• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.37-40
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• 2014

Purpose For living donor liver transplantation, liver segmentation is difficult due to the variability of its shape across patients and similarity of the density of neighbor organs such as heart, stomach, kidney, and spleen. In this paper, we propose an automatic segmentation of the liver using multi-planar anatomy and deformable surface model in portal phase of abdominal contrast-enhanced CT images. Method Our method is composed of four main steps. First, the optimal liver volume is extracted by positional information of pelvis and rib and by separating lungs and heart from CT images. Second, anisotropic diffusing filtering and adaptive thresholding are used to segment the initial liver volume. Third, morphological opening and connected component labeling are applied to multiple planes for removing neighbor organs. Finally, deformable surface model and probability summation map are performed to refine a posterior liver surface and missing left robe in previous step. Results All experimental datasets were acquired on ten living donors using a SIEMENS CT system. Each image had a matrix size of $512{\times}512$ pixels with in-plane resolutions ranging from 0.54 to 0.70 mm. The slice spacing was 2.0 mm and the number of images per scan ranged from 136 to 229. For accuracy evaluation, the average symmetric surface distance (ASD) and the volume overlap error (VE) between automatic segmentation and manual segmentation by two radiologists are calculated. The ASD was $0.26{\pm}0.12mm$ for manual1 versus automatic and $0.24{\pm}0.09mm$ for manual2 versus automatic while that of inter-radiologists was $0.23{\pm}0.05mm$. The VE was $0.86{\pm}0.45%$ for manual1 versus automatic and $0.73{\pm}0.33%$ for manaual2 versus automatic while that of inter-radiologist was $0.76{\pm}0.21%$. Conclusion Our method can be used for the liver volumetry for the pre-surgery planning of living donor liver transplantation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.116-125
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• 2005

Orthotopic liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for inherited metabolic diseases. However, the supply of donor organs is limiting and therefore many patients cannot benefit from this therapy. In contrast, hepatocytes can be isolated from a single donor liver. They can be transplanted into several recipients, and this procedure may help overcome the shortage of donor livers. A great deal of work with animal models indicates that hepatocytes transplanted into the liver or spleen can survive, function, and participate in the normal regenerative process. Recent clinical studies suggest that hepatocyte transplantation may be useful for bridging patients to whole organ transplantation and for providing metabolic support during liver failure and for replacing whole organ transplantation in certain inherited metabolic diseases. Nowadays, hepatocytes from various stem cells have been regarded as an another cell source for treatment of inherited metabolic diseases. Although cell therapy using stem cells for inherited metabolic disease patient has been accepted only as an experimental trial yet, hepatocytes from stem cells can solve a lot of obstacles in the treatment of inherited metabolic diseases.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.sup2
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• pp.50-58
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• 2008

Acute liver failure is a devastating disease in children. Most cases of acute liver failure in children are indeterminate; however, metabolic liver disease is one of the main causes in the pediatric age group. Though a major symptom of acute liver failure is hepatic encephalopathy, this is very difficult to diagnose, particularly in younger children. Liver transplantation has improved the chances of survival dramatically; however, it is not known which patients are ideal candidates for liver transplantation. Because patients may deteriorate rapidly, arranging care in a center with expertise will secure the best possible outcomes.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.509-519
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• 2003

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the survey of analyzing nursing interventions and nursing outcomes of the patients with liver transplantation. Method: The subjects of this study consisted of 83 patients and fifteen nurses who took care of them. The methods of this study were retrospective and descriptive survey. Result: The mean age of patients was 42.7 years and the subjects were 62.7% males. 56.7% of these patients were diagnosed with liver cirrhosis of B type. The mean duration of hospitalization was 48.6 days. Ninety-five nursing interventions were performed at least daily. The most frequent used interventions were "environmental management: comfort", "medication administration: parenteral", "cough enhancement", and " oxygen therapy". Even though SGOT level to identify nursing outcomes was decreased, SGOT was not within normal limits. Therefore, even after discharge of patients, There is a need to take care of them carefully. Conclusion: These findings revealed the significance and need of nurse practitioners who performed professional nursing intervention for the patients with liver transplantation. Especially, it is necessary needs to develop the nursing intervention programs for comfort.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.288-294
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• 2021

Purpose: Despite aggressive medical and nutritional management, patients with methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) often suffer from multi-organ damage. Early deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) has emerged as an intervention to prevent disease progression. We investigated the efficacy of living donor LT (LDLT) with a potential carrier of MMA and a small volume of graft in patients with MMA as an alternative to DDLT. Methods: Of five patients (three male, two female; median age 5.7 years; range, 1.3-13.7 years), four underwent carrier LDLT, while one underwent non-carrier auxiliary LDLT. All patients received pre- and post-LT continuous renal replacement therapy and were provided with minimal restriction diet according to serum MMA level after LT. MMA levels in the serum and urine, the incidence of metabolic crisis, and clinical findings before and after LT were compared. Results: The survival rate was 100% during 2.2 years of follow up period after LT. In all five cases, MMA titer in the serum after transplantation decreased with less restrictive diet. Metabolic crisis was not observed during the follow-up period. In addition, no patient showed progression of severe renal impairment requiring hemodialysis. Progression of delayed cognitive development was not observed. Social functioning with improved neuropsychiatric development was observed. Conclusion: This study showed that LDLT achieved improved quality of life with less restrictive diet, therefore it could be a feasible alternative option to DDLT for the treatment of patients with MMA, even with an auxiliary LT.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.207-218
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• 2013

Long term outcomes after liver transplantation are major determinants of quality of life and of the value of this heroic treatment. As short term outcomes are excellent, our community is turning to take a harder look at long term outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to review these outcomes, and highlight proposed treatments, as well as pressing topics needing to be studied. A systemic review of the English literature was carried in PubMed, covering all papers addressing long term outcomes in pediatric liver transplant from 2000-2013. Late outcomes after pediatric liver transplant affect the liver graft in the form of chronic liver dysfunction. The causes include rejection particularly humoral rejection, but also de novo autoimmune hepatitis, and recurrent disease. The metabolic syndrome is a major factor in long term cardiovascular complication risk. Secondary infections, kidney dysfunction and malignancy remain a reality of those patients. There is growing evidence of late cognitive and executive function delays affecting daily life productivity as well as likely adherence. Finally, despite a good health status, quality of life measures are comparable to those of children with chronic diseases. Long term outcomes are the new frontier in pediatric liver transplantation. Much is needed to improve graft survival, but also to avoid systemic morbidities from long term immunosuppression. Quality of life is a new inclusive measure that will require interventions and innovative approaches respectful not only on the patients but also of their social circle.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 2020

Purpose: In 2018, the Act on Decisions on Life-Sustaining Treatment for Patients in Hospice and Palliative Care or at the End of Life was implemented and the scope of official recognition for terminally ill patients was expanded. The purpose of this study was to investigate the decisions made by patients with end-stage liver disease about their life-sustaining treatment in a clinical setting. Methods: The subjects of this study were patients with end-stage liver disease hospitalized at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea who wrote physician orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST). Data collection was done using patients' electronic medical records, and a retrospective analysis of POLST was conducted. Results: Among 101 patients, 18.8% were female and 81.2% were male, and their mean age was 61.8 (±10.61) years. Sixty-three patients (62.4%) wrote their POLST by themselves. Three patients withdrew the POLST, of whom two did so for liver transplantation, and one did so for chemotherapy. Conclusion: This study shows that sufficient consideration of liver transplantation is needed for end-stage liver disease patients before making decisions on life-sustaining treatment. The self-determination of patients must be respected and effective guidelines are urgently needed.

• Korean Journal of Transplantation
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.84-91
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• 2018

Background: This study examined the outcomes of ABO incompatible living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The changes in the immunologic factors that might help predict the long term outcomes were also studied. Methods: Twenty-three patients, who underwent ABO incompatible LDLT from 2010 to 2015, were reviewed retrospectively. The protocol was the same as for ABO compatible LDLT except for the administration of rituximab and plasma exchange. The clinical outcomes and immunologic factors, such as isoagglutinin titer and cluster of differentiation 20+ (CD20+) lymphocyte levels were reviewed. Results: The center showed a 3-year survival of 64% with no case of antibody-mediated rejection. When transplantation-unrelated mortalities (for example, traffic accidents and myocardial infarction) were removed from statistical analysis, the 3-year survival was 77.8%. Although isoagglutinin titers continued to remain at low levels, the CD20+ lymphocyte levels recovered to the pre-Rituximab levels at postoperative one year. Conclusions: As donor shortages continue, ABO incompatible liver transplantation is a feasible method to expand the donor pool. On the other hand, caution is still needed until more long-term outcomes are reported. Because CD20+ lymphocytes are recovered with time, more immunologic studies will be needed in the future.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 2024

Recurrence of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) type II poses challenges during postoperative liver transplant care. Posttransplant patients with PFIC type II risk developing recurrent cholestasis with normal gamma-glutamyl transferase activity, which mimics the original bile salt export pump (BSEP) protein deficiency and is related to a form of immunoglobulin G antibody (anti-BSEP)-mediated rejection. Bortezomib effectively induces apoptosis of actively antibody-producing plasma cells that may have a role in antibodymediated rejection. In this case, we used bortezomib to treat PFIC type II recurrence after liver transplantation in a child.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3855-3859
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• 2013

Purpose: Liver cancer, one of the most common cancers in China, is reported to feature relatively high morbidity and mortality. Curcumin (Cum) is considered as a drug possessing anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation effect. Previous research has demonstrated antitumor effects in a series of cancers. Materials and Methods: In this study the in vitro cytotoxicity of Cum was measured by MTT assay and pro-apoptotic effects were assessed by DAPI staining and measurement of caspase-3 activity. In vivo anti-hepatoma efficacy of Cum was assessed with HepG2 xenografts. Results: It is found that Cum dose-dependently inhibited cell growth in HepG2 cells with activation of apoptosis. Moreover, Cum delayed the growth of liver cancer in a dose-dependent manner in nude mice. Conclusions: Cum might be a promising phytomedicine in cancer therapy and further efforts are needed to explore this therapeutic strategy.