Natural History and Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen (HBsAg) Spontaneous Seroclearance in Hepatitis B Virus e-Antigen (HBeAg)-Negative Patients with Inactive Chronic Infection: A Multicenter Regional Study from South Italy.

Spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance has been mainly studied in populations from Asia, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and Polynesia. For the first time, we evaluated the spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance and its possible associated factors and the risk of disease progression in HBeAg-negative patients with inactive infection all coming from the same region in South Italy. In this multicenter retrospective study, 146 patients were selected after 18 months of observation and followed for a median of 82 months (IQR 60-107).

Pneumococcal vaccination status among cirrhotic patients in Italy: a neglected topic.

To date, few reports have evaluated the pneumococcal vaccination status in cirrhotic patients. No data are available for European countries. We have explored this topic and the potential independent predictors motivating lack of vaccination in Italy.

Hepatitis C virus micro-elimination: Where do we stand?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination by 2030, using direct-acting antiviral treatments, has been promoted by the World Health Organization. This achievement is not attainable, however, particularly after the 2020 pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019. Consequently, the more realistic objective of eliminating HCV from population segments for which targeted strategies of prevention and treatment are easily attained has been promoted in Europe, as a valid alternative.

Promoter methylation correlates with reduced NDRG2 expression in advanced colon tumour.

Background: Aberrant DNA methylation of CpG islands of cancer-related genes is among the earliest and most frequent alterations in cancerogenesis and might be of value for either diagnosing cancer or evaluating recurrent disease. This mechanism usually leads to inactivation of tumour-suppressor genes. We have designed the current study to validate our previous microarray data and to identify novel hypermethylated gene promoters.

Aberrant DNA methylation in non-neoplastic gastric mucosa of H. Pylori infected patients and effect of eradication.

Background: Gene promoter methylation is an epigenetic event leading to gene silencing. This mechanism is particularly relevant in cancer since it can interfere with the activity of specific "suppressor" genes.

Aim: To evaluate promoter methylation of CDH1, p16, APC, MLH1, and COX2 in patients with H.

Genotyping of the lactase-phlorizin hydrolase c/t-13910 polymorphism by means of a new rapid denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography-based assay in healthy subjects and colorectal cancer patients.

Adult-type hypolactasia results from the progressive decline of lactase-phlorizin hydrolase activity in enterocytes after weaning. Lactase nonpersistence may determine a primary lactose intolerance with reduced diary product consumption, which is possibly related to an increased risk of colon cancer. Recently, a genetic variant C/T(-13910) upstream of the lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (LCT) gene has been strongly correlated with the lactase persistence/nonpersistence trait in both family and case-control studies.

Lack of association between UGT1A7, UGT1A9, ARP, SPINK1 and CFTR gene polymorphisms and pancreatic cancer in Italian patients.

Aim: To investigate simultaneously UGT1A7, UGT1A9, ARP, SPINK and CFTR genes to verify whether genetic polymorphisms predispose to the development of pancreatic cancer (PC).

Methods: Genomic DNA of 61 pancreatic cancer patients and 105 healthy controls (HC) were analyzed. UGT1A7 genotyping was determined by PCR-RFLP analysis.

Comparison of a monoclonal antigen stool test (Hp StAR) with the 13C-urea breath test in monitoring Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy.

Aim: To evaluate the agreement between a mAb-based stool test (HP StAR) and the urea breath test (UBT) in monitoring (H pylori) infection after eradication therapy.

Methods: Patients with discordant results on UBT and Hp StAR underwent endoscopy with biopsies for rapid urease test, culture, and histology to confirm H pylori status.

Results: Among 250 patients (50+/-14 years), 240 (96.