Journal of hepatology
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Journal of hepatology · Nov 2013
A diagnostic score for the prediction of spontaneous resolution of acute hepatitis C virus infection.
IL28B polymorphisms, jaundice, decline in HCV-RNA, IP-10, and gender have been proposed to be indicative of spontaneous clearance of acute hepatitis C virus infection. The aim of this study was to define a score enabling the discrimination of patients with spontaneous clearance of HCV from those with development of viral persistence and need for early antiviral treatment. ⋯ The scores enable a reliable discrimination between AHC-patients with high potential for spontaneous clearance from candidates for early therapeutic intervention due to marginal chance of spontaneous resolution.
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Journal of hepatology · Nov 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialSteroids in biliary atresia: single surgeon, single centre, prospective study.
The effect of adjuvant steroids in infants with biliary atresia (BA) is not clear and evidence of benefit is lacking. ⋯ The adjuvant use of prednisolone significantly improved early post-operative liver biochemistry (especially at the higher dose), and increased the proportion of infants who cleared their jaundice at 6 months post-KPE.
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Journal of hepatology · Nov 2013
Controlled Clinical TrialA multidisciplinary support programme increases the efficiency of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin in hepatitis C.
Adherence to antiviral treatment is important to achieve sustained virological response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). We evaluated the efficiency of a multidisciplinary support programme (MSP), based on published HIV treatment experience, to increase patient adherence and the efficacy of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin in CHC. ⋯ MSP improves patient compliance and increases the efficiency of antiviral treatment in CHC, being cost-effective.
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Journal of hepatology · Nov 2013
Hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) protects from biliary injury in a rodent model of DCD liver transplantation.
The use of livers from donors after cardiac arrest (DCD) is increasing in many countries to overcome organ shortage. Due to additional warm ischemia before preservation, those grafts are at higher risk of failure and bile duct injury. Several competing rescue strategies by machine perfusion techniques have been developed with, however, unclear effects on biliary injury. We analyze the impact of an end-ischemic Hypothermic Oxygenated PErfusion (HOPE) approach applied only through the portal vein for 1h before graft implantation. ⋯ We demonstrate in a DCD liver transplant model that end-ischemic hypothermic oxygenated perfusion is a powerful strategy for protection against biliary injury.