For our work in Trinidad we are grateful to J. Rasweiler, III, S. (Patsy) Williams, R. Hernandez, H. Nelson, the Asa Wright Nature Center and the William Beebe Tropical Research Station (Simla). David Boodoo and B. Ramoutar, expedited our permits

in Trinidad, and A. Ramsey, in Tobago. Our colleague at UNL, S. Thomas, gave us important traveling, working and living tips at Simla. At Big Bend National Park, R. Skiles permitted our fieldwork and assisted in housing. Funding for Trinidad was obtained by Freeman from the Maude Hammond HTS assay Fling Fellowship awarded by the Research Council, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Putney Award from the University of Nebraska State Museum. Funding from University of Nebraska-Kearney to K. Geluso helped support our trip to Tobago. Further, general support came from the Museum, and additional travel support to Big Bend came from the School of Natural Resources and the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research Division. This project was conducted in accordance with and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at UNL. “
“Stable isotopes of oxygen have been widely used to reconstruct paleotemperatures and to investigate the thermal environment of fishes and mollusks, but they have

only occasionally been used as geographical markers in marine systems. As bone apatite grows at a constant temperature in marine mammals and food is the major source of water for these animals, particularly for pinnipeds, 5-Fluoracil purchase variations in the ratio

of stable isotopes of oxygen (δ18O) of bone apatite will likely reflect changes in the δ18O values of diet, and thus of the surrounding water mass, despite the potential confounding role of factors as the proximate composition of diet, sex and body size. Here, we used the δ18O values in bone apatite to investigate whether adult males of South American sea lion (Otaria byronia), from three regions in southwestern Atlantic Ocean (Brazil, Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego in Argentina), used the same water masses to forage and whether differences selleck chemical exist in the water masses used by sea lions differing according to sex and developmental stage. Statistically significant differences were observed among the δ18O bone values of adult males from the three regions, with those from Patagonia more enriched in 18O, as expected from the δ18Oseawater values. These results revealed restricted dispersal movements of adult males between the three areas. On the other hand, adult males and females from Patagonia did not differ in average δ18Obone values, thus indicating the use of foraging grounds within the same water mass. Finally, the variability in the δ18Obone values of young of both sexes was much wider than the adults of the same sex from the same region, which suggests the existence of a juvenile dispersal phase in both sexes, although much shorter in females than in males.

Koskensalo et al. [44] analyzed the expression of MMP-7 , and Zhao et al. [45] described the expression of MMP-11. In both reports, the results were equivalent: overexpression of MMPs in a panel of GC cases, when compared with normal gastric mucosa, and a significant shorter survival for patients that overexpressed MMPs. Dasatinib concentration MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a subset of noncoding RNA molecules (21–23 nucleotides in length) that are believed to regulate gene expression [46]. Altered expression of miRNAs has been associated with several diseases, particularly cancer [47]. Recently, Liu et al. [48] performed a genome-wide serum miRNA expression profile in patients with GC and controls, and they identified a set of

five miRNAs (miR-1, miR-20a, miR-27a, miR-34, and miR-423-5p) whose overexpression was positively correlated with tumor stage. In a different study, Li et al. [49] identified a seven-miRNA signature (miR-10b, miR-21, miR-223, miR-338, let-7a, miR-30a-5p, and miR-126) that associates with an increased risk of recurrence and decreased overall survival, even stratifying patients by stage or histology. These results indicate that PLX4032 miRNAs may play an

important role in the carcinogenesis and prognosis of GC. Gene silencing in GC can occur mainly because of point mutations, loss of heterozygosity, and promoter hypermethylation [2,3]. A putative gastric tumor suppressor gene whose expression is frequently downregulated in GC is trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) [50], especially by promoter hypermethylation [51]. Tomita et al. [52] reported recently that the peptide hormone gastrin exerts a suppressive effect in gastric carcinogenesis by suppressing TFF1 promoter hypermethylation. Pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX1) is another putative tumor suppressor gene whose expression is frequently downregulated in GC [53]. Ma et al. [54] described the mechanism responsible for PDX1 loss of expression in GC as promoter hypermethylation. Many more articles were published last

year reporting gene promoter hypermethylation as a cause of loss of protein selleckchem expression in GC. As examples, loss of expression by promoter methylation was described for BCL2L10 [55], XRCC1 [56], the endogenous retrovirus-related gene psiTPTE-HERV [57], HAI-2 [58], and GRIK2 [59]. Nevertheless, it is crucial to understand that the loss of expression of one gene can occur by different mechanisms acting in that particular gene. As an example, Runx3 is considered a gastric tumor-suppressor gene whose expression is frequently downregulated in GC by promoter hypermethylation [60]. However, Lai et al. [61] described recently that Runx3 expression can be negatively regulated at transcriptional level by the microRNA-130b. In another study, Tsang et al. [62] reported that H. pylori virulence factor CagA is able to bind to Runx3, inducing the ubiquitination and degradation of Runx3 by the proteasome machinery.

“
“A 33 year-old

male was diagnosed with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in 2009, CD4 count of <200 cells/μL and HIV RNA 756000 cps/ml. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) was started. In 2010, a mass involving the rectum and bladder was diagnosed as a pelvic non-Hodgkin′s lymphoma (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) and initially submitted to six cycles of chemotherapy—CHOP (Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone) and followed by radiotherapy Hedgehog antagonist (45 Gy), due to the persistence of the pelvic lesion. Six months later, a painful and progressively larger perianal lesion appeared complicating evacuation. A 15 cm × 10 cm exophytic mass of the perianal region

was observed (Figures 1 and 2). Laboratory tests showed normal hemoglobin level (15 g/dl), EX 527 solubility dmso white blood cells count (4.68 × 109/L), platelets (232 × 109/L), CD4 count >200 cells/μL, and HIV RNA not detected. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) revealed an external anal sphincter defect. This HIV patient had a large, vegetative, cauliflower-like tumor in the perianal region, with local invasion revealed by EUS and histology confirming a condyloma acuminata (Figure 3). Anal Buschke Loewenstein Tumor (Giant Condyloma Acuminata) was diagnosed. This is a rare disease with a potentially fatal course, due to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, most commonly HPV types 6 and 11 and occasionally types 16 and 18. It is characterized by its size, capability of local

infiltration, and high recurrence rate. There seems to be a trend towards younger age at presentation and male predominance. Perianal mass, pain, abscess, fistula and bleeding are the most common presenting symptoms. It most often affects the glans penis, but has also been reported in the scrotum, vulva, perianal region, and bladder. Local invasion and local recurrence are the major sources of morbidity in this disease. Despite the benign histological pattern in most cases, transformations into verrucous learn more carcinoma and squamous-cell carcinoma have been described. Wide surgical excision, radiochemotherapy, topical and intralesional chemotherapy, carbon dioxide laser therapy, and photodynamic therapy have been used as treatment. Wide local excision remains the mainstay of therapy. The high recurrence rate after wide local excision has prompted the employment of therapy adjuncts. Both radiation and chemotherapy have been used as the most common preoperative regimen. This patient refused surgery and abandoned follow up. “
“Anti-TNF-α antibodies are effective in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. These biologic drugs, however, may result in adverse effects that include opportunistic infections. Viral infections may also reactivate following immunosuppression.

As expected, decreased ICN1 protein level Proteasome assay in HBx transfected cells was reversed by Psen1 cotransfection (Fig. 3D). These results demonstrate that HBx expression reduces Notch1 cleavage through suppression of Psen1 transcription. Because Notch1 signaling was found to exert a tumor-suppressive effect in hepatocarcinogenesis, we predicted that HBx expression might promote hepatocarcinogenesis by decreasing ICN1. To determine whether HBx expression affected cell proliferation through a decrease in ICN1, we first performed western blotting

for the proliferative cell marker, namely proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in transfected Huh7 cells. Our results revealed that enhanced proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression after HBx transfection was reversed by ICN1 cotransfection (Fig. 4A). To further verify this observation, BrdU incorporation assay was used to assess DNA synthesis during cell proliferation by monitoring incorporation of BrdU by way of flow cytometry analysis. Our results confirmed that the increased DNA synthesis of HBx-transfected Huh7 cells was reversed by ICN1 cotransfection (Fig. 4B). In addition, cell proliferation assay using CCK-8 also confirmed that increased cell proliferation rate of HBx-transfected Huh7 cells was reversed by ICN1 cotransfection

(Fig. 4C). Subsequently, colony formation assay was used to verify whether the reduction of ICN1 by HBx expression influenced anchorage-independent growth of cells in soft agar. Consistent with the above results, colony formation was increased by HBx transfection and Vadimezan in vitro was mainly inhibited by ICN1 cotransfection (Fig. 4D). Overall, these results indicate that HBx expression promotes cell proliferation through decreased Notch1 signaling. To identify whether down-regulated ICN1 by HBx expression exerted biological effects on the growth of human HCC cells, flow cytometry analysis of cell cycle was examined among HBx-transfected Huh7 cells. The induced G1-S cell cycle progression after HBx transfection was reversed by ICN1

cotransfection selleck kinase inhibitor (Fig. 5A). In accordance with the above observation, western blotting of G1-S cell cycle regulatory proteins such as cyclin D1, cyclin D3, CDK2, and CDK4 verified that increased expression of all four of these proteins by HBx transfection was reversed by ICN1 cotransfection (Fig. 5B). These results strongly suggest that HBx expression induces G1-S cell cycle progression by down-regulation of ICN1. Cellular senescence, also termed senescence-like growth arrest, is an important intrinsic tumor suppression mechanism characterized by an irreversible cell cycle arrest and cell proliferation suppression.28 The above results indicated that reduction of ICN1 by HBx expression might be involved in the regulation of senescence-like growth arrest. SA-β-gal staining at pH 6.

Physical map positions established for all predicted genes using the tomato WGS chromosomes SL2.40 information indicated that most resistance-like genes CHIR 99021 clustered on certain chromosomal regions. Comparisons of the sequences from the same

resistance-like genes in S. pimpinellifolium and S. lycopersicum showed that 93.5% genes contained single nucleotide polymorphisms and 19.7% genes contained insertion/deletion. The data obtained here will facilitate isolation and characterization of new resistance genes as well as marker-assisted selection for disease resistance breeding in tomato. “
“Puroindolines (PINs) are the main components of the wheat grain hardness locus (Ha) and have in vitro antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. Here, we examined the effect of variation in PINA and/or PINB content RO4929097 upon Penicillium sp. seed fungal growth inhibition. The Penicillium sp. assays were germination assays performed after incubating seeds in Penicillium sp. contaminated soil. The first set of wheat genotypes consisted of two sets of transgenic isolines created in the varieties ‘Bobwhite’ and ‘Hi-Line’ having over-expression of PINA and/or PINB. The second set of genotypes consisted of near-isogenic lines (NILs)

varying for mutations in PINA or PINB created in the varieties ‘Explorer’ and ‘Hank’. After incubation in Penicillium sp.-infected soil, transgenic wheat seeds over-expressing PINA in both ‘Hi-Line’ and ‘Bobwhite’ and both PINs in ‘Hi-Line’ exhibited significantly reduced fungal infection and increased germination. No significant differences in Penicillium sp. infection or germination rates were observed in seeds of the NILs. The results indicate that puroindolines native role in seeds is to increase seed viability

and that when over-expressed as transgenes, the puroindolines are effective antifungal proteins. “
“The aim of this work was to study the antagonist effect of two Rhizobium strains Pch Azm and Pch S.Nsir2 to Rhizoctonia solani and for an evaluation of the relative impact of rhizobia on the expression selleck screening library of the plant’s defence response against Rhizoctonia. First, these strains reduced fungal growth observed in vitro using the same or separately Petri dishes. Moreover, these isolates led to reduced chickpea infection by R. solani, resulting from the direct effect of rhizobia on pathogens and possible induced resistance in chickpea. Concomitantly, reduction in infection was accompanied by enhanced level of defence-related enzymes, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and peroxidase (POX). An increased level of phenol content was recorded in the roots of bacterized plants grown in the presence of pathogen.

Attar, David Van Thiel When transplanted simultaneously, liver allograft has been widely thought to have an immunoprotective role on other organs. In fact, circulating HLA antibody titers are reduced significantly after a liver transplantation. Detailed studies on simultaneous heart-liver transplantation (SHLT) are lacking. The goal of this study was to assess the patient outcomes and ascertain the incidence of immune-mediated injury in SHLT Erlotinib cost vs. isolated heart transplantation (IHT) based on protocol heart allograft biopsies. Methods: 22 SHLT and 223 IHT were performed between Jan 2004 and Dec 2013. Demographic, laboratory, protocol heart biopsy and donor-specific HLA antibody (DSA)

(baseline, 1-wk, 4-mo, 1-yr, yearly thereafter) data were reviewed. Survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and categorical data by Fisher’s Exact tests. Results: At a mean follow-up

of 52.9 months, patient survival was similar (86.4% in SHLT and 83.9% in IHT; P=NS). Five SHLT (22.7%) and 18 IHT (18.1%) recipients had preformed DSA (MFI>2000) at the time of transplant, of which 4 and 11 had a positive cross-match, respectively. In SHLT the majority of the preformed DSA were anti-class I while in IHT they were mostly anti-class II. Despite identical learn more immunosuppression, persistence of DSA post-transplant was rarer in SHLT (1/5; 20%) compared to IHT (9/18; 50%). Cumulative incidence of heart allograft rejection was significantly lower in SHLT (8/22; 36.4%) than in IHT (192/223;

86.1%) (P<0.001). Of the 8 rejection episodes in SHLT, 7 were acute cellular (ACR) and 1 was antibody-mediated (AMR). The latter was concomitant with ACR of the liver, and this liver graft injury resolved after treatment with a steroid bolus. Similarly, ACR was more common in IHT (159/223) than either AMR (2/223) or mixed ACR-AMR (30/223). Post-transplant, de novo DSA were found in 18.2% of SHLT and 18.8% of IHT, and in both groups these were predominantly anti-class II antibodies (100% and 88.1% in SHLT and IHT, respectively). In 3 SHLT cases with a wide variety of high-titer (MFI>5000) preformed DSA, liver was implanted first to utilize the protective effect of the former on the heart allograft, and these selleck chemicals graft functions remain excellent to date. Conclusions: Compared to IHT, both ACR and AMR of the heart allograft appear to be less common in SHLT. In addition, persistence of preformed DSA in SHLT is rare. Taken together, these data suggest that in SHLT, the liver appears to provide immunoprotection for the cardiac allograft. Disclosures: Mark D. Stegall – Grant/Research Support: Millennium, Alexion The following people have nothing to disclose: Tina W. Wong, John M. Stulak, Julie Heimbach, Timucin Taner Background: Calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) are the mainstay of immune suppression after liver transplantation (LT), but CNI are associated with significant nephrotoxicity.

Attar, David Van Thiel When transplanted simultaneously, liver allograft has been widely thought to have an immunoprotective role on other organs. In fact, circulating HLA antibody titers are reduced significantly after a liver transplantation. Detailed studies on simultaneous heart-liver transplantation (SHLT) are lacking. The goal of this study was to assess the patient outcomes and ascertain the incidence of immune-mediated injury in SHLT RG 7204 vs. isolated heart transplantation (IHT) based on protocol heart allograft biopsies. Methods: 22 SHLT and 223 IHT were performed between Jan 2004 and Dec 2013. Demographic, laboratory, protocol heart biopsy and donor-specific HLA antibody (DSA)

(baseline, 1-wk, 4-mo, 1-yr, yearly thereafter) data were reviewed. Survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and categorical data by Fisher’s Exact tests. Results: At a mean follow-up

of 52.9 months, patient survival was similar (86.4% in SHLT and 83.9% in IHT; P=NS). Five SHLT (22.7%) and 18 IHT (18.1%) recipients had preformed DSA (MFI>2000) at the time of transplant, of which 4 and 11 had a positive cross-match, respectively. In SHLT the majority of the preformed DSA were anti-class I while in IHT they were mostly anti-class II. Despite identical BAY 80-6946 purchase immunosuppression, persistence of DSA post-transplant was rarer in SHLT (1/5; 20%) compared to IHT (9/18; 50%). Cumulative incidence of heart allograft rejection was significantly lower in SHLT (8/22; 36.4%) than in IHT (192/223;

86.1%) (P<0.001). Of the 8 rejection episodes in SHLT, 7 were acute cellular (ACR) and 1 was antibody-mediated (AMR). The latter was concomitant with ACR of the liver, and this liver graft injury resolved after treatment with a steroid bolus. Similarly, ACR was more common in IHT (159/223) than either AMR (2/223) or mixed ACR-AMR (30/223). Post-transplant, de novo DSA were found in 18.2% of SHLT and 18.8% of IHT, and in both groups these were predominantly anti-class II antibodies (100% and 88.1% in SHLT and IHT, respectively). In 3 SHLT cases with a wide variety of high-titer (MFI>5000) preformed DSA, liver was implanted first to utilize the protective effect of the former on the heart allograft, and these selleck chemical graft functions remain excellent to date. Conclusions: Compared to IHT, both ACR and AMR of the heart allograft appear to be less common in SHLT. In addition, persistence of preformed DSA in SHLT is rare. Taken together, these data suggest that in SHLT, the liver appears to provide immunoprotection for the cardiac allograft. Disclosures: Mark D. Stegall – Grant/Research Support: Millennium, Alexion The following people have nothing to disclose: Tina W. Wong, John M. Stulak, Julie Heimbach, Timucin Taner Background: Calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) are the mainstay of immune suppression after liver transplantation (LT), but CNI are associated with significant nephrotoxicity.

Infliximab was commenced in 2007, with a total buy Sirolimus of 5 infusions (5 mg/kg) over a 2-year period. Interestingly, during treatment with infliximab her GA also improved dramatically, to the point of being barely noticeable. Unfortunately following improvement in the skin rash there was secondary loss of response to infliximab and the GA recurred. Adalimumab was commenced in 2008 and induced durable remission of the Crohn’s disease. Once again there was significant improvement in her GA after 6 months of treatment. [Figure 1A & 2A (before commencement of Adalimumab), Figure 1B & 2B (after maintenance treatment with Adalimumab)].

GA is a benign, asymptomatic, papular eruption that can occur at all ages. The primary skin lesion usually is grouped papules in an enlarging annular shape, with colour ranging from flesh-coloured to erythematous. It may be localized or disseminated in distribution. Although GA tends to be idiopathic, several case reports have shown an association with diabetes mellitus and solar radiation. There are also weaker associations with bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination, drugs (allopurinol, zalcitabine), viral infections [Epstein-Barr virus, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C,

parvovirus B19 and herpes simplex virus], autoimmune thyroiditis and malignant conditions (Hodgkin disease, pulmonary adenocarcinoma, breast carcinoma, prostate, and ovarian cancer). GA is not a recognized extra-intestinal manifestation of IBD. GA has been documented to respond to treatment with dapsone, retinoids, antimalarials, psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy,fumaric acid esters, tacrolimus, and GDC-0068 chemical structure pimecrolimus. Case reports of both improvements and deteriorations in GA following learn more treatment with anti-TNF therapy have been published. As far as we are aware, this is the first reported case of improvement of GA related to treatment of IBD using both infliximab and adalimumab and may support the role of tumour necrosis factor-alpha in the pathophysiology of GA. “
“The finding of a mass-lesion in the liver is not unusual because of the widespread

use of ultrasound for evaluation of abdominal complaints. Differentiating the different lesions can be challenging. Although the diagnosis can frequently be made radiologically, in specific circumstances a biopsy is required to confirm diagnosis. The common malignant lesions are primary hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, and colon cancer metastases (which is not covered in this chapter). Common benign lesions include hemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia, and hepatic adenoma. Additional lesions include liver abscess and a number of rare malignant and benign tumors. “
“Jørgensen first coined the term ductal plate malformation (DPM) in 1977,1 referring to a common pathology observed in many human congenital liver diseases involving the intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD) system.

As shown in Fig. 5A, treatment of PLC5 cells with AR42 had no effect on Csn5 expression (input), but led to a concentration-dependent increase in the association of topoIIα with CK2α and Csn5 (right panel), which is noteworthy in that physical interaction with Csn5 is reported to be a prerequisite

for the degradation of its target proteins.27 This increase in the amount of CK2α associated with the Csn5-topoIIα complex paralleled the increase in total cellular CK2α levels in AR42-treated cells. Moreover, the ectopic expression of Csn5 dose-dependently mimicked Selleck Lapatinib the suppressive effect of HDAC inhibitors on topoIIα expression (Fig. 5B), whereas siRNA-mediated knockdown of Csn5 protected against the drug-induced down-regulation of topoIIα in AR42- and MS-275-treated PLC5 cells (Fig. 5C). These results are consistent with the putative role of Csn5 in HDAC inhibitor-mediated topoIIα degradation. The Csn complex facilitates the proteasomal degradation of target proteins by functioning as a docking platform for recruitment of the target’s specific kinase and E3 ligase.29 Consequently, we

sought to identify the E3 ligase that targets topoIIα in the Csn5 complex. Csn5 is known to maintain the stability of a number of the F-box proteins of the Skp1-Cul1-F-box-protein family, including Skp2, Fbw7, Fbx4, and Fbx7, as the silencing of Csn5 led to the down-regulation of these F-box proteins.30 Thus, using these Csn5-interacting F-box proteins as candidates for the topoIIα-targeted E3 ligase, we assessed the concentration-dependent effects of AR42 on Antiinfection Compound Library solubility dmso the binding of these F-box proteins to topoIIα. The E3 ligase Bmi1 was also assessed in light of a recent report that Bmi1 controlled topoIIα degradation in response to glucose

starvation.31 PLC5 cells exhibited robust expression of Skp2, Fbw7, and Bmi1, but had low abundance of Fbx4 and Fbx7 (Fig. 6A, input). Coimmunoprecipitation revealed a concentration-dependent increase in the binding of Fbw7 to topoIIα find more by AR42 (right panel). This AR42-induced association was highly selective because the other F-box proteins were undetectable or present in extremely low levels, relative to Fbw7, in the complex formation with topoIIα. The functional role of Fbw7 as the topoIIα-targeted E3 ligase was further supported by the protective effect of shRNA-mediated knockdown of Fbw7 on AR42- and MS-275-mediated topoIIα ablation (Fig. 6B). Above, we showed that, in addition to Csn5, CK2α also associated with topoIIα in response to AR42 (Fig. 5A). Thus, we hypothesized that phosphorylation of topoIIα by CK2 facilitated the association of topoIIα with the Csn5-Fbw7 complex in AR42-treated cells. Results in support of this hypothesis are shown in Fig. 6C, where the CK2 inhibitor DMAT abrogated the interaction of topoIIα with Csn5 and Fbw7.

Corticosteroids were given to all patients at induction, and http://www.selleckchem.com/products/gsk1120212-jtp-74057.html this was followed

by their gradual withdrawal after 3 to 6 months according to the results of posttransplant liver function tests. After LT, all patients were monitored every 3 months by liver ultrasound, AFP levels, and liver function tests. In addition, chest and abdominal computed tomography scans were performed every 6 months. Any posttransplant recurrences of HCC were defined with the same criteria used for preoperative recurrences. HAART therapy was reintroduced 14 days post-LT once liver function had stabilized, and it consisted of the same regimen administered before LT. If HCC did not recur, no postoperative oral or systemic chemotherapy was administered to these patients. In order to assess the impact of HIV infection on the results of LT for HCC, HIV+ patients were compared to HIV− patients with viral cirrhosis who were listed for HCC during the same period. The principal endpoints that were analyzed were the dropout rate, reasons for dropout, overall survival

(OS) after listing, and OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS) after LT. RFS was defined as the time between LT and tumoral recurrence and/or death. We used this composite endpoint because transplant patients were exposed to death from recurrence and also to the short-term and long-term mortality associated with the transplantation procedure per se. Secondary endpoints were the clinical, biological, http://www.selleckchem.com/products/ldk378.html and radiological features of patients at listing and at transplantation, the type of graft, the postoperative course, and the pathological analysis of the specimen. All data used in this study were retrieved from our prospectively collected database of patients who underwent transplantation for HCC. All pathological specimens were reanalyzed under blinded conditions by two pathologists who were given no information about the HIV status of patients. HCC with biliary phenotypes [cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and cytokeratin 19 (CK19)] or progenitor

epithelial cell adhesion molecule–positive (EpCAM+) phenotypes (identified as subtypes for a poor prognosis) was identified with immunohistochemistry.19, 20 Comparisons this website of the two groups were made with the Mann-Whitney test and the χ2 test for quantitative and qualitative variables, respectively. The results were considered to be significant for a P value <0.05. Univariate analysis was performed with OS and RFS data for all items available preoperatively. OS and RFS probabilities were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. In addition, univariate analysis was used to determine preoperative factors linked to dropouts or recurrence after transplantation. All statistical analyses were performed on Stat View for Windows (version 5.0, SAS). Multivariate analysis was intentionally not performed because it would not have been informative on account of the limited number of events.