Multimodal multiphasic pre-operative image-based deep-learning predicts hepatocellular carcinoma outcomes after curative surgery.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence frequently occurs after curative surgery. Histological microvascular-invasion (MVI) predicts recurrence but cannot provide pre-operative prognostication, whereas clinical prediction scores have variable performances.

Methods: Recurr-NET, a multimodal multiphasic residual-network random survival forest deep-learning model incorporating pre-operative CT and clinical parameters, was developed to predict HCC recurrence.

Effect of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease on BNT162b2 immunogenicity against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 omicron variant.

Background And Aim: We aimed to investigate the effect of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) on three-dose BNT162b2 immunogenicity to the omicron variant.

Methods: Adult recipients of three doses of BNT162b2 were prospectively recruited between May and December 2021. The serology of the neutralizing antibody by live virus microneutralization (vMN) to the omicron variant was measured at baseline, day 180, and day 360 after the first dose.

Effects of empagliflozin on liver fat in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease without diabetes mellitus: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background And Aims: We investigated whether empagliflozin reduces hepatic steatosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease without diabetes mellitus.

Approach And Results: This was an investigator-initiated, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial recruiting adult subjects from the community. Eligible subjects without diabetes mellitus (fasting plasma glucose < 7 mmol/L and HbA1c < 6.

Antibiotic Use Prior to COVID-19 Vaccine Is Associated with Higher Risk of COVID-19 and Adverse Outcomes: A Propensity-Scored Matched Territory-Wide Cohort.

Antibiotics may increase the risk of COVID-19 among non-vaccinated subjects via probable gut dysbiosis. We aimed to investigate whether antibiotics also affect the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 vaccine recipients. This was a territory-wide cohort study of 3,821,302 COVID-19 vaccine recipients (aged ≥ 18 years) with ≥2 doses of either BNT162b2 or CoronaVac.

Carvedilol Versus Other Nonselective Beta Blockers for Variceal Bleeding Prophylaxis and Death: A Network Meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: We aimed to perform a network meta-analysis (NWM) to examine comparative effectiveness of non-selective beta blockers (NSBBs) on prophylaxis of gastroesophageal variceal bleeding (GVB) and mortality benefit.

Methods: MEDLINE (OVID) and EMBASE databases were searched for eligible randomized clinical trials (RCTs) from inception to July 3, 2021. Outcomes of interest included primary/secondary prophylaxis of GVB, failure to achieve hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) decremental response, liver-related and all-cause mortality.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation in seronegative occult hepatitis B patient receiving ibrutinib therapy.

Background: Ibrutinib is a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor approved for the treatment for several mature B-cell malignancies. Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a well-described complication in patients with chronic HBV infection or prior HBV exposure undergoing cytotoxic or immunosuppressive chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies. This phenomenon has been frequently reported with rituximab.

Effect of Moderate to Severe Hepatic Steatosis on Vaccine Immunogenicity against Wild-Type and Mutant Virus and COVID-19 Infection among BNT162b2 Recipients.

Background: We aimed to investigate the effect of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on BNT162b2 immunogenicity against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and variants and infection outcome, as data are lacking.

Methods: Recipients of two doses of BNT162b2 were prospectively recruited. Outcomes of interest were seroconversion of neutralizing antibody by live virus microneutralization (vMN) to SARS-CoV-2 strains (wild-type, delta and omicron variants) at day 21, 56 and 180 after first dose.

Association between Recent Usage of Antibiotics and Immunogenicity within Six Months after COVID-19 Vaccination.

Gut microbiota can be associated with COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity. We investigated whether recent antibiotic use influences BNT162b2 vaccine immunogenicity. BNT162b2 recipients from three centers were prospectively recruited.

Effect of moderate-to-severe hepatic steatosis on neutralising antibody response among BNT162b2 and CoronaVac recipients.

Background/aims: Studies of hepatic steatosis (HS) effect on COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity are lacking. We aimed to compare immunogenicity of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac among moderate/severe HS and control subjects.

Methods: Two hundred ninety-five subjects who received BNT162b2 or CoronaVac vaccines from five vaccination centers were categorized into moderate/severe HS (controlled attenuation parameter ≥268 dB/m on transient elastography) (n=74) or control (n=221) groups.

Use of Antibiotics during Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment Is Associated with Lower Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Recent studies suggested that use of antibiotics may interfere with treatment responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We determined whether concurrent use of antibiotics during ICI therapy was associated with adverse outcomes in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: This is a territory-wide retrospective cohort study including all advanced HCC patients who received ICIs (nivolumab, pembrolizumab, or ipilimumab) between January 2014 and December 2019.

Statins associate with better clinical outcomes in chronic hepatitis B patients with HBsAg seroclearance.

Introduction: We aimed to describe long-term clinical outcomes in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients after HBsAg seroclearance, and identify factors that modify disease outcomes.

Methods: CHB patients with HBsAg seroclearance occurring between 1986 and 2017 were recruited. Primary outcome was cirrhosis/hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and secondary outcomes were hepatic decompensation, liver-related death/transplantation, and all-cause mortality.