Use of PNPLA3, TM6SF2, and HSD17B13 for detection of fibrosis in MASLD in the general population.

Background: Genetic testing can be used to evaluate disease risk. We evaluated if the use of three Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), alone or combined into a genetic risk score (GRS), can aid identify significant fibrosis in subjects with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Methods: We assessed three known risk variants: PNPLA3 rs738409, TM6SF2 rs58542926, and HSD17B13 rs72613567.

Patients with autoimmune liver disease have glucose disturbances that mechanistically differ from steatotic liver disease.

Autoimmune liver diseases are associated with an increased risk of diabetes, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the glucose-regulatory disturbances in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH, = 19), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC, = 15), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC, = 6). Healthy individuals ( = 24) and patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, = 18) were included as controls.

Effect of beta-blockers on multiple haemodynamics in cirrhosis: A cross-over study by MR-imaging and hepatic vein catheterization.

Background: Non-selective beta-blockers (NSBB) are widely used in the treatment of patients with cirrhosis. Only about 50% respond with a sufficient reduction in their hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and NSBB may induce detrimental cardiac and renal effects in the presence of severe decompensation. We aimed to assess the effects of NSBB on haemodynamics using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to assess if these haemodynamic changes were related to the disease severity and HVPG response.

Beta-adrenergic blockade in cirrhosis - harmful or helpful?

Introduction: Portal hypertension exacerbates the disease course of cirrhosis and is responsible for major complications, including bleeding from esophageal varices, ascites, and encephalopathy. More than 40 years ago, Lebrec and colleagues introduced beta-blockers to prevent esophageal bleeding. However, evidence now suggests that beta-blockers may cause adverse reactions in patients with advanced cirrhosis.

Cardiovascular Mapping in Cirrhosis From the Compensated Stage to Hepatorenal Syndrome: A Magnetic Resonance Study.

Introduction: Arterial vasodilation and hyperdynamic circulation are considered hallmarks of the pathophysiological mechanisms of decompensation in cirrhosis. However, detailed characterization of peripheral, splanchnic, renal, and cardiac hemodynamic have not previously been published in a spectrum from healthy stage to advanced decompensated liver disease with hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI).

Methods: We included 87 patients with cirrhosis and 27 healthy controls in this prospective cohort study.

Blunted cardiovascular effects of beta-blockers in patients with cirrhosis: Relation to severity?

Aims: Patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension are at high risk of developing complications such as variceal hemorrhage, ascites, and cardiac dysfunction, the latter of which is known as cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Since non-selective beta-blockers (NSBB) may aggravate hemodynamic complications we investigated the effect of real-time propranolol infusion on cardiac function in patients with varying degrees of cirrhosis.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients with Child-Pugh A (n = 17), B (n = 17) and C (n = 4) underwent liver vein catheterization and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

[Far East scarlet-like fever in a Caucasian man with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis bacteriaemia].

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a Gram-negative bacterium causing infection in humans through contaminated water and/or food. The infection commonly occurs as gastroenteritis and fever, abdominal pain due to mesenteric lymphadenitis and diarrhoea. Bacteraemia is rare and is typically seen in immunocompromised patients and occurs with different clinical presentations like Far East scarlet-like fever, splenic abscess, or mimic appendicitis.

Using MR elastography to assess portal hypertension and response to beta-blockers in patients with cirrhosis.

Background: MR elastography can determine organ-related stiffness, which reflects the degree of fibrosis. Liver stiffness increases in cirrhosis, and stiffness increases further post-prandially due to increased portal blood in-flow. Non-selective beta-blockers (NSBB) reduce the portal venous inflow, but their effect on liver and spleen stiffness are disputed.