Liver transplantation represents a pivotal intervention in the management of end-stage liver disease,offering a lifeline to countless patients.Despite significant strides in surgical techniques and organ procurement,e...Liver transplantation represents a pivotal intervention in the management of end-stage liver disease,offering a lifeline to countless patients.Despite significant strides in surgical techniques and organ procurement,ethical dilemmas and de-bates continue to underscore this life-saving procedure.Navigating the ethical terrain surrounding this complex procedure is hence paramount.Dissecting the nuances of ethical principles of justice,autonomy and beneficence that underpin transplant protocols worldwide,we explore the modern challenges that plaques the world of liver transplantation.We investigate the ethical dimensions of organ transplantation,focusing on allocation,emerging technologies,and decision-making processes.PubMed,Scopus,Web of Science,Embase and Central were searched from database inception to February 29,2024 using the following key-words:“liver transplant”,“transplantation”,“liver donation”,“liver recipient”,“organ donation”and“ethics”.Information from relevant articles surrounding ethical discussions in the realm of liver transplantation,especially with regards to organ recipients and allocation,organ donation,transplant tourism,new age technologies and developments,were extracted.From the definition of death to the long term follow up of organ recipients,liver transplantation has many ethical quandaries.With new transplant techniques,societal acceptance and perceptions also play a pivotal role.Cultural,religious and regional factors including but not limited to beliefs,wealth and accessibility are extremely influential in public at-titudes towards donation,xenotransplantation,stem cell research,and adopting artificial intelligence.Understanding and addressing these perspectives whilst upholding bioethical principles is essential to ensure just distribution and fair allocation of resources.Robust regulatory oversight for ethical sourcing of organs,ensuring good patient selection and transplant techniques,and high-quality long-term surveillance to mitigate risks is essential.Efforts to promote equitable access to transplantation as well as prioritizing patients with true needs are essential to address disparities.In conclusion,liver transplantation is often the beacon of hope for individuals suffering from end-stage liver disease and improves quality of life.The ethics related to transplantation are complex and multifaceted,considering not just the donor and the recipient,but also the society as a whole.展开更多
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most frequent neoplasms worldwide and in most cases it is associated with liver cirrhosis.Liver resection is considered the most potentially curative therapy for HCC patient...Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most frequent neoplasms worldwide and in most cases it is associated with liver cirrhosis.Liver resection is considered the most potentially curative therapy for HCC patients when liver transplantation is not an option or is not immediately accessible.This review is aimed at investigating the current concepts that drive the surgical choice in the treatment of HCC in cirrhotic patients;Eastern and Western perspectives are highlighted.An extensive literature review of the last two decades was performed,on topics covering various aspects of hepatic resection.Early post-operative and long-term outcome measures adopted were firstly analyzed in an attempt to define an optimal standardization useful for research comparison.The need to avoid the development of post-hepatectomy liver failure represents the "conditio sine qua non" of surgical choice and the role of the current tools available for the assessment of liver function reserve were investigated.Results of hepatic resection in relationship with tumor burden were compared with those of available competing strategies,namely,radiofrequency ablation for early stages,and trans-arterial chemoembolization for intermediate and advanced stages.Finally,the choice for anatomical versus non-anatomical,as well as the role of laparoscopic approach,was overviewed.The literature review suggests that partial hepatectomy for HCC should be considered in the context of multi-disciplinary evaluation of cirrhotic patients.Scientific research on HCC has moved,in recent years,from surgical therapy toward non-surgical approaches and most of the literature regarding topics debated in the present review is represented by observational studies,whereas very few well-designed randomized controlled trials are currently available;thus,no robust recommendations can be derived.展开更多
Forty-three patients with chronic spinal cord injury for over 6 months were transplanted with bryonic olfactory ensheathing cells, 2-4 × 106, into multiple sites in the injured area under the sur-gical microscope...Forty-three patients with chronic spinal cord injury for over 6 months were transplanted with bryonic olfactory ensheathing cells, 2-4 × 106, into multiple sites in the injured area under the sur-gical microscope. The sympathetic skin response in patients was measured with an electromyo-graphy/evoked potential instrument 1 day before transplantation and 3-8 weeks after trans-tion. Spinal nerve function of patients was assessed using the American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale. The sympathetic skin response was elicited in 32 cases before olfactory en-sheathing celltransplantation, while it was observed in 34 cases after transplantation. tantly, sympathetic skin response latency decreased significantly and amplitude increased cantly after transplantation. Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells also improved American Spinal Injury Association scores for movement, pain and light touch. Our findings indicate that factory ensheathing celltransplantation improves motor, sensory and autonomic nerve functions in patients with chronic spinal cord injury.展开更多
Hepatitis C virus(HCV) hepatitis and other diseases related to HCV,such as cryoglobulinemia,lymphoma and renal failure,impair health-related quality of life(HRQoL).In addition,HCV per se might directly influence HRQoL...Hepatitis C virus(HCV) hepatitis and other diseases related to HCV,such as cryoglobulinemia,lymphoma and renal failure,impair health-related quality of life(HRQoL).In addition,HCV per se might directly influence HRQoL via colonization of microglia in the brain or,indirectly,via the effect of systemic inflammatory cytokines which,in turn,can trigger brain interleukin production.The treatment of HCV-related disorders with interferon(IFN) has an effect on HRQoL.Initially,IFN causes a transient deterioration of HRQoL,due to the induction of depression and other side effects of treatment.Subsequently,the subjects who obtain a sustained virologic response experience an improvement in HRQoL.Only rarely does interferon treatment causes permanent detrimental effects on HRQoL,due to residual psychiatric or neurologic side effects.Liver transplantation is the only treatment for end-stage HCV-related liver disease.HRQoL generally improves massively a few months after transplantation,except in the case of serious complications of the transplant procedure.Furthermore,high levels of anxiety and neuroticism pre-transplant are associated with lower HRQoL one year after transplant.Additionally,six months after transplant,patients with HCV who experience virologic recurrence show significantly greater depression,anxiety,phobic anxiety,and paranoid ideation than anti-HCV-negative patients.In conclusion,optimal care for the overall well-being of patients with HCV infection requires adequate knowledge of their neurological and psychological status.展开更多
AIM:To investigate thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)in liver transplantion,because TMA is an infrequent but life-threatening complication in the transplantation field. METHODS:A total of 206 patients who underwent livi...AIM:To investigate thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)in liver transplantion,because TMA is an infrequent but life-threatening complication in the transplantation field. METHODS:A total of 206 patients who underwent living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) were evaluated,and the TMA-like disorder (TMALD) occurred in seven recipients. RESULTS:These TMALD recipients showed poor outcomes in comparison with other 199 recipients. Although two TMALD recipients successfully recovered,the other five recipients finally died despite intensive treatments including repeated plasma exchange (PE) and re-transplantation. Histopathological analysis of liver biopsies after LDLT revealed obvious differences according to the outcomes. Qualitative analysis of antibodies against a disintegrin-like domain and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motifs (ADAMTS-13) were negative in all patients. The fragmentation of red cells,the microhemorrhagic macules and the platelet counts were early markers for the suspicion of TMALD after LDLT. Although the absolute values of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and ADAMTS-13 did not necessarily reflect TMALD,the vWF/ADAMTS-13 ratio had a clear diagnostic value in all cases. The establishment of adequate treatments for TMALD,such as PE for ADAMTS-13 replenishment or treatments against inhibitory antibodies,must be decided according to each case. CONCLUSION:The optimal induction of adequate therapies based on early recognition of TMALD by the reliable markers may confer a large advantage for TMALD after LDLT.展开更多
Endogenous aspergillus endophthalmitis(EAE) after kidney transplant is a rare but important clinical problem due to potentially devastating consequences. Early diagnosis of EAE, timely removal of affected vitreous by ...Endogenous aspergillus endophthalmitis(EAE) after kidney transplant is a rare but important clinical problem due to potentially devastating consequences. Early diagnosis of EAE, timely removal of affected vitreous by vitrectomy, proper anti-fungal treatment, all contributed to the successful control of the disease. Therapeutic success of EAE in post-transplant patients depends largely on prompt diagnosis. Definite diagnosis of EAE is based on positive culture results of vitreous specimen, while fundoscopy and B scan ultrasound may aid early diagnosis. In terms of anti-fungal medicine, amphotericin B has long been the first choice, but its systemic applicaiton has severe adverse reactions, especially for patients with impaired renal function. Herein, we report the treatment modality of EAE after kidney transplant with vitrectomy, systemic administration of micafungin plus voriconazole, topical application of fluconazol and amphotercin B.展开更多
文摘Liver transplantation represents a pivotal intervention in the management of end-stage liver disease,offering a lifeline to countless patients.Despite significant strides in surgical techniques and organ procurement,ethical dilemmas and de-bates continue to underscore this life-saving procedure.Navigating the ethical terrain surrounding this complex procedure is hence paramount.Dissecting the nuances of ethical principles of justice,autonomy and beneficence that underpin transplant protocols worldwide,we explore the modern challenges that plaques the world of liver transplantation.We investigate the ethical dimensions of organ transplantation,focusing on allocation,emerging technologies,and decision-making processes.PubMed,Scopus,Web of Science,Embase and Central were searched from database inception to February 29,2024 using the following key-words:“liver transplant”,“transplantation”,“liver donation”,“liver recipient”,“organ donation”and“ethics”.Information from relevant articles surrounding ethical discussions in the realm of liver transplantation,especially with regards to organ recipients and allocation,organ donation,transplant tourism,new age technologies and developments,were extracted.From the definition of death to the long term follow up of organ recipients,liver transplantation has many ethical quandaries.With new transplant techniques,societal acceptance and perceptions also play a pivotal role.Cultural,religious and regional factors including but not limited to beliefs,wealth and accessibility are extremely influential in public at-titudes towards donation,xenotransplantation,stem cell research,and adopting artificial intelligence.Understanding and addressing these perspectives whilst upholding bioethical principles is essential to ensure just distribution and fair allocation of resources.Robust regulatory oversight for ethical sourcing of organs,ensuring good patient selection and transplant techniques,and high-quality long-term surveillance to mitigate risks is essential.Efforts to promote equitable access to transplantation as well as prioritizing patients with true needs are essential to address disparities.In conclusion,liver transplantation is often the beacon of hope for individuals suffering from end-stage liver disease and improves quality of life.The ethics related to transplantation are complex and multifaceted,considering not just the donor and the recipient,but also the society as a whole.
文摘Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most frequent neoplasms worldwide and in most cases it is associated with liver cirrhosis.Liver resection is considered the most potentially curative therapy for HCC patients when liver transplantation is not an option or is not immediately accessible.This review is aimed at investigating the current concepts that drive the surgical choice in the treatment of HCC in cirrhotic patients;Eastern and Western perspectives are highlighted.An extensive literature review of the last two decades was performed,on topics covering various aspects of hepatic resection.Early post-operative and long-term outcome measures adopted were firstly analyzed in an attempt to define an optimal standardization useful for research comparison.The need to avoid the development of post-hepatectomy liver failure represents the "conditio sine qua non" of surgical choice and the role of the current tools available for the assessment of liver function reserve were investigated.Results of hepatic resection in relationship with tumor burden were compared with those of available competing strategies,namely,radiofrequency ablation for early stages,and trans-arterial chemoembolization for intermediate and advanced stages.Finally,the choice for anatomical versus non-anatomical,as well as the role of laparoscopic approach,was overviewed.The literature review suggests that partial hepatectomy for HCC should be considered in the context of multi-disciplinary evaluation of cirrhotic patients.Scientific research on HCC has moved,in recent years,from surgical therapy toward non-surgical approaches and most of the literature regarding topics debated in the present review is represented by observational studies,whereas very few well-designed randomized controlled trials are currently available;thus,no robust recommendations can be derived.
文摘Forty-three patients with chronic spinal cord injury for over 6 months were transplanted with bryonic olfactory ensheathing cells, 2-4 × 106, into multiple sites in the injured area under the sur-gical microscope. The sympathetic skin response in patients was measured with an electromyo-graphy/evoked potential instrument 1 day before transplantation and 3-8 weeks after trans-tion. Spinal nerve function of patients was assessed using the American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale. The sympathetic skin response was elicited in 32 cases before olfactory en-sheathing celltransplantation, while it was observed in 34 cases after transplantation. tantly, sympathetic skin response latency decreased significantly and amplitude increased cantly after transplantation. Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells also improved American Spinal Injury Association scores for movement, pain and light touch. Our findings indicate that factory ensheathing celltransplantation improves motor, sensory and autonomic nerve functions in patients with chronic spinal cord injury.
文摘Hepatitis C virus(HCV) hepatitis and other diseases related to HCV,such as cryoglobulinemia,lymphoma and renal failure,impair health-related quality of life(HRQoL).In addition,HCV per se might directly influence HRQoL via colonization of microglia in the brain or,indirectly,via the effect of systemic inflammatory cytokines which,in turn,can trigger brain interleukin production.The treatment of HCV-related disorders with interferon(IFN) has an effect on HRQoL.Initially,IFN causes a transient deterioration of HRQoL,due to the induction of depression and other side effects of treatment.Subsequently,the subjects who obtain a sustained virologic response experience an improvement in HRQoL.Only rarely does interferon treatment causes permanent detrimental effects on HRQoL,due to residual psychiatric or neurologic side effects.Liver transplantation is the only treatment for end-stage HCV-related liver disease.HRQoL generally improves massively a few months after transplantation,except in the case of serious complications of the transplant procedure.Furthermore,high levels of anxiety and neuroticism pre-transplant are associated with lower HRQoL one year after transplant.Additionally,six months after transplant,patients with HCV who experience virologic recurrence show significantly greater depression,anxiety,phobic anxiety,and paranoid ideation than anti-HCV-negative patients.In conclusion,optimal care for the overall well-being of patients with HCV infection requires adequate knowledge of their neurological and psychological status.
基金Supported by the Grant from Uehara Memorial Foundation, No. 200940051, Tokyo, 171-0033, Japan
文摘AIM:To investigate thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)in liver transplantion,because TMA is an infrequent but life-threatening complication in the transplantation field. METHODS:A total of 206 patients who underwent living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) were evaluated,and the TMA-like disorder (TMALD) occurred in seven recipients. RESULTS:These TMALD recipients showed poor outcomes in comparison with other 199 recipients. Although two TMALD recipients successfully recovered,the other five recipients finally died despite intensive treatments including repeated plasma exchange (PE) and re-transplantation. Histopathological analysis of liver biopsies after LDLT revealed obvious differences according to the outcomes. Qualitative analysis of antibodies against a disintegrin-like domain and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motifs (ADAMTS-13) were negative in all patients. The fragmentation of red cells,the microhemorrhagic macules and the platelet counts were early markers for the suspicion of TMALD after LDLT. Although the absolute values of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and ADAMTS-13 did not necessarily reflect TMALD,the vWF/ADAMTS-13 ratio had a clear diagnostic value in all cases. The establishment of adequate treatments for TMALD,such as PE for ADAMTS-13 replenishment or treatments against inhibitory antibodies,must be decided according to each case. CONCLUSION:The optimal induction of adequate therapies based on early recognition of TMALD by the reliable markers may confer a large advantage for TMALD after LDLT.
文摘Endogenous aspergillus endophthalmitis(EAE) after kidney transplant is a rare but important clinical problem due to potentially devastating consequences. Early diagnosis of EAE, timely removal of affected vitreous by vitrectomy, proper anti-fungal treatment, all contributed to the successful control of the disease. Therapeutic success of EAE in post-transplant patients depends largely on prompt diagnosis. Definite diagnosis of EAE is based on positive culture results of vitreous specimen, while fundoscopy and B scan ultrasound may aid early diagnosis. In terms of anti-fungal medicine, amphotericin B has long been the first choice, but its systemic applicaiton has severe adverse reactions, especially for patients with impaired renal function. Herein, we report the treatment modality of EAE after kidney transplant with vitrectomy, systemic administration of micafungin plus voriconazole, topical application of fluconazol and amphotercin B.
