Evaluation of fibrosis with noninvasive biochemical tests in chronic viral hepatitis B.

Background And Aim: Early diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) disease are important for the prevention of complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. Liver biopsy is an invasive, complicated, and expensive diagnostic method, which is the gold standard for detecting fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of these tests in predicting liver fibrosis and treatment decision.

Changes in Hepatitis C Awareness in Different Disciplines During COVID-19.

Background: We aimed to determine the awareness of referring hepatitis C virus patients to the relevant departments and the effect of the pandemic period on this subject.

Methods: A total of 65 743 patients with anti-hepatitis C virus requests before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were retrospectively screened. Anti-hepatitis C virus-positive patients were divided into 5 groups according to age distribution.

Treatment of HCV infection with direct-acting antiviral agents. Real life experiences from the Euro-Asian region.

Background/aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a common disease that causes liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and extra hepatic manifestations with high mortality and morbidity rates. This study aimed to present real-life experiences and results of treatment of HCV infection with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) from the Euro-Asian region, including Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1224 patients with chronic HCV infection were treated with DAAs in accordance with the international guidelines for the management of HCV infection.

Prognostic factors in patients with advanced extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A single center experience.

Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC) is an aggressive malignancy causing a lot of fatalities and comorbidities. Endoscopic biliary stenting (EBS) is mostly needed for ECC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic factors for the overall survival (OS) and the factors predicting the patients eligible for chemotherapy after EBS in ECC.

Assessment of histopathological alterations in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection following long-term oral antiviral therapy.

Objectives: To evaluate the histopathological changes in the liver after oral antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: A total of 79 HBeAg-negative and positive patients who had been on lamivudine, entecavir, or tenofovir disoproxil for at least 3 years prior to inclusion were enrolled between March 2015 and 2016, retrospectively. There were 23 patients on lamivudine, 21 patients on entecavir, and 35 on tenofovir.

Anterior Segment Parameters in Patients With Wilson Disease.

Purpose: To investigate anterior segment parameters in patients with Wilson disease (WD).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 22 patients with WD (study group) and 22 healthy subjects (control group) were enrolled. Each participant underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic assessment including best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fundus examination, and intraocular pressure.

Effect of prior hepatitis B virus exposure on long-term risk of liver-related events after liver transplantation.

Objective: To characterize the risk of liver-related events and death in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-exposed liver transplantation (LT) recipients.

Methods: Retrospective review was performed in all adults who underwent LT between January 1995 through December 2010 at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Recipients with graft failure or death within 14 d of LT or missing HBV status were excluded, leaving 575 individuals for analysis.

Study of ideal topical pharyngeal anesthesia in upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.

Background/aims: This study is designed to determine which drug forms provide ideal pharyngeal anesthesia when used during upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy.

Materials And Methods: A total of 180 patients were included in the study. Using the random number table, these patients were divided into three groups.

The radio-protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and thymoquinone in rats exposed to total head irradiation.

Background: Many cancer patients treated with radiotherapy suffer severe side effects during and after their treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of irradiation and the addition of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and thymoquinone (TQ) on the oxidant/antioxidant system in the liver tissue of irradiated rats.

Methods: A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups to test the radioprotective effectiveness of thymoquinone and caffeic acid phenethyl ester administered by intraperitoneal injection.

Drug-induced esophageal ulcers: case series and the review of the literature.

Backgrounds/aims: Drugs can cause several complications in the esophagus and lead to pill esophagitis. In this paper, our purpose is to share our clinical experience in light of the literature and put forward the general characteristics of pill esophagitis.

Materials And Methods: In our clinic, between January 2008 and June 2012, by excluding other factors, 48 patients were included in the study, diagnosed as drug-induced esophagitis with their history, endoscopic view, and histopathologic evaluation.

Lamivudine treatment failure risks in chronic hepatitis B patients with low viral load.

Aim: To analyze the risk factors of lamivudine treatment failure (LTF) for the long-term use in patients with low viral load (LVL).

Material And Methods: In this multicenter study, 548 antiviral naïve noncirrhotic adult patients with LVL (for HBeAg+ patients HBV DNA <10 9 copies/ml and for HBeAg–patients HBV DNA <10 7 copies/ml) were enrolled. As a control group, 46 lamivudine-initiated patients with high viral load (HVL) were included.

Sirolimus based immunosuppression is associated with need for early repeat therapeutic ERCP in liver transplant patients with anastomotic biliary stricture.

Introduction: Sirolimus has inhibitory effects on epithelial healing and cholangiocyte regeneration. In liver transplantation (LT) patients, these effects may be greatest at the biliary anastomosis. We therefore investigated whether sirolimus use is associated with need for early or emergent repeat therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) in LT patients with anastomotic biliary stricture (ABS).

HTK preservative solution is associated with increased biliary complications among patients receiving DCD liver transplants: a single center experience.

Background: This study compares biliary complication rates associated with use of two different preservative solutions, Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate (HTK) and University of Wisconsin (UW), utilized in orthotopic liver transplantation (LT) with donations after cardiac death (DCDs).

Material And Methods: Between 1997-2010, we retrospectively studied 35 LTs performed utilizing DCD donors, preserved either with HTK (n=17) or UW(n=18). Biliary complications were defined by the presence of anastomotic strictures, non-anastomotic strictures, and/or biliary leak on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Long-term efficacy and safety of lamivudine, entecavir, and tenofovir for treatment of hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: Data are limited on the efficacy and safety of tenofovir and entecavir when given for more than 1 year to patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis. We investigated the long-term safety and efficacy of these antiviral drugs in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, with compensated or decompensated cirrhosis, and compared results with those from lamivudine.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of data from 227 adult patients with chronic HBV infection who were diagnosed with cirrhosis, beginning in 2005, at 18 centers throughout Turkey.

A rare case of portal vein gas: accidental hydrogen peroxide ingestion.

Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is a colourless and odourless liquid with oxidant characteristics used for various purposes. Whereas in lower concentrations (3%), H(2)O(2) is used as a disinfectant in home cleaning products and wound care, in higher concentrations (35%) it is used in textile and paper industry as a bleaching agent and is diluted for use in lightening hair dyes. Like other caustic substances, direct injuries may develop if H(2)O(2) is swallowed and systemic air embolisms may occur due to the resultant gaseous oxygen.

Diagnostic accuracy of cascade stomach by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with obscure symptoms: a multi-center prospective trial.

Aim: Cascade stomach (CS) is a deformity of stomach, capable of leading dyspepsia, and its actual incidence is unknown. We investigated its frequency and performed a preliminary study to determine endoscopic diagnostic criteria.

Material And Methods: One thousand four hundred and seventy-five consecutive patients were enrolled to this study.

Effect of providing information to the patient about upper gastrointestinal endoscopy on the patient's perception, compliance and anxiety level associated with the procedure.

Background/aims: Diagnostic tests such as endoscopy are anxiety-provoking. The best intervention to reduce anxiety is to inform the patient about the procedure. Our study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of providing information on the patient's perception of endoscopy, compliance with the procedure and their anxiety level associated with the procedure.

Testing for hepatitis B and C virus infection before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: justification for dedicated endoscope and room for hepatitis patients.

Background/aims: Endoscopic interventions have become a significant tool in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. In order to avoid transmission of associated diseases, cleaning and disinfection/sterilization procedures of endoscopes and accessories are crucial. Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus infections are among the most common viral infections globally and maintain their position as a serious public health problem.

Therapeutic effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis.

Aim: To evaluate the therapeutic role of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in a rat model of cerulean-induced acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods: Seventy male Wistar albino rats were divided into seven groups. Acute edematous pancreatitis was induced by subcutaneous cerulein injection (20 microg/kg) four times at 1-h intervals.

Gastrocolic fistula secondary to gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Gastrocolic fistula secondary to primary gastric lymphoma is a very rare entity. On admission to outpatient clinics, it may be difficult to diagnose gastrocolic fistula, as its clinical symptoms are nonspecific. A 65-year-old man was presented with weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, foul-smelling eructation, and upper abdominal pain for the last 2 months.

Leptin levels in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant ascites.

Aim: To evaluate the role of leptin levels in the differential diagnosis of ascites.

Methods: Ascitic leptin, TNFalpha and serum leptin levels were measured in 77 patients with ascites (35 with malignancies, 30 cirrhosis and 12 tuberculosis). Control serum samples were obtained from 20 healthy subjects.

Listening to Turkish classical music decreases patients' anxiety, pain, dissatisfaction and the dose of sedative and analgesic drugs during colonoscopy: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Aim: To determine whether listening to music decreases the requirement for dosages of sedative drugs, patients' anxiety, pain and dissatisfaction feelings during colonoscopy and makes the procedure more comfortable and acceptable.

Methods: Patients undergoing elective colonoscopy between October 2005 and February 2006 were randomized into either listening to music (Group 1, n = 30) or not listening to music (Group 2, n = 30). Anxiolytic and analgesic drugs (intravenous midazolam and meperidine) were given according to the patients' demand.