C Bernadich, J C Bandi, C Piera, J Bosch, J Rodes – 30 December 2003 – Total portal‐systemic shunting in normal animals is associated with splanchnic and systemic vasodilation, suggesting that vasodilation in cirrhosis may be facilitated by spontaneous shunts promoted by portal hypertension. However, the mechanism of this vasodilation is unknown. The aim is to study the acute effects of the graded diversion of portal blood flow to the systemic circulation in normal and portal hypertensive rats.

H Imamura, B Rocheleau, J Côté, P M Huet – 30 December 2003 – Our aim was to investigate the time‐related changes in various parameters following orthotopic rat liver transplantation with (AOLT) and without (NOLT) arterial reconstruction in male Lewis rats. Body weight and biochemical parameters were measured weekly, and a liver biopsy was obtained at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Hemodynamics were evaluated at 12 weeks using the microsphere technique and compared with matched controls. Following AOLT, rats gained weight normally without any noticeable complication.

A M Madden, W Bradbury, M Y Morgan – 30 December 2003 – Impairment of gustatory acuity may influence nutrient intake and hence nutritional status. The aim of this study was to evaluate gustatory acuity in patients with cirrhosis and its relationship to circulating concentrations of micronutrients, and food preferences. Gustatory evaluation was undertaken, using a rinsing technique, in 75 cirrhotic patients and 75 comparable healthy volunteers. Circulating concentrations of magnesium, zinc, vitamin A, and α‐ and β‐carotene were measured, and food preferences were assessed by questionnaire.

C Merkel, D Sacerdoti, M Bolognesi, E Enzo, R Marin, G Bombonato, P Angeli, A Gatta – 30 December 2003 – The association β‐blockers plus isosorbide‐5‐mononitrate (I5M) has been proposed for the treatment of portal hypertension in patients with insufficient response to β‐blockers alone, according to hemodynamic criteria. The mechanism of action in these patients is not clearly defined.

O M Crosbie, J P Crown, N P Nolan, R Murray, J E Hegarty – 30 December 2003 – We report the case of a 21‐year‐old woman who developed severe adult onset ductopenia in association with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Chemotherapy resulted in a remission of her Hodgkin's disease (HD) and significant improvement in liver function with resolution of the hepatic and biliary duct histological abnormalities, a therapeutic success not previously described in the literature.

P F Foster, F Fabrega, S Karademir, H N Sankary, D Mital, J W Williams – 30 December 2003 – The prediction of abstinence from ethanol may be crucial to the optimal selection of liver transplantation candidates with alcoholism. Of 84 consecutive end‐stage alcoholic patients who underwent transplantation (1986‐1994) at our institution, we analyzed 63 long‐surviving recipients for pretransplantation variables to predict posttransplantation abstinence (follow‐up: 49.3 ± 21 mo).

C Lay, Y Tsai, C Y Teg, W S Shyu, W S Guo, K L Wu, K J Lo – 30 December 2003 – To determine the efficacy of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) in prophylaxis on the rate of first esophageal variceal bleeding, we conducted a prospective, randomized trial in 126 cirrhotic patients with no history of previous upper gastrointestinal bleeding and with esophageal varices endoscopically judged to be at high risk of hemorrhage. The end‐points of the study were bleeding and death.

D W Crabb – 30 December 2003

Christoph E. Broelsch, Andrea Frilling, Giuliano Testa, Vito Cicinnati, Silvio Nadalin, Andreas Paul, Massimo Malago – 30 December 2003 – Key points

Francis Colardyn – 30 December 2003 – The well‐known shortage of organs for transplantation can partly be managed with organs (or parts of them) from living donors. This form of organ donation is hampered by two important drawbacks: the harm to the donor and the lack of certainty that the donation is free of coercion. As often happens in medicine, both aspects have no clear solution. Therefore, all guarantees must be built into the processes leading to transplantation, under the control of peers.