Adiponectin as a biomarker in liver cirrhosis-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Adiponectin, a key adipokine, shows promise as a non-invasive biomarker for liver cirrhosis by reflecting inflammation and metabolic changes, but conflicting findings highlight the need for a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify its role. Our study aimed to evaluate adiponectin levels across various stages of liver cirrhosis, compare them with other chronic liver diseases (CLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and assess its potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker.

Methods: Our systematic search was conducted on September 2023 using PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus, searching for observational studies evaluating serum and plasma adiponectin levels in liver cirrhosis.

Forty years of successful national research collaboration in liver disease - the Swedish experience.

Aim: Sweden has historically provided a fruitful arena for research in clinical medicine. We here share 40 years of experience of collaboration in the Swedish hepatology research group (SWEHEP) (https://www.swehep.

Identification of a novel PDC-E2 epitope in primary biliary cholangitis: Application for engineered Treg therapy.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease, characterized by progressive destruction of small intrahepatic bile ducts and portal inflammation. Treatment options are limited, with reliance on liver transplantation in advanced cases. The adaptive immune response is implicated in disease pathogenesis by the presence of anti-mitochondrial antibodies targeting the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2) in 90-95 % of patients and T cells infiltrating the portal tracts.

Extracellular matrix protein 1 binds to connective tissue growth factor against liver fibrosis and ductular reaction.

Background: Extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) can inhibit TGFβ activation, but its antifibrotic action remains largely unknown. This study aims to investigate ECM1 function and its physical interaction with the profibrotic connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in fibrosis and ductular reaction (DR).

Methods: Ecm1 knockouts or animals that ectopically expressed this gene were subjected to induction of liver fibrosis and DR by feeding 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) or α-naphthyl-isothiocyanate (ANIT).

HBcrAg is associated with prognosis of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma in patients after hepatectomy undergoing antiviral therapy.

Serum hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) is considered a surrogate marker of the amount and activity of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA. This study aimed to explore the prognostic value of HBcrAg on patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative hepatectomy undergoing antiviral therapy (AVT). Data of 949 consecutive patients with HBV-related HCC undergoing curative resection between 2010 and 2013 were reviewed.

Unusual Confluence: Exploring the Association of Biliary Atresia, Wilson Disease, and Iron Overload.

The case involves a 33-year-old man with biliary atresia, Wilson disease (WD), and iron overload. Biliary atresia, a cholangiodestructive disease, leads to cirrhosis if untreated. WD, caused by ATP7B gene mutations, results in copper accumulation affecting the liver and brain.

Intragallbladder versus intravenous indocyanine green (ICG) injection for enhanced bile duct visualization by fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Iatrogenic bile duct injuries (BDIs) prevention during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) relies on meticulous anatomical dissections through direct visualization. Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) with indocyanine green (ICG) improves the visualization of extrahepatic biliary structures. Although ICG can be administered either intravenously or intragallbladder, there remains uncertainty regarding the optimal method for different patient populations.

Identifying Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Cirrhosis Using Administrative Data in a National Cohort.

Background: The accuracy of administrative codes to capture patients with both primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and cirrhosis could be challenging because of the potential for incorrect coding due to the old nomenclature "Primary Biliary Cirrhosis." Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the positive predictive value (PPV) of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes for PBC and cirrhosis.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using data from the VA Corporate Data Warehouse.

Nano-encapsulation of drugs to target hepatic stellate cells: Toward precision treatments of liver fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis is characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition triggered by hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). As central players in fibrosis progression, HSCs are the most important therapeutic targets for antifibrotic therapy. However, owing to the limitations of systemic drug administration, there is still no suitable and effective clinical treatment.

The Outcomes of Liver Transplantation in Highly Dependent Incapacitated Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Data regarding the outcomes of liver transplantation in disabled, highly dependent, and legally incapacitated adults are scarce, likely due to the infrequency of these procedures in such populations. Multicenter studies in adult transplant centers have shown that patients with coexisting intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) may be denied transplantation because of their expected low longevity and the complexities associated with managing post-transplant care. We examined the long-term patient and graft outcomes in highly dependent, incapacitated patients with IDDs who underwent elective transplantation for chronic liver disease.

Expression of the large amino acid transporter SLC7A5/LAT1 on immune cells is enhanced in primary sclerosing cholangitis-associated cholangiocarcinoma and correlates with poor prognosis in cholangiocarcinoma.

Biliary tract cancers (BTC) are rare lethal malignancies arising along the biliary tree. Unfortunately, effective therapeutics are lacking and the prognosis remains dismal even for patients eligible for surgical resection. Therefore, novel therapeutic approaches along with early detection strategies and prognostic markers are urgently needed.

Total hepatic inflow occlusion vs. hemihepatic inflow occlusion for laparoscopic liver resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The control of bleeding during laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) is still a focus of research. However, the advantages of the main bleeding control methods, including total hepatic inflow occlusion (TIO) vs. hemihepatic inflow occlusion (HIO), during LLR remain controversial.

Safety and Efficacy of Dapagliflozin in Recurrent Ascites: A Pilot Study.

Background: In cirrhosis, activation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system leads to sodium and water retention causing ascites. Dapagliflozin, a sodium glucose linked transporter-2 inhibitor, induces natriuresis in patients with heart failure. A similar natriuretic effect may improve ascites in patients with cirrhosis.