The main result in this paper is a general construction of fðmÞ=2 pairwise inequivalent cyclic difference sets with Singer parameters ðv; k; lÞ ¼ ð2 m À 1; 2 mÀ1 ; 2 mÀ2 Þ for any mX3: The construction was conjectured by the second author at Oberwolfach in 1998. We also give a complete proof of related conjectures made by No, Chung and Yun and by No, Golomb, Gong, Lee and Gaal which produce another difference set for each mX7 not a multiple of 3: Our proofs exploit Fourier analysis on the additive group of GFð2 m Þ and draw heavily on the theory of quadratic forms in characteristic 2. By-products of our results are a new class of bent functions and a new short proof of the exceptionality of the Mu¨ller-Cohen-Matthews polynomials. Furthermore, following the results of this paper, there are today no sporadic examples of difference sets with these parameters; i.e. every known such difference set belongs to a series given by a constructive theorem. r

on behalf of Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN) investigators and International DILI consortium (iDILIC)

No abstract

Background-To investigate the relation between changes in portal haemodynamics and renal blood flow (RBF) in patients with cirrhosis. Patients/Methods-Twenty patients with cirrhosis and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunts were divided into two groups which were well matched. At (RBF) and an increase in renal resistance.' 2 The reduction in RBF is accompanied by redistribution of intrarenal blood flow from the cortex to the medulla, even in patients without ascites,' and the hepatorenal syndrome is also characterised by constriction of the intralobular and the arcuate arteries.4There is considerable evidence of increased sympathetic nervous activity in patients with cirrhosis and sodium retention. Noradrenaline concentrations reflect sympathetic nervous activity and its concentration in the circulation is a result of overproduction rather than reduced clearance.5 Concentrations of noradrenaline are inversely related to sodium excretion.6 Lang et al,7 in an animal model, found an acute reduction in RBF following infusion of glutamine into the portal vein. The effect of the infusion was to induce acute hepatocyte swelling and portal hypertension. This was abolished following section of the hepatic vagal fibres and renal denervation. They proposed the existence of a hepatorenal axis controlled by a reflex arc, the afferent limb of which was the hepatic vagal innervation and the efferent limb was the renal sympathetic system. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt (TIPSS) is an interventional radiological technique that involves the creation of a fistulous communication between the hepatic and portal veins through the liver parenchyma; this track is supported by an expandable metal stent.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, is curable in most people. Injecting drug use currently accounts for 80 % of new HCV infections with a known transmission route in the European Union (EU). HCV has generally received little attention from the public or policymakers in the EU, with major gaps in national-level strategies, action plans, guidelines and the evidence base. Specifically, people who inject drugs (PWID) are often excluded from treatment owing to various patient, healthcare provider and health system factors.All policymakers responsible for health services in EU countries should ensure that prevention, treatment, care and support interventions addressing HCV in PWID are developed and implemented. According to current best practice, PWID should have access to comprehensive, evidence-based multiprofessional harm reduction (especially opioid substitution therapy and clean needles and syringes) and support/care services based in the community and modified with community involvement to accommodate this hard-to-reach population. Other recommended components of care include vaccination against hepatitis B and other infections; peer support interventions; HIV testing, prevention and treatment; drug and alcohol services; psychological care as needed; and social support services. HCV testing should be performed regularly in PWID to identify infected persons and engage them in care. HCV-infected PWID should be considered for antiviral treatment (based on an individualised assessment and delivered within multidisciplinary care/support programmes) both to cure infected individuals and prevent onward transmission. Modelling data suggest that the HCV disease burden can only be cut substantially if antiviral treatment is scaled up together with prevention programmes. Measures should be taken to reduce stigma and discrimination against PWID at the provider and institutional levels.In conclusion, strategic action at the policy level is urgently needed to increase access to HCV prevention, testing and treatment among PWID, the group at highest risk of HCV infection. Such action has the potential to substantially reduce the number of infected persons, along with the disease burden and related care costs.