Standard Liver Research Articles

Optimum Fractional Tilt Based Cascaded Frequency Stabilization with MLC Algorithm for Multi-Microgrid Assimilating Electric Vehicles

An important issue in interconnected microgrids (MGs) is the realization of balance between the generation side and the demand side. Imbalanced generation and load demands lead to security, power quality, and reliability issues. The load frequency control (LFC) is accountable for regulating MG frequency against generation/load disturbances. This paper proposed an optimized fractional order (FO) LFC scheme with cascaded outer and inner control loops. The proposed controller is based on a cascaded one plus tilt derivative (1+TD) in the outer loop and an FO tilt integrator-derivative with a filter (FOTIDF) in the inner loop, forming the cascaded (1+TD/FOTIDF) controller. The proposed 1+TD/FOTIDF achieves better disturbance rejection compared with traditional LFC methods. The proposed 1+TD/FOTIDF scheme is optimally designed using a modified version of the liver cancer optimization algorithm (MLCA). In this paper, a new modified liver cancer optimization algorithm (MLCA) is proposed to overcome the shortcomings of the standard Liver cancer optimization algorithm (LCA), which contains the early convergence to local optima and the debility of its exploration process. The proposed MLCA is based on three improvement mechanisms, including chaotic mutation (CM), quasi-oppositional based learning (QOBL), and the fitness distance balance (FDB). The proposed MLCA method simultaneously adjusts and selects the best 1+TD/FOTIDF parameters to achieve the best control performance of MGs. Obtained results are compared to other designed FOTID, TI/FOTID, and TD/FOTID controllers. Moreover, the contribution of electric vehicles and the high penetration of renewables are considered with power system parameter uncertainty to test the stability of the proposed 1+TD/FOTIDF LFC technique. The obtained results under different possible load/generation disturbance scenarios confirm a superior response and improved performance of the proposed 1+TD/FOTIDF and the proposed MLCA-based optimized LFC controller.

Immunosuppression in two cases of indeterminate hepatitis.

Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a potentially lethal and rapidly progressive clinical syndrome, with a large proportion of cases remaining indeterminate despite extensive investigations. In this case report, we describe two male children with indeterminate PALF and a family history of autoimmune disease, both of whom were lymphopenic with necrosis, inflammation, and lymphocytic infiltrates on their liver biopsies. One of these patients subsequently developed hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia. Notably, in addition to receiving standard liver failure care, both patients were successfully treated off-label with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG), as well as a more prolonged course of cyclosporine and corticosteroids. The fact that these medications all suppress T lymphocytes further supports the theory that T-cell activation plays a prominent role in the pathophysiology of indeterminate hepatitis. Further research should examine the short-term and long-term effects of ATG in this population, as well as the necessary duration of treatment with immune-suppressing agents.

Safety and benefit of modified mesohepatectomy in the treatment of bilobar involvement congenital biliary dilatation.

The diseased bile duct in bilobar congenital biliary dilatation is extensive and often requires major hepatectomy or liver transplantation associated with a higher risk. We aimed to evaluate the safety and benefit of modified mesohepatectomy, in comparison with trisectionectomy, to treat bilobar congenital biliary dilatation. This study included 28 patients with type IV and V bilobar congenital biliary dilatation. An innovative mesohepatectomy comprising the hepatectomy technique beyond the P/U point and bile duct shaping was applied to 14 patients to address the extensively diseased bile duct and difficulty in hepaticojejunostomy. Another 14 patients received trisectionectomy. The perioperative and long-term outcomes of these patients were compared. The ratio of residual liver volume to standard liver volume in the mesohepatectomy group was higher (78.68% vs. 40.90%, p=0.005), while the resection rate of the liver parenchyma was lower (28.25% vs. 63.97%, p=0.000), than that in trisectionectomy group. The mesohepatectomy group had a lower severe complication (>Clavein III, 0% vs. 57.70%, p=0.019) and incidence of posthepatectomy liver failure (7.14% vs. 42.86%, p=0.038). No significant difference was observed in blood loss and bile leakage (p>0.05). All the patients in the mesohepatectomy group achieved optimal results in the long-term follow-up. mesohepatectomy provides an efficient treatment option for bilobar congenital biliary dilatation and can achieve radical resection, retain more liver parenchyma, and reduce the difficulty of hepaticojejunostomy, especially for patients that are not eligible for major hepatectomy and liver transplantation.

A feasibility randomised-controlled-trial testing the use of indocyanine-green fluorescence image-guidance in liver surgery compared to standard liver surgery alone in reducing microscopic positive tumour margin Resection rate: the I-FIGS study

A feasibility randomised-controlled-trial testing the use of indocyanine-green fluorescence image-guidance in liver surgery compared to standard liver surgery alone in reducing microscopic positive tumour margin Resection rate: the I-FIGS study

The Effect of Smoking, Gender, Age, and the Body Mass Index on the Measurements of the Portal Vein Diameter

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effects of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and smoking on the diameter of the portal vein (PV). Materials and Methods: This quantitative descriptive study included 113 participants (61.9% males and 38.1% females) who underwent sonography. The participants were selected via convenience sampling. Patients with known cardiac, liver, or biliary diseases were excluded. The PV of each participant was evaluated and measured using a 3.5 MHz transducer and a standard liver sonography imaging protocol. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, independent t-test, and Pearson correlations. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. Results: The mean age of the participants was 38 ± 16 years (range = 15–86 years). The mean PV diameter and BMI were 9.6 ± 2 mm (range = 4.9–16 mm) and 26.22 ± 8.5 (range = 15.2–39.7), respectively. The mean PV diameter of the participants who did and did not smoke was 10.5 ± 2.3 mm and 9.25 ± 1.8 mm, respectively. The PV diameter showed statistically significant associations with smoking status, age, and BMI ( P = .01, .007, and .022, respectively). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the PV diameter may increase with smoking, age, and BMI; however, no correlation was observed between the PV diameter and sex.

Role of intelligent/interactive qualitative and quantitative analysis-three-dimensional estimated model in donor-recipient size mismatch following deceased donor liver transplantation.

Donor-recipient size mismatch (DRSM) is considered a crucial factor for poor outcomes in liver transplantation (LT) because of complications, such as massive intraoperative blood loss (IBL) and early allograft dysfunction (EAD). Liver volumetry is performed routinely in living donor LT, but rarely in deceased donor LT (DDLT), which amplifies the adverse effects of DRSM in DDLT. Due to the various shortcomings of traditional manual liver volumetry and formula methods, a feasible model based on intelligent/interactive qualitative and quantitative analysis-three-dimensional (IQQA-3D) for estimating the degree of DRSM is needed. To identify benefits of IQQA-3D liver volumetry in DDLT and establish an estimation model to guide perioperative management. We retrospectively determined the accuracy of IQQA-3D liver volumetry for standard total liver volume (TLV) (sTLV) and established an estimation TLV (eTLV) index (eTLVi) model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to detect the optimal cut-off values for predicting massive IBL and EAD in DDLT using donor sTLV to recipient sTLV (called sTLVi). The factors influencing the occurrence of massive IBL and EAD were explored through logistic regression analysis. Finally, the eTLVi model was compared with the sTLVi model through the ROC curve for verification. A total of 133 patients were included in the analysis. The Changzheng formula was accurate for calculating donor sTLV (P = 0.083) but not for recipient sTLV (P = 0.036). Recipient eTLV calculated using IQQA-3D highly matched with recipient sTLV (P = 0.221). Alcoholic liver disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, and sTLVi > 1.24 were independent risk factors for massive IBL, and drug-induced liver failure was an independent protective factor for massive IBL. Male donor-female recipient combination, model for end-stage liver disease score, sTLVi ≤ 0.85, and sTLVi ≥ 1.32 were independent risk factors for EAD, and viral hepatitis was an independent protective factor for EAD. The overall survival of patients in the 0.85 < sTLVi < 1.32 group was better compared to the sTLVi ≤ 0.85 group and sTLVi ≥ 1.32 group (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the area under the curve of the sTLVi model and IQQA-3D eTLVi model in the detection of massive IBL and EAD (all P > 0.05). IQQA-3D eTLVi model has high accuracy in predicting massive IBL and EAD in DDLT. We should follow the guidance of the IQQA-3D eTLVi model in perioperative management.

Clinical study of standard residual liver volume and transient elastography in predicting poor prognosis of patients after hemihepatectomy.

Liver cancer resection, especially in patients with hemihepatectomy or extended hemihepatectomy, often leads to poor prognosis, such as liver insufficiency and even liver failure and death, because the standard residual liver volume (SRLV) cannot be fully compensated after surgery. To explore the risk factors of poor prognosis after hemihepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma and evaluate the application value of related prognostic approaches. The clinical data of 35 patients with primary liver cancer in Nantong Third People's Hospital from February 2016 to July 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic curve was created using medcac19.0.4 to compare the critical values of the SRLV in different stages of liver fibrosis after hemihepatectomy with those of liver dysfunction after hemihepatectomy. It was constructed by combining the Child-Pugh score to evaluate its application value in predicting liver function compensation. The liver stiffness measure (LSM) value and SRLV were associated with liver dysfunction after hemihepatectomy. Logistic regression analysis showed that an LSM value ≥ 25 kPa [odds ratio (OR) = 6.254, P < 0.05] and SRLV ≤ 0.290 L/m2 (OR = 5.686, P < 0.05) were independent risk factors for postoperative liver dysfunction. The accuracy of the new liver reserve evaluation model for predicting postoperative liver function was higher than that of the Child-Pugh score (P < 0.05). SRLV and LSM values can be used to evaluate the safety of hemihepatectomy. The new liver reserve evaluation model has good application potential in the evaluation of liver reserve function after hemihepatectomy.

Acetaminophen treatment in children and adults with spinal muscular atrophy: a lower tolerance and higher risk of hepatotoxicity

Acute liver failure has been reported sporadically in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and other neuromuscular disorders with low skeletal muscle mass receiving recommended dosages of acetaminophen. It is suggested that low skeletal muscle mass may add to the risk of toxicity. We aimed to describe the pharmacokinetics and safety of acetaminophen in patients with SMA. We analyzed acetaminophen metabolites and liver biomarkers in plasma from SMA patients and healthy controls (HC) every hour for six or eight hours on day 1 and day 3 of treatment with therapeutic doses of acetaminophen. Twelve patients with SMA (six adults and six children) and 11 HC participated in the study. Adult patients with SMA had significantly lower clearance of acetaminophen compared to HC (14.1 L/h vs. 21.5 L/h). Formation clearance of acetaminophen metabolites, glucuronide, sulfate, and oxidative metabolites were two-fold lower in the patients compared to HC. The liver transaminases and microRNAs increased nine-fold in one adult SMA patient after two days of treatment. The other patients and HC did not develop abnormal liver biomarkers. In this study, patients with SMA had lower clearance and slower metabolism of acetaminophen, and one patient developed liver involvement. We recommend giving 15 mg/kg/dose to SMA adults (with a maximum of 4000 mg/day) and monitoring standard liver biomarkers 48 h after first-time treatment of acetaminophen.

Deep Learning–Based Survival Analysis for Receiving a Steatotic Donor Liver Versus Waiting for a Standard Liver

An emerging strategy to expand the donor pool is the use of a steatotic donor liver (SDLs; ≥ 30% macrosteatosis on biopsy). With the obesity epidemic and prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, SDLs have been reported in 59% of all deceased donors. Many potential candidates need to decide whether to accept an SDL offer or remain on the waitlist for a nonsteatotic donor liver (non-SDL). The objective of this study was to compare the survival of accepting an SDL vs using a non-SDL after waiting various times. Using data from the United States' organ procurement and transplantation network, deep survival learning predictive models were built to compare post-decision survival after accepting an SDL vs waiting for a non-SDL. The comparison subjects contain simulated 20,000 different scenarios of a candidate either accepting an SDL immediately or receiving a non-SDL after waiting various times. The research variables were selected using the LASSO-Cox and Random Survival Forest (RSF) models. The Cox proportional hazards and RSF models were also comparatively included for survival prediction. In addition, personalized survival curves for randomly selected candidates were generated. Deep survival learning outperformed Cox proportional hazards and RSF in predicting the survival of liver transplants. Among the simulations, 25% to 30% of scenarios demonstrated a higher 3-year survival post-decision for candidates accepting an SDL than waiting and receiving a non-SDL. The difference was only 1.43% in 3-year survival post-decision between accepting an SDL and waiting 260 days (mean waitlist time) for a non-SDL. As the number of days on the waitlist increases, the difference in survival between accepting SDLs and waiting for non-SDLs decreases. Appropriately used SDLs could expand the donor pool and relieve the candidates' unmet need for donor livers, which presents long-term survival benefits for recipients.

Renal protection CT protocol using low-dose and low-concentration iodine contrast medium in at-risk patients of HCC and with chronic kidney disease: a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial

BackgroundAlthough efforts have been made to reduce the dose of Contrast Medium (CM) to improve patient safety, there are ongoing concerns regarding its potential effects on image quality and diagnostic performance. Moreover, research is lacking to establish a lower limit for safe and effective CM dose reduction. To determine whether the image quality of contrast-enhanced liver computed tomography (CT) using a reduced amount of iodinated CM was similar to that of standard liver CT.MethodsWe enrolled participants at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma with decreased estimated glomerular filtration rates (< 60 mL/min/1.73m2). Participants were randomly assigned to the standard group or the renal protection protocol (RPP) group. In the standard group, images were reconstructed using hybrid iterative reconstruction (iDose), while in the RPP group, low monoenergetic (50-keV) images and deep learning (DL)-based iodine-boosting reconstruction were used. Four radiologists independently assessed image quality and lesion conspicuity.ResultsFifty-two participants were assigned to the standard (n = 25) or RPP (n = 27) groups. The iodine load was significantly lower in the RPP group than in the standard group (301.5 ± 1.71 vs. 524 ± 7.37 mgI/kg, P < 0.001). The 50-keV and DL-based iodine-boosting images from the RPP group exhibited higher image contrast than those from the standard group during arterial (3.60 ± 0.65, 3.75 ± 0.60, and 3.09 ± 0.43, respectively) and portal venous phases (4.01 ± 0.49, 3.86 ± 0.42, and 3.21 ± 0.31, respectively) (P < 0.05 for all). Overall image quality was superior in the RPP group (P < 0.05 for all). No significant difference in lesion conspicuity was observed (P > 0.017).ConclusionsThe reduction in image contrast and overall image quality caused by decreased CM can be restored using either low monoenergetic imaging or DL-based iodine-boosting reconstruction.Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov, NCT04024514, Registered July 18, 2019, prospectively registered, https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04024514.

Analysis of serum trace elemental content in pre-post chemotherapy breast cancer patients using synchrotron radiation based X-ray fluorescence

Synchrotron Radiation induced X-ray Fluorescence (SRXRF), accelerator based analytical technique, was used to analyze the trace elemental content in the serum of pre-post chemotherapy undergoing breast cancer patients (BCPs) and healthy controls (HCs). SRXRF measurements were carried out on beamline-16 (Microprobe X-fluorescence beamline), Indus synchrotron light source, Raja Ramanna center for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore, India. Validation of SRXRF experimental set-up used in the current work was done by using National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standard reference material bovine liver (1577c) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reference material-animal blood (A-13) in the same conditions as that of the studied serum samples. Results show the presence of thirteen trace elements (TEs) K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, and Pb in both the groups of BCPs and HCs. Concentrations of TEs K, Ca, Cr, Fe, Cu, Br, and Pb were noticed to be higher in pre-chemotherapy BCPs when compared with HCs while content of TEs Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Se, and Rb were decreased in pre-chemotherapy BCPs. Furthermore, it was observed that the elevated levels of some TEs decreased after chemotherapy. Observed changes in levels of TEs in pre-post chemotherapy BCPs may play an essential role in carcinogenesis and these TEs may be useful to prepare trace-metal based drugs to treat the BCPs and to improve their survival rates.

Clinical application of transarterial chemoembolization combined with terminal branches portal vein embolization in planned hepatectomy

This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in conjunction with terminal branches portal vein embolization (TBPVE) in the context of planned hepatectomy. A cohort of five patients afflicted by primary hepatocellular carcinoma who were deemed unsuitable candidates for primary surgical resection was gathered from August 2019 to December 2021. Following the application of TACE in combination with TBPVE as a therapeutic intervention, we observed postoperative general reactions, alterations in tumor biomarkers, hyperplasia of future liver remnant (FLR), and subsequent surgical resection. All patients successfully underwent the combined TACE and TBPVE procedure, achieving a technical success rate of 100%. One week after TACE, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels decreased from 38.52±49.21 to 25.27±37.94 μg/L, and Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence or Antagonist (PIVKA) levels decreased from 1689.30±1663.83 to 219.03±228.10 μg/L. Two weeks post-TBPVE, FLR exhibited an increment from 350.80±41.17 to 476.00±57.91 mL. The ratio of FLR to standard liver volume (SLV) increased from 30.94%±3.63% to 42.03%±5.62%. The combined application of TACE and TBPVE not only effectively manages tumor progression but also augments the FLR, thereby affording patients with a limited future liver remnant an opportunity for surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Clinical application of transarterial chemoembolization combined with terminal branches portal vein embolization in planned hepatectomy

This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in conjunction with terminal branches portal vein embolization (TBPVE) in the context of planned hepatectomy. A cohort of five patients afflicted by primary hepatocellular carcinoma who were deemed unsuitable candidates for primary surgical resection was gathered from August 2019 to December 2021. Following the application of TACE in combination with TBPVE as a therapeutic intervention, we observed postoperative general reactions, alterations in tumor biomarkers, hyperplasia of future liver remnant (FLR), and subsequent surgical resection. All patients successfully underwent the combined TACE and TBPVE procedure, achieving a technical success rate of 100%. One week after TACE, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels decreased from 38.52±49.21 to 25.27±37.94 μg/L, and Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence or Antagonist (PIVKA) levels decreased from 1689.30±1663.83 to 219.03±228.10 μg/L. Two weeks post-TBPVE, FLR exhibited an increment from 350.80±41.17 to 476.00±57.91 mL. The ratio of FLR to standard liver volume (SLV) increased from 30.94%±3.63% to 42.03%±5.62%. The combined application of TACE and TBPVE not only effectively manages tumor progression but also augments the FLR, thereby affording patients with a limited future liver remnant an opportunity for surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

A feasibility randomized controlled trial testing the use of indocyanine green fluorescence image-guidance in liver surgery compared to standard liver surgery alone in reducing microscopic positive tumor margin resection rate with an embedded qualitative study: the I-FIGS study protocol

Abstract Indocyanine green fluorescence image-guidance (I-FIGS) is gaining global popularity in liver surgery for various applications. However, its true clinical value in reducing microscopic positive margins (R1-resection rate) remains uncertain. To address this, a multi-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing I-FIGS with standard liver surgery is needed. However, due to a lack of essential information on potential R1 reduction rate, sample size, methodology, intervention delivery and patient experience, a feasibility RCT protocol has been developed to determine the viability of conducting a full-scale RCT. The aim of the study is to conduct a feasibility RCT (fRCT) with an embedded qualitative study to gather all the necessary information for a full-scale RCT. Adult patients undergoing elective liver surgery for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLMs), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or peripheral cholangiocarcinoma will be eligible for the study. Forty patients will be randomly assigned to either the control group (standard liver surgery) or the intervention group (standard liver surgery + I-FIGS). Patients in the I-FIGS group will receive intravenous injection of 0.03–0.05 mg/kg indocyanine green (ICG) dye 2–4 hours before the surgery. Data will be collected on demographics, screening, recruitment and retention rates, adherence to study methods, intraoperative details, postoperative histology, and experiences of both surgeons and patients. Interviews will be conducted with selected patients and surgeons to explore their experiences with the intervention. The protocol has been approved by the West-Midlands-Solihull Research Ethics Committee and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05616039). The results will be disseminated through academic publications, congresses, newsletters and other platforms.

Serum Activities of Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) in Predicting Liver Damage Among Patients Diagnosed With Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case-Control Study.

Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)is one of the most common cancers in the world and unless diagnosed timely has limited options for treatment. Paraoxonase(PON) isa glycosylated proteinthat has been implicated in antioxidant and other biochemical functions.Paraoxonase 1 (PON1)is an esterase associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. The present study was carried out to assess the PON1 activity and compare it with the standard liver function tests (LFTs) in assessing the predictability of liver damage among patients diagnosed with HCC. Methods This case-control study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry attached to Great Eastern Medical School and Hospital, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. Serum PON1 activities and LFTs like total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, and albumin were estimated in 30 patients diagnosed with HCC and 30 healthy persons. All the parameters were estimated using standard biochemical methods.The data was analyzed using GraphPad Prism version 6.0 (GraphPad Software, Inc).A probability (p) value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the area under the curve (AUC) for accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic efficiency. Results The serum activities of PON1 had identical sensitivity (70%) to albumin (70%) and were superior to other tested parameters. Additionally, PON1 activities showed lower specificity (86.67%) than the other tested parameters. ROC analysis showed increased diagnostic efficacy (DE) of PON1 (DE=78.3%; p<0.0001) when compared with total bilirubin (DE=76.6%; p=0.0039), direct bilirubin (DE=74.9%; p=0.04), ALT (DE=73.30%; p=0.0006), and total protein (DE=71.6%; p=0.0005). However, the DE of PON1 was comparable with AST (DE=81.60%; p<0.0001), ALP (DE=79.9%; p<0.0001), and albumin (DE=83.30%, p<0.0001). Conclusions Serum activities of PON1 could be used as a diagnostic marker for assessing liver damage among HCC patients.

Post Living Donor Liver Transplantation Small-for-size Syndrome: Definitions, Timelines, Biochemical, and Clinical Factors for Diagnosis: Guidelines From the ILTS-iLDLT-LTSI Consensus Conference.

When a partial liver graft is unable to meet the demands of the recipient, a clinical phenomenon, small-for-size syndrome (SFSS), may ensue. Clear definition, diagnosis, and management are needed to optimize transplant outcomes. A Consensus Scientific committee (106 members from 21 countries) performed an extensive literature review on specific aspects of SFSS, recommendations underwent blinded review by an independent panel, and discussion/voting on the recommendations occurred at the Consensus Conference. The ideal graft-to-recipient weight ratio of ≥0.8% (or graft volume standard liver volume ratio of ≥40%) is recommended. It is also recommended to measure portal pressure or portal blood flow during living donor liver transplantation and maintain a postreperfusion portal pressure of <15 mm Hg and/or portal blood flow of <250 mL/min/100 g graft weight to optimize outcomes. The typical time point to diagnose SFSS is the postoperative day 7 to facilitate treatment and intervention. An objective 3-grade stratification of severity for protocolized management of SFSS is proposed. The proposed grading system based on clinical and biochemical factors will help clinicians in the early identification of patients at risk of developing SFSS and institute timely therapeutic measures. The validity of this newly created grading system should be evaluated in future prospective studies.

Preoperative Risk Stratification in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index as an Estimate of Liver Dysfunction.

Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) is a cost-effective and noninvasive measure of liver function, an alternative to the gold standard liver biopsy which is resource-intensive and invasive. This study investigates the association between various degrees of liver dysfunction based on APRI and 30-day postoperative complications following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (aRCR). The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for all patients who underwent aRCR between 2015 and 2021. The study population was divided into four groups based on preoperative APRI: normal/reference (APRI ≤ 0.5), mild fibrosis (0.5 < APRI ≤ 0.7), significant fibrosis (0.7 < APRI ≤ 1), and cirrhosis (APRI > 1). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the connection between preoperative APRI and postoperative complications. Compared to normal liver function, mild fibrosis was significantly associated with male gender, lower BMI, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification ≥ 3, and comorbid diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bleeding disorders. Significant fibrosis was significantly associated with male gender, greater BMI, ASA classification ≥ 3, and comorbid diabetes, hypertension, and bleeding disorders. Cirrhosis was significantly associated with younger age, ASA classification ≥ 3, smokers, and comorbid diabetes and bleeding disorders. Compared to normal liver function, fibrosis was not associated with complications, significant fibrosis was associated with myocardial infarction, and cirrhosis was associated with major complications, sepsis, non-home discharge, and mortality. However, mild fibrosis, significant fibrosis, and cirrhosis were independently associated with any adverse 30-day postoperative complications following aRCR. Among those with predicted liver damage based on preoperative APRI, 30-day postoperative complications following aRCR were not found to be independently associated with preoperative mild fibrosis, significant fibrosis, or cirrhosis. Our results suggest that APRI predictive of liver dysfunction may be a weaker deterrent to undergoing aRCR compared to other orthopedic surgeries.

Persistent organic pollutants associate with liver disease in a Finnish general population sample.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have multiple adverse effects on human health. Recent studies show a possible association with liver disease, but population-based data are scarce. In this population-based study, we studied the associations between POPs and biomarkers of liver disease and incident liver disease. This study consisted of 2789 adults that participated in the environmental toxin subset of the Finnish health-examination survey, FINRISK 2007. Toxins were measured from serum samples, and standard liver tests and dynamic aspartate aminotransferase-alanine aminotransferase ratio (dAAR) were measured as biomarkers of liver function. Associations between POPs and the biomarkers were then analysed using linear regression. Associations between POPs and incident liver disease (n = 36) were analysed by Cox regression. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and several perfluorinated alkyl substances exhibited statistically significant positive associations with several biomarkers of liver injury (betacoefficient per SD 0.04-0.14, p < 0.05). These associations were stronger in subgroups of individuals with obesity or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. OCPs, PCBs and perfluoro-octanoic acid also had significant positive associations with dAAR, which can be used to predict risk of incident severe liver outcomes (beta coefficient per SD 0.05-0.08, p < 0.05). OCPs and PCBs were also significantly and positively associated with incident liver disease (hazard ratio per SD 1.82 95% CI 1.21-2.73, p < 0.01 and hazard ratio per SD 1.69, 95% CI 1.07-2.68, p < 0.05 respectively). Several POPs show positive associations with markers of liver injury and incident liver disease, suggesting that environmental toxins are important risk factors for chronic liver disease.

Is Liver Frailty and functional capacity associated with severity of liver disease in patients awaiting Liver Transplantation? - A prospective Observational Study

Background: Liver is a major metabolic organ, interfering with the function of all organs and systems. So, the patients with severe liver disease may display wide manifestations of metabolic disorders, loss of muscle mass and function. Combination of these factors leads to decreased exercise tolerance and physical inactivity and it may be exaggerated with increasing severity of liver disease. The functional capacity could be severely affected due to multiple physiological derangements in these population. Hence, a liver transplant is the only cure for end stage liver disease. Currently only few literature are available that evaluated and described the status of frailty and functional capacity in these population. So we have tried to evaluate the same in Indian Population. Methodology: After ethical committee approval and written inform consent, 85 cirrhotic patients who fulfilled the Inclusion and Exclusion criteria were included in the study. Disease specific history, Severity of Liver disease, Physical evaluation of frailty via Hand grip strength, Balance and time taken to do 5 chair stands , subjective functional capacity evaluation was done through Duke activity status Index (DASI). Result: In 85 patients, the average Hand grip strength was 23.70 ± 10.60kg in males and 15.02± 5.08kg in females , average value of timed chair stands (TCS) was 18.18± 6.60 in males and 14.18± 8.65 in females , average balance score was 28.00 ±4.99 in males and 29.33± 2.58 in females and the average value of MELDNa was 22.2± 6.9. Conclusion: When compared with normal Indian standard Liver cirrhotic patient, form of frailty and reduced functional capacity non predominant. That stressed emphasis on rehabilitation and nutritional counselling during waiting period for Transplantation.

Evaluation of diagnostic and prognostic candidate biomarkers in drug-induced liver injury vs. other forms of acute liver damage.

Detection and characterization of idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (DILI) currently rely on standard liver tests, which are suboptimal in terms of specificity, sensitivity and prognosis. Therefore, DILI diagnosis can be delayed, with important consequences for the patient. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential of osteopontin, cytokeratin-18 (caspase-cleaved: ccK18 and total: K18), α-glutathione-S-transferase and microRNA-122 as new DILI biomarkers. Serial blood samples were collected from 32 DILI and 34 non-DILI acute liver injury (ALI) cases and a single sample from 43 population controls without liver injury (HLC) and analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or single-molecule arrays. All biomarkers differentiated DILI and ALI from HLC with an area under receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) value of >0.75 but were less efficient in distinguishing DILI from ALI, with ccK18 (0.79) and K18 (0.76) demonstrating highest potential. However, the AUC improved considerably (0.98) for ccK18 when comparing DILI and a subgroup of autoimmune hepatitis cases. Cytokeratin-18, microRNA-122 and α-glutathione-S-transferase correlated well with traditional transaminases, while osteopontin correlated most strongly with the international normalized ratio (INR). ccK18 appears promising in distinguishing DILI from autoimmune hepatitis but less so from other forms of acute liver injury. Osteopontin demonstrates prognostic potential with higher levels detected in more severe cases regardless of aetiology.