Conflict of interest: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest for this article.”
“Objective: Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) plays a major part in growth regulation, differentiation and inflammation. It has been proposed as an evaluating marker for infection and inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate activity of serum type II secretory PLA2 (sPLA2 IIa) in obstructive sleep apnea (USA) and recurrent infective tonsillitis (RT) in children.

Methods: Activity of serum sPLA2 Ha was determined in children who underwent tonsillectomy, including USA in 126 cases and RT in 60. Serum enzyme activities were measured using the standard assay

with Diheptanoyl Thio-Phosphatidylcholin this website as substrate.

Results: The sPLA2 IIa activity of serum was significantly higher in RT than

in OSA (P < 0.01). Serum sPLA2 IIa activity in the RT patients was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.26; P = 0.02), which was not apparent in USA (r = 0.14; P = 0.09).

Conclusion: This study suggests that serum sPLA2 IIa activity may be considered as a supportive diagnostic marker in suspected or clinically unclear cases of RT children. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“We describe the case of a large pseudoaneurysm www.selleckchem.com/products/poziotinib-hm781-36b.html after transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus in a 42-year old male who developed back pain and dyspnoea 6 months subsequent to the first procedure. The patient’s pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated using Talent prostheses (Medtronic AVE, Santa Rosa, CA, USA), though the postoperative course was without incident.”
“The content of nucleic acids in the cell culture of fern-leaf aralia Polyscias filicifolia (Moore ex Fournter) Bailey (Araliaceae) exposed to heat shock (3 h at 45A degrees C) decreased significantly (by 20-30%). The decrease in DNA and RNA Selonsertib nmr contents

was even larger (30-40%) after longer heat shock (24 h). Cold (24 h at 7A degrees C) caused an even more dramatic decrease in DNA (by 34.2%) and total RNA (by 48%) contents. To judge from the DNA production rate, the presence of hydrogen peroxide and phenazine methosulfate in the culture exerted a dose-dependent and differently directed action on cell proliferation.”
“In addition to metabolic waste and toxin excretion, the kidney also plays an indispensable role in regulating the balance of water, electrolytes, nitrogen, and acid-base. In this review, we describe representative mathematical models that have been developed to better understand kidney physiology and pathophysiology, including the regulation of glomerular filtration, the regulation of renal blood flow by means of the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanisms and of the myogenic mechanism, the urine concentrating mechanism, epithelial transport, and regulation of renal oxygen transport. We discuss the extent to which these modeling efforts have expanded our understanding of renal function in both health and disease.

“
“The internal mammary artery (IMA) is routinely used for grafting of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), providing good flow to the anterior left ventricle (LV) wall. Impeded IMA-to-LAD flow may result in myocardial ischaemia and haemodynamic deterioration. From a study population, we describe two incidents where myocardial ischaemia was observed during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), with a confirmed reduction in the IMA-to-LAD flow in one

patient. In patient no. 1, normal IMA flow was assessed by transit-time flow measurement after a complete IMA-to-LAD anastomosis. The anterior Selleckchem CUDC-907 LV wall thickening was monitored continuously by epicardial BKM120 cell line ultrasonic transducers. Normal wall thickening was confirmed after IMA grafting. During a wide sternal opening for circumflex grafting the anterior wall motion displayed an ischaemic pattern, with reduced systolic and increased post-systolic wall thickening. IMA flow was reduced simultaneously. When easing the sternal opening,

IMA flow normalized, as did the motion pattern in the anterior LV wall. In patient no. 2, similar changes in wall thickening occurred during a wide sternal opening after IMA-to-LAD grafting. When easing the retractor, the wall thickening normalized. It is important for the surgeon to be aware of this possible cause of myocardial ischaemia, with a risk of subsequent haemodynamic deterioration. This may not only be of great importance during off-pump CABG, but can also be significant for successful weaning from the cardiopulmonary bypass machine.”
“Aim of the study: Therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest improves neurologic outcome. The temperature measured in the pulmonary

artery is considered to best reflect core temperature, yet is limited by invasiveness. Recently a femoro-arterial learn more thermodilution catheter (PiCCO-Pulse Contour Cardiac Output) has been introduced in clinical practice as a safe and accurate haemodynamic monitoring system, which is also able to measure blood temperature. The aim of the study was to investigate, if the temperature measured with the PiCCO catheter reflects pulmonary artery temperature better than other sites during therapeutic hypothermia.

Methods: In this observational study twenty patients after cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation were cooled with various cooling methods to 33 +/- 1 degrees C for 24 h, followed by rewarming. Temperatures were recorded continuously in the pulmonary artery (Tpa), femoro-iliacal artery (Tpicco), ear canal (Tear), oesophagus (Toeso) and urinary bladder (Tbla). We assessed agreement of methods using the Bland Altman approach including bias and limits of agreement (LA).

Results: All other sites differed significantly from Tpa with the bias varying from 0.4 degrees C (Tbla) to -0.

7%); escape beats (EB, 3.8%); and sinus node pause

(SNP, 2.8%), with others below 2%. From the ventricular perspective, ventricular premature beats (VPB, 25.4% (day cycle mean)) were the most prevalent. Circadian analysis indicated that some arrhythmias had higher incidence during the night cycle: SNP (32.6%); EB (18.5%); atrioventricular block (AVB, 2.7%), selleck products an indication that the arrhythmia pattern is influenced by the diurnal cycle. Discussion: Overall, the data demonstrated that a variety of spontaneous arrhythmias occur at low frequency in non-treated animals, and the incidence varies between animals, and within the same animal when repeatedly sampled. Given the low incidence in normal animals, continuous ECG sampling over multiple days is needed to establish an accurate arrhythmia “”fingerprint”" for each animal in dedicated telemetry colonies, which could assist the interpretation of arrhythmia findings that may occur in cardiovascular safety studies. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare two four-strand techniques:

the traditional Strickland and cruciate techniques.

METHODS: Thirty-eight Achilles tendons were removed from 19 rabbits and were assigned to two groups based on suture technique (Group 1, Strickland suture; Group 2, cruciate repair). The sutured tendons were subjected to constant progressive distraction using a universal testing Mocetinostat cost machine (Kratos (R)). Based on data from the instrument, which were synchronized with the visualized gap at the suture site and at the time of suture rupture, the following data were obtained: maximum load to rupture, maximum deformation or gap, time elapsed until failure, and stiffness.

RESULTS: In the statistical analysis, the data were parametric and unpaired, and by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the sample distribution MEK inhibition was normal. By Student’s t-test, there was no significant difference in any of the data: the cruciate repair sutures had slightly better

mean stiffness, and the Strickland sutures had longer time-elapsed suture ruptures and higher average maximum deformation.

CONCLUSIONS: The cruciate and Strickland techniques for flexor tendon sutures have similar mechanical characteristics in vitro.”
“Smoking and alcohol use often co-occur during adolescence, but little is known about the codevelopment of these substances. In the search for etiological factors that help to explain the development of adolescent substance use patterns, studies have revealed substantial heritability for both alcohol use and smoking. In this regard, the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1, chromosome 6q24-q25) has been linked to both substances.

Several explanatory models are proposed including pain-induced centrally mediated motor retardation/inhibition, reduced selective attention, and peripherally based “”bracing/holding”" of shared musculoskeletal environments.”
“Objective: The stepped

wedge design is increasingly being used in cluster randomized trials (CRTs). However, there is not much information available about the design and analysis strategies for these kinds of trials. Approaches to sample size and power calculations have CCI-779 been provided, but a simple sample size formula is lacking. Therefore, our aim is to provide a sample size formula for cluster randomized stepped wedge designs.

Study Design and Setting: We derived a design effect (sample size correction factor) that can be used to estimate the required sample size for stepped wedge designs. Furthermore, we compared the required sample size for

the stepped wedge design with a parallel group and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) design.

Results: Our formula corrects for clustering as well as for the design. Apart from the cluster size and intracluster correlation, the design effect depends on choices of the number of steps, the number of baseline measurements, and the number of measurements between steps. The stepped wedge design requires a substantial smaller sample size than a parallel group and ANCOVA design.

Conclusion: For CRTs, the stepped wedge design is Fludarabine nmr far more efficient than the parallel group and ANCOVA design in terms of sample size. (c) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“The

review considers new advances in the synthesis of indoles annulated with cycloalkanes.”
“Aims There is no information about the signaling pathways involved SHP099 mw in the endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced contraction of bladder neck. The current study investigates the mechanisms involved in the ET-1-elicited contraction in the pig bladder neck. Methods: Bladder neck strips were mounted in organ baths containing physiological saline solution at 378C and gassed with 95% O(2) and 5% CO(2), for isometric force recording to endothelin receptor agonists, noradrenaline (NA), and electrical field stimulation. Endothelin ET(A) receptor expression was also determined, by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results: ET(A) receptor expression (Western blot) was observed in the muscular layer and urothelium. A strong ET(A)-immunoreactivity (ETA-IR) was identified within nerve fibers among smooth muscle bundles. ET-1 and ET-2 evoked similar concentration-dependent contractions of urothelium-denuded preparations. ET-3 produced a slight response, whereas the ETB receptor agonist BQ3020 failed to promote contraction. BMS182874, an ETA receptor antagonist, reduced ET-1-induced contraction whereas BQ788, an ET(B) antagonist, did not change such responses.

Study design. From

330 cases of ameloblastoma (pooled from 573 histologically diagnosed odontogenic tumours) 17 cases of DA were retrieved and analyzed for estimated mean growth rate (EMGR) and histologic variants. EMGR for DA was compared with EMGR for conventional ameloblastoma (CA), as recorded over the same period of 38 years.

Results. Desmoplastic ameloblastoma had predilection for mandible (81.2%), posterior mandible being the most commonly affected, contrary to scientific literature ICG-001 in vivo reports of anterior maxillary predilection. Simple DA (88.0%) and DA with osteoplasia (12.0%) were the histologic variants observed. EMGR for DA (0.36 +/- 0.44 cm/mo) was significantly less than EMGR (0.71 +/- 1.16 cm/mo) for CA (P = .000480).

Conclusion. This study speculates that DA tends to be less biologically aggressive than CA and has predilection for posterior mandible in Nigerians. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2011;111:e27-e31)”
“BACKGROUND: Valganciclovir is commonly used for

cytomegalovirus prevention after lung transplantation. The pharmacokinetic profile of valganciclovir in lung transplant selleck chemical patients has not been well described or linked to efficacy and safety.

METHODS: This prospective, randomized, crossover study determined the steady-state pharmacokinetic profile of 2 different doses of valganciclovir in lung transplant recipients and compared these profiles with intravenous ganciclovir.

RESULTS: Ten patients were evaluated. Patients were 56.8 +/- 3.4 years old and had a mean creatinine clearance of 69 +/- 9 ml/min. Oral bioavailability of ganciclovir after administration of valganciclovir was 59%, and mean half-life was 3.73 +/- 1.15 hours. The maximal concentration

after intravenous 5 mg/kg ganciclovir was significantly Crenolanib higher than after 450 mg valganciclovir (8.37 +/- 3.03 mg/liter vs. 5.3 +/- 2.09 mg/liter, respectively; p = 0.02) and similar to 900 mg valganciclovir (7.93 +/- 3.97 mg/liter; p = 0.78). A higher area under the curve at 0-24 hours (AUC(0-24)) was found with 900 mg valganciclovir compared with intravenous 5 mg/kg/day ganciclovir (47.8 +/- 19.7 vs 32.9 +/- 10.8 mg . hour/liter, respectively; p = 0.049). The AUC(0-24) for 450 mg valganciclovir twice daily was 45.5 +/- 22.9 mg . hour/liter.

CONCLUSION: Valganciclovir at 900 mg/clay resulted in the equivalent of a mean daily close of 7.7 mg/kg intravenous ganciclovir. Higher systemic ganciclovir exposures occurred after 900 mg/day valganciclovir compared with intravenous 5 mg/kg/day ganciclovir. Valganciclovir therapeutic drug monitoring may be warranted in select lung transplant patients to avoid increased toxicity. J Heart Lung Transplant 2012;31:159-66 (C) 2012 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. All rights reserved.

Between April 2009 and June 2011, 28 obese patients who completed a full course of BIB treatment were enrolled. There are 16 patients with BMI < 32 and 12 with BMI a parts per thousand 32. Patients who lost more than 20 % of excess weight (% EWL) were categorized

as responders.

The BMI significantly fell from 32.4 +/- 3.7 to 28.5 +/- 3.7 kg/m(2) (P < 0.01) at the time of BIB removal. All biochemical measurements except for cholesterol level were significantly this website improved. The median value of %EWL of all patients at BIB removal was 40.1, and 20 patients (71.4 %) were responders. Adherence to dietitian counseling was significantly better in responders than in non-responders (85 vs. 25 %, respectively; P < 0.01). The percentage of responders at 1 year after BIB removal was significantly higher among patients with BMI < 32 than those with Transferase inhibitor a parts per thousand 32 (62.5 vs. 16.7 %, respectively; P = 0.02).

BIB placement can achieve significant weight loss and improvement of co-morbidities in obese patients. Better adherence to dietitian

counseling is associated with better response. Patients with BMI < 32 maintain better weight loss at 1 year after BIB removal.”
“To work out a test system for studying the inhibition of isoprenoid biosynthesis through non-mevalonate pathway, the conversion of 2-C-14-methylerythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate GNS-1480 mw (C-14-MEC) into isoprenoids of three bacteria species and into plastids of 11 higher plant species was studied. The highest efficiency (up to 63%) of the process was observed with chromoplasts from narcissus (Narcissus pseudonarcissus L.) and celandine (Chelidonium majus L.). Twenty five percent of added C-14-MEC was recovered in an isoprenoid fraction of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) chromoplasts. Thus, these three models can be used to test antibiotic inhibitors of isoprenoid biosynthesis.”
“Monitoring is crucial to assure safety during difficult airway management. Several reports have indicated

that the most of the adverse outcomes associated with difficult airway management could have been avoided with the use of necessary monitors, such as a pulse oximeter and a capnometer. Nevertheless, airway complications continue to be major problems during anesthesia, in particular, in patients with difficult airways. In this brief review, I stress the role of monitoring in detecting inadvertent esophageal intubation, during sedation for awake tracheal intubation, during general anesthesia, and during emergence from anesthesia, in patients with difficult airways.”
“Eating disorders are a group of conditions characterised by abnormal eating habits. Greater than 50 % of patients with eating disorders have an ‘eating disorder not otherwise specified’ (EDNOS).

Results

High-risk human papillomavirus was detected in 41 patients, representing 51.3% of the 80 paraffin-embedded tissues of HNSCC; 27.5% of these were weak positive, 10.0% medium positive and 13.8% were strongly positive for the HR-HPV on IHC. The tongue lesions had the highest HR-HPV infection of 72.2%. No association existed between HR-HPV and patient’s demographics, dietary habit and other predisposing factors.

Conclusion

The place of HR-HPV as a possible aetiological factor for HNSCC has further been

established from this study.”
“Proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma (PES) of the vulva is an PARP inhibitor review exceedingly rare soft tissue tumor with an unpredictable symptom pattern and frequent recurrences. Information on management is limited. This report describes a 51-year-old woman with proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma of the vulva which was resected surgically and reviewed the current medical literature regarding the diagnosis and management of

this disease.”
“Background: Estrogen causes proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. Although hormone therapy with an antiestrogen agent is an optional therapy for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancers, both basic and clinical researches are insufficient. We here examine the efficacy of an aromatase inhibitor (AI) for peritonitis carcinomatosa, Selleck MK-2206 the late stage of ovarian cancer.

Methods: Estrogen receptor (ER)alpha was assayed in four ovarian cancer cell Flavopiridol order lines by the RT-PCR method. Using ovariectomized nude mice,

peritonitis carcinomatosa consisting of OVCAR-3 cells with the strongest ER alpha expression or DISS cells with weaker ER alpha expression was prepared. The survival period was compared between the letrozole group (5 mg/kg/day orally; n = 10) and the control group (n = 10). In addition, the degree of angiogenesis and occurrence of apoptosis were compared using tumor tissue from the abdominal cavity. The expression of aromatase and the protein involving in ER alpha signaling were examined in tumors immunohistochemically.

Results: Survival period in OVCAR-3 tumors was significantly prolonged in the letrozole group, compared with the control group (P < 0.05), whereas that in DISS tumors was not different between the both groups. The microvessel density in tumors and expression of VEGF decreased significantly in the letrozole group compared to the control group. The incidence of apoptosis did not differ significantly between these groups. No adverse event was observed accompanying the administration of letrozole. The expressions of aromatase, ER alpha and FOXP1 that is associated with ER alpha signaling were reduced in tumors by letrozole administration.

Conclusions: Letrozole was effective for ovarian cancers with abundant expression of ER alpha. Inhibition of angiogenesis and of ascites production appeared to contribute to prolongation of the survival period.

It is hard to ascertain how effective the medical methods utilized by Copernicus may have been.”
“Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was one of the first procedures in which computer-assisted techniques were used in orthopaedic surgery. However, the use of navigation for tunnel placement in anterior cruciate ligament surgery remains problematic, as the optimal position for placement of the tunnels is debatable. The technical specification of tunnel position is clinically relevant, but the targets and tolerances for this technical specification

are poorly understood. The inability to reliably quantify knee kinematics and stability before, during, or after Selleck 5-Fluoracil anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction remains a problem. A navigated examination to assess knee stability could potentially close the computer-assisted surgery treatment loop by providing quantitative feedback about various reconstruction techniques. Recent iterations of navigated examinations

for the assessment of stability include even complex pathologic movements, such as those detected with the pivot-shift examination. In this paper, we review conventional stability measurements of the knee and compare them with navigated techniques, with a focus on the navigated pivot-shift examination. In summary, direct intraoperative measurements and quantifications of knee stability, including the pivot-shift phenomenon, are now possible with the use of navigation. Consequently, more reproducible and clinically BMS-777607 supplier meaningful quantification of the pivot-shift phenomenon may allow for more accurate evaluation of various anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction techniques in the future.”
“Langerhans cell histiocytosis is part of a larger group

of syndromes described as histiocytoses. The disease may involve single or multiple systems including skin and nervous system. Here we report an adult case where Langerhans cell histiocytosis presented with diabetes insipidus and cutaneous ulcers.”
“Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), an internationally recognized Polish astronomer, studied liberal arts at the Jagiellonian University in Cracow during the period 1491-1495. Shortly thereafter he was sent by his uncle to Bologna University, where he spent almost Panobinostat molecular weight 5 years (1496-1501) studying law and philosophy. After his return to Poland, Nicolaus was nominated as canon in the cathedral chapter in Frombork. Next he started to study medicine in the University of Padua, one of the best-known centers of medical education in Europe. He was granted a bachelor degree and after another year, a therapeutic license (veniam practicandi), but never obtained his doctoral degree from Padua, though he was always called doctor of medicine (“”medici doctor”"). Copernicus returned to Warmia in 1503 and spent almost 40 years there.

56, P < 0.05). Concomitantly, anti-inflammatory IL-10 transcript levels decreased in (TID), relative to increased expression in the absence of TID (P < 0.05). The potential influence

of IL-10 was observed upon calculation of individual pro-verses anti-inflammatory mRNA ratios. Stable in the presence of depression, TNF-alpha/IL-10 and GDC 0068 IL-1beta/IL-10 mRNA ratios declined significantly over time in its absence (P < 0.05). This study suggests that in chronic HCV infection, upon pegylated IFN administration persistent pro-inflammatory cytokine MRNA expression associates with TID. In contrast, therapeutic activation of mechanisms that decrease pro-inflammatory immunity may protect against depression during therapy.”
“Background: Existing trials of varenicline have typically excluded smokers with concurrent medical and psychiatric illnesses and no data exist comparing effectiveness of varenicline with combination pharmacotherapy. This study evaluated abstinence Y-27632 cell line and psychiatric outcomes of various tobacco dependence medications, including varenicline.

Methods: Retrospective cohort of 723 smokers, most with significant medical and psychiatric comorbidity, was evaluated at the UMDNJ-Tobacco Dependence Clinic from 2006 to 2008. Demographics, measures of tobacco dependence and

co-morbidities, and a validated instrument measuring psychological distress (Kessler-6) were obtained. Primary outcome was 7-day point abstinence at 6 months after target quit date.

Results: Cessation medications used included combination pharmacotherapy (39%), single nicotine

replacement therapy (NRT) or bupropion (29%), and varenicline (23%), with 9% using no medications. Overall, 23% of patients were abstinent at 6 months. In an adjusted regression model, smokers using varenicline or combination medications were more likely abstinent at 6 months than those using no medications (adjusted odds ratio = 2.99; 95% confidence interval = 1.20-7.47 and 2.80; 1.15-6.82, respectively), but not statistically higher than those using single medications (AOR = 1.70). Age, gender, education, marital status, cigarettes per day, time to first cigarette, night smoking, and menthol Bafilomycin A1 ic50 smoking were not significantly related to abstinence. Varenicline or combination medications did not significantly increase serious psychological distress over the treatment period compared to other medication options.

Conclusions: Both varenicline and combination pharmacotherapy were effective and did not increase psychological distress for up to 6 months in smokers with co-morbidities treated at a specialty clinic. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Cellular apoptosis appears to be a constant feature in the adult testis and during early development. This is essential because mammalian spermatogenesis is a complex process that requires precise homeostasis of different cell types.

In contrast to the historical data, these studies showed 5-year survival rates at 50-70% in well-selected patients. Important determinants of poor outcome are macrovascular invasion, lymph node involvement,

and time interval of < 12 months when LT is used as rescue therapy for intrahepatic recurrence after a previous partial liver resection. Interestingly, outcomes after both liver resection and LT for NC-HCC are much less influenced by tumor size than is the case with cirrhotic HCC. A large tumor size per se should, therefore, not to be seen as a strict contraindication for performing LT in patients with NC-HCC.”
“Material grown by room temperature electron beam induced deposition (EBID) using (CH(3))(3)CH(3)C(5)H(4)Pt precursor consists of platinum nanocrystals embedded in an amorphous matrix. The crystallites

are shown to intermix with the amorphous oxide on a Si substrate. Ion Channel Ligand Library high throughput The extent of intermixing scales with the electron energy density delivered to the material during growth. Dependencies on electron flux, fluence, and exposure time indicate that the intermixing process is athermal, electron-activated, and rate limited by mass transport inside the solid. Furthermore, the degree of deposit Veliparib mw crystallinity is shown to scale with the electron flux and fluence used for EBID. We discuss mechanisms behind the observed changes in nanostructure and implications for the growth of functional materials by EBID. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3428427]“
“Optimal portal flow is

one of the essentials in adequate liver function, graft regeneration and outcome of the graft after right lobe adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT). The relations among factors that cause sufficient liver graft regeneration are still unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential predisposing factors that encourage liver graft regeneration after ALDLT. The study population consisted of right lobe ALDLT recipients from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Taiwan. The records, preoperative images, postoperative Doppler SB273005 price ultrasound evaluation and computed tomography studies performed 6 months after transplant were reviewed. The volume of the graft 6 months after transplant divided by the standard liver volume was calculated as the regeneration ratio. The predisposing risk factors were compiled from statistical analyses and included age, recipient body weight, native liver disease, spleen size before transplant, patency of the hepatic venous graft, graft weight-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR), posttransplant portal flow, vascular and biliary complications and rejection. One hundred forty-five recipients were enrolled in this study. The liver graft regeneration ratio was 91.2 +/- 12.6% (range, 58-151). The size of the spleen (p = 0.00015), total portal flow and GRWR (p = 0.