Unraveling the Association of Liver Steatosis and Fibrosis with Vitamin B12: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: There are conflicting studies reporting both an increase and a decrease in vitamin B12 (VB12) levels in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we aimed to dissect the effects of steatosis and fibrosis on VB12.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including all patients with a vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) performed at the Hospital Miguel Servet (Zaragoza, Spain) between 2019 and 2022 for a chronic liver disease and having a recent blood test for VB12 levels.

MASLD-Related Hepatocarcinoma: Special Features and Challenges.

Metabolic-associated steatohepatitis liver disease (MASLD) currently impacts a quarter of the global population, and its incidence is expected to increase in the future. As a result, hepatocellular carcinoma associated with MASLD is also on the rise. Notably, this carcinoma does not always develop alongside liver cirrhosis, often leading to a more advanced stage at diagnosis.

HIV infection is associated with a less aggressive phenotype of inflammatory bowel disease. A multicenter study of the ENEIDA registry.

Background: The coexistence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is uncommon. Data on the impact of HIV on IBD course and its management is scarce.

Aim: To describe the IBD phenotype, therapeutic requirements and prevalence of opportunistic infections (OI) in IBD patients with a coexistent HIV infection.

Lipid Profile and Cardiovascular Risk Modification after Hepatitis C Virus Eradication.

The eradication of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has revolutionized the hepatology paradigm, halting the progression of advanced liver disease in patients with chronic infection and reducing the risk of hepatocarcinoma. In addition, treatment with direct-acting antivirals can reverse the lipid and carbohydrate abnormalities described in HCV patients. Although HCV eradication may reduce the overall risk of vascular events, it is uncertain whether altered lipid profiles increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease in certain patients.

Impact of mesalazine on the response to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Results of a prospective multicentre study of GETECCU (VACOVEII study).

Objective: The recommendations of the Spanish Ministry of Health on vaccination in risk groups include mesalazine among the treatments with a possible negative effect on its effectiveness. However, this is not the recommendation of most experts. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of mesalazine on the humoral response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Screening and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with advanced fibrosis after hepatitis C virus eradication.

Introduction: the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after eradication of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is highly variable in patients with advanced fibrosis (F3). Long-term surveillance for HCC after sustained virological response (SVR) is controversial in these patients. The objective of this study was to describe the post-SVR follow-up in clinical practice in patients with F3 and determine the predictive factors for the development of HCC.

A booster dose of SARS-COV-2 vaccine improves suboptimal seroconversion rates in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Results of a prospective multicenter study of GETECCU (VACOVEII study).

Background: The response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination decreases in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, specially under anti-TNF treatment. However, data on medium-term effectiveness are limited, specially using new recommended seroconversion rate (>260BAU/mL). Our aim was to evaluate the 6-month>260 BAU-seroconversion rate after full vaccination and after booster-dose.

Liver Disease Undernutrition Screening Tool Questionnaire Predicts Decompensation and Mortality in Cirrhotic Outpatients with Portal Hypertension.

Background: Numerous scores are designed to predict outcomes of patients with liver cirrhosis. Our study aimed to evaluate the ability of the Liver Disease Undernutrition Screening Tool (LDUST) in predicting mortality and decompensation in outpatients with clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). We hypothesized that LDUST could help identify patients in need of nutritional supplementation and intervention.

Evaluation and Management of Nutritional Consequences of Chronic Liver Diseases.

Liver diseases are the major predisposing conditions for the development of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty. Recently, the mechanism of the onset of these complications has been better established. Regardless of the etiology of the underlying liver disease, the clinical manifestations are common.

HLA-DQA1*05 Was Not Associated With Primary Nonresponse or Loss of Response to First Anti-TNF in Real-World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients.

Background: We lack predictors of response to biologics in the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A recent study has shown a significant association between HLA-DQA1*05 carriers and the development of loss of response to anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) mediated by immunogenicity.

Methods: Retrospective single-center cohort study including IBD patients who had received anti-TNF therapy as a first biologic and whose HLA-DQA1*05 had been determined.

Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving direct-acting antivirals.

Background & Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) interferes with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism causing cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance (IR). Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are highly effective for the eradication of HCV, with positive effects on metabolic health although paradoxically associated with increased total and LDL-cholesterol. The aims of this study were 1) to characterize dyslipidemia (lipoprotein content, number, and size) in naive HCV-infected individuals and 2) to evaluate the longitudinal association of metabolic changes and lipoparticle characteristics after DAA therapy.

Role of Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Their Derivative β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate in Liver Cirrhosis.

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) supplementation is used to promote protein synthesis in different clinical conditions in which proteolysis is increased. In addition, lower plasma BCAA levels have been related to an increased risk of hepatic encephalopathy in liver cirrhosis. In this article we will review the role of supplementation with BCAAs and BCAA derivative β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) in liver cirrhosis, focusing on nutritional and clinical effects.

Diagnosis of Malnutrition According to GLIM Criteria Predicts Complications and 6-Month Survival in Cancer Outpatients.

Background and Aims: Malnutrition is a condition that has a great impact on oncology patients. Poor nutritional status is often associated with increased morbidity and mortality, increased toxicity, and reduced tolerance to chemotherapy, among other complications. The recently developed GLIM criteria for malnutrition aim to homogenize its diagnosis, considering the baseline disease status.

Aggressive or Moderate Fluid Resuscitation in Acute Pancreatitis.

Background: Early aggressive hydration is widely recommended for the management of acute pancreatitis, but evidence for this practice is limited.

Methods: At 18 centers, we randomly assigned patients who presented with acute pancreatitis to receive goal-directed aggressive or moderate resuscitation with lactated Ringer's solution. Aggressive fluid resuscitation consisted of a bolus of 20 ml per kilogram of body weight, followed by 3 ml per kilogram per hour.

Ustekinumab and vedolizumab for the prevention of postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease: Results from the ENEIDA registry.

Background: Anti-TNF agents are the only effective biological agents for the prevention of postoperative recurrence (POR) in Crohn's disease (CD). However, they are contraindicated or have been shown to fail in some patients. Although ustekinumab and vedolizumab were licensed for CD some years ago, data in this setting are scarce.

Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab in Elderly Patients with Crohn's Disease: Real World Evidence From the ENEIDA Registry.

Background And Aims: Clinical trials and real-life studies with ustekinumab in Crohn's disease [CD] have revealed a good efficacy and safety profile. However, these data are scarcely available in elderly patients. Therefore, we aim to assess the effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in elderly patients with CD.

Evaluation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors after Hepatitis C Virus Eradication with Direct-Acting Antivirals in a Cohort of Treatment-Naïve Patients without History of Cardiovascular Disease.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) produces changes at multiple levels in host metabolism, especially in lipid profile and cardio-metabolic risk. It is unclear how HCV eradication by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) modifies those changes.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of DAA treatment on different risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.

Intestinal occlusion due to Burkitt lymphoma: an unusual cause.

We present the case of a 37-year-old Caucasian woman, with no history of interest, who came to the emergency room for an occlusive condition of 24 hours' evolution. The patient reported a weight loss of 12 kg in the last month, as well as the appearance of a lump in the left breast in the last week. A chest-abdominal CT scan revealed multiple solid-appearing nodules in the left breast, a metastatic liver lesion, and a tumor-like mass in the right iliac fossa measuring 90x60 mm.

NSAID-induced ischemic colitis.

We present the case of a 38-year-old man with no previous medical history who went to the emergency department due to abdominal pain and diarrheal stools with blood of 24 hours of evolution. The patient reports consumption of anti-inflammatories the previous days due to back pain.

Age-related mortality in 61,993 confirmed COVID-19 cases over three epidemic waves in Aragon, Spain. Implications for vaccination programmes.

Background: Risk for severe COVID-19 increases with age. Different vaccination strategies are currently being considered, including those aimed at slowing down transmission and those aimed at providing direct protection to those most at risk.

Methods: The objectives of the current study were i) to assess age-related incidence and survival between PCR-diagnosed COVID-19 cases (n = 61,993) in the Autonomous Community of Aragon from March to November 2020, and ii) to characterize age differences regarding the course of the disease in hospitalized patients in a tertiary university hospital.

Impact of Biological Agents on Postsurgical Complications in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multicentre Study of Geteccu.

Background: The impact of biologics on the risk of postoperative complications (PC) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still an ongoing debate. This lack of evidence is more relevant for ustekinumab and vedolizumab.

Aims: To evaluate the impact of biologics on the risk of PC.