This diploma thesis deals with the study of possible interactions between hyaluronan (HA) and plasmid DNA (pDNA). Plasmid DNA was isolated from E. coli JM109 (pUC19) and resuspended in TE buffer as well as high molecular weight hyaluronan. Individual samples of pDNA, HA and pDNA-HA were characterized by gel electrophoresis, CD spectroscopy and high resolution ultrasonic spectroscopy. Agarose gel electrophoresis examined the effect of the addition of hyaluronan to plasmid DNA on the migration of samples to the positive electrode. Structural changes in pDNA-HA samples were examined using CD spectroscopy. Individual CD spectra describes the dependence of the difference in absorption coefficients for left-hand and right-handed elliptic polarized light at wavelength. High resolution ultrasonic spectroscopy has been used to study interactions. It is an analytical method based on ultrasonic velocity and attenuation. We classify this technique as a non-destructive method because the passing waves do not affect the structure of the analyzed sample.

To compare ultrasound-based acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) with established non-invasive techniques for grading and staging fatty liver disease.

In this study Monte Carlo solutions to the radiative transfer equations are used to model translational and rotational motion seismogram envelopes in random elastic media with deterministic background structure assuming multiple anisotropic scattering. The results of the Monte Carlo radiative transfer theory simulations are verified by comparisons with 3D full wave field finite difference simulations. The observation and modeling of the three additional components of rotational ground motions can provide independent information about seismic wave propagation in the Earth’s structure. Rotational motions around the vertical axis observed in the P-wave coda are of particular interest as they can only be excited by horizontally polarized shear waves and therefore indicate the conversion from P- to SH-energy by multiple scattering at 3D-heterogeneities. Scattering and attenuation parameters in south-east Germany beneath the Gräfenberg array and in the Vogtland region are estimated by comparisons of synthesized multi-component seismogram envelopes to seismic data from local and regional swarm earthquakes and to teleseismic events. In a first step, frequency dependent scattering and attenuation parameters from a local data set are estimated for the Vogtland region using nearby swarm earthquakes. The results from the elastic simulations are compared to outcomes from acoustic radiative transfer simulations. Both methods yield similar results and suggest that intrinsic attenuation dominates scattering attenuation. From the elastic simulations it is observable, that forward scattering is required to explain the data. However, the amount of forward scattering strength remains unresolvable. In a second step scattering and attenuation parameters beneath the Gräfenberg array are estimated using a nonlinear genetic inversion of seismogram envelopes from regional events at high frequencies (4–8 Hz). The preferred model of crustal heterogeneity consists of a random medium described by an exponential auto correlation function with a transport mean free path length of ∼ 420 km. The quality factor for elastic S-wave attenuation Q iS is around 700. In a final step simulations of teleseismic P-wave arrivals, using this estimated set of scattering and attenuation parameters, are compared to observed seismogram envelopes from deep events. Simulations of teleseismic events with the parameters found from the regional inversion show good agreement with the measured seismogram envelopes. This includes ringlaser observations of vertical rotations in the teleseismic P-wave coda that naturally result from the proposed model of wave scattering. The model also predicts, that the elastic energy recorded in the teleseismic P-coda is not equipartitioned, unlike the coda of regional events, but contains an excess of shear energy. The combined results from the three different data sets suggest that scattering generating the seismic coda mainly occurs in the crustal part of the lithosphere beneath the receivers. The observations do not require scattering of high frequency waves in the mantle, but weak scattering in the lithospheric mantle cannot be ruled out. / In dieser Studie werden Monte Carlo Lösungen für die Energietransfergleichungen genutzt, um Seismogrammeinhüllende von Translations- und Rotationsbewegungen zu modellieren. Die Ergebnisse der Monte Carlo Simulationen werden durch einen Vergleich mit 3D finiten Differenzen Simulationen verifiziert. Diese Modellierung findet in einem elastischen Zufallsmedium mit deterministischer Hintergrundstruktur unter Annahme multipler anisotroper Streuung statt. Die Beobachtung und Modellierung der drei zusätzlichen Komponenten der Rotationsbodenbewegungen kann unabhängige Informationen über die Ausbreitung seismischer Wellen im Erdkörper liefern. Rotationsbewegungen um die vertikale Achse in der P-Wellen Koda sind in diesem Zusammenhang von speziellem Interesse, da sie nur von horizontal polarisierten Scheerwellen angeregt werden können. Die gemessenen Rotationsbewegungen deuten folglich auf Konversionen von P- zu SH-Energie durch multiple Streuung an 3D-Heterogenitäten hin. Für die Bestimmung von Streu- und Dämpfungsparametern im Südosten Deutschlands (Gräfenberg Array, Vogtland) werden synthetisch erzeugte, mehrspurige Seismogrammeinhüllende mit Daten lokaler und regionaler Schwarmbeben und teleseismicher Ereignisse verglichen. In einem ersten Schritt werden frequenzabhängige Krustenparameter für die Vogtlandregion mittels eines lokalen Datensatzes von nahen Schwarmbeben bestimmt. Die Resultate mittels elastischer Energietransfertheorie werden mit Ergebnissen aus Simulationen mittels akustischer Energietransfertheorie verglichen. Beide Methoden liefern ähnliche Parameter und sagen einen größeren Einfluss der intrinsichen Dämpfung im Vergleich zur Streudämpfung voraus. Aus den elastischen Simulationen geht hervor, dass für die Beschreibung der Daten Vorwärtsstreung angenommen werden muss, die Stärke dieser lässt sich jedoch nicht auflösen. In einem zweiten Schritt werden die Streu- und Dämpfungseigenschaften der Erdkruste im Untergrund des Gräfenberg Arrays untersucht. Hierzu wird eine nicht-lineare genetische Inversion von Seismogrammeinhüllenden regionaler Ereignisse bei hohen Frequenzen (4–8 Hz) verwendet. Das bevorzugte Modell der Krustenheterogenität wird durch ein exponentielles Zufallsmedium, einer mittleren freien Transportweglänge von ca. 420 km und einem Qualitätsfaktor für S-Wellen Q iS von ca. 700 beschrieben. Ein letzter Schritt vergleicht Simulationen von teleseismischen P-Welleneinsätzen mit beobachteten Seismogrammeinüllenden von tiefen Erdbeben unter der Nutzung der Parameter aus der regionalen Inversion. Die Simulationen der teleseismischen Ereignisse mit den Parametern der regionalen Inversion zeigen eine gute Übereinstimmung mit den gemessenen Seismogrammeinhüllenden. Dieser Vergleich beinhaltet Ringlaserbeobachtungen der Rotationsbewegungen um die vertikale Achse, welche aus dem angenommenen Streumodell resultieren. Das Modell sagt voraus, dass die elastische Energie in der teleseismischen P-Wellen Koda im Gegensatz zur Koda lokaler oder regionaler Ereignisse nicht gleichverteilt ist, sondern einen Überschuss an Scheerenergie beinhaltet. Die Resultate aus den Untersuchungen der lokalen, regionalen und teleseismischen Datensätze zeigen, dass die Streuereignisse, welche die seismische Koda erklären, hauptsächlich in der Kruste unterhalb der seismischen Empfänger stattfinden. Streuung des Wellenfeldes im Mantel wird für die Erklärung der Daten nicht benötigt, schwache Streuung im lithosphärischen Mantel kann jedoch nicht ausgeschlossen werden.

Background: In PET/MRI, linear photon attenuation coefficients for attenuation correction (AC) cannot be directly derived, and cortical bone is, so far, usually not considered. This results in an underestimation of the average PET signal in PET/MRI. Recently introduced MR-AC methods predicting bone information from anatomic MRI or proton density weighted zero-time imaging may solve this problem in the future. However, there is an ongoing debate if the current error is acceptable for clinical use and/or research. Methods: We examined this feature for [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) brain PET in 13 patients with clinical signs of dementia or movement disorders who subsequently underwent PET/CT and PET/MRI on the same day. Multiple MR-AC approaches including a CT-derived AC were applied. Results: The resulting PET data was compared to the CT-derived standard regarding the quantification error and its clinical impact. On a quantitative level, −11.9 to +2 % deviations from the CT-AC standard were found. These deviations, however, did not translate into a systematic diagnostic error. This, as overall patterns of hypometabolism (which are decisive for clinical diagnostics), remained largely unchanged. Conclusions: Despite a quantitative error by the omission of bone in MR-AC, clinical quality of brain [18F]FDG is not relevantly affected. Thus, brain [18F]FDG PET can already, even now with suboptimal MR-AC, be utilized for clinical routine purposes, even though the MR-AC warrants improvement.

Die Kombination von Positronen-Emissions-Tomographie (PET) und Röntgen-Computertomographie (CT) in Form moderner PET/CT-Geräte ermöglicht die Nutzung der CT-Information zur Korrektur der Photonenschwächung in der PET. Allerdings können Bewegungen, die zum Beispiel durch die Atmung hervorgerufen werden können, zu einer fehlerhaften Schwächungskorrektur führen. Die Einführung von zeitlich aufgelöster Bildgebung für beide Modalitäten (4D-PET/4D-CT) ermöglicht nicht nur die Auflösung von periodischen Bewegungen, sondern auch die Reduktion dieser Fehler in der Schwächungskorrektur. Dazu werden die einzelnen Datensätze des 4D-PET, die jeweils einer bestimmten Bewegungsphase entsprechen, mit dem entsprechenden CT-Datensatz dieser Atemphase schwächungskorrigiert. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde diese phasenkorrelierte Schwächungskorrektur des 4D-PET mit dem 4D-CT am Universitästsklinikum Dresden installierten PET/CT ermöglicht und anhand von Phantomexperimenten mit anderen Schwächungskorrekturmethoden für 4D-PET verglichen. Dazu musste zunächst die Aufnahme von 4D-CT an dem verwendeten PET/CT ermöglicht und dessen Synchronität mit dem 4D-PET hergestellt werden. Außerdem wurde ein vorhandenes Atemphantom so modifiziert, dass es typische Bewegungen von Bronchialkarzinomen in zwei Dimensionen und mit zwei möglichen Atemmustern simuliert. Die phasenkorrelierte Schwächungskorrektur führte zu einer quantitativ korrekten Wiederherstellung des Aktivitätsvolumens, der darin enthaltenen Aktivität sowie der Bewegungsamplitude und stellt somit die beste der hier verglichenen 4D-PET-Schwächungskorrekturmethoden dar. Diese Ergebnisse lassen vermuten, dass die phasenkorrelierte Schwächungskorrektur auch bei klinischer Anwendung eine signifikante Verbesserung in oben genannten Punkten darstellt. Dies sollte in Zukunft an Patientendaten überprüft werden. / The combination of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) in one device allows the use of CT-information for attenuation correction in PET. Though motion, for example induced by respiration, can cause inaccurate attenuation correction. The implementation of time-resolved imaging methods for both modalities (4D-PET/4D-CT) enables not only the resolution of motion but also the reduction of artifacts caused by attenuation correction. Therefore, the single datasets of the 4D-PET that are related to a individual respiratory phase, are attenuation corrected with the corresponding dataset of the 4D-CT. This phase correlated attenuation correction of the 4D-PET with the 4D-CT was implemented at the PET/CT installed at the Universitätsklinikum Dresden. For that purpose the acquisition of 4D-CT was implemented at the PET/CT and its synchronisation with the 4D-PET was verified. Furthermore the new attenuation correction method was compared with other attenuation correction methods by performing phantom experiments. Therefore an exisisting respiratory phantom had to be modified to perform typical lung tumor motion in two dimensions with two possible patterns of respiration. The phase correlated attenuation correction leads to a quantitatively correct restauration of the activity volume, its total activity and its motion amplitude. Compared with other correction methods, the phase correlated attenuation correction shows the best results in all examined criteria. This findings suggest that the clinical application of the phase correlated attenuation correction will also lead to a significant improvement in all mentioned points. This has to be verified by analyzing patient data.

Cette thèse s’inscrit dans le cadre de la préparation de la mission spatiale franco­-chinoise SVOM (Space Variable Object Monitor) opérationnelle à l’horizon 2021 et qui aura pour but de détecter et caractériser les sursauts gamma. La première partie de la thèse consiste au développement d’un logiciel de simulation de COLIBRI (Catching OpticaL and Infrared BRight transIents), un télescope de suivi au sol de SVOM. Il comporte un simulateur de sursauts gamma, un exposure time calculator, un simulateur d'image, un algorithme estimant le redshift photométrique. Il a permis d'une part d’estimer les performances scientifiques du télescope afin de s'assurer qu'elles satisfont le cahier des charges, et d'autre part d'estimer une précision sur l'estimation de la distance du sursaut de l'ordre de 10% et 15% sur le redshift pour les sursauts à 3.5 < z < 8 et z > 8. La deuxième partie de la thèse porte sur l’étude de la propriété des poussières au sein des galaxies dans lesquelles se produisent ces sursauts gamma, mais aussi à l’étude de leur activité de formation stellaire. J'ai comparé les courbes d'extinction mesurées sur la ligne de visée de 7 GRBs à la courbe d'atténuation de leurs galaxies à l'aide d'un code de SED fitting, CIGALE. En comparant à un code de transfert radiatif on obtient des informations sur la distribution étoiles / poussière au sein de ces galaxies. Sur un échantillon élargi, on montre que les courbes d'atténuation pentues (plates) corrèlent avec des galaxies avec une faible (grande) atténuation due à la poussière, les moins (plus) activent en formation stellaire et les moins (plus) massives / This thesis lies within the framework of the sino-french SVOM (Space Variable Object Monitor) mission to be launched in 2021 whose objective is the detection and characterisation of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs). The first part consists in the development of an end-to-end software for COLIBRI (Catching OpticaL and Infrared BRight transIents), a SVOM ground follow-up telescope. It consists in a GRB simulator, an Exposure Time Calculator, an image simulator and a photometric redshift algorithm. It allowed to estimate the telescope scientific performances to ensure that the optical design was fulfilling the scientific requirements. The relative accuracy on the photometric redshift delivered by COLIBRI is estimated to be about 10% and 15% for GRBs at 3.5 < z < 8 et z > 8. The second part of the thesis deals mainly with the study of dust properties in GRB host galaxies, but also with the star formation activity in these galaxies. We compare extinction curves measured along the GRB line of sight for 7 GRBs to the attenuation curve of their host galaxies measured with CIGALE, a SED fitting code. By comparing these curves to the results of a radiative transfer code, we obtain information about the geometrical distribution of dust and stars in these galaxies. On a larger sample of 23 galaxies, we show that the steepest (flattest) attenuation curves are associated to galaxies with a large (small) amount of dust attenuation, less (more) active in star formation and less (more) massive galaxies

In a collaboration with limnologists at Uppsala University a planar HPGe detector has been used to find 210Pb in lake bottom sediment in hopes of getting an estimation for the sedimentation rate. Using a least squares fit to the data, the sedimentation rate was calculated to 0.08 ± 0.01 cm/year with background subtraction, and with it a timescale for the age of the sediment could be implemented. With this timescale the lake bottom sediment can be dated as far back as a century. Along with this, using 137Cs traces from the Chernobyl disaster of 1986 a consistency check can be made for our timescale. It is estimated that the Chernobyl disaster occurred at 1989 ± 7 years which is consistent with reality since 1986 is included in the interval 1982-1989. This helps us validate the determined sedimentation rates.

Impacts from mining waste deposits on groundwater resources have been recognized invarious parts of the world; though varied in scale depending on the composition of mineralsbeing mined, the level of technology employed and environmental commitment of thedevelopers. Mining activities usually involve milling, concentrating, and processing of oreswhich will result in a huge amount of waste, called tailings, usually deposited inimpoundments as a slurry, composed of fine grained geological material (uneconomicalminerals), chemicals utilized in the processs, and water. Oxidation of these deposits, usuallycontaining sulphide minerals, may result in generation of an acidic, metal laden leachate,callled Acid Mine Drainage (AMD), which may have a devastating impact on thesurrounding groundwater resources. In this study, the stochastic LaSAR-PHREEQC reactive transport modeling approach is usedin order to evaluate the coupled effect of geochemical reactions and physical heterogeneity ofthe subsurface in the breakthrough of acidity and metal downstream of the source while theAMD transported in the water saturated zone of an impoundment. The tailings depositcalled Impoundment 1 at the Kristineberg mining site at the Skellefteå field, in northernSweden, is used as a case study to simulate pH buffering processes and attenuation of Zn.The objectives of the study are 1) to evaluate the relevance of different possible geochemicalprocesses in pH buffering and Zn attenuation; 2) to evaluate the effect of spatial variability ofthe physical processes of the groundwater system on the breakthrough of contaminants; and3) to evaluate the effect of the location and distribution of the source zone in terms of thedistance from the impoundment boundary. Simulation results of the presented model revealed that pH buffering from calcite andchlorite are important processes capable of counteracting the acidification from AMD.Dissolution of secondary Al(OH)3(s) is another important process capable of buffering pH.Precipitation of smithsonite, ZnCO3, is an important process for attenuation of Zn2+.Moreover, sorption of Zn2+ on ferric iron surfaces is found to be an important process forattenuation of the metal, depending on the available sorption surface sites. Flow variabilityhighly affects the breakthrough of the contaminants such that with increasing subsurfaceheterogeneity, earlier breakthrough of contaminants occurs. Moreover, increased variabilityresults in decreased peak loads, but longer duration of the load. / www.ima.kth.se

In the manufacturing process of mineral wool insulation plates, defects arise, such as unmelted base minerals and uncured binder which gets embedded within the plates. To be able to sort out these defective plates from a manufacturing line, a reliable quality assessment is needed. The aim is to find an ultrasonic non-destructive testing method that can identify the embedded defects. This was achieved through experiments on defective insulation plates using three different ultrasonic non-destructive testing methods that were of interest. These methods were higher harmonics, pulse-echo and through transmission. Of these three, the through transmission method showed the most promising results in finding the defects that were sought after. The through transmission method utilizes two aligned transducers, one acting as a transmitter and one as a receiver. When the defective area passes through the sound beam between the transducers the intensity of the beam drops, indicating that a defect is present. The weakened intensity is due to the signal attenuation, mainly caused by the higher density of the defects compared to the base material in the surrounding insulation plate. The method is well suited for being implemented in a production line since it’s a fast method and, therefore, suited for moving objects. More measurements are needed to establish a reliable reference value to consistently distinguish the defects from the surrounding plate. The method was only evaluated in a small scale experimental environment so further experiments on a larger scale are needed to mimic and evaluate the reliability in the real case scenario of the production lines. / I tillverkningsprocessen av isolerskivor i stenull uppstår inneboende defekter i isolerskivorna, dessa defekter består av osmälta basmineraler och ohärdat bindemedel. För att kunna sortera bort dessa skadade skivor från tillverkningslinjen behövs en pålitlig metod för kvalitetsbedömning. Avsikten med det här arbetet är att hitta en oförstörande provningsmetod baserad på ultraljud som kan identifiera de inneboende defekterna. Detta genomfördes genom experiment på defekta isolerskivor med tre olika oförstörande provningsmetoder baserade på ultraljud. Dessa metoderna var, higher harmonics, pitch-echo och through transmission. Through transmission visade lovande resultat i att identifiera de båda typerna av skador. Metoden är baserad på att en sändare sänder ut ultraljud till en mottagare placerad i linje med sändaren. När ett defekt område passerar ultraljudsvågen mellan sändaren och mottagaren försvagas intensiteten av signalen. Försvagningen av signalen beror mestadels på att densiteten är högre hos defekterna än hos basmaterialet i isolerskivan. Denna försvagning indikerar att en defekt befinner sig i mätområdet. Metoden är väl implementerbar i en tillverkningslinje, då det är en snabb metod vilket den behöver vara då objektet är i rörelse. Mer mätningar behövs för att fastställa ett pålitligt referensvärde för att konsekvent kunna sortera ut de defekta isolerskivorna. Metoden är endast utvärderad i en småskalig laborationsmiljö och det behövs fler tester i en större skala undersöka pålitligheten i det verkliga scenariot med tillverkningslinjen.

Contexte: Les limites du traitement chirurgical des tumeurs du foie sont définies par la réserve hépatique fonctionnelle qui est déterminée par le volume et la qualité du foie non tumoral restant. L’hépatopathie sous-jacente détermine non seulement la place de la chirurgie mais aussi le risque de récidive pour les tumeurs hépatiques primitives. Dans les cas des métastases hépatiques, la chimiothérapie précède très souvent la chirurgie et l’hépatotoxicité de cette chimiothérapie est un risque important des complications post opératoires. Dans le contexte particulier de la transplantation hépatique (TH) pour le carcinome hépatocellulaire (CHC), l’hypertension portale est un risque de progression tumorale pendant la période d’attente et la sortie de la liste. Le foie non tumoral est donc est un facteur important dans la prise en charge des patients avec des tumeurs du foie. FibroScan® qui mesure l'élasticité du foie pourrait être utilisé pour évaluer le foie et prédire les suites post opératoires et la risque de progression de CHC dans la liste de TH. Méthodes: Les patients consécutifs qui ont été programmés pour subir une hépatectomie ou une transplantation ont été inclus dans l'étude après un consentement éclairé. L'élastométrie (LS) et le paramètre d'atténuation contrôlée (CAP) du foie non tumorale ont été estimés en pré opératoire par l’élastographie transitoire avec le dispositif FibroScan® 502 Touch en utilisant des sondes M ou XL. Résultats: Les nomogrammes basés sur LS qui ont été développés et validés dans cette étude ont pu hépatectomie pour les maladies hépatobiliaires. Chez les patients atteints de CHC, LS a joué un rôle plus important car il prédit non seulement les résultats de 90 jours, mais aussi la décompensation hépatique persistante au-delà de la période post-opératoire. En plus, LS ≥30 kPa et CAP <240 dB/m ont été associés à un mauvais pronostic oncologique après l’hépatectomie et peuvent ainsi être un marqueur de substitution pour la nature agressive du CHC. La performance de LS pour diagnostiquer la fibrose hépatique avancée (AUROC: 0.95) et la cirrhose (AUROC: 0.97) a été validée dans cette recherche et CAP a eu une performance satisfaisante pour détecter la stéatose hépatique significatif (AUROC: 0.70). Un modèle à base de LS appelé score HVPG10 a été développé et validé pour diagnostiquer une hypertension portale significative chez les patients atteints d'une maladie chronique du foie. Avec un seuil de 15, le score HVPG10 était précis pour exclure une hypertension portale importante dans >95% des patients et éviter des investigations supplémentaires et inutiles. Conclusion: L'exploration des patients prévus pour l'hépatectomie permet d'prévoir des complications sévères et la mortalité après l’hépatectomie. LS ≥30 kPa élevé est un facteur de risque important la récidive après la résection et de progression de CHC en attente de TH. Par conséquent, TH devrait être le traitement en première intention avec les patients avec LS ≥30 kPa. / Background: The major determinant of the results of surgical resection for liver tumors is the volume and quality of the future liver remnant. The hepatopathy of the non-tumoral liver not only limits the type of surgery but also the risk of recurrence in primary liver tumors. With respect to liver metastasis, pre-operative chemotherapy is the usual treatment strategy and the hepatotoxicity of prolonged chemotherapy is an important risk factor for post-operative morbi-mortality. In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) waiting for liver transplantation (LT), clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) is a risk for tumor progression and dropout of the waiting list for LT. Overall, degree of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension in the non-tumoral liver are important factors in the management of patients with liver tumors as they determine the prognosis of patients after hepatectomy. FibroScan®, which estimate the degree of liver fibrosis and steatosis, could utilized to evaluate the non-tumoral liver and predict the post-operative outcomes and the risk of dropout from the list of LT in HCC patients waiting for LT. Methods: Consecutive patients programmed to undergo hepatectomy or LT were included in the present study prospectively after an informed consent. Liver stiffness (LS) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) were measured pre-operatively by transient elastography using FibroScan® 502 Touch Standard device with M or XL probes. Results: LS-based nomograms that were developed and valided in this study were accurate to predict 90-day severe morbidity and 90-day mortality after hepatectomy for various hepatobiliary diseases. In patients with HCC undergoing hepatectomy, elevated LS ≥22 kPa was a risk factor for persistent hepatic decompensation beyond the 90-day post-operative period. Moreover, LS ≥30 kPa and CAP <240 dB/m were associated with poor oncological outcomes after resection and thus could be a surrogate biomarker of more aggressive HCC. The discriminatory ability of LS to diagnose advanced liver fibrosis (AUROC: 0.95) and cirrhosis (AUROC: 0.97) was validated in the present study. Further, CAP had a satisfactory performance to screen significant hepatic steatosis (S≥2) with AUROC of 0.70. A new LS-based model called HVPG10 score was developed and validated to diagnose CSPH. With a cut-off of 15, it was capable of accurately ruling out CSPH in >95% of the patients with chronic liver disease and would avoid further unnecessary investigations. Conclusion: Pre-operative evaluation of patients with transient elastography would enable surgeons to predict major complications and mortality after hepatectomy with LS-based nomograms. In patients with HCC, LS ≥30 kPa was an important risk factor of incomplete surgical resection, early recurrence after hepatectomy and for tumor progression and dropout while waiting for LT. Therefore, LT must be the primary treatment in HCC patients with LS ≥30 kPa.