Antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infection in patients with Child-Pugh A cirrhosis with upper gastrointestinal bleed: an open label randomised controlled trial.

Background And Aims: Although beneficial in reducing the risk of bacterial infections in patients with advanced decompensated cirrhosis after upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed, the utility of prophylactic antibiotics in those with Child-Pugh A cirrhosis is not known. We studied if prophylactic antibiotics can be withheld in this cohort.

Methods: This was a single-centre, open-label randomised-controlled-trial with non-inferiority design.

Immune-checkpoint HLA-G gene polymorphisms, 3'-UTR types and their association with hepatocellular carcinoma and treatment response in Indian population.

Background: Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a cancer-associated immune checkpoint protein implicated in tumor-driven immune escape mechanisms. This study was undertaken to determine genetic variations at the 3'-UTR of the HLA-G gene that may alter its expression, identify risk alleles and genotypes for their association with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and treatment responses in the Indian population.

Objectives: Case-control genetic association study of HLA-G gene UTR polymorphisms with HCC and response to locoregional therapy (LRT).

Epidemiology of chronic and acute pancreatitis in India (EPICAP-India): protocol for a multicentre study.

Introduction: Acute and chronic pancreatitis (CP) are inflammatory conditions of the pancreas that cause local and systemic complications. The epidemiology of these conditions are not well-known in India.

Methods And Analysis: We describe the protocol and procedures of a multicentre study for delineating the epidemiology of pancreatitis in India.

Serum miR-215-5p, miR-192-5p and miR-378a-5p as novel diagnostic biomarkers for periampullary adenocarcinoma.

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are present in human serum in a stable form. Circulating miRNAs are increasingly recognized as promising biomarkers for early cancer detection. The aim of this study was to identify serum miRNAs as biomarkers for periampullary adenocarcinoma (PAC).

Clinical Significance of MUC4 and Associated Proteins in Pancreatic and Periampullary Cancers.

Objective: This study primarily aimed to assess the expression of MUC4 in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as compared with controls and assess its clinical relevance.

Materials And Methods: Serum MUC4 levels and MUC4 gene expression in snap-frozen tissue were analyzed through surface plasmon resonance and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Tumor tissues and control tissues were analyzed for MUC4 and other mucins through immunohistochemistry.

Longitudinal changes in bone mineral density may be associated with long-term survival in patients with cirrhosis: A proof of concept of study.

Introduction: The impact of longitudinal changes in different body components measured via body composition analysis (BCA) on liver-related outcomes in patients with cirrhosis is poorly understood. We evaluated the prognostic relevance of longitudinal changes in body composition over one year in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: This was a follow-up study of a randomized controlled trial evaluating changes in bone density measured via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) upon vitamin D supplementation.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose vs Oral Iron to Treat Iron Deficiency Anemia After Variceal Bleed in Patients With Cirrhosis.

Introduction: Limited evidence exists on the optimal strategy to correct iron deficiency anemia after variceal bleeding (VB) in cirrhosis. This trial compared the efficacy and safety of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (IV-FCM) with those of oral iron therapy in this cohort.

Methods: In this open-label, single-center, randomized controlled trial, eligible patients with hemoglobin <10 g/dL and iron deficiency (ferritin <100 ng/mL) after VB received either IV-FCM (1,500-2,000 mg) divided into 2 doses (n = 48) or oral carbonyl iron (100 mg elemental iron/day) (n = 44) for 3 months.

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings in central nervous system listeriosis.

Purpose: To describe the imaging findings and determine the incidence of a characteristic worm-like pattern along the white matter tracts in neurolisteriosis on CT/MRI.

Methods: An IRB-approved retrospective study in 21 consecutive neurolisteriosis cases during January 2002-July 2020. At least one of the following is required: (1) Positive Listeria monocytogenes (LM) in blood with clinical signs of meningeal irritation and/or abnormal CSF profile, (2) positive LM in blood with signs of encephalitis, (3) positive LM in CSF, (4) positive LM from brain biopsy/aspiration.

Spike S2 Subunit: Possible Target for Detecting Novel SARS-CoV-2 Variants with Multiple Mutations.

Novel SARS-CoV-2 variants have multiple mutations that may impact molecular diagnostics. The markedly conserved S2 subunit may be utilized to detect new variants. A comparison of 694 specimens (2019-2022) in Thailand using a commercial RT-PCR kit and the kit in combination with S2 primers and a probe was performed.

MicroRNA Signatures for Pancreatic Cancer and Chronic Pancreatitis: Expression Profiling by NGS.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly disease due to the lack of early detection. Because chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients are a high-risk group for pancreatic cancer, this study aimed to assess the differential miRNA profile in pancreatic tissue of patients with CP and pancreatic cancer.

Methods: MiRNAs were isolated from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded pancreatic tissue of 22 PDAC patients, 18 CP patients, and 10 normal pancreatic tissues from autopsy (C) cases and processed for next-generation sequencing.

Kitchen-based diet versus commercial polymeric formulation in acute pancreatitis: a pilot randomized comparative study.

Introduction: Nutrition plays an important role in management of acute pancreatitis (AP) and decreases its severity and infectious complications. Various formulations of enteral nutrition (EN) are available and are costly. For developing countries, cost and availability is a major issue and kitchen-based diet should be explored in patients with AP.

Elevated levels of peripheral Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines in patients with periampullary adenocarcinoma.

Aim: Periampullary adenocarcinoma (PAC) is a malignant tumor originating at the ampulla of Vater, distal common bile duct, head of the pancreas, ampulla and duodenum. The levels of circulating Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines in patients with PAC remain unreported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the levels of circulating Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines in patients with PAC.

Serum proinsulin levels as peripheral blood biomarkers in patients with cognitive impairment.

Insulin has long been associated with dementia. Insulin affecting the clearance of amyloid-β peptide and phosphorylation of tau in the CNS. Proinsulin is a precursor of insulin and its elevated serum levels are associated with peripheral insulin resistance that may reduce brain insulin levels.

An Open-label Randomized Controlled Trial of Early Initiation of Nasogastric Feeding After Endotherapy in Variceal Bleeding: A Proof-of-concept Study.

Background And Aims: Limited data exist on the safety of early nasogastric (NG) feeding in patients with cirrhosis after endotherapy for variceal bleeding (VB). We studied the impact of early NG tube feeding in these patients in this proof-of-concept open-label randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Eligible patients with cirrhosis undergoing endotherapy for VB were randomized to receive either a liquid diet through a 14 Fr NG tube (commencing 1 h after endotherapy) (early feeding [EF] group) or sips of water and lemon water orally (standard-of-care [SOC] group) for total duration of 48 h.

Opportunistic screening for osteopathy with routine abdominal computed tomography scan in chronic pancreatitis.

Background And Aims: Lumbar vertebral bone attenuation, measured in Hounsfield units (HU) can indirectly indicate the bone mineral density (BMD). The aim of this study is to determine the optimal HU threshold on abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans to detect osteopathy in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients with CP who underwent CT scans to measure HU at L1 to L4 vertebrae.

Generation of Mouse Primitive Endoderm Stem Cells.

The blastocysts consist of dozens of cells of three distinct lineages: epiblast (Epi), trophoblast (TB), and primitive endoderm (PrE). All embryonic and extraembryonic tissues are derived from Epi, TB, and PrE. Stem cell lines representing preimplantation Epi and TB have been established and are known as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and trophoblast stem cells (TSCs).

Elucidating the Role of miRNA-326 Modulating Hedgehog Signaling in Pancreatic Carcinoma.

Background And Aim: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the lethal malignancies worldwide characterized by poor prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) function as the key regulators in carcinogenesis and may act as noninvasive biomarkers in various malignancies including PDAC. The present study aimed to elucidate the role of miR-326, a known modulator of hedgehog (Hh) pathway in PDAC.

Combination of Serum CA 19-9 and Endoscopic Ultrasound Findings Can Predict Malignancy Risk in Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis Presenting With Pancreatic Head Mass: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Background And Aims: Inflammatory head mass of pancreas (IMP) developing in background of chronic pancreatitis (CP) is difficult to distinguish from carcinoma pancreas. We aimed to delineate natural course of IMP and predict their malignancy risk, avoiding unnecessary biopsies.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective single-center study, clinical records of patients with CP with diagnosed pancreatic head mass were reviewed.

Utility of different Baveno criteria to detect esophageal varices irrespective of their size in patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: Esophageal varices (EVs), irrespective of size, are the most-reliable indicators of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD). While non-invasive tools (NITs) accurately identify those with varices needing treatment (VNTs), their role in identifying any EVs in patients with cACLD is not known.

Methods: Patients with cACLD with reliable liver stiffness measurements (LSM), blood parameters and gastroscopy were retrospectively recruited from a multinational cohort.

Vitamin D status & bone health in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background & Objectives: Vitamin D plays an important role in bone metabolism, and liver is the intermediary site of vitamin D metabolism. The purpose of this study was to study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and bone health in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: Prospectively, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] level were assessed in cirrhotics by chemiluminescence method.

Vascular complications of chronic pancreatitis and its management.

Chronic pancreatitis is a chronic fibro-inflammatory disorder of the pancreas, resulting in recurrent abdominal pain, diabetes mellitus, and malnutrition. It may lead to various other complications such as pseudocyst formation, benign biliary stricture, gastric outlet obstruction; and vascular complications like venous thrombosis, variceal and pseudoaneurysmal bleed. Development of varices is usually due to chronic venous thrombosis with collateral formation and variceal bleeding can easily be tackled by endoscopic therapy.

An LSM Based Strategy is Comparable to HVPG Measurement to Predict Further Events in Patients with Cirrhosis with Variceal Bleeding as Their Index Decompensation.

Background And Aims: Limited data exist on strategies other than hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) estimation to predict future events in patients with cirrhosis presenting with variceal bleed (VB) but are otherwise compensated. We assessed whether liver stiffness measurement (LSM) during VB episode could accurately predict this risk.

Methods: Consecutive patients with cirrhosis with VB as their index decompensation event underwent HVPG and LSM estimation during the VB episode in this prospective study.

Assessments of TP53 and CTNNB1 gene hotspot mutations in circulating tumour DNA of hepatitis B virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease, which progresses from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Early detection and laboratory-based screening of hepatocellular carcinoma are still major challenges. This study was undertaken to determine whether the cancer hallmark gene signatures that are released into circulation as circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) can be used as a liquid biopsy marker for screening, early detection, and prognosis of HCC.