Global Epidemiology of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease, Liver Cancer, and Alcohol Use Disorder, 2000-2021.

Background/aims: Alcohol represents a leading burden of disease worldwide, including alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD). We aim to assess the global burden of AUD, ALD, and alcohol-attributable primary liver cancer between 2000-2021.

Methods: We registered the global and regional trends of AUD, ALD, and alcohol-related liver cancer using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 Study, the largest and most up-to-date global epidemiology database.

Social, environmental, and developmental factors affect the microbiota of barn owls (Tyto alba) in a cross-fostering experiment.

Background: Species host diverse microbial communities that can impact their digestion and health, which has led to much interest in understanding the factors that influence their microbiota. We studied the developmental, environmental, and social factors that influence the microbiota of nestling barn owls (Tyto alba) through a partial cross-fostering experiment that manipulated the social and nest environment of the nestlings. We then examined the nestling microbiota before and three weeks after the exchange of nestlings between nests, along with the microbiota of the adults at the nest and nestlings in unmanipulated nests.

Quercetin nanocrystal-loaded alginate hydrogel patch for wound healing applications.

Wound healing can often be delayed due to non-favourable physiological conditions. Current treatment strategies have many limitations, and the development of novel therapeutic patches is urgently required. Herein, we have developed a hydrogel-based wound healing patch containing quercetin nanocrystals to enhance quercetin solubility, leading to sustained release and improved bioactivity.

Evaluation of Fluoride and Silver Ion Concentrations in e-Silver Diamine Fluoride and Advantage Arrest: An Ion Chromatography and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer Study.

Aims And Background: Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is characterized by sharp shooting pain due to exposed dentin, and the most common method for treating this pain is the occlusion of the dentinal tubules with the help of desensitizing agents. E-silver diamine fluoride (e-SDF) (Kids-e-Dental, Mumbai, India) is a commercially available 38% SDF solution in the Indian market. Despite the fact that its application for caries prevention has been proven, the fluoride (Fl) and silver (Ag) ion concentrations of e-SDF for use in treating DH have yet to be standardized.

Roles of host and environment in shift of primary anthrax host species in Kruger National Park.

Environmental and climatic factors, as well as host demographics and behaviour, significantly influence the exposure of herbivorous mammalian hosts to pathogens such as Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. Until the early 1990s in Kruger National Park (KNP), kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) was the host species most affected by anthrax, with outbreaks occurring predominantly in the dry season, particularly during drought cycles. However, the most affected host species has shifted to impala (Aepyceros melampus), with more frequent anthrax outbreaks during the wet season.

Metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD): Position statement by an expert panel on alcohol-related liver disease.

In this position statement, we explore the intricate relationship between alcohol intake and metabolic dysfunction in the context of the 2023 nomenclature update for steatotic liver disease (SLD). Recent and lifetime alcohol use should be accurately assessed in all patients with SLD to facilitate classification of alcohol use in grams of alcohol per week. Alcohol biomarkers (i.

Sex Differences in Patient-Reported Outcomes and Perception of Ascites Burden Among Outpatients With Decompensated Cirrhosis and Ascites.

Introduction: Perception of the ascites burden and its effects on quality of life may be different between sexes. This study assessed sex differences in perception of ascites burden and its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with recurrent or refractory ascites.

Methods: The North American Consortium for the Study of End-stage Liver Disease prospectively enrolled outpatients with cirrhosis and large ascites requiring repeat large volume paracenteses.

Comparing microbiological and molecular diagnostic tools for the surveillance of anthrax.

The diagnosis of anthrax, a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis can be complicated by detection of closely related species. Conventional diagnosis of anthrax involves microscopy, culture identification of bacterial colonies and molecular detection. Genetic markers used are often virulence gene targets such as B.

Non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis/idiopathic portal hypertension: APASL recommendations for diagnosis and management.

Since the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) published guidelines on non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis/idiopathic portal hypertension in 2007, there has been a surge in new information, especially with the introduction of the term porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD). Non-cirrhotic intra-hepatic causes of portal hypertension include disorders with a clearly identifiable etiology, such as schistosomiasis, as well as disorders with an unclear etiology such as non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF), also termed idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH). This entity is being increasingly recognized as being associated with systemic disease and drug therapy, especially cancer therapy.

Lupus anticoagulant and valvular cardiac surgery.

Despite its name, lupus anticoagulant (LAC) neither exclusively occurs in lupus nor induces anticoagulation. It is an antiphospholipid antibody found in 2%-4% of the population that promotes clot formation by targeting phospholipid-protein complexes in cell membranes. However, in vitro, LAC exhibits paradoxical effects, prolonging clotting times in phospholipid-dependent assays such as Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT).

Deep infections after low-velocity ballistic tibia fractures are frequently polymicrobial and recalcitrant.

Objectives: To identify risk factors for developing a fracture-related infection in operatively treated ballistic tibia fractures and to report the microbiologic results of intraoperative cultures.

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Level 1 trauma center.

Insomnia in teachers at the time of resumption of in-person instruction at schools amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected people's economies, lifestyles, and physical, emotional, and sleep health. This research aimed to estimate the prevalence of insomnia and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression among teachers with the resumption of in-person instruction at schools following a hiatus after COVID-19 lockdowns in India. We also studied the association of teachers' insomnia with psychological symptoms and demographic variables.

Identification of four novel acute-on-chronic liver failure clusters with distinct clinical trajectories and mortality using machine learning methods.

Background And Aims: Machine learning (ML) can identify the hidden patterns without hypothesis in heterogeneous diseases like acute-on-chronic live failure (ACLF). We employed ML to describe and predict yet unknown clusters in ACLF.

Methods: Clinical data of 1568 patients with ACLF from a tertiary care centre (2015-2023) were subjected to distance-, density- and model-based clustering algorithms.

3HP preventive treatment among children and adolescents with HIV and child household contacts of TB patients.

Introduction: India's National TB Elimination Programme plans to roll out short-course TB preventive therapy (TPT) using 3 months of rifapentine and isoniazid (3HP). Understanding the feasibility and safety of children in programmatic settings is critical for widespread implementation. We present the findings of a targeted scale-up of 3HP among children and adolescents living with HIV (CALHIV) and child household contacts (>2 to <6 years) of pulmonary TB patients (CHHC).

Global prevalence and characteristics of infections and clinical outcomes in hospitalised patients with cirrhosis: a prospective cohort study for the CLEARED Consortium.

Background: Infections have a poor prognosis in inpatients with cirrhosis. We aimed to determine regional variations in infections and their association with clinical outcomes in a global cohort of inpatients with cirrhosis.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study initiated by the CLEARED Consortium, we enrolled adults (aged >18 years) with cirrhosis who were non-electively admitted to 98 hospitals from 26 countries or regions across six continents between Nov 5, 2021, and Dec 10, 2022.