Una nueva etapa en la revista Hepatología / A new phase in the journal Hepatología

Este año la revista Hepatología inicia su cuarto año de publicación y continuamos esta-bleciendo cambios que serán de beneficio para mejorar la calidad y visibilidad de la revista. Entre ellos, está la implementación de la plataforma OJS (Open Journal Systems), la cual es un sistema para la edición de revistas que facilita la gestión y publicación de los artículos en línea. Se caracteriza por su capacidad de interacción con las diferentes ba-ses de datos e índices, su sistema de notificaciones y comunicación permanente entre el equipo editorial, los autores y los pares evaluadores, además de su integración con otros servicios académicos como son CrossRef y ORCID. Por lo tanto, hemos migrado todo el contenido del sitio web previo de la revista Hepatología hacia la plataforma OJS, y es-peramos comenzar a recibir los artículos por este medio (www.revistahepatologia.com)

This year the Hepatology journal begins its fourth year of publication and we continue to establish changes that will be of benefit to improve the quality and visibility of the journal. Among them is the implementation of the OJS (Open Journal Systems) platform, which is a system for publishing journals that facilitates the management and publication of articles online. It is characterized by its ability to interact with the different databases and indexes, its notification system and permanent communication between the editorial team, authors and peer reviewers, as well as its integration with other academic services such as CrossRef and ORCID. . Therefore, we have migrated all the content from the previous Hepatology journal website to the OJS platform, and we hope to start receiving articles through this means (www.revistahepatologia.com).

Trasplante ortóptico de hígado en un paciente con una prueba positiva de SARS-CoV-2 y sus complicaciones posoperatorias. Reporte de caso / Orthoptic liver transplantation in a patient with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test and its postoperative complications. Case report

Resumen Objetivo: describir un caso de trasplante hepático en un paciente con resultado positivo en la prueba del coronavirus del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave de tipo 2 (SARS-CoV-2) con éxito en el postrasplante temprano, pero que desarrolló complicaciones asociadas a la inmunosupresión y trombosis portal sin una trombofilia identificada en un centro de alta complejidad de un país latinoamericano. Descripción del caso: paciente de 48 años con diagnóstico de cirrosis hepática secundaria a esteatohepatitis no alcohólica (NASH) complicada por varios episodios de ascitis portal hipertensiva y encefalopatía hepática, ingresada para trasplante hepático ortóptico. En los exámenes iniciales tuvo una prueba positiva para SARS-CoV-2 y era asintomático respiratorio. El trasplante se realizó con éxito luego de la autorización del comité de infección. Después del primer mes posoperatorio presentó diarrea, ascitis y daño renal agudo. Los niveles de tacrolimus en el reingreso fueron superiores a 10 ng/mL y hubo una mejoría clínica significativa con la suspensión del fármaco. Finalmente, el paciente requirió retrasplante por trombosis de la vena porta y de las venas suprahepáticas, aunque no se identificó la etiología. Conclusión: se describe uno de los primeros informes de trasplante de hígado en un paciente con recuperación reciente de COVID-19 y pruebas persistentemente positivas. En el postrasplante temprano hubo una buena respuesta; sin embargo, luego del primer mes presentó complicaciones relacionadas con la inmunosupresión. Este caso también plantea la posible asociación entre el SARS-CoV-2 y el desarrollo de trombosis en la circulación portal hepática.

Abstract Objective: To describe a case of liver transplantation in a patient with a positive result in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) test with success in the early post-transplantation, but who developed complications associated with immunosuppression and portal vein thrombosis without thrombophilia identified at a tertiary referral center in a Latin American country. Case: A 48-year-old patient diagnosed with liver cirrhosis secondary to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) complicated by several episodes of portal hypertension ascites and hepatic encephalopathy was admitted for orthoptic liver transplantation. On initial examinations, he had a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 and was asymptomatic in the respiratory tract. The transplant was carried out successfully after the authorization of the infection committee. After the first postoperative month, he presented with diarrhea, ascites, and acute kidney injury. Tacrolimus levels at readmission were more significant than 10 ng/mL, and there was a significant clinical improvement with drug discontinuation. Finally, the patient required re-transplantation due to thrombosis of the portal vein and suprahepatic veins, although the etiology was not identified. Conclusion: One of the first reports of liver transplantation in a patient with recent recovery from COVID-19 and persistently positive tests is described. In the early post-transplant, there was a good response; however, after the first month, he had complications related to immunosuppression. This case also posits the possible association between SARS-CoV-2 and the development of thrombosis in the hepatic portal circulation.

Differences in the presentation and treatment of primary liver tumors at a hepatology center and an oncology center.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Primary liver cancer is a public health problem in Mexico and the world. Liver transplantation (LT) is the ideal treatment for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aim was to evaluate the characteristics of patients with HCC and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) at two centers and identify transplantation candidates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted at the Hepatology Center (HC) and the University Center Against Cancer (UCAC), within the time frame of 2012-2018. HCC or intrahepatic CC was confirmed in 109 patients. Staging classifications, transplant selection models, and a predictive model for post-LT recurrence were applied to the HCC patients. RESULTS: Of the total population, 93% (n=102) presented with cirrhosis, 86% (n=94) had HCC (HC: 58%, UCAC: 42%), and 14% (n=15) had intrahepatic CC (HC: 40%, UCAC: 60%). Of the HC patients with HCC, Okuda I-II, BCLC A-B, and AFP levels <100ng/m predominated, whereas Okuda II-III, BCLC C-D, and AFP levels >1000ng/mL predominated in the UCAC patients. Half of the HC population with HCC met the criteria for LT, in contrast to 23% of the UCAC patients. Fifteen patients were evaluated for LT, and at present, six have undergone transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent primary liver tumor was HCC. Patients from the HC presented with earlier-stage disease and a high number of them met the criteria for LT. Only patients from the HC underwent transplantation.

La difusión del conocimiento en hepatología en tiempos de cambio o por qué deberías estar en Twitter / Sharing knowledge on Hepatology in times of change, or, why you should be on Twitter

La difusión del conocimiento en hepatología, y la interacción entre pares, está viviendo un cambio disruptivo en los últimos años propiciado por las capacidades que ofrecen las redes sociales, que en el ámbito sanitario y de investigación biomédica se están organizando en Twitter. Estos cambios se han acelerado siguiendo un patrón exponencial durante la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2. Este artículo analiza estos cambios y las oportunidades que se están abriendo en el ámbito de la difusión del conocimiento e investigación en hepatología.(AU)

The ways in which information is shared, regardless of its origin, are constantly undergoing major changes. These shifts affecting how people interact and exchange knowledge have been subject to disruptive changes in recent years, due to the possibilities created by social media. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has exponentially accelerated these changes and innovations. In health and biomedical settings, Twitter is a key tool. This document aims to depict and describe the nascent opportunities in the field of knowledge dissemination and research on hepatology.(AU)

Differences in the presentation and treatment of primary liver tumors at a hepatology center and an oncology center. / Diferencias de la presentación y tratamiento en las neoplasias primarias de hígado en un centro de hepatología y un centro oncológico.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Primary liver cancer is a public health problem in Mexico and the world. Liver transplantation (LT) is the ideal treatment for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aim was to evaluate the characteristics of patients with HCC and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) at two centers and identify transplantation candidates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted at the Hepatology Center (HC) and the University Center Against Cancer (UCAC), within the time frame of 2012-2018. HCC or intrahepatic CC was confirmed in 109 patients. Staging classifications, transplant selection models, and a predictive model for post-LT recurrence were applied to the HCC patients. RESULTS: Of the total population, 93% (n = 102) presented with cirrhosis, 86% (n = 94) had HCC (HC: 58%, UCAC: 42%), and 14% (n = 15) had intrahepatic CC (HC: 40%, UCAC: 60%). Of the HC patients with HCC, Okuda I-II, BCLC A-B, and AFP levels < 100 ng/m predominated, whereas Okuda II-III, BCLC C-D, and AFP levels > 1,000 ng/mL predominated in the UCAC patients. Half of the HC population with HCC met the criteria for LT, in contrast to 23% of the UCAC patients. Fifteen patients were evaluated for LT, and at present, six have undergone transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent primary liver tumor was HCC. Patients from the HC presented with earlier-stage disease and a high number of them met the criteria for LT. Only patients from the HC underwent transplantation.

Sharing knowledge on Hepatology in times of change, or, why you should be on Twitter. / La difusión del conocimiento en hepatología en tiempos de cambio o por qué deberías estar en Twitter.

The ways in which information is shared, regardless of its origin, are constantly undergoing major changes. These shifts affecting how people interact and exchange knowledge have been subject to disruptive changes in recent years, due to the possibilities created by social media. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has exponentially accelerated these changes and innovations. In health and biomedical settings, Twitter is a key tool. This document aims to depict and describe the nascent opportunities in the field of knowledge dissemination and research on hepatology.

Bibliometric analysis of the 100 most-cited articles in the field of hepatology.

OBJECTIVE: Bibliometric search of citation classics can function as a tool to identify extraordinary landmark articles and advanced research studies. We aimed to examine and characterize the 100 most-cited published articles in the field of hepatology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A comprehensive list of the 100 most-cited articles published from 1950 to 2017 in the field of hepatology was compiled after searching the Web of Science with relevant terms, including "liver," "hepatitis," "hepatic," "hepatocellular," "hepatology," "cirrhosis," and "steatohepatitis." The articles were ranked according to their citation counts and were evaluated for characteristics including country, institution, authorship, publication year, subspecialty and others. RESULTS: The database search returned 323,291 articles associated with liver disease published between 1950 and 2017. The 100 most-cited articles were from 21 major journals, with the highest number of articles being published in Hepatology (n=20). The average number of citations of the 100 most-cited articles was 1946.8; among these articles, the most frequently cited article received 5515 citations, and the least frequently cited article received 1155 citations. In total, 60 were original articles among the 100 most-cited articles. The most frequently represented specialties were hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which accounted for 53.3%, 23.3%, and 11.7% of these articles, respectively. DISCUSSION: Our study identified citation classics and provided a review of the most advanced studies in the field of hepatology. This can help to guide clinical treatment and future academic research resulting in advancements in hepatology.

Clinical pharmacology profile of care in Hepatology clinic / Perfil clínico farmacológico dos atendimentos no ambulatório de Hepatologia

Summary Since 2010, the Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division of the Central Institute of Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School (HC-FMUSP, in the Portuguese acronym) has been developing specialized electives assistance activities in the Outpatient Specialty Clinic, Secondary Level, in São Paulo NGA-63 Várzea do Carmo. The objective of this study was to analyze the pharmacotherapeutic profile of patients. This is a cross-sectional and retrospective study in which patients were seen at the Hepatology sector and the results were submitted to descriptive statistics. During the study period, 492 patients were treated at the clinic, with a mean age of 58.9 years and frequency of 61.2% female and 74.8% living in São Paulo. This population was served by various other medical specialties (cardiology and endocrine among others) and the major liver diagnoses were: chronic hepatitis B and C and fatty liver. Comorbidities were also identified, such as diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Most patients took their medication in the Basic Health Units. We found that 30% of patients use of more than five medications and the most prescribed were omeprazole 208 (42.3%), metformin 132 (26.8%) and losartan 80 (16.3%). Because it is an adult/elderly population, with several comorbidities and polymedication, it is important to be aware of the rational use of medication. The multidisciplinary team is important in applying correct conducts for the safe use of medicines, to reduce the burden on health spending and improving the quality of life of patients.

Resumo Desde 2010, a Divisão de Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia Clínica do Instituto Central do HC-FMUSP tem desenvolvido atividades assistenciais eletivas especializadas em Hepatologia no Ambulatório de Especialidades Nível Secundário de São Paulo no Estado de São Paulo NGA-63 Várzea do Carmo. O objetivo do estudo é analisar o perfil farmacoterapêutico dos pacientes. Trata-se de um estudo transversal e retrospectivo, no qual pacientes foram atendidos pelo setor de Hepatologia e os dados encontrados foram submetidos à estatística descritiva. Os resultados demonstraram que 492 pacientes foram atendidos nesse ambulatório durante o período do estudo com a média de idade de 58,9 anos, frequência de 61,2% do sexo feminino e 74,8% residindo na capital paulista. Essa população foi atendida por outras diferentes especialidades médicas (cardiologia e endócrino, entre outras), e os principais diagnósticos hepáticos foram hepatite crônica B e C e esteatose hepática. Também foram identificadas comorbidades como diabetes, hipertensão arterial e dislipidemia. Boa parte da população tende a retirar a sua medicação nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde. Foi verificado que 30% dos pacientes fazem uso de mais de cinco medicamentos, sendo os mais prescritos o omeprazol (208; 42,3%), metformina (132; 26,8%) e losartana (80; 16,3%). Por se tratar de uma população adulta/idosa, com diversas comorbidades e com polimedicação, é importante estar atento ao uso racional do medicamento. O atendimento da equipe multiprofissional é importante para aplicar tomadas de condutas corretas para a segurança no uso de medicamentos e diminuir a oneração em gastos em saúde, melhorando a qualidade de vida do paciente.

Cistos peribiliares em leão-africano (Panthera leo) / Peribiliary cysts in an African lion (Panthera leo)

São descritos os achados macroscópicos e histopatológicos de cistos peribiliares em uma fêmea adulta de leão-africano (Panthera leo). Macroscopicamente, todos os lobos hepáticos continham numerosos cistos preenchidos por líquido translúcido. Histologicamente, os cistos estavam localizados no hilo hepático e nos tratos portais. Os cistos eram revestidos internamente por epitélio simples, constituído por células colunares ou cuboidais e não mucinosas, de acordo com avaliação para ácido periódico de Schiff/azul alciano. Na imuno-histiquímica, todas as células desse epitélio foram positivas para citoceratina. O leão morreu de complicações relacionadas a um carcinoma pulmonar e não foram observadas alterações clínicas associadas à lesão hepática, comprovando que cistos peribiliares em leões também ocorrem não associados a sinais clínicos.

The gross and histopathological aspects of peribiliary cysts in an adult African lioness (Panthera leo) are described. Grossly, all hepatic lobes contained numerous cysts filled with translucent fluid. Histologically it was observed that the cysts were located in the hepatic hilum and in the portal triads. Periodic acid-Schiff and Alcian blue stains, revealed the cysts to be lined by simple, non-mucinous, cuboidal or columnar epithelium. In immunohistochemistry staining all cells comprising this epithelium were positive for cytokeratin. The lioness died due to complications stemming from a pulmonary carcinoma and no clinical signs related to the hepatic lesion were observed, demonstrating that also in lions the peribiliary cysts occur as non-clinical disease associated lesions.

Razones para revaluar la formación de especialistas en aparato digestivo / Reasons to take into account when reassessing training in digestive diseases

Boards in digestive diseases were implemented a long time ago in health organizations and until now no in-depth reassessment of those programs has been performed. Several reasons justify the need of such reassessment including the huge advance of knowledge in this field over the last 10-15 years, the important development of hepatology, and the innovative procedures introduced in endoscopy. Moreover, the latest changes in health organizations demand a reorientation of the tasks of digestive specialists in relation to the increasing role of family physicians in the field of digestive diseases. In the light of this perspective, the need for digestive specialists with different qualifications is emerging. This comprehends a basic profile that would cover the needs of general hospitals and another profile for university hospitals that use high technology where specialists need a sound training in research and in specific areas of expertise such as hepatology or advanced endoscopic techniques

Los programas de formación de residentes en Aparato Digestivo fueron implementados hace más de 25 años y desde entonces no han sufrido ningún proceso de revaluación profunda. Muchos son los cambios que justifican esta revisión y entre los más importantes cabe citar el incremento del volumen de conocimiento de la especialidad en los últimos 10 a 15 años, el enorme desarrollo de la hepatología en este período y las innovaciones endoscópicas, tanto diagnósticas como terapéuticas. Además, los cambios organizativos de la medicina hacen necesario que los especialistas de Aparato Digestivo reubiquen sus funciones en relación con las competencias crecientes de los médicos de Atención Primaria en esta especialidad y que se definan perfiles distintos de especialistas que se ajusten a la demanda laboral, que es diferente para un hospital general o para un hospital de alta tecnología, donde la razón de ser de los especialistas debe basarse en una sólida formación en investigación y una capacitación específica para áreas determinadas de la especialidad, como la hepatología y la endoscopia avanzada