CD13在费城染色体阴性急性B淋巴细胞白血病中的表达及其临床意义

目的 分析成年人和儿童急性B淋巴细胞白血病（B-ALL）的免疫表型,观察髓系抗原CD13的表达与费城染色体阴性（Ph-）B-ALL患者的临床特征、血液学特点和临床预后的关系.方法 采用多参数流式细胞术检测111例成年和32例儿童B-ALL患者免疫表型.结果 儿童与成年B-ALL患者CD13、CD33阳性表达率差异均无统计学意义[31.3 ％（10/32）比19.8 ％（22/111）,18.8 ％（6/32）比29.7 ％（33/111）,均P＞ 0.05].在Ph-B-ALL患者中,儿童CD13阳性表达率高于成年人[32.3％（10/31）比9.4％（6/64）,P＜ 0.05].在儿童和成年Ph-B-ALL患者中,CD13＋和CD13-患者的诱导完全缓解率和缓解时间差异均无统计学意义（均P＞ 0.05）.在儿童Ph-B-ALL患者中,CD13＋和CD13-患者的复发时间差异有统计学意义[（111±16）d比（683±57）d,P＜0.000 1].儿童和成年CD 13＋Ph-B-ALL患者的复发时间差异亦有统计学意义[（111±16）d比（319± 16）d,P＜ 0.000 1].结论 在Ph-B-ALL患者中,儿童CD13阳性表达率明显高于成年人,CD13＋ Ph-B-ALL患者尤其是儿童CD 13＋ Ph-B-ALL患者更易复发.

联合间期和中期荧光原位杂交确定成人急性白血病患者11q23/MLL异常

目的探讨快速、敏感、有效揭示11q23/MLL 基因重排的方法,确定11q23/MLL 异常在成人急性白血病(AL)中的发生情况及其临床特征,指导 AL 风险治疗。方法 112例成人 AL 患者骨髓细胞经24h 短期培养按常规方法制备染色体标本,R 显带行核型分析;LSI MLL 双色分离信号 DNA探针行间期荧光原位杂交(FISH)筛选异常信号,有异常信号者行中期 FISH 确定 11q23/MLL 基因重排。结果 112例 AL 患者 FISH 揭示9例11q23/MLL 易位(检出率8.0%),其中常规细胞遗传学分析(CCA)只检出4例(检出率3.6%)。3例 CCA 示 del(11)(q23)者 FISH 揭示2例为11q23/MLL 易位,1例为11号染色体长臂末端缺失。在1例正常核型、1例11q+和1例无11q23明显异常者,FISH 揭示为11q23/MLL 易位。除9例易位外,FISH 揭示8例存在 MLL 基因扩增,包括多倍体、均匀染色区(hsr)和双微染色体(dmin)。AL 伴11q23/MLL 异常者多诊断为 B 系祖细胞急性淋巴细胞白血病(pro-B ALL)、急性单核细胞白血病(AMoL)或急性双表型白血病(BAL)。结论使用 MLL 双色分离信号 DNA 探针行 FISH 确定11q23/MLL 异常是快速敏感的方法,其检出率高于 CCA,有效揭示11q23/MLL 易位和扩增。临床诊断 pro-B ALL、AMoL 或 BAL,尤其正常核型者应行 FISH 以确定11q23/MLL异常。

Effect of H pylori infection and its eradication on hyperammo-nemia and hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients

AIM： To investigate the relationship between H pylori infection, blood ammonia concentration and hepatic encephalopathy （HE）, and the effect of Hpylori eradication in cirrhotic patients. METHODS： From July 2003 to January 2005, 457 cirrhotic patients in five regions of Zhejiang Province were enrolled. Patients were evaluated for demographics, number connection test, Hpylori infection, liver impairment, blood ammonia concentration and HE. Patients with Hpylori infection were given I wk therapy with omeprazole plus clarithromycin and tinidazole. ^14C urea breath test was performed and mental symptoms and blood ammonia level were reassessed after RESULTS： Overall H pylori infection rate was 60.6%, and HE occurred in 47.5% of cirrhotic patients. Subclinical HE （SHE） was detected in 55 of 117 cirrhotic patients. Blood ammonia concentration in H pylori negative （n = 180） and positive （n = 277） cirrhotic patients was 53.8 ± 51.4 and 78.4 ± 63.6 μmol/L, respectively （P 〈 0.01）, which was significantly reduced to 53.5 ± 37.7 μmol/L after bacterium eradication （n = 126） （P 〈 0.01）. Blood ammonia was 97.5 ± 81.0 μmol/L in H pylori-positive cirrhotic patients, and this did not significantly change in those with persistent infection after Hpylori eradication （n = 11）. HE was more frequently observed in patients with H pylori infection than in those without （58.5% vs 30.6%, P 〈 0.01）. HE rate significantly dropped to 34.1% after H pylori eradiation （P 〈 0.01）. H pylori prevalence significantly differed among cirrhotic patients with HE （74.4%）, SHE （69.1%）, and those without HE （53.2%） （P 〈 0.05）. Blood ammonia level was significantly different among cirrhotic patients with HE （94.5 ± 75.6 μmol/L）, SHE （59.9 ± 49.2 μmol/L）, and without HE （47.3 ± 33.5 μmol/L） （P 〈 0.05）. Logistic regression analysis showed that blood ammonia concentration, Child-Pugh stage, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, electrolyte disturbance, and urea nitrogen were risk factors for HE. CONCLUSION： H pylori infection is an important factor for inducing high blood ammonia concentration and HE in cirrhotic patients. H pylori eradication may be helpful for treatment and prevention of HE.

Effect of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt on pulmonary gas exchange in patients with portal hypertension and hepatopulmonary syndrome

AIM: To assess the impact of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) on pulmonary gas exchange and to evaluate the use of TIPS for the treatment of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS).METHODS: Seven patients, three of them with advanced HPS, in whom detailed pulmonary function tests were performed before and after TIPS placementat the University of Alabama Hospital and at the Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, were considered.RESULTS: TIPS patency was confirmed by hemodynamic evaluation. No changes in arterial blood gases were observed in the overall subset of patients. Transient arterial oxygenation improvement was observed in only one HPS patient, early after TIPS, but this was not sustained 4 mo later.CONCLUSION: TIPS neither improved nor worsened pulmonary gas exchange in patients with portal hypertension. This data does not support the use of TIPS as a specific treatment for HPS. However, it does reinforce the view that TIPS can be safely performed for the treatment of other complications of portal hypertension in patients with HPS.

Portal hypertension due to portal venous thrombosis:Etiology, clinical outcomes

The thrombophilia in adult life has major implications in the hepatic vessels. The resulting portal vein thrombosis has various outcomes and complications. Esophageal varices, portal gastropathy, ascites, severe hypersplenism and liver failure needing liver transplantation are known well. The newly formed collateral venous circulation showing itself as pseudocholangicarcinoma sign and its possible clinical reflection as cholestasis are also known from a long time. The management strategies for these complications of portal vein thrombosis are not different from their counterpart which is cirrhotic portal hypertension, but the prognosis is unquestionably better in former cases. In this review we present and discuss the portal vein thrombosis, etiology and the resulting dinical pictures. There are controversial issues in nomenclature, management （including anticoagulation problems）, follow up strategies and liver transplantation. In the light of the current knowledge, we discuss some controversial issues in literature and present our experience and our proposals about this group of patients.

Portal hypertension in polycystic liver disease patients does not affect wait-list or immediate post-liver transplantation outcomes

AIM To establish the impact of portal hypertension(PH) on wait-list/post-transplant outcomes in patients with polycystic liver disease(PCLD) listed for liver transplantation. METHODS A retrospective single-centre case controlled study of consecutive patients listed for liver transplantation over 12 years was performed from our centre. PH in the PCLD cohort was defined by the one or more of following parameters:(1) presence of radiological or endoscopic documented varices from our own centre or the referral centre;(2) splenomegaly(> 11 cm) on radiology inabsence of splenic cysts accounting for increased imaging size;(3) thrombocytopenia(platelets < 150 × 109/L); or(4) ascites without radiological evidence of hepatic venous outflow obstruction from a single cyst. RESULTS Forty-seven PCLD patients(F: M = 42: 5) were listed for liver transplantation(LT)(single organ, n = 35; combined liver-kidney transplantation, n = 12) with 19 patients(40.4%) having PH. When comparing the PH group with non-PH group, the mean listing age(PH group, 50.6(6.4); non-PH group, 47.1(7.4) years; P = 0.101), median listing MELD(PH group, 12; non-PH group, 11; P = 0.422) median listing UKELD score(PH group, 48; non-PH group, 46; P = 0.344) and need for renal replacement therapy(P = 0.317) were similar. In the patients who underwent LT alone, there was no difference in the duration of ICU stay(PH, 3 d; non-PH, 2 d; P = 0.188), hospital stay length(PH, 9 d; non-PH, 10 d; P = 0.973), or frequency of renal replacement therapy(PH, 2/8; non-PH, 1/14; P = 0.121) in the immediate post-transplantation period. CONCLUSION Clinically apparent portal hypertension in patients with PCLD listed for liver transplantation does not appear to have a major impact on wait-list or peri-transplant morbidity.

Staging of portal hypertension and portosystemic shunts using dynamic nuclear medicine investigations

AIM： To explore portal hypertension and portosystemic shunts and to stage chronic liver disease （CLD） based on the pathophysiology of portal hemodynamics. METHODS： Per-rectal portal scintigraphy （PRPS） was performed on 312 patients with CLD and liver angioscintigraphy （LAS） on 231 of them. The control group included 25 healthy subjects. We developed a new model of PRPS interpretation by introducing two new parameters, the liver transit time （LTT） and the circu-lation time between right heart and liver （RHLT）. LTT for each lobe was used to evaluate the early portal hypertension. RHLT is useful in cirrhosis to detect liver areas missing portal inflow. We calculated the classical per-rectal portal shunt index （PRSI） at PRPS and the hepatic perfusion index （HPI） at LAS. RESULTS： The normal LTT value was 24 ± 1 s. Abnormal LTT had PPV = 100% for CLD. Twenty-seven noncirrhotic patients had LTT increased up to 35 s （median 27 s）. RHLT （42 ± 1 s） was not related to liver disease. Cirrhosis could be excluded in all patients with PRSI 〈 5% （P 〈 0.01）. PRSI 〉 30% had PPV = 100% for cirrhosis. Based on PRPS and LAS we propose the classification of CLD in 5 hemodynamic stages. Stage 0 is normal （LTT = 24 s, PRSI 〈 5%）. In stage 1, LTT is increased, while PRSI remains normal. In stage 2, LTT is decreased between 16 s and 23 s, whereas PRSI is increased between 5% and 10%. In stage 3, PRSI is increased to 10%-30%, and LTT becomes undetectable by PRPS due to the portosystemic shunts. Stage 4 includes the patients with PRSI 〉 30%. RHLT and HPI were used to subtype stage 4. In our study stage 0 had NPV = 100% for CLD, stage 1 had PPV = 100% for non-cirrhotic CLD, stages 2 and 3 represented the transition from chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis, stage 4 had PPV = 100% for cirrhosis. CONCLUSION： LTT allows the detection of early portal hypertension and of opening of transhepatic shunts. PRSI is useful in CLD with extrahepatic portosystemic shunts. Our hemodynamic model stages the evolution of portal hypertension and portosystemic shunts. It may be of use in the selection of patients for interferon therapy.

Hairy cell leukemia presenting as multiple discrete hepatic lesions

The involvement of hairy cell leukemia in the liver is in the form of portal and sinusoidal cellular infiltration. Here we describe the first case of hepatic hairy cell leukemia presenting as multiple discrete lesions,which was treated successfully.We suggest that in the inves- tigation of discrete hepatic lesions in cases of cancer of unknown primary,hairy cell leukemia should be consid- ered.The excellent response of hairy cell leukemia to therapy highlights the need for such a consideration.

H pylori status and angiogenesis factors in human gastric carcinoma

AIM： To investigate H pylori expression in gastric cancer patients in relation to primary tumor angiogenic markers, such as microvessel density （MVD）, thymidine phosphorylase （TP）, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 （VEGF-R1）, p53 and circulating VEGF levels. METHODS： Angiogenic markers were analyzed immunohistochemically in 56 primary gastric cancers. H pylori cytotoxin （vacA） and the cytotoxin-associated gene （cagA） amplification were evaluated using PCR assay. Serum H pylori IgG antibodies and serum/plasma circulating VEGF levels were detected in 39 and 38 patients by ELISA, respectively. RESULTS： A total of 69% of patients were positive for circulating IgG antibodies against Hpylori. cagA-positive H pylor/strains were found in 41% of gastric patients. vacA was found in 50% of patients; s1 strains were more highly expressed among vacA-positive patients. The presence of the s1 strain was significantly associated with cagA （P = 0.0001）. MVD was significantly correlated with both tumor VEGF expression （r = 0.361, P = 0.009） and serum VEGF levels （r = -0.347, P = 0.041）.Conversely, neither VEGF-R1 expression nor MVD was related to p53 expression. However, H pylori was not related to any angiogenic markers except for the plasma VEGF level （P = 0.026）. CONCLUSION： H pylori antigen is related to higher plasma VEGF levels, but not to angiogenic characteristics. It can be hypothesized that the toxic effects of H pylori on angiogenesis occurs in early preclinical disease phase or in long-lasting aggressive infections, but only when high H pylori IgG levels are persistent.

H pylori infection in patients with Behcet's disease

AIM:To evaluate endoscopic findings and the prevalence of H pylori in patients with Behcet's disease (BD) who have upper gastrointestinal symptoms. METHODS:The patients with BD diagnosed according to the International Study Group and followed up in the Department of Dermatology and other related departments and who had any upper gastrointestinal complaints,were included in this study. Forty-five patients with BD and 40 patients in the control group were evaluated by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and two biopsied specimens were taken during endoscopy for H pylori . A two-week triple therapy for H pylori eradication was administered to H pylori positive patients. Two months after the treatment,the patients were evaluated by urea-breath test for eradication control. RESULTS:Patients with BD had a mean age of 36.2 ± 11.4 years (18-67 years). The mean follow-up time was 35 ± 14 mo (16-84 mo). Aphthous or deep ulcer in esophagus,stomach and duodenum had never been confirmed by endoscopic examination. Most gastric lesions were gastric erosion (40%) and the most duodenal lesions were duodenitis (17.5%) in two groups. H pylori was positive in 33 patients (73.3%) with BD. The two-week triple eradication therapy was successful in 75% of the patients. There was no difference between the groups in respect to prevalence of H pylori (73.3% vs 75%,P > 0.05),and eradication rate (75% vs 70%,P > 0.05). CONCLUSION:Endoscopic findings,eradication rate and prevalence of H pylori were similar in patients withBD and control group.

Pre-endoscopic screening for Helicobacter pylori and celiac disease in young anemic women

AIM： To evaluate the usefulness of pre-endoscopic serological screening for He//cobacter py/or/ （H py/or/} infection and celiac disease in women aged 〈 50 years affected by iron-deficiency anemia （IDA）. METHODS： One hundred and fifteen women aged 〈 50 years with IDA were tested by human recombinant tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies （tTG） and anti-H pylori IgG antibodies, tTG and H pylori IgG antibody were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. All women were invited to undergo upper GI endoscopy. During gastroscopy, biopsies were collected from antrum （n = 3）, gastric body （n = 3） and duodenum （n = 4） in all patients, irrespective of test results. The assessment of gastritis was performed according to the Sydney system and celiac disease was classified by Marsh＇s System. RESULTS： 45.2% women were test-positive： 41 patients positive for H pylori antibodies, 9 patients for tTG and 2 patients for both. The gastroscopy compliance rate of test-positive women was significantly increased with respect to those test- negative （65.4% vs 42.8%; Fisher test P = 0.0239）. The serological results were confirmed by gastroscopy in 100% of those with positive H pylori antibodies, in 50% of those with positive tTG and in 81.5% of test- negative patient. Sensitivity and specificity were 84.8% and 100%, respectively for Hpylori infection and, 80% and 92.8% for tTG. Twenty-eight patients had positive H pylori antibodies and in all the patients, an active Hpylori infection was found. In particular, in 23 out of 28 （82%） patients with positive H pylori antibodies, a likely cause of IDA was found because of the active inflammation involving the gastric body. CONCLUSION： Anti-H pylori IgG antibody and tTG IgA antibody testing is able to select women with IDA to submit for gastroscopy to identify H pylori pangastritis and/or celiac disease, likely causes of IDA.

Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding from a dieulafoy lesion proximal to the anorectal junction post-orthotopic liver transplant

A 67-year-old woman underwent an orthotopic liver transplantation for end stage liver disease secondary to chronic autoimmune hepatitis. She developed sudden massive hematochezia on post-operative day 23 with hemodynamic compromise. The source of hemorrhage was found at colonoscopy after careful irrigation and inspection to be a dieulafoy lesion situated just proximal to the anorectal junction. Hemostasis was achieved with epinephrine injection and thermal coagulation.

Altered blood-brain barrier permeability in rats with prehepatic portal hypertension turns to normal when portal pressure is lowered

AIM： To study the blood-brain barrier integrity in prehepatic portal hypertensive rats induced by partial portal vein ligation, at 14 and 40 dafer ligation when portal pressure is spontaneously normalized. METHODS： Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups： Group Ⅰ： Sham14d, sham operated; Group Ⅱ： PHil, portal vein stenosis, （both groups were used 14 days after surgery）; Group Ⅲ： Sham4od, Sham operated and Group Ⅳ： PH4od Portal vein stenosis （Groups Ⅱ and Ⅳ used 40 d afer surgery）. Plasma ammonia, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid protein and liver enzymes concentrations were determined. Trypan and Evans blue dyes, systemically injected, were investigated in hippocampus to study blood-brain barrier integrity. Portal pressure was periodically recorded. RESULTS： Forty days afer stricture, portal pressure was normalized, plasma ammonia was moderately high, and both dyes were absent in central nervous system parenchyma. All other parameters were reestablished. When portal pressure was normalized and ammonia level was lowered, but not normal, the altered integrity of blood-brain barrier becomes reestablished. CONCLUSION： The impairment of blood-brain barrier and subsequent normalization could be a mechanism involved in hepatic encephalopathy reversibility. Hemodynamic changes and ammonia could trigger blood-brain barrier alterations and its reestablishment.

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in dyspeptic patients and its relationship with HIV infection,ABO blood groups and life style in a university hospital,Northwest Ethiopia

AIM： To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori （H pylori） among dyspeptic patients and to assess the relationship between Hpylori infection, blood group, HIV infection and life style of the patients. METHODS： In a hospital-based cross-sectional study, patients attending Outpatient Department of University of Gondar Hospital were enrolled. Socio-demographic information was collected using questionnaires. Serum was analyzed for anti-H pylori IgG antibodies using a commercial kit. HIV serostatus was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Blood grouping was performed by slide agglutination tests. RESULTS： A total of 215 dyspeptic patients were included in the study. One hundred and sixteen patients （54%） were females and 99 （46%） were males. Anti-H pylori IgG antibodies were detected in sera of 184 （85.6%） patients. The prevalence was significantly higher in patients aged 50 years and above. Twenty point five percent of the patients were found to be seropositive for HIV. No significant association was found between sex, ABO blood groups, consumption of spicy diets, socioeconomic status and seropositivity for Hpylori. However,alcohol consumption was significantly associated with H pylori serology. CONCLUSION： The prevalence of H pylori infection is associated with a history of alcohol intake and older age. The effect of different diet, alcohol and socioeconomic status as risk factors for H pylori infection needs further study.

Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura

AIM:To compare the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (Hpylon)infection in autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP)patients with that of nonthrombocytopenic controls, and to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment in H pylori(+) and H pylor(-)AITP patients. METHODS:The prevalence of gastric H pylori infection in 38 adult AITP patients(29 female and 9 male;median age 27 years;range 18-39 years)who consecutively admitted to our clinic was investagated. RESULTS:H pylori infection was found in 26 of 38 AITP patients(68.5%).H pylori infection was found in 15 of 23 control subjects(65.2%).The difference in H pylori infection between the 2 groups was not significant.Thrombocyte count of H pylori-positive AITP patients was significantly lower than that of H pylori-negative AITP patients(P<0.05). Thrombocyte recovery of H pylori-positive group was less than that of H pylori-negative group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION:H pylori infection should be considerecd in the treatment of AITP patients with H pylori infection.

Frequencies of the expression of main protein antigens from Helicobacter pylori isolates and production of specific serum antibodies in infected patients

AIM: To investigate the frequencies of the expression of main protein antigens of Helicobacter pylori (H py/ori) isolates, such as UreB, VacA, CagA1, HpaA, NapA, FlaA and FlaB and the production of specific antibodies in sera from H pylori-infected patients, and to understand the correlations among the different clinical types of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer and the infection and virulence of H pylori. METHODS: H pylori strains in biopsy specimens from 157 patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer were isolated and serum samples from the patients were also collected. The target recombinant proteins rUreB, rVacA, rCagAl, rHpaA, rNapA, rFlaA and rFlaB expressed by the prokaryotic expression systems constructed in our previous studies were collected through Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Rabbit antisera against rUreB, rVacA, rCagAl, rHpaA, rNapA, rFlaA and rFlaB were prepared by using routine subcutaneous immunization. By using ultrasonic lysates of the isolates as coated antigens, and the self-prepared rabbit antisera as the first antibodies and commercial HRP-labeling sheep anti-rabbit IgG as the second antibody, expression frequencies of the seven antigens in the isolates were detected by ELISA. Another ELISA was established to detect antibodies against the seven antigens in sera of the patients by using the corresponding recombinant proteins as coated antigens, and the sera as the first antibody and HRP-labeling sheep anti-human IgG as the second antibody respectively. Correlations among the different clinical types of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer and the infection and virulence of H pylori were statistically analysed. RESULTS: In the 125 isolates of H pylori, the positive rates of UreB, VacA, CagAl, HpaA, NapA, FlaA and FlaB were 100%, 65.6%, 92.8%, 100%, 93.6%, 100% and 99.2% respectively. In the 125 serum samples from the H pylori infected patients, the positive rates of antibodies against recombinant UreB, VacA, CagA1, HpaA, NapA, FIaA and FlaB were 100%, 42.4%, 89.6%, 81.6%, 93.6%, 98.4% and 92.8% respectively. H pylori strains were isolated from 79.6% (125/157) of the biopsy specimens, but no close correlations among the H pylori infection frequencies and different types of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer could be found (P>0.05, x2 = 0.01-0.87). The VacA positive rate (82.40%) in the strains isolated from the specimens of patients with peptic ulcer and the anti-VacA positive rate (54.3%) in the sera from the patients were significantly higher than those (51.5%, 32.3%) from the patients with chronic gastritis (P<0.01, x2= 13.19; P<0.05, x2= 6.13). When analysis was performed in the different types of chronic gastritis, the VacA in the strains isolated from the specimems of patients with active gastritis showed a higher expression frequency (90.0%) than those from superficial (47.9%) and atrophic gastritis (30.0%) (P<0.05, x2 = 5.93; P<0.01,x2 = 7.50). While analysis was carried out in the strains isolated from the specimens with superficial (93.8%) and active gastritis (100%), NapA showed a higher expression frequency compared to that from atrophic gastritis (60.0%) (P<0.01, x2 = 8.88; P<0.05, X2=5.00). CONCLUSION: The types of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer and their severity are not associated with H pylori infection frequency but closely related to the infection frequency of different virulent H pylori strains. The optimal antigens for developing vaccine and diagnostic kit are UreB, FlaA, HpaA, FlaB, NapA and CagAl, but not VacA.

Clinical Outcome of Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Infusion via Hepatic Artery or Portal Vein in Patients with End-stage Liver Diseases

Objective To investigate the efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell （HSC） transplantation via the hepatic artery vs. the portal vein for end-stage liver disease （ESLD）. Methods Patients with hepatic decompensation were prospectively recruited from September 2010 to September 2012 to receive HSC transplantation via the hepatic artery or the portal vein. Liver function was examined at 3, 6, and 12 months after transplantation. Liver biopsy results were analyzed using the Knodell score. Results Eighty patients （58 males and 22 females） were enrolled in the study. The Child-Pugh score was grade B in 69 cases, and grade C in the remaining 11 cases. HSC transplantation was performed via the portal vein in 36 patients and via the hepatic artery in 44 patients. ALT levels decreased while serum albumin levels increased significantly in both groups at 6 and 12 months after HSC transplantation （P〈0.05 compared with pre-transplantation levels）. Total biliruhin levels decreased significandy in both groups at 3, 6, and 12 months after HSC transplantation （P〈0.05 compared with pre-transplantation levels）. Additionally, prothromhin time decreased in both groups at 12 months after HSC transplantation （P〈0.05 compared with pre-transplantation level）. There were no significant differences in ALT, total bilirubin and prothromhin time between the two groups either before or after transplantation. Moreover, Knodell score decreased significantly at 6 and 12 months. Histological examination showed that liver cell edema, degeneration, necrosis, and inflammation were significantly relieved at 3, 6, and 12 months after transplantation. The incidence of portal vein thrombosis, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy were 1.25%, 3.75%, and 2.5% respectively. The one-year survival rate was 100%. Conclusions Autologous HSC transplantation improves liver function and histology in ESLD patients The administration route of HSC has no significant impact on the efficacy of transplantation.

Impact of hepatitis C oral therapy in portal hypertension

Chronic hepatitis C is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, mainly related to fibrosis/cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Direct antiviral agents are highly effective and safe and can now cure > 90% of the patients. Sustained viral response (SVR) after interferon-based regimens has been associated with improvement in liver function, fibrosis and portal hypertension in a significant proportion of patients, although a point of no return seems to exist from which viral elimination is no longer capable of preventing portal hypertension progression and liver decompensation. Indeed, although SVR is associated with improvement of hepatic venous pressure gradients and therefore a decreased risk of de novo esophageal varices, several studies show that viral clearance does not eliminate the risk of variceal progression, liver decompensation and death in patients with pre-established portal hypertension. Although evidence about the effects of direct antiviral agents (DAAs) on clinically significant outcomes is still scarce and with short follow-up, DAAs can decrease the burden of the disease if patients are timely treated before significant fibrosis and portal hypertension develops. Studies with longer follow-up are waited to establish the real magnitude of hepatitis C treatment on portal hypertension. Future studies should also focus on predictors of portal hypertension resolution since it can influence management and avoid unnecessary monitoring

Attainment of multifactorial treatment targets among the elderly in a lipid clinic

Objective To examine target attainment of lipid-lowering, antihypenensive and antidiabetic treatment in the elderly in a specialist set- ting of a University Hospital in Greece. Methods This was a retrospective study including consecutive subjects 〉 65 years old （n = 465） with a follow-up 〉 3 years. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）, blood pressure （BP） and glycated hemoglobin （HbAlc） goal achievement were recorded according to European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society （ESC/EAS）, European Society of Hypertension （ESH）/ESC and European Association for the Study of Diabetes （EASD） guidelines. Results The LDL-C targets were attained by 27~,4, 48% and 62% of very high, high and moderate risk patients, respectively. Those receiving statin ＋ ezetimibe achieved higher rates of LDL-C goal achievement compared with those receiving statin monotherapy （48% vs. 33%, P 〈 0.05）. Of the diabetic sub- jects, 71% had BP 〈 140/85 mmHg, while 78% of those without diabetes had BP 〈 140/90 mmHg. A higher proportion of the non-diabetic individuals （86%） had BP 〈 150/90 mmHg. Also, a higher proportion of those with diabetes had HbAlc 〈 8% rather than 〈 7% （88% and 47%, respectively）. Of note, almost one out of three non-diabetic individuals and one out of ten diabetic individuals had achieved all three treatment targets. Conclusions Even in a specialist setting of a University Hospital, a high proportion of the elderly remain at suboptimal LDL-C, BP and HbAlc levels. The use of drug combinations could improve multifactorial treatment target attainment, while less strict tar- gets could be more easily achieved in this population.

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in female Vietnamese immigrants to Korea

AIM： To investigate the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori （H. pylorl） and its relationship to nutritional fac- tors in female Vietnamese immigrants to Korea. METHODS： A total of 390 female immigrants from Vietnam and 206 Korean male spouses participated in the study. Blood samples from 321 female immigrants and 201 Korean male spouses were analyzed for H. py- Iori antibodies. Data on age, sex, alcohol consumption, smoking status, dietary nutritional factors and gastro- intestinal symptoms were collected using question- naires. The daily intakes of the following nutrients were estimated： energy, protein, niacin, lipid, fiber, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, zinc, folate, cholesterol, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C and E. RESULTS： The prevalence of H. py/ori positivity was lower in the immigrants than in age-matched Koreanfemales （55.7% vs 71.4%, respectively; P 〈 0.0001） and the domestic population of Vietnam. The preva- lence of H. pylori positivity among married couples was 31.7% for both spouses. There were no statistically sig- nificant differences in the incidence of smoking, amount of alcohol consumed, or nutritional factors between the H. pylori-positive and negative groups. CONCLUSION： The prevalence of H. pylori positivity was lower among female Vietnamese immigrants than among Korean females. Nutritional factors did not differ between the H. pylori-positive and negative groups.