The efficacy and safety of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: The safety and efficacy of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) remain controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of G-CSF in treating ACLF.

Methods: The estimated pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) assessed the treatment effects of G-CSF.

Development and validation of an image biomarker to identify metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis: MR-MASH score.

Background And Aims: Diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) requires histology. In this study, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) score was developed and validated to identify MASH in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Secondarily, a screening strategy for MASH diagnosis was investigated.

Effects of fecal microbiota transplantation in metabolic syndrome: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: The prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing worldwide, posing serious threats to human health. This study aimed to evaluate the role of FMT in the treatment of obesity and/or metabolic syndrome and its impact on clinically important parameters.

Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to April 31, 2022 and further assessed articles that met the eligibility criteria.

An individual patient data meta-analysis to determine cut-offs for and confounders of NAFLD-fibrosis staging with magnetic resonance elastography.

Background & Aims: We conducted an individual patient data meta-analysis to establish stiffness cut-off values for magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in staging liver fibrosis and to assess potential confounding factors.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature identified studies reporting MRE data in patients with NAFLD. Data were obtained from the corresponding authors.

Efficacy and safety of vedolizumab for inflammatory bowel diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Vedolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits gut-selective α4β7 integrins on the surface of leukocytes, preventing their trafficking into the gastrointestinal tract, and ultimately achieves the effect of suppressing intestinal inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vedolizumab in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods: After a systematic review of relevant studies, the pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the effect.

Liver stiffness accuracy by magnetic resonance elastography in histologically proven non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients: a Spanish cohort.

Objectives: to evaluate the performance of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to stage liver fibrosis in patients with histologically confirmed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to assess the impact of potential confounding factors in MRE diagnostic accuracy. The secondary objective was to compare MRE with other non-invasive methods for staging fibrosis such as transient elastography (TE) and non-invasive scores (APRI and FIB-4).

Methods: sixty-five histologically confirmed NAFLD patients were prospectively enrolled at the Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío (Seville, Spain).

Simple non-invasive scoring systems and histological scores in predicting mortality in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aim: There is debate among the hepatology community regarding the simple non-invasive scoring systems and histological scores (even it was developed for histological classification) in predicting clinical outcomes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to determine whether the presence of simple non-invasive scoring systems and histological scores could predict all-cause mortality, liver-related mortality, and liver disease decompensation (liver failure, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, or decompensated liver disease).

Methods: The pooled hazard ratio of prognostic factors and incidence rate per 1000 person-years in patients with NAFLD was calculated and further adjusted by two different models of handling the duplicated data.

MMP-9, Vertebrobasilar Ectasia and Vertebral Artery Dominance in Vertigo or Dizziness Patients With Vascular Risk Factors.

Although vertebrobasilar ectasia (VBE) is diagnosed with increasing frequency, it is not clear whether this is because of altered hemodynamics caused by the effects of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and/or vertebral artery dominance (VAD). Therefore, we investigate the relationship between plasma levels of MMPs and VBE in patients with vertigo or dizziness who also have vascular risk factors, in order to determine whether high levels of MMPs in VBE are independent of VAD. We prospectively studied 285 patients with vertigo or dizziness and at least one vascular risk factor.

Association between Intracranial Arterial Dolichoectasia and Cerebral Small Vessel Disease and Its Underlying Mechanisms.

Intracranial arterial dolichoectasia (IADE), also known as dilatative arteriopathy of the brain vessels, refers to an increase in the length and diameter of at least one intracranial artery, and accounts for approximately 12% of all patients with stroke. However, the association of IADE with stroke is usually unclear. Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is characterized by pathological changes in the small vessels.

Immunological effect of subunit influenza vaccine entrapped by liposomes.

Objective: To elevate the immunological effect of subunit influenza vaccine in infants and aged people (over 60) using liposomal adjuvant in the context of its relatively low immunity and to investigate the relation between vaccine antigens and liposomal characteristics.

Methods: Several formulations of liposomal subunit influenza vaccine were prepared. Their relevant characteristics were investigated to optimize the preparation method.