Announcements for this section should be submitted in the correct format at least 3 months before the required date of publication.This list is provided as a service to readers;inclusion does not imply endorsement by the HBPD INT.

Section editor

Shui-Ying Lei

Email:hbpdje@gmail.com

March,2013

Antibody mediated rejection in liver transplantation March 22-23,2013; Adolphus Hotel,Dallas,TX,USA

Antibody mediated rejection (AMR) is a well known and feared entity in all solid organ transplants except the liver.Although some previous studies in liver allografts have shown donor specific alloantibodies (DSA) to be detrimental,the literature has been inconsistent.However,mounting evidence has shown the pathologic potential of DSA in liver and SLKT recipients.As a result,we have organized a meeting of the minds to define AMR in liver transplantation and forge a path for future research in this burgeoning area of research.Toward this goal,we ignite the conference by reviewing the history of AMR in other solid organs,outline the lessons not to be relearned,evaluate the natural history and endpoints for studies,and review novel biomarkers of ACR and AMR.Then we review the current state of the art testing,highlighting both HLA and non-HLA antibody testing nuances.After the stage has been set,an in-depth analysis of the current literature focuses separately on the liver allograft and the important implications for patients in receipt of SLKT.This is followed by debate about the pathologic diagnostic criteria for AMR and the utility of C4d staining.The last section discusses the history of rejection diagnosis and management and how we need to alter this paradigm to incorporate testing,diagnosis and therapy for liver AMR.Attendants include transplant surgeons,transplant pathologists,transplant hepatologists,transplant nephrologists,and HLA laboratory PhDs.To register for this event,please visit the conference website:www.DallasAMR.com.

April

6th international congress of the Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control (APSIC)

April 10-13,2013; World Expo Center,Shanghai,China

The 6th APSIC 2013 will be held in Shanghai,China during April 10-13,2013.The central theme at APSIC 2013 will be "Strategic Practices for Combating Microbial Resistance",and the scientific program will be complemented by an equally exciting social program allowing delegates to network and catch up with colleagues.In addition,there will be an opportunity to explore other key cities in China either before or after the congress,and to see the major developments happening throughout the country.For more information,please contact; 6th APSIC 2013 Shanghai Secretariat,MCI China-Shanghai-Office,Unit 2301,Wise Logic International Centre,No.66,North Shanxi Road,Shanghai 200040,China.Email:info@apsic2013.org.Website:http://www.apsic2013.org/.

3rd ELPAT congress on ethical,legal and psychosocial aspects of transplantation

April 20-23,2013; World Trade Center,Rotterdam,The Netherlands

The main theme of this congress is "Global issue,local solutions" and the focus is on the bridging the divide between international commitments,global outreach and the realization of their potential to improve the lives of patients across the world.The conference is open to all professionals involved in transplant medicine,including,but is not limited to,(bio-)ethicists,philosophers,clinicians,lawyers,anthropologists,psychologists and policy-makers in the field of organ donation and transplantation.For more information,please contact:ELPAT,Frederike Ambagtsheer (Coordinator),or Marian van Noord (Secretary),Erasmus MC - Room D-415,P.O.Box 2040,3000 CA Rotterdam,The Netherlands.Tel:31-10-7033002 or 31-6-42668336; Fax:31-10-4366372;Email:secretariat@elpat.org; Website:www.elpat.org.

May

American transplant congress 2013

May 18-22,2013; Seattle,WA,USA

The 2013 American transplant congress is the 13th joint annual meeting of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons and the American Society of Transplantation.The American transplant congress will take place on May 18-22,2013 in Seattle,Washington.The American Transplant Congress is designed for physicians,surgeons,scientists,nurses,organ procurement personnel,and pharmacists who are interested in the clinical and research aspects of solid organ and tissue transplantation.The program is developed to encourage the exchange of new scientific and clinical information and support an interchange of opinions regarding care and management issues,as well as socioeconomic,ethical,and regulatory issues relevant to organ and tissue transplantation.American transplant congress,15000 Commerce Parkway,Suite C,Mt.Laurel,NJ 08054,USA.Tel:856-439-0880;Fax:856-439-1972; Website:www.atcmeeting.org.

June

ILTS 19th annual international congress

June 12-15,2013; Sydney,Australia

The 19th annual international congress of ILTS is the leading educational congress for scientists,surgeons,anesthesiologists,physicians,nurses,and organ procurement personnel in the field of liver transplantation from around the world.The congress is designed to allow the liver transplantation specialist to interact and network with individuals from various parts of the globe and to compare and understand the differences in procedures and therapy in the treatment of liver transplantation.Topics include any aspect of liver transplantation including:anesthesia/critical care medicine,extended criteria donors/disease transmission,fulminant liver failure,hepatitis C,immunosuppression,living donor,malignancies,outcomes,patient selection/organ allocation,pediatrics,radiology,recurrent disease/pathology,surgical techniques/complications.The deadline for submission of abstract is January 7,2013.Registration will be available online in January 2013.For more information,please visit:http://2013.ilts.org.

The 1st world congress on controversies in gastroenterology (CIGI)

June 13-15,2013; Berlin,Germany

The 1st world congress on controversies in gastroenterology(CIGI) will take place in Berlin,Germany on June 13-15,2013.The intention of the CIGI congress is to function as an exclusive forum for international experts to debate the most important issues in the field of gastroenterology.This thought-provoking academic dialogue will bring to light the most current clinical and technological questions.Allowing ample time for discussions after each debate,the audience is encouraged to take a participating role in the in fluential academic dialogue.Through these exciting discussions,key issues will be raised and provide practitioners with tailored recommendations regarding patient care.CIGI aims to provide a forum for discussion,for insights,for recommendations and for reliable solutions.English is the official language of the congress.For more information,please contact:Headquarters & Administration,53 Rothschild Boulevard,PO Box 68,Tel Aviv,61000,Israel.Tel:972-3-5666166;Fax:972-3-5666177; Email:Info@comtecmed.com.Or Comtec China,Suite 405,Universal Center Building,175 Xiang Yang Road South,Shanghai 200031,China.Tel:86-21-54660460; Fax:86-21-54660450; Email:china@comtecmed.com.Website:http://www.comtecmed.com.

September

14th world congress of the International Pancreas and Islet Transplant Association

September 24-27,2013; Monterey,California,USA

The 14th world congress of the International Pancreas and Islet Transplant Association (IPITA 2013) is to be held in Monterey,California on September 24-27,2013.The timing of this congress is optimal for the next wave of young scientists,as the meeting symposia will revolve around the multiple evolving options for beta cell replacement.The congress will be held in the spectacular setting of Monterey,strategically located on the Pacific Ocean,providing a perfect environment for the exchange of scientific ideas.The program will include the following topics:Clinical islet and pancreas transplantation(1,Advances in clinical islet transplantation - is this therapy ready to move beyond "experimental" trials? 2,Technological advances in islet isolation,immunoisolation barriers,beta cell imaging,and organ preservation; 3,Calcineurin-free and other novel immunosuppression regimens following pancreas or islet transplantation; 4,Pancreatectomy and autoislet transplantation for chronic pancreatitis; 5 Pancreas transplantation for indications beyond type 1 diabetes:trauma,pancreatitis,and type 2 diabetes; 6 Strategies to reduce Islet graft attrition);Immunology of islet and pancreas transplantation (1,advances in immunomonitoring the alloimmune and autoimmine response following beta cell replacement;2,T-regulatory lymphocytes and mixed chimerism as strategies for transplantation tolerance and control of autoimmunity); Alternative source of islets (1,New sources for beta cells - functional maturation of stem cells,animal models,and preclinical issues;2,Xenotransplantation with porcine islets - status of clinical trials and barriers to widespread application);and Further topics (1,Current state of the technology for insulin delivery and the closed loop; 2,Technological advances in the development of the bioartificial pancreas;3,New advances in islet encapsulation).The deadline for submission of abstract is April 26,2013.For more information,please contact:Secretariat:c/o:The Transplantation Society,Conference Services,1255 University Street,Suite 605 Montreal,QC,H3B 3V9,Canada.Tel:1-514-874-1717; Fax:1-514-874-1716; Email:info@ipita2013.org; http://www.ipita2013.org/.