Changes in Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient Induced by Physical Exercise in Cirrhosis: Results of a Pilot Randomized Open Clinical Trial.

Objectives: Exercise has been scarcely studied in patients with cirrhosis, and prior evidence showed hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) to be increased in response to exercise. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a supervised physical exercise program (PEP) in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: In an open-label, pilot clinical trial, patients with cirrhosis were randomized to PEP (cycloergometry/kinesiotherapy plus nutritional therapy, n=14) or control (nutritional therapy, n=15); for 14 weeks.

A genetic variant in the interleukin 28B gene as a major predictor for sustained virologic response in chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Background And Aims: The IL28B single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs12979860 is a major predictor of treatment outcomes in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but its distribution widely varies among populations and ethnicities. We undertook this study to investigate the distribution of IL28B SNP rs12979860 in Mexican patients with HCV infection and to assess its usefulness in predicting response to pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin (PegIFN-α/RVB) therapy.

Methods: Three hundred and fifty patients with chronic HCV infection were studied.

Primary prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin in cirrhotic patients with ascites: a randomized, double blind study.

Unlabelled: INTRODUCTION AND AIM. There is scarce information about primary prophylaxis in cirrhotic patients. The aim was to assess the efficacy of ciprofloxacin for primary prophylaxis for bacterial infections in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and ascites.

A 24-week dietary and physical activity lifestyle intervention reduces hepatic insulin resistance in the obese with chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: Obesity- and virus-mediated insulin resistance (IR) are associated with adverse hepatic and metabolic outcomes in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). This study evaluates the tolerability and effects of a dietary and physical activity (PA) intervention in obese patients with insulin-resistant CHC.

Methods: Obese patients (body mass index, BMI ≥30 kg/m(2) ) with CHC were recruited prospectively.

Rapid diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis using leukocyte esterase reagent strips in emergency department: uri-quick clini-10SG® vs. Multistix 10SG®.

Background And Aim: Bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is the most frequent infection in patients with cirrhosis causing significant mortality. Delay in SBP diagnosis is a serious problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of Uri-Quick Clini-10SG® vs.

The course of posttransplant hepatitis C infection: comparative impact of donor and recipient source of the favorable IL28B genotype and other variables.

Background And Aims: The IL28B genotype has been linked to sustained virological response (SVR) in hepatitis C virus (HCV). Its role on disease biology and progression is less clear. We characterized the effects of IL28B genotype on HCV recurrence, allograft histology, rate of SVR, and survival after liver transplantation (LT) in HCV.

Incidence and risk factors associated with de novo autoimmune hepatitis after liver transplantation.

Background/aims: De novo autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) describes the development of hepatitis with autoimmune features in liver transplant (LT) patients without prior diagnosis of AIH. We aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for de novo AIH.

Methods: A cohort of 576 patients with LT for aetiologies other than AIH was evaluated.

Systemic lupus erythematosus risk factors for coronary artery calcifications.

Objective: Premature atherosclerosis in patients with SLE is partially explained by traditional risk factors; therefore, we aimed to identify lupus-related risk factors for coronary artery calcifications.

Methods: An inception cohort of 139 lupus patients (93% females) was screened for coronary artery calcifications using Multidetector CT, after 5.1 years of follow-up.

Demographic factors, outcomes, and complications in abdominal contouring surgery after massive weight loss in a developing country.

Few reports about body contouring surgery after massive weight loss (MWL) have been produced in the developing countries. As Mexico is considered a developing country, we performed a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients who underwent this type of surgery to evaluate their demographic characteristics as well as their outcomes and complications. Results from 684 patients with MWL, 69 (10%) had abdominoplasty; the type of abdominoplasty influenced the operative time, bleeding, and complications (P < 0.

Vigorous, but differential mononuclear cell response of cirrhotic patients to bacterial ligands.

Aim: To study the role of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in the pathogenesis of liver injury, specifically the activation of inflammatory mediators.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 20 out-patients were studied, 10 of them with cirrhosis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and exposed to lipopolysaccharide or lipoteichoic acid.

IFN-stimulated gene expression is a useful potential molecular marker of response to antiviral treatment with Peg-IFNα 2b and ribavirin in patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1.

Background And Aims: We undertook this study to determine the baseline gene expression of IFI27, IFIT1, IFI6, ISG15, IRF-1, IRF-3, OAS-2 and CXCL10 and its usefulness as molecular markers of response to antiviral treatment with peg-IFNα 2b/RBV in patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 (HCV-1).

Methods: Gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR in baseline liver biopsies from 42 HCV-1 patients who were treated with Peg-IFNα 2b/RBV for 48 weeks. In addition, we investigated gene expression of these genes in a second liver biopsy obtained 24 weeks post-treatment in sustained viral response (SVR) and relapser patients.

AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) for the noninvasive evaluation of liver fibrosis.

Liver biopsy is the recognized gold standard for liver fibrosis staging. The aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) has been proposed as a noninvasive and readily available tool for the assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). This study aimed to validate, in a Mexican tertiary health care setting, the diagnostic usefulness of APRI in CHC, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).

Intestinal flora, probiotics, and cirrhosis.

Intestinal microflora constitutes a symbiotic ecosystem in permanent equilibrium, composed mainly of anaerobic bacteria. However, such equilibrium may be altered by daily conditions as drug use or pathologies interfering with intestinal physiology, generating an unfavorable environment for the organism. Besides, there are factors which may cause alterations in the intestinal wall, creating the conditions for translocation or permeation of substances or bacteria.

Activated protein C resistance and factor V Leiden in Mexico.

A common cause of hereditary thrombophilia is activated protein C resistance (APCR), and most cases result from factor V Leiden mutation. An APCR phenotype without association with factor V Leiden has been described. This transversal, observational, nonrandomized study evaluated these 2 phenomena in healthy indigenous and mestizo Mexican subjects (n = 4345), including 600 Mexican natives.

Oral challenge with a methionine load in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a better test to identify hyperhomocysteinemia.

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease have an increased risk of thrombosis. Hyperhomocysteinemia is one of the factors that have been related to thromboembolic complications. Patients with hyperhomocysteinemia and normal fasting homocysteine levels can be identified with an oral methionine load.

[Recommended endoscopic surveillance of patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a cost-effective strategy?].

Objective: Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) guidelines for the surveillance of Barrett's esophagus (BE) in the context of a Mexican cohort of patients with BE and no dysplasia.

Background: For patients with BE and no dysplasia, the ACG has recommended endoscopic surveillance every three years. The cost-benefit of this strategy has been evaluated in populations with an annual incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) of 1%-5%.

Molgramostim (GM-CSF) associated with antibiotic treatment in nontraumatic abdominal sepsis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Hypothesis: The addition of molgramostim (recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) to antibiotic therapy for nontraumatic and generalized abdominal sepsis is effective and has a significant impact on length of hospitalization, direct medical costs, and mortality.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Background: Electrocardiographic abnormalities may be associated with acute pancreatitis (AP).

Goals: To describe the electrocardiographic disturbances present in patients with AP and to assess differences in electrolyte and pancreatic enzyme levels among patients with and without these abnormalities.

Study: Fifty-one consecutive patients with AP and without preexisting heart disease underwent a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) and a serum electrolyte profile.

In whom, how and how often is surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma cost-effective?

Background: Despite well known worldwide differences in hepatocellular carcinoma incidence, which reflect different risk profiles, current recommendation of surveillance with ultrasound and alpha-fetoprotein twice-a-year has been restricted to cirrhotic patients. To evaluate the generalizability of this recommendation, we reviewed the clinical charts of hepatocellular carcinoma cases in a Mexican scenario. To evaluate efficiency, we performed a literature based cost-effectiveness analysis.

Impact of surgically-induced weight loss on respiratory function: a prospective analysis.

Background: Morbid obesity (MO) causes several degrees of respiratory impairment that may resolve after weight reduction. The aims of the present study were to investigate the frequency of respiratory impairment in a selected cohort of morbidly obese patients with BMI 40-50 kg/m(2) with no respiratory symptoms and to evaluate the impact of surgically-induced weight loss on respiratory function.

Methods: Prospective analysis of respiratory impairment was conducted before surgery and 1 year after surgery in a cohort of patients with MO who underwent vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG).

[Predictors of colectomy in patients with ulcerative colitis. A cohort analysis of 184 cases].

Background: At the present time procto-colectomy is the only potentially curative therapeutic measure for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Due to its morbidity and mortality, several prognostic indexes have been proposed to identify subjects in whom surgery could be beneficial. However, they have limited availability or they are very cumbersome for the individual patient.

Interleukin 8 response and oxidative stress in HepG2 cells treated with ethanol, acetaldehyde or lipopolysaccharide.

The aim of this work was to study the induction and secretion of interleukin 8 (IL-8) and some oxidative stress parameters after ethanol (EtOH), acetaldehyde (Ac) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment on HepG2 cells. Cells were treated with 50 mM EtOH, 175 &mgr;M Ac or 1 &mgr;g/ml of LPS. IL-8 induction and secretion were determined in the presence of the toxics, and the effect of antioxidants N-acetyl-L-cysteine and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-thiourea was evaluated.

[Hepatitis C: risk factors].

Risk factors associated to at least 50% of hepatitis C cases are blood transfusion and injection-drug use. Less important factors are high-risk sexual behavior, job appointment in a healthcare setting and hemodialysis. Intra-familial and perinatal transmission are minor contributors to the overall prevalence of infection.