Stromal Cells Covering Omental Fat-Associated Lymphoid Clusters Trigger Formation of Neutrophil Aggregates to Capture Peritoneal Contaminants.

The omentum is a visceral adipose tissue rich in fat-associated lymphoid clusters (FALCs) that collects peritoneal contaminants and provides a first layer of immunological defense within the abdomen. Here, we investigated the mechanisms that mediate the capture of peritoneal contaminants during peritonitis. Single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial analysis of omental stromal cells revealed that the surface of FALCs were covered by CXCL1+ mesothelial cells, which we termed FALC cover cells. Blockade of CXCL1 inhibited the recruitment and aggregation of neutrophils at FALCs during zymosan-induced peritonitis. Inhibition of protein arginine deiminase 4, an enzyme important for the release of neutrophil extracellular traps, abolished neutrophil aggregation and the capture of peritoneal contaminants by omental FALCs. Analysis of omental samples from patients with acute appendicitis confirmed neutrophil recruitment and bacterial capture at FALCs. Thus, specialized omental mesothelial cells coordinate the recruitment and aggregation of neutrophils to capture peritoneal contaminants.

The 2023 MANCTRA Acute Biliary Pancreatitis Care Bundle: A Joint Effort Between Human Knowledge and Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT) to Optimize the Care of Patients With Acute Biliary Pancreatitis in Western Countries.

OBJECTIVE: To generate an up-to-date bundle to manage acute biliary pancreatitis using an evidence-based, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted GRADE method. BACKGROUND: A care bundle is a set of core elements of care that are distilled from the most solid evidence-based practice guidelines and recommendations. METHODS: The research questions were addressed in this bundle following the PICO criteria. The working group summarized the effects of interventions with the strength of recommendation and quality of evidence applying the GRADE methodology. ChatGPT AI system was used to independently assess the quality of evidence of each element in the bundle, together with the strength of the recommendations. RESULTS: The 7 elements of the bundle discourage antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis, support the use of a full-solid diet in patients with mild to moderately severe acute biliary pancreatitis, and recommend early enteral nutrition in patients unable to feed by mouth. The bundle states that endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography should be performed within the first 48 to 72 hours of hospital admission in patients with cholangitis. Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be performed in patients with mild acute biliary pancreatitis. When operative intervention is needed for necrotizing pancreatitis, this should start with the endoscopic step-up approach. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a new care bundle with 7 key elements for managing patients with acute biliary pancreatitis. This new bundle, whose scientific strength has been increased thanks to the alliance between human knowledge and AI from the new ChatGPT software, should be introduced to emergency departments, wards, and intensive care units.

Incidence, diagnosis, management and outcome of acute mesenteric ischaemia: a prospective, multicentre observational study (AMESI Study).

BACKGROUND: The aim of this multicentre prospective observational study was to identify the incidence, patient characteristics, diagnostic pathway, management and outcome of acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI). METHODS: All adult patients with clinical suspicion of AMI admitted or transferred to 32 participating hospitals from 06.06.2022 to 05.04.2023 were included. Participants who were subsequently shown not to have AMI or had localized intestinal gangrene due to strangulating bowel obstruction had only baseline and outcome data collected. RESULTS: AMI occurred in 0.038% of adult admissions in participating acute care hospitals worldwide. From a total of 705 included patients, 418 patients had confirmed AMI. In 69% AMI was the primary reason for admission, while in 31% AMI occurred after having been admitted with another diagnosis. Median time from onset of symptoms to hospital admission in patients admitted due to AMI was 24 h (interquartile range 9-48h) and time from admission to diagnosis was 6h (1-12 h). Occlusive arterial AMI was diagnosed in 231 (55.3%), venous in 73 (17.5%), non-occlusive (NOMI) in 55 (13.2%), other type in 11 (2.6%) and the subtype could not be classified in 48 (11.5%) patients. Surgery was the initial management in 242 (58%) patients, of which 59 (24.4%) underwent revascularization. Endovascular revascularization alone was carried out in 54 (13%), conservative treatment in 76 (18%) and palliative care in 46 (11%) patients. From patients with occlusive arterial AMI, revascularization was undertaken in 104 (45%), with 40 (38%) of them in one site admitting selected patients. Overall in-hospital and 90-day mortality of AMI was 49% and 53.3%, respectively, and among subtypes was lowest for venous AMI (13.7% and 16.4%) and highest for NOMI (72.7% and 74.5%). There was a high variability between participating sites for most variables studied. CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of AMI and AMI subtypes varies worldwide, and case ascertainment is challenging. Pre-hospital delay in presentation was greater than delays after arriving at hospital. Surgery without revascularization was the most common management approach. Nearly half of the patients with AMI died during their index hospitalization. Together, these findings suggest a need for greater awareness of AMI, and better guidance in diagnosis and management. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05218863 (registered 19.01.2022).

E-AHPBA-ESSO-ESSR Innsbruck consensus guidelines for preoperative liver function assessment before hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality after liver surgery. Standardized assessment of preoperative liver function is crucial to identify patients at risk. These European consensus guidelines provide guidance for preoperative patient assessment. METHODS: A modified Delphi approach was used to achieve consensus. The expert panel consisted of hepatobiliary surgeons, radiologists, nuclear medicine specialists, and hepatologists. The guideline process was supervised by a methodologist and reviewed by a patient representative. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane library, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry. Evidence assessment and statement development followed Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network methodology. RESULTS: Based on 271 publications covering 4 key areas, 21 statements (at least 85 per cent agreement) were produced (median level of evidence 2- to 2+). Only a few systematic reviews (2++) and one RCT (1+) were identified. Preoperative liver function assessment should be considered before complex resections, and in patients with suspected or known underlying liver disease, or chemotherapy-associated or drug-induced liver injury. Clinical assessment and blood-based scores reflecting liver function or portal hypertension (for example albumin/bilirubin, platelet count) aid in identifying risk of PHLF. Volumetry of the future liver remnant represents the foundation for assessment, and can be combined with indocyanine green clearance or LiMAx® according to local expertise and availability. Functional MRI and liver scintigraphy are alternatives, combining FLR volume and function in one examination. CONCLUSION: These guidelines reflect established methods to assess preoperative liver function and PHLF risk, and have uncovered evidence gaps of interest for future research.

Liver surgery is an effective treatment for liver tumours. Liver failure is a major problem in patients with a poor liver quality or having large operations. The treatment options for liver failure are limited, with high death rates. To estimate patient risk, assessing liver function before surgery is important. Many methods exist for this purpose, including functional, blood, and imaging tests. This guideline summarizes the available literature and expert opinions, and aids clinicians in planning safe liver surgery.

Molecular Patterns in Acute Pancreatitis Reflect Generalizable Endotypes of the Host Response to Systemic Injury in Humans.

OBJECTIVE: Acute Pancreatitis (AP) is sudden onset pancreas inflammation that causes systemic injury with a wide and markedly heterogeneous range of clinical consequences. Here, we hypothesized that this observed clinical diversity corresponds to diversity in molecular subtypes that can be identified in clinical and multiomics data. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Observational cohort study. n = 57 for the discovery cohort (clinical, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data) and n = 312 for the validation cohort (clinical and metabolomics data). METHODS: We integrated coincident transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data at serial time points between admission to hospital and up to 48 hours after recruitment from a cohort of patients presenting with acute pancreatitis. We systematically evaluated 4 different metrics for patient similarity using unbiased mathematical, biological, and clinical measures of internal and external validity.We next compared the AP molecular endotypes with previous descriptions of endotypes in a critically ill population with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). RESULTS: Our results identify 4 distinct and stable AP molecular endotypes. We validated our findings in a second independent cohort of patients with AP.We observed that 2 endotypes in AP recapitulate disease endotypes previously reported in ARDS. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that molecular endotypes exist in AP and reflect biological patterns that are also present in ARDS, suggesting that generalizable patterns exist in diverse presentations of critical illness.

coMpliAnce with evideNce-based cliniCal guidelines in the managemenT of acute biliaRy pancreAtitis): The MANCTRA-1 international audit.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Reports about the implementation of recommendations from acute pancreatitis guidelines are scant. This study aimed to evaluate, on a patient-data basis, the contemporary practice patterns of management of biliary acute pancreatitis and to compare these practices with the recommendations by the most updated guidelines. METHODS: All consecutive patients admitted to any of the 150 participating general surgery (GS), hepatopancreatobiliary surgery (HPB), internal medicine (IM) and gastroenterology (GA) departments with a diagnosis of biliary acute pancreatitis between 01/01/2019 and 31/12/2020 were included in the study. Categorical data were reported as percentages representing the proportion of all study patients or different and well-defined cohorts for each variable. Continuous data were expressed as mean and standard deviation. Differences between the compliance obtained in the four different subgroups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U, Student's t, ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests for continuous data, and the Chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test for categorical data. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 5275 patients. The most commonly discordant gaps between daily clinical practice and recommendations included the optimal timing for the index CT scan (6.1%, χ2 6.71, P = 0.081), use of prophylactic antibiotics (44.2%, χ2 221.05, P < 0.00001), early enteral feeding (33.2%, χ2 11.51, P = 0.009), and the implementation of early cholecystectomy strategies (29%, χ2 354.64, P < 0.00001), with wide variability based on the admitting speciality. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed an overall poor compliance with evidence-based guidelines in the management of ABP, with wide variability based on the admitting speciality. Study protocol registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov (ID Number NCT04747990).

Shared activity patterns arising at genetic susceptibility loci reveal underlying genomic and cellular architecture of human disease.

Genetic variants underlying complex traits, including disease susceptibility, are enriched within the transcriptional regulatory elements, promoters and enhancers. There is emerging evidence that regulatory elements associated with particular traits or diseases share similar patterns of transcriptional activity. Accordingly, shared transcriptional activity (coexpression) may help prioritise loci associated with a given trait, and help to identify underlying biological processes. Using cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE) profiles of promoter- and enhancer-derived RNAs across 1824 human samples, we have analysed coexpression of RNAs originating from trait-associated regulatory regions using a novel quantitative method (network density analysis; NDA). For most traits studied, phenotype-associated variants in regulatory regions were linked to tightly-coexpressed networks that are likely to share important functional characteristics. Coexpression provides a new signal, independent of phenotype association, to enable fine mapping of causative variants. The NDA coexpression approach identifies new genetic variants associated with specific traits, including an association between the regulation of the OCT1 cation transporter and genetic variants underlying circulating cholesterol levels. NDA strongly implicates particular cell types and tissues in disease pathogenesis. For example, distinct groupings of disease-associated regulatory regions implicate two distinct biological processes in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis; a further two separate processes are implicated in Crohn's disease. Thus, our functional analysis of genetic predisposition to disease defines new distinct disease endotypes. We predict that patients with a preponderance of susceptibility variants in each group are likely to respond differently to pharmacological therapy. Together, these findings enable a deeper biological understanding of the causal basis of complex traits.

Pre-, peri- and post-operative factors for the development of pancreatic fistula after pancreatic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The most hazardous complication to pancreatic surgery is the development of a post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF). Appropriate understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, risk factors and perioperative mechanisms may allow for better management and use of preventive measures. METHODS: Systematic literature search using the English PubMed literature up to April 2019, with emphasis on the past 5 years. RESULTS: Several risk scores have been developed but none are perfect in predicting POPF risk. A conceptual framework of factors that contribute to the pathophysiology of pancreatic fistulae is still developing but incomplete. Recognized factors include those related to the patient, the pathology and the perioperative care. Interventions such as use of drains, stents and various drugs to mediate risk is still debated. Emerging data suggest that both the microbiome and the inflammation in the post-operative phase may play important roles in risk for POPF. Available risk scores allow for stratification of risk and mitigation strategies tailored to reduce this. However, accurate estimation of risk remains a challenge and mechanisms are only partially understood. CONCLUSIONS: The pathophysiology of POPF remains poorly understood. Current models only partially explain risks or associated mechanisms. Novel areas of investigation need to be explored for better prediction.

Study protocol: HepaT1ca - an observational clinical cohort study to quantify liver health in surgical candidates for liver malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Accurate assessment of liver health prior to undertaking resectional liver surgery or chemoembolisation for primary and secondary cancers is essential for patient safety and optimal outcomes. LiverMultiScan™, an MRI-based technology, non-invasively quantifies hepatic fibroinflammatory disease, steatosis and iron content. We hypothesise that LiverMultiScan™can quantify liver health prior to surgery and inform the risk assessment for patients considering liver surgery or chemoembolization and seek to evaluate this technology in an operational environment. METHODS/DESIGN: HepaT1ca is an observational cohort study in two tertiary-referral liver surgery centres in the United Kingdom. The primary outcome is correlation between the pre-operative liver health assessment score (Hepatica score - calculated by weighting future remnant liver volume by liver inflammation and fibrosis (LIF) score) and the post-operative liver function composite integer-based risk (Hyder-Pawlik) score. With ethical approval and fully-informed consent, individuals considering liver surgery for primary or secondary cancer will undergo clinical assessment, blood sampling, and LiverMultiScan™multiparametric MRI before and after surgical liver resection or TACE. In nested cohorts of individuals undergoing chemotherapy prior to surgery, or those undergoing portal vein embolization (PVE) as an adjunct to surgery, an additional testing session prior to commencement of treatment will occur. Tissue will be examined histologically and by immunohistochemistry. Pre-operative liver health assessment scores and the post-operative risk scores will be correlated to define the ability of LiverMultiScan™to predict the risk of post-operative morbidity and mortality. Because technology performance in this setting is unknown, a pragmatic sample size will be used. For the primary outcome, n = 200 for the main cohort will allow detection of a minimum correlation coefficient of 0.2 with 5% significance and power of 80%. DISCUSSION: This study will refine the technology and clinical application of multiparametric MRI (including LiverMultiScan™), to quantify pre-existing liver health and predict post-intervention outcomes following liver resection. If successful, this study will advance the technology and support the use of multiparametric MRI as part of an enhanced pre-operative assessment to improve patient safety and to personalise operative risk assessment of liver surgery/non-surgical intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03213314 .

Acute physiological effects of glucocorticoids on fuel metabolism in humans are permissive but not direct.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The effects of glucocorticoids on fuel metabolism are complex. Acute glucocorticoid excess promotes lipolysis but chronic glucocorticoid excess causes visceral fat accumulation. We hypothesized that interactions between cortisol and insulin and adrenaline account for these conflicting results. We tested the effect of cortisol on lipolysis and glucose production with and without insulin and adrenaline in humans both in vivo and in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 healthy men were randomized to low and high insulin groups (both n = 10). Subjects attended on 3 occasions and received low (c. 150 nM), medium (c. 400 nM) or high (c. 1400 nM) cortisol infusion in a randomized crossover design. Deuterated glucose and glycerol were infused intravenously along with a pancreatic clamp (somatostatin with replacement of glucagon, insulin and growth hormone) and adrenaline. Subcutaneous adipose tissue was obtained for analysis. In parallel, the effect of cortisol on lipolysis was tested in paired primary cultures of human subcutaneous and visceral adipocytes. RESULTS: In vivo, high cortisol increased lipolysis only in the presence of high insulin and/or adrenaline but did not alter glucose kinetics. High cortisol increased adipose mRNA levels of ATGL, HSL and CGI-58 and suppressed G0S2. In vitro, high cortisol increased lipolysis in the presence of insulin in subcutaneous, but not visceral, adipocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The acute lipolytic effects of cortisol require supraphysiological concentrations, are dependent on insulin and adrenaline and are observed only in subcutaneous adipose tissue. The resistance of visceral adipose tissue to cortisol's lipolytic effects may contribute to the central fat accumulation observed with chronic glucocorticoid excess.

The discovery of potent and selective kynurenine 3-monooxygenase inhibitors for the treatment of acute pancreatitis.

A series of potent, competitive and highly selective kynurenine monooxygenase inhibitors have been discovered via a substrate-based approach for the treatment of acute pancreatitis. The lead compound demonstrated good cellular potency and clear pharmacodynamic activity in vivo.

Lung ultrasonography as a direct measure of evolving respiratory dysfunction and disease severity in patients with acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: The value of lung ultrasonography in the diagnosis of respiratory dysfunction and severity stratification in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) was investigated. METHODS: Over a 3-month period, 41 patients (median age: 59.1 years; 21 males) presenting with a diagnosis of potential AP were prospectively recruited. Each participant underwent lung ultrasonography and the number of comet tails was linked with contemporaneous clinical data. Group comparisons, areas under the curve (AUC) and respective measures of diagnostic accuracy were investigated. RESULTS: A greater number of comet tails were evident in patients with respiratory dysfunction (P = 0.021), those with severe disease (P < 0.001) and when contemporaneous and maximum CRP exceeded 100 mg/L (P = 0.048 and P = 0.003 respectively). Receiver-operator characteristic plot area under the curve (AUC) was greater when examining upper lung quadrants, using respiratory dysfunction and AP severity as variables of interest (AUC = 0.783, 95% C.I.: 0.544-0.962, and AUC = 0.996, 95% C.I.: 0.982-1.000, respectively). Examining all lung quadrants except for the lower lateral resulted in greater AUCs for contemporaneous and maximum CRP (AUC = 0.708, 95% C.I.: 0.510-0.883, and AUC = 0.800, 95% C.I.: 0.640-0.929). DISCUSSION: Ultrasonography of non-dependent lung parenchyma can reliably detect evolving respiratory dysfunction in AP. This simple bedside technique shows promise as an adjunct to severity stratification.

Relaxin modulates human and rat hepatic myofibroblast function and ameliorates portal hypertension in vivo.

UNLABELLED: Active myofibroblast (MF) contraction contributes significantly to the increased intrahepatic vascular resistance that is the primary cause of portal hypertension (PHT) in cirrhosis. We sought proof of concept for direct therapeutic targeting of the dynamic component of PHT and markers of MF activation using short-term administration of the peptide hormone relaxin (RLN). We defined the portal hypotensive effect in rat models of sinusoidal PHT and the expression, activity, and function of the RLN-receptor signaling axis in human liver MFs. The effects of RLN were studied after 8 and 16 weeks carbon tetrachloride intoxication, following bile duct ligation, and in tissue culture models. Hemodynamic changes were analyzed by direct cannulation, perivascular flowprobe, indocyanine green imaging, and functional magnetic resonance imaging. Serum and hepatic nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined by immunoassay. Hepatic inflammation was assessed by histology and serum markers and fibrosis by collagen proportionate area. Gene expression was analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting and hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-MF contractility by gel contraction assay. Increased expression of RLN receptor (RXFP1) was shown in HSC-MFs and fibrotic liver diseases in both rats and humans. RLN induced a selective and significant reduction in portal pressure in pathologically distinct PHT models, through augmentation of intrahepatic NO signaling and a dramatic reduction in contractile filament expression in HSC-MFs. Critical for translation, RLN did not induce systemic hypotension even in advanced cirrhosis models. Portal blood flow and hepatic oxygenation were increased by RLN in early cirrhosis. Treatment of human HSC-MFs with RLN inhibited contractility and induced an antifibrogenic phenotype in an RXFP1-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: We identified RXFP1 as a potential new therapeutic target for PHT and MF activation status.

Lung ultrasonography as a direct measure of evolving respiratory dysfunction and disease severity in patients with acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: The value of lung ultrasonography in the diagnosis of respiratory dysfunction and severity stratification in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) was investigated. METHODS: Over a 3-month period, 41 patients (median age: 59.1 years; 21 males) presenting with a diagnosis of potential AP were prospectively recruited. Each participant underwent lung ultrasonography, and the number of comet tails present on scans was linked with contemporaneous clinical data. Group comparisons, areas under the curve (AUC) and respective measures of diagnostic accuracy were investigated. RESULTS: A greater number of comet tails were evident in patients with respiratory dysfunction (P = 0.013), those with severe disease (P = 0.001) and when contemporaneous and maximum in-patient C-reactive protein (CRP) exceeded 150 mg/l (P = 0.018 and P = 0.049, respectively). Receiver-operator characteristic plot area under the curve (AUC) was greater when examining upper lung quadrants, using respiratory dysfunction and AP severity as variables of interest (AUC = 0.803, 95% CI: 0.583-1.000, and AUC = 0.996, 95% CI: 0.983-1.000, respectively). Examining all lung quadrants resulted in greater AUCs for contemporaneous and maximum CRP (AUC = 0.764, 95% CI: 0.555-0.972, and AUC = 0.704, 95% CI: 0.510-0.898). DISCUSSION: Ultrasonography of non-dependent lung parenchyma can reliably detect evolving respiratory dysfunction in AP. This simple bedside technique shows promise as an adjunct to severity stratification.

Early organ dysfunction affects long-term survival in acute pancreatitis patients.

BACKGROUND: The effect of early organ dysfunction on long-term survival in acute pancreatitis (AP) patients is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to ascertain whether early organ dysfunction impacts on long-term survival after an episode of AP. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using survival data sourced from a prospectively maintained database of patients with AP admitted to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh during a 5-year period commencing January 2000. A multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) score of ≥ 2 during the first week of admission was used to define early organ dysfunction. After accounting for in-hospital deaths, long-term survival probabilities were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier test. The prognostic significance of patient characteristics was assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses using Cox's proportional hazards methods. RESULTS: A total of 694 patients were studied (median follow-up: 8.8 years). Patients with early organ dysfunction (MODS group) were found to have died prematurely [mean survival: 10.0 years, 95% confidence interval (CI) 9.4-10.6 years] in comparison with the non-MODS group (mean survival: 11.6 years, 95% CI 11.2-11.9 years) (log-rank test, P = 0.001) after the exclusion of in-hospital deaths. Multivariate analysis confirmed MODS as an independent predictor of long-term survival [hazard ratio (HR): 1.528, 95% CI 1.72-2.176; P = 0.019] along with age (HR: 1.062; P < 0.001), alcohol-related aetiology (HR: 2.027; P = 0.001) and idiopathic aetiology (HR: 1.548; P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Early organ dysfunction in AP is an independent predictor of long-term survival even when in-hospital deaths are accounted for. Negative predictors also include age, and idiopathic and alcohol-related aetiologies.

The role of the circadian rhythms in critical illness with a focus on acute pancreatitis.

Circadian rhythms are responsible for governing various physiological processes, including hormone secretion, immune responses, metabolism, and the sleep/wake cycle. In critical illnesses such as acute pancreatitis (AP), circadian rhythms can become dysregulated due to disease. Evidence suggests that time of onset of disease, coupled with peripheral inflammation brought about by AP will impact on the circadian rhythms generated in the central pacemaker and peripheral tissues. Cells of the innate and adaptive immune system are governed by circadian rhythms and the diurnal pattern of expression can be disrupted during disease. Peak circadian immune cell release and gene expression can coincide with AP onset, that may increase pancreatic injury, tissue damage and the potential for systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure to develop. Here, we provide an overview of the role of circadian rhythms in AP and the underpinning inflammatory mechanisms to contextualise ongoing research into the chronobiology and chronotherapeutics of AP.

The Role of the Multiparametric MRI LiverMultiScanTM in the Quantitative Assessment of the Liver and Its Predicted Clinical Applications in Patients Undergoing Major Hepatic Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastasis.

Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for the histological assessment of the liver. With clear disadvantages and the rise in the incidences of liver disease, the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) and an explosion of surgical management options available, non-invasive serological and imaging markers of liver histopathology have never been more pertinent in order to assess liver health and stratify patients considered for surgical intervention. Liver MRI is a leading modality in the assessment of hepatic malignancy. Recent technological advancements in multiparametric MRI software such as the LiverMultiScanTM offers an attractive non-invasive assay of anatomy and histopathology in the pre-operative setting, especially in the context of CRLM. This narrative review examines the evidence for the LiverMultiScanTM in the assessment of hepatic fibrosis, steatosis/steatohepatitis, and potential applications for chemotherapy-associated hepatic changes. We postulate its future role and the hurdles it must surpass in order to be implemented in the pre-operative management of patients undergoing hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastasis. Such a role likely extends to other hepatic malignancies planned for resection.

Timing of Cholecystectomy After Moderate and Severe Acute Biliary Pancreatitis.

Importance: Considering the lack of equipoise regarding the timing of cholecystectomy in patients with moderately severe and severe acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP), it is critical to assess this issue. Objective: To assess the outcomes of early cholecystectomy (EC) in patients with moderately severe and severe ABP. Design, Settings, and Participants: This cohort study retrospectively analyzed real-life data from the MANCTRA-1 (Compliance With Evidence-Based Clinical Guidelines in the Management of Acute Biliary Pancreatitis) data set, assessing 5304 consecutive patients hospitalized between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020, for ABP from 42 countries. A total of 3696 patients who were hospitalized for ABP and underwent cholecystectomy were included in the analysis; of these, 1202 underwent EC, defined as a cholecystectomy performed within 14 days of admission. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of mortality and morbidity. Data analysis was performed from January to February 2023. Main Outcomes: Mortality and morbidity after EC. Results: Of the 3696 patients (mean [SD] age, 58.5 [17.8] years; 1907 [51.5%] female) included in the analysis, 1202 (32.5%) underwent EC and 2494 (67.5%) underwent delayed cholecystectomy (DC). Overall, EC presented an increased risk of postoperative mortality (1.4% vs 0.1%, P < .001) and morbidity (7.7% vs 3.7%, P < .001) compared with DC. On the multivariable analysis, moderately severe and severe ABP were associated with increased mortality (odds ratio [OR], 361.46; 95% CI, 2.28-57 212.31; P = .02) and morbidity (OR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.35-5.19; P = .005). In patients with moderately severe and severe ABP (n = 108), EC was associated with an increased risk of mortality (16 [15.6%] vs 0 [0%], P < .001), morbidity (30 [30.3%] vs 57 [5.5%], P < .001), bile leakage (2 [2.4%] vs 4 [0.4%], P = .02), and infections (12 [14.6%] vs 4 [0.4%], P < .001) compared with patients with mild ABP who underwent EC. In patients with moderately severe and severe ABP (n = 108), EC was associated with higher mortality (16 [15.6%] vs 2 [1.2%], P < .001), morbidity (30 [30.3%] vs 17 [10.3%], P < .001), and infections (12 [14.6%] vs 2 [1.3%], P < .001) compared with patients with moderately severe and severe ABP who underwent DC. On the multivariable analysis, the patient's age (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02-1.36; P = .03) and American Society of Anesthesiologists score (OR, 5.91; 95% CI, 1.06-32.78; P = .04) were associated with mortality; severe complications of ABP were associated with increased mortality (OR, 50.04; 95% CI, 2.37-1058.01; P = .01) and morbidity (OR, 33.64; 95% CI, 3.19-354.73; P = .003). Conclusions and Relevance: This cohort study's findings suggest that EC should be considered carefully in patients with moderately severe and severe ABP, as it was associated with increased postoperative mortality and morbidity. However, older and more fragile patients manifesting severe complications related to ABP should most likely not be considered for EC.

Kynurenine monooxygenase regulates inflammation during critical illness and recovery in experimental acute pancreatitis.

Kynurenine monooxygenase (KMO) blockade protects against multiple organ failure caused by acute pancreatitis (AP), but the link between KMO and systemic inflammation has eluded discovery until now. Here, we show that the KMO product 3-hydroxykynurenine primes innate immune signaling to exacerbate systemic inflammation during experimental AP. We find a tissue-specific role for KMO, where mice lacking Kmo solely in hepatocytes have elevated plasma 3-hydroxykynurenine levels that prime inflammatory gene transcription. 3-Hydroxykynurenine synergizes with interleukin-1ß to cause cellular apoptosis. Critically, mice with elevated 3-hydroxykynurenine succumb fatally earlier and more readily to experimental AP. Therapeutically, blockade with the highly selective KMO inhibitor GSK898 rescues the phenotype, reducing 3-hydroxykynurenine and protecting against critical illness and death. Together, our findings establish KMO and 3-hydroxykynurenine as regulators of inflammation and the innate immune response to sterile inflammation. During critical illness, excess morbidity and death from multiple organ failure can be rescued by systemic KMO blockade.

Increased risk of type 3c diabetes mellitus after acute pancreatitis warrants a personalized approach including diabetes screening.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a frequent cause of hospitalization with long-term health consequences, including type 3c diabetes mellitus (DM). The incidence and risk factors for new-onset morbidities after AP need to be clarified to inform a personalized medicine approach. METHODS: Using a longitudinal electronic healthcare record-linkage analysis, all patients admitted to hospital in Scotland with a first episode of AP between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2012 and followed for a minimum of 5 years after their index AP admission were identified. All new-onset morbidity with specific focus on type 3c DM were analysed and, using time-split multiple regression. RESULTS: A total of 2047 patients were included. AP requiring critical care was followed by 2 years of heightened risk (HR 5.24) of developing type 3c DM, increased risk of new-onset cardiac disease (HR 1.61), and renal disease (HR 2.96). The additional risk conferred by critical care AP had a negative interaction with time, whereas additional risk associated with male sex and a non-gallstone aetiology was long lasting. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, a personalized approach to include type 3c DM screening for a minimum of 2 years for individuals who required critical care when hospitalized with AP is recommended.