Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
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J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Aug 2013
ReviewVitamin D in liver diseases: from mechanisms to clinical trials.
Traditionally regarded as a typical vitamin regulating calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, vitamin D is now discovered as a highly versatile molecule with emerging roles in immunity, cancer, infectious diseases, fibrosis, fatty liver diseases, and alcoholic liver diseases. A large body of clinical evidence has demonstrated the prevalence and risks of vitamin D deficiency in various chronic diseases. Biologically active vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxylvitamin D3, is synthesized in two distinct systems. ⋯ A recent study showed that 25-dihydroxyvitamin D rather than 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D could directly suppress hepatitis C virus assembly. Moreover, clinical evidence has shown that vitamin D deficiency is associated with alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. In this review, we highlight some recent advances in vitamin D researches and clinical trails.
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J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Aug 2013
Comparative StudyDiabetes is an independent risk factor for peptic ulcer bleeding: a nationwide population-based cohort study.
Diabetic patients reportedly have a higher incidence of peptic ulcer disease. The aim of this study was to investigate if type II diabetic patients have higher risk of developing peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) and to identify possible risk factors of PUB in diabetic patients. ⋯ Type II diabetic patients have significantly higher risk of PUB even after adjustments for possible confounding factors like age, sex, underlying comorbidities, and ulcerogenic medication.
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J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Aug 2013
Comparative StudyBlatchford score is a useful tool for predicting the need for intervention in cancer patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
The Blatchford score is based on clinical and laboratory variables to predict the need for clinical interventions in upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). The primary object was to evaluate the Blatchford score with clinical and full Rockall scores in patients with active cancer presenting to the emergency department with UGIB. The secondary object was to assess the accuracy of the Blatchford score at different source of UGIB; cancer bleeding versus non-malignant lesions. ⋯ The Blatchford score outperformed both Rockall scoring system in predicting intervention in patients with active cancer. The source of bleeding was not important factor in the score performance. The Blatchford score has a very good sensitivity. However, suboptimal specificity limits its role as sole means of decision making in cancer patient with UGIB.
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J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Aug 2013
Feasibility of sentinel node navigation surgery after noncurative endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer.
Recently, the use of additional surgery after noncurative endoscopic resection has gradually increased due to the rapid spread of endoscopic treatments in selected patients with early gastric cancer. Sentinel node navigation surgery (SNNS) has also been recognized as a minimally invasive surgery with personalized lymphadenectomy in early gastric cancer. Here, we assessed the feasibility of SNNS after noncurative endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer. ⋯ Our results indicate that SNNS may have potential as a further minimally invasive surgery in early gastric cancer patients after noncurative endoscopic resection.
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J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Aug 2013
Paracetamol overdose in Victoria remains a significant health-care burden.
Paracetamol is the most frequently used analgesic in Australia and can be purchased without a prescription. We aimed to investigate the epidemiology and outcome of paracetamol overdoses occurring in Victoria, Australia. ⋯ Admission to Victorian hospitals with paracetamol overdose presents an enormous and in many cases preventable health-care burden. Fortunately, there has been a gradual fall in admissions, and most cases appear relatively benign. Further reductions in overdose could be achieved with increased awareness by physicians and the general public regarding the potential for accidental overdose, and increasing funding for mental health initiatives.