium chloride (LiCl) for cardiac output (CO) measurement via a peripheral instead of a central vein has been described previously as a valid alternative route in pigs and dogs. The aim of the study was to compare CO measurements after administration of LiCl using two peripheral veins, cephalic or jugular, in goats. Ten adult, female, experimental goats undergoing bilateral stifle arthrotomy were recruited for the study. Paired CO measurements were taken two minutes apart during stable conditions in isoflurane-anaesthetised goats. Forty-two paired CO measurements were taken in total, and the median (range) of paired CO measurement per goat were 4.5 (3-6). The mean (SD) CO using the cephalic and jugular vein for injection of LiCl was 5.28 (1.29) L min-1 and 5.20 (1.24) L min-1 respectively. The Bland-Altman analysis showed an acceptable agreement with a mean bias of 1.33% with limits of agreement (LoA) of -18.43 to 21.09%. The percentage of error was 25%. The four-quadrant plot analysis showed a poor agreement (71%) between the two routes. The polar plot showed a poor trending ability. An 86% inclusion rate (18/21 points) was reached with a ± 35° radial sector size. The findings revealed that the agreement between the two routes is not as precise as the authors expected, however the results are comparable with studies published previously.

Long-term health-related quality of life following gastric bypass: influence of depression.

BACKGROUND: Severe obesity has been associated with impaired quality of life (QoL). We evaluated the long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after gastric bypass. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 morbidly obese patients >5 years after gastric bypass and on a control group of 78 non-operated morbidly obese patients. Both groups were evaluated for the EuroQol 5D measure and the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire. In addition, the Bariatric Analysis of Reporting Outcome System (BAROS) was applied to the surgical group. Depression and severe life events were included in the analysis. Logistic Regression Model was used, and age was included in the analysis. RESULTS: Groups were similar except for mean age (lower in the surgical group: 40.5+/-9.0 vs 46.1+/-8.8 years, P=0.026). 86.5% of patients had >50% Excess Weight Loss. 85.7% showed an improvement in co-morbid conditions. BAROS Global score: 22% excellent, 56% very good, 18% good, 2% fair and 2% failure. After surgery, significant improvements were reported in self-esteem (94%), work conditions (72.6%), physical activity (66.7%), and sexual interest/activity (50.9%). The control group showed poorer results for the EuroQol 5D in mobility (55% vs 21.6%, P=0.005), difficulty with daily activity (55% vs 13.7%, P=0.005) and self-evaluation of well-being (59.2% vs 78.1%, P=0.005). Patients with depression or insufficient weight loss following surgery presented poorer global evaluation in HRQoL. CONCLUSION: Gastric bypass resulted in significant long-term improvements in co-morbidities, sustained weight loss and increased HRQoL. Depression and insufficient weight loss were associated with poorer HRQoL in surgical patients.

Transplant coordination as the "keystone" in non-heart-beating donations.

The shortage of donated organs has become a problem in the transplantation world. Transplant teams are continuously looking for new ways to increase and improve the donor pool. Non--heart-beating donors could be a source for increasing the number of donors, even though in some countries legal, ethical, or logistical problems obstruct the development of that source. The good results obtained by some groups working with non--heart-beating donors should stimulate others to implement this type of policy in their hospitals. We describe the origin and development of our policy on non--heart-beating donation, which has become the main source for organ donation in our hospital. We have found that the 5-year survival rate for kidneys from these donors is similar to the survival rate for kidneys obtained from brain-dead donors, and this encourages us to continue to use kidneys from non--heart-beating donors.