Microbiota transplant for hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis: The THEMATIC trial.

Background: Preventing hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in cirrhosis, which is associated with an altered gut-liver-brain axis, is an unmet need. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is beneficial in phase-1 studies, but route and dose-related questions remain.

Methods: We performed a phase-2 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial of capsule and enema FMT in cirrhosis and HE on lactulose and rifaximin.

A Curious Case of Scimitar Syndrome That Defies Embryology.

Scimitar syndrome is a rare condition described by unique anatomic features that consist mainly of an abnormal connection of the right pulmonary veins to the inferior vena cava and right atrial junction, as well as an anomalous systemic arterial supply to the right lung. We present the case of a 60-year-old man with an atypical variant of scimitar syndrome that was embryologically perplexing and anatomically challenging to correct. We highlight key surgical and procedural considerations for a patient with scimitar syndrome presenting with this complex surgical anatomy.

Identifying and treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease among at-risk Veterans.

Objectives: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), an increasing public health concern, remains challenging to diagnose and risk-stratify. We assessed the 1) prevalence of MASLD risk factors among Veterans in Veterans Health Administration (VA) care, 2) factors associated with MASLD diagnosis; and 3) associations between MASLD diagnosis and receipt of care.

Methods: Veterans with MASLD risk factors, including obesity, pre-diabetes, diabetes, or dyslipidemia, were identified using International Classification of Diseases-10 codes and followed in 2019-2022.

Lack of Vertical Transmission of Grapevine Red Blotch Virus by and Sex-Associated Differences in Horizontal Transmission.

Grapevine red blotch is an emerging disease that threatens vineyard productions in North America. Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV, species , genus , family ), the causal agent of red blotch disease, is transmitted by (Hemiptera: Membracidae) in a circulative, non-propagative mode. To gain new insight into GRBV- interactions, we delved into vertical transmission and documented a lack of transovarial transmission.