Publications by authors named "Albillos A"

Background And Aims: Quantifying systemic inflammation (SI) in acutely decompensated cirrhosis (ADC) is of major importance because SI is a driver of the most severe forms of ADC, including acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Blood biomarkers of SI already evaluated in ADC failed to appropriately assess SI in ADC. We aimed to investigate whether gene expression related to circulating immune cells could quantify SI in ADC.

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Background & Aims: Systemic inflammation is a driver of decompensation in cirrhosis with unclear relevance in the compensated stage. We evaluated inflammation and bacterial translocation markers in compensated cirrhosis and their dynamics in relation to the first decompensation.

Methods: This study is nested within the PREDESCI trial, which investigated non-selective beta-blockers for preventing decompensation in compensated cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH: hepatic venous pressure gradient ≥10 mmHg).

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Portal hypertension is a hemodynamic abnormality that complicates the course of cirrhosis, as well as other diseases that affect the portal venous circulation. The development of portal hypertension compromises prognosis, especially when it rises above a certain threshold known as clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). In the consensus conference on Portal Hypertension promoted by the Spanish Association for the Study of the Liver and the Hepatic and Digestive diseases area of the Biomedical Research Networking Center (CIBERehd), different aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of portal hypertension caused by cirrhosis or other diseases were discussed.

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Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis(MASH) is commonly seen in biopsy proven steatotic liver disease(SLD). Life-style intervention reaching a weight loss higher than 10% promotes MASH resolution, but this goal is only achieved by a small number of patients. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty(ESG) has recently emerged as a safe and effective option to promote weight loss in obese population.

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In the face of cell damage, cells can initiate a response ranging from survival to death, the balance being crucial for tissue homeostasis and overall health. Cell death, in both accidental and regulated forms, plays a fundamental role in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Among the regulated mechanisms of cell death, ferroptosis has garnered attention for its iron-dependent phospholipid (PL) peroxidation and its implications in aging and age-related disorders, as well as for its therapeutic relevance.

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Article Synopsis
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes chronic conditions like ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), driven by genetic and environmental factors that provoke an immune response against gut bacteria, leading to intestinal inflammation.
  • Current IBD treatments can be invasive and have significant side effects, highlighting the need for alternative approaches that focus on reducing inflammation and restoring gut health.
  • Polyphenols, natural compounds found in plants, show promise in preclinical studies for their antioxidant and immune-modulating effects; however, more human research is needed to address their effectiveness and integration into dietary habits.
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Background And Aims: Inflammatory pouch disorders exhibit a heterogeneous clinical spectrum and therapeutic requirements have not been properly studied.

Methods: This retrospective, multicentre study included ulcerative colitis patients with ileal pouch construction and were later diagnosed with an inflammatory pouch disorder between 1995 and 2020. Classifications, behaviour and therapies applied were recorded and compared in the long-term.

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In patients with malignant distal biliary obstruction, drainage via Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS) is indicated in clinical guidelines following a failed Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). However, current interest lies in evaluating its role as a first-line treatment. Through this letter, we present a case report that represents this clinical scenario, as well as a brief summary of the most recent literature supporting the use of EUS-CDS as a first-line treatment for malignant distal biliary obstruction.

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Portal hypertension is a hemodynamic abnormality that complicates the course of cirrhosis, as well as other diseases that affect the portal venous circulation. The development of portal hypertension compromises prognosis, especially when it rises above a certain threshold known as clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). In the consensus conference on Portal Hypertension promoted by the Spanish Association for the Study of the Liver and the Hepatic and Digestive diseases area of the Biomedical Research Networking Center (CIBERehd), different aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of portal hypertension caused by cirrhosis or other diseases were discussed.

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Article Synopsis
  • Researchers aimed to evaluate spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) as a standalone non-invasive test for clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) and compare it to the existing ANTICIPATE±NASH model.
  • The study involved 407 patients recruited from 16 expert centers in Europe, utilizing various non-invasive tests alongside hepatic venous pressure gradient measurements to assess CSPH probability.
  • The findings indicated the potential for SSM to enhance diagnostic capabilities, as models were created to evaluate its effectiveness and discriminative ability compared to existing methods using binary logistic regression analysis.
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Background & Aims: Whether non-invasive tests (NITs) can accurately select patients with cirrhosis requiring non-selective beta-blockers (NSBBs) for clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) and prevention of decompensation is unclear. Our aim was to test the performance of NIT-based algorithms for CSPH diagnosis using the prospective PREDESCI cohort. We investigated whether a new algorithm combining NITs with endoscopy could improve performance.

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Background & Aims: Fontan-type surgery is a palliative procedure for congenital heart disease with univentricular physiology that may, in the long term, lead to advanced chronic liver disease. Herein, we assessed the accuracy of conventional non-invasive models for assessing liver fibrosis in the context of Fontan circulation and developed a new risk score employing non-invasive tools.

Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted across five European centers and encompassing all consecutive adult patients with Fontan circulation, liver biopsy and non-invasive tests (e.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study aimed to understand the natural history and prognostic factors of porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) by analyzing a large cohort of 587 patients across 27 centers, finding that the majority were asymptomatic at diagnosis, but many experienced complications related to portal hypertension.
  • - Over a median follow-up of 68 months, 8.5% of patients underwent liver transplantation, while 19% died, highlighting significant risks like portal hypertension-related bleeding and ascites, as well as the impact of age and liver function on prognosis.
  • - The findings indicate that the severity of underlying conditions and liver/renal function significantly influence survival chances, leading to the development of a nomogram for more accurate prognosis prediction in
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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how well non-invasive tests (NITs) can diagnose metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and fibrosis in patients over 50 with Type 2 Diabetes and obesity.
  • Out of 124 patients, a significant portion was found to have either early MASH or MASH with significant fibrosis, with the OWLiver Panel accurately classifying 86.1% of cases.
  • Results indicate that the OWLiver Panel is an effective one-step screening tool for identifying MASH in high-risk individuals, outperforming combinations of different NITs.
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Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) refers to the development of a non-malignant obstruction of the portal vein, its branches, its radicles, or a combination. This Review first provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects of PVT, namely the specifics of the portal venous system, the risk factors for PVT, the pathophysiology of portal hypertension in PVT, the interest in non-invasive tests, as well as therapeutic approaches including the effect of treating risk factors for PVT or cause of cirrhosis, anticoagulation, portal vein recanalisation by interventional radiology, and prevention and management of variceal bleeding in patients with PVT. Specific issues are also addressed including portal cholangiopathy, mesenteric ischaemia and intestinal necrosis, quality of life, fertility, contraception and pregnancy, and PVT in children.

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Despite extensive global research into genetic predisposition for severe COVID-19, knowledge on the role of rare host genetic variants and their relation to other risk factors remains limited. Here, 52 genes with prior etiological evidence were sequenced in 1,772 severe COVID-19 cases and 5,347 population-based controls from Spain/Italy. Rare deleterious TLR7 variants were present in 2.

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Background & Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a leading cause of advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). Portal hypertension drives hepatic decompensation and is best diagnosed by hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement. Here, we investigate the prognostic value of HVPG in MASLD-related compensated ACLD (MASLD-cACLD).

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Introduction: population-based screening programs are effective to reduce colorectal cancer-related mortality and incidence. However, given their complex development, sound organization and design do not warrant success. This study provides a strategic analysis of the Spanish programs, as well as recommendations in an attempt to contribute to their optimization.

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Autophagy plays a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and responding to various stress conditions by the degradation of intracellular components. In this narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview of autophagy's cellular and molecular basis, biological significance, pharmacological modulation, and its relevance in lifestyle medicine. We delve into the intricate molecular mechanisms that govern autophagy, including macroautophagy, microautophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy.

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This is the summary report of the 5th Translational Hepatology Meeting, endorsed by the Spanish Association for the Study of the Liver (AEEH) and held in Seville, Spain, in October 2023. The meeting aimed to provide an update on the latest advances in the field of basic and translational hepatology, covering different molecular, cellular, and pathophysiological aspects of the most relevant clinical challenges in liver pathologies. This includes the identification of novel biomarkers and diagnostic tools, the understanding of the relevance of immune response and inflammation in liver diseases, the characterization of current medical approaches to reverse liver diseases, the incorporation of novel molecular insights through omics techniques, or the characterization of the impact of toxic and metabolic insults, as well as other organ crosstalk, in liver pathophysiology.

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Article Synopsis
  • Oxaliplatin (OX) is linked to a condition called porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) in patients with colon cancer, and the study aimed to understand its natural progression and identify risk factors.
  • A multicenter study compared patients with PSVD due to OX treatment to controls without PSVD, looking at various data points and genetic markers.
  • The study found that an increase in spleen diameter was the strongest predictor of PSVD, and patients with low platelet counts a year after treatment faced a higher risk, suggesting they should be monitored for related complications.
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Background: Suboptimal response to ursodeoxycholic acid occurs in 40% of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients, affecting survival. Achieving a deep response (normalisation of alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and bilirubin ≤0.6 upper limit of normal) improves survival.

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Objective: Targeting bacterial translocation in cirrhosis is limited to antibiotics with risk of antimicrobial resistance. This study explored the therapeutic potential of a non-absorbable, gut-restricted, engineered carbon bead adsorbent, Yaq-001 in models of cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and, its safety and tolerability in a clinical trial in cirrhosis.

Design: Performance of Yaq-001 was evaluated .

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Article Synopsis
  • The study focused on patients with MASLD (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease) and aimed to analyze the effects of different biochemical patterns (hepatocellular, mixed, and cholestatic) on liver damage, diagnostic accuracy, and prognosis.* -
  • Results showed that the hepatocellular pattern had higher rates of liver inflammation, while the cholestatic pattern was more associated with cirrhosis; moreover, non-invasive tests were less accurate for detecting fibrosis in the hepatocellular pattern.* -
  • The study highlighted that biochemical patterns largely remained consistent over time, with the cholestatic pattern linked to higher mortality risk, particularly in patients with age, diabetes, and cirrhosis.*
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