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Objective:Exploring the value of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) plus transient elastography in evaluating donor livers for C-I donors and predicting the occurrence of early allograft dysfunction (EAD).Methods:Between September 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023, the relevant clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 75 pairs of donors and recipients. Based upon whether or not there was a postoperative onset of EAD, the recipients were assigned into two groups of EAD (16 cases) and non-EAD (59 cases) . All donors were examined by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and FibroScan. QLAB analysis software was utilized for analyzing the results of contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Liver parenchyma at 3 cm below liver capsule was selected as a region of interest for plotting the time-intensity curve (TIC) . And the contrast-enhanced ultrasonic parameters of two groups were recorded. FibroScan transient elastography instrument was employed for quantifying liver stiffness 12 times in right lobe of donor liver and recording quantitative parameters of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) .Results:Inter-group comparison of gender, age, body mass index (BMI) and ICU length of stay showed no statistically significant differences ( P>0. 05) . However, significant differences existed in the levels of platelet [ (122. 44±85. 82) vs (197. 22± 140. 93) ×10 9/L]and cholinesterase [ (3 473. 44±1 368. 54) vs (4 252. 93±1 365. 37) U/L]within the first 24h pre-operation ( P=0. 047, P=0. 047) . Peak intensity (PKI) and area under the curve (AUC) were lower in EAD group than those in non-EAD group [ (16. 44±4. 70) dB vs 19. 85±4. 39 dB, P=0. 009; (1 366. 76±508. 10) dB·s vs (1 675. 23±498. 77) dB·s, P=0. 014]. There were statistically significant differences ( P=0. 009, P=0. 032) . Arterial-portal arrival interval (APAI) and LSM were higher in EAD group than those in non-EAD group[6. 50 (5. 00, 10.75) s vs 5. 00 (4. 00, 7. 00) s, P =0. 24; 8. 60 (6. 32, 11. 65) kPa vs 6. 10 (5. 40, 7. 90) kPa, P=0. 014]. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that PKI, AUC, APAI and LSM had AUC values of 0. 703, 0. 664, 0. 683 and 0. 702, respectively in predicting postoperative EAD. And combined prediction of EAD occurrence based upon these parameters had an AUC of 0. 776, a Youden index of 0. 508 with cutoff values, sensitivity and specificity of 0. 800, 0. 813 and 0. 695 respectively. Spearman' s correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between APAI and AUC values ( r= -0. 404, P<0. 001) . Conclusions:The combination of CEUS and transient elastography can comprehensively evaluate the status of microcirculatory perfusion, fibrosis and steatosis of liver grafts from brain death donors. It offers a great predictive value for postoperative occurrence of EAD.
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Objective:To investigate the application of endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy (EUS-LB) to liver transplant recipients.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 12 liver transplant recipients who underwent EUS-LB by the same endoscopist and specimens were diagnosed and reported by the same pathologist due to abnormal liver function or need to be evaluated for graft fibrosis in the Organ Transplantation Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were enrolled into the EUS-LB group from December 2021 to March 2022, meanwhile, a total of 23 patients whose PLB was completed by the same hepatologist and specimens were diagnosed by the same pathologist during the same period were enrolled in the PLB group. Acquisition of liver specimens and postoperative adverse events of the two groups were compared.Results:Patients in both groups were punctured 1-2 times on average, and the median total length of liver specimens in the EUS-LB group was significantly longer than that in the PLB group (61 mm VS 17 mm, Z=11.362, P=0.002). There was no significant difference in the length of the longest liver specimens between the two groups (17.6±6.9 mm VS 13.7±3.5 mm, t=2.382, P=0.086), while the number of liver specimens in the EUS-LB group was more than that in the PLB group (4.8±2.1 VS 2.3±1.2, t=9.271, P=0.001). The number of complete portal tracts was 11.3±4.6 in the EUS-LB group and 6.2±3.3 in the PLB group ( t=8.457, P=0.003). Abdominal pain was the only postoperative adverse event, and only 1 patient in the EUS-LB group had postoperative abdominal pain, which was fewer than that in the PLB group [8.3% (1/12) VS 43.5% (10/23), χ2=4.893, P=0.036]. Conclusion:Compared with PLB, EUS-LB delivers longer liver biopsy specimens with more complete portal tracts in liver transplant recipients, and fewer recipients complain about postoperative pain in EUS-LB group. Therefore, EUS-LB is a safer, more effective and more comfortable liver biopsy method.
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This article reports a patient with hepatic coma who underwent artificial liver support therapy and liver transplantation successfully， and the patient recovered well in the later stage after active treatment. This article also discusses the timing of liver transplantation.
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Acute kidney injury is a common complication after liver transplantation, which severely affects clinical prognosis of liver transplant recipients. Multiple factors before, during and after liver transplantation may cause kidney injury. If not properly treated, it may progress into chronic kidney diseases, which significantly increases postoperative fatality and negatively affects clinical efficacy of liver transplantation. Therefore, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of acute kidney injury after liver transplantation is a hot topic for clinicians. In this article, the definition, diagnosis, risk factors, prevention and treatment of acute kidney injury after liver transplantation were reviewed, and potential risk factors and related therapeutic strategies during different stages of acute kidney injury after liver transplantation were analyzed, aiming to lower the risk of acute kidney injury after liver transplantation and further improve clinical prognosis of liver transplant recipients by optimizing treatment regimens.
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Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with de-novo non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (de-novo NAFLD) and patients with de-novo NAFLD combined with metabolic syndrome (MS) after liver transplantation (LT) , and to determine the related risk factors.Methods:Patients who underwent LT at the Organ Transplantation Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, from Jan. 2016 to Oc. 2020 and were monitored until Oct. 2021 were gathered. The recipients were divided into the group with/without de-novo NAFLD, and LT recipients with de-novo NAFLD were divided into the group with/without combined MS. Clinical characteristics of the LT recipients with de-novo NAFLD combined with MS were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for LT recipients with de-novo NAFLD and those with combined MS.Results:A total of 324 LT recipients with a median follow-up of 2.9 years (range: 2.0-4.3 years) were included in the study. De-novo NAFLD was diagnosed in 21.0% (68/324) of the LT recipients, and MS was diagnosed in 44.1% (30/68) of these patients. Compared with LT recipients without de-novo NAFLD, those with de-novo NAFLD had higher preoperative body mass index (BMI) , blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin levels and lower platelet levels, and longer postoperative follow-up, higher BMI, waist circumference, albumin, triglycerides (TG) , low-density lipoprotein (LDL) , blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin levels, and the incidence of MS (all P<0.05) . Preoperative platelets, glucose, postoperative albumin, LDL and BMI were independent risk factors for predicting de-novo NAFLD after LT (all P<0.05) . Preoperative glucose performed well in predicting the occurrence of de-novo NAFLD (threshold: 5.5mmol/L, P<0.001, AUC=0.678) . The differences in Pre-LT blood glucose, post-LT BMI, waist circumference, prevalence of prediabetes or diabetes, fatty liver index (FLI) , and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) between de-novo NAFLD LT recipients with and without combined MS were significantly different (all P<0.05) . Conclusions:The incidence of de-novo NAFLD after LT is noteworthy, and LT recipients with de-novo NAFLD are more likely to have a combination with MS. In preoperative treatment, keeping blood glucose to 5.5 mmol/L or below trends helps to lower the risk of de-novo NAFLD following LT. LT recipients’ nutritional state and lipid levels require prompt care. High albumin levels might not be a desirable thing. De-novo NAFLD LT recipients with concomitant prediabetes or diabetes may imply an increased risk of developing comorbid MS during the post-LT follow-up. Controlling FLI levels in LT recipients with de-novo NAFLD may reduce the risk of developing comorbid MS.
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Objective:To explore the impact of donor cold ischemia time(CIT)on early recovery after liver transplantation(LT).Methods:From January 2016 to December 2020, the relevant clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 456 LT recipients.According to the value of CIT of donor liver, they were assigned into two groups of CIT >5 h and CIT≤5 h. T, Mann-Whitney U or Chi square test was employed for statistical processing.Intraoperative findings and liver function(LF)parameters of two groups were compared, including operative duration, intraoperative volume of hemorrhage, erythrocyte transfusion and anhepatic phase.LF parameters included alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and total bilirubin(TB)within Day 1-7 post-LT.Postoperative recovery was evaluated by postoperative stay of intensive care unit(ICU), normalization time of liver function recovery, length of postoperative hospitalization and incidence of postoperative complications.Results:Among them, 407(89.3%)patients underwent classic orthotopic LT.Median CIT of donor liver was 309 min.In CIT≤5 h and CIT >5 h groups, operative duration was[(446.3+ 76.8)vs.(526.0+ 98.1)min], anhepatic phase time[(51.9+ 13.3)vs.(62.6+ 18.9)min]and intraoperative volume of erythrocyte transfusion[(7.3+ 5.8)vs.(10.0+ 6.87)U]. And the differences were statistically significant( P<0.001, 0.001 & 0.001). Postoperative hospitalization stay was longer[(29.1±15.9)vs.(27.1±13.0)]day.And the incidence of postoperative complications was higher in CIT >5 h group[22.7%(54/238)vs.12.4%(27/218)]. And the difference was statistically significant( P=0.045 & 0.004). As compared with CIT≤5 h group, ALT, AST & TB spiked in CIT >5 h group at Day 1 post-operation and the differences were statistically significant( P=0.002, P<0.001, P=0.001). In CIT >5 h group, ALT rose at Day 2/5/6/7 post-LT( P=0.026, 0.026, 0.015 & 0.011), AST jumped from Days 2-6( P=0.002, 0.004, 0.035, 0.029 and 0.019)and TB increased from Days 2-7 post-LT and the differences were statistically significant( P=0.003, 0.014, 0.030, 0.039, 0.027 & 0.009). LF recovered at CIT≤5 h and CIT>5 h group[(10.0±3.2)vs.(10.7±3.3)day]. There were significantly statistical differences( P=0.044). Conclusions:Non-conducive to patient recovery, prolonged cold ischemic time aggravates early LF injury post-LT.
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Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder(PTLD)is one of the more serious complications of organ transplantation.From October 2021 to December 2022, 3 patients with hepatic portal PTLD were hospitalized.Conventional ultrasonography hinted at hypoechoic area in porta hepatis.Enhanced CT revealed heterogeneous enhancement of soft tissue density in porta hepatis.PET/CT indicated higher metabolism of hilar mass.Two patients underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound. "Fast-in-and-fast-out" sign(n=1)and no enhancement in all stages(n=1)were noted.Pathological examination revealed T/NK cell lymphoma(n=2)and B cell lymphoma(n=1). In conjunctions with previous literature reports, conventional ultrasound is frequently employed for detecting early cases of PTLD during clinical follow-ups.Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and enhanced CT may aid in making a differential diagnosis of PTLD.And PET/CT has high diagnostic accuracy for PTLD.
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Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of liver transplantation for intra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinico-pathological data of 22 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who underwent liver trans-plantation in the 5 medical centers, including First Hospital of Jilin University, et al, from September 2005 to December 2021 were collected. There were 18 males and 4 females, aged 57(range, 38?71)years. Observing indicators: (1) clinicopathological characteristics of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; (2) follow-up; (3) prognosis. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves. The Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. Results:(1) Clinicopathological characteristics of patients with intrahepatic cholangio-carcinoma. Of the 22 patients, 20 cases were diagnosed as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma before liver transplantation, 7 cases had viral hepatitis type B, 1 case had primary sclerosing cholangitis, 7 cases had tumor treatment before liver transplantation, 7 cases, 6 cases and 9 cases were classified as grade A, grade B and grade C of the Child-Pugh classification, 16 cases had preoperative CA19-9 >40 U/mL, 14 cases had single tumor, 11 cases with tumor located at right lobe of liver, 6 cases with tumor located at both left and right lobe of liver, 5 cases with tumor located at left lobe of liver, 9 cases with tumor vascular invasion. All 22 patients were diagnosed as moderate-poor differentiated tumor. There were 9 cases with liver cirrhosis, 4 cases with tumor lymph node metastasis, 10 cases with tumor burden within Milan criteria. The tumor diameter of 22 patients was 4.5(range, 1.5?8.0)cm. (2) Follow-up. All 22 patients were followed up for 15(range, 3?207)months. Of the 22 patients, 9 cases had tumor recurrence and 8 cases died. (3) Prognosis. The 1-year overall survival rate and 1-year disease-free survival rate of the 22 patients was 72.73% and 68.18%, respectively. Results of subgroup analysis showed there were significant differences in overall survival and disease-free survival between the 10 patients with tumor burden within Milan criteria and the 12 patients with tumor burden beyond Milan criteria who underwent liver transplantation ( hazard ratio=0.13, 0.26, 95% confidence interval as 0.03?0.53, 0.08?0.82, P<0.05). Results of further analysis of the 12 patients with tumor burden beyond Milan criteria showed there were significant differences in overall survival and disease-free survival between the 5 patients with preoperative tumor down-staging treatment and the 7 patients without preoperative tumor down-staging treatment ( hazard ratio=0.18, 0.14, 95% confidence interval as 0.04?0.76, 0.04?0.58, P<0.05). Conclusions:Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients with tumor burden within Milan criteria have a better prognosis than patients with tumor burden beyond Milan criteria after liver transplantation. For patients with tumor burden beyond Milan criteria, active tumor down-staging treatment before liver transplantation can improve the prognosis.
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Objective To evaluate the effect of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)/ cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (Caspase)-1/Gasdermin D (GSDMD) signaling axis-mediated hepatocyte pyroptosis on liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the sham operation group (Sham group), IRI 2 h group, IRI 6 h group, IRI 12 h group, glycyrrhizic acid (GA)+Sham group and GA+IRI 12 h group (n=8 in each group). AML12 cells were evenly divided into the Sham group, IRI 12 h group, GA+Sham group and GA+IRI 12 h group. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in each group were detected by enzyme-linked immune absorbent assay(ELISA). The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of IL-1β and IL-6 were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The pathological score of liver ischemia and cell apoptosis were compared among all groups. The expression level of HMGB1 in the liver tissues of each group was determined by immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of HMGB1, Caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins in the mouse liver tissues and AML12 cells were measured by Western blot. Results Compared with the Sham group, the serum levels of ALT, AST, IL-1β and IL-6 and the relative expression levels of IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in the liver tissues were all significantly up-regulated after IRI in each group (all P < 0.05), and showed significant time-dependent pattern along with the prolongation of reperfusion time. Compared with the Sham group, the pathological score of hepatic ischemia and the apoptosis rate of hepatocytes were significantly increased after IRI in each group (all P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression level of HMGB1 in the liver tissues was significantly up-regulated after IRI, which showed an increasing trend along with the prolongation within the period of 2-12 h. Western blot showed that compared with the Sham group, the relative expression levels of HMGB1, Caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins in vivo and in vitro were up-regulated in the IRI 12 h group. The relative expression level of HMGB1 protein was significantly up-regulated, whereas those of Caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins were significantly down-regulated in the GA+IRI 12 h group compared with those in the IRI 12 h group (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Hepatocytes probably activate the Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway by releasing HMGB1, thereby triggering hepatocyte pyroptosis and leading to liver IRI. Inhibition of extracellular release of HMGB1 by GA may mitigate liver IRI.
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Objective:To study the influencing factors of liver regeneration and their prognostic impact after split liver transplantation.Methods:The clinical data of 44 patients who underwent split liver transplantation at the Organ Transplant Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2015 to July 2021 were analysed. There were 19 males and 25 females, aged (49±12) years old. Based on whether the liver regeneration rate (LRR) was greater than 100%, these patients were divided into the good regeneration group (LRR≥100%, n=24) and the poor regeneration group (LRR<100%, n=20). The differences in the perioperative data and postoperative survival rates between the two groups were compared. The patients were followed up by outpatient reexamination or telephone. Results:On days 15, 30, 90, and 180 after operation, the volume change rates in the transplanted liver were (117.04±7.00)%, (164.03±16.72)%, (180.98±26.30)%, (159.40±26.28)%, respectively. The body mass index, anhepatic period, intraoperative bleeding, intraoperative blood transfusion, hospitalization time, recovery time of liver function, fatty degeneration of donor liver and type of donor liver were the influencing factors of liver regenera-tion after split liver transplantation. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase on the days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 after operation in the group of patient with good regeneration were significantly lower than those in the group of patient with poor regeneration ( P<0.05). The levels of total bilirubin in the group of patient with good regeneration was significantly lower than those in the group of patient with poor regeneration on days 5, 6 and 7 after operation ( P<0.05). The portal vein flow per 100 g of liver mass in the good regeneration group was significantly better than the poor regeneration group on day 1 and 30 after operation. The 6-month cumulative survival rates of the good regeneration group and the poor regeneration group were 95.8% and 70.0% respectively, and the difference was significant ( P=0.017). Conclusions:Body mass index, anhepatic period, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion, hospitalization time, recovery time of liver function, fatty degeneration of donor liver and type of donor liver were the influencing factors of liver regeneration after split liver transplantation. The prognosis of recipients with poor liver regeneration was significantly worse than recipients with good liver regeneration.
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Objective:To evaluate the ultrasound diagnostic value of portal vein complications after liver transplantation by monitoring changes in portal vein hemodynamic parameters using the color Doppler ultrasound technology and to determine its clinical significance.Methods:The clinical data of 99 patients who underwent liver transplantation at the Organ Transplantation Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from July 2015 to December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 81 males and 18 females, aged (51±9) years old. These patients were divided into the portal vein complication ( n=23) and the non-portal vein complication ( n=76) groups, based on whether portal vein complications had developed within 2 years after surgery. In addition, 30 healthy volunteers at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, including 16 males and 14 females, aged (40±14) years old were selected to form the control group. The patients’ morphology of liver was studied using color Doppler ultrasound at days 1, 7, 14, 30, 180, 365 and 730 after liver transplantation, and the maximum portal vein blood flow velocity and portal blood flow were recorded. Results:Compared with the control group, the maximum portal venous flow velocity and portal venous blood flow significantly increased on days 1, 7, 14, 30, and 180 after liver transplantation in the non-portal complication group (all P<0.05). With time, these changes showed a decreasing trend. By day 365 after surgery, the differences between the maximum portal venous flow velocity and the portal venous blood flow between the two groups became not significant ( P>0.05). Of the 23 patients in the portal vein complication group, 9 developed portal vein stenosis (PVS) and 14 portal vein embolism. The 9 patients with PVS had a maximum portal flow velocity of 63.8 (46.0, 78.6) cm/s at 1 month after surgery, and this flow velocity was significantly higher than that in the non-portal complication group [35.0(29.6, 41.8) cm/s, Z=-3.35, P<0.001]. The portal blood flow was 993 (887, 1168) ml/min in the 9 patients with portal vein stenosis at 1 month after surgery, and it was significantly higher than those in the non-portal complication group [811(682, 1 018) ml/min, Z=-2.37, P=0.020]. Conclusions:After liver transplantation, both the portal venous blood flow velocity and the blood flow were at high levels in the early postoperative period and they returned to normal levels with time. Ultrasound dynamic monitoring of portal venous blood flow changes was of clinical significance in diagnosing portal vein stenosis and portal vein embolism after liver transplantation.
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Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of de novo malignancies (DNMs) after liver transplantation (LT) and to study the clinical management strategies.Methods:Adult LT recipients who were regularly followed-up in the Organ Transplantation Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2005 to April 2021 were enrolled in this study. The clinical characteristics of DNMs were retrospectively analyzed. Of 601 LT recipients, there were 105 females and 496 males, aged (51.4±9.6) years old. They were divided into the DNMs group ( n=26) and the non-DNMs group ( n=575) according to whether there were DNMs on followed-up. Clinical data including age, sex, basic diseases before LT and operation time were collected. These patients were follow-up in outpatient clinics. Results:Twenty-six patients were diagnosed to develop DNMs after LT, but there were 28 DNMs (of which 2 patients were diagnosed to have DNMs twice). The incidence of DNMs after LT was 4.3% (26/601), the median time from LT to DNMs was 42 (20, 70) months, and the cumulative incidence rates of DNMs were 0.5%, 2.0%, 6.3%, 21.0% and 34.5% at 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 years after LT, respectively. Among the 28 DNMs, digestive system tumors were most common, with 17 lesions (60.7%), followed by 3 lesions (11.1%) of lung cancer, 2 lesions (7.4%) of lymphoproliferative diseases, and 1 lesion (3.7%) of cervical cancer, thyroid cancer, soft palate cancer, eyelid cancer, laryngeal cancer, and prostate cancer. The follow-up time of 55.9 (36.6, 102.5) months in the DNMs group after LT was longer than the 33.4 (18.5, 58.9) months in the non-DNMs group ( P<0.001). The 1, 5, and 10 year survival rates of patients with DNMs after LT were 96.3%, 83.5%, and 49.8%, respectively. The 1, 5, and 10 year survival rates of patients with non-DNMs after LT were 94.5%, 77.7%, and 75.4%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the cumulative survival rates between the two groups (log rank=0.402, P=0.526). Conclusion:The incidence of DNMs in LT recipients was 4.3%. The majority of them were digestive system tumors. Early diagnosis and treatment of DNMs significantly improved the prognosis and quality of life of these patients.
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Objective:To explore the role and molecular mechanism of DNAJB6 in liver regeneration during partial liver transplantation(PLT).Methods:Dark agouti(DA, donor)and Lewis(recipient)rats were prepared for liver regeneration model of PLT.Rats were divided into before perfusion, after split liver perfusion, after portal vein opening, before abdominal closure and Day 3/7 after surgery groups(n=6 each)for timepoints of PLT.C57 mice were performed for residual liver regeneration model of partial hepatectomy and divided into control, Day 1/2/3/4/5 groups(n=6 each)for timepoints of hepatectomy.Gene Expression Omnibus liver regeneration data were utilized for locating DNAJB6 in liver regeneration.DNAJB6 low-expression human hepatocytes were constructed by DNAJB6-Si transfection.The relationship between DNAJB6 and liver regeneration was examined by Western blot detection of cell proliferation markers PCNA and CCK8 cell proliferation experiments.And the possible molecular mechanism of DNAJB6 regulating liver regeneration in PLT was studied by Western blot detection of nuclear protein and protein in cell proliferation signal pathway.Results:The result of residual liver regeneration of partial hepatectomy showed that DNAJ family genes were differentially expressed on regenerated liver gene chip and DNAJB6 was lowly expressed on regenerated liver gene chip.Meanwhile, DNAJB6 was lowly expressed in regenerated liver tissues of PLT and partial liver resection.After silencing DNAJB6 by transfecting DNAJB6-Si, the cellular expression level of PCNA and proliferation rate increased.However, nuclear extraction failed to detect the nuclear/plasma changes of β-catenin and the level of Wnt4 protein had no obvious change.Although the activation levels of p38 and JNK2 downstream of Ras/MAPK showed no change, there was a higher activation level of ERK.Conclusions:In regenerating liver tissue, hepatocytes may suppress the Ras/MEK/ERK signaling pathway by lowering the expression level of DNAJB6 to promote liver regeneration.
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Objective:To explore the clinical applications and therapeutic outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)on liver transplantation(LT)recipients after tumor development.Methods:Eight databases including PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, CQVIP, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Google scholar were accessed for searching the relevant literature articles in both Chinese and English from the establishment of databases to December 31, 2021. Disease response, adverse reactions and prognoses of patients with malignant tumors after LT and receiving ICIs were analyzed.Results:The patient was diagnosed as chronic rejection plus drug-induced liver injury by liver biopsy. After intermittent treatment with DPMAS plus plasma exchange and immunosuppressants, he finally died of tumor recurrence at 37 months after LT. After screening, a total of 28 articles on the application of ICIs after LT were retrieved. In these articles, there were 47 patients(37 males and 10 females)with a median age of 57(14-71)years and the predominant type of tumor after LT was hepatocellular carcinoma(28/47, 59.6%), followed by malignant melanoma in 11 cases (23.4%), non-small cell lung cancer in 3 cases(6.4%), colorectal cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and post transplant lymphoproliferative disease(PTLD) in 1 case(2.1%). The overall remission rate after ICI treatment was 29.8%(14/47)and the disease progression rate 68.1%(32/47). Among them, 31.9%(15/47)had immune rejection. Case fatality rate was 61.7%(29/47)and median survival time 6.5(0.3-48.0)months.Conclusions:Depending on existing publications, among those LT recipients with malignant tumors treated by ICIs, the rate of graft rejection and patient mortality are higher. ICIs should be carefully considered for LT patients and further researches are required.
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Objective:To investigate the application value of triangular modal construed for planning approach of laparoscopic local resection of liver tumors located in superior part of central liver lobe.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 10 patients who underwent local laparoscopic resection of liver tumors located in superior part of central liver lobe at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January to June 2020 were collected. There were 6 males and 4 females, aged from 41 to 63 years, with a median age of 54 years. Preoperative triangular model was constructed for all patients to plan approach of laparoscopic local resection of liver tumors located in superior part of central liver lobe. Observation indicators: (1) preoperative general situations of patients; (2) surgical situations; (3) follow-up. Follow-up was conducted by outpatient examination or telephone interview to detect tumor recurrence and survival of patients up to February 2021. Measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as Mean± SD. Count data were expressed was absolute numbers. Results:(1) Preoperative general situations of patients: hepatocellular carcinoma was found in 7 cases, inthahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was found in 2 cases and ovarian cancer with liver metastasis was found in 1 case. Three cases had tumors located in S4a segment, 2 cases had tumors located in ventral subsegment of S8 segment, 2 cases had tumors located in dorsal subsegment of S8 segment, and 3 cases had tumors across the ventral segment of S4a+S8. The diameter of tumors was (3.4±1.0)cm. (2) Surgical situation: all the 10 patients underwent R 0 resection successfully, with no intraoperative blood transfusion or conversion to open surgery. The operation time of 10 patients was (149±59)minutes, the volume of intraoperative blood loss was (294±163)mL, the minimum surgical margin of specimen was (1.1±0.2)cm. The alanine aminotransferase was (324±151)U/L on the postoperative first day, the aspartic aminotransferase was (401±113)U/L on the postoperative first day, and the duration of postoperative hospital stay was (9±4)days. No bile leakage, hemorr-hage, reoperation or other complications occurred in all patients. (3) Follow-up: 10 patients were followed up for 7?13 months, with a median follow-up time of 11 months. All patients had no margin recurrence or distant metastasis. Conclusion:It is safe and feasible to construct triangular modal for planning approach of local laparoscopic resection of liver tumors located in superior part of central liver lobe.
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Objective:To investigate the prognosis of liver transplantation (LT) elderly recipients and analyze the influencing factors for prognosis.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 400 LT recipients who were admitted to three medical centers from January 2015 to June 2020 were collected, including 368 cases in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 17 cases in the Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and 15 cases in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. There were 297 males and 103 females, aged from 22 to 75 years, with a median age of 60 years. Of the 400 LT recipients,200 cases aged ≥60 years were divided into elderly recipients (ER) group and 200 cases aged <60 years were divided into non-elderly recipients (NER) group. Reci-pients underwent orthotopic LT or modified piggyback LT. Observation indicators: (1) survival of recipients and grafts for two groups; (2) influencing factors for death of LT recipients; (3) stratification analysis of ER group. Follow-up using the outpatient examination and telephone interview was conducted to detect survival and prognosis of patients up to May 2021. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates and draw survival curves. Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. COX regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results:(1) Survival of recipients and grafts for two groups: 400 recipients were followed up for 1 day to 71.7 months, with a median follow-up time of 16.3 months. Survival analysis showed that the 1-, 3-year overall survival rates and 1-, 3-year graft survival rates for ER group were 72.70%, 60.66% and 72.70%, 59.64%, respectively, versus 78.84%, 75.48% and 78.84%, 74.22% for NER group, showing significant differences in the overall survival and graft survival between the two groups ( χ2=5.712, 5.681, P<0.05). (2) Influencing factors for death of LT recipients: results of univariate analysis showed that age, score of model for end stage liver disease, Child-Pugh score, cold ischemia time(CIT) of liver donor, hypertension, blood type of recipients and donors, volume of intraoperative blood loss, volume of intraoperative red blood cell transfusion, volume of intraoperative plasma transfusion, volume of intraoperative crystalloid fluid transfusion, the maximum alanine aminotransferase within postoperative 7 days, the maximum aspartate aminotransferase within postoperative 7 days, total bilirubin were related factors for death of LT recipients ( odds ratio=1.026, 1.022, 1.084, 1.070, 1.701, 2.728, 1.000, 1.056, 1.089, 1.000, 1.000, 1.000, 1.003, 95% confidence interval as 1.006-1.045, 1.005-1.040, 1.060-1.170, 1.011-1.132, 1.133-2.554, 1.701-4.374, 1.000-1.001, 1.031-1.082, 1.039-1.142, 1.000-1.003, 1.001-1.004, 1.000-1.002, 1.001-1.004, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that age, blood type of recipients and donors, the maximum aspartate aminotransferase within postoperative 7 days, total bilirubin were independent influencing factors for death of LT recipients ( odds ratio=1.022, 2.761, 1.000, 1.007, 95% confidence interval as 1.001-1.044, 1.612-4.727, 1.000-1.001, 1.002-1.012, P<0.05). (3) Stratification analysis of ER group: ① of 200 recipients in ER group, cases with 0 hour≤CIT≤8 hours, 8 hours<CIT≤12 hours, CIT>12 hours were 96, 73, 31 ,respectively. The 1-year overall survival rates for above recipients were 77.46%, 73.33%, 54.07%, and the 3-year overall survival rates were 62.67%, 65.05%, 41.30%. There was a significant difference in the overall survival between the three groups ( χ2=6.708, P<0.05). ② Of 200 recipients in ER group,182 cases were ABO compatible and 18 were ABO incompatible. The 1-year overall survival rates for above recipients were 77.32%, 27.78%, and the 3-year overall survival rates were 64.63%, 22.22%. There was a significant difference in the overall survival between the two groups ( χ2=23.165, P<0.05). Conclusions:The overall survival of ER is inferior to NER. Age, blood type of recipients and donors, the maximum aspartate aminotransferase within postoperative 7 days, total bilirubin are indepen-dent influencing factors for death of LT recipients. Controlling CIT within 12 hours and avoiding ABO incompatible-liver transplantation can significantly improve the prognosis of ER.
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Objective:To study the use of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) guided transnasal ileus tube placement in management of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) after liver transplantation.Methods:From January 2015 to December 2019, a total of 30 patients who developed ACS after liver transplantation who were admitted to the Transplantation Intensive Care Unit of Tianjin First Central Hospital were retrospectively studied. According to the way of decompression, these patients were divided into the study group and the control group. Patients in the control group were treated with conventional abdominal decompression, while patients in the study group were treated with DSA guided transnasal ileus tube placement based on management principles developed in conventional abdominal decompression. Changes in intra-abdominal pressure, treatment efficacy rates and liver functions were monitored in the two groups up to 7 days after abdominal decompression.Results:There were 23 males and 7 females, aged (53.4±11.6) years. After treatment, the IAP, portal venous blood flow velocity, bile drainage volume, ALT and AST in the study group were significantly better when compared with the findings before treatment: [IAP: (7.13±3.87) vs (22.73±2.09) mmHg, portal vein blood flow velocity: (34.76±10.31) vs (21.45±6.47) cm/s, bile drainage volume: (198.43±19.94) vs (80.72±9.52) ml/d, ALT: (158.92±67.56) vs (278.73±99.17) U/L, AST: (79.36±15.63) vs (196.71±89.05) U/L], ( P<0.05). After treatment, when compared with the control group, the IAP, portal vein blood flow velocity, bile drainage and TBil in the study group were significantly better [IAP: (7.13±3.87) vs (13.47±6.19) mmHg, portal vein blood flow velocity: (34.76±10.31) vs (24.98±8.54) cm/s, bile drainage: (198.43±19.94) vs (108.73±21.30) ml/d, TBil: (258.85±91.95) vs (343.69±89.45) μmol/L], ( P<0.05). In the control group, the IAP significantly decreased on the fourth day after treatment, ( P<0.05); compared with the significant difference in the study group on the second day after treatment ( P<0.05). After 7 days of treatment, the efficacy rate of the control group was 46.7% (7/15), compared to 86.7% (13/15) in the study group. The difference between the two groups was significant (χ 2=5.400, P<0.05). Conclusion:DSA guided transnasal ileus tube placement for treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome after liver transplantation resulted in a better treatment efficacy rate than conventional treatment.
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Objective:To study the clinical course and underlying causes of early severe neurological complication (ESNC) after pediatric liver transplantation.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 309 pediatric liver transplantation recipients treated at Tianjin First Central Hospital from January 2018 to December 2018. ESNC occurred in 15 patients (4.8%, 15/309) within 1 month after liver transplantation. There were 7 males and 8 females, aged from 6 to 46 months. Liver transplantation was carried out for biliary atresia ( n=12), fulminant liver failure ( n=1), Niemann-Pick disease ( n=1) and Alagille syndrome ( n=1). The causes of ESNC and the prognosis were analyzed. Results:The onset of ESNC was 10.7 (0-28) d after liver transplantation. Twelve patients developed encephalopathy with epilepsy in 2 patients. Four of these patients were caused by severe infection, 4 by heart failure combined with respiratory failure which led to ischemic hypoxic encephalopathy, 2 by transplant liver failure, 1 by intracranial infection, and 1 by severe brain swelling which led to brain death. Epilepsy occurred in 3 patients, 2 caused by neurotoxicity of calcineurin inhibitors, and 1 caused by reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome. Three children with ESNC died after operation, including 1 brain death, 1 due to severe heart failure and 1 due to severe infection.Conclusions:ESNC occurred in 4.8% of patients which seriously affected long-term prognosis of patients. Measures to reduce the incidence of ESNC include prevention of postoperative infection and drug toxicity, and good control of cardiac insufficiency.
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Objective To study the use of high flow nasal cannula oxygenation (HFNCO) on the respiratory function of patients with acute lung injury after liver transplantation.Methods This is a randomized controlled interventional study.Among 200 adults who underwent liver transplantation from Jan 2015 to Dec 2015 in the Department of Transplant Surgery,Tianjin First Central Hospital,80 patients who did not meet the criteria for acute lung injury were excluded.Of the remaining 120 patients who were included in the study,they were divided into the HFNCO group and the nasal catheter group by the random number table method,with 60 patients in each group.The respiratory rate (RR),oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) and PaCO2 were recorded immediately after extubation,2 h after extubation,1 st day after extubation and 2nd day after extubation.The reintubation rate and duration of ICU stay were compared.Results The incidence of acute lung injury after liver transplantation was 60.0％ (120/200).There was no reintubation in the HFNCO group,and 6 patients (10.0％) in the nasal catheter group were reintubated.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).The RR of the HFNCO group was lower than that of the nasal catheter group [(19.4 ± 4.5) breaths/min vs.(21.7 ± 5.1) breaths/min],[(18.9 ± 4.2) breaths/min vs.(22.5 ± 4.4) breaths/min],[(19.0 ± 3.7) breaths/min vs.(23.2 ± 4.7) breaths/min] (all P ＜0.05) 2 h after extubation,on the 1st and 2nd day after extubation.The oxygenation index of the HFNCO group was significantly higher than that of the nasal catheter group [(242.6 ± 65.0) mmHg vs.(206.6 ±44.2)mmHg],[(245.6±70.4)mmHg vs.(211.1 ±62.8)mmHg],[(238.2±62.8)mmHg vs.(210.4±57.1)mmHg] (all P ＜0.05).There was no statistically difference in the PaCO2 and the duration of ICU stay between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Compared with the conventional nasal catheter oxygen inhalation,HFNCO was more effective in improving oxygenation index,reducing RR,improving respiratory function and reducing reintubation rate in patients with acute lung injury after liver transplantation.HFNCO is a more suitable oxygen therapy for patients with acute lung injury after liver transplantation.
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Objective@#To study the use of high flow nasal cannula oxygenation (HFNCO) on the respiratory function of patients with acute lung injury after liver transplantation.@*Methods@#This is a randomized controlled interventional study. Among 200 adults who underwent liver transplantation from Jan 2015 to Dec 2015 in the Department of Transplant Surgery, Tianjin First Central Hospital, 80 patients who did not meet the criteria for acute lung injury were excluded. Of the remaining 120 patients who were included in the study, they were divided into the HFNCO group and the nasal catheter group by the random number table method, with 60 patients in each group. The respiratory rate (RR), oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) and PaCO2 were recorded immediately after extubation, 2 h after extubation, 1st day after extubation and 2nd day after extubation. The reintubation rate and duration of ICU stay were compared.@*Results@#The incidence of acute lung injury after liver transplantation was 60.0%(120/200). There was no reintubation in the HFNCO group, and 6 patients (10.0%) in the nasal catheter group were reintubated. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The RR of the HFNCO group was lower than that of the nasal catheter group [(19.4±4.5) breaths/min vs. (21.7±5.1) breaths/min], [(18.9±4.2) breaths/min vs. (22.5±4.4) breaths/min], [(19.0±3.7) breaths/min vs. (23.2±4.7) breaths/min] (all P<0.05) 2 h after extubation, on the 1st and 2nd day after extubation. The oxygenation index of the HFNCO group was significantly higher than that of the nasal catheter group [(242.6±65.0)mmHg vs. (206.6±44.2)mmHg], [(245.6±70.4)mmHg vs. (211.1±62.8)mmHg], [(238.2±62.8)mmHg vs. (210.4±57.1)mmHg] (all P<0.05). There was no statistically difference in the PaCO2 and the duration of ICU stay between the two groups (P>0.05).@*Conclusions@#Compared with the conventional nasal catheter oxygen inhalation, HFNCO was more effective in improving oxygenation index, reducing RR, improving respiratory function and reducing reintubation rate in patients with acute lung injury after liver transplantation. HFNCO is a more suitable oxygen therapy for patients with acute lung injury after liver transplantation.