Inflammatory capacity of exosomes released in the early stages of acute pancreatitis predicts the severity of the disease.

As acute pancreatitis progresses to the severe form, a life-threatening systemic inflammation is triggered. Although the mechanisms involved in this process are not yet well understood, it has been proposed that circulating exosomes may be involved in the progression of inflammation from the pancreas to distant organs. Here, the inflammatory capacity and protein profile of plasma exosomes obtained during the first 24 h of hospitalization of patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis were characterized and compared with the final severity of the disease.

COVID-19 and liver disease: An update.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has proven to be a serious challenge for the Spanish healthcare system. The impact of the virus on the liver is not well known, but in patients with chronic liver disease, mostly in advanced stages, it can critically compromise survival and trigger decompensation. Treatment in this subpopulation is complex due to the potential hepatotoxicity of some of the medicinal products used.

Clinical validation of Endofaster® for a rapid diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: this study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the Endofaster® for the detection of Helicobacter pylori.

Methods: during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, gastric juice was aspirated to perform an analysis using the Endofaster®. This test was considered as positive when the ammonium concentration was > 67 ppm, negative when < 57 ppm and weakly positive between 57 and 67.

Higher levels of serum uric acid influences hepatic damage in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Background: recent evidence suggests a causal link between serum uric acid and the metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, and renal and cardiac disease. Uric acid is an endogenous danger signal and activator of the inflammasome, and has been independently associated with an increased risk of cirrhosis.

Aim And Methods: six hundred and thirty-four patients from the nation-wide HEPAMET registry with biopsy-proven NAFLD (53% NASH) were analyzed to determine whether hyperuricemia is related with advanced liver damage in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Gut-liver axis, cirrhosis and portal hypertension: the chicken and the egg.

The term gut-liver axis is used to highlight the close anatomical and functional relationship between the intestine and the liver. The intestine has a highly specialized epithelial membrane which regulates transport across the mucosa. Due to dysbiosis, impairment of the intestinal barrier and altered immunity status, bacterial products can reach the liver through the portal vein, where they are recognized by specific receptors, activate the immune system and lead to a proinflammatory response.

[Is it possible to stop treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs in patients with e-antigen negative chronic hepatitis B? Experience and new expectations].

Background: Treatment of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) is usually indefinite, since the loss of HBsAg, as a criterion for its discontinuation, is a rare event. Recent evidence suggests that discontinuing NA therapy may be feasible in selected patients.

Objectives: To analyze the rate of virological relapse in patients with HBeAg-negative CHB who discontinued treatment with NAs.

Gallstone-related disease in the elderly: is there room for improvement?

Background And Aim: Elderly patients are frequently affected by gallstone-related disease. Current guidelines support cholecystectomy after a first acute biliary complication. In the aging, these recommendations are irregularly followed.

[HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B treatment with oral antiviral agents: experience and results in clinical practice].

Introduction: Due to globalization and migratory movements, HBeAg+ chronic hepatitis B is becoming increasingly important in Spain.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological features, progression, and treatment response to oral antiviral agents (OA) in HBeAg+ chronic hepatitis B patients in our area.

Material And Methods: We analyzed 436 patients with chronic hepatitis B infection followed up at the Ramón y Cajal Hospital from 1990 to June 2012.

[Pharmacological treatment of acute hepatitis B].

The incidence of acute B hepatitis is decreasing due to socioeconomical changes and the implementation of vaccination programs. Nevertheless it is potentially severe, causing approximately 30% of acute liver failures in Spain. Pharmacological treatment of acute B hepatitis has become a matter of issue over the last decade.

Gastric polyps: analysis of endoscopic and histological features in our center.

Background And Objective: the prevalence of gastric polyps in esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDs) ranges between 0.33 and 6.35%.