[Translated article] The effect of showing preoperative photographs on patient satisfaction following forefoot surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative outcome measurement typically relies on postoperative radiological results and clinical-functional scales; however, there is a growing interest in considering patient satisfaction (including subjective aspects) as part of the success of forefoot surgery. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether showing a preoperative photograph improves satisfaction in postoperative forefoot surgery patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted in the foot and ankle unit of our centre. We included 120 participants between 18 and 90 years old who underwent forefoot surgery. The degree of satisfaction was compared using the PSQ-10 questionnaire between a group of patients who received a preoperative foot appearance image at their 3-month postoperative follow-up and those who did not receive it. RESULTS: The overall satisfaction rate was 78.33% at 3 months after the intervention. The 93.6% of patients who received the photograph were satisfied at the postoperative follow-up, while in the control group, it was 86.2% with a p value of 0.218. CONCLUSION: The degree of satisfaction in patients undergoing forefoot surgery is not associated with the presentation of preoperative photographs.

The effect of showing preoperative photographs on patient satisfaction following forefoot surgery. / Influencia de la fotografía preoperatoria en el grado de satisfacción en pacientes postoperados de cirugía de antepié.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative outcome measurement typically relies on postoperative radiological results and clinical-functional scales; however, there is a growing interest in considering patient satisfaction (including subjective aspects) as part of the success of forefoot surgery. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether showing a preoperative photograph improves satisfaction in postoperative forefoot surgery patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted in the foot and ankle unit of our center. We included 120 participants between 18 and 90 years old who underwent forefoot surgery. The degree of satisfaction was compared using the PSQ-10 questionnaire between a group of patients who received a preoperative foot appearance image at their 3-month postoperative follow-up and those who did not receive it. RESULTS: The overall satisfaction rate was 78.33% at 3 months after the intervention. The 93.6% of patients who received the photograph were satisfied at the postoperative follow-up, while in the control group, it was 86.2% with a p-value of 0.218. CONCLUSION: The degree of satisfaction in patients undergoing forefoot surgery is not associated with the presentation of preoperative photographs.

Myxoid liposarcoma: MRI features with histological correlation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Myxoid liposarcoma is classified in the group of sarcomas with adipose differentiation, which is the second most common group of sarcomas. However, myxoid liposarcoma is not a homogeneous entity, because the behavior and clinical course of these tumours can vary widely. This study aimed to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of myxoid liposarcomas and to determine whether the MRI features are associated with the histologic grade and can differentiate between low-grade and high-grade tumours and thus help in clinical decision making. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 36 patients with myxoid liposarcomas treated at our centre between 2010 and 2018. We analysed clinical variables (age, sex, and tumour site) and MRI features (size, depth, borders, fatty component, myxoid component, non-fatty/non-myxoid component, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and type of enhancement after the administration of intravenous contrast material). We correlated the MRI features with the histologic grade and the percentage of round cells. RESULTS: In our series, patients with myxoid liposarcomas were mainly young adults (median age, 43 years). There were no differences between sexes; 97.2% were located in the lower limbs, 86.1% were deep, and 77.8% had well-defined borders. Of the 23 myxoid liposarcomas that contained no fat, 16 (69.6%) were high grade (p = 0.01). All the tumors with a myxoid component of less than 25% were high grade (p = 0.01); 83.3% of those with a non-fatty/non-myxoid component greater than 50% were high grade (p = 0.03) and 61.5% had more than 5% round cells (p = 0.01). Diffusion sequences were obtained in 14 of the 36 patients; ADC values were high (median, 2 × 10-3 mm2/s), although there were no significant associations between low-grade and high-grade tumours. Contrast-enhanced images were available for 30 (83.3%) patients; 83.3% of the tumours with heterogeneous enhancement were high grade (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: MRI can be useful for differentiating between high- and low-grade myxoid liposarcomas and can help in clinical decision making.

Historias de violencia y desigualdad de género en mujeres del mercado municipal / Violence and gender inequality in women market vendors stories

Introducción: El problema de la violencia no sólo afecta a quien la padece, pues tiene efectos colaterales en los hijos y otros familiares, lo cual deteriora su salud física, mental y emocional. Objetivo: Analizar la situación de desigualdad y la violencia de género en las mujeres. Metodología: El estudio se realizó bajo un enfoque cualitativo de tipo fenomenológico, aplicando la técnica de la entrevista a profundidad con previo consentimiento informado para su grabación, transcripción, análisis e interpretación. Resultados: Se identificaron formas de violencia física, sexual, psicológica, económica y patrimonial debido a las relaciones asimétricas dentro del hogar, producto del machismo y un sistema patriarcal que afectan la calidad de vida y el desarrollo social de las mujeres. Limitaciones: Las mujeres participantes eran vendedoras del mercado municipal y contaban con poco tiempo disponible para las entrevistas, pues el cierre de sus puestos de trabajo podía generar pérdidas económicas. Valor del estudio: La violencia y desigualdad de género son problemáticas en los países latinoamericanos que se deben abordar desde toda perspectiva para su identificación y prevención oportuna. Conclusiones: La situación de violencia y desigualdad de género ha tenido un impacto negativo no sólo en la vida de las mujeres entrevistadas, sino también de su núcleo familiar, sin embargo, cada una de ellas busca mejorar sus condiciones de vida a pesar de estas adversidades.

Introduction: Gender violence does not only affect the women who suffer it, since it causes collateral effects to children and other family members that deteriorates their physical, mental and emotional health. Objective: To analyze gender inequality and gender-based violence against women. Methodology: We carried out qualitative research of phenomenological type, applying in-depth interviews with previously informed consent for its recording, transcription, analysis and interpretation. Results: Physical, sexual, psychological, economic and patrimonial violence were identified in asymmetrical relationships as a result of sexism and the patriarchal system, which affects women's quality of life and social development. Limitations: Female participants were vendors from a local market and had limited time for the interviews, since the closing of their stands could cause economic losses. Value of the study: Gender-based violence and gender inequality constitute a problem in Latin American countries that should be thoroughly studied for its identification and timely prevention. Conclusions: Gender-based violence and gender inequality produces a negative impact not only on the lives of the women interviewed, but also on their families, however, every one of them tries to improve their life conditions and overcome adversities.

Economic impact of periprosthetic hip fractures. / [Artículo traducido] Impacto económico de las fracturas periprotésicas de cadera.

INTRODUCTION: Hip replacement is one of the most successful operations in orthopaedic surgery. Periprosthetic hip fractures (PPHF) have very serious consequences for the patient, and they also entail a very important economic impact on healthcare systems. The aim of the study was to provide the first detailed cost analysis of PPHF in a traumatology and orthopaedics service in a third level hospital in Spain. METHODS: The study included all patients admitted between 2009 and 2019 with a diagnosis of «PPHF¼. We assessed hospital stay cost, total cost of the operating theatre, cost of the implants used, analyses, consultations with other specialists, rehabilitation sessions, radiological tests, microbiology, blood transfusions and other surgical operations during the same admission. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients were included in the study, 49 women and 29 men, with a mean age of 78.74 years (R 45-92). Sixty-nine patients received surgical treatment, 75% had open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), and 25% had revision surgery. The total cost was €1 139 650.17. The average cost was €14 610.90. Significantly higher costs were incurred for revision compared to ORIF treatments, admissions that lasted more than 30 days, and patients who required more than one operation during admission. The most costly factors were the hospital stay (46%), the cost of the surgery itself (35%), and the implants (24%). CONCLUSIONS: Revision arthroplasty versus ORIF treatment, admissions lasting more than 30 days, and patients requiring more than one operation on admission incurred significantly higher costs. The average cost, from a hospital perspective, generated by a PPHF was €14 610.90. The most costly factors were, in descending order, the hospital stay, the cost of the surgery itself, and the implants. It is necessary to establish protocols and updated therapeutic algorithms in the perioperative management of PPHF in order to reduce both morbidity rates and associated costs.

Economic impact of periprosthetic hip fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Hip replacement is one of the most successful operations in orthopaedic surgery. Periprosthetic hip fractures (PPHF) have very serious consequences for the patient, and they also entail a very important economic impact on healthcare systems. The aim of the study was to provide the first detailed cost analysis of PPHF in a traumatology and orthopaedics service in a third level hospital in Spain. METHODS: The study included all patients admitted between 2009 and 2019 with a diagnosis of "PPHF". We assessed hospital stay cost, total cost of the operating theatre, cost of the implants used, analyses, consultations with other specialists, rehabilitation sessions, radiological tests, microbiology, blood transfusions and other surgical operations during the same admission. RESULTS: 78 patients were included in the study, 49 women and 29 men, with a mean age of 78.74 years (R 45-92). 69 patients received surgical treatment, 75% had open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), and 25% had revision surgery. The total cost was €1,139,650.17. The average cost was €14,610.90. Significantly higher costs were incurred for revision compared to ORIF treatments, admissions that lasted more than 30 days, and patients who required more than one operation during admission. The most costly factors were the hospital stay (46%), the cost of the surgery itself (35%), and the implants (24%). CONCLUSIONS: Revision arthroplasty versus ORIF treatment, admissions lasting more than 30 days, and patients requiring more than one operation on admission incurred significantly higher costs. The average cost, from a hospital perspective, generated by a PPHF was €14,610.90. The most costly factors were, in descending order, the hospital stay, the cost of the surgery itself, and the implants. It is necessary to establish protocols and updated therapeutic algorithms in the perioperative management of PPHF in order to reduce both morbidity rates and associated costs.

SELNET clinical practice guidelines for bone sarcoma.

Bone sarcoma are infrequent diseases, representing < 0.2% of all adult neoplasms. A multidisciplinary management within reference centers for sarcoma, with discussion of the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies within an expert multidisciplinary tumour board, is essential for these patients, given its heterogeneity and low frequency. This approach leads to an improvement in patient's outcome, as demonstrated in several studies. The Sarcoma European Latin-American Network (SELNET), aims to improve clinical outcome in sarcoma care, with a special focus in Latin-American countries. These Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) have been developed and agreed by a multidisciplinary expert group (including medical and radiation oncologist, surgical oncologist, orthopaedic surgeons, radiologist, pathologist, molecular biologist and representatives of patients advocacy groups) of the SELNET consortium, and are conceived to provide the standard approach to diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of bone sarcoma patients in the Latin-American context.

Myxoid liposarcoma: MRI features with histological correlation. / Liposarcoma mixoide: características por resonancia magnética con correlación histológica.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Myxoid liposarcoma is classified in the group of sarcomas with adipose differentiation, which is the second most common group of sarcomas. However, myxoid liposarcoma is not a homogeneous entity, because the behavior and clinical course of these tumors can vary widely. This study aimed to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of myxoid liposarcomas and to determine whether the MRI features are associated with the histologic grade and can differentiate between low-grade and high-grade tumors and thus help in clinical decision making. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 36 patients with myxoid liposarcomas treated at our center between 2010 and 2018. We analyzed clinical variables (age, sex, and tumor site) and MRI features (size, depth, borders, fatty component, myxoid component, non-fatty / non-myxoid component, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and type of enhancement after the administration of intravenous contrast material). We correlated the MRI features with the histologic grade and the percentage of round cells. RESULTS: In our series, patients with myxoid liposarcomas were mainly young adults (median age, 43 years). There were no differences between sexes; 97.2% were located in the lower limbs, 86.1% were deep, and 77.8% had well-defined borders. Of the 23 myxoid liposarcomas that contained no fat, 16 (69.6%) were high grade (p=0.01). All the tumors with a myxoid component of less than 25% were high grade (p=0.01); 83.3% of those with a non-fatty / non-myxoid component greater than 50% were high grade (p=0.03) and 61.5% had more than 5% round cells (p=0.01). Diffusion sequences were obtained in 14 of the 36 patients; ADC values were high (median, 2 x 10-3 mm2/s), although there were no significant associations between low-grade and high-grade tumors. Contrast-enhanced images were available for 30 (83.3%) patients; 83.3% of the tumors with heterogeneous enhancement were high grade (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: MRI can be useful for differentiating between high- and low-grade myxoid liposarcomas and can help in clinical decision making.

Treatment of complex Charcot foot by single stage surgery with static circular fixation. Case series report. / Tratamiento del pie de Charcot complejo mediante cirugía en un solo tiempo con fijador circular estático. Serie de casos.

OBJECTIVE: We present a case series report of patients with Charcot foot treated by single-stage surgery with static circular fixation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective review of 10 cases treated with static circular external fixation since 2016, with the following inclusion criteria: 1) Deformity with any of the following: ulcers, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis or instability 2) peripheral neuropathy, 3) failed orthopaedic treatment. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: 1) peripheral vascular obstruction without revascularization, 2) inability to comply with treatment, 3) non-ambulatory patients, 4) medical contraindication for surgery. Of the 10patients, 7men and 3women, 6had involvement of the left foot and 4of the right one. The average age of our patients was 58 years (range 39-71). We also evaluated Eichenholtz and Brodsky classification, presence of ulcers, osteomyelitis and instability. All were treated with circular external fixation with a medium follow up of 17 months (11-24 months). Postoperatively we evaluated limb salvation, ulcer healing, stability and re-ulcerations. RESULTS: In all patients a functional plantigrade foot was achieved, cutaneous ulcer healed without recurrence. Four cases presented superficial pin infection, solved with local wound care. We had wire ruptures in 2 cases, which did not require replacement. We had a traumatic tibial fracture after frame removal, orthopedically solved. All patients were satisfied and would opt for the same technique, if necessary. CONCLUSIONS: of the study In Charcot foot, the objectives are to avoid amputation and achieve a functional plantigrade foot, without ulcer. Single-stage surgery with static circular external fixation is reproducible in our country, and also a valid technique for those cases in which internal fixation may not be the best option.

Treatment algorithm for Charcot foot and surgical technique with circular external fixation.

BACKGROUND: Charcot neuroarthropathy (CNA), commonly known as Charcot foot, is one of the most debilitating complications of diabetes mellitus. Patients with plantar ulcer and osteomyelitis (OM) due to Charcot foot represent a high cost for health systems and society in general. The amputation risk for ulcerated Charcot patients is 12 times higher than general population under 65 years old. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this article we present the CNA treatment protocol we use in our center. We also make a detailed description of the surgical technique «single stage surgery¼ with circular external fixation. RESULTS: Our CNA treatment protocol covers the most common presentations of this severe neuropathic complication. With the «single stage surgery¼ using circular external fi xation we achieve an ulcer-free foot, successful treatment of the OM, correction of the deformity, diminished the cost of treatment, avoided amputation and prevented recurrence of the ulcer. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a treatment algorithm based on the current literature, can be an invaluable tool in the treatment of these complex patients. The circular external fixation has proven to be the only reliable tool for treating complex Charcot foot in the context of poor bone stock, active ulcers, soft tissues problems and OM.

ANTECEDENTES: La neuroartropatía de Charcot, comúnmente llamado «pie de Charcot¼, es una de las complicaciones más incapacitantes de la diabetes mellitus. Los pacientes con úlceras plantares y osteomielitis representan un gasto elevado para los diferentes sistemas de salud y la sociedad en general. El riesgo de amputación en estos pacientes es 12 veces más elevado que en la población general menor de 65 años. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: En el presente trabajo mostramos el algoritmo de tratamiento de nuestro centro y también presentamos de manera detallada la técnica quirúrgica de un solo tiempo con fijación externa circular. RESULTADOS: Nuestro algoritmo de tratamiento cubre la mayor parte de las presentaciones clínicas de esta complicación. Con la cirugía en un solo tiempo y el uso de la fijación externa circular se ha logrado desaparecer las úlceras, tratar satisfactoriamente la osteomielitis, corregir la deformidad, disminuir costos, prevenir recurrencias y evitar las amputaciones. CONCLUSIONES: El uso de un algoritmo de tratamiento basado en la literatura actual es de suma utilidad para este grupo de pacientes. La fijación externa circular ha demostrado ser una herramienta confiable en el tratamiento integral de estos casos.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors in iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer: experience in clinical practice.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe our clinical experience with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and to evaluate their efficacy and tolerability in patients with iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). METHODS: There were 17 patients (47.1% women, mean age: 65.7) with DTC iodine-refractory (9 papillary, 2 follicular and 3 Hürthle cell), treated with TKIs: 16 with sorafenib and 1 with lenvatinib as first-line treatment; 7 required second-line treatment (4 lenvatinib and 3 axitinib). Primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and radiographic response (determinate at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the initiation of treatment) and second endpoints were determining differences in baseline characteristics depending on clinical course and describing toxicities and tolerability. RESULTS: Median PFS was 18 months. During the first 24 months of treatment with TKIs PR rate was 35.3% (only 5.8% ≥ 6 months) and SD ≥ 6 months was observed in 58.8%. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between patients with good and poor evolution. Adverse events (AEs) were present in 100% of patients, but most of them were grade 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: In our population of patients with iodine-refractory DTC, treatment with sorafenib, lenvatinib, and axitinib allows the stabilization of the disease in a high percentage of cases, with acceptable tolerability.

Re-treatment with radium-223: first experience from an international, open-label, phase I/II study in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases.

BACKGROUND: Six radium-223 injections at 4-week intervals is indicated for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and symptomatic bone metastases. However, patients usually develop disease progression after initial treatment. This prospective phase I/II study assessed re-treatment safety and efficacy of up to six additional radium-223 injections. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients had castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases and six initial radium-223 injections with no on-treatment bone progression; all had subsequent radiologic or clinical progression. Concomitant agents were allowed at investigator discretion, excluding chemotherapy and initiation of new abiraterone or enzalutamide. The primary endpoint was safety; additional exploratory endpoints included time to radiographic bone progression, time to total alkaline phosphatase and prostate-specific antigen progression, radiographic progression-free survival, overall survival, time to first symptomatic skeletal event (SSE), SSE-free survival, and time to pain progression. RESULTS: Among 44 patients, 29 (66%) received all six re-treatment injections. Median time from end of initial radium-223 treatment was 6 months. Forty-one (93%) reported ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event. No grade 4-5 hematologic treatment-emergent adverse events occurred. Only one (2%) patient had radiographic bone progression; eight (18%) had radiographic soft tissue tumor progression (three lymph node and five visceral metastases). Median times to total alkaline phosphatase and prostate-specific antigen progression were not reached and 2.2 months, respectively. Median radiographic progression-free survival was 9.9 months (12.8-month maximum follow-up). Five (11%) patients died and eight (18%) experienced first SSEs. Median overall survival, time to first SSE, and SSE-free survival were not reached. Five (14%) of 36 evaluable patients (baseline worst pain score ≤7) had pain progression. After 2 years of follow-up, 28 (64%) patients died, and the median overall survival was 24.4 months. CONCLUSIONS: Re-treatment with a second course of six radium-223 injections after disease progression is well tolerated, with minimal hematologic toxicity and low radiographic bone progression rates in this small study with limited follow-up. Favorable safety and early effects on disease progression indicate that radium-223 re-treatment is feasible and warrants further evaluation in larger prospective trials.

Fluorescence labelling of extracellular vesicles using a novel thiol-based strategy for quantitative analysis of cellular delivery and intracellular traffic.

Extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, are naturally derived nanovesicles generated in and released by numerous cell types. As extracellular entities they have the capacity to interact with neighbouring cells and distant tissues and affect physiological processes as well as being implicated in numerous diseases including tumorigenesis and neurodegeneration. They are also under intense investigation as delivery vectors for biotherapeutics. The ways in which EVs interact with recipient cells to influence cell physiology and deliver a macromolecular payload are at the early stages of exploration. A significant challenge within these studies is the ability to label EVs directly or indirectly with fluorescent probes to allow visualization without compromising functionality. Here, we present a thiol-based fluorescence labelling method allowing comprehensive analysis of the cellular uptake of prostate cancer derived EVs in live cells using confocal microscopy. Labelling of the EVs in this way did not influence their size and had no effect on their ability to induce differentiation of lung fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. For endocytosis analyses, depletion of key endocytic proteins and the use of chemical inhibitors (Dynasore, EIPA, Rottlerin and IPA-3) indicated that fluid-phase endocytosis and/or macropinocytosis was involved in EV internalisation. Over a period of six hours EVs were observed to increasingly co-localise with lysosomes, indicating a possible termination point following internalisation. Overall this method provides new opportunities for analysing the cellular dynamics of EVs as biological entities affecting cell and whole body physiology as well as investigating their potential as drug delivery vectors.

BLOC-1 deficiency causes alterations in amino acid profile and in phospholipid and adenosine metabolism in the postnatal mouse hippocampus.

Biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex-1 (BLOC-1) is a protein complex involved in the formation of endosomal tubular structures that mediates the sorting of protein cargoes to specialised compartments. In this study, we present insights into the metabolic consequences caused by BLOC-1 deficiency in pallid mice, which carry a null mutation in the Bloc1s6 gene encoding an essential component of this complex. The metabolome of the hippocampus of pallid mice was analysed using an untargeted, liquid chromatography-coupled mass spectrometric approach. After data pre-treatment, statistical analysis and pathway enrichment, we have identified 28 metabolites that showed statistically significant changes between pallid and wild-type control. These metabolites included amino acids, nucleobase-containing compounds and lysophospholipids. Interestingly, pallid mice displayed increased hippocampal levels of the neurotransmitters glutamate and N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamic acid (NAAG) and their precursor glutamine. Expression of the sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 1 (SNAT1), which transports glutamine into neurons, was also upregulated. Conversely, levels of the neurotransmitter precursors phenylalanine and tryptophan were decreased. Interestingly, many of these changes could be mapped to overlapping metabolic pathways. The observed metabolic alterations are likely to affect neurotransmission and neuronal homeostasis and in turn could mediate the memory and behavioural impairments observed in BLOC-1-deficient mice.

Complications associated with radiofrequency ablation of pulmonary veins. / Complicaciones asociadas a la ablación mediante radiofrecuencia de venas pulmonares.

OBJECTIVE: Radiofrequency ablation is an efficacious alternative in patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation who do not respond to or are intolerant to at least one class I or class III antiarrhythmic drug. Although radiofrequency ablation is a safe procedure, complications can occur. Depending on the location, these complications can be classified into those that affect the pulmonary veins themselves, cardiac complications, extracardiac intrathoracic complications, remote complications, and those that result from vascular access. The most common complications are hematomas, arteriovenous fistulas, and pseudoaneurysms at the puncture site. Some complications are benign and transient, such as gastroparesis or diaphragmatic elevation, whereas others are potentially fatal, such as cardiac tamponade. CONCLUSION: Radiologists must be familiar with the complications that can occur secondary to pulmonary vein ablation to ensure early diagnosis and treatment.

Circulating RNA: looking at the liver through a frosted glass.

CONTEXT: The evaluation of the liver condition, based on serum enzymatic activity and biopsies, is insufficient. Therefore, it is a priority to find a correlation between circulating RNAs and liver damage. METHODS: Publications were retrieved by the search terms "circulating RNA AND liver". RESULTS: Although differences exist between studies, a profile of RNAs that repeatedly appeared as indicators of liver damage was identified. DISCUSSION: We highlight those circulating RNAs useful to diagnostic, and discuss the transport mechanisms. CONCLUSION: Several studies have proven that circulating RNAs are useful to establish a diagnostic and a prognosis of liver diseases.