Non-targeted hepatitis C virus screening in acute care healthcare settings in the Southern Appalachian region.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of non-targeted hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening in emergency departments (EDs) and other healthcare settings in terms of patients identified with HCV infection and linked to HCV care.

Methods: In the Southern Appalachian region of the United States, we developed non-targeted HCV screening and linkage-to-care programs in 10 institutions at different healthcare settings, including EDs, outpatient clinics, and inpatient units. Serum samples were tested for HCV antibodies, and if positive, reflexed to HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) testing as a confirmatory test for active infection.

Outcomes of Young Patients With Alcoholic Cirrhosis After First Hospitalization for Cirrhosis: A Carilion Clinic Experience.

Background  Alcoholic cirrhosis though uncommon in young patients is being reported more frequently and related mortality is also increasing.  Study aim  To evaluate risk factors associated with mortality among young patients (<40 years) with alcoholic cirrhosis and older patients (> 40 years old) after their first hospitalization in a tertiary referral academic center.  Methods Carilion clinic's electronic medical record (EPIC) was queried to identify all alcoholic patients hospitalized for the first time with either a new diagnosis of alcoholic cirrhosis or a prior diagnosis of this from 2008 to 2016 with follow-up through June 2018.

Gender-Specific Risk Factors Contributing to Mortality in Patients Hospitalized With Alcoholic Cirrhosis.

Introduction Identification of gender-specific prognostic factors in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) is integral to understanding disease severity and mortality rates. We gathered data on various widely-used laboratory values and comorbid conditions among male and female patients with ALC after initial hospitalization. These individual risk factors were assessed for their relationship with mortality based on gender.

Assessing Presenting Symptoms, Co-Morbidities, and Risk Factors for Mortality in Underserved Patients With Non-Hereditary Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer.

Background The presenting symptoms and co-morbidities contributing to mortality in young patients (age < 50 years old) with colorectal cancer (CRC) are poorly understood. We reviewed these features in our patient population with non-hereditary early-onset CRC (EO-CRC). Study aim This study aimed to assess characteristics of patients with a diagnosis of non-hereditary EO-CRC, including presenting symptoms and metabolic disorders contributing to mortality in underserved areas of southwest Virginia.

Fecal Lactoferrin and Other Stool Markers during Normal Pregnancy and in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Prospective Study and Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) - both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) - during pregnancy can be challenging since most monitoring tools available in nonpregnant patients are contraindicated.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to test whether fecal inflammatory markers - specifically fecal lactoferrin - physiologically change during normal pregnancy as a prerequisite to use them to monitor IBD activity during pregnancy.

Methods: Fecal lactoferrin was tested in healthy pregnant and nonpregnant women from the same geographic area and age range (18-40 years) - all negative for clinical gastrointestinal tract inflammation.

Usefulness of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a prognostic predictor after treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma." Review article.

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inflammatory marker which has been investigated as a prognostic indicator in post-therapeutic recurrence and survival of patients with HCC. Our aim was to review all studies that assessed the prognostic value of pre-treatment NLR in predicting patient survival, cancer recurrence, and graft survival in patients undergoing various therapies for HCC. We searched the database of PubMed and Google Scholar to review all studies that have the word "NLR" and the word "HCC.

Fecal lactoferrin accurately reflects mucosal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Studies have demonstrated a potential role for fecal biomarkers such as fecal calprotectin (FC) and fecal lactoferrin (FL) in monitoring inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) - Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). However, their correlation to endoscopic scores, disease severity and affected intestinal surface has not been extensively investigated.

Aim: To correlate FL, and for comparison white blood cell (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP), with endoscopic scores, disease extent and location in CD and UC.