Evolution of diagnostic criteria for acute kidney injury in patients with decompensated cirrhosis: A prospective study in a tertiary university hospital.

Background: Recently, changes in acute kidney injury (AKI) diagnostic criteria have been proposed (ICA-AKI criteria). However, in Brazil there is a paucity of data and analyses that evaluate AKI in patients with cirrhosis and determine the impact of the implemented AKI criteria changes. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate the incidence of AKI in patients with cirrhosis; to evaluate the agreement between traditional and ICA-AKI criteria; and to assess its clinical and laboratory characteristics, etiologies, risk factors and outcomes.

Microwave coagulation versus sclerotherapy after band ligation to prevent recurrence of high risk of bleeding esophageal varices in Child-Pugh's A and B patients.

Background: The combination of endoscopic band ligation (EBL) with either endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) or thermal therapy has been shown to reduce recurrence of esophageal varices compared to EBL alone. The aim of this prospective trial was twofold: 1) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of EBL used in association with microwave coagulation (MC), a thermal endoscopic therapy method, for treating esophageal varices and preventing recurrence; and 2) to compare these results to the joint application of EBL and EIS.

Methods: Seventy cirrhotic patients with bleeding esophageal varices were treated with EBL until only thin vessels remained.

Investigation of autonomic function and orocecal transit time in patients with nonalcoholic cirrhosis and the potential influence of these factors on disease outcome.

Background: The presence of autonomic dysfunction in nonalcoholic cirrhosis and its influence on intestinal transit and disease outcome still need clarification.

Goals: To investigate the function of the autonomic nervous system in patients with nonalcoholic cirrhosis and the possible associations among autonomic dysfunction, severity of liver disease, disturbed intestinal transit, and the development of complications during follow-up.

Study: Measurements of heart rate variability obtained by analysis of 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings to assess autonomic function and lactulose breath hydrogen test to determine orocecal transit time were performed in 32 patients with nonalcoholic cirrhosis divided into Child A and B.

Decrease of type IV collagen and TIMP-1 serum levels after splenectomy in patients with schistosomiasis mansoni.

The role of the spleen in the process of liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis still needs clarification. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of splenectomy on serum levels of two markers of fibrosis, type IV collagen and TIMP-1, in patients with schistosomiasis mansoni. Twenty-four patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni participated in the study.

High serum laminin and type IV collagen levels in schistosomiasis mansoni.

Background: Fibrosis is the process of excessive deposition of collagen and other extra cellular matrix components and large amounts of these components have been shown in periovular schistosomal granulomas, especially in the liver. Laminin and type IV collagen have been investigated in various hepatic disorders but their accuracy in fibrosis detection and in the evaluation of its progression in schistosomiasis have not been fully explained.

Aim: To measure the serum levels of two markers of fibrosis, laminin and type IV collagen in schistosomiasis.

One-week dual therapy with ranitidine bismuth citrate and clarithromycin for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in Brazilian patients with peptic ulcer.

Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of ranitidine bismuth citrate plus clarithromycin given for 1 wk in Brazilian patients with peptic ulcer.

Methods: One hundred and twenty patients with peptic ulcer were randomized in two treatment groups: (1) 1-wk regimen consisting of ranitidine bismuth citrate 400 mg b.i.

Orocecal transit time in patients with functional dyspepsia.

Background: The importance of intestinal dysmotility in functional dyspepsia is a controversial issue.

Goals: To investigate the orocecal transit time in patients with functional dyspepsia, as well as a possible association between intestinal transit and the presence of anxiety or Helicobacter pylori infection in these patients.

Study: The participants in this study were 23 patients with dysmotility-like functional dyspepsia and 24 control subjects.

Autonomic function in patients with functional dyspepsia assessed by 24-hour heart rate variability.

The function of the autonomic nervous system was assessed in 23 patients with dysmotility-like functional dyspepsia and 12 healthy volunteers by analysis of 24-hr heart rate variability and a battery of five standardized sympathetic and parasympathetic cardiovascular reflex tests. Measures of heart rate variability were obtained by analysis of ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings using both the time and the frequency domain methods. The values of parameters reflecting vagal activity (HF, rMSSD) were significantly lower in patients with functional dyspepsia.