The relationship between

(

) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was firstly proposed in 1994 after Ward et al demonstrated the role of

in the development of HCC in mice. Studies also investigated the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coexisting with

in causing HCC. A causal relationship was never confirmed, and the relationship remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to summarize the research on this topic and investigate if a relationship exists between

infection and the development of HCC and if the presence of HCV and HBV along with

plays a role in liver carcinogenesis.

Following PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic review of all relevant studies published in the literature using the keywords ”

” and “hepatocellular carcinoma” on major literature databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane controlled trials register. A total of 656 research studies were identified between 1994 and 2020. Of those, 26 qualified under our sel positive association between H. pylori infection and the development of HCC. There is a significantly higher risk of developing HCC in the presence of HCV infection along with H. pylori. Further prospective cohort studies are needed to prove the causal relationship, especially in cases of HBV and HCV coinfection, and cirrhotic patients.

Elderly patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are faced with potential changes in their lower extremities, such as peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease, making them vulnerable to falls. We hypothesized that evaluations by podiatrists would lower the events of falls.

A retrospective chart review of a cohort of patients with DM, 65 years or older, was performed, who visited our primary care office between January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019. Patients were divided into those who had podiatrist evaluations (PODEVAL), and those who did not (no PODEVAL). Events of falls and comorbid medical conditions were compared between the two groups. We also compared the associations of risk factors between the patients who had falls and those who did not.

Among 197 patients (PODEVAL = 92; no PODEVAL = 105), the mean ages of the two groups were comparable (76.9 years for PODEVAL, 75.5 years for no PODEVAL; P = 0.151). There was no significant difference in the events of falls in a 6-month follow-up period between PODEVAL and no PODEVAL groups (35.9% vs. 32.4%; P = 0.606). We found significantly higher frequencies of association of several disorders of the lower extremities in PODEVAL group compared to no PODEVAL group, such as bunions and calluses (48.9% vs. 27.6%; P = 0.002), peripheral arterial disease (50.0% vs. 26.7%; P < 0.001), and peripheral neuropathy (75.0% vs. 47.6%; P < 0.001). Patients with falls had higher frequencies of associations of some comorbidities compared to the patients without reported falls, such as coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, dementia, congestive heart failure, carotid stenosis, and syncope.

Among elderly patients with DM, there is no significant difference in the events of falls between the groups of patients who had podiatrist evaluations and who did not.

Among elderly patients with DM, there is no significant difference in the events of falls between the groups of patients who had podiatrist evaluations and who did not.Several studies have reported the coexistence of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) with many primary carcinomas such as gastric and renal cell carcinomas. However, to date reports about the coexistence of gastric GISTs and colorectal adenocarcinoma are limited. Herein we report a unique case of gastric GIST coexisting synchronously with rectal adenocarcinoma in a 36-year-old male patient who presented with weight loss, vomiting, and bleeding per rectum. Computed tomography (CT) revealed circumferential rectal mass coexistent with an irregular gastric soft tissue mass. The diagnosis of rectal adenocarcinoma and gastric GIST was established by immunohistological evaluation of the colonoscopic (rectum) and CT-guided (stomach) biopsies. The patient received concomitant chemoradiotherapy for the rectal adenocarcinoma and neoadjuvant imatinib for the gastric GIST. This was followed by low anterior resection with total mesorectal excision and wedge resection of the gastric mass. Follow-up of the patient for 1.5 years revealed no evidence of disease recurrence. We also present a minireview of the literature that provides insights into this subject as a separate section.

Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) readmissions are commonly secondary to relapse to alcohol use after discharge from the hospital.

This retrospective interrupted trend study analyzed the National Readmissions Database (NRD) from 2010 to 2018 to identify 30-day readmissions of AH using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and ICD-10 codes (571.1 and K70.1). Individuals < 18 years, elective and traumatic readmissions were excluded. Leptomycin B molecular weight The biodemographic characteristics and hospitalization trends were highlighted over an 8-year time frame. A multivariate regression analysis was used to calculate the risk-adjusted odds of trends for all-cause 30-day readmissions, AH-specific readmissions, inpatient mortality, mean length of stay (LOS), and mean total hospital charge (THC) after adjusting for age, gender, grouped Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), type of insurance, mean household income, and hospital characteristics. P-values ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

We noted an increasing treH readmissions, inpatient mortality declined to 7.4% in 2018, while the total number of hospitalizations, LOS and THC increased from 2010 to 2018.

To date, studies investigating the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patient experience with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have consistently reported that the observed rate of COVID-19 within this population is similar to the general population. Limited research has suggested that corticosteroid use in the IBD population may be associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes, but it is still yet to be determined if specific IBD-related clinical factors are associated with worse outcomes. Our goal was to describe clinical COVID-19 outcomes for IBD patients and to identify the clinical factors that may be associated with worse outcomes.

In this retrospective study, we utilized the inpatient database within the largest hospital network in the New York City Metropolitan area to identify all IBD patients with confirmed COVID-19.

Of 83 IBD/COVID-19 patients presenting to a hospital network emergency room, 56 were hospitalized. Overall, 19.6% of hospitalized IBD patients died, compared with 22.2% of all hospital cieties to regard our patients as “at risk”, and to observe caution in their care.

Chronic liver disease (CLD) predominantly affects ethnic minorities and socially vulnerable populations, who have high prevalence of risk factors (e.g., suboptimal insurance coverage) predisposing to healthcare disparities. We evaluate prevalence and predictors of uninsured status among CLD adults, and secondarily, how this affects documented immunity or vaccination for hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Using 2011 – 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, self-reported insurance status was determined among adults with CLD. Prevalence of uninsured status was stratified by patient characteristics and evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models. Prevalence of self-reported completion of vaccination as well as laboratory value-based documented immunity to HAV and HBV was stratified by insurance status.

Overall, 19.0% of adults with CLD reported having no insurance, which was highest among individuals of Hispanic ethnicity (33.5%), less than high school edualence of documented immunity or vaccination for HAV and HBV across all insurance categories is concerning.

Paediatric vision screening programs identify children with ocular abnormalities who would benefit from treatment by an eye care professional. A questionnaire was conducted to assess existence and uptake of school-based vision screening programs across Canada. A supplementary questionnaire was distributed among Ontario’s public health units to determine implementation of government mandated vision screening for senior kindergarten children.

Chief Medical Officers of Health for each province and territory, and Ontario’s thirty-four public health units were sent a questionnaire to determine 1) whether school-based vision screening is being implemented; 2) what age groups are screened; 3) personnel used for vision screening; 4) the type of training provided for vision screening personnel; and 5) vision screening tests performed.

Of the thirteen provinces/territories in Canada, six perform some form of school-based vision screening. Two provinces rely solely on non-school-based programs offering eligible children an eye examination by an optometrist and three rely on ocular assessment conducted by a nurse at well-child visits. In Ontario, where since 2018 vision screening for all senior kindergarten students is government mandated, only seventeen public health jurisdictions are implementing universal vision screening programs using a variety of personnel ranging from food safety workers to optometrists.

Good vision is key to physical and emotional development. There is an urgent need for a universal, evidence-based and cost-effective multidisciplinary approach to standardize paediatric vision screening across Canada and break down barriers preventing children from accessing eye care.

Good vision is key to physical and emotional development. There is an urgent need for a universal, evidence-based and cost-effective multidisciplinary approach to standardize paediatric vision screening across Canada and break down barriers preventing children from accessing eye care.Chest computed tomography (CT) is proven to have high sensitivity in COVID-19 diagnosis. It is available in most emergency wards, and in contrast to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) it can be obtained in several minutes. However, its imaging features change during the course of the disease and overlap with other viral pneumonias, including influenza pneumonia. In this brief analysis we review the recent literature about chest CT features, useful radiological scales, and COVID-19 differentiation with other viral infections.

To compare the haemostatic efficacy (i.e. efficacy to prevent access site complications) of the InnoSEAL haemostatic pad and Clo-Sur PLUS P.A.D. after femoral arterial puncture for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).

This randomized controlled trial compared the safety and efficacy of an InnoSEAL haemostatic pad (

= 48) and a Clo-Sur PLUS P.A.D. (

= 52) for haemostasis of arterial puncture sites after TACE with femoral arterial access using a 5-Fr sheath. Primary endpoints were incidence of major (necessitating surgery) and moderate access site complications (ASC) (necessitating blood transfusion/thrombin injection). Secondary endpoints were incidence of minor ASC (no therapy required) and time to haemostasis.

No major or moderate ASC was seen with either device. Minor ASC (6.3% [3/48] vs. 19.2% [10/52],

= 0.075) and ecchymosis (classified as minor ASC; 4.2% [2/48] vs. 17.3% [9/52];

= 0.053,

-value cut-off after Bonferroni correction = 0.025) were less frequently observed with the InnoSEAL haemostatic pad.