Apolipoproteins as predictors of cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Objective: Patients with pancreatic diseases are at increased risk of cardiovascular events. Investigating various apolipoprotein forms as important atherogenesis components may improve cardiovascular risk (CVR) prediction. This study aimed to investigate CVR factors in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

The Use of Handheld Ultrasound Devices - An EFSUMB Position Paper.

The miniaturization of ultrasound equipment in the form of tablet- or smartphone-sized ultrasound equipment is a result of the rapid evolution of technology and handheld ultrasound devices (HHUSD). This position paper of the European Federation of Societies in Ultrasound and Medicine (EFSUMB) assesses the current status of HHUSD in abdominal ultrasound, pediatric ultrasound, targeted echocardiography and heart ultrasound, and we will report position comments on the most common clinical applications. Also included is a SWOT (Strength - Weaknesses - Opportunities - Threats) analysis, the use for handheld devices for medical students, educational & training aspects, documentation, storage and safety considerations.

Reference Values of Certain Serum Indicators of Liver Fibrosis.

Background: Liver fibrosis shows a continuously increasing trend worldwide, due to alcohol abuse, obesity, and, to a lesser extent, chronic hepatitis B and C. Biopsy is still considered the "gold standard" for diagnosis of liver fibrosis. However, it has a number of limitations, such as invasiveness, high cost, need for specialists to conduct and interpret biopsy results, risk of complications, inability to dynamically monitor the pathological process, low patient compliance, and uneven fibrosis distribution.