According to our experience, posterior-based thoracic pedicle subtraction osteotomies represent a valuable tool in the surgical treatment of severe pediatric spinal deformities, even in revision cases. A dramatic correction of both the coronal and sagittal profile may be achieved. Mandatory the use of a pedicle screws-only instrumentation

and a continuous intra-operative neuromonitoring to obviate catastrophic neurologic complications.”
“Chitinase 3-like 2 (CHI3L2) is one of the most overexpressed genes in selleck glioblastoma. Despite this, both the CHI3L2 gene and its protein product CHI3L2 are poorly characterized. Here we report the generation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to CHI3L2 protein (CHI3L2 MAbs). Bacterially expressed 6 His-tagged full-length CHI3L2 was used as antigen. Spleen cells from immunized mice were collected and fused with SP2/0 myeloma cells. Hybridoma clones 2D3 and 4D2 producing high titer CHI3L2 MAbs were identified by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and further examined for their activity with the CHI3L2 protein by Western blot analysis and immunoprecipitation. The 2D3 clone was chosen for

mouse inoculation and ascites formation. Antibodies derived from the ascitic fluid specifically recognized the recombinant CHI3L2 protein and strongly interacted with CHI3L2 in glioblastoma tissue lysate, as determined by Western blot analysis. NCT-501 Metabolism inhibitor The antibodies generated may be useful as a tool in various aspects of CHI3L2 investigation.”
“Numbness and ulceration of the face, particularly erosion of ala of the nose, sometimes occur after sensory denervation in the territory of the divisions of the trigeminal nerve. The incidence is uncertain and usually follows surgical treatments for trigeminal neuralgia. Such condition is known as trigeminal trophic syndrome (TTS), although some authors believe it to be a special form of dermatitis artefacta. Trigeminal trophic syndrome most

commonly affects adults, after iatrogenic, vascular, viral, or neoplastic damage to the trigeminal nerve. We present a rare case of TTS in a 32-year-old woman who was referred to us with progressive numbness in the right upper and lower lip region.”
“Purpose of review

To provide an overview selleck products of the current research on renal tissue ablation, highlighting novel ablation techniques and technologies.

Recent findings

As long-term data on renal radio frequency ablation (RFA) and cryoablation confirming their oncologic efficacy emerge, ongoing research aims at improving the treatment profiles of these techniques as well as developing novel methods for renal tissue ablation.

Summary

Although nephron-sparing surgery is the gold standard treatment for small renal masses confirmed malignant, ablative therapies are an option in elderly patients, who may be poor surgical candidates.

A 18-year-old male presented with multiple, skin-colored, pinhead to pea-sized, grouped, flat tapped, soft papules on the back. This skin lesion was found accidentally 3 years ago

with no symptom. Histologic findings revealed an acanthotic epidermis with thin elongated rete ridges and orthohyperkeratosis. In papillary dermis, fine collagen fibers were interspersed in an abundant ground substance that stained positively with Alcian blue at pH2.5. Herein the authors describe an unusual case of mucinous www.selleckchem.com/products/BI-2536.html nevus and review the relevant literature.”
“Nepeta suavis Stapf. (Lamiaceae), one of the ignored species for testing biological activities, was studied. In present research, the Nepeta suavis fractions: chloroform (FC), ethyl acetate (FE) and aqueous (FW) were evaluated for

platelet aggregation, antiglycation, cytoxicity, and phytotoxicity. FE showed 65.60% antiglycation activity against the protein glycation while the other fractions showed less than 50% inhibitory potential. The FW inhibited arachidonic acid (AA) and platelet activating factor (acetyl-glyceryl-ether-phosphorylcholine, PAF) induced platelet aggregation. FE showed significant cytotoxicity against brine shrimp larvae with LD50 of 41.3 mu g/ml. Phytotoxic studies of FC, FE and FW against Lemna minor showed 77.5-100% inhibitory effects at 1000 mu g/ml. However, at lower concentration (10 mu g/ml) enhancing effects were observed DAPT in FC and FE, as compared to control. FW remained in a uniform pattern of inhibitory effects in all three concentrations (10,100 and 1000 mu g/ml). FE showed highest inhibitory activities

against formation of glycation, while FW showed significant inhibitory effects against platelet aggregation and Lemna minor. Both of these fractions are recommended for further study to identify and isolate active chemical compounds.”
“Acral pseudolymphomatous angiokeratoma of children JQ1 (APACHE) is characterized by multiple angiomatous papules on the hands and feet in children. Here, we report a case of APACHE in a female patient followed up from 13 to 19 years of age with a dark red lesion on the center of the dorsum of the right thigh. Histologically, vacuolar alteration and exocytosis of lymphocytes, and specific dense cellular infiltration beneath the epidermis to the reticular dermis were found. On immunolabeling study, the lesion vessels were found to be positive for both the lymphatic endothelium-specific marker podoplanin and blood vessel-specific marker CD34. These findings suggested that APACHE is a type of vascular malformation.”
“Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is a rare, life-threatening, autoimmune, mucocutaneous blistering disease associated with neoplasia. Both humoral and cellular immunity are involved in the pathogenesis of PNP. Characteristically, PNP has a diverse spectrum of clinical and immunopathological features. We retrospectively analyzed 12 Korean patients with PNP who were diagnosed between 1993 and 2011.

(C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 119: 3051-3057, 2011″
“Electrical, magnetic and Mossbauer measurements have been carried out on La0.67-xEuxCa0.33MnO3 (x=0.21 and 0.29) for a comparative study of different grain size materials. The samples have been prepared through

sol-gel method and sintered at 700, 800, and 900 degrees C to achieve nanosized materials. All the prepared samples are found to be single phase having orthorhombic structure. The particle sizes are estimated through x-ray diffraction (XRD) by using the Debye-Scherrer’s formulae and these sizes are further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy Nocodazole cell line (TEM) images. Eu-151 Mossbauer studies reveal that Eu is in 3+ charge state. The isomer shift and full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the Mossbauer peak decrease with the increase in particle size. Reduction in the grain size leads to drastic increase in electrical resistivity in all the samples. The typical metal-insulator transition (MIT) observed in x=0.21 bulk sample disappears with decrease in grain size while an external magnetic field of 8T restores AZD5363 the MIT. For x=0.29, the sample with the lowest grain

size does not show a field induced MIT whereas the samples with higher grain sizes show the field induced MIT. Hysteresis in field cooled cooling and warming selleck products cycles of magnetization measurements of x=0.21 system suggests that the decrease in grain size induces strong competition between the FM and AFM interaction. Interestingly, the combined effect of chemical pressure induced due to the additional rare earth doping and smaller grain size leads to a more stable AFM phase in x=0.29 system where no such hysteresis is observed in field cooled cooling and warming cycles of magnetization measurements. (C) 2010 American Institute

of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3517830]“
“This article illustrates a case of persistent trigeminal neuralgia in a medically compromised 65-year-old female who did not respond to pharmacotherapy. She had undergone several peripheral neurectomies as well as a failed right posterior fossa exploration that resulted in a cerebrospinal fluid leak. Persistent pain over the right external nasal area and right mental region was relieved for several hours after daily injections of bupivacaine. A trial of a single dose of 100 units of botulinum toxin type A (BOTOX) diluted in 2.5 mL saline was injected into the external nasal trigger zone (60 units) and to the mental nerve region (40 units). She achieved complete pain relief in the external nasal region for 5 months. Pain recurred and the site was again injected with 100 units of botulinum toxin type A (BOTOX). Pain relief at the mental region was partial. This was finally controlled with peripheral neurectomy.

So the present work was undertaken to validate its use in the treatment of ulcerative colitis by using suitable scientific methods. Shade dried and coarsely powdered roots were subjected to successive

extraction with ethanol and water. The dried extracts (100 and 200 mg/kg) were screened for ulcerative colitis using the method acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis in mice. Macroscopical study of the colon, level of myeloperoxidase in colon and histopathology of the colon tissue were studied for the assessment of the activity. Results showed that aqueous extract was significantly effective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis at dose of 200 mg/kg. It can be concluded that the polar constituents of T. purpurea L. may be useful in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.”
“Objective. New proposed definitions of chronic kidney disease Selleck ALK inhibitor necessitate

the development and use of simple and accurate methods for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Plasma cystatin C has been shown to be a more reliable GFR marker than creatinine and formulae for estimating GFR have been reported. The purpose Sotrastaurin manufacturer of this study was to validate a cystatin C-based GFR prediction equation in a different population from the derivation set but using the cystatin C assay of a single laboratory, and to compare the results with that of the creatinine-based Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation. Material and methods. A newly presented formula based on plasma cystatin C and BMS-345541 research buy gender and the MDRD formula based on creatinine for estimation of GFR were validated in an unselective patient material. Single sample iohexol clearance was used as the GFR reference method in 406 consecutive patients with GFR varying from normal to poor renal function. The creatinine assay used was standardized to express true plasma creatinine. Results. Median bias

(1.1%) and accuracy (79.1% of the estimates within 30% of iohexol clearance) of the cystatin C formula were close to the derivation set. The accuracy was significantly higher than that of the original four-variable MDRD equation (73.2%; median bias 9.8%). However, the accuracy did not differ significantly from that of the re-expressed MDRD formula (79.6%; median bias 3.2%) based on true creatinine. Both formulae performed with a low bias and acceptable accuracy up to a GFR of 90 ml/min/1.73 m2. Conclusions. GFR estimation based on plasma cystatin C performed equally well in the validation as in the derivation set, and was as accurate as the re-expressed MDRD creatinine-based equation.”
“Introduction BK virus (BKV) is an ubiquitous human polyomavirus that establishes latency in urothelium. BKV is known to re-activate in immunosuppressed individuals, and is an increasingly important cause of nephropathy and graft loss in kidney transplant recipients. Animal studies have demonstrated BKV has a potential role as a tumor virus. However, its role in precipitating or facilitating oncogenesis in humans is still debated.

Subjects with CF had a higher %ucOC with low [45% (10%, 76%)] and medium [41% (3%, 66%)] supplement intakes but not with a high supplement intake [16% (4%, 72%)] compared with healthy subjects [23% (0%, 43%); both P < 0.05]. Supplementation

group for males and females and 25(OH)D and age for males were significant predictors of vitamin K status.

Conclusions: Vitamin K status was often suboptimal despite routine supplementation. Only subjects taking high-dose vitamin K achieved a status similar to healthy subjects, and only the vitamin K supplementation dose predicted vitamin K status for males and females. These data suggest that higher doses TH-302 supplier of vitamin K are required. Am J Clin Nutr 2010;92:660-7.”
“Nitrogen

plasma treatment was performed on fluorine-doped tin oxide (SnO(2):F) front electrodes, and its impact on the performance of pin type amorphous Si (a-Si) solar cells was investigated. Nitrogen plasma treatment reverses the surface band bending of SnO(2):F from accumulation to depletion, thus in turn reversing the band bending of the p type amorphous silicon carbide (p-a-SiC) window layer. The reversal of band bending leads to the collection of carriers generated in p-a-SiC, and quantum efficiency in the short wavelength regime is thereby enhanced. On the other hand, surface depletion of SnO(2):F causes a reduction of the diode built-in voltage and increased series resistance, which could degrade the open circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF), the degradation of which is strongly affected by the deposition time of check details p-a-SiC. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3572262]“
“We have investigated the optical properties of poly [2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] containing oxadiazole in backbone (MEH-OPPV) in dilute tetrahydrofuran solution and solid solution

films. There is a large dihedral angle between the two adjacent monomer units in MEH-OPPV, which restrains interchain interactions and destroys the conjugation of the polymer to result in blue shifted absorption and emission spectra. The red shifted photoluminescence (PL) peak is continuously changed in the solid solution films with increasing the concentration of MEH-OPPV. Comparison with the GDC-0994 chemical structure dilute solution, an obvious shoulder peak at 465 nm is found in the UV-vis absorption and PL excitation (PLE) spectra of the MEH-OPPV film. The intensity of the PLE shoulder at 465 nm is increased with the concentration of MEH-OPPV in the solid solution films, which is connected with the aggregation of the MEH-OPPV chains. The interchain interactions are restrained and the p-stack aggregates of the polymer chains can not form in the MEH-OPPV due to the large dihedral angle, and then the interchain species are effectively suppressed in the MEH-OPPV films. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

“
“FeCo epitaxial films were prepared on MgO (100), MgO (110), and MgO (111) substrates by ultrahigh vacuum molecular beam epitaxy. FeCo thin films with (100), (211), and (110) planes parallel to the substrate surface grow on respective MgO substrates. FeCo/MgO interface structures are studied by high-resolution cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy and the epitaxial selleck chemicals growth mechanism is discussed. Atomically sharp

boundaries are recognized between the FeCo thin films and the MgO substrates where misfit dislocations are introduced in the FeCo thin films presumably to decrease the lattice misfits. Misfit dislocations are observed approximately every 9 and 1.4 nm in FeCo thin film at the FeCo/MgO

(100) and the FeCo/MgO (110) interfaces, respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the lattice spacing measured parallel to the single-crystal substrate surfaces are in agreement within 0.1% with those of the respective bulk values of Fe50Co50 alloy crystal, showing that the FeCo film strain is very small. The magnetic anisotropies of these epitaxial films basically reflect the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of bulk FeCo alloy crystal. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3067854]“
“Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) represent about 25% of all primary pancreatic cystic neoplasms and are increasingly recognized during the last two decades. They MEK162 datasheet are characterized by intraductal proliferation of neoplastic mucinous cells forming papillary projections into the pancreatic ductal system, which is typically dilated and contains globules of mucus. IPMNs may be multifocal and have malignant potential. Modern imaging is essential in establishing preoperative diagnosis and in differentiating different

subtypes of IPMNs (i.e., main-duct vs. branch-type disease). Endoscopic retrograde or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography accurately LDN-193189 delineate the morphologic changes of the pancreatic ductal system. Endoscopic ultrasonography (usually used in conjunction with image-guided FNA and analysis of the aspirated material) is commonly used for differential diagnosis of IPMNs from other pancreatic cystic lesions. Surgical resection (usually anatomic pancreatectomy, depending on the location of the disease) is the treatment of choice. Total pancreatectomy may occasionally be required in selected patients, but is associated with formidable long-term morbidity. A conservative approach has recently been proposed for carefully selected patients with branch-duct IPMNs. Recurrences following surgical resection can be observed, especially in patients with multifocal disease or in the presence of underlying malignancy. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Both anti-HCV

and HCV RNA were negative at all times in remaining 123 patients (control group).

Results:

Liver biopsy was performed in 31 of 47 patients in pre-RT and 24 of 27 in post-RT HCV group after RT. Duration of follow-up was similar in all groups with a mean of 7.1 +/- 4.0 yr. Ascites and encephalopathy were seen in only post-RT HCV group (22%). Histological grade (6.5 +/- 2.7 vs. 4.1 +/- 1.4) and stage (2.0 +/- 1.5 vs. 0.8 +/- 0.8) was significantly severe in post-RT HCV group (p < 0.01). Three patients died due to liver failure in post-RT HCV group.

Conclusions:

HCV infection acquired during or after RT shows a severe and rapidly GANT61 progressive clinicopathological course, which is significantly different from pre-transplant anti-HCV positive patients.”
“Measurements of the deflection induced by thermal noise have been performed oil it rectangular atomic force microscope cantilever in air. The detection method. based oil polarization interferometry. call achieve a resolution of 10(-14) m/root Hz in the frequency range 1-800 kHz. The focused beam from the interferometer probes the cantilever at different positions along its length.

and the spatial modes’ shapes are determined tip to the fourth resonance, without external excitation Results are in good agreement with theoretically expected behavior. From this analysis accurate determination of the elastic constant of the cantilever is also achieved. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3245394]“
“Background:

Organ donor characteristics can be used to predict outcomes in kidney selleck screening library transplantation. We hypothesized that pancreas donation status could reflect organ quality and be predictive of kidney graft outcomes following Standard Criteria Donor (SCD) kidney transplantation.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective analysis of deceased donor kidney alone (DD KA) transplants reported to SRTR from 1992 to 2005. Group 1 = kidney alone recipients from pancreas donors (KA, P+) and Group 2 = kidney alone recipients from non-pancreas donors (KA, P-). We compared patient and graft

survival between groups at 10-yr post-transplant.

Results:

Group 1 (KA, P+) comprised JPH203 cost 19 633 (20%) recipients and Group 2 (KA, P-) comprised 78 737 (80%) recipients. Ten-yr graft survival for Group 1 vs. Group 2 was 42.6% and 36.9% (p < 0.0001), respectively. Pancreas donation status (non-pancreas donor) was associated with a hazard ratio for graft loss of 1.23 on univariate analysis (p < 0.0001), and KA, P-remained an independent risk factor for graft failure at 10 yr, HR 1.09 (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

Donor pancreas donation status is an independent predictor of improved outcomes of SCD kidney recipients. Further study of the pancreas organ donor pre-procurement is warranted to optimize not only pancreas utilization but also kidney graft outcomes.

A total of 46 rats were divided into two groups-normotensive group (n = 18) and spontaneously hypertensive group (n = 28). To induce ICH, we delivered 2 mu L of collagenase solution (0.1 U/1 mu L normal saline) into the striatum. Each animal’s brain was removed 24 h post-surgery for spectrophotometric hemoglobin assay. Equal or unequal variance t tests were performed to assess changes in variables between the hypertensive and normotensive groups. Tissue analysis revealed a statistically significant MGCD0103 cell line difference in optical density percent change at 540-nm wavelength for the hypertensive vs. the normotensive group

(261.47 +/- 103.68 and 133.33 +/- 58.53, p < 0.0001, respectively). As compared to the normotensive rats, hypertensive rats exhibited a higher neurological deficit, loss of balance and coordination, and loss of motor function. Our results demonstrated that hypertensive rats had significantly higher amounts of

hemorrhage in comparison to normotensive ones. These findings support the need for further adequately powered studies to investigate differences in amount of hematoma and corresponding functional impairments due to ICH among hypertensive vs. normotensive rats.”
“A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery PF-00299804 Protein Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor was written according to the structured protocol. The question addressed was about the best time to restart anticoagulation in patients with intracranial bleed with a prosthetic valve in situ. This difficult clinical decision has to balance the risk of thromboembolism during the period that the anticoagulation was reversed and later withheld vs the risk of haematoma expansion or rebleed if the

anticoagulation was started early. Altogether, more than 80 papers were found using the reported search, of which 10 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. There were two prospective studies and eight retrospective studies. There were no randomized controlled trials on this topic. The authors, journal, date and country Bafilomycin A1 price of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. Seven studies reported the strategy of reversal of anticoagulation with vitamin K, fresh frozen plasma or prothrombin concentrate. The emphasis was on prompt initial reversal of anticoagulation; however, the best agent for reversal was not defined. Four studies dealt exclusively with intracranial bleed in patients with prosthetic valve in situ. The remaining six studies on intracranial bleed had only a subset of patients with a prosthetic valve in situ. The anticoagulation was restarted with heparin and later switched to oral anticoagulant. Thromboembolic events during the period of reversal and cessation of anticoagulants were low (5%) as was the incidence of rebleed or haematoma expansion (0.5%).

Results obtained in the present study indicate that B. subtilis LS 1-2 can be used as a growth promoter in broiler diets and can improve intestinal microbial balance and gut health of broilers. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Macroporous temperature-sensitive polyN-[3-(dimethylaminopropyl)] methacrylamide hydrogels were synthesized by free-radical crosslinking polymerization of the monomer N-[3-(dimethylaminopropyl)] methacrylamide and the crosslinker N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide in aqueous solutions at 22 degrees C. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with a molecular weight of 1000 g/mol was used as the pore-forming agent during the polymerization reaction. The selleck screening library concentration of PEG in the polymerization

solutions were varied between 0 and 18 wt %, whereas the crosslinker (N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide) concentration was fixed at 2 wt % (with respect to the monomer). The effects of the PEG concentration on the thermo-induced phase-transition behavior

and the chemical structure, interior morphology, and GPCR Compound Library swelling/deswelling kinetics were investigated. Normal-type hydrogels were also prepared under the same conditions without PEG. An interesting feature of the swelling behavior of both the normal-type and macroporous hydrogels was the reentrant phase transition, in which the hydrogels collapsed once and reswelled as the temperature was continuously increased. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that the interior network structure of the hydrogels prepared in PEG concentration in the polymerization solution. This more porous matrix provided numerous water channels for water diffusion in or out of the matrix and, therefore, and improved responsive rate to external temperature change during the deswelling and swelling INCB018424 order processes. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 113: 547-552, 2009″
“Electronic structure calculations are used to investigate the stability of fluorine-vacancy (F(n)V(m)) clusters in germanium (Ge). Using mass action analysis, it is predicted that the F(n)V(m) clusters can remediate the concentration of free

V considerably. Importantly, we find that F and P codoping leads to a reduction in the concentration of donor-vacancy (DV) pairs. These pairs are responsible for the atomic transport and the formation of D(n)V clusters that lead to a deactivation of donor atoms. The predictions are technologically significant as they point toward an approach by which V-mediated donor diffusion and the formation of inactive D(n)V clusters can be suppressed. This would result in shallow and fully electrically active n-type doped regions in Ge-based electronic devices. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3224900]“
“The aim of this investigation was to evaluate whether, in the nutritional management of commercial feedlots, copper (Cu) supplementation is justified to maintain the physiological requirements.

Under optimal conditions, epsilon-PL production reached 37.6 g/l, which was 6.2 % greater than in a previous study in which glucose and glycerol co-fermentation was performed without added l-lysine (35.14 g/l). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report Proteases inhibitor of the enhancement of epsilon-PL

production through l-lysine feeding to evaluate the use of fermenters. Meanwhile, the role of l-lysine in the promotion of epsilon-PL production, participating epsilon-PL synthesis as a whole, was first determined using the l-[U-C-13] lysine labeling method. It has been suggested that the bottleneck of epsilon-PL synthesis in Streptomyces sp. M-Z18 is in the biosynthesis of precursor l-lysine. The information obtained in the present work may facilitate strain improvement and efficient large-scale epsilon-PL production.”
“Cirrhosis represents a serious risk in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Several preoperative factors identify cirrhotic patients as high risk for cardiac surgery; however, a patient’s preoperative status may be modified by surgical intervention and, as yet, no independent postoperative mortality risk factors have been identified in this setting. The objective of this study was to identify preoperative and postoperative mortality risk factors and the scores that are the best predictors of short-term risk.

Fifty-eight Z-VAD-FMK molecular weight consecutive cirrhotic patients requiring cardiac surgery between January

2004 and January 2009 were prospectively studied at our institution. Forty-two (72%) patients were operated on for valve replacement, 9 (16%) for a CABG and 7 (12%) for both (CABG and valve

replacement). Thirty-four (58%) patients were classified as Child-Turcotte-Pugh class A, 21 (36%) as class B and 3 (5%) as BAY 73-4506 ic50 class C. We evaluated the variables that are usually measured on admission and during the first 24 h of the postoperative period together with potential operative predictors of outcome, such as cardiac surgery scores (Parsonnet, EuroSCORE), liver scores (Child-Turcotte-Pugh, model for end-stage liver disease, United Kingdom end-stage liver disease score) and ICU scores (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II and III, simplified acute physiology score II and III, sequential organ failure assessment).

Seven patients (12%) died in-hospital, of whom 5 were Child-Turcotte-Pugh class B and 2 class C. Comparing survivors vs non-survivors, univariate analysis revealed that variables associated with short-term outcome were international normalized ratio (1.5 +/- 0.24 vs 2.2 +/- 0.11, P < 0.0001), presurgery platelet count (171 +/- 87 vs 113 +/- 52 l nl(-1), P = 0.031), presurgery haemoglobin count (11.8 +/- 1.8 vs 10.2 +/- 1.4 g dl(-1), P = 0.021), total need for erythrocyte concentrates (2 +/- 3.4 vs 8.5 +/- 8 units, P < 0.0001), PaO2/FiO(2) at 12 h after ICU admission (327 +/- 84 vs 257 +/- 78, P = 0.