It has been shown that patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) meeting the United Network for Organ Sharing T2 (Milan) criteria have an advantage in comparison with patients without HCC under the current organ allocation system for liver transplantation (LT). We hypothesized that within the T2 HCC group, there is a subgroup with a low risk of wait-list dropout that should not receive the s...

alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a tumor-associated Ag, and its serum level is elevated in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In vitro, AFP induces functional impairment of dendritic cells (DCs). This was demonstrated by the down-regulation of CD40 and CD86 molecules and the impairment of allostimulatory function. Also, AFP was found to induce significant apoptosis of DCs, and AFP-treated ...

For large and complex tissue engineered constructs to be available on demand, long term storage using methods, such as cryopreservation, are essential. This study optimised parameters such as excess media concentration and warming rates and used the findings to enable the successful cryopreservation of 2.3 litres of alginate encapsulated liver cell spheroids. This volume of biomass is typical o...

Transplabtable Zajdela rat ascites hepatoma cells, previously considered "nonproducers," synthesize detectable amounts of intracellular alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and fibrinogen, but fail to secret or release these serum proteins. Evidence for defective secretory mechanisms for serum proteins in these hepatoma cells (a) explains the failure to detect AFP in either the serum or ascitic fluid of rat...

Objective Preterm labor is a common health problem with has very serious adverse effects and burden of cost. Early diagnosis of preterm labor may be useful for prevention of its adverse effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), ferritin, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in amniotic fluid in the second trimester of pregnant women for predicting preter...

The aim of the current study is to identify underlying pathology associated with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP; >20 ng/ml) among patients referred to a tertiary-care academic medical center with emphasis in liver diseases, hepatobiliary surgery, and liver transplantation. From May 1992 to April 1997, 386 patients (320 adults and 66 children) with elevated AFP (>20 ng/ml) were identified...

Conflicting results have been widely reported on the use of Golgi protein 73 (GP73) as a serum biomarker for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study evaluated the accuracy of GP73, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and GP73 + AFP for diagnosing HCC. The meta-analysis was performed on 11 studies that were selected by means of a comprehensive systematic literature review. Summary diagnostic ...

May sometimes be bad enough to undermine the benefits ofscreening Screening inevitably has psychological costs-particularly for those who receive bad news or false positive results. The increase in screening that is occurring in many countries demands that these costs be investigated, particularly as some may be avoidable. A positive result in any screening test is invariably received with nega...

Currently, there is no reliable biomarker for use in diagnosing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-negative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Such a biomarker would aid in making an early diagnosis of AFP-negative HCC, ensuring the timely initiation of treatment. This study examined AFP-L3 and Golgi protein 73 (GP73) as candidate biomarkers for AFP-negative HCC. The affinity adsorption method and enzyme-lin...

Accurate and timely diagnosis of rupture of fetal membranes is imperative to inform and guide gestational age-specific interventions to optimize perinatal outcomes and reduce the risk of serious complications, including preterm delivery and infections. The ROM Plus is a rapid, point-of-care, qualitative immunochromatographic diagnostic test that uses a unique monoclonal/polyclonal antibody appr...