Efficacy of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Acute on Chronic Liver Failure: A Systematic Review and Survival Meta-Analysis.

Background: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) mostly occurs when there is an acute insult to the liver in patients with pre-existing liver disease, and it is characterized by a high mortality rate. Various therapeutic approaches have been used thus far, with orthotopic liver transplantation being the only definitive cure. Clinical trials and meta-analyses have investigated the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to mobilize bone marrow-derived stem cells.

Adipopenia in body composition analysis: a promising imaging biomarker and potential predictive factor for patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement.

Objective: Body tissue composition plays a crucial role in the multisystemic processes of advanced liver disease and has been shown to be influenced by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). A differentiated analysis of the various tissue compartments has not been performed until now. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of imaging biomarkers derived from automated body composition analysis (BCA) to predict clinical and functional outcome.

Implications of anaemia and response to anaemia treatment on outcomes in patients with cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: Anaemia is frequently observed in patients with cirrhosis and was identified as a predictor of adverse outcomes, such as increased mortality and occurrence of acute-on-chronic liver failure. To date, the possible effects of iron supplementation on these adverse outcomes are not well described. We therefore aimed to assess the role of iron supplementation in patients with cirrhosis and its capability to improve prognosis.

Fibrosis in Chronic Liver Disease: An Update on Diagnostic and Treatment Modalities.

Fibrosis is a common outcome of most chronic inflammatory diseases, characterized by the accumulation of excessive extracellular matrix components. Individuals with progressive liver fibrosis develop cirrhosis, are at risk of developing liver cancer, and may succumb to liver failure. Although a number of specific therapies for different diseases have been developed and successfully used, for example, direct antiviral agents in treatment for hepatitis C, effective and specific antifibrotic therapies are still not available.

Gfi1b: a key player in the genesis and maintenance of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

Differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells is regulated by a concert of different transcription factors. Disturbed transcription factor function can be the basis of (pre)malignancies such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Growth factor independence 1b (Gfi1b) is a repressing transcription factor regulating quiescence of hematopoietic stem cells and differentiation of erythrocytes and platelets.