Linking Long ncRNA to the Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, and Prognosis of Esophageal Cancer.

Esophageal cancer is a common and often deadly malignancy, with treatment success depending largely on the stage at the time of diagnosis. Recently, studies have examined the role of non-coding RNAs in esophageal cancer pathogenesis, prognosis and therapy. This perspective specifically examines interactions long non-coding RNAs have with other RNA molecules in various facets of esophageal cancer.

Multicenter analysis of immunosuppressive medications on the risk of malignancy following adult solid organ transplantation.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the risk of maintenance immunosuppression on the post-transplant risk of malignancy across all solid organ transplant types.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study from a multicenter hospital system in the United States. The electronic health record was queried from 2000 to 2021 for cases of solid organ transplant, immunosuppressive medications, and post-transplant malignancy.

Association of elevated serum aminotransferase levels with chronic kidney disease measures: hispanic community health study/study of latinos.

Background: Previous studies have shown an association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), but it is unclear whether the association is independent of metabolic syndrome.

Methods: Data from 13,006 participants aged 18 to 74 years in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) without viral hepatitis, excessive alcohol consumption, or high transferrin saturation levels were analyzed. Suspected NAFLD was defined as presence of sex-specific elevations in serum aminotransferase levels (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 37 U/L or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 40 U/L for men and AST or ALT > 31 U/L for women).

Spotlight on Impactful Research: Relationship Between Relative Skeletal Muscle Mass and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A 7-Year Longitudinal Study.

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Association of HSD17B13 rs72613567:TA with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Hispanics/Latinos.

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) disproportionately affects Hispanic/Latinos and rates of NAFLD vary among Hispanics from different background groups. Genetic variants and continental ancestry contribute to NAFLD disparities among Hispanics. We evaluated two newly identified NAFLD-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms of HSD17B13, rs72613567:TA and rs62305723:A in Hispanics/Latinos.

A North American Expert Opinion Statement on Sarcopenia in Liver Transplantation.

Loss of muscle mass and function, or sarcopenia, is a common feature of cirrhosis and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in this population. Sarcopenia is a main indicator of adverse outcomes in this population, including poor quality of life, hepatic decompensation, mortality in patients with cirrhosis evaluated for liver transplantation (LT), longer hospital and intensive care unit stay, higher incidence of infection following LT, and higher overall health care cost. Although it is clear that muscle mass is an important predictor of LT outcomes, many questions remain, including the best modality for assessing muscle mass, the optimal cut-off values for sarcopenia, the ideal timing and frequency of muscle mass assessment, and how to best incorporate the concept of sarcopenia into clinical decision making.

American Ancestry Is a Risk Factor for Suspected Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Hispanic/Latino Adults.

Background & Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) disproportionally affects Hispanic/Latino populations. However, the magnitude varies among Hispanic/Latino ethnic groups. We investigated the mechanisms of these disparities.

Coagulation in chronic liver disease and the use of prothrombin complex concentrate for an emergent procedure: a case report and review of literature.

Synthetic dysfunction observed in cirrhosis results in altered production of procoagulants and anticoagulants that can lead to both bleeding and thrombotic events, respectively. In patients with decompensated cirrhosis, frequent hospital visits often require bedside procedures such as diagnostic paracenteses, thoracenteses and endoscopy. It can be difficult to determine at what coagulation threshold procedures can safely be performed.

Periodontitis and prevalence of elevated aminotransferases in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) prevalence is greater among Hispanics/Latinos than other racial/ethnic groups and prevalence is further reported to vary among Hispanic/Latino background groups. Experimental animal and human studies demonstrate associations between periodontitis and NAFLD, not yet reported among Hispanics/Latinos. This study examined periodontitis as a novel risk factor that may contribute to the burden of NAFLD among Hispanics/Latinos.

Case Series of 10 Patients with Cirrhosis Undergoing Emergent Repair of Ruptured Umbilical Hernias: Natural History and Predictors of Outcomes.

Objectives: Ascites represents an important event in the natural history of cirrhosis, portending increased 1-year mortality. Umbilical herniation with rupture is an uncommon complication of large-volume ascites that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to describe predictors of outcomes in patients undergoing emergent repair for spontaneous umbilical hernia rupture.

Sarcopenia and liver transplant: The relevance of too little muscle mass.

Loss of muscle mass and function is a common occurrence in both patients with decompensated cirrhosis and those undergoing liver transplantation. Sarcopenia is associated with morbidity and mortality before and after liver transplantation. The ability of skeletal muscle mass to recover after transplant is questionable, and long term adverse events associated with persistent sarcopenia have not been well studied.

Prevalence of suspected nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Hispanic/Latino individuals differs by heritage.

Background & Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was shown to disproportionally affect Hispanic persons. We examined the prevalence of suspected NAFLD in Hispanic/Latino persons with diverse backgrounds.

Methods: We studied the prevalence of suspected NAFLD among 12,133 persons included in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Imaging surveillance and multidisciplinary review improves curative therapy access and survival in HCC patients.

Introduction: Imaging surveillance and multidisciplinary conference (MDC) review can potentially improve survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by increasing access to liver transplantation. Geographic disparities in donor organ availability may reduce this benefit. This study evaluated the impact of HCC surveillance on use of curative therapies and survival in a region with long transplant waiting times.

Development and initial psychometric evaluation of the hepatitis C virus-patient-reported outcomes (HCV-PRO) instrument.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important public health issue owing to its worldwide prevalence and its profound effects on patients' well-being and function. We developed a new patient self-report tool, the HCV patient-reported outcomes (HCV-PRO) instrument, to assess patients' function and well-being reflecting both HCV disease and treatment burdens.

Methods: Items were developed through a qualitative phase including scientific literature review, expert appraisal, and semi-structured patient interviews.

Physical activity and metabolic syndrome in liver transplant recipients.

There is a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in liver transplant recipients, a population that tends to be physically inactive. The aim of this study was to characterize physical activity and evaluate the relationship between physical activity and metabolic syndrome after liver transplantation. A cross-sectional analysis was performed in patients more than 3 months after transplantation.

Recurrent hepatitis C virus after transplant and the importance of plasma cells on biopsy.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States. It recurs universally after transplant but the rate of fibrosis and the development of graft failure is variable. Different donor and recipient features have been demonstrated to impact fibrosis.

Prognostic capability of different liver disease scoring systems for prediction of early mortality after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation.

Purpose: To compare the performance of various liver disease scoring systems in predicting early mortality after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation.

Materials And Methods: In this single-institution retrospective study, eight scoring systems were used to grade liver disease in 211 patients (male-to-female ratio = 131:80; mean age, 54 y) before TIPS creation from 1999-2011. Scoring systems included bilirubin level, Child-Pugh (CP) score, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease sodium (MELD-Na) score, Emory score, prognostic index (PI), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) 2 score, and Bonn TIPS early mortality (BOTEM) score.

Metabolic syndrome after liver transplantation: preventable illness or common consequence?

The metabolic syndrome is common after liver transplant being present in approximately half of recipients. It has been associated with adverse outcomes such as progression of hepatitis C and major vascular events. As the United States population ages and the rate of obesity increases, prevention of the metabolic syndrome in the post-transplant population deserves special consideration.

TIPS for treatment of variceal hemorrhage: clinical outcomes in 128 patients at a single institution over a 12-year period.

Purpose: To assess clinical outcomes of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) treatment of variceal hemorrhage.

Materials And Methods: A total of 128 patients (82 men and 46 women; mean age, 52 y) with liver cirrhosis and refractory variceal hemorrhage underwent TIPS creation from 1998 to 2010. Mean Child-Pugh and Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores were 9 and 18, respectively.

Rebleeding rates following TIPS for variceal hemorrhage in the Viatorr era: TIPS alone versus TIPS with variceal embolization.

Purpose: To compare rebleeding rates following treatment of variceal hemorrhage with TIPS alone versus TIPS with variceal embolization in the covered stent-graft era.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 52 patients (M:F 29:23, median age 52 years) with hepatic cirrhosis and variceal hemorrhage underwent TIPS insertion between 2003 and 2008. Median Child-Pugh and MELD scores were 8.