Hemoglobin levels as a surrogate marker of sarcopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis.

AIM: This study aimed to elucidate a surrogate marker of sarcopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). METHODS: A total of 424 patients were assessed for handgrip strength (HGS) and skeletal muscle index (SMI). They were divided into two groups: sarcopenia (Group S; n = 80) and nonsarcopenia (Group NS; n = 344). RESULTS: Group S showed significantly lower HGS, SMI, and hemoglobin (Hb) levels in males and female patients, and lower serum levels of albumin, cholinesterase, and zinc (all p < 0.001), along with significantly higher serum levels of procollagen type III-N-peptide and type IV collagen 7S-domain (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0017) than Group NS. The risk factors for sarcopenia were age 65 years or older, female gender, Child-Pugh class C, and Hb levels <10.9 g/dL in women and <12.4 g/dL in men (p = 0.012, p < 0.001, p = 0.031, and p < 0.001, respectively). Significant positive correlations were found between the Hb level and the SMI and HGS (r = 0.4, p < 0.001 and r = 0.4, p < 0.001, respectively). Sarcopenia, low HGS, and low SMI were significantly associated with overall survival in patients with LC (all p < 0.001). The predictive accuracy of Hb levels for predicting sarcopenia was significantly higher than for predicting SMI and tended to be higher than for predicting HGS (p = 0.014 and p = 0.059, respectively). CONCLUSION: Hemoglobin levels are predictive of sarcopenia in patients with LC and warrants further investigation as a biomarker for sarcopenia in LC.

Diagnostic yield of liquid-based cytology in serial pancreatic juice aspiration cytological examination.

Objectives: Serial pancreatic juice aspiration cytological examination (SPACE) via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a useful diagnostic method for early-stage pancreatic cancer, such as carcinoma in situ that are difficult to diagnose by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). However, the diagnostic accuracy of SPACE is low, which is attributed to problems regarding specimen treatment. Hence, we evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of liquid-based cytology (LBC) in pancreatic juice cytology for pancreatic cancer. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 24 patients with suspected pancreatic cancer that was difficult to diagnose by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration who underwent SPACE using LBC between April 2017 and April 2021. Results: The most common reason for performing SPACE was localized stenosis of the main pancreatic duct without a mass. Eleven patients were diagnosed with malignancy after surgical resection, nine of whom had pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Ten patients were diagnosed as benign after a follow-up of more than 1 year. The nine cases of malignancy were diagnosed before surgical resection by SPACE using LBC, with a sensitivity of 81.8% and specificity of 100%. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 91.7%. A total of 152 LBC examinations were performed via SPACE, with an adequate sample collection rate of 88.9%. No adverse events, including acute pancreatitis, occurred after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Conclusion: SPACE with LBC offers good diagnostic efficacy in patients with pancreatic cancer that is difficult to diagnose by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration.

Tetraploidization promotes radial stem growth in poplars.

Somatic polyploidization often increases cell and organ size, thereby contributing to plant biomass production. However, as most woody plants do not undergo polyploidization, explaining the polyploidization effect on organ growth in trees remains difficult. Here we developed a new method to generate tetraploid lines in poplars through colchicine treatment of lateral buds. We found that tetraploidization induced cell enlargement in the stem, suggesting that polyploidization can increase cell size in woody plants that cannot induce polyploidization in normal development. Greenhouse growth analysis revealed that radial growth was enhanced in the basal stem of tetraploids, whereas longitudinal growth was retarded, producing the same amount of stem biomass as diploids. Woody biomass characteristics were also comparable in terms of wood substance density, saccharification efficiency, and cell wall profiling. Our results reveal tetraploidization as an effective strategy for improving woody biomass production when combined with technologies that promote longitudinal stem growth by enhancing metabolite production and/or transport.

Leaky Gut and Severe Adverse Events in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated With Lenvatinib.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To identify predictors of severe adverse events (≥grade 3) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with lenvatinib. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 41 patients, 25 and 16 were stratified into the severe and non-severe adverse events groups, respectively. Of these, 19 formed a lactulose-mannitol test subgroup, which was divided into severe adverse events (n=11) and non-severe adverse events (n=8) groups. Severe adverse events were assessed by liver disease etiology and modified albumin-bilirubin grade. Intestinal permeability by lactulose-mannitol test and serum soluble CD163, soluble mannose receptor, and zonulin levels. RESULTS: Severe adverse event incidence rates were higher in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma related to alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty-liver disease than in those with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma of other etiologies (p=0.014). The rates were higher for modified albumin-bilirubin grades 2a and 2b compared to modified albumin-bilirubin grade 1 (p=0.0104). Zonulin levels were higher in the severe adverse event group (p=0.0331) and were independently associated with severe adverse events (odds ratio=140, 95% confidence interval=1.66-11800; p=0.029). Patients with high zonulin levels (≥0.518 ng/ml) experienced more severe adverse events than those with low levels (<0.518 ng/ml) (p=0.0137). In the lactulose-mannitol test subgroup, the urine lactulose:mannitol ratio was higher in the severe vs. non-severe adverse event group (p=0.0164). Moreover, it was higher in patients with alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty-liver disease-related advanced hepatocellular carcinoma compared to those with other advanced hepatocellular carcinoma etiologies (p=0.0108). CONCLUSION: Serum zonulin levels predict severe adverse events in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with lenvatinib.

Initial Experience With Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Real-world Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The current study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in patients with advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma in a real-world setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 23 patients. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Antitumor responses 6 weeks after initiation of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab were assessed using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 and the modified RECIST (mRECIST). The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0 was used to evaluate the severity of adverse events. Relative changes in hepatic function and nutritional status were investigated. RESULTS: The median PFS was 119 days. The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) at 6 weeks based on RECIST were 21.7% and 60.9%, respectively. The ORR and DCR based on mRECIST were 26.1% and 69.6%, respectively. The group with hepatitis B/C-related HCC had a higher ORR based on mRECIST than the non-hepatitis B and C-related group. Patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A and B disease had a higher DCR based on RECIST than those with BCLC stage C disease. The incidence rates of any grade and grade ≥3 adverse events were 65.2% and 21.7%, respectively. The albumin-bilirubin and Child-Pugh scores, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and skeletal muscle index did not significantly worsen within 6 weeks after treatment initiation. CONCLUSION: Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab is effective and safe and can help achieve complete remission in patients with advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma in a real-world setting. Nevertheless, large-scale studies must be conducted to validate its outcomes in this patient group.

Macrophage Activation Markers Predict Liver-Related Complications in Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) has a wide variation in clinical presentation and course. There is no significant correlation between these symptoms and the disease stage, although patients with more advanced stages generally have more symptoms. It is important to develop biomarkers in order to identify patients with an increased risk of complications and end-stage liver disease. This study investigated surrogate markers for risk estimation of PBC-related complications, including a study population of 77 patients with PBC who underwent liver biopsy and were measured for serum levels of macrophage activation markers, soluble CD163 (sCD163), soluble mannose receptor (sMR), and zonulin. Patients with PBC were divided into symptomatic (Group S, n = 20) and asymptomatic (Group A, n = 57) groups. The correlations of histological stages based on both Scheuer and Nakanuma classifications with the three serum markers were investigated. The Nakanuma classification involves grading for liver fibrosis and bile duct loss. The three biomarkers were assessed for their diagnostic ability to identify patients with PBC having high risk of developing complications. The predictive factors of these complications were examined as well. Group S had significantly higher serum sMR (p = 0.011) and sCD163 (p = 0.048) levels versus Group A. A composite index of sMR and sCD163 measurements had significantly better prediction performance than sCD163 alone (p = 0.012), although not when compared to sMR alone (p = 0.129). Serum sMR was an independent factor for developing complications on both univariate (Odds ratio (OR) = 30.20, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 3.410−267.0, p = 0.00220), and multivariate (OR = 33.70, 95% CI: 3.6600−311.0, p = 0.0019) analyses. Patients with PBC having sMR of ≥56.6 had a higher incidence of clinical complications versus those with a sMR of <56.6. Serum sMR predicts the development of complications in patients with PBC. sMR plus sCD163 showed better predictive power than either marker alone, although the addition of sCD163 did not improve the predictive power of sMR. Future prospective studies are required in order to validate the findings of the present study.

Rifaximin enhances the L­carnitine­mediated preventive effects on skeletal muscle atrophy in cirrhotic rats by modulating the gut­liver­muscle axis.

The gut­liver­muscle axis is associated with the development of sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis. The present study aimed to illustrate the combined effects of rifaximin and L­carnitine on skeletal muscle atrophy in cirrhotic rats with steatohepatitis. For this purpose, a total of 344 Fischer rats were fed a choline­deficient L­amino acid­defined (CDAA) diet with the daily oral administration of rifaximin (100 mg/kg) and/or L­carnitine (200 mg/kg), and measurements of psoas muscle mass index and forelimb grip strength were performed. After feeding for 12 weeks, blood samples, and liver, ileum and gastrocnemius muscle tissues were harvested. The effects of L­carnitine on rat myocytes were assessed using in vitro assays. Treatment with rifaximin attenuated hyperammonemia and liver fibrosis in the CDAA­fed rats. Moreover, it improved intestinal permeability with the restoration of tight junction proteins and suppressed the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)­mediated hepatic macrophage activation and pro­inflammatory response. In addition, rifaximin prevented skeletal muscle mass atrophy and weakness by decreasing intramuscular myostatin and pro­inflammatory cytokine levels. Moreover, rifaximin synergistically enhanced the L­carnitine­mediated improvement of skeletal muscle wasting by promoting the production of insulin­like growth factor­1 and mitochondrial biogenesis, resulting in the inhibition of the ubiquitin­proteasome system (UPS). The in vitro assays revealed that L­carnitine directly attenuated the impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis, thereby inhibiting the UPS in rat myocytes that were stimulated with LPS or tumor necrosis factor­α. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that the combination of rifaximin with L­carnitine may provide a clinical benefit for liver cirrhosis­related sarcopenia.

Rifaximin and lubiprostone mitigate liver fibrosis development by repairing gut barrier function in diet-induced rat steatohepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Although gut-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) affects the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) pathogenesis, few studies have focused on this relationship to develop treatments for NASH. AIMS: To explore the effects of combination with rifaximin and lubiprostone on NASH liver fibrosis through the modulation of gut barrier function. METHODS: To induce steatohepatitis, F344 rats were fed a choline-deficient l-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet for 12 weeks and received oral administration of rifaximin and/or lubiprostone. Histological, molecular, and fecal microbial analyses were performed. Barrier function in Caco-2 cells were assessed by in vitro assays. RESULTS: Combination rifaximin/lubiprostone treatment significantly suppressed macrophage expansion, proinflammatory responses, and liver fibrosis in CDAA-fed rats by blocking hepatic translocation of LPS and activation of toll-like receptor 4 signaling. Rifaximin and lubiprostone improved intestinal permeability via restoring tight junction proteins (TJPs) with the intestinal activation of pregnane X receptor and chloride channel-2, respectively. Moreover, this combination increased the abundance of Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, and Faecalibacterium as well as decreased that of Veillonella resulting in an increase of fecal short-chain fatty acids and a decrease of intestinal sialidase activity. Both agents also directly suppressed the LPS-induced barrier dysfunction and depletion of TJPs in Caco-2 cells. CONCLUSION: The combination of rifaximin and lubiprostone may provide a novel strategy for treating NASH-related fibrosis.

Clinical Significance of Serum Zinc Levels on the Development of Sarcopenia in Cirrhotic Patients.

Background/Aim: Sarcopenia increases the mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Approximately 60% of zinc is accumulated in skeletal muscle. We aimed to determine the role of subclinical zinc deficiency on sarcopenia development in patients with cirrhosis. Patients and Methods: We enrolled 151 patients with cirrhosis and divided them into the group with normal serum zinc levels (Group N: 80-130 µg/dl; n=38) and group with subclinical zinc deficiency (Group D: <80 µg/dl; n=113). The risk factors for sarcopenia were then investigated. Results: Group D had more sarcopenia cases than Group N (31.0% vs. 13.2%). In group D, HGS exhibited a weakly positive but significant correlation with serum zinc levels (R=0.287, p=0.00212), serum zinc levels negatively correlated with both ammonia and myostatin levels (R=-0.254, p=0.0078; R=-0.33, p<0.01), and low zinc levels were independently associated with sarcopenia development. Conclusion: Patients with cirrhosis showing subclinical zinc deficiency have a significantly higher risk of developing sarcopenia.

Comparison of Ablation Area and Change in Functional Liver Reserve after Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using the arfa® and VIVA® Systems.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is recommended in Japan for patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) one to three in number and ≤3 cm in size. The arfa® and VIVA® RFA systems are widely used for patients with HCC and this retrospective observational study aims to compare their performances. The study included 365 patients with HCCs one to three in number and ≤3 cm in size who underwent RFA using the arfa® system (arfa® group) or the VIVA® system (VIVA® group). The total bilirubin (T-Bil) level after RFA was higher in the arfa® group than in the VIVA® group. With a 3-cm electrode needle, the longest diameter (Dmax) and the shortest diameter were analyzed and found to be greater in the arfa® group than in the VIVA® group. Furthermore, Dmax with the 2.5-cm electrode needle was greater in the arfa® group than in the VIVA® group. Statistically significant differences in the ablation area and in the T-Bil value after RFA were observed between the groups; however, these differences are not considered clinical problems because the difference in the ablation area was only slight and the Child-Pugh score was the same between the groups. Thus, hepatologists can use either of the RFA systems based on their preference.

Enhanced liver fibrosis score as a surrogate of liver-related complications and mortality in primary biliary cholangitis.

ABSTRACT: The presence of bridging fibrosis predicts survival of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). This study aimed to compare serum parameters for the estimation of liver fibrosis and prediction of clinical outcomes in PBC.Out of 392 patients with PBC, 102 who underwent liver biopsy and in whom fibrosis indices, platelet count, hyaluronic acid, type IV collagen 7 second domain, procollagen type III amino-terminal peptide, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1, Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer, N-terminal type III collagen propeptide levels; fibrosis index based on 4 factors, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index, and enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) score were determined, were included. The correlation of histological stages based on both Scheuer and Nakanuma classifications with fibrosis indices was investigated. The Nakanuma system comprises grading for liver fibrosis and bile duct loss. Diagnostic performances of 10 fibrosis indices were evaluated to identify patients with poor prognosis. Moreover, correlations of those with PBC clinical manifestation and survival were also investigated.Enhances liver fibrosis (ELF) score had the highest correlation coefficient for liver fibrosis evaluated according to either the Scheuer or Nakanuma classification among 10 serum fibrosis indices. It also had the highest diagnostic performance in estimating Scheuer stage III and Nakanuma fibrosis score 2, both of which represent portal-bridging fibrosis. Patients with an ELF score of ≥10.0 had shorter survival and presented more frequently clinical complications than those with an ELF score of <10.0.ELF score determines the severity of liver fibrosis and predicts the occurrence of complications and survival in patients with PBC.

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Potentiate the Protective Effect of Branched-Chain Amino Acids on Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Cirrhotic Rats.

SCOPE: This study investigated the combined effect of the angiotensin II (AT-II) receptor blocker losartan and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) on skeletal muscle atrophy in rats with cirrhosis and steatohepatitis. METHOD AND RESULTS: Fischer 344 rats are fed a choline-deficient l-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet for 12 weeks and treated with oral losartan (30 mg kg-1 day-1 ) and/or BCAAs (Aminoleban EN, 2500 mg kg-1 day-1 ). Treatment with losartan and BCAAs attenuated hepatic inflammation and fibrosis and improved skeletal muscle atrophy and strength in CDAA-fed rats. Both agents reduced intramuscular myostatin and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, resulting in inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) through interference with the SMAD and nuclear factor-kappa B pathways, respectively. Losartan also augmented the BCAA-mediated increase of skeletal muscle mass by promoting insulin growth factor-I production and mitochondrial biogenesis. Moreover, losartan decreased the intramuscular expression of transcription factor EB (TFEB), a transcriptional inducer of E3 ubiquitin ligase regulated by AT-II. In vitro assays illustrated that losartan promoted mitochondrial biogenesis and reduced TFEB expression in AT-II-stimulated rat myocytes, thereby potentiating the inhibitory effects of BCAAs on the UPS and caspase-3 cleavage. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that this regimen could serve as a novel treatment for patients with sarcopenia and liver cirrhosis.

The association between sarcopenia and endotoxin in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.

ABSTRACT: We aimed to prospectively identify the risk factors of sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis.Patients (n = 193) included in a discovery cohort (January 2011 and December 2014) were categorized into alcoholic (A1; n = 55) and non-alcoholic cirrhosis (NA; n = 138) groups, and those (n = 235) in a validation cohort (January 2015 to December 2019) were categorized into alcoholic (n = 92), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-related (n = 27), and hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis groups (n = 116). Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was determined using computed tomography (SMI-CT) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (SMI-BIA). Endotoxin activity (EA) was measured with an EA assay.SMI-CT correlated with grip strength in all the groups but significantly correlated with SMI-BIA of the men in group A1 (R = 0.64, P < .0001) and both sexes in group NA (male: R = 0.44, P = .0001; female: R = 0.35, P = .003). SMI-CT inversely correlated with the EA levels of the men in group A1 (R = -0.67, P < .0001) and myostatin levels in group NA (R = -0.53, P < .0001). Lower extremity SMI had a strong negative correlation with the EA levels of the men in group A1 (R = -0.58, P < .001), whereas upper extremity SMI showed an inverse trend with EA levels (R = -0.28, P = .08). SMI-CT also inversely correlated with the EA levels in groups A2 (R = -0.52, P = .003) and N (R = -0.67, P < .0001) and myostatin levels in group C (R = -0.65, P < .0001). Moreover, SMI-CT correlated with nutritional factors, including cholinesterase (R = 0.50, P = .005), zinc (R = 0.45, P = .01), branched amino acid-to-tyrosine ratio (R = 0.39, P = .02), and triglyceride (R = 0.33, P = .03) in group N.Sarcopenia risk factors differ among cirrhosis etiologies. Alcohol-induced, intestine-mediated peripheral endotoxemia could participate in sarcopenia development in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.

Clinical Significance of Gamma-Glutamyltranspeptidase Combined with Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin for the Assessment of Excessive Alcohol Consumption in Patients with Alcoholic Cirrhosis.

Background: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GTP) to assess the single and combined benefits of these biological markers for the detection of chronic excessive alcohol consumption in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Methods: Biological markers were determined in blood samples from patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (drinking group, n = 35; nondrinking group, n = 81). The prediction accuracy of %CDT alone, γ-GTP alone, and their combination for the detection of excessive alcohol consumption was determined in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Results: Serum total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-GTP, and alkaline phosphatase levels and %CDT were significantly higher and serum albumin levels were significantly lower in the drinking group than in the nondrinking group. The combination of %CDT and γ-GTP compared with %CDT or γ-GTP alone showed a higher prediction accuracy. The combination of %CDT and γ-GTP exhibited a higher specificity than γ-GTP alone. However, in terms of sensitivity, no significant difference was found between single or combined markers. Conclusions: The combination of %CDT and γ-GTP is considered a useful biomarker of chronic excessive alcohol consumption in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.

Intraductal papillary-mucinous carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus and multifocal liver metastasis: An autopsy case.

The prognosis of intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm is superior to that of conventional pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Only a few advanced cases of intraductal papillary-mucinous carcinoma (IPMC) have been reported to date. We herein report the case of a 78-year-old male patient with advanced pancreatobiliary type IPMC with portal vein invasion and liver metastasis. The IPMC invaded the portal vein to form a tumor thrombus and it also metastasized to the liver via the portal vein. After receiving best supportive care, the patient succumbed to the disease following an exacerbation of IPMC 90 days after the initial presentation. On autopsy, a very long tumor thrombus was identified, along with liver metastatic lesions, which had retained the structure of the primary IPMC on histological examination.

Dual therapy with zinc acetate and rifaximin prevents from ethanol-induced liver fibrosis by maintaining intestinal barrier integrity.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic overload of gut-derived lipopolysaccharide dictates the progression of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) by inducing oxidative stress and activating Kupffer cells and hepatic stellate cells through toll-like receptor 4 signaling. Therefore, targeting the maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity has attracted attention for the treatment of ALD. Zinc acetate and rifaximin, which is a nonabsorbable antibiotic, had been clinically used for patients with cirrhosis, particularly those with hepatic encephalopathy, and had been known to improve intestinal barrier dysfunction. However, only few studies focused on their efficacies in preventing the ALD-related fibrosis development. AIM: To investigate the effects of a combined zinc acetate with rifaximin on liver fibrosis in a mouse ALD model. METHODS: To induce ALD-related liver fibrosis, female C57BL/6J mice were fed a 2.5% (v/v) ethanol-containing Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet and received intraperitoneal carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injection twice weekly (1 mL/kg) for 8 wk. Zinc acetate (100 mg/L) and/or rifaximin (100 mg/L) were orally administered during experimental period. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis as well as intestinal barrier function were evaluated by histological and molecular analyses. Moreover, the direct effects of both agents on Caco-2 barrier function were assessed by in vitro assays. RESULTS: In the ethanol plus CCl4-treated mice, combination of zinc acetate and rifaximin attenuated oxidative lipid peroxidation with downregulation of Nox2 and Nox4. This combination significantly inhibited the Kupffer cells expansion and the proinflammatory response with blunted hepatic exposure of lipopolysaccharide and the toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kB pathway. Consequently, liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cells activation were efficiently suppressed with downregulation of Mmp-2, -9, -13, and Timp1. Both agents improved the atrophic changes and permeability in the ileum, with restoration of tight junction proteins (TJPs) by decreasing the expressions of tumor necrosis factor α and myosin light chain kinase. In the in vitro assay, both agents directly reinforced ethanol or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated paracellular permeability and upregulated TJPs in Caco-2 cells. CONCLUSION: Dual therapy with zinc acetate and rifaximin may serve as a strategy to prevent ALD-related fibrosis by maintaining intestinal barrier integrity.

Accuracy of Fibrosis-4 Index in Identification of Patients with Cirrhosis Who Could Potentially Avoid Variceal Screening Endoscopy.

A potential restriction of the Baveno VI consensus, which helps to avoid unnecessary endoscopies, is the limited availability of FibroScan. We aimed to identify serum fibrosis indices that might aid in ruling out the presence of high-risk varices in cirrhotic patients. This retrospective study included 541 consecutive patients with cirrhosis who underwent endoscopy and had data available for nine serum fibrosis indices, including platelet count, hyaluronic acid, 7S fragment of type 4 collagen, procollagen type III N-terminal peptide, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1, Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer, fibrosis index based on four factors (FIB-4), aspartate transaminase/platelet ratio index and enhanced liver fibrosis score. Optimal index cutoffs for predicting high-risk varices were calculated in an estimation cohort (n = 127) and evaluated in a validation cohort (n = 351). The diagnostic performance of the indices was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. In the estimation cohort, a FIB-4 cutoff of 2.78 provided the greatest diagnostic accuracy in predicting both all-grade and high-risk varices. FIB-4 had a negative predictive value of 1.00 for high-risk varices in both cohorts, and 21.3% (27/127) and 14.8% (52/351) of the estimation and validation cohorts, respectively, avoided esophagogastroduodenoscopy; no high-risk varices were missed in either cohort. FIB-4 correctly identifies the absence of high-risk varices in patients with cirrhosis. Therefore, those with a FIB-4 of ≥2.78 should undergo esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and FIB-4 determination should be recommended every 6-12 months concurrently with the other blood tests until the index value reaches 2.78 in those with a FIB-4 of <2.78.

A Histologically Proven Case of Autoimmune Hepatitis with Eosinophilic Fasciitis.

Both autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) are known to be complicated by other autoimmune diseases. However, AIH complicated by EF has never been reported. We experienced a 58-year-old man with AIH complicated by EF. He was admitted to our hospital with acute hepatic injury and edema of the legs in April 201X. The etiologies of these symptoms were histologically proven as AIH and EF. The administration of prednisolone (PSL) drastically improved his liver injury and edema of the legs. When we make a diagnosis of AIH, we should carefully evaluate the physical findings, including the appearance of the legs, in order to detect other coexisting autoimmune diseases.

Severe Aplastic Anemia following Parvovirus B19-Associated Acute Hepatitis.

Human parvovirus (HPV) B19 is linked to a variety of clinical manifestations, such as erythema infectiosum, nonimmune hydrops fetalis, and transient aplastic anemia. Although a few cases have shown HPVB19 infection as a possible causative agent for hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia (HAAA) in immunocompetent patients, most reported cases of HAAA following transient hepatitis did not have delayed remission. Here we report a rare case of severe aplastic anemia following acute hepatitis with prolonged jaundice due to HPVB19 infection in a previously healthy young male. Clinical laboratory examination assessed marked liver injury and jaundice as well as peripheral pancytopenia, and bone marrow biopsy revealed severe hypoplasia and fatty replacement. HPVB19 infection was diagnosed by enzyme immunoassay with high titer of anti-HPVB19 immunoglobulin M antibodies. Immunosuppressive therapy was initiated 2 months after the onset of acute hepatitis when liver injury and jaundice were improved. Cyclosporine provided partial remission after 2 months of medication without bone marrow transplantation. Our case suggests that HPVB19 should be considered as a hepatotropic virus and a cause of acquired aplastic anemia, including HAAA.

[The effect of attainability on envy].

Envy is an unpleasant emotion caused by comparison with a person who possesses something we desire. We conducted two studies to test our prediction that less envy would be felt when the person could attain what others had. In Study 1, participants read scenarios in which their friend could achieve a goal which they could not, and rated their emotions toward the friend. We manipulated the attainability according to whether the goal could be achieved by effort. In Study 2, participants competed with a confederate, and were informed that their performance was worse than that of the confederate. Afterwards the attainability was manipulated by either informing the participants that the possibility of improving their ability was very low or high. Then participants rated their emotions toward the confederate, and we also checked whether the participants had helped the confederate. As predicted, our findings demonstrated that those in the high attainability condition felt envy less than those in the low attainability condition, but showed no significant differences in helping behavior.