277,282-284 Such therapies should include a regular weight baring

277,282-284 Such therapies should include a regular weight baring exercise program, vitamin D and calcium supplementation. The

administration of bone active agents such as bisphosphonates may be appropriate for individual patients.277,282,302 Patients on long-term corticosteroid treatment should be monitored for bone disease by baseline and annual bone mineral densitometry of the lumbar spine and hip.277,282,300,303 Like other patients MLN8237 mw suffering from chronic liver disease patients with AIH should be protected against hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV). Vaccination should be done as early as possible even before immunosuppression is started because of lower response rates. Treatment

regimens have been less rigorously established in children than in adults and to some extent, they reflect the preferences of individual Kinase Inhibitor Library mouse centers.35,36,120,279-281,283,305-309 There have been no randomized, controlled, treatment trials in children with autoimmune hepatitis, but several reports of 17 or more children have documented the efficacy of regimens similar to those used in adults (Table 7).35,36,279-281 Despite the severe disease at presentation, the response to treatment with corticosteroids with or without azathioprine is generally excellent in children. Normalization of liver tests is noted after 6-9 months of therapy in 75%-90%. Prednisone is the mainstay in virtually all reported regimens for children, and it is usually administered initially in a dose of 1-2 mg/kg daily

(up to 60 mg daily) (Table 7).35,36,279-281 Tapering schedules vary widely. In some centers, a rapid switch to alternate day regimens has been advocated, whereas in other centers, PTK6 maintenance of a low dose daily schedule is considered essential. Because of the significant deleterious effects of long-term intermediate or high dose corticosteroid therapy on linear growth, bone development, and physical appearance, early use of azathioprine (1-2 mg/kg daily) or 6-mercaptopurine (1.5 mg/kg daily) for all children without contraindications is usually recommended.35,36,279-281,305 Experience with azathioprine alone as maintenance therapy has been limited in children, but the drug appears to hold some promise for those who do not tolerate complete cessation of treatment.305 Regimens incorporating cyclosporin A as initial treatment for children with autoimmune hepatitis do not appear to confer a significant advantage over more traditional therapies, and they should be considered investigational.306-309 Pretreatment evidence of susceptibility to HAV or HBV would justify vaccination against these viruses in children.304 Recommendations: 15.

Key Word(s): 1 Endocytoscopy; 2 chromoendoscopy; 3 colorectal

Key Word(s): 1. Endocytoscopy; 2. chromoendoscopy; 3. colorectal cancer;   MC alone MC + EC Diagnostic ability of predicting …       neoplastic change       Sensitivity

96.7% 91.5% 0.0615** Specificity 97.3% 96.9% 0.5938* Accuracy 96.8% 96.8% 0.752* SMm       Sensitivity 76.8% 83% 0.027* Specificity 97.8% 99.1% 0.0001** Accuracy 94.3% 96.2% 0.0243* Interobserver agreement 0.60 (Trichostatin A cost substantial) 0.62 (substantial)   Intraobserver agreement 0.74 (substantial) 0.80 (substantial) Presenting Author: YINGYU ZHU Additional Authors: JUNRONG CHEN, CHUJUN LI, HUILING YANG, YUNKE TAN, LEI YE, XIAODAN YE, YIQIAN LI Corresponding Author: CHUJUN LI Affiliations: The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; zhongshan school of medicine Objective: The present study have showed that the abnormality Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress (ERS) specific protein CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein) expression and cell apoptosis might participate in the carcinogenesis of human colorectal adenomas. In order to make clear whether ERS specific pathways are involved in mediating human colorectal adenomas and colorectal malignant progress of canceration process. This study is to evaluate the expression of ATF4, ATF6, XBP1 in human colorectal adenomas

at different stages and colorectal cancer tissues and their relationship with clinicopathological characteristics. Methods: Paraffin-embedded tissues were retrospectively collected from 47 cases of colorectal normal mucosas, 51 cases of colorectal adenomas and 47 cases of colorectal cancer. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of ATF4, ATF6, XBP1 of them respectively. Results: ATF4, ATF6, XBP1 expressed mainly in the nucleus, staining results showed brown. tuclazepam There was a gradually increased ATF4, ATF6, XBP1

expression from colorectal normal mucosas, colorectal adenomas, to colorectal adenocarcinomas respectively (P < 0.05). ATF4, ATF6, XBP1 expression was respectively related with the pathological type, adenomas size, lymphatic invasion and Duke’s stage (P < 0.05). XBP1 expression was correlated significantly with ATF6 expression in colorectal adenocarcinomas (rs = 0.335, P < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that ATF4, ATF6, XBP1 might participate in the tumorigenesis of colorectal adenoma and malignant progress of colorectal cancer. The three signaling pathways of ERS mediating the colorectal adenomas carcinogenesis and colorectal cancer malignant progress. Key Word(s): 1. Colorectal tumor; 2. ERS; Presenting Author: CAICHANG CHUN Additional Authors: CAICHANG CHUN Corresponding Author: CAICHANG CHUN Affiliations: university of jiujiang Objective: To explore the clinical value of electronic linear scanning echogastroscopy in the diagnosis and therapy of upper gastrointestinal and its adjacent lesions. Methods: Regular linear scanning endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) was performed in 200 cases of upper gastrointestinal and its adjacent lesions by PENTAX-3830UT echogastroscopy.

[89] When derived from dying or dead cells, ATP acts as a DAMP th

[89] When derived from dying or dead cells, ATP acts as a DAMP that is recognized by the P2X7 receptor on KCs, leading to the activation of the NALP3 inflammasome and the release of IL-1β and IL-18.[18] The interleukins in turn drive neutrophil accumulation by triggering production of the chemokine CXCL2 and increasing the endothelial expression of the neutrophil receptor, intercellular

adhesion molecule 1.[18] Additionally, Beldi and colleagues[57] demonstrated that, following liver I/R in mice, NK cells metabolize extracellular ATP to ADP and AMP using the cell-surface endonucleotidase CD39. The purines signal through one of the five purinergic receptors on the NK cell surface (see Fig. 1, bottom left) to amplify interferon gamma production and boost the inflammatory response.[57] These data suggest a broad role for extracellular purines in hepatic I/R injury, as has recently DNA Damage inhibitor been claimed for several other liver pathologies.[90] The characterization of hepatic

I/R injury as a sterile inflammatory disorder may unlock a novel therapeutic avenue in which specific stages of inflammation can be targeted to preserve liver function. As alluded to before, antioxidant therapy has not proven very successful to date, which necessitates the (clinical) evaluation of more sophisticated second-generation compounds capable of neutralizing ROS/RNS. Additionally, the inflammatory cascade can be inhibited at various biochemical intersections to ameliorate the recruitment of ROS/RNS-producing leukocytes and with selleck products it the second wave of ROS/RNS generation. As for the most proximal stages of reperfusion injury, administration of the MitoSNO has proven effective in dampening the early mitochondrial ROS burst in a mouse model of cardiac I/R.[91] By S-nitrosating cysteine-39 selleck of complex I (CysSH + MitoSNO CysSNO + MitoSH) in the mitochondrial

electron transport chain, MitoSNO retains complex I in a less active conformation, thereby slowing down electron transport and limiting mitochondrial ROS production by complex I during the reperfusion phase (Michael Murphy, pers. comm., 2012). As the S-nitrosothiol on complex I is relatively rapidly reduced back to a free thiol by the endogenous thiol reductant systems (CysSNO CysSH, half life of ± 5 min), the suppressive effect on electron transport and ROS production gradually dissipates within 5–10 min of reperfusion. As a result, excessive mitochondrial damage and corollary DAMP release can be prevented during the (hyper)acute reperfusion phase,[2] and resumption of oxidative phosphorylation and repletion of ATP levels can occur in a timely fashion (Table 1). Whether this also holds true for hepatic I/R injury remains to be tested.

[170] In HBeAg negative patients, after 48 weeks of administratio

[170] In HBeAg negative patients, after 48 weeks of administration the HBV DNA negative conversion rate was 51% as expected, the ALT normalization rate was 72%, and resistant virus was not detected.[171] In another study, after 5 years of adefovir therapy, the HBV DNA negative conversion rate was 67%, the ALT normalization rate 69%, the histological improvement rate (Ishak fibrosis scores) 71%, whereas the incidence of resistant virus (rtA181T/V, rtN236T) was 0% at 1 year, 3% at 2 years, 11% at 3 years, 18% at 4 years and 29% at 5 years, and re-elevation of ALT was 11%.[172] Reported factors click here associated with adefovir-resistant virus are where treatment switched

from lamivudine to adefovir monotherapy, advanced age, genotype D, and lamivudine-resistant virus.[173, 174] Important adverse reactions to adefovir are renal dysfunction and hypophosphatemia. After 4–5 years administration,

creatinine levels increased to ≥0.5 mg/dL in 3–9% of patients,[170, 172] and eGFR declined ≥20% in 2.6% at 1 year, 14.8% at 3 years, Ulixertinib manufacturer and 34.7% at 5 years.[175] Furthermore, treatment discontinuation due to renal dysfunction and decline in eGFR <50 mL/min was significantly more common in the group administered adefovir than in the non-treatment group (relative risk = 3.68). Renal dysfunction was more likely to occur in patients aged ≥50 years, patients with mildly reduced eGFR at commencement of treatment (50–80 mL/min), and patients with hypertension or diabetes.[176] In a Japanese study, administration of adefovir for an average of 38 months caused elevated creatinine levels in 38% of cases, exceeding 1.4 mg/dL

in 11% of cases. Factors associated with elevated creatinine levels were advanced age and long term therapy.[165] Elevated creatinine levels can be managed by reducing the dose of adefovir (such as alternate day administration). Hypophosphatemia (<2.0 or <2.5 mg/mL) was seen in 3–16% of cases,[165, 170] and elevation see more of serum creatinine level was also observed in most of these cases.[165] Cases of Fanconi syndrome have also been reported,[165, 177, 178] indicating the need for careful monitoring. Recommendations Adefovir long term monotherapy is moderately effective. However, resistant HBV may emerge with long term administration. Care should be taken with long term administration of adefovir for the possible onset of renal dysfunction and hypophosphatemia (including Fanconi syndrome). Entecavir is a NA with a structure resembling that of guanosine (a guanine nucleoside), with a powerful and selective inhibitor effect against HBV DNA polymerase. The mechanism of its activity involves intracellular phosphorylation of entecavir and conversion into activated entecavir-triphosphate (ETV-TP).

Finally, patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency may requ

Finally, patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency may require supplements of fat-soluble vitamins. Pancreatic enzyme secretion increases find more rapidly in response to a meal up to 6-fold above interdigestive levels and reaches maximal values within 20–60 min postprandially.12 Enzyme output decreases thereafter to a 3- to 4-fold sustained increase, which is maintained for 3–4 h

before returning to interdigestive levels. This postprandial pattern means that a maximal output of 3000–6000 IU/min lipase and a mean output of 2000–4000 IU/min lipase occur after ingestion of a normal mixed meal in healthy subjects.12 Enzyme substitution therapy should be able to mimic this pattern in situations of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. None of the commercially available enzyme preparations is able to deliver more than 360 000 IU of active lipase into the duodenal lumen, that are secreted by the pancreas under physiological conditions. Nevertheless, due to the effect of gastric lipase and to the residual pancreatic exocrine secretion, fat digestion and absorption improves

significantly, and may even normalize, in most patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency under the available therapies. To prevent steatorrhea in these patients, enzyme preparations should be able to deliver at least 30 000 IU of active lipase into the duodenum together with meals.13,14 This goal can be only achieved by

administration of the modern enteric-coated preparations in form of this website minimicrospheres, due to factors MG-132 solubility dmso like gastric acid secretion, nonparallel gastric emptying of nutrients and enzyme preparations, and proteolytic inactivation of released lipase. Based on the conceptions that exogenous enzymes should exert their action on the ingested meal, and gastric emptying of the enzymes should occur in parallel with nutrients to optimize digestion and absorption, it has been generally accepted that pancreatic enzyme preparations should be administered together with meals and snacks. The effect of the administration schedule on the efficacy of oral pancreatic enzymes for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was evaluated in a prospective, randomized, open, comparative, three-way, crossover study including 24 consecutive chronic pancreatitis patients with fat maldigestion secondary to pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.15 The efficacy of the enzyme substitution therapy appears to be higher when enzymes are administered either portioned along meals or just after meals compared with the intake just before meals.15 Pancreatic enzymes in form of enteric-coated minimicrospheres are considered as the most elaborated commercially available enzyme preparations.

Here, EGFR in

Here, PS-341 mouse we report that

the expression of deubiquitylase USP7 is higher in human HCC tissues than in matched non-tumor tissues. Ectopic USP7 expression promotes the growth of HCC cells in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, USP7 overexpression fosters HCC cell growth by forming a complex with and stabilizing the TRIP12 protein, which induces constitutive p14ARF ubiquitination. Clinically, USP7 overexpression is significantly correlated with a malignant phenotype, including larger tumor size, multiple tumor, poor differentiation, elevated α-fetoprotein (AFP), and microvascular invasion. Moreover, overexpression of USP7 and/or TRIP12 correlates with shorter OS and higher cumulative recurrence rates in HCC. Together, our results reveal that USP7 stabilizes TRIP12 by deubiquitination, thus constitutively inactivating p14ARF and promoting HCC progression, and represents a novel marker for predicting prognosis and a potential therapeutic target for HCC. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. “
“Bleeding from esophageal and gastric varices is a fatal event in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

However, the effects of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection on esophagogastric variceal bleeding are not known. The present study was aimed to elucidate the role of H. pylori infection in esophagogastric variceal bleeding. The subjects were 196 cirrhotic patients who were admitted to the Kurume University Hospital to treat their esophagogastric varices consisted of 95 with acute bleeding and 101 with nonbleeding but high risk of Selleckchem RG-7204 bleeding. For the diagnosis of H. pylori infection, a 13C-urea breath test was used, and serum pepsinogen (PG) I and II levels and the PG I/II ratio were also measured. Esophagogastric variceal bleeding was seen in 34.9% (n = 30) of the H. pylori-infected patients (n = 86) and in 59.1% (n = 65) of the noninfected patients (n = 110) (P < 0.0007). There was no significant difference in the infection rate between the bleeding sites of the esophagus and the stomach.

The serum PG I and II levels and the PG I/II ratio were 65.6 ng/dL, click here 14.7 ng/dL, and 4.4, respectively, for the bleeding patients (n = 95), and 43.7 ng/dL, 17.7 ng/dL, and 3.1 for the nonbleeding patients (n = 101). Thus, the nonbleeding patients had significantly higher rate of H. pylori infection and lower acid secretion than bleeding patients (0.001). In addition, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant negative association between H. pylori infection and esophagogastric variceal bleeding. These results suggest that H. pylori infection has a protective effect against esophagogastric variceal bleeding through the induction of gastric mucosal atrophy and concomitant hypoacidity. “
“Background and Aims:  Slow wave (SW) is an essential component in mediating stomach motility.

[240] There is uncertainty whether ASC in children and PSC in adu

[240] There is uncertainty whether ASC in children and PSC in adults have similar biological underpinnings or outcomes. In lieu of the phrase “overlap” syndrome, which suggests two separate conditions occurring in the same patient, the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group posits that patients should be categorized by the predominant condition (e.g., AIH, PSC) and those with “overlapping” features should not be considered to be unique diagnosis.[249] Langerhans cell histiocytosis, primary and secondary immunodeficiencies, and cystic fibrosis have histological findings similar to PSC. LT is the only therapeutic option for endstage liver disease resulting from PSC.[250] Immunoglobulin

G4-associated cholangitis (IAC) is a newly recognized multisystem condition with intra- and extrahepatic LEE011 biliary strictures that is often, but not always, associated with autoimmune pancreatitis.[251, 252] Strictures disappear with corticosteroid therapy. Evidence of

IAC in children is currently limited to case reports with a similar clinical and biochemical presentation and response to corticosteroids that is seen in adults.[253] Patients with PSC are at higher risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than the general population, with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease diagnosed buy Autophagy Compound Library before LT in 46% and 3.3% of children, respectively, and IBD diagnosed after LT in another 9.8%.[254] Cholangiocarcinoma in children is rare and not all cases are associated with PSC.[255] Risks associated with cholangiocarcinoma in PSC are not well defined in children,[250] but HCC may be more prevalent among children with Crohn’s disease and PSC.[255] PSC accounts for 3.5% of pediatric patients listed

for LT,[256] and 2.6% pediatric selleck chemicals transplants.[254] LT is effective therapy for endstage liver disease due from PSC.[257] Patient and graft survival rates are comparable to those of age-matched children who undergo transplantation for other indications.[254] Post-LT complications include intrahepatic biliary strictures, cholangitis, and disease recurrence in the graft.[254] Patients with IBD and PSC have a higher recurrence rate post-LT compared to those with PSC alone. Five-year survival following LT for PSC is >80%.[258, 259] 55. Surveillance for inflammatory bowel disease with a full colonoscopy with biopsy both before and after LT in patients with features of primary sclerosing cholangitis is recommended. (2-B) 56. LT evaluation should be considered for patients with decompensated liver disease, recurrent cholangitis, unmanageable bile duct strictures, and/or concerns for the risk of cholangiocarcinoma. (2-B) Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) refers to a group of autosomal recessive cholestatic conditions. The nomenclature for these conditions is evolving as the underlying genetic defects and affected proteins are identified.

Buse et al in an epidemiological analysis of a large telephone su

Buse et al in an epidemiological analysis of a large telephone survey study of patients with migraine found

that nearly 17% of responders were currently using opioids in a pattern highly suggestive of dependence.[18] Not surprisingly, patients in this group were 6 times more likely to meet criteria for depression, had significantly higher levels of disability, and had nearly 9 times the rate of ER visits. Of note, the mixed mu agonist-antagonist opioids including nalbuphine and butorphanol tend not to be abused because perhaps in part of their analgesic “ceiling” properties. Their typical opioid side effects seem also to be less pronounced as well, although they do have respiratory depressant properties.[3] Tramadol, because of its relatively weak mu receptor binding properties, tends not to produce respiratory, cardiac, or gastrointestinal Galunisertib effects with typical doses. It can, however, produce tolerance and dependence, and unlike other opioids, it inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake so must be used cautiously in patients this website taking similarly acting medications chronically.

Meperidine, still one of the most commonly used opioids in emergency rooms, has a unique metabolite, normeperidine, which is notable for a particularly long half-life (up to 24 hours) so with repeated doses, levels can accumulate leading to severe toxicity including respiratory compromise and seizures. A final cautionary issue regarding the use of opioids for the acute relief of migraine is the propensity of virtually all of them to lead to medication overuse headache (MOH) (Table 4) and/or progression of episodic migraine to chronic migraine (CM) (“chronification”).19-21 Bigal et al documented the association check details of opioid usage with progression of migraine fairly convincingly,[19] with the critical frequency of use approximately 8 days

per month. This may underlie the findings in several studies that prior opioid use leads to headache unresponsiveness to other acute medications,[22, 23] as well as to a higher likelihood of an emergency room visit.[24] Beginning in the 1990s, a dramatic increase in opioid treatment for non-terminal chronic pain conditions has been seen. This turnaround from a previously very hesitant approach to opioid prescribing by the medical community was largely fueled by pharmaceutical companies and a small group of investigators who asserted that fears of tolerance and addiction were exaggerated, and proselytized the daily use of opioid medications for painful illnesses including arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic headache disorders. Despite relatively sparse evidence for efficacy and safety, a nearly religious movement seemed to take hold, leading to the concepts of “Pain as the fifth vital sign” and that undertreatment with opioids was essentially unethical.

Distribution of HLA ligands C1 (HLA-C, 80N), C2 (80K), Bw4 (HLA-B

Distribution of HLA ligands C1 (HLA-C, 80N), C2 (80K), Bw4 (HLA-B, 80I or T and HLA-A*2301, 2402 and 3201) and HLA-A3/A11 did not differ significantly between DILI patients and controls. The most frequent receptor-ligand combinations in the DILI patients were 2DL3 + C1 (67%) and 3DL1 + Bw4 (67%), while 2DL1 + C2 (69%) and 3DL1 + Bw4 (69%) predominated in the controls. In contrast, 3DS1+Bw4 was the least frequent receptor-ligand combination in DILI (9%) and controls (11%). Conclusion: This is to our knowledge the first KIR association analysis in DILI patients. However, our AC DILI cohort presented KIR gene distributions similar to the controls, which were comparable to previously

reported KIR data from check details this website ethnically similar cohorts. Furthermore, the analysed

KIR receptor–HLA ligand combinations do not appear to play a major role in AC DILI development. The complete ligand repertoire is however not elucidated and a potential role for KIR in AC DILI should not yet be dismissed. Funding: PI-0239-2012 SAS, FIS PI12-00378, AC-0073-2013 SAS, CIBERehd by ISCIII Disclosures: Manuel Romero-Gomez – Advisory Committees or Review Panels: Roche Farma,SA., MSD, S.A., Janssen, S.A., Abbott, S.A.; Grant/Research Support: Ferrer, S.A. The following people have nothing to disclose: C. Stephens, Antonia More-no-Casares, MAngel López-Nevot, Miren García-Cortés, I. Medina-Cáliz, Hacibe Hallal, German Soriano, Francisco. Ruiz-Cabello, M. I. Lucena, Raul J. Andrade [Background and Aim] The recent global increase in the incidence of metabolic syndrome has also impacted its hepatic manifestation

in the form of an increased prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is known that liver metabolism is regulated by a ‘metabolic highway’ mediated by the autonomic nervous system. The component neurons are distributed within the liver, extending from the portal area, and then gradually branching to form a fine network around the portal area. However, the precise mechanism by which this regulatory system operates is still poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the role of the autonomic nervous system in the liver using immunohistochemistry, and to clarify the association between these nerves and a variety of liver diseases. [Methods] First, we evaluated learn more the autonomic nervous system in the liver after transplantation, which in theory should lead to intrahepatic neuron atrophy. As neuron markers, we evaluated changes in S-100 or N-CAM immunostaining over time (n=90). Specimens of normal liver obtained at surgery for metastatic liver cancer were used as immunostaining controls (n=5). Also, we evaluated a diverse group of liver diseases (NASH n=18, chronic hepatitis B n=10, chronic hepatitis C n=10) to evaluate whether these diseases show differences in the ratio of positivity for neuron markers.

FIB-4 is a promising, easily applicable, and cost-effective clini

FIB-4 is a promising, easily applicable, and cost-effective clinical tool in identifying a subpopulation of HBsAg carriers who are at heightened risk. Our study needs to be replicated in larger future studies on various ethnic groups; nonetheless, our study suggests FIB-4 may play a valuable role in HCC screening among HBsAg carriers. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. “
“In recent Selleckchem Proteasome inhibitor years, the potential association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has attracted much interest,1 generating discussion that NAFLD patients should perhaps be treated

not only for their liver disorder but also owing to their associated cardiovascular risk factors. However, it seems that at present we cannot draw a definitive conclusion on the association Vadimezan between NAFLD and CVD. I read with great interest the article by Ghouri et al.,2 who reviewed data from recent prospective studies and concluded that a diagnosis of NAFLD is insufficient to consider patients as being at high risk for CVD. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that Targher et al.3 recently reviewed the rapidly growing body of clinical evidence supporting a strong link between NAFLD and the CVD risk.

Therefore, additional effort is encouraged to shed light on the link between the two disorders. I do not intend to judge the association between NAFLD and CVD; however, I sincerely hope the current debatable status will not hamper the research community to optimize the treatment strategy. Before drawing a definitive conclusion on the association between the two disorders, I submit that the NAFLD treatment strategy, which also possesses the potential to prevent/reduce

the associated risk of CVD, may serve as selleck chemical a good approach for NAFLD patients. The advantage of this strategy is that if no or only a weak association between NAFLD and CVD is found, the approach will not bring additional burden to the patients. There have been numerous clinical trials of various treatment modalities for NAFLD as comprehensively reviewed by Lam and Younossi,4 including weight loss agents, insulin-sensitizing agents, lipid-lowering agents, antioxidants, probiotics, and other novel compounds. In addition, Satapathy and Sanyal5 recently discussed the status of current and emerging treatment strategies for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients and highlighted the great potential of antioxidant therapy. Because the treatment strategies for NAFLD and CVD are similar, it is promising to consider that one of the above-mentioned treatment modalities for NAFLD could also be applied for associated risk of CVD. Liang Shen Ph.D.*, * Shandong Provincial Research Center for Bioinformatic Engineering and Technique, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, P. R. China. “
“Fecal incontinence is a symptom with complex etiology and pathogenesis. A detailed history, digital rectal examination, and anorectal physiological tests facilitate accurate diagnosis.