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Abstract: Purpose: To identify prognostic factors for survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial chemoembolization with doxorubicin-eluting beads (DEBs). Materials and Methods: In a retrospective, single-center analysis, tumor- and patient-related factors were recorded for univariate and multivariate analyses via Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression. Infiltrative HCC phenotype and portal vein invasion (PVI) were correlated, and patients with either or both were classified as having radiographically advanced (RAdv) HCC. The primary endpoint was overall survival, which was calculated from the time of first DEB chemoembolization procedure. Results: A total of 168 patients underwent 248 procedures, of which 215 (86.7%) were outpatient procedures. Mean length of stay was 0.33 days, and 25 patients (10.1%) were readmitted within 30 days. A total of 33 patients underwent liver transplantation and were excluded from survival analyses. A total of 130 had cirrhosis; 62, 50, and 18 had Child class A, B, and C disease, respectively. Forty-one patients had infiltrative HCC phenotype, 28 of whom also had PVI. Multivariate analysis of survival in all patients showed α-fetoprotein (AFP), performance status (PS), RAdv HCC, Child classification, albumin level, and ascites to predict survival. In patients without RAdv HCC, AFP, PS, Child classification, albumin level, and International Normalized Ratio were independent predictors. Increased bilirubin level was not an independent risk factor for death. Conclusions: Independent prognostic factors in patients with HCC undergoing DEB chemoembolization have been identified. Increased bilirubin level was not an independent risk factor. These data can be used in HCC patient selection and counseling for DEB chemoembolization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Dehydrogenation of Ammonia Borane (NH3BH3, AB) catalyzed by transition metal heterogeneous catalysts was carried out in non-aqueous solution at temperatures below the standard polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell operating conditions. The introduction of a catalytic amount (∼2mol%) of platinum to a solution of AB in 2-methoxyethyl ether (0.02–0.33M) resulted in a rapid evolution of H2 gas at room temperature. At 70°C, the rate of platinum catalyzed hydrogen release from AB was the dehydrogenation rate which was 0.04gs−1 H2 kW−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background & Aims: Noncirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is unusual in North American patients. This study characterized patients with NCPH and human immunodeficiency virus–1 (HIV-1) infection to identify potential risk factors for this association. Methods: Eleven consecutive patients from our urban hepatology clinic with HIV-1 infection and NCPH were the subject of this series. Case histories, including medication lists and laboratory data, were analyzed. Results: Age at diagnosis was 51 ± 7 years. CD4 count was 303 ± 185 cells/mL, and HIV viral load was <75 copies/mL in 9 patients. Didanosine was the only medication taken by all patients; 10 each had taken lamivudine and zidovudine. In the 10 patients tested, 8 had at least 1 thrombophilic abnormality; 6 were deficient in protein S, and 2 had multiple abnormalities. Nodular regenerative hyperplasia was observed in all 11 and portal venulopathy in 5 patients. All patients had esophageal varices; 3 developed variceal bleeding. Six patients had ascites; 2 required transjugular intrahepatic portal systemic shunt. Conclusions: Exposure to didanosine and/or a hypercoagulable tendency might predispose patients infected with HIV-1 to vascular changes resulting in NCPH. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]