BACKGROUND Direct-acting antiviral agents(DAAs)are highly effective treatment for chronic hepatitis C(CHC)with a significant rate of sustained virologic response(SVR).The achievement of SVR is crucial to prevent addit...BACKGROUND Direct-acting antiviral agents(DAAs)are highly effective treatment for chronic hepatitis C(CHC)with a significant rate of sustained virologic response(SVR).The achievement of SVR is crucial to prevent additional liver damage and slow down fibrosis progression.The assessment of fibrosis degree can be performed with transient elastography,magnetic resonance elastography or shear-wave elastography(SWE).Liver elastography could function as a predictor for hepato-cellular carcinoma(HCC)in CHC patients treated with DAAs.AIM To explore the predictive value of SWE for HCC development after complete clearance of hepatitis C virus(HCV).METHODS A comprehensive literature search of clinical studies was performed to identify the ability of SWE to predict HCC occurrence after HCV clearance.In accordance with the study protocol,a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the evidence was planned.RESULTS At baseline and after 12 wk of follow-up,a trend was shown towards greater liver stiffness(LS)in those who go on to develop HCC compared to those who do not[baseline LS standardized mean difference(SMD):1.15,95%confidence interval(95%CI):020-2.50;LS SMD after 12 wk:0.83,95%CI:0.33-1.98].The absence of a statistically significant difference between the mean LS in those who developed HCC or not may be related to the inability to correct for confounding factors and the absence of raw source data.There was a statist-ically significant LS SMD at 24 wk of follow-up between patients who developed HCC vs not(0.64;95%CI:0.04-1.24).CONCLUSION SWE could be a promising tool for prediction of HCC occurrence in patients treated with DAAs.Further studies with larger cohorts and standardized timing of elastographic evaluation are needed to confirm these data.展开更多
Background: Duodenoscope-related multidrug-resistant organism(MDRO) infections raise concerns. Disposable duodenoscopes have been recently introduced in the market and approved by regulatory agencies with the aim to r...Background: Duodenoscope-related multidrug-resistant organism(MDRO) infections raise concerns. Disposable duodenoscopes have been recently introduced in the market and approved by regulatory agencies with the aim to reduce the risk of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) associated infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of procedures performed with single-use duodenoscopes in patients with clinical indications to single-operator cholangiopancreatoscopy. Methods: This is a multicenter international, retrospective study combining all patients who underwent complex biliopancreatic interventions using the combination of a single-use duodenoscope and a single-use cholangioscope. The primary outcome was technical success defined as ERCP completion for the intended clinical indication. Secondary outcomes were procedural duration, rate of cross-over to reusable duodenoscope, operator-reported satisfaction score(1 to 10) on performance rating of the single-use duodenoscope, and adverse event(AE) rate. Results: A total of 66 patients(26, 39.4% female) were included in the study. ERCP was categorized according to ASGE ERCP grading system as 47(71.2%) grade 3 and 19(28.8%) grade 4. The technical success rate was 98.5%(65/66). Procedural duration was 64(interquartile range 15-189) min, cross-over rate to reusable duodenoscope was 1/66(1.5%). The satisfaction score of the single-use duodenoscope classified by the operators was 8.6 ± 1.3 points. Four patients(6.1%) experienced AEs not directly related to the single-use duodenoscope, namely 2 post-ERCP pancreatitis(PEP), 1 cholangitis and 1 bleeding.Conclusions: Single-use duodenoscope is effective, reliable and safe even in technically challenging procedures with a non-inferiority to reusable duodenoscope, making these devices a viable alternative to standard reusable equipment.展开更多
The gut microbiota works in unison with the host,promoting its health.In particular,it has been shown to exert protective,metabolic and structural functions.Recent evidence has revealed the influence of the gut microb...The gut microbiota works in unison with the host,promoting its health.In particular,it has been shown to exert protective,metabolic and structural functions.Recent evidence has revealed the influence of the gut microbiota on other organs such as the central nervous system,cardiovascular and the endocrine-metabolic systems and the digestive system.The study of the gut microbiota is outlining new and broader frontiers every day and holds enormous innovation potential for the medical and pharmaceutical fields.Prevention and treatment of specific women’s diseases involves the need to deepen the function of the gut as a junction organ where certain positive bacteria can be very beneficial to health.The gut microbiota is unique and dynamic at the same time,subject to external factors that can change it,and is capable of modulating itself at different stages of a woman’s life,playing an important role that arises from the intertwining of biological mechanisms between the microbiota and the female genital system.The gut microbiota could play a key role in personalized medicine.展开更多
Contrast enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)has been widely implemented in clinical practice because of the enormous quantity of information it provides,along with its low cost,reproducibility,minimal invasiveness,and safety of...Contrast enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)has been widely implemented in clinical practice because of the enormous quantity of information it provides,along with its low cost,reproducibility,minimal invasiveness,and safety of the secondgeneration ultrasound contrast agents.To overcome the limitation of CEUS given by the subjective evaluation of the contrast enhancement behaviour,quantitative analysis of contrast kinetics with generation of time-intensity curves has been introduced in recent years.The quantification of perfusion parameters[named as dynamic-CEUS(D-CEUS)]has several applications in gastrointestinal neoplastic and inflammatory disorders.However,the limited availability of large studies and the heterogeneity of the technologies employed have precluded the standardisation of D-CEUS,which potentially represents a valuable tool for clinical practice in management of gastrointestinal diseases.In this article,we reviewed the evidence exploring the application of D-CEUS in gastrointestinal diseases,with a special focus on liver,pancreas,and inflammatory bowel diseases.展开更多
Post-surgical leaks and fistulas are the most feared complication of bariatric surgery.They have become more common in clinical practice given the increasing number of these procedures and can be very difficult to tre...Post-surgical leaks and fistulas are the most feared complication of bariatric surgery.They have become more common in clinical practice given the increasing number of these procedures and can be very difficult to treat.These two related conditions must be distinguished and characterized to guide the appropriate treatment.Leak is defined as a transmural defect with communication between the intra and extraluminal compartments,while fistula is defined as an abnormal communication between two epithelialized surfaces.Traditionally,surgical treatment was the preferred approach for leaks and fistulas and was associated with high morbidity with significant mortality rates.However,with the development of novel devices and techniques,endoscopic therapy plays an increasingly essential role in managing these conditions.Early diagnosis and endoscopic therapy initiation after clinical stabilization are crucial to success since clinical success rates are higher for acute leaks and fistulas when compared to late and chronic leaks and fistulas.Several endoscopic techniques are available with different mechanisms of action,including direct closure,covering/diverting or draining.The treatment should be individualized by considering the characteristics of both the patient and the defect.Although there is a lack of high-quality studies to provide standardized treatment algorithms,this narrative review aims to provide a summary of the current scientific evidence and,based on this data and our extensive experience,make recommendations to help choose the best endoscopic approach for the management of post-bariatric surgical leaks and fistulas.展开更多
In the last decade the impressive expansion of our knowledge of the vast microbial community that resides in the human intestine, the gut microbiota, has provided support to the concept that a disturbed intestinal eco...In the last decade the impressive expansion of our knowledge of the vast microbial community that resides in the human intestine, the gut microbiota, has provided support to the concept that a disturbed intestinal ecology might promote development and maintenance of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome(IBS). As a correlate, manipulation of gut microbiota represents a new strategy for the treatment of this multifactorial disease. A number of attempts have been made to modulate the gut bacterial composition, following the idea that expansion of bacterial species considered as beneficial(Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria) associated with the reduction of those considered harmful(Clostridium, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Pseudomonas) should attenuate IBS symptoms. In this conceptual framework, probiotics appear an attractive option in terms of both efficacy and safety, while prebiotics, synbiotics and antibiotics still need confirmation. Fecal transplant is an old treatment translated from the cure of intestinal infective pathologies that has recently gained a new life as therapeutic option for those patients with a disturbed gut ecosystem, but data on IBS are scanty and randomized, placebo-controlled studies are required.展开更多
Molecular advances support the existence of an alternative pathway of colorectal carcinogenesis that is based on the hypermethylation of specific DNA regions that silences tumor suppressor genes. This alternative path...Molecular advances support the existence of an alternative pathway of colorectal carcinogenesis that is based on the hypermethylation of specific DNA regions that silences tumor suppressor genes. This alternative pathway has been called the serrated pathway due to the serrated appearance of tumors in histological analysis. New classifications for colorectal cancer(CRC) were proposed recently based on genetic profiles that show four types of molecular alterations: BRAF gene mutations, KRAS gene mutations, microsatellite instability, and hypermethylation of Cp G islands. This review summarizes what is known about the serrated pathway of CRC, including CRC molecular and clinical features, prognosis, and response to chemotherapy.展开更多
A higher prevalence of immunological processes has recently been reported in patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection,focusing the attention of physicians and researchers on the close association between HCV and ...A higher prevalence of immunological processes has recently been reported in patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection,focusing the attention of physicians and researchers on the close association between HCV and immune disorders.HCV lymphotropism represents the most important step in the pathogenesis of virusrelated immunological diseases and experimental,virologic,and clinical evidence has demonstrated a trigger role for HCV both in systemic autoimmune diseases,such as rheumatoid arthritis,Sj?gren syndrome,hemolytic anemia and severe thrombocytopenia,and in organ-specific autoimmune diseases,such as autoimmune hepatitis,thyroid disorders and diabetes.This review will outline the principal aspects of such HCVinduced immunological alterations,focusing on the prevalence of these less characterized HCV extrahepatic manifestations.展开更多
Autoimmune pancreatitis is a disease characterized by specific pathological features,different from those of other forms of pancreatitis,that responds dramatically to steroid therapy.The pancreatic parenchyma may be d...Autoimmune pancreatitis is a disease characterized by specific pathological features,different from those of other forms of pancreatitis,that responds dramatically to steroid therapy.The pancreatic parenchyma may be diffusely or focally involved with the possibility of a low-density mass being present at imaging,mimicking pancreatic cancer.Clinically,the most relevant problems lie in the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis and in distinguishing autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer.Since in the presence of a pancreatic mass the probability of tumour is much higher than that of pancreatitis,the physician should be aware that in focal autoimmune pancreatitis the first step before using steroids is to exclude pancreatic adenocarcinoma.In this review,we briefly analyse the strategies to be followed for a correct diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis.展开更多
Esophageal achalasia is an infrequent motility disorder characterized by a progressive stasis and dilation of the oesophagus; with subsequent risk of aspiration, weight loss, and malnutrition. Although the treatment o...Esophageal achalasia is an infrequent motility disorder characterized by a progressive stasis and dilation of the oesophagus; with subsequent risk of aspiration, weight loss, and malnutrition. Although the treatment of achalasia has been traditionally based on a surgical approach, especially with the introduction of laparoscopic techniques, there is still some space for a medical approach. The present article reviews the non-surgical therapeutic options for achalasia.展开更多
Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare disease whose management should follow a step by step strategy.Anticoagulation and medical therapy should be the first line treatment.Revascularization or TIPS are indicated in cas...Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare disease whose management should follow a step by step strategy.Anticoagulation and medical therapy should be the first line treatment.Revascularization or TIPS are indicated in case of no response to medical therapy.OLT should be indicated as a rescue therapy and anticoagulation be started soon after OLT.However,no clear indica-tion can actually be given about the timing of different treatments.Moreover,there is some concern about treatment of some subgroup of patients,especially regarding the risk of recurrence after liver transplanta-tion.The topic of this paper is to critically review the actual knowledge of BCS management.展开更多
Biliary lithiasis is an endemic condition in both Western and Eastern countries, in some studies affecting 20% of the general population. In up to 20% of cases, gallbladder stones are associated with common bile duct ...Biliary lithiasis is an endemic condition in both Western and Eastern countries, in some studies affecting 20% of the general population. In up to 20% of cases, gallbladder stones are associated with common bile duct stones(CBDS), which are asymptomatic in up to one half of cases. Despite the wide variety of examinations and techniques available nowadays, two main open issues remain without a clear answer: how to cost-effectively diagnose CBDS and, when they are finally found, how to deal with them. CBDS diagnosis and management has radically changed over the last 30 years, following the dramatic diffusion of imaging, including endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) and magnetic resonance cholangiography(MRC), endoscopy and laparoscopy. Since accuracy, invasiveness, potential therapeutic use and costeffectiveness of imaging techniques used to identifyCBDS increase together in a parallel way, the concept of "risk of carrying CBDS" has become pivotal to identifying the most appropriate management of a specific patient in order to avoid the risk of "under-studying" by poor diagnostic work up or "over-studying" by excessively invasive examinations. The risk of carrying CBDS is deduced by symptoms, liver/pancreas serology and ultrasound. "Low risk" patients do not require further examination before laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Two main "philosophical approaches" face each other for patients with an "intermediate to high risk" of carrying CBDS: on one hand, the "laparoscopy-first" approach, which mainly relies on intraoperative cholangiography for diagnosis and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for treatment, and, on the other hand, the "endoscopy-first" attitude, variously referring to MRC, EUS and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography for diagnosis and endoscopic sphincterotomy for management. Concerning CBDS diagnosis, intraoperative cholangiography, EUS and MRC are reported to have similar results. Regarding management, the recent literature seems to show better short and long term outcome of surgery in terms of retained stones and need for further procedures. Nevertheless, open surgery is invasive, whereas the laparoscopic common bile duct clearance is time consuming, technically demanding and involves dedicated instruments. Thus, although no consensus has been achieved and CBDS management seems more conditioned by the availability of instrumentation, personnel and skills than cost-effectiveness, endoscopic treatment is largely preferred worldwide.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate whether the prevalence of overweight and obese conditions is increased in gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients (with 24-h pathological pH recordings) in comparison to general population. M...AIM: To evaluate whether the prevalence of overweight and obese conditions is increased in gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients (with 24-h pathological pH recordings) in comparison to general population. METHODS: A total of 196 consecutive patients (103 females, age range 18-83 years) with symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) and 24-h pathological esophageal pH-metry. Body mass index (BMI) of the patients was calculated and its distribution (%) was compared with that of the Italian general population as assessed by National Bureau of Census (ISTAT). To evaluate the association of GERD with weight categories, the binomial test was employed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In males, overweightedness (BMI 25-25.9) was present in 43% of GERD patients vs 41.8% of Italian population (IP) (ns), obesity (BMI ≥ 30) in 10.9% vs 9.1% (ns). In females overweight was present in 34.9% of GERD patients vs 25.7% of IP (P < 0.01), obesity in 13.6% of GERD patients vs 9.1% of IP (P < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were noted in different age classes. CONCLUSION: In comparison to the Italian general population, the prevalence of overweightedness and obesity is increased in female but not in male patients with ascertained gastro-esophageal reflux disease.展开更多
Chronic liver disease has an important effect on nutritional status, and malnourishment is almost universally present in patients with end-stage liver disease who undergo liver transplantation. During recent decades,a...Chronic liver disease has an important effect on nutritional status, and malnourishment is almost universally present in patients with end-stage liver disease who undergo liver transplantation. During recent decades,a trend has been reported that shows an increase in number of patients with end-stage liver disease and obesity in developed countries. The importance of carefully assessing the nutritional status during the workup of patients who are candidates for liver replacement is widely recognised. Cirrhotic patients with depleted lean body mass(sarcopenia) and fat deposits have an increased surgical risk; malnutrition may further impact morbidity, mortality and costs in the post-transplantation setting. After transplantation and liver function is restored, many metabolic alterations are corrected,dietary intake is progressively normalised, and lifestyle changes may improve physical activity. Few studies have examined the modifications in body composition that occur in liver recipients. During the first 12 mo, the fat mass progressively increases in those patients who had previously depleted body mass, and the muscle mass recovery is subtle and non-significant by the end of the first year. In some patients, unregulated weight gain may lead to obesity and may promote metabolicdisorders in the long term. Careful monitoring of nutritional changes will help identify the patients who are at risk for malnutrition or over-weight after liver transplantation. Physical and nutritional interventions must be investigated to evaluate their potential beneficial effect on body composition and muscle function after liver transplantation.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the contribution of variants of CARD15, OCTN1/2 and DLG5 genes in disease predispo- sition and phenotypes in a large Italian cohort of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). MET...AIM: To investigate the contribution of variants of CARD15, OCTN1/2 and DLG5 genes in disease predispo- sition and phenotypes in a large Italian cohort of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). METHODS: Two hundred patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), 186 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, 434 par- ents (217 trios), and 347 healthy controls (HC) were studied. Polymorphisms of the three major variants of CARD15, 1672C/T and -207G/C SNPs for OCTN genes, IGR2096a_1 and IGR2198a_1 SNPs for the IBD5 locus, and 113G/A variant of the DLG5 gene were evaluated. Potential correlations with clinical sub-phenotypes were investigated. RESULTS: Polymorphisms of CARD15 were significantly associated with CD, and at least one variant was found in 38% of patients (15% in HC, OR = 2.7, P < 0.001). Homozygosis for both OCTN1/2 variants was more com- mon in CD patients (1672TT 24%, -207CC 29%) than in HC (16% and 21%, respectively; P = 0.03), with an in- creased frequency of the TC haplotype (44.8% vs 38.3% in HC, P = 0.04). No association with the DLG5 variant was found. CD carriers of OCTN1/2 and DLG5 variants more frequently had penetrating disease (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01), while carriers of CARD15 more frequently had ileal localization (P = 0.03). No gene-gene interaction was found. In UC patients, the TC haplotype was morefrequent (45.4%, P = 0.03), but no genotype/phenotype correlation was observed. CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms of CARD15 and OCTN genes, but not DLG5 are associated with pediatric on- set of CD. Polymorphisms of CARD15, OCTN, and DLG5 genes exert a weak influence on CD phenotype.展开更多
Portal vein thrombosis(PVT) is a frequent complication in cirrhosis, particularly in advanced stages of the disease. As for general venous thromboembolism, risk factors for PVT are slow blood flow, vessel wall damage ...Portal vein thrombosis(PVT) is a frequent complication in cirrhosis, particularly in advanced stages of the disease. As for general venous thromboembolism, risk factors for PVT are slow blood flow, vessel wall damage and hypercoagulability, all features of advanced cirrhosis. Actually, the old dogma of a hemorrhagic tendency in cirrhosis has been challenged by new laboratory tools and the clinical evidence that venous thrombosis also occurs in cirrhosis. The impaired hepatic synthesis of both pro- and anticoagulants leads to a rebalanced hemostasis, more liable to be tipped towards thrombosis or even bleeding. Conventional anticoagulant drugs(low molecular weight heparin or vitamin K antagonists) may be used in cirrhosis patients with PVT, particularly in those eligible for liver transplantation, to prevent thrombosis progression thus permitting/facilitating liver transplant. However, several doubts exist on the level of anticoagulation achieved as estimated by coagulation tests, on the efficacy of treatment monitoring and on the correct timing for discontinuation in non-transplant candidates, while in transplant candidates there is expert consensus on continuing anticoagulation until transplantation. The recent introduction of direct acting oral anticoagulant drugs(DOACs) in other clinical settings generates much interest on their possible application in patients with cirrhosis and PVT. However, DOACs were not evaluated yet in patients with liver disease and cannot be recommended for the present time.展开更多
Management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been continuously evolving during recent years. HCC is a worldwide clinical and social issue and typically a complicates cirrhosis. The incidence of HCC is increasing, ...Management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been continuously evolving during recent years. HCC is a worldwide clinical and social issue and typically a complicates cirrhosis. The incidence of HCC is increasing, not only in the general population of patients with cirrhosis, but particularly in some subgroups of patients, like those with human immunodeficiency virus infection or thalassemia. Since a 3% annual HCC incidence has been estimated in cirrhosis, a biannual screening is generally suggested. The diagnostic criteria of HCC has recently had a dramatic evolution during recent years. HCC diagnosis is now made only on radiological criteria in the majority of the cases. In the context of cirrhosis, the universally accepted criteria for HCC diagnosis is contrast enhancement in arterial phase and washout in venous/late phase at imaging, the so called "typical pattern". However, recently up- dated guidelines slightly differ in diagnostic criteria. Apart from liver transplantation, the only cure of both HCC and underlying liver cirrhosis, all the other treatments have to match with higher rate of HCC recurrence. The latter can be classified into curative (resection and percutaneous ablation) and palliative treatments. The aim of this paper was to review the currentknowledge on management of HCC and to enlighten the areas of uncertainty.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Direct-acting antiviral agents(DAAs)are highly effective treatment for chronic hepatitis C(CHC)with a significant rate of sustained virologic response(SVR).The achievement of SVR is crucial to prevent additional liver damage and slow down fibrosis progression.The assessment of fibrosis degree can be performed with transient elastography,magnetic resonance elastography or shear-wave elastography(SWE).Liver elastography could function as a predictor for hepato-cellular carcinoma(HCC)in CHC patients treated with DAAs.AIM To explore the predictive value of SWE for HCC development after complete clearance of hepatitis C virus(HCV).METHODS A comprehensive literature search of clinical studies was performed to identify the ability of SWE to predict HCC occurrence after HCV clearance.In accordance with the study protocol,a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the evidence was planned.RESULTS At baseline and after 12 wk of follow-up,a trend was shown towards greater liver stiffness(LS)in those who go on to develop HCC compared to those who do not[baseline LS standardized mean difference(SMD):1.15,95%confidence interval(95%CI):020-2.50;LS SMD after 12 wk:0.83,95%CI:0.33-1.98].The absence of a statistically significant difference between the mean LS in those who developed HCC or not may be related to the inability to correct for confounding factors and the absence of raw source data.There was a statist-ically significant LS SMD at 24 wk of follow-up between patients who developed HCC vs not(0.64;95%CI:0.04-1.24).CONCLUSION SWE could be a promising tool for prediction of HCC occurrence in patients treated with DAAs.Further studies with larger cohorts and standardized timing of elastographic evaluation are needed to confirm these data.
文摘Background: Duodenoscope-related multidrug-resistant organism(MDRO) infections raise concerns. Disposable duodenoscopes have been recently introduced in the market and approved by regulatory agencies with the aim to reduce the risk of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) associated infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of procedures performed with single-use duodenoscopes in patients with clinical indications to single-operator cholangiopancreatoscopy. Methods: This is a multicenter international, retrospective study combining all patients who underwent complex biliopancreatic interventions using the combination of a single-use duodenoscope and a single-use cholangioscope. The primary outcome was technical success defined as ERCP completion for the intended clinical indication. Secondary outcomes were procedural duration, rate of cross-over to reusable duodenoscope, operator-reported satisfaction score(1 to 10) on performance rating of the single-use duodenoscope, and adverse event(AE) rate. Results: A total of 66 patients(26, 39.4% female) were included in the study. ERCP was categorized according to ASGE ERCP grading system as 47(71.2%) grade 3 and 19(28.8%) grade 4. The technical success rate was 98.5%(65/66). Procedural duration was 64(interquartile range 15-189) min, cross-over rate to reusable duodenoscope was 1/66(1.5%). The satisfaction score of the single-use duodenoscope classified by the operators was 8.6 ± 1.3 points. Four patients(6.1%) experienced AEs not directly related to the single-use duodenoscope, namely 2 post-ERCP pancreatitis(PEP), 1 cholangitis and 1 bleeding.Conclusions: Single-use duodenoscope is effective, reliable and safe even in technically challenging procedures with a non-inferiority to reusable duodenoscope, making these devices a viable alternative to standard reusable equipment.
文摘The gut microbiota works in unison with the host,promoting its health.In particular,it has been shown to exert protective,metabolic and structural functions.Recent evidence has revealed the influence of the gut microbiota on other organs such as the central nervous system,cardiovascular and the endocrine-metabolic systems and the digestive system.The study of the gut microbiota is outlining new and broader frontiers every day and holds enormous innovation potential for the medical and pharmaceutical fields.Prevention and treatment of specific women’s diseases involves the need to deepen the function of the gut as a junction organ where certain positive bacteria can be very beneficial to health.The gut microbiota is unique and dynamic at the same time,subject to external factors that can change it,and is capable of modulating itself at different stages of a woman’s life,playing an important role that arises from the intertwining of biological mechanisms between the microbiota and the female genital system.The gut microbiota could play a key role in personalized medicine.
文摘Contrast enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)has been widely implemented in clinical practice because of the enormous quantity of information it provides,along with its low cost,reproducibility,minimal invasiveness,and safety of the secondgeneration ultrasound contrast agents.To overcome the limitation of CEUS given by the subjective evaluation of the contrast enhancement behaviour,quantitative analysis of contrast kinetics with generation of time-intensity curves has been introduced in recent years.The quantification of perfusion parameters[named as dynamic-CEUS(D-CEUS)]has several applications in gastrointestinal neoplastic and inflammatory disorders.However,the limited availability of large studies and the heterogeneity of the technologies employed have precluded the standardisation of D-CEUS,which potentially represents a valuable tool for clinical practice in management of gastrointestinal diseases.In this article,we reviewed the evidence exploring the application of D-CEUS in gastrointestinal diseases,with a special focus on liver,pancreas,and inflammatory bowel diseases.
文摘Post-surgical leaks and fistulas are the most feared complication of bariatric surgery.They have become more common in clinical practice given the increasing number of these procedures and can be very difficult to treat.These two related conditions must be distinguished and characterized to guide the appropriate treatment.Leak is defined as a transmural defect with communication between the intra and extraluminal compartments,while fistula is defined as an abnormal communication between two epithelialized surfaces.Traditionally,surgical treatment was the preferred approach for leaks and fistulas and was associated with high morbidity with significant mortality rates.However,with the development of novel devices and techniques,endoscopic therapy plays an increasingly essential role in managing these conditions.Early diagnosis and endoscopic therapy initiation after clinical stabilization are crucial to success since clinical success rates are higher for acute leaks and fistulas when compared to late and chronic leaks and fistulas.Several endoscopic techniques are available with different mechanisms of action,including direct closure,covering/diverting or draining.The treatment should be individualized by considering the characteristics of both the patient and the defect.Although there is a lack of high-quality studies to provide standardized treatment algorithms,this narrative review aims to provide a summary of the current scientific evidence and,based on this data and our extensive experience,make recommendations to help choose the best endoscopic approach for the management of post-bariatric surgical leaks and fistulas.
文摘In the last decade the impressive expansion of our knowledge of the vast microbial community that resides in the human intestine, the gut microbiota, has provided support to the concept that a disturbed intestinal ecology might promote development and maintenance of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome(IBS). As a correlate, manipulation of gut microbiota represents a new strategy for the treatment of this multifactorial disease. A number of attempts have been made to modulate the gut bacterial composition, following the idea that expansion of bacterial species considered as beneficial(Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria) associated with the reduction of those considered harmful(Clostridium, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Pseudomonas) should attenuate IBS symptoms. In this conceptual framework, probiotics appear an attractive option in terms of both efficacy and safety, while prebiotics, synbiotics and antibiotics still need confirmation. Fecal transplant is an old treatment translated from the cure of intestinal infective pathologies that has recently gained a new life as therapeutic option for those patients with a disturbed gut ecosystem, but data on IBS are scanty and randomized, placebo-controlled studies are required.
文摘Molecular advances support the existence of an alternative pathway of colorectal carcinogenesis that is based on the hypermethylation of specific DNA regions that silences tumor suppressor genes. This alternative pathway has been called the serrated pathway due to the serrated appearance of tumors in histological analysis. New classifications for colorectal cancer(CRC) were proposed recently based on genetic profiles that show four types of molecular alterations: BRAF gene mutations, KRAS gene mutations, microsatellite instability, and hypermethylation of Cp G islands. This review summarizes what is known about the serrated pathway of CRC, including CRC molecular and clinical features, prognosis, and response to chemotherapy.
文摘A higher prevalence of immunological processes has recently been reported in patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection,focusing the attention of physicians and researchers on the close association between HCV and immune disorders.HCV lymphotropism represents the most important step in the pathogenesis of virusrelated immunological diseases and experimental,virologic,and clinical evidence has demonstrated a trigger role for HCV both in systemic autoimmune diseases,such as rheumatoid arthritis,Sj?gren syndrome,hemolytic anemia and severe thrombocytopenia,and in organ-specific autoimmune diseases,such as autoimmune hepatitis,thyroid disorders and diabetes.This review will outline the principal aspects of such HCVinduced immunological alterations,focusing on the prevalence of these less characterized HCV extrahepatic manifestations.
文摘Autoimmune pancreatitis is a disease characterized by specific pathological features,different from those of other forms of pancreatitis,that responds dramatically to steroid therapy.The pancreatic parenchyma may be diffusely or focally involved with the possibility of a low-density mass being present at imaging,mimicking pancreatic cancer.Clinically,the most relevant problems lie in the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis and in distinguishing autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer.Since in the presence of a pancreatic mass the probability of tumour is much higher than that of pancreatitis,the physician should be aware that in focal autoimmune pancreatitis the first step before using steroids is to exclude pancreatic adenocarcinoma.In this review,we briefly analyse the strategies to be followed for a correct diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis.
文摘Esophageal achalasia is an infrequent motility disorder characterized by a progressive stasis and dilation of the oesophagus; with subsequent risk of aspiration, weight loss, and malnutrition. Although the treatment of achalasia has been traditionally based on a surgical approach, especially with the introduction of laparoscopic techniques, there is still some space for a medical approach. The present article reviews the non-surgical therapeutic options for achalasia.
文摘Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare disease whose management should follow a step by step strategy.Anticoagulation and medical therapy should be the first line treatment.Revascularization or TIPS are indicated in case of no response to medical therapy.OLT should be indicated as a rescue therapy and anticoagulation be started soon after OLT.However,no clear indica-tion can actually be given about the timing of different treatments.Moreover,there is some concern about treatment of some subgroup of patients,especially regarding the risk of recurrence after liver transplanta-tion.The topic of this paper is to critically review the actual knowledge of BCS management.
文摘Biliary lithiasis is an endemic condition in both Western and Eastern countries, in some studies affecting 20% of the general population. In up to 20% of cases, gallbladder stones are associated with common bile duct stones(CBDS), which are asymptomatic in up to one half of cases. Despite the wide variety of examinations and techniques available nowadays, two main open issues remain without a clear answer: how to cost-effectively diagnose CBDS and, when they are finally found, how to deal with them. CBDS diagnosis and management has radically changed over the last 30 years, following the dramatic diffusion of imaging, including endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) and magnetic resonance cholangiography(MRC), endoscopy and laparoscopy. Since accuracy, invasiveness, potential therapeutic use and costeffectiveness of imaging techniques used to identifyCBDS increase together in a parallel way, the concept of "risk of carrying CBDS" has become pivotal to identifying the most appropriate management of a specific patient in order to avoid the risk of "under-studying" by poor diagnostic work up or "over-studying" by excessively invasive examinations. The risk of carrying CBDS is deduced by symptoms, liver/pancreas serology and ultrasound. "Low risk" patients do not require further examination before laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Two main "philosophical approaches" face each other for patients with an "intermediate to high risk" of carrying CBDS: on one hand, the "laparoscopy-first" approach, which mainly relies on intraoperative cholangiography for diagnosis and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for treatment, and, on the other hand, the "endoscopy-first" attitude, variously referring to MRC, EUS and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography for diagnosis and endoscopic sphincterotomy for management. Concerning CBDS diagnosis, intraoperative cholangiography, EUS and MRC are reported to have similar results. Regarding management, the recent literature seems to show better short and long term outcome of surgery in terms of retained stones and need for further procedures. Nevertheless, open surgery is invasive, whereas the laparoscopic common bile duct clearance is time consuming, technically demanding and involves dedicated instruments. Thus, although no consensus has been achieved and CBDS management seems more conditioned by the availability of instrumentation, personnel and skills than cost-effectiveness, endoscopic treatment is largely preferred worldwide.
文摘AIM: To evaluate whether the prevalence of overweight and obese conditions is increased in gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients (with 24-h pathological pH recordings) in comparison to general population. METHODS: A total of 196 consecutive patients (103 females, age range 18-83 years) with symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) and 24-h pathological esophageal pH-metry. Body mass index (BMI) of the patients was calculated and its distribution (%) was compared with that of the Italian general population as assessed by National Bureau of Census (ISTAT). To evaluate the association of GERD with weight categories, the binomial test was employed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In males, overweightedness (BMI 25-25.9) was present in 43% of GERD patients vs 41.8% of Italian population (IP) (ns), obesity (BMI ≥ 30) in 10.9% vs 9.1% (ns). In females overweight was present in 34.9% of GERD patients vs 25.7% of IP (P < 0.01), obesity in 13.6% of GERD patients vs 9.1% of IP (P < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were noted in different age classes. CONCLUSION: In comparison to the Italian general population, the prevalence of overweightedness and obesity is increased in female but not in male patients with ascertained gastro-esophageal reflux disease.
文摘Chronic liver disease has an important effect on nutritional status, and malnourishment is almost universally present in patients with end-stage liver disease who undergo liver transplantation. During recent decades,a trend has been reported that shows an increase in number of patients with end-stage liver disease and obesity in developed countries. The importance of carefully assessing the nutritional status during the workup of patients who are candidates for liver replacement is widely recognised. Cirrhotic patients with depleted lean body mass(sarcopenia) and fat deposits have an increased surgical risk; malnutrition may further impact morbidity, mortality and costs in the post-transplantation setting. After transplantation and liver function is restored, many metabolic alterations are corrected,dietary intake is progressively normalised, and lifestyle changes may improve physical activity. Few studies have examined the modifications in body composition that occur in liver recipients. During the first 12 mo, the fat mass progressively increases in those patients who had previously depleted body mass, and the muscle mass recovery is subtle and non-significant by the end of the first year. In some patients, unregulated weight gain may lead to obesity and may promote metabolicdisorders in the long term. Careful monitoring of nutritional changes will help identify the patients who are at risk for malnutrition or over-weight after liver transplantation. Physical and nutritional interventions must be investigated to evaluate their potential beneficial effect on body composition and muscle function after liver transplantation.
文摘AIM: To investigate the contribution of variants of CARD15, OCTN1/2 and DLG5 genes in disease predispo- sition and phenotypes in a large Italian cohort of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). METHODS: Two hundred patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), 186 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, 434 par- ents (217 trios), and 347 healthy controls (HC) were studied. Polymorphisms of the three major variants of CARD15, 1672C/T and -207G/C SNPs for OCTN genes, IGR2096a_1 and IGR2198a_1 SNPs for the IBD5 locus, and 113G/A variant of the DLG5 gene were evaluated. Potential correlations with clinical sub-phenotypes were investigated. RESULTS: Polymorphisms of CARD15 were significantly associated with CD, and at least one variant was found in 38% of patients (15% in HC, OR = 2.7, P < 0.001). Homozygosis for both OCTN1/2 variants was more com- mon in CD patients (1672TT 24%, -207CC 29%) than in HC (16% and 21%, respectively; P = 0.03), with an in- creased frequency of the TC haplotype (44.8% vs 38.3% in HC, P = 0.04). No association with the DLG5 variant was found. CD carriers of OCTN1/2 and DLG5 variants more frequently had penetrating disease (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01), while carriers of CARD15 more frequently had ileal localization (P = 0.03). No gene-gene interaction was found. In UC patients, the TC haplotype was morefrequent (45.4%, P = 0.03), but no genotype/phenotype correlation was observed. CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms of CARD15 and OCTN genes, but not DLG5 are associated with pediatric on- set of CD. Polymorphisms of CARD15, OCTN, and DLG5 genes exert a weak influence on CD phenotype.
文摘Portal vein thrombosis(PVT) is a frequent complication in cirrhosis, particularly in advanced stages of the disease. As for general venous thromboembolism, risk factors for PVT are slow blood flow, vessel wall damage and hypercoagulability, all features of advanced cirrhosis. Actually, the old dogma of a hemorrhagic tendency in cirrhosis has been challenged by new laboratory tools and the clinical evidence that venous thrombosis also occurs in cirrhosis. The impaired hepatic synthesis of both pro- and anticoagulants leads to a rebalanced hemostasis, more liable to be tipped towards thrombosis or even bleeding. Conventional anticoagulant drugs(low molecular weight heparin or vitamin K antagonists) may be used in cirrhosis patients with PVT, particularly in those eligible for liver transplantation, to prevent thrombosis progression thus permitting/facilitating liver transplant. However, several doubts exist on the level of anticoagulation achieved as estimated by coagulation tests, on the efficacy of treatment monitoring and on the correct timing for discontinuation in non-transplant candidates, while in transplant candidates there is expert consensus on continuing anticoagulation until transplantation. The recent introduction of direct acting oral anticoagulant drugs(DOACs) in other clinical settings generates much interest on their possible application in patients with cirrhosis and PVT. However, DOACs were not evaluated yet in patients with liver disease and cannot be recommended for the present time.
文摘Management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been continuously evolving during recent years. HCC is a worldwide clinical and social issue and typically a complicates cirrhosis. The incidence of HCC is increasing, not only in the general population of patients with cirrhosis, but particularly in some subgroups of patients, like those with human immunodeficiency virus infection or thalassemia. Since a 3% annual HCC incidence has been estimated in cirrhosis, a biannual screening is generally suggested. The diagnostic criteria of HCC has recently had a dramatic evolution during recent years. HCC diagnosis is now made only on radiological criteria in the majority of the cases. In the context of cirrhosis, the universally accepted criteria for HCC diagnosis is contrast enhancement in arterial phase and washout in venous/late phase at imaging, the so called "typical pattern". However, recently up- dated guidelines slightly differ in diagnostic criteria. Apart from liver transplantation, the only cure of both HCC and underlying liver cirrhosis, all the other treatments have to match with higher rate of HCC recurrence. The latter can be classified into curative (resection and percutaneous ablation) and palliative treatments. The aim of this paper was to review the currentknowledge on management of HCC and to enlighten the areas of uncertainty.