Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Key Laboratory of Pu-erh Tea Science, the Ministry of Education, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Kunming, China; Pu'erh Tea Research Institute, Pu'erh, China. Electronic address:

Caffeine intake is associated with a reduced risk developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. We report here that caffeine markedly improved high fat diet-induced NAFLD in mice resulting in a 10-fold increase in circulating IL-6 levels, leading to STAT3 activation in the liver. Interestingly, the expression of IL-6 mRNA was not increased in the liver, but increased substantially in the muscles of caffeine-treated mice. Read More

Microb Pathog 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Kriyasharir Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India.

Reinwardtia indica (Lineceae) is a medicinal plant cultivated in the Himalayan region. It is effectively used in folk medicines for the treatment of various health complications. In the present study, the shade dried leaves and stem were extracted in three different solvents such as ethyl acetate, ethanol, and hydro-alcoholic. Read More

Intern Emerg Med 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Primary Care and Emergency Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals and Geneva University, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.

Acute ethanol intoxication (AEI) is frequent in emergency departments (EDs). These patients are at risk of mistriage, and to leave the ED without being seen. This study's objective was to describe the process and performance of triage and trajectory for patients with suspected AEI. Read More

Appl Environ Microbiol 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

The Australian Wine Research Institute, PO Box 197, Glen Osmond, Adelaide, South Australia, 5064, Australia.

SO addition is practiced in the wine industry to mitigate the risk of microbial spoilage and to extend wine shelf-life. Generally, this strategy does not interfere with primary alcoholic fermentation as wine strains of exhibit significant SO tolerance, largely driven by the efflux pump Ssu1p. One of the key yeast species responsible for wine spoilage is , which also exhibits strain-dependent SO tolerance, although this occurs via unknown mechanisms. Read More

Children (Basel) 2018 Dec 13;5(12). Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Pediatrics Residency Joint Programs, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.

Obesity-related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents the most common cause of pediatric liver disease due to overweight/obesity large-scale epidemics. In clinical practice, diagnosis is usually based on clinical features, blood tests, and liver imaging. Here, we underline the need to make a correct differential diagnosis for a number of genetic, metabolic, gastrointestinal, nutritional, endocrine, muscular, and systemic disorders, and for iatrogenic/viral/autoimmune hepatitis as well. Read More

Nutrients 2018 Dec 13;10(12). Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Unit of Endocrinology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.

There is a mechanistic link between the gut-derived metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and obesity-related diseases, suggesting that the TMAO pathway may also be linked to the pathogenesis of obesity. The Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), a gender-specific indicator of adipose dysfunction, and the Fatty Liver Index (FLI), a predictor of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), are early predictors of metabolic syndrome (MetS). In this cross-sectional observational study, we investigated TMAO levels in adults stratified according to Body Mass Index (BMI) and the association of TMAO with VAI and FLI. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2019 Jan 9;109:1306-1312. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Electronic address:

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an inflammatory and progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, there are no FDA-approved drugs for this condition. Lipids accumulated in NASH have a direct role in the progression of this disease. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2019 Jan 7;109:1206-1210. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Medicine Faculty, Department of Biostatistics, Eskisehir, Turkey.

Objective Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, steatohepatitis and nephropathy are considered among the most important complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), which recently increased due to increased frequency of DM and the prolonged life span of diabetic patients The aim of the present study was to reveal the possible effect of hesperidin (HP) on alpha-klotho (α-KL)/ fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) pathway in rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Materials and methods Thirty six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. The rats of the control, diabetes, and treatment groups were fed with standard feed and water throughout the 2-week study. Read More

J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Background: The recommendation in regards to screening for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients differs in major guidelines.

Aim: To study the prevalence of NALFD and advanced fibrosis among T2DM patients.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of consecutive adult T2DM patients attending the Diabetes Clinic of a university hospital. Read More

Brain Behav Immun 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.

Many genes differentially expressed in brain tissue from human alcoholics and animals that have consumed large amounts of alcohol are components of the innate immune toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway. TLRs initiate inflammatory responses via two branches: [1] MyD88-dependent or [2] TRIF-dependent. All TLRs signal through MyD88 except TLR3. Read More

Curr Opin Lipidol 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Purpose Of Review: The liver is the central hub of lipoprotein metabolism. A complex relationship exists between dyslipidemia and chronic liver diseases (CLDs). Recent advances in the genetics of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic liver disease (ALD) exemplify the pivotal role of lipoprotein metabolism in the pathogenesis of CLD. Read More

Liver Int 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy.

I would like to congratulate Morrison and colleagues for the interesting meta-analysis aimed at investigating the association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this elegant meta-analysis, the Authors demonstrated that NAFLD was not independently associated with an increased risk of incident CVD (n=13 eligible studies, RR 1.48, 95% CI 0. Read More

BMC Med Genomics 2018 Dec 14;11(1):111. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major health burden in need for new medication. To identify potential drug targets a genomic study was performed in lipid-laden primary human hepatocyte (PHH) and human hepatoma cell cultures.

Methods: PHH, HuH7 and HepG2 hepatoma cell cultures were treated with lipids and/or TNFα. Read More

Adv Ther 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Novartis Healthcare Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad, India.

Introduction: The aim of this work was to understand how patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) perceive their disease, unmet needs, and expectations regarding future treatment through online bulletin board (OBB) qualitative research.

Methods: OBB is an asynchronous online qualitative market research tool that provides an open forum for interactive discussion among participants. Patients with NASH were recruited via physician referral and completed a screener questionnaire to ensure their eligibility and willingness to participate. Read More

Pharmacoeconomics 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Center of Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, 65000, Phitsanulok, Thailand.

Weight Reduction is Cost-Effective for the Treatment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Thailand. Read More

Surg Obes Relat Dis 2018 Nov 2. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois; Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. Electronic address:

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) increases the rate of alcohol absorption so that peak blood alcohol concentration is 2-fold higher after surgery compared with concentrations reached after consuming the same amount presurgery. Because high doses of alcohol can lead to hypoglycemia, patients may be at increased risk of developing hypoglycemia after alcohol ingestion.

Objectives: We conducted 2 studies to test the hypothesis that the consumption of approximately 2 standard drinks of alcohol would decrease glycemia more after RYGB than before surgery. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2018 Dec 14;12(1):368. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan.

Introduction: Acquired partial lipoatrophy has been reported after bone marrow transplantation during childhood; however, no adult cases have previously been reported. We herein report two adult cases of acquired partial lipoatrophy after transplantation.

Case Presentation: A 28-year-old Japanese woman developed diabetic ketoacidosis and received insulin therapy after bone marrow transplantation. Read More

Lipids Health Dis 2018 Dec 13;17(1):284. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, 324 Jing 5 Road, Jinan, 250021, Shandong Province, China.

Background: The atherogenic index of plasma showed to be related with some chronic disease like cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis. Body mass index which was commonly used in clinical practice is not an accurate index to predict non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between atherogenic index of plasma and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese participants. Read More

Molecules 2018 Dec 11;23(12). Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Institute of Food Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary.

Hungarian sour cherries (SC) are excellent source of anthocyanin (concentrations (100⁻300 mg in 100 g fresh fruit) and melatonin (0.15 mg in 100 g fresh fruit), but other flavonoid derivatives also can be isolated by aqueous alcoholic extraction. We have developed a new process for extracting non-extractable procyanidines bound to the membrane, proteins, and fibers. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Dec 10;19(12). Epub 2018 Dec 10.

General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano 20122, Italy.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) defines a wide pathological spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) which may predispose to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. It represents the leading cause of hepatic damage worldwide. Diagnosis of NASH still requires liver biopsy but due to the high prevalence of NAFLD, this procedure, which is invasive, is not practicable for mass screening. Read More

J Clin Med 2018 Dec 7;7(12). Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Centro de Estudios Para la Medición de la Actividad Física CEMA, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia.

This study had two main objectives: To examine the association between body fat distribution and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver fat content, and to determine whether the relationship between NAFLD and regional body fat distribution, with respect to liver fat content in youths with excess adiposity, is independent of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and a healthy diet. Liver fat content (controlled attenuation parameter (CAP)), body fat distribution (body mass index (BMI) -score, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, fat mass/height, body fat percentage, total fat mass, android-to-gynoid fat mass ratio, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and lean mass index, determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)), CRF (20-m shuttle-run test), and healthy diet (adherence to the Mediterranean diet by KIDMED questionnaire) were measured in 126 adolescents (66% girls) aged between 11 and 17 years. Participants were assigned to two groups according to the presence or absence of hepatic steatosis (CAP values ≥225 dB/m or <225 dB/m of liver fat, respectively). Read More

Chem Biol Interact 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address:

Cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes are superfamily of monooxygenases that hold the utmost diversity of substrate structures and catalytic reaction forms amongst all other enzymes. P450 enzymes metabolize arachidonic acid (AA) to a wide array of biologically active lipid mediators. P450-mediated AA metabolites have a significant role in normal physiological and pathophysiological conditions, hence they could be promising therapeutic targets in different disease states. Read More

Mol Pharm 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Rapeseed protein hydrolysates have recently shown in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, scant data exist about their in vivo activities. Here we report that the peptide DHNNPQIR (hereinafter referred to as RAP-8), a bioactive peptide originated from rapeseed protein, exhibits excellent in vivo efficacy in mouse models of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatic fibrosis. Read More

Obes Surg 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Center, Yotsuya Medical Cube, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Patients with morbid obesity are complicated with metabolic diseases and have a high incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Methods: We report on a follow-up study of a cohort included 102 obese patients (55 males and 47 females, mean age 42.9 ± 10. Read More

Chem Sci 2018 Nov 6;9(43):8234-8241. Epub 2018 Sep 6.

Department of Chemistry , National University of Singapore , 3 Science Drive 3 , Singapore 117543 . Email:

We report the first example of a cobalt PCP pincer complex () featuring a central alkylidene carbon donor accessed through the dehydration of an alcoholic POP proligand. Complex shares bonding similarities with cobalt PBP and PNP pincer complexes where the donor atom engages in π-bonding with the cobalt centre, and thus completes the PXP (X = B, C, N) pincer ligand series for cobalt (for X donors that partake in M-L π-bonding). As compared to PBP and PNP pincer complexes, which are known to be good hydride and proton acceptors (respectively), complex is found to be an effective hydrogen atom acceptor. Read More

Turk J Gastroenterol 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

AJA Cancer Epidemiology Research and Treatment Center (AJA- CERTC), AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background/aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and neck circumference (NC) and to compare the NC predictive value with other anthropometric indices in the prediction of NAFLD and metabolic syndrome (MetS) as well as to find the NC cut-off point for the prediction of NAFLD and MetS in an Iranian population.

Materials And Methods: A total of 590 individuals who fulfilled our criteria were enrolled in the study. Anthropometric measurements, physical examinations, and abdominal ultrasonography were performed by trained staff. Read More

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2018 Dec 12;18(1):232. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.

Background: The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important treatment goal that could serve as low-cost prognostication tool in resource poor settings. We sought to validate the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) and evaluate its use as a predictor of 3 months all-cause mortality among heart failure participants in rural Uganda.

Methods: The Mbarara Heart Failure Registry Cohort study observes heart failure patients during hospital stay and in the community in rural Uganda. Read More

Mol Nutr Food Res 2018 Dec 7:e1800612. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

M. Chen, S. Hui, H. Lang, M. Zhou, Y. Zhang, C. Kang, X. Zeng, Q. Zhang, L. Yi, M. Mi, Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Safety, Institute of Military Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, P.R. China.

Scope: Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) plays a protective role against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by improving hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction. Gut microbiota imbalance contributes to the pathogenesis of NAFLD, yet the underlying mechanism linking SIRT3 with gut microbiota in NAFLD progression remains obscure.

Methods And Results: Wild-type 129 mice and SIRT3 knockout (SIRT3KO) mice were under a chow diet or high-fat diet (HFD) treatment for 18-weeks. Read More

Prev Chronic Dis 2018 12 6;15:E153. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Nutrition Department, School of Nursing, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide and its prevalence continues to increase. Adherence to good health behaviors provides better control of the disease. This study analyzed trends in the prevalence of diabetes among Brazilian adults between 2006 and 2016 and compared the frequency of key health behaviors between people with and without diabetes. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2018 Dec 6;18(1):629. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Liver Research Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, No. 20, Chazhong Road, Taijiang District, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection might be associated with fatty liver disease. However, the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and T. Read More

Curr Mol Med 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Signal Transduction and Biogenic Amines, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S. P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata-700026. India.

Background: Madhuca indica belongs to the family sapotaceae, commonly known as Mahua. It is primarily known for alcoholic beverage production and is reported to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties. Madhuca indica has also been reported to be effective in several diseases. Read More

Hepatol Int 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Thalagolla Road, P O Box 6, Ragama, GQ, 11010, Sri Lanka.

Introduction: While patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are mostly overweight or obese, some are lean.

Methods: In a community-based follow-up study (baseline and follow-up surveys performed in 2007 and 2014), we investigated and compared the clinical characteristics, body composition, metabolic associations and outcomes, and other risk factors among individuals with lean (BMI < 23 kg/m) NAFLD, non-lean (BMI ≥ 23 kg/m) NAFLD and those without NAFLD. To investigate associations of selected genetic variants, we performed a case-control study between lean NAFLD cases and lean non-NAFLD controls. Read More

Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2018 Dec 20;52(6):473-474. Epub 2018 Oct 20.

2Department of Gastroenterology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Groove pancreatitis is a rare form of chronic pancreatitis that affects the groove area adjacent to the second part of the duodenum. Clinical and biochemical features often overlap with other subsets of chronic pancreatitis, while the imaging features resemble that of carcinoma of the head of pancreas. We present a 38-year-old man with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of weight who underwent F-FDG PET/CT to rule out a pancreatic malignancy. Read More

Onco Targets Ther 2018 20;11:8211-8219. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Department of Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing 100730, China,

Background: With the purpose of elevating the risk of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), alcoholic liver disease (ALD) was shown. Nonetheless, the findings were controversial. Herein, a meta-analysis and a systematic review were conducted to study the relation as mentioned above. Read More

Nat Commun 2018 12 6;9(1):5214. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

Obesity increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) especially in men, but the molecular mechanism remains obscure. Here, we show that an androgen receptor (AR)-driven oncogene, cell cycle-related kinase (CCRK), collaborates with obesity-induced pro-inflammatory signaling to promote non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related hepatocarcinogenesis. Lentivirus-mediated Ccrk ablation in liver of male mice fed with high-fat high-carbohydrate diet abrogates not only obesity-associated lipid accumulation, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, but also HCC development. Read More

Cell Physiol Biochem 2018 11;51(5):2484-2495. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China.

Background/aims: The age-bilirubin-international normalized ratio-creatinine (ABIC) score, which is a predictive model commonly used for alcoholic hepatitis, has not yet been studied in acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (HBV-ACLF). We aimed to investigate the predictive value of the ABIC score in patients with HBV-ACLF.

Methods: This retrospective study involved 398 patients diagnosed with HBV-ACLF, who were divided into a training cohort of 305 patients and a validation cohort of 93 patients. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2018 Dec 7;110:571-581. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome and is characterized by steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. We aim to characterize the hepatoprotective effects of Leonurine hydrochloride (LH) and the possible pathway in a cell and rodent model of diet-induced steatohepatitis (NASH).

Methods: For in vitro studies, Palmitic acid (PA) and free fatty acid (FFA) induced HepG2 and HL7702 steatosis cell models were used. Read More

J Physiol 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Graduate Program in Integrated Physiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO.

Key Points: Wild type mice as well as mice with hepatocyte-specific or whole-body deletions of perilipin-2 (Plin2) were used to define hepatocyte and extra-hepatocyte effects of altered cellular lipid storage on obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathophysiology in a western-diet (WD) model of these disorders. Extra-hepatocyte actions of Plin2 are responsible for obesity, adipose inflammation, and glucose clearance abnormalities in WD-fed mice. Hepatocyte and extra-hepatic actions of Plin2 mediate fatty liver formation in WD-fed mice through distinct mechanisms. Read More

Clin Transplant 2018 Dec 11:e13461. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Loyola University Medical Center, Department of Cardiology.

Background: Current guidelines recommend against the use of hearts from donors that abuse alcohol. We explored the effect of donor alcohol abuse (AA) on cardiac allograft function and outcomes in heart transplant (HTx) recipients.

Methods: Overall, 370 HTx recipients were divided into two groups: (1) the alcoholic donor group (AD, n=58), and (2) the non-alcoholic donor group (NAD, n=312). Read More

Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America.

Background: Alcoholic gastritis, a superficial erosive disease of the stomach, is a common manifestation of risky alcohol use. In contrast, cannabis which is frequently co-used with alcohol suppresses gastric acidity and might counteract the deleterious effect of alcohol on the gastric mucosa. However, no clinical study has examined the impact of cannabis use on the development of alcoholic gastritis among risky alcohol users. Read More

Obes Surg 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Department of International Business, Chien Hsin University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important cause of liver cirrhosis and its complications. The safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery in patients with HCV infection is not clear.

Methods: Charts were reviewed to identify patients with HCV infection before bariatric surgery. Read More

Mol Med Rep 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University (Daqing Longnan Hospital), Daqing, Heilongjiang 163453, P.R. China.

The neurological disorders and neural pathology brought about by chronic alcoholism are difficult to be reversed. Increasing evidence highlights the protective roles of erythropoietin (EPO) in neurodegenerative diseases and injuries of the central nervous system. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of EPO on the neurological function deficits and neural pathology caused by chronic alcoholism and the regulatory mechanisms. Read More

Am J Clin Nutr 2018 Sep;108(3):502-516

Departments of Safety and Quality of Fruit and Vegetables, Max Rubner-Institut, Karlsruhe, Germany.

Background: Although sugars and sugar derivatives are an important class of metabolites involved in many physiologic processes, there is limited knowledge on their occurrence and pattern in biofluids.

Objective: Our aim was to obtain a comprehensive urinary sugar profile of healthy participants and to demonstrate the wide applicability and usefulness of this sugar profiling approach for nutritional as well as clinical studies.

Design: In the cross-sectional KarMeN study, the 24-h urine samples of 301 healthy participants on an unrestricted diet, assessed via a 24-h recall, were analyzed by a newly developed semitargeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling method that enables the detection of known and unknown sugar compounds. Read More

Rev Med Chil 2018 Jul;146(7):839-845

Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Sebastián, Patagonia, Chile.

Background: Bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia (BPP) is a preventable disease with high morbimortality.

Aim: To evaluate clinical aspects and mortality on BPP patients admitted to a Chilean regional hospital.

Patients And Methods: We looked for adult patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from blood cultures between 2010 and 2014 years and reviewed clinical records of those who were admitted with pneumonia. Read More

Rev Med Chil 2018 Aug;146(8):894-901

Departamento de Medicina Interna, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFDL) includes fatty liver or simple steatosis, characterized by lipid deposits in hepatocytes and more advanced stages such as steatohepatitis (NASH) and non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Physical inactivity, hypercaloric and unbalanced diet together with aging play a key role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and are strongly associated with metabolic and physical activity continue to be major components in prevention and first-line treatment to attenuate or reverse NAFLD. Dietary patterns, their composition and weight reduction would be the most relevant nutritional aspects in NAFDL treatment. Read More

J Korean Med Sci 2018 Dec 31;33(50):e299. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Department of Radiology, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, Korea.

Background: Sarcopenia is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis. However, it is not known whether the rate of skeletal muscle depletion is also associated with a poor prognosis. We investigated the prognostic impact of the rate of skeletal muscle depletion in patients with liver cirrhosis. Read More

Nihon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi 2018 ;115(12):1087-1093

Third Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University.

A 59-year-old man had been admitted to our hospital because of general malaise and abdominal fullness caused by massive ascites. He was diagnosed with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Following the removal of ascites, he was referred to our department because of hematochezia. Read More

Biochem Pharmacol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Center for Pharmacy and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, Augusta, Georgia, USA; Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, USA; Vascular Biology Center, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, USA; Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA. Electronic address:

Alcoholic ketoacidosis and diabetic ketoacidosis are life-threatening complications that share the characteristic features of high anion gap metabolic acidosis. Ketoacidosis is attributed in part to the massive release of ketone bodies (e.g. Read More

J Hepatol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Pinnacle Clinical Research, Live Oak, TX, United States.

Background: NGM282, an engineered analogue of the gut hormone FGF19, improves hepatic steatosis and fibrosis biomarkers in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, NGM282 increases serum cholesterol levels by inhibiting CYP7A1, which encodes the rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids. Here, we investigate whether administration of a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor can manage the cholesterol increase seen in NASH patients treated with NGM282. Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2018 Dec 5;124:182-191. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

The liver is the most essential organ of the body performing vital functions. Hepatic disorders affect the physiological and biochemical functions of the body. These disorders include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease (ALD), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), liver cirrhosis, hepatic failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Read More