Safety of Anticoagulation When Undergoing Endoscopic Variceal Ligation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: The safety of continuing anticoagulation therapy during endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) remains controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the safety of anticoagulation therapy in EVL.

Methods: We systematically searched four electronic databases from their inception until 1 June 2024, for studies that evaluated anticoagulation use and risk of rebleeding among patients undergoing EVL.

Global epidemiology, natural history, maternal-to-child transmission, and treatment with DAA of pregnant women with HCV: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pregnant women with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represent a special population in which treatment access remains limited despite its increasing prevalence. A reliable estimate of the burden and clinical outcomes of pregnant women with HCV infection is crucial for HCV elimination. We aimed to determine the prevalence, maternal-to-child transmission (MTCT), maternal and fetal complication rates, and direct acting antivirals (DAA) treatment outcomes of chronic HCV infection in pregnant women.

Effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy plus fundoplication versus sleeve gastrectomy alone for treatment of patients with severe obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a widely performed bariatric surgery, but it is associated with an increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) in the long term. The addition of fundoplication to laparoscopic SG may improve lower oesophageal sphincter function and reduce postoperative GERD.

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare the efficacy and safety of SG plus fundoplication (SG + F) versus SG alone for the treatment of patients with severe obesity (≥35 kg/m).

Combination of Fibrosis-4, liver-stiffness measurement, and Fibroscan-AST score to predict liver-related outcomes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Introduction: Noninvasive tests, such as Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), liver-stiffness measurement (LSM) by vibration-controlled transient elastography, and Fibroscan-AST (FAST), are frequently used for risk stratification in NAFLD. The comparative performance of FIB-4 and LSM and FAST to predict clinical outcomes of patients with NAFLD remained unclear. We aim to evaluate the performance of FIB-4, LSM, and FAST scores to predict clinical outcomes in patients with NAFLD.

Acute Myocardial Infarction and Risk of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Review.

Cognitive impairment (CI) shares common cardiovascular risk factors with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and is increasingly prevalent in our ageing population. Whilst AMI is associated with increased rates of CI, CI remains underreported and infrequently identified in patients with AMI. In this review, we discuss the evidence surrounding AMI and its links to dementia and CI, including pathophysiology, risk factors, management and interventions.

Caveolin-1 in vascular health and glaucoma: A critical vascular regulator and potential therapeutic target.

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is an integral scaffolding membrane protein found in most cell types. Cav-1 has been found to contribute significantly to ocular function, with mutations of Cav-1 being associated with a genetic risk of glaucoma development. Raised intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major modifiable risk factor for glaucoma.

Outcomes of Intraoperative Pyloric Drainage on Delayed Gastric Emptying Following Esophagectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Intraoperative pyloric drainage in esophagectomy may reduce delayed gastric emptying (DGE) but is associated with risk of biliary reflux and other complications. Existing evidence is heterogenous. Hence, this meta-analysis aims to compare outcomes of intraoperative pyloric drainage versus no intervention in patients undergoing esophagectomy.

Effectiveness of Sensor-based Rehabilitation in Improving Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: Physical rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is important for long-term functional recovery. Recently, sensor-based home rehabilitation (SHR) has gained prominence as a promising method that allows monitoring and guidance that is both structured and accessible, compared to traditional methods of physical rehabilitation. Despite the advent of wearable sensor systems, there is a paucity of evidence regarding SHR in the current literature.

Efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir with or without ribavirin in hepatitis C genotype 3 compensated cirrhosis: A meta-analysis.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma globally. Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) is an effective pan-genotypic direct-acting antiviral combination for treatment of chronic HCV infection. While the addition of ribavirin (RBV) to SOF/VEL improved sustained virological response (SVR12) in genotype 3 (GT3) decompensated cirrhosis patients, the benefits of RBV in GT3 compensated cirrhosis patients receiving SOF/VEL remains unclear.

Albumin therapy for hepatic encephalopathy: current evidence and controversies.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication that occurs in 16-21% of end-stage cirrhosis patients. Emerging evidence suggests that systemic inflammation and oxidative stress may play a role in the development of HE. Recent understanding on the anti-inflammatory properties of human albumin has led to growing interest of using human albumin for the treatment and prevention of HE among decompensated patients.

Loss of Caveolin-1 Impairs Light Flicker-Induced Neurovascular Coupling at the Optic Nerve Head.

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease, which results in characteristic visual field defects. Intraocular pressure (IOP) remains the main risk factor for this leading cause of blindness. Recent studies suggest that disturbances in neurovascular coupling (NVC) may be associated with glaucoma.

Intragastric Balloon as Bridging Therapy Prior to Bariatric Surgery for Patients with Severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 50 kg/m): a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Bariatric surgery for patients with severe obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 50kg/m) is technically challenging. Intragastric balloon (IGB) has been proposed for weight loss before bariatric surgery to reduce surgical risks but its efficacy remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of IGB as bridging therapy and assess potential complications.

Efficacy and safety of albumin infusion for overt hepatic encephalopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: The efficacy and safety of albumin infusion for treatment and prevention of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) among cirrhosis patients remained controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the benefit of albumin infusion for the treatment and prevention of OHE.

Methods: We performed a systematic search of 4 electronic databases up to 31st January 2021.