Impact of Age and Sex on Viral Load in Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

The determinants of hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral load remain incompletely understood and may differ in females, who are relatively protected from the consequences of HCV infection during their reproductive years. We aimed to evaluate how age affects the relationship between sex and viral load. = 922 patients (males = 497, median age 62 years), all naïve to direct antiviral agents, were studied.

Chronic Hepatitis C Infection Treated with Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents and Occurrence/Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Does It Still Matter?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant risk factor for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Traditionally, the primary prevention strategy for HCV-associated HCC has focused on removing infection through antiviral regimes. Currently, highly effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) offer extraordinary success across all patient categories, including cirrhotics.

Lower Circulating Gas6 Levels Are Associated with Bulbar Phenotype and Faster Disease Progression in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. While the exact cause of ALS is not fully understood, a combination of genetic and environmental factors is believed to contribute to its development. Growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6), a vitamin K-dependent protein, has been recognized to enhance oligodendrocytes and neurons' survival and is associated with different kinds of (neuro)inflammatory conditions.

Delivering adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatments in the early stages of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a formidable challenge in oncology, demanding innovative treatment approaches. Both adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies, thanks to the introduction of immunotherapy, have emerged as promising strategies in the management of HCC, aiming to reduce the risk of relapse and ultimately to improve survival.

Areas Covered: This review considers current evidence, ongoing clinical trials, and future strategies to elucidate the evolving landscape of neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatments in HCC.

Elevated Plasma Levels of Growth Arrest Specific 6 (Gas6) Protein in Severe Obesity: Implications for Adipose Tissue and Inflammation.

BACKGROUND Preliminary data suggest an adipogenic role for growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6), a pleiotropic molecule involved in inflammation, proliferation, and hemostasis through its Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK (TAM) receptors. This study compares Gas6 expression in plasma and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue in 42 adults with obesity (body mass index ≥40 kg/m²) and 32 normal-weight controls to elucidate its role in obesity and related metabolic alterations. MATERIAL AND METHODS Using a case-control design, we measured Gas6 levels in plasma via a validated sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and in adipose tissues through quantitative polymerase chain reactio with specific probes.