The Impact of Radiofrequency Ablation on Survival Outcomes and Stent Patency in Patients with Unresectable Cholangiocarcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Endoluminal biliary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been proposed as a palliative treatment for patients with malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) in order to improve stent patency and survival. However, the existing data on patients with inoperable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA) are conflicting. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing RFA plus stenting versus stenting alone in patients with inoperable eCCA.

Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy for Achalasia after Bariatric Surgery: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Achalasia following bariatric surgery is a rare phenomenon with diverse potential physiopathological origins.

Aims: This article aims to explore the hypothetical physiopathological connection between bariatric surgery and the subsequent onset of achalasia.

Material And Methods: A review was conducted to identify studies reporting cases of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) after bariatric procedures and detailing the outcomes in terms of the technical and clinical success.

The Role of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) in Treating Portal Hypertension in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Liver cancer is very frequent, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority of liver cancer cases. Its growing incidence has been greatly affected by the increasing prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The latter is a new epidemic in our era.

Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Cholangiocarcinoma: Current Knowledge and Possible Implications for Therapy.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive neoplasia with an increasing incidence and mortality. It is characterized by a strong desmoplastic stroma surrounding cancer cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the main cell type of CCA stroma and they have an important role in modulating cancer microenvironments.

Serological response after anti-SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine in IBD patients on biological therapy: a monocentric case-control study.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients on biological therapy are receiving vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, it is unclear if IBD therapy could influence the response to this vaccine. In a case-control study, we assessed the antibody profiling after anti-SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine in IBD patients on biological therapy.

Efficacy of a Preparation Based on Calcium Butyrate, , , and Fructooligosaccharides in the Prevention of Relapse in Ulcerative Colitis: A Prospective Observational Study.

Several compounds based on short chain fatty acids and/or probiotics/prebiotics have shown promising results in the therapy of ulcerative colitis (UC), possibly due to its key role in restoring gut homeostasis as well as intestinal barrier integrity. Here, we investigated the efficacy of a patented preparation based on calcium butyrate, , , and fructooligosaccharides (FEEDColon, Princeps, Cuneo, Italy) in maintaining remission and improving subjective symptoms and inflammatory indices in patients with UC receiving 5-ASA therapy. A total of 42 patients were prospectively recruited and randomized in 21 patients receiving combination therapy with mesalamine (5-ASA) plus FEEDColon and 21 patients treated with standard 5-ASA therapy.

The Usefulness of Microencapsulated Sodium Butyrate Add-On Therapy in Maintaining Remission in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: A Prospective Observational Study.

Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid that plays a key role in maintaining gut homeostasis as well as the integrity of the intestinal barrier. In the present study, we investigated the effect of oral microencapsulated sodium butyrate (BLM) administration in maintaining remission and improving residual symptoms and inflammatory markers in a population of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Forty-two patients with UC in clinical remission were enrolled in the study.

Inflammatory bowel disease course in liver transplant versus non-liver transplant patients for primary sclerosing cholangitis: LIVIBD, an IG-IBD study.

Background: Data regarding the effect of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) course are scarce and conflicting.

Aims: To compare the incidence of refractory IBD in two groups (OLT and non-OLT) of patients affected by IBD and PSC.

Methods: An observational, multicentre, cohort retrospective study was conducted by the Italian Group for the study of IBD in Italy.