Metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease: The new nomenclature and its impact.

Background: In 2020, an international expert panel proposed a new definition of fatty liver: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The MAFLD added the criteria for defining metabolic dysfunctions, which are high-risk factors for liver-related and cardiovascular events. Contrary to the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) definition, it allows the coexistence of MAFLD and significant alcohol use in the same patient.

Comparable Outcomes in Early Hepatocellular Carcinomas Treated with Trans-Arterial Chemoembolization and Radiofrequency Ablation.

The guidelines recommend radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for early hepatocellular carcinomas that are less than 3 cm and trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for intermediate-stage tumors. Real-world patient and tumor factors commonly limit strict adherence to the guidelines. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes for TACE and RFA in early HCC.

Echocardiographic assessment of cardiovascular function and clinical outcomes in liver transplant recipients.

Background & Aims: Cardiovascular disease contributes to a high rate of morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation (LT). However, the progression of cardiac function and cardiac remodeling in LT recipients remains poorly understood. This study sought to evaluate the progression of cardiac function and structure in LT recipients and identify independent predictors of prognosis using echocardiography.

Future anti-HDV treatment strategies, including those aimed at HBV functional cure.

HDV is a defective virus that uses the HBV surface antigen to enter hepatocytes. It is associated with an accelerated course of liver fibrosis progression and an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Negative HDV RNA 24 weeks after the end of therapy has been proposed as an endpoint but late relapses make this endpoint suboptimal, hence HBsAg loss appears to be more appropriate.

Acute variceal bleeding portends poor outcomes in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure: a propensity score matched study from the APASL ACLF Research Consortium (AARC).

Background And Aims: Limited data exist regarding outcomes of acute variceal bleeding (AVB) in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), especially in those with hepatic failure. We evaluated the outcomes of AVB in patients with ACLF in a multinational cohort of APASL ACLF Research Consortium (AARC).

Methods: Prospectively maintained data from AARC database on patients with ACLF who developed AVB (ACLF-AVB) was analysed.

APASL-ACLF Research Consortium-Artificial Intelligence (AARC-AI) model precisely predicts outcomes in acute-on-chronic liver failure patients.

Background And Aims: We hypothesized that artificial intelligence (AI) models are more precise than standard models for predicting outcomes in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).

Methods: We recruited ACLF patients between 2009 and 2020 from APASL-ACLF Research Consortium (AARC). Their clinical data, investigations and organ involvement were serially noted for 90-days and utilized for AI modelling.

Endoscopic Bariatric and Metabolic Therapies and Their Effects on Metabolic Syndrome and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs) are procedures that utilize instruments that require flexible endoscopy or placement of devices for inducing weight loss. We perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate four modalities - intragastric balloon (IGB), endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), duodeno-jejunal bypass liner (DJBL), and duodenal mucosa resurfacing (DMR), for their efficacy and safety on weight loss, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and metabolic syndrome.

Methods: Databases MEDLINE PubMed, and EMBASE are searched and relevant publications up to January 26, 2022 are assessed.

A Multiethnic Asian Perspective of Presumed Consent for Organ Donation: A Population-Based Perception Study.

Organ shortage is still a world-wide problem, resulting in long waiting lists for kidney, liver, and heart transplant candidates across many transplant centers globally. This has resulted in the move toward presumed consent to increase deceased organ donation rates. However, there remains a paucity of literature on public attitude and barriers regarding the opt-out system, with existing studies limited to Western nations.

'First week' is the crucial period for deciding living donor liver transplantation in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure.

Background And Aims: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a rapidly progressive illness with high short-term mortality. Timely liver transplant (LT) may improve survival. We evaluated various indices for assessment of the severity of liver failure and their application for eligibility and timing of living donor LT (LDLT).

Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Peptides and Polymers.

As the human cost of the pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still being witnessed worldwide, the development of broad-spectrum antiviral agents against emerging and re-emerging viruses is seen as a necessity to hamper the spread of infections. Various targets during the viral life-cycle can be considered to inhibit viral infection, from viral attachment to viral fusion or replication. Macromolecules represent a particularly attractive class of therapeutics due to their multivalency and versatility.

Impact of COVID-19 on Liver Transplantation in Hong Kong and Singapore: A Modelling Study.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) activities during the COVID-19 pandemic have been curtailed in many countries. The impact of various policies restricting LT on outcomes of potential LT candidates is unclear.

Methods: We studied all patients on the nationwide LT waitlists in Hong Kong and Singapore between January 2016 and May 2020.

An Epidemiological Meta-Analysis on the Worldwide Prevalence, Resistance, and Outcomes of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Cirrhosis.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common and potentially fatal complication of liver cirrhosis. This study aims to analyze the prevalence of SBP among liver cirrhotic patients according to geographical location and income level, and risk factors and outcomes of SBP. A systematic search for articles describing prevalence, risk factors and outcomes of SBP was conducted.

Comparative accuracy of prognostic models for short-term mortality in acute-on-chronic liver failure patients: CAP-ACLF.

Background: Multiple predictive models of mortality exist for acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) patients that often create confusion during decision-making. We studied the natural history and evaluated the performance of prognostic models in ACLF patients.

Methods: Prospectively collected data of ACLF patients from APASL-ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) was analyzed for 30-day outcomes.

Switching to or Add-on Peginterferon in Patients on Nucleos(t)ide Analogues for Chronic Hepatitis B: The SWAP RCT.

Background & Aims: The optimal therapeutic strategy in nucleoside analogue (NA) experienced chronic hepatitis B (CHB) using peginterferon is still unclear; hence we explored a switch to or add-on peginterferon strategy versus continued NA.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of CHB patients on NA >12 months with HBV DNA(-) randomized to switch or add-on peginterferon-alpha2b (1.5 μg/kg/weekly) for 48 weeks versus continuing NA (controls) (allocation 2:2:1; Clinicaltrial.

Poor Outcomes of Cirrhosis due to Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Compared With Hepatitis B After Decompensation With Ascites.

Introduction: Decompensation with ascites portends a poor prognosis in cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis after decompensation with ascites.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the outcomes of patients with NASH and HBV cirrhosis who were admitted to hospital for first-onset ascites from January 1, 2004, to June 30, 2015.

Liver-Derived Cell Transfection Model Efficacy for HBV Genotype B Replication/Transcription Is Determined by Complex Host Transcription Factor Network.

Background: Interaction between host transcription factors (TFs) and the viral genome is fundamental for hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene expression regulation. Additionally, the distinct interaction of the TFs' network with the HBV genome determines the regulatory effect outcome. Hence, different HBV genotypes and their variants may display different viral replication/transcription regulation.

CpG-Adjuvanted Hepatitis B Vaccine (HEPLISAV-B®) Update.

: HEPLISAV-B is a hepatitis B vaccine composed of rHBsAg mixed with a synthetic oligonucleotide containing CpG motifs that stimulate innate immunity through TLR9. This vaccine was recently approved by FDA in view of its superior efficacy.: Published literature on HEPLISAV-B was critically reviewed.

Novel albumin, bilirubin and platelet criteria for the exclusion of high-risk varices in compensated advanced chronic liver disease: A validation study.

Background And Aims: Availability of transient elastography (TE) limits the application of Baveno-VI criteria. In a derivation study, the ABP criteria (Albumin >40 g/l, Bilirubin <22 μmol/l and Platelet >114,000/μl) had been shown to perform well in identifying compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) patients without high-risk varices (HRV). We aim to externally validate this novel ABP criteria for the exclusion of HRVs among cACLD patients.

Analysis and Validation of Human Targets and Treatments Using a Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Immune Humanized Mouse Model.

Background And Aims: Recent development of multiple treatments for human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has allowed for the selection of combination therapy to enhance the effectiveness of monotherapy. Optimal selection of therapies is based on both HCC and its microenvironment. Therefore, it is critical to develop and validate preclinical animal models for testing clinical therapeutic solutions.