Two-Dimensional and Point Shear-Wave Elastography to Predict Esophageal Varices and Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease.

The non-invasive assessment of disease severity remains pivotal in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) as it has wide implications in predicting liver-related complications or death. Shear-wave elastography (SWE) is an emerging ultrasound-based method to non-invasively measure liver stiffness. The aim of our study was to evaluate two-dimensional (2D) and point (p) SWE to predict the presence of esophageal varices (EV) or clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH).

Pain in Palliative Cancer Patients - Analysis of the German National Palliative Care Registry.

Context: Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life in patients with progressive diseases such as cancer. Effective cancer pain management is a major challenge of palliative treatment. Empirical data on the prevalence of cancer pain, the efficiency of pain treatment and influencing factors are scarce.

Falls and malnutrition are associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with cirrhosis.

Background: Hospitalized patients with end-stage liver disease are at risk of malnutrition, reduced body function, and cognitive impairment due to HE. This combination may have an impact on in-hospital falls and mortality. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with the risk of falls and to analyze the consequences regarding in-hospital mortality.

Advance directives in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease of the upper and lower motoneuron. It is associated with a life expectancy of 2-4 years after diagnosis. Individuals experience paralysis, dysphagia, respiratory failure and loss of communicative function, rendering advance care planning (ACP) critically important.

Terlipressin therapy is associated with increased risk of colonisation with multidrug-resistant bacteria in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Background: Patients with cirrhosis are susceptible to develop bacterial infections that trigger acute decompensation (AD) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Infections with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) are associated with deleterious outcome. MDRO colonisation frequently proceeds MDRO infections and antibiotic therapy has been associated with MDRO colonisation.

The Role of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 Alpha in Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is associated with increased mortality. Specific therapy options are limited. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) has been linked to the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease (CLD), but the role of HIF-1α in ACLF is poorly understood.

[Neuropathic pain as a symptom in autonomic neuropathies and other rare diseases : Small fiber neuropathy: its recognition, diagnosis, and treatment].

Background: Neuropathic pain is difficult to diagnose and treat. Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) flies under the radar of nerve conduction studies.

Objectives: The importance of a structured patient history and physical examination in the context of neuropathic pain is emphasized.

Treating pain in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome : Multidisciplinary management of a multisystemic disease.

Background: The clinical picture of people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) is complex and involves a variety of potential causes of pain. This poses major challenges to patients and healthcare professionals alike in terms of diagnosis and management of the condition.

Objectives: The aim of the article was to provide an overview of the specific pain management needs of patients with EDS and address their background.

Quantitative Structure-Reactivity Relationships for Synthesis Planning: The Benzhydrylium Case.

Selective and feasible reactions are among the top targets in synthesis planning. Mayr's approach to quantifying chemical reactivity has greatly facilitated the planning process, but reactivity parameters for new compounds require time-consuming experiments. In the past decade, data-driven modeling has been gaining momentum in the field, as it shows promise in terms of efficient reactivity prediction.

Disentangling the evolution of electrons and holes in photoexcited ZnO nanoparticles.

The evolution of charge carriers in photoexcited room temperature ZnO nanoparticles in solution is investigated using ultrafast ultraviolet photoluminescence spectroscopy, ultrafast Zn K-edge absorption spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The photoluminescence is excited at 4.66 eV, well above the band edge, and shows that electron cooling in the conduction band and exciton formation occur in <500 fs, in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions.

Adeno-associated viruses for gene therapy - clinical implications and liver-related complications, a guide for hepatologists.

Gene therapy has garnered increasing interest over recent decades. Several therapies employing gene transfer mechanisms have been developed, and, of these, adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have demonstrated viability for use with in vivo gene therapy. Several AAV-based therapeutics have received regulatory approval in the last few years including those for retinal disease, spinal muscular atrophy or aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency.

Prognostic factors for the long term outcome after surgical celiac artery decompression in MALS.

Background: The median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a rare disease caused by compression of the celiac artery (ORPHA: 293208). Surgical treatment of MALS aims to restore normal celiac blood flow by laparoscopic celiac artery decompression. However, surgical success rates vary widely between patients, therefore adequate selection of patients is essential to improve surgical outcome.

Development of Care Pathway for Assessment and Treatment of Fatigue in Palliative Care.

Objectives: Fatigue is a frequent and burdensome symptom in patients with advanced disease in palliative care. However, it is under-assessed and undertreated in clinical practice, even though many treatment options have been identified in systematic reviews. Care pathways with defined and standardised steps have been recommended for effective management in the clinical setting.

Exploring different stakeholders' perspectives on ward rounds in paediatric oncology: a qualitative study.

Rational/aims And Objectives: Ward rounds are a core routine for interprofessional communication and clinical care planning: Health care professionals and patients meet regularly and it encourages patients to actively participate. In paediatric oncology, the long treatment process, the serious diagnosis, and involvement of both patients and their parents in shared-decision-making require specific ward round skills. Despite its high value for patient-centred care, a universal definition of ward round is lacking.