Sarcoidosis with esophageal involvement: an uncommon clinical enigma.

We present the case of a 46-year-old male, a former smoker, with a medical history significant for morbid obesity grade III, hypothyroidism, hyperuricemia, and dyslipidemia. Four months ago, he was diagnosed with sarcoidosis involving mediastinal lymph nodes and is currently undergoing treatment with corticosteroids. The patient presented to the emergency department with persistent epigastric and thoracic pain lasting one week, accompanied by dysphagia and odynophagia intermittently.

Changing perspectives: unveiling the risks of ashwagandha-induced hepatotoxicity.

Ashwagandha, an herb popular in Ayurvedic medicine, is renowned for its health-enhancing properties. However, its association with liver damage in recent years has raised significant concerns, necessitating careful assessment and management. This case underscores the dangers of Ashwagandha, particularly for individuals with preexisting liver conditions, where it can lead to life-threatening acute-on-chronic liver failure.

Melatonin controls cell proliferation and modulates mitochondrial physiology in pancreatic stellate cells.

We have investigated the effects of melatonin on major pathways related with cellular proliferation and energetic metabolism in pancreatic stellate cells. In the presence of melatonin (1 mM, 100 µM, 10 µM, or 1 µM), decreases in the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and of p44/42 and an increase in the phosphorylation of p38 were observed. Cell viability dropped in the presence of melatonin.

Green discoloration of the urine following sedation with propofol for colonoscopy.

Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) is the most widely used drug for endoscopic procedures under deep sedation. We present the clinical case of an 83-year-old man who underwent a colonoscopy under sedation with propofol, observing a green discolouration of the urine during the procedure.

Curcumin and curcumoids: hepatoprotection or hepatotoxicity?

Curcumin (Curcuma longa) and curcumin analogues are plant-based drugs used because of their possible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Clinical data on the efficacy of curcumin as a hepatoprotectant are limited, with growing concern for formulations that may potentially increase curcumin hepatotoxicity.

Melatonin Induces Apoptosis and Modulates Cyclin Expression and MAPK Phosphorylation in Pancreatic Stellate Cells Subjected to Hypoxia.

In certain diseases of the pancreas, pancreatic stellate cells form an important part of fibrosis and are critical for the development of cancer cells. A hypoxic condition develops within the tumor, to which pancreatic stellate cells adapt and are able to proliferate. The consequence is the growth of the tumor.

Melatonin Modulates the Antioxidant Defenses and the Expression of Proinflammatory Mediators in Pancreatic Stellate Cells Subjected to Hypoxia.

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) play a major role in the formation of fibrotic tissue in pancreatic tumors. On its side, melatonin is a putative therapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer and inflammation. In this work, the actions of melatonin on PSC subjected to hypoxia were evaluated.

European Registry on Management: Effectiveness of First and Second-Line Treatment in Spain.

The management of infection has to rely on previous local effectiveness due to the geographical variability of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of first and second-line treatment in Spain, where the empirical prescription is recommended. A multicentre prospective non-interventional registry of the clinical practice of European gastroenterologists concerning infection (Hp-EuReg) was developed, including patients from 2013 until June 2019.

European Registry on Helicobacter pylori management: Single-capsule bismuth quadruple therapy is effective in real-world clinical practice.

Background: There has been resurgence in the use of bismuth quadruple therapy (proton pump inhibitor, bismuth, tetracycline and metronidazole) for treating Helicobacter pylori infection thanks to a three-in-one single-capsule formulation.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the single-capsule bismuth quadruple therapy.

Methods: Data were collected in a multicentre, prospective registry of the clinical practice of gastroenterologists on the management of H.

Pancreatic stellate cells exhibit adaptation to oxidative stress evoked by hypoxia.

Background Information: Pancreatic stellate cells play a key role in the fibrosis that develops in diseases such as pancreatic cancer. In the growing tumour, a hypoxia condition develops under which cancer cells are able to proliferate. The growth of fibrotic tissue contributes to hypoxia.

The melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole induces the activation of cellular stress responses and decreases viability of rat pancreatic stellate cells.

In this study, we have examined the effects of luzindole, a melatonin receptor-antagonist, on cultured pancreatic stellate cells. Intracellular free-Ca concentration, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell viability were analyzed. Stimulation of cells with the luzindole (1, 5, 10 and 50 μm) evoked a slow and progressive increase in intracellular free Ca ([Ca ] ) towards a plateau.

Melatonin modulates proliferation of pancreatic stellate cells through caspase-3 activation and changes in cyclin A and D expression.

In this study, the effects of melatonin (1 μM-1 mM) on pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) have been examined. Cell viability and proliferation, caspase-3 activation, and the expression of cyclin A and cyclin D were analyzed. Our results show that melatonin decreased PSC viability in a time- and concentration-dependent manner.

Melatonin modulates red-ox state and decreases viability of rat pancreatic stellate cells.

In this work we have studied the effects of pharmacological concentrations of melatonin (1 µM-1 mM) on pancreatic stellate cells (PSC). Cell viability was analyzed by AlamarBlue test. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was monitored following CM-HDCFDA and MitoSOX Red-derived fluorescence.

Definition of the profiles of hepatitis C virus patients based on the identification of risky practices in Spain.

The absolute number of patients infected with the hepatitis C virus and its prevalence in Spain according to risk practices are not precise. The objective of the study was to estimate the current direct-action antiviral candidates, according to risky practices. The exposed population was determined according to each risky practice and age, based on the data obtained in two epidemiological studies and other bibliographic sources.

The melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole induces Ca mobilization, reactive oxygen species generation and impairs trypsin secretion in mouse pancreatic acinar cells.

Background: In this work we studied the effects of the melatonin receptor-antagonist luzindole (1 μM-50 μM) on isolated mouse pancreatic acinar cells.

Methods: Changes in intracellular free-Ca concentration, reactive oxygen species production and trypsin secretion were analyzed.

Results: Luzindole induced increases in [Ca] that diminished CCK-8 induced Ca mobilization, compared with that observed when CCK-8 was applied alone.

Effectiveness and safety of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir in patients with chronic hepatitis C previously treated with DAAs.

Background & Aims: Around 5% of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents do not achieve sustained virological response (SVR). The currently approved retreatment regimen for prior DAA failure is a combination of sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX), although there is little data on its use in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to analyse the effectiveness and safety of SOF/VEL/VOX in the real-world setting.

Melatonin induces reactive oxygen species generation and changes in glutathione levels and reduces viability in human pancreatic stellate cells.

In this study, the effects of pharmacological concentrations of melatonin (1 μM-1 mM) on human pancreatic stellate cells (HPSCs) have been examined. Cell type-specific markers and expression of melatonin receptors were analyzed by western blot analysis. Changes in intracellular free Ca concentration were followed by fluorimetric analysis of fura-2-loaded cells.

Effectiveness and safety of elbasvir/grazoprevir therapy in patients with chronic HCV infection: Results from the Spanish HEPA-C real-world cohort.

In randomized controlled trials of patients with chronic HCV infection, elbasvir/grazoprevir (EBR/GZR) demonstrated high cure rates and a good safety profile. This study assessed the effectiveness and safety of EBR/GZR, with and without ribavirin, in a real-world HCV patient cohort. HEPA-C is a collaborative, monitored national registry of HCV patients directed by the Spanish Association for the Study of the Liver and the Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Hepatic and Digestive Diseases.

Ebselen impairs cellular oxidative state and induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and activation of crucial mitogen-activated protein kinases in pancreatic tumour AR42J cells.

Ebselen (2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one) is an organoselenium radical scavenger compound, which has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, evidence suggests that this compound could exert deleterious actions on cell physiology. In this study, we have analyzed the effect of ebselen on rat pancreatic AR42J cells.

Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with cirrhosis and predictive value of model for end-stage liver disease: Analysis of data from the Hepa-C registry.

Unlabelled: Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) are highly effective and well tolerated in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection, including those with compensated cirrhosis. However, fewer data are available in patients with more advanced liver disease. Our retrospective, noninterventional, national, multicenter study in patients from the Spanish Hepa-C registry investigated the effectiveness and safety of interferon-free DAA regimens in patients with advanced liver disease, including those with decompensated cirrhosis, in routine practice (all currently approved regimens were registered).

Effectiveness and Safety of Entecavir or Tenofovir in a Spanish Cohort of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients: Validation of the Page-B Score to Predict Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Long-term antiviral therapy has resulted in viral suppression and biochemical response in chronic hepatitis B, although the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma has not been abolished. The Page-B score could be useful to estimate the probability of HCC.

Aims: To analyze the effectiveness and safety of entecavir or tenofovir for more than 4 years and the usefulness of Page-B score in the real-world setting.

Melatonin induces the expression of Nrf2-regulated antioxidant enzymes via PKC and Ca2+ influx activation in mouse pancreatic acinar cells.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor and the antioxidant-responsive element (Nrf2-ARE) signaling pathway in response to melatonin in isolated mouse pancreatic acinar cells. Changes in intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration were followed by fluorimetric analysis of fura-2-loaded cells. The activations of PKC and JNK were measured by Western blot analysis.

Melatonin induces calcium mobilization and influences cell proliferation independently of MT1/MT2 receptor activation in rat pancreatic stellate cells.

Melatonin, the product of the pineal gland, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties in different tissues, in addition to its role as regulator of biological rhythms. In this study, the effects of pharmacological concentrations of melatonin (1 μM-1 mM) on pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) have been examined. Cell viability was studied using AlamarBlue® test.