In this review we summarize the current knowledge on mechanisms of liver injury in post-transplant hepatitis C, discuss the pros and cons of immunosuppressive agents in this specific setting and describe potential novel approaches to prevent HCV reinfection.”
“Intersubband cavity polaritons in a quantum well waveguide structure are optically generated within less than one cycle of light by a 12-femtosecond near-infrared pulse. Mid-infrared check details probe transients trace the nonadiabatic switch-on of ultrastrong light-matter

coupling and the conversion of bare photons into cavity polaritons directly in the time domain. Future perspectives of room-temperature subcycle control of ultrastrong electron-photon interaction are discussed. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi :10.1063/1.3578341]“
“Polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PyVAN) is rare in nonrenal solid organ transplantation and only limited information is available from single cases. We describe a 67-year-old female presenting with hypertension and progressive kidney failure due to PyVAN 60 months after lung

transplantation. Plasma BK virus (BKV) loads were 4.85 log(10) copies/mL at diagnosis and cleared slowly over 14 months after switching from tacrolimus, mycophenolate and prednisone to low-dose tacrolimus, sirolimus PND-1186 mw and leflunomide, the latter being discontinued for anemia and diarrhea. BKV- and JC virus-specific immunoglobulins were detectable prior to transplantation. Only BKV-specific IgG and IgM increased during follow-up. BKV-specific T cells were detectable in blood following in vitro expansion, but cleared with reincreased sirolimus, yet BKV viremia remained undetectable. We identified eight other cases of PyVAN in nonrenal solid organ transplantation including lung (n = 1), heart (n = 6) and pancreas (n = 1). Overall, diagnosis was later than commonly seen in kidney transplants (median 18 months, interquartile range 10-29). Seven patients

were male, five received triple immunosuppression consisting of tacrolimus, mycophenolate, prednisone. Immunosuppression was reduced in four cases and cidofovir and/or leflunomide administered Blebbistatin manufacturer in five and two cases, respectively. Renal function deteriorated in five requiring hemodialysis in four. We discuss mTOR inhibitors versus cidofovir and leflunomide as potential PyVAN rescue therapy.”
“. Experts from seven countries convened as a Specialist Panel for the Middle East to share information on practical issues relating to the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. The Middle East is regarded as a region of high-to-intermediate epidemicity; however, infant vaccination programmes have successfully lowered the prevalence of hepatitis B infection in most countries to that of low-to-intermediate endemicity.