Immigration Factors and Monitoring of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection Among Foreign-Born: The FOCUS-HBV Multicentre Cohort.

Background: Immigrants are the largest subgroup living with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection in the United States. It is not well understood how immigration and associated social and cultural factors impact adherence to HBV monitoring.

Methods: We conducted a multicentre multilingual survey among foreign-born adults with chronic HBV between 7/2021 and 4/2023.

Meta-analysis: Incidence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with Fontan palliation.

Background And Aims: The Fontan palliation is the final stage of surgery for many children born with univentricular physiology. Almost all Fontan patients develop liver fibrosis which may eventually lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These are important causes of morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Prevalence of autoimmune, cholestatic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in celiac disease.

Background: While there is higher prevalence of autoimmune, cholestatic and fatty liver disease in celiac disease (CeD), most data is from small-scale studies. We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of the same using large cohort data.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted using Explorys, a multi-institutional database.

Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with nephrotic syndrome: A population-based study.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health concern with a prevalence of about 25% amongst United States adults. Its increased prevalence is attributed to increase in patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome, partly due to similar mechanisms of injury. Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a clinical entity resulting from extensive proteinuria leading to hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, edema, and other complications.

Diagnosis of HDV: From virology to non-invasive markers of fibrosis.

Hepatitis D viral infection in humans is a disease that requires the establishment of hepatitis B, relying on hepatitis B surface Ag and host cellular machinery to replicate and propagate the infection. Since its discovery in 1977, substantial progress has been made to better understand the hepatitis D viral life cycle, pathogenesis and modes of transmission along with expanding on clinical knowledge related to prevention, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. The availability of serologic diagnostic assays for hepatitis D infection has evolved over time with current widespread availability, improved detection and standardized reporting.

Prevalence of hypothyroidism and effect of thyroid hormone replacement therapy in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A population-based study.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently considered as the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Risk factors for NAFLD have been well-described, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellites (T2DM), dyslipidemia (DLP) and metabolic syndrome. Hypothyroidism has been identified as an independent risk factor for the development of NAFLD, although the literature is inconsistent.

The Incidence of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography-Related Complications in Patients With Liver Transplant: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

Background: Existing literature on post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) complications in patients with liver transplant remains scarce and largely inconsistent. We therefore aimed to systematically review and analyze the literature on complication rates associated with ERCP in patients with liver transplant.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, PubMed Central, Embase, and ScienceDirect databases from inception through March 2020 to identify all the studies that evaluated post-ERCP complications in patients with liver transplant.

Systematic Review: Sweet Syndrome Associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background And Aims: Sweet syndrome [SS] is a dermatological condition associated with both inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] and azathioprine use. We performed a systematic review to better delineate clinical characteristics and outcomes of SS in IBD patients.

Methods: Peer-reviewed, full-text journal publications from inception to April 2020 in English language and adult subjects with IBD were included.

Severe Hypokalemia Mimicking Brain Death.

We discuss a case of a 20-year-old female who presented with history of fever, vomiting, and decreased oral intake for 10 days followed by one episode of generalized tonic-clonic seizure and altered sensorium for 5-6 h. On arrival in the emergency room, she had Glasgow Coma Scale 3 (E1V1M1), both pupils fixed and dilated, low blood pressure, low oxygen saturation, and few gasping breaths. She appeared to be brain dead and was assumed to have a very poor prognosis.

Cardiotoxic Effects of Raw Opium.

While opioid drug toxicity and side effects of long-term opioid use during medical care are well studied, there is little information regarding effects of ingestion of raw opium. Characterization of the effects to a particular alkaloid is difficult since raw opium contains a number of alkaloids. Here, we present a case of poisoning due to ingestion of raw opium leading to severe myocardial suppression.