Chronic Viral Hepatitis Signifies the Association of Premixed Insulin Analogues with Liver Cancer Risks: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

This study sought to determine whether chronic hepatitis B or C would modify the association between insulin analogues and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risks. We conducted a nationwide nested case-control study for HCC cases and matched controls from 2003 to 2013 among newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients on any antidiabetic agents in Taiwan before and after exclusion of chronic viral hepatitis, respectively. A total of 5832 and 1237 HCC cases were identified before and after exclusion of chronic viral hepatitis, respectively.

Association of loss of muscle mass with mortality in liver cirrhosis without or before liver transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Liver cirrhosis is a risk factor for the loss of muscle mass, which is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. This meta-analysis aimed to examine whether loss of muscle mass was a predictor of increased mortality in cirrhotic patients without or before liver transplantation.

Methods: Without language restriction, PubMed and Embase were searched for articles published from the earliest records to December 2018 investigating the influence of loss of muscle mass on survival of cirrhotic patients.

Is sarcopenia associated with hepatic encephalopathy in liver cirrhosis? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background/purpose: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a major neuropsychiatric complication in advanced liver disease, is associated with poor prognosis. Sarcopenia, characterized by a decline in muscle mass, strength, and physical performance, is prevalent in liver cirrhosis. This study aims to explore whether sarcopenia is associated with HE in cirrhotic patients.

Association between Loss of Skeletal Muscle Mass and Mortality and Tumor Recurrence in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has multiple prognostic factors, and there is an increase in knowledge about the body composition and physical status of patients with HCC. The present meta-analysis aimed to explore whether loss of skeletal muscle mass is associated with mortality and tumor recurrence in patients with HCC.

Method: A systematic search was conducted for published literature using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus.

Multifeature analysis of an ultrasound quantitative diagnostic index for classifying nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease related to metabolic syndrome. This study applied an integrated analysis based on texture, backscattering, and attenuation features in ultrasound imaging with the aim of assessing the severity of NAFLD. Ultrasound radiofrequency data obtained from 394 clinical cases were analyzed to extract three texture features (autocorrelation, sum average, and sum variance), the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and the slope of the center-frequency downshift (CFDS slope).

Significant reduction in end-stage liver diseases burden through the national viral hepatitis therapy program in Taiwan.

Unlabelled: A national viral hepatitis therapy program was launched in Taiwan in October 2003. This study aimed to assess the impact of the program on reduction of end-stage liver disease (ESLD) burden. Profiles of national registries of households, cancers, and death certificates were used to derive incidence and mortality of ESLDs from 2000 to 2011.

High-dose dual therapy is superior to standard first-line or rescue therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background & Aims: The efficacy of treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection has decreased steadily because of increasing resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin. Resistance to amoxicillin is generally low, and high intragastric pH increases the efficacy of amoxicillin, so we investigated whether a combination of a high-dose proton pump inhibitor and amoxicillin (dual therapy) was more effective than standard first-line or rescue therapies in eradicating H pylori.

Methods: We performed a large-scale multihospital trial to compare the efficacy of a high-dose dual therapy (HDDT) with that of standard therapies in treatment-naive (n = 450) or treatment-experienced (n = 168) patients with H pylori infection.

Carriers of inactive hepatitis B virus are still at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma and liver-related death.

Background & Aims: The risk and the predictors of liver disease progression in carriers of inactive hepatitis B virus (HBV) are unclear.

Methods: Participants in the Risk Evaluation of Viral Load Elevation and Associated Liver Disease/Cancer-Hepatitis B Virus (REVEAL-HBV) study who were seronegative for hepatitis B e antigen; had serum levels of HBV DNA <10,000 copies/mL; and did not have cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, or increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase were classified as carriers of inactive HBV (n = 1932). Study participants who were seronegative for HB surface antigen and antibodies against hepatitis C virus, yet had similar clinical liver features, were the controls (n = 18,137).

Hepatitis B genotypes correlate with tumor recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background And Aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C is associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), compared with genotype B. This study aims to investigate whether HBV genotypes influence the clinicopathologic features and long-term prognosis of patients after curative resection of HCC.

Methods: Stored serum samples from 62 patients with HBV-related HCC were tested for HBV genotype using a molecular method.