Association between PNPLA3[G]/I148M variant, steatosis and fibrosis stage in hepatitis C virus - genetic matters.

There is an established correlation between the PNPLA3 rs738409 C > G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients. However not all data is convergent regarding the exact impact of this SNP on the pattern of disease progression in different clinical settings. In this study, we aimed to further bridge the knowledge gap on this topic by investigating the role of the G allele in promoting steatosis, fibrosis and disease progression in relation to other metabolic and anthropometric host factors.

Point Shear Wave Elastography by Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Quantification in Comparison to Transient Elastography for the Noninvasive Assessment of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis C: A Prospective International Multicenter Study.

Purpose: The aim of the present prospective European multicenter study was to demonstrate the non-inferiority of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) compared to transient elastography (TE) for the assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Materials And Methods: 241 patients with chronic hepatitis C were prospectively enrolled at 7 European study sites and received pSWE, TE and blood tests. Liver biopsy was performed with histological staging by a central pathologist.

Serum homocysteine levels, oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Introduction: Hyperhomocysteinemia is considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Oxidative stress is one of the major pathogenic mechanisms in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis.

Aim: Our study aimed to evaluate serum homocysteine levels and oxidative stress in patients with biopsy-proven non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and possible association with cardiovascular risk measured by carotid artery intima-media thickness (c-IMT).

The influence of aminotransferase levels on liver stiffness assessed by Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography: a retrospective multicentre study.

Background: Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography is a new method for non-invasive evaluation of liver fibrosis.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of elevated alanine aminotransferase levels on liver stiffness assessment by Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography.

Methods: A multicentre retrospective study including 1242 patients with chronic liver disease, who underwent liver biopsy and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse.

Ultrasonographic staging of cutaneous malignant tumors: an ultrasonographic depth index.

The objective of this paper is to assess the role of conventional and high-frequency ultrasound in the evaluation of the depth of cutaneous skin cancer. The study was performed on 46 subjects, divided into 3 categories, according to their skin pathology [basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 18 subjects; superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), 8 subjects; nodular melanoma (NM), 20 subjects]. Conventional and high-frequency ultrasonographic measurements were performed in order to assess the thickness of the tumors and the vascularization degree.