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Nguyen ALT, Si L, Lubel JS, Shackel N, Yee KC, Wilson M, Bradshaw J, Hardy K, Palmer AJ, Blizzard CL, de Graaff B. Hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance based on the Australian Consensus Guidelines: a health economic modelling study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:378. [PMID: 37076870 PMCID: PMC10116722 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09360-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fastest increasing cause of cancer death in Australia. A recent Australian consensus guidelines recommended HCC surveillance for cirrhotic patients and non-cirrhotic chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients at gender and age specific cut-offs. A cost-effectiveness model was then developed to assess surveillance strategies in Australia. METHODS A microsimulation model was used to evaluate three strategies: biannual ultrasound, biannual ultrasound with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and no formal surveillance for patients having one of the conditions: non-cirrhotic CHB, compensated cirrhosis or decompensated cirrhosis. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses as well as scenario and threshold analyses were conducted to account for uncertainties: including exclusive surveillance of CHB, compensated cirrhosis or decompensated cirrhosis populations; impact of obesity on ultrasound sensitivity; real-world adherence rate; and different cohort's ranges of ages. RESULTS Sixty HCC surveillance scenarios were considered for the baseline population. The ultrasound + AFP strategy was the most cost-effective with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) compared to no surveillance falling below the willingness-to-pay threshold of A$50,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) at all age ranges. Ultrasound alone was also cost-effective, but the strategy was dominated by ultrasound + AFP. Surveillance was cost-effective in the compensated and decompensated cirrhosis populations alone (ICERs < $30,000), but not cost-effective in the CHB population (ICERs > $100,000). Obesity could decrease the diagnostic performance of ultrasound, which in turn, reduce the cost-effectiveness of ultrasound ± AFP, but the strategies remained cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS HCC surveillance based on Australian recommendations using biannual ultrasound ± AFP was cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Le Tuan Nguyen
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
| | - Lei Si
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - John S Lubel
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Kwang Chien Yee
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Mark Wilson
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | | | - Kerry Hardy
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Andrew John Palmer
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Christopher Leigh Blizzard
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Barbara de Graaff
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
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2
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Maharaj AD, Lubel J, Lam E, Clark PJ, Duncan O, George J, Jeffrey GP, Lipton L, Liu H, McCaughan G, Neo E, Philip J, Strasser SI, Stuart K, Thompson A, Tibballs J, Tu T, Wallace MC, Wigg A, Wood M, Zekry A, Greenhill E, Ioannou LJ, Ahlenstiel G, Bowers K, Clarke SJ, Dev A, Fink M, Goodwin M, Karapetis CS, Levy MT, Muller K, O'Beirne J, Pryor D, Seow J, Shackel N, Tallis C, Butler N, Olynyk JK, Reed‐Cox K, Zalcberg JR, Roberts SK. Monitoring quality of care in hepatocellular carcinoma: A modified Delphi consensus. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:3260-3271. [PMID: 36153817 PMCID: PMC9592757 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.2089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Although there are several established international guidelines on the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there is limited information detailing specific indicators of good quality care. The aim of this study was to develop a core set of quality indicators (QIs) to underpin the management of HCC. We undertook a modified, two-round, Delphi consensus study comprising a working group and experts involved in the management of HCC as well as consumer representatives. QIs were derived from an extensive review of the literature. The role of the participants was to identify the most important and measurable QIs for inclusion in an HCC clinical quality registry. From an initial 94 QIs, 40 were proposed to the participants. Of these, 23 QIs ultimately met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final set. This included (a) nine related to the initial diagnosis and staging, including timing to diagnosis, required baseline clinical and laboratory assessments, prior surveillance for HCC, diagnostic imaging and pathology, tumor staging, and multidisciplinary care; (b) thirteen related to treatment and management, including role of antiviral therapy, timing to treatment, localized ablation and locoregional therapy, surgery, transplantation, systemic therapy, method of response assessment, and supportive care; and (c) one outcome assessment related to surgical mortality. Conclusion: We identified a core set of nationally agreed measurable QIs for the diagnosis, staging, and management of HCC. The adherence to these best practice QIs may lead to system-level improvement in quality of care and, ultimately, improvement in patient outcomes, including survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashika D. Maharaj
- Public Health and Preventative MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - John Lubel
- Alfred Health and Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Eileen Lam
- Public Health and Preventative MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | | | | | - Jacob George
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical ResearchWestmead Hospital and University of SydneySydneyAustralia
| | | | - Lara Lipton
- Royal Melbourne HospitalWestern HealthParkvilleAustralia
| | - Howard Liu
- Princess Alexandra HospitalWoolloongabbaAustralia
| | - Geoffrey McCaughan
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Centenary Institute for Medical ResearchNewtownAustralia
| | | | - Jennifer Philip
- St. Vincent's Hospital and University of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
| | - Simone I. Strasser
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and University of SydneyCamperdownAustralia
| | | | | | | | - Thomas Tu
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases and Storr Liver CentreWestmead Hospital, and University of SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Michael C. Wallace
- Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Medical SchoolUniversity of Western AustraliaPerthAustralia
| | - Alan Wigg
- Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders UniversityAdelaideAustralia
| | - Marnie Wood
- Royal Brisbane and Women's HospitalHerstonAustralia
| | - Amany Zekry
- St. George and Sutherland Clinical CampusSt. George HospitalSydneyAustralia
| | - Elysia Greenhill
- Public Health and Preventative MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Liane J. Ioannou
- Public Health and Preventative MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Golo Ahlenstiel
- Blacktown Clinical School and HospitalWestern Sydney UniversityPenrithAustralia
| | - Kaye Bowers
- Alfred Health and Department of SurgeryMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Stephen J. Clarke
- Royal North Shore Hospital and University of SydneySt LeonardsAustralia
| | | | - Michael Fink
- Austin Hospital and University of MelbourneHeidelbergAustralia
| | | | | | - Miriam T. Levy
- Department of GastroenterologyLiverpool Hospital, University of New South WalesLiverpoolAustralia
| | - Kate Muller
- Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders UniversityAdelaideAustralia
| | | | - David Pryor
- Princess Alexandra HospitalWoolloongabbaAustralia
| | | | | | | | - Nick Butler
- Princess Alexandra Hospital and University of QueenslandWoolloongabbaAustralia
| | - John K. Olynyk
- Fiona Stanley Hospital and Edith Cowan UniversityMurdochAustralia
| | | | - John R. Zalcberg
- Public Health and Preventative MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Stuart K. Roberts
- Alfred Health, Gastroenterology Department, and Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
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3
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Low K, Parthiepan S, Shackel N. Follicular lymphoma of the rectum – A case report. Pathology 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2021.12.168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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4
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Kemp W, Majeed A, Mitchell J, Majumdar A, Tse E, Skoien R, Croagh D, Dev A, Gao H, Weltman M, Craig P, Stuart K, Cheng W, Edmunds S, Lee E, Sood S, Metz A, Thompson A, Sinclair M, Beswick L, Nicoll A, Riordan S, Braund A, Muller K, MacQuillan G, Sandanayake N, Shackel N, Roberts SK. Management, outcomes and survival of an Australian IgG4-SC cohort: The MOSAIC study. Liver Int 2021; 41:2934-2943. [PMID: 34392596 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS IgG4 sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) is the biliary component of the multisystem IgG4-related disease. We aimed to investigate the clinical features, demographics, treatment response and outcomes of IgG4-SC in a large Australian cohort. METHODS We conducted nationwide retrospective cohort via the Australian Liver Association Clinical Trials Network (ALA-CRN). 39 sites were invited to participate. IgG4-SC was defined by the clinical diagnostic criteria established by the Japanese Biliary Association in 2012. Data were collected on patient demographic, clinical and laboratory information, presenting features, response to therapy and clinical outcomes. RESULTS 67 patients meet inclusion criteria from 22 sites. 76% were male with mean age of 63.3 ± 14.5 years and a median IgG4 level of 3.6 g/L [0.09-67.1]. The most frequent presenting symptom was jaundice (62%) and abdominal pain (42%) and Type 1 biliary stricturing (52%) at the distal common bile duct was the most frequent biliary tract finding. Prednisolone was used as a primary treatment in 61 (91%) and partial or complete response occurred in 95% of subjects. Relapse was common (42%) in those who ceased medical therapy. After a median follow up of 3.9 years there was one hepatocellular carcinoma and no cholangiocarcinomas. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms the preponderance of IgG4-SC in males and highlights the steroid response nature of this condition although relapse is common after steroid cessation. Progression to malignancy was uncommon.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Kemp
- Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ammar Majeed
- Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Avik Majumdar
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Edmund Tse
- Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Richard Skoien
- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Anouk Dev
- Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hugh Gao
- Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Eric Lee
- Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Andrew Metz
- Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Alicia Braund
- Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Kate Muller
- Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Stuart Keith Roberts
- Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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5
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Chan PPY, Levy MT, Shackel N, Davison SA, Prakoso E. Hepatocellular carcinoma incidence post direct-acting antivirals in hepatitis C-related advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis patients in Australia. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2020; 19:541-546. [PMID: 32660841 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite efficacy in HCV eradication, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy has raised controversies around their impact on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence. Herein we reported the first Australian data on HCC incidence in DAA-treated HCV patients with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis. METHODS We conducted a retrospective single center study of DAA-treated HCV patients with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis from April 2015 to December 2017. Patients with prior HCC were included if they had complete response to HCC treatment. RESULTS Among 138 patients who completed DAA therapy, 133 (96.4%) achieved sustained virologic response (median follow-up 23.8 months). Ten had prior HCC and 5/10 (50.0%) developed recurrence, while de novo HCC developed in 7/128 (5.5%). Median time from DAA to HCC diagnosis was 34 weeks in recurrent HCC vs. de novo 52 weeks (P = 0.159). In patients with prior HCC, those with recurrence (vs. without) had shorter median time between last HCC treatment and DAA (12 vs. 164 weeks, P < 0.001). On bivariate analysis, failed sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR12) (P = 0.011), platelets (P = 0.005), model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (P = 0.029), alpha fetoprotein (AFP) (P = 0.013), and prior HCC (P < 0.001) were associated with HCC post-DAA. On multivariate analysis, significant factors were prior HCC (OR = 4.80; 95% CI: 1.47-48.50; P = 0.010), failed SVR12 (OR = 2.83; 95% CI: 1.71-16.30; P = 0.016) and platelets (OR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.95-0.99; P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates a high incidence of recurrent HCC in HCV patients with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis treated with DAA. Factors associated with HCC development post-DAA were more advanced liver disease, failed SVR12 and prior HCC, with higher rates of recurrence in those who started DAA earlier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick P Y Chan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Liverpool Hospital, Elizabeth Street, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Miriam T Levy
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Liverpool Hospital, Elizabeth Street, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Nicholas Shackel
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Liverpool Hospital, Elizabeth Street, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Scott A Davison
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Liverpool Hospital, Elizabeth Street, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Emilia Prakoso
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Liverpool Hospital, Elizabeth Street, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; Central Clinical School - The Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.
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6
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Gunarathne LS, Rajapaksha H, Shackel N, Angus PW, Herath CB. Cirrhotic portal hypertension: From pathophysiology to novel therapeutics. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:6111-6140. [PMID: 33177789 PMCID: PMC7596642 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i40.6111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Portal hypertension and bleeding from gastroesophageal varices is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Portal hypertension is initiated by increased intrahepatic vascular resistance and a hyperdynamic circulatory state. The latter is characterized by a high cardiac output, increased total blood volume and splanchnic vasodilatation, resulting in increased mesenteric blood flow. Pharmacological manipulation of cirrhotic portal hypertension targets both the splanchnic and hepatic vascular beds. Drugs such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II type receptor 1 blockers, which target the components of the classical renin angiotensin system (RAS), are expected to reduce intrahepatic vascular tone by reducing extracellular matrix deposition and vasoactivity of contractile cells and thereby improve portal hypertension. However, these drugs have been shown to produce significant off-target effects such as systemic hypotension and renal failure. Therefore, the current pharmacological mainstay in clinical practice to prevent variceal bleeding and improving patient survival by reducing portal pressure is non-selective -blockers (NSBBs). These NSBBs work by reducing cardiac output and splanchnic vasodilatation but most patients do not achieve an optimal therapeutic response and a significant proportion of patients are unable to tolerate these drugs. Although statins, used alone or in combination with NSBBs, have been shown to improve portal pressure and overall mortality in cirrhotic patients, further randomized clinical trials are warranted involving larger patient populations with clear clinical end points. On the other hand, recent findings from studies that have investigated the potential use of the blockers of the components of the alternate RAS provided compelling evidence that could lead to the development of drugs targeting the splanchnic vascular bed to inhibit splanchnic vasodilatation in portal hypertension. This review outlines the mechanisms related to the pathogenesis of portal hypertension and attempts to provide an update on currently available therapeutic approaches in the management of portal hypertension with special emphasis on how the alternate RAS could be manipulated in our search for development of safe, specific and effective novel therapies to treat portal hypertension in cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakmie S Gunarathne
- Department of Medicine, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Harinda Rajapaksha
- School of Molecular Science, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | | | - Peter W Angus
- Department of Gastroenterology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Chandana B Herath
- Department of Medicine, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, 1 Campbell Street, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
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7
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Tu T, Zehnder B, Qu B, Ni Y, Main N, Allweiss L, Dandri M, Shackel N, George J, Urban S. A novel method to precisely quantify hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular (ccc)DNA formation and maintenance. Antiviral Res 2020; 181:104865. [PMID: 32726641 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the major cause of virus-associated liver disease. Persistent HBV infection is maintained by its episomal genome (covalently closed circular DNA, cccDNA), which acts as a template for viral transcripts. The formation of cccDNA is poorly characterised due to limited ability to quantify it accurately in the presence of replicative intermediates. Here, we describe a novel cccDNA quantification assay (cccDNA inversion quantitative PCR, cinqPCR), which uses restriction enzymes to invert a DNA sequence close to the gap region of Genotype D HBV strains, including the isolate widely used in experimental studies. Importantly, cinqPCR allows simultaneous normalisation to cellular DNA in a single reaction, provides absolute copy numbers without requiring a standard curve, and has high precision, sensitivity, and specificity for cccDNA compared to previous assays. We first established that cinqPCR gives values consistent with classical approaches in both in vitro and in vivo (humanised mice) HBV infections. We then used cinqPCR to find that cccDNA is formed within 12 h post-inoculation (hpi). cccDNA formation slowed by 28 hpi despite de novo synthesis of HBV DNA, indicating inefficient conversion of new viral genomes to cccDNA within infected cells. Finally, we show that cinqPCR can be used as a 96-well screening assay. Thus, we have developed an ideal method for testing current and future anti-cccDNA therapeutics with high precision and sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Tu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Heidelberg Partner Site, Heidelberg, Germany; Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
| | - Benno Zehnder
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bingqian Qu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yi Ni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nathan Main
- Gastroenterology and Liver Laboratory, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lena Allweiss
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maura Dandri
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; DZIF, Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel Partner Site, Germany
| | - Nicholas Shackel
- Gastroenterology and Liver Laboratory, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jacob George
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Heidelberg Partner Site, Heidelberg, Germany
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Sasadeusz J, Grigg A, Hughes PD, Lim SL, Lucas M, McColl G, McLachlan SA, Peters MG, Shackel N, Slavin M, Sundararajan V, Thompson A, Doyle J, Rickard J, De Cruz P, Gish RG, Visvanathan K. Screening and Prophylaxis to Prevent Hepatitis B Reactivation: Patients with Hematological and Solid Tumor Malignancies. Clin Liver Dis 2019; 23:511-519. [PMID: 31266624 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2019.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Patients with malignancies require chemotherapy and other immunosuppressive therapies for treatment. Because of this immunosuppression, in patients who have ever been exposed to hepatitis B it is possible for reactivation to occur. This reactivation can be fatal. Reactivation is particularly likely in patients who receive B cell-active agents such as rituximab. The occurrence of reactivation flares may also delay further chemotherapy, which can negatively affect the outcome of the underlying malignancy. Accordingly, it is important to screen patients for markers of hepatitis B and institute antiviral prophylaxis to prevent reactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Sasadeusz
- Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Andrew Grigg
- Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Peter D Hughes
- University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia
| | - Seng Lee Lim
- National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - Michaela Lucas
- University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Geoff McColl
- University of Queensland Oral Health Centre, 288 Herston Road, Queensland 4006, Australia
| | - Sue Anne McLachlan
- St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia
| | - Marion G Peters
- University of California, San Francisco, S357 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Nicholas Shackel
- Ingham Institute, 1 Campbell Street, Liverpool, Sydney, North South Wales 2170, Australia
| | - Monica Slavin
- Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia; Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Vijaya Sundararajan
- University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia; Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Plenty Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Alexander Thompson
- University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- The Alfred and Monash University, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - James Rickard
- Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Peter De Cruz
- University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Robert G Gish
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kumar Visvanathan
- University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia
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9
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Sasadeusz J, Grigg A, Hughes PD, Lee Lim S, Lucas M, McColl G, McLachlan SA, Peters MG, Shackel N, Slavin M, Sundararajan V, Thompson A, Doyle J, Rickard J, De Cruz P, Gish RG, Visvanathan K. Screening and Prophylaxis to Prevent Hepatitis B Reactivation: Transplant Recipients. Clin Liver Dis 2019; 23:493-509. [PMID: 31266623 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2019.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Organ transplantation is a lifesaving procedure for many patients. To prevent rejection or graft-versus-host disease, recipients require long-term immunosuppression. In patients who have ever been exposed to hepatitis B, it is possible for reactivation to occur; this includes patients who are anti-hepatitis B core antibody-positive only or both anti-hepatitis B core antibody-positive and hepatitis B surface antibody-positive. The susceptibility to this varies with the nature of the transplant. Hepatitis B can be transmitted from donor to recipient. It is important to assess the hepatitis B status and formulate a strategy to prevent transmission and prevent reactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Sasadeusz
- Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Andrew Grigg
- Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Peter D Hughes
- University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia
| | - Seng Lee Lim
- National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - Michaela Lucas
- University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Geoff McColl
- University of Queensland Oral Health Centre, 288 Herston Road, Queensland 4006, Australia
| | - Sue Anne McLachlan
- St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia
| | - Marion G Peters
- University of California, San Francisco, S357 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Nicholas Shackel
- Ingham Institute, 1 Campbell Street, Liverpool, Sydney, New South Wales 2170, Australia
| | - Monica Slavin
- Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia; Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Vijaya Sundararajan
- University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia; Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Plenty Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Alexander Thompson
- University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- The Alfred and Monash University, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - James Rickard
- Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Peter De Cruz
- University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Robert G Gish
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kumar Visvanathan
- University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia
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10
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Sasadeusz J, Grigg A, Hughes PD, Lee Lim S, Lucas M, McColl G, McLachlan SA, Peters MG, Shackel N, Slavin M, Sundararajan V, Thompson A, Doyle J, Rickard J, De Cruz P, Gish RG, Visvanathan K. Screening and Prophylaxis to Prevent Hepatitis B Reactivation: Other Populations and Newer Agents. Clin Liver Dis 2019; 23:521-534. [PMID: 31266625 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2019.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Because of the relatively high prevalence of both hepatitis B infection and various forms of autoimmune inflammatory diseases treated with aggressive immunotherapy, reactivation of hepatitis B occurs in a substantial number of patients. The risk of reactivation depends on the degree and duration of immunosuppression. A large number of drug treatments have resulted in reactivation of hepatitis B virus infection and, based on the mechanisms and extent of immunosuppression, recommendations for some of the newer classes of immunosuppressive drugs are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Sasadeusz
- Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Andrew Grigg
- Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Peter D Hughes
- University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia
| | - Seng Lee Lim
- National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - Michaela Lucas
- University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Geoff McColl
- University of Queensland Oral Health Centre, 288 Herston Road, Queensland 4006, Australia
| | - Sue Anne McLachlan
- St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia
| | - Marion G Peters
- University of California, San Francisco, S357 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Nicholas Shackel
- Ingham Institute, 1 Campbell Street, Liverpool, Sydney, North South Wales 2170, Australia
| | - Monica Slavin
- Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia; Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Vijaya Sundararajan
- University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia; Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Plenty Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Alexander Thompson
- University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- The Alfred and Monash University, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - James Rickard
- Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Peter De Cruz
- University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Robert G Gish
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kumar Visvanathan
- University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia
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11
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Thilakanathan C, Wark G, Maley M, Davison S, Lawler J, Lee A, Shackel N, Nguyen V, Jackson K, Glass A, Locarnini SA, Levy MT. Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B: Examining viral cut-offs, maternal HBsAg serology and infant testing. Liver Int 2018. [PMID: 29532580 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Antipartum antiviral therapy in the setting of high viral load is recommended to prevent mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B although recommended viral load cut-offs vary. Quantitative HBsAg has been proposed as an alternative screening strategy to identify high viral load in this setting. Guidelines suggest testing all infants for vaccine response and infection. We set out to re-examine viral load cut-offs; the predictive value of quantitative HBsAg and the need for follow-up infant testing in our cohort. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of 469 HBsAg positive mother-baby pairs from 2 tertiary hospitals in Sydney was performed. Antiviral therapy (lamivudine or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) was offered to women with viral load ≥6 log10 IU/mL (high) from 32 weeks gestation. Transmission and vaccine response was analysed according to viral load. The utility of quantitative HBsAg in identifying high viral load was examined. RESULTS Mother-to-child transmission only occurred in setting of high viral load, in 0.85% (1/117) of those who received antiviral therapy and in 8.66% (2/23) of those who chose not to. Quantitative HBsAg did not accurately identify high-risk mothers HBV DNA ≥6 log10 IU/mL. Successful infant vaccine response was 98.7% overall, and 99.4% when viral load was <6 log10 IU/mL. CONCLUSION Antiviral therapy initiated at 32 weeks when maternal viral load is ≥6 log10 IU/mL almost completely abrogates transmission. Quantitative HBsAg does not reliably predict high viral load. When maternal viral load is <6 log10 IU/mL, high vaccine efficacy and zero transmission suggests testing infants is of little value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthuja Thilakanathan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Liver, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Ingham Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gabrielle Wark
- Department of Gastroenterology and Liver, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Maley
- Department of Gastroenterology and Liver, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, NSW Health Pathology, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Scott Davison
- Department of Gastroenterology and Liver, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Aimei Lee
- Department of Gastroenterology and Liver, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Ingham Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas Shackel
- Department of Gastroenterology and Liver, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Ingham Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vi Nguyen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Liver, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kathy Jackson
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Hepatitis B, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anne Glass
- Department of Gastroenterology and Liver, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen A Locarnini
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Hepatitis B, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Miriam T Levy
- Department of Gastroenterology and Liver, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Ingham Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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12
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Pulitano C, Ho P, Verran D, Sandroussi C, Joseph D, Bowen DG, McCaughan GW, Crawford M, Shackel N. Molecular profiling of postreperfusion milieu determines acute kidney injury after liver transplantation: A prospective study. Liver Transpl 2018; 24:922-931. [PMID: 29684255 DOI: 10.1002/lt.25178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) after liver transplantation (LT) is a common event, but its pathogenesis remains unclear. The aim of this prospective study is to investigate the potential relationship between postreperfusion gene expression, serum mediators, and the onset of AKI after LT. Sixty-five consecutive patients undergoing LT were included in the study. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on liver biopsies. Gene expression of 23 genes involved in ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) was evaluated. The serum concentrations of endothelin (ET)-1 and inflammatory cytokines were analyzed. AKI after LT developed in 21 (32%) recipients (AKI group). Reverse transcription PCR of reperfusion biopsy in the AKI group showed higher expression of several genes involved in IRI compared with the non-AKI group. Fold changes in the gene expression of ET-1, interleukin (IL) 18, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were associated with creatinine peak value. AKI patients also had significantly higher ET-1, IL18, and TNF-α postoperative serum levels. Multivariate analysis showed that ET-1 (odds ratio [OR], 16.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.34-83.42; P = 0.001) and IL18 (OR, 5.27; 95% CI, 0.99-27.82, P = 0.048) serum levels on postoperative day 1 were independently predictive of AKI. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that the combination of biomarkers ET-1+IL18 was highly predictive of AKI (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83-0.99). Early allograft dysfunction and chronic kidney disease stage ≥ 2 occurred more frequently in AKI patients. These results suggest that the graft itself, rather than intraoperative hemodynamic instability, plays a main role in AKI after LT. These data may have mechanistic and diagnostic implications for AKI after LT. Liver Transplantation 24 922-931 2018 AASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Pulitano
- Centenary Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian National Liver Transplantation Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Center for Advanced Research in Liver Pancreas Biliary Surgery, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Phong Ho
- Australian National Liver Transplantation Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Deborah Verran
- Australian National Liver Transplantation Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Charbel Sandroussi
- Australian National Liver Transplantation Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Center for Advanced Research in Liver Pancreas Biliary Surgery, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Joseph
- Australian National Liver Transplantation Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Center for Advanced Research in Liver Pancreas Biliary Surgery, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David G Bowen
- Centenary Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian National Liver Transplantation Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Geoffrey W McCaughan
- Centenary Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian National Liver Transplantation Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Crawford
- Australian National Liver Transplantation Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Center for Advanced Research in Liver Pancreas Biliary Surgery, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicholas Shackel
- Centenary Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian National Liver Transplantation Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
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13
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Vidot H, Potter A, Cheng R, Allman-Farinelli M, Shackel N. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and hepatic encephalopathy in chronic liver disease. World J Hepatol 2017; 9:510-518. [PMID: 28443156 PMCID: PMC5387363 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v9.i10.510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) deficiency and hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).
METHODS A retrospective analysis of the results of 392 adult patients with chronic liver disease who were assessed for liver transplantation between 2006 and 2010 was undertaken. HE, severity of CLD, nutritional status and 25-OHD were analysed in patients assessed for liver transplantation between 2006 and 2010. Patients who presented with acute, fulminant or subacute disease, with a primary diagnosis of liver cancer, were assessed for re-transplantation or who did not have a 25-OHD measurement were excluded from the analysis.
RESULTS One hundred and sixty-five patients were included in this analysis. The mean age of all patients was 53 ± 8 years. Moderate to severe 25-OHD deficiency was identified in 49 patients of whom 36 had grade 2-3 HE compared with 13 patients who were not encephalopathic (P ≤ 0.0001). Mild 25-OHD deficiency was not associated with HE. There was a significant correlation between the severity of 25-OHD deficiency and the severity of liver disease (r = 0.39, P ≤ 0.0001) and disease severity and the presence of HE (P ≤ 0.0001). Importantly, individuals with 25-OHD deficiency were more likely to have a diagnosis of overt HE (OHE) at a significantly lower model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score than individuals without OHE (P ≤ 0.0001). This significant difference was observed with MELD scores from 10 to 38.
CONCLUSION 25-OHD deficiency was observed in the majority of patients with CLD and for the first time was found to be significantly worse in patients with OHE.
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14
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Tong A, Sautenet B, Chapman JR, Harper C, MacDonald P, Shackel N, Crowe S, Hanson C, Hill S, Synnot A, Craig JC. Research priority setting in organ transplantation: a systematic review. Transpl Int 2017; 30:327-343. [PMID: 28120462 DOI: 10.1111/tri.12924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Barriers to access and long-term complications remain a challenge in transplantation. Further advancements may be achieved through research priority setting with patient engagement to strengthen its relevance. We evaluated research priority setting in solid organ transplantation and described stakeholder priorities. Databases were searched to October 2016. We synthesized the findings descriptively. The 28 studies (n = 2071 participants) addressed kidney [9 (32%)], heart [7 (25%)], liver [3 (11%)], lung [1 (4%)], pancreas [1 (4%)], and nonspecified organ transplantation [7 (25%)] using consensus conferences, expert panel meetings, workshops, surveys, focus groups, interviews, and the Delphi technique. Nine (32%) reported patient involvement. The 336 research priorities addressed the following: organ donation [43 priorities (14 studies)]; waitlisting and allocation [43 (10 studies)]; histocompatibility and immunology [31 (8 studies)]; immunosuppression [21 (10 studies)]; graft-related complications [38 (13 studies)]; recipient (non-graft-related) complications [86 (14 studies)]; reproduction [14 (1 study)], psychosocial and lifestyle [49 (7 studies)]; and disparities in access and outcomes [10 (4 studies)]. The priorities identified were broad but only one-third of initiatives engaged patients/caregivers, and details of the process were lacking. Setting research priorities in an explicit manner with patient involvement can guide investment toward the shared priorities of patients and health professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Tong
- Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Benedicte Sautenet
- Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jeremy R Chapman
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Claudia Harper
- Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter MacDonald
- Heart Transplant Unit, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Transplantation Research Laboratory, Victor Chang, Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas Shackel
- Department of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Camilla Hanson
- Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sophie Hill
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Anneliese Synnot
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,School of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Jonathan C Craig
- Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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15
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Adams LA, Arauz O, Angus PW, Sinclair M, MacDonald GA, Chelvaratnam U, Wigg AJ, Yeap S, Shackel N, Lin L, Raftopoulos S, McCaughan GW, Jeffrey GP. Additive impact of pre-liver transplant metabolic factors on survival post-liver transplant. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016; 31:1016-24. [PMID: 26589875 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.13240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Revised: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Diabetes at time of liver transplantation is associated with reduced post-transplant survival. We aimed to assess whether additional metabolic conditions such as obesity or hypertension had additive prognostic impact on post-transplantation survival. METHODS A multi-center cohort study of 617 adult subjects undergoing liver transplantation between 2003 and 2009 has been used. Dry body mass index was calculated following adjustment for ascites. RESULTS After a median follow-up of 5.8 years (range 0-10.5), 112 (18.2%) patients died. Diabetes was associated with reduced post-transplant survival (hazard ratio 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-2.86, P = 0.003), whereas obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and the metabolic syndrome itself were not (P > 0.3 for all). Patients with concomitant diabetes and obesity had lower survival (adjusted Hazard Ratio [aHR] 2.40, 95%CI 1.32-4.38, P = 0.004), whereas obese non-diabetic patients or diabetic non-obese patients had similar survival compared with non-diabetic, non-obese individuals. The presence of hypertension or dyslipidemia did not impact on survival in patients with diabetes (P > 0.1 for both). Obese diabetic patients had longer intensive care and hospital stays than non-obese diabetic or obese, non-diabetic patients (P < 0.05). The impact of concomitant obesity and diabetes on survival was greater in subjects aged 50+ years (52.6% 5-year survival, aHR 3.04, 95% CI 1.54-5.98) or those transplanted with hepatocellular carcinoma (34.1% 5-year survival, aHR 3.35, 95% CI 1.31-5.57). Diabetes without obesity was not associated with an increased mortality rate in these sub-groups. CONCLUSIONS Concomitant diabetes and obesity but not each condition in the absence of the other is associated with reduced post-liver transplant survival. The impact of diabetes and obesity is greater in older patients and those with hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon A Adams
- Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia.,School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia
| | - Oscar Arauz
- Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - Peter W Angus
- The Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, South Australia
| | - Marie Sinclair
- The Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, South Australia
| | | | | | - Alan J Wigg
- Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - Sze Yeap
- Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - Nicholas Shackel
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Linda Lin
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | - Gary P Jeffrey
- Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia.,School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia
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16
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Vidot H, Teevan K, Carey S, Strasser S, Shackel N. A prospective audit of preprocedural fasting practices on a transplant ward: when fasting becomes starving. J Clin Nurs 2016; 25:829-35. [DOI: 10.1111/jocn.13116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Helen Vidot
- Liver Disease and Transplantation; Department Nutrition & Dietetics; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; Camperdown NSW Australia
- Centenary Institute; Camperdown NSW Australia
| | - Kate Teevan
- Hepatitis C; AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; Camperdown NSW Australia
| | - Sharon Carey
- Nutrition & Dietetics; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; Camperdown NSW Australia
| | - Simone Strasser
- Central Clinical School (Medicine); University of Sydney; Camperdown NSW Australia
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; Camperdown NSW Australia
| | - Nicholas Shackel
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; Camperdown NSW Australia
- Centenary Institute; Newtown NSW Australia
- Faculty of Medicine; University of Sydney; Camperdown NSW Australia
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17
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Cheng R, Cooper A, Kench J, Watson G, Bye W, McNeil C, Shackel N. Ipilimumab-induced toxicities and the gastroenterologist. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015; 30:657-66. [PMID: 25641691 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ipilimumab has been shown to improve overall survival in patients with advanced melanoma. Ipilimumab acts through immune-modulation, and is recognized to cause potentially severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs) including dermatitis, colitis, thyroiditis, hypophysitis, and hepatitis. The acceptance of ipilimumab as a treatment for metastatic melanoma means patients will continue to be treated with this agent and gastroenterologists will be increasingly called upon to assist in managing severe autoimmune-related hepatitis and colitis. To date, the recommendations for managing irAEs secondary to ipilimumab have been steroids at a moderate dose of prednisolone (1 mg/kg) as well as immunosuppressive agents such as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for steroid-refractory hepatitis and infliximab in the management of corticosteroid-refractory colitis. However, the dosing and the duration of immunosuppressive therapy have not been systematically studied in the setting of treating ipilimumab-induced irAEs. Therefore, additional immune-modifying agents and/or a change in dosing may be required to manage severe irAEs unresponsive to existing treatment recommendations. We describe a treatment paradigm illustrated by a series of five patients who experienced irAEs. In three cases of metastatic melanoma, ipilimumab-induced hepatitis was successfully treated with high-dose parenteral pulsed methylprednisolone. In two other melanoma patients with ipilimumab-induced colitis, one patient had satisfactory resolution of his colitis with high-dose corticosteroid therapy alone and the other patient required infliximab infusion. We have reviewed the current literature and management algorithms for ipilimumab-induced irAEs. Treatment options and the rationale for their use are discussed, including the use of pulsed high-dose steroids, MMF, azathioprine and calcineurin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Cheng
- A.W. Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
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18
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Tu T, Shackel N, McCaughan G. Our experts highlight the most important research articles across the spectrum of topics relevant to the field of hepatic oncology. Hepat Oncol 2015; 2:13-14. [PMID: 30190982 DOI: 10.2217/hep.14.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Tu
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Nicholas Shackel
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW Australia.,A W Morrow Gastroenterology & Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Geoffrey McCaughan
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW Australia.,A W Morrow Gastroenterology & Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
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19
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Abstract
Enormous progress has been made in the understanding of the hepatitis C virus and the development of novel therapeutic agents since the identification of the virus 25 years ago. From initial interferon monotherapy providing only 6% viral clearance rate in the 1980s, pharmacotherapeutics has now entered an exciting new era with direct-acting antiviral agents demonstrating viral clearance rates of more than 70%. We are now at the beginning of an era where combinations of direct-acting antiviral agents may pave the way for interferon-free regimens, even improving the viral clearance rate to near 100%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Cheng
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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20
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Vidot H, Carey S, Allman-Farinelli M, Shackel N. Systematic review: the treatment of muscle cramps in patients with cirrhosis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2014; 40:221-32. [PMID: 24942957 DOI: 10.1111/apt.12827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Up to 88% of patients with hepatic cirrhosis experience painful muscle cramps resulting in sleep deprivation and impaired quality of life. Management is often based on poor evidence with varying degrees of success in controlling the frequency and severity of muscle cramps in this group. AIM To review systematically the treatment options for muscle cramps in cirrhosis. METHODS A systematic review of the relevant databases to identify treatments for muscle cramps in patients with hepatic cirrhosis was performed. Studies meeting the selection criteria were reviewed and quality of the papers was rated using a validated quality rating scale. The results for each treatment are reported. RESULTS Eighteen publications were identified as eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. The majority (n = 15) of these were treatment/intervention reports. Only three randomised-control studies were identified. A wide range of treatments were identified including zinc, 1-α-hydroxy vitamin D, vitamin E, branched chain amino acids, taurine, l-carnitine, nuiche-shen-qi-wen, eperisone hydrochloride, intravenous albumin and quinidine. There were some reported improvements in muscle cramps with most interventions with the exception of vitamin E but the evidence predominantly relies on case study reports. There is a lack of randomised-controlled clinical studies to support using these interventions. CONCLUSIONS There appear to be a number of promising treatments for muscle cramps in cirrhosis. However, there remains a need for further double-blinded, randomised, controlled clinical investigations to support routine use of these interventions to treat muscle cramps in patients with hepatic cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Vidot
- Nutrition & Dietetics, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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21
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Abstract
CONTEXT The harmful consequences of abuse of performance-enhancing substances (PESs), stimulants, and masking agents among athletes, recreational weight lifters, and physical trainers are common. However, the adverse health outcomes with severe unexpected and dramatic consequences are unrecognized or under-reported at the expense of short-term glory or body-image effects, especially in elite sports. OBJECTIVE We report the case of a recreational weight lifter/physical trainer to help summarize the adverse health consequences and outcomes of polypharmacy among athletes and growing subsets in our population engaged in physical/fitness training. We show that in addition to the risk inherent to "stacking" of PESs, the users are predisposed to harmful consequences, including risk of exposure to toxic contaminants. DESIGN AND SETTING A previously healthy man with chronic use of multiple PESs, stimulants, and masking agents presented to a tertiary-care hospital with jaundice and mild hepatitis with rapid progression into liver and multisystem organ failure. This is followed by a brief overview of the specific toxicity (arsenic) and PESs that contributed to the poor outcome in this case. CONCLUSION Surreptitiously or self-administered cocktails of potential PESs including anabolic agents, emerging classes of GH-releasing peptides, androgen precursors, stimulants, and masking agents could lead to adverse consequences including early mortality, multisystem pathology, unmask/accelerate malignancy, and expose or predispose users to extreme danger from contaminants. This cautionary case reinforces the need to increase awareness and highlights the challenges that testing agencies, regulators, and clinicians face in the fast-developing licit/illicit trade of these products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimalie J Perera
- Department of Endocrinology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown NSW 2050, Australia.
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Pok S, Wen V, Shackel N, Alsop A, Pyakurel P, Fahrer A, Farrell GC, Teoh NC. Cyclin E facilitates dysplastic hepatocytes to bypass G1/S checkpoint in hepatocarcinogenesis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2013; 28:1545-54. [PMID: 23574010 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM By array-comparative genomic hybridization, we demonstrated cyclin E as one of seven genes associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in Ku70 DNA repair-deficient mice. We therefore explored the hypothesis that during hepatocarcinogenesis, cyclin E kinase can overcome the inhibitory effects of p53 and establish whether abnormal miRNA(mi-R)-34, a co-regulator of cyclin E and p53, can account for their interactions as "drivers" of HCC. METHODS Dysplastic hepatocytes (DNs) and HCCs were generated from diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-injected C57BL/6 male mice at 3-12 months. RESULTS Cyclin E/cdk2 was barely expressed in normal liver, but was readily detected in dysplastic hepatocytes, localizing to glutathione-S transferase pi-form positive cells dissected by laser-dissection. Cyclin E kinase activity preceded cyclin D1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in DNs and HCCs despite maximal p53 and p21 expression. We confirmed that cyclin E, rather than cyclin D1, is the proliferative driver in hepatocarcinogenesis by immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrating preferential binding of p21 to cyclin D1, allowing cyclin E-mediated "escape" from G1/S checkpoint. We then showed cyclin E was responsible for regulating wild-type p53 by knockdown experiments in primary HCC cells; cyclin E-knockdown increased p53 and p21, diminished anti-apoptotic Bcl-XL and reduced cell viability. Conversely, blocking p53 augmented cyclin E, Bcl-XL expression and increased proliferation. Physiological interactions between cyclin E/p53/p21 were confirmed in primary hepatocytes. miR-34a,c were upregulated in dysplastic murine, human liver and HCCs compared with normal liver, and appeared to be linked to cyclin E/p53. CONCLUSION Upregulation of functionally active cyclin E via miR34 with loss of p53 function is associated with cell-cycle checkpoint failure increasing proliferative drive that favors hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Pok
- Liver Research Group, Australian National University Medical School at The Canberra Hospital, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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23
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Abstract
Freedom of speech is a fundamental liberty that imposes a stringent duty of tolerance. Tolerance is limited by direct incitements to violence. False notions and bad laws on speech have obscured our view of this freedom. Hence, perhaps, the self-righteous intolerance, incitements and threats in response to Giubilini and Minerva. Those who disagree have the right to argue back but their attempts to shut us up are morally wrong.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Shackel
- Department of Philosophy, Cardiff University, ENCAP Cardiff University, Colum Drive, Cardiff CF10 3EU, UK.
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Wiech K, Kahane G, Shackel N, Farias M, Savulescu J, Tracey I. Cold or calculating? Reduced activity in the subgenual cingulate cortex reflects decreased emotional aversion to harming in counterintuitive utilitarian judgment. Cognition 2012; 126:364-72. [PMID: 23280149 PMCID: PMC3629560 DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2012.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2011] [Revised: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 11/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Recent research on moral decision-making has suggested that many common moral judgments are based on immediate intuitions. However, some individuals arrive at highly counterintuitive utilitarian conclusions about when it is permissible to harm other individuals. Such utilitarian judgments have been attributed to effortful reasoning that has overcome our natural emotional aversion to harming others. Recent studies, however, suggest that such utilitarian judgments might also result from a decreased aversion to harming others, due to a deficit in empathic concern and social emotion. The present study investigated the neural basis of such indifference to harming using functional neuroimaging during engagement in moral dilemmas. A tendency to counterintuitive utilitarian judgment was associated both with ‘psychoticism’, a trait associated with a lack of empathic concern and antisocial tendencies, and with ‘need for cognition’, a trait reflecting preference for effortful cognition. Importantly, only psychoticism was also negatively correlated with activation in the subgenual cingulate cortex (SCC), a brain area implicated in empathic concern and social emotions such as guilt, during counterintuitive utilitarian judgments. Our findings suggest that when individuals reach highly counterintuitive utilitarian conclusions, this need not reflect greater engagement in explicit moral deliberation. It may rather reflect a lack of empathic concern, and diminished aversion to harming others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Wiech
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Nuffield Division Anaesthetics, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
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25
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Abstract
Neuroimaging studies on moral decision-making have thus far largely focused on differences between moral judgments with opposing utilitarian (well-being maximizing) and deontological (duty-based) content. However, these studies have investigated moral dilemmas involving extreme situations, and did not control for two distinct dimensions of moral judgment: whether or not it is intuitive (immediately compelling to most people) and whether it is utilitarian or deontological in content. By contrasting dilemmas where utilitarian judgments are counterintuitive with dilemmas in which they are intuitive, we were able to use functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify the neural correlates of intuitive and counterintuitive judgments across a range of moral situations. Irrespective of content (utilitarian/deontological), counterintuitive moral judgments were associated with greater difficulty and with activation in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex, suggesting that such judgments may involve emotional conflict; intuitive judgments were linked to activation in the visual and premotor cortex. In addition, we obtained evidence that neural differences in moral judgment in such dilemmas are largely due to whether they are intuitive and not, as previously assumed, to differences between utilitarian and deontological judgments. Our findings therefore do not support theories that have generally associated utilitarian and deontological judgments with distinct neural systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Kahane
- Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Littlegate House, St Ebbe's Street, Oxford OX1 1PT, UK.
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26
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Abstract
Neuroscience and psychology have recently turned their attention to the study of the subpersonal underpinnings of moral judgment. In this article we critically examine an influential strand of research originating in Greene's neuroimaging studies of 'utilitarian' and 'non-utilitarian' moral judgement. We argue that given that the explananda of this research are specific personal-level states-moral judgments with certain propositional contents-its methodology has to be sensitive to criteria for ascribing states with such contents to subjects. We argue that current research has often failed to meet this constraint by failing to correctly 'fix' key aspects of moral judgment, criticism we support by detailed examples from the scientific literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Kahane
- Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford
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27
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Shackel
- Centenary Institute of Cancer, Medicine and Cell Biology, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
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28
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Shackel
- The Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Camperdown, NSW Australia
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Speisky H, Shackel N, Varghese G, Wade D, Israel Y. Role of hepatic gamma-glutamyltransferase in the degradation of circulating glutathione: studies in the intact guinea pig perfused liver. Hepatology 1990; 11:843-9. [PMID: 1971805 DOI: 10.1002/hep.1840110520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The role of hepatic gamma-glutamyltransferase in the breakdown of circulating glutathione was studied in the perfused guinea pig liver. Hepatic gamma-glutamyltransferase activity in the guinea pig is sevenfold higher than in the rat and is comparable to its activity in man. Guinea pig livers were found to remove, in a single pass, 50% to 90% of glutathione (10 to 50 mumol/L) added to the portal perfusate. Removal of portal glutathione was totally dependent on the activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase and led to the near quantitative appearance of cysteinyl-glycine and cysteine in the caval perfusate. Glutathione removal by the intact liver followed saturation with a Michaelis constant (Km) of 59 mumol/L for glutathione and a maximum velocity of 235 nmol glutathione/min/gm of liver weight. The capacity of the guinea pig liver to remove circulating glutathione was estimated to be sevenfold to 10-fold higher than its net rate of output of glutathione into the circulation. Inhibition of gamma-glutamyltransferase activity in the perfused liver led to threefold to sixfold increases in the hepatic output of glutathione into the circulation, indicating that more than two thirds of glutathione transported extracellularly is broken down. Data obtained demonstrate a major role of hepatic gamma-glutamyltransferase, both in the removal of portally carried glutathione and in the degradation of glutathione molecules released by the liver itself into the sinusoids. These findings suggest the existence of an intraorgan transport of glutathione in the liver, whereby periportal cells could provide glutathione precursors to pericentral cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Speisky
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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