Search

Despite numerous studies on microplastics, the biological impacts of polypropylene microplastics (PP-MPs) and its toxicity on freshwater fish have yet to be fully revealed. The purpose of this research was to look at the potentially harmful effects of PP-MPs in freshwater African catfish Clarias gariepinus and bioremediation using Spirulina. After acclimatization to laboratory conditions, 108 fish (125 ± 3 gm and 27 ± 2 cm) were assigned into triplicate six experimental groups (12 fish/group), a control group, Spirulina group (SP), PP-MP-treated groups (0.14 and 0.28 mg/l PP-MPs), and PP-MP + Spirulina-treated groups (0.14 mg/l PP-MPs + 200 mg/L SP and 0.28 mg/l PP-MPs +200 mg/L SP) for 15-day exposure and 45-day recovery after that. The hematological parameters exhibiting significance (RBCs, Hct, Hb, and MCV) or non-significance (MCH and MCHC) either decreased with the increase in PP-MP doses from 0.0 in the control to 0.28 mg/L red blood cells (RBCs), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), hemoglobin (Hb) and platelets or increased with such an increase in doses (mean corpuscular volume (MCV)). The liver enzyme activity, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) exhibited non-significant (p ≥ 0.05) or significant (p < 0.05) increases in (0.14 and 0.28 mg/L) PP-MP-exposed groups, respectively, except ALP. Furthermore, there was a significant (p < 0.05) or non-significant (p ≥ 0.05) increase in 0.14 and 0.28 mg/l PP-MP +200 mg/L-exposure groups, respectively, compared to the control group and the same exposure group without Spirulina. In comparison to the control group, PP-MPs (0.14 and 0.28 mg/L) induced a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the percentage of poikilocytosis and nuclear abnormalities of RBCs. The liver tissue from fish exposed to PP-MPs exhibited varying degrees of pathological changes. These results indicated that these pathological changes increased with PP-MP concentration, suggesting that the effect of PP-MPs was dose-dependent. After 45 days of recovery under normal conditions, it was obvious that there was a significant improvement in the percentage of poikilocytosis and nuclear abnormalities of RBCs, as well as a non-significant improvement in hemato-biochemical parameters and liver tissue.

Summary: During the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, EASL and ESCMID published a position paper to provide guidance for physicians involved in the care of patients with chronic liver disease. While some healthcare systems are returning to a more normal routine, many countries and healthcare systems have been, or still are, overwhelmed by the pandemic, which is significantly impacting on the care of these patients. In addition, many studies have been published focusing on how COVID-19 may affect the liver and how pre-existing liver diseases might influence the clinical course of COVID-19. While many aspects remain poorly understood, it has become increasingly evident that pre-existing liver diseases and liver injury during the disease course must be kept in mind when caring for patients with COVID-19. This review should serve as an update on the previous position paper, summarising the evidence for liver disease involvement during COVID-19 and providing recommendations on how to return to routine care wherever possible.

Goal: Organ perfusion is a vast subject with several techniques, the most common being Hypothermic Machine Perfusion (HMP) and Normothermic Machine Perfusion (NMP). In this paper, a new machine developed at the Biolab of the University of Florence has been tested to validate its capability to perform a well-controlled Oxygenated Rewarming (COR) phase and maintain stability during the NMP phase. Methods: The tests (n = 5) were conducted on fresh porcine livers and evaluated according to liver perfusion standards. The developed machine is based on a previous version, with an integrated control and sensor system and a complete mechanical and electronic redesign. Results: The results demonstrate the excellent usability of the machine and its ability to effectively maintain the organs in good condition. The new system performed well, and the measures made on the livers were satisfactory for good preservation of the organ. Conclusion: This study showed the effectiveness of the developed machine. Future development of the system will include a more sophisticated control system to ensure the correct parameters for perfusion.

This research paper delves into the intricate interplay between the heart and liver within the realm of metabolic regulation, focusing on the impact of exercise as a pivotal modulator of this dynamic relationship. Through a comprehensive review of pertinent literature, encompassing peer-reviewed articles, reviews, and meta-analyses sourced from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, this paper analyzes the existing understanding of how exercise influences the metabolic crosstalk between the heart and liver. The findings underscore the positive influence of regular physical activity on the metabolic interplay between these vital organs, ultimately contributing to enhanced overall metabolic health. Emphasizing both physiological and molecular aspects, the review provides a succinct overview of its content, highlighting the significance of exercise in modulating metabolic processes. In exploring human studies, animal models, and molecular techniques, this review aims to not only consolidate current knowledge but also to identify research gaps, fostering a foundation for future investigations. The potential therapeutic implications of exercise in mitigating metabolic disorders through the modulation of heart-liver crosstalk are discussed. By addressing inclusion criteria such as studies published within the last decade, written in English, and focusing on human or animal models, this paper contributes to the evolving understanding of the intricate relationship between exercise, heart health, and liver function.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought into prominence several emergent medical and surgical entities, but, also, it served as trigger and contributor for numerous apparently unrelated ailments such as arterial and venous thromboembolic complications. Additional risk factors for these thrombotic traits may be concurrent (known or unknown) malignancies, including at hepatic level. Among these, cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a rare cancer of intra- and extra-hepatic biliary ducts, represents a very aggressive condition that typically associates local and distant advanced stages on first presentation requiring a prompt diagnosis and a stratified management. This neoplasia has been reported to present a large spectrum of paraneoplastic syndromes in terms of dermatologic, renal, systemic, neurologic, endocrine, and cardiovascular settings, that, overall, are exceptional in their epidemiologic impact when compared to other cancers. Our aim was to introduce a most unusual case of CCA-associated distant thrombosis in a male adult who initially was considered to experience COVID-19-related thrombotic features while having a history of obesity and bariatric surgery. This is a hybrid type of paper: this clinical vignette is accompanied by two distinct sample-focused analyses as a basis for discussion; they each had different methods depending on their current level of statistical evidence. We only included English-published articles in PubMed, as follows: Firstly, we conducted a search of reports similar to the present case, regarding distant vein thrombosis in CCA, from inception until the present time. We performed a literature search using the keywords “cholangiocarcinoma”, “thrombosis”, and “Trousseau’s syndrome” and identified 20 cases across 19 original papers; hence, the current level of evidence remains very low Secondly, we searched for the highest level of statistical evidence concerning the diagnosis of venous thrombosis/thromboembolism in patients who underwent COVID-19 infection (key search terms were “COVID-19”, alternatively, “coronavirus”, and “SARS-CoV-2”, and “thrombosis”, alternatively, “thromboembolism”) and included the most recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses that were published in 2024 (from 1 January 2024 until 8 July 2024). After excluding data on vaccination against coronavirus or long COVID-19 syndrome, we identified six such articles. To conclude, we presented a probably unique case of malignancy with an initial manifestation consisting of recurrent superficial vein thrombosis under anticoagulation therapy, with no gastrointestinal manifestations, in a patient with a notable history for multiple episodes of SARS-CoV-2 infection and a prior endocrine (gastric) surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first identification of a CCA under these specific circumstances.

Multiple biliary hamartomas are a benign incidental finding in the liver. They are not easily detected if one has never seen them, and if appropriate imaging tests are unavailable, and also can be challenging to differentiate from other liver lesions based on imaging alone. Thus, this study aimed to expand the radiologist’s digital image library, enabling a quick and precise differential diagnosis. This paper also highlights the importance of thorough radiological assessment and need for a multidisciplinary approach, involving radiologists, hepatologists, and pathologists, to ensure a precise diagnosis. The patient presented at the hospital for a computed tomography scan and an abdominal magnetic resonance imaging recommended by his general practitioner to assess the biliary tree (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography), owing to persistent abdominal pain. The patient had never undergone an abdominal magnetic resonance imaging previously; hence, the discovery of hepatic lesions was incidental and unexpected. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple benign lesions in both the hepatic lobes comparable to the Von Meyenburg complex. These lesions are multiple hamartomas and behave differently in all magnetic resonance imaging sequences. Images acquired with different magnetic resonance imaging sequences were carefully examined. Multiple lesions were found scattered throughout the liver; however, the lesions were benign and consistent with the diagnosis of multiple biliary hamartomas. Medical practitioners should examine the presence of multiple biliary hamartomas and consider them in the differential diagnosis when patients present with hepatic abnormalities. This can prevent unnecessary interventions and guide appropriate patient management.

Introduction: The main aim was to do a systematic review on the published studies to determine kidney disease in pre- and post-liver transplant and its determinants of liver transplantation. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement (2020) guidelines were followed to conduct this study. All procedures followed the recommendations found in the Cochrane handbook. Full-text studies, acute kidney injury, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) pre- and post-liver transplantation were included in this study. We included papers from PsycINFO, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Embase, Google, and the Cochrane Library in order to identify additional articles, even though the review ultimately covered all research. Results: A total of 884 references were removed because they were duplicates. The preliminary screening removed 201 of the 243 citations from consideration. There were 37 full-text articles considered for inclusion, but only 9 met the criteria; all the nine articles were very high quality. Totally 1846 patients were studied in this review from all the nine articles with an average age of 51.32 years. All articles were single-center prospective and retrospective observational studies. Conclusion: Kidney failure following liver transplantation is a prevalent and life-threatening complication. Complex events before and after LT cause the condition. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score-based organ allocation change is largely responsible for its rapid growth. The majority of studies indicated kidney function declined over time. This highlights the importance of monitoring liver transplant patients’ kidney function and CKD symptoms. Delaying or decreasing tacrolimus administration may help kidney functions.

Objective: The objective of the study was to explore the regulatory mechanism of the Xiaozheng Tongluo method on lipid metabolism in liver tissue based on the sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2/(SREBP2)/3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR)/low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) signaling pathway. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice were selected as the blank group. The apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice were randomly divided into the model group, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group, and control group. The general condition of the mice was determined by the mouse’s state and liver weight. Liver hematoxylin and eosin staining and Oil Red O staining were used to observe the pathological changes and lipid droplet deposition of the liver. The protein expression levels of SREBP2, HMGCR, and LDLR were detected by Western blotting and polymerase chain reaction. Results: (1) The rats in the model group were in poor condition, and their liver weight increased significantly. Compared with the model group, the condition of the TCM group and the control group improved to varying degrees, and their liver weight decreased significantly. (2) Compared with the normal group, the hepatocytes in the model group were arranged in a disorderly manner, and the red-stained lipids of stem cells increased significantly. Compared with the model group, the degree of liver lesions in the control group and TCM group was reduced, and the red-stained lipid of hepatocytes was significantly reduced. (3) Compared with the blank group, the expression of SREBP2 and HMGCR protein in the model group increased significantly, and the expression of LDLR protein decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression of SREBP2 and HMGCR protein in the TCM group decreased significantly, and the expression of LDLR protein increased significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The method detailed in this paper can increase the expression of SREBP2 and HMGCR protein and decrease the expression of LDLR protein, thus regulating liver cholesterol metabolism and delaying the progression of atherosclerosis.

Superficial necrolytic dermatitis is a rare condition that affects older dogs. It is a fatal disease in which dermatologic signs stem from an abnormality of the liver and/or the pancreas. This paper aims to report a case workup and treatment protocol of superficial necrolytic dermatitis in a patient that presented with lameness. A skin biopsy was performed, and revealed a pathognomonic “red-white-blue” pattern. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a severe irregular hypoechoic shape nodular pattern and coarse parenchyma with variable size from round and oval. The nodules were surrounded by network of thin hyperechoic strands, forming a “honeycomb/ Swiss cheese-like” pattern. From these findings, a diagnosis of superficial necrolytic dermatitis was made. The patient was treated with a combination of amino acid infusion, liver supplement, and a high-protein diet. However, the patient only lived for four months after diagnosis was made. Clinicians need to be aware that dermatologic lesions may be a manifestation of internal or systemic disease.

Medicinal plants, as a good therapeutic strategy, can be used to treat a wide spectrum of diseases. Coriandrum sativum (C. sativum) is a plant from Apiaceae family. Numerous reports indicate that C. sativum has positive effects on anxiety, seizure, learning and memory ability, as well as pain. This annual plant can also treat colitis, increase appetite, reduce blood pressure, and attenuate myocardial damage. Additionally, it improves liver and kidney function and diabetes mellitus and inhibits osteoclast activity. These beneficial effects of C. sativum mainly are attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present paper reviews the impacts of C. sativum on different body systems. Information was extracted by searching the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar from January 2010 until the end of February 2024.

Corn silk is the long shiny fibers at the top of an ordinary ear of corn (Zea mays). Corn silk contains phytochemicals of medical benefit such as flavonoids compounds which act as antioxidant agents and has been widely reported possess hepatoprotective effect. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of corn silk extract on carbonated alcoholic herbal beverages (CAHB) induced hepatoxicity in adult Wistar rats. A total of forty five adult Wistar rats weighing between 200g and 250g were randomly assigned into nine groups of five rats each in a group. Group A was the normal control group (no CAHB administration). Groups B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I were the CAHB intoxicated groups and treated with corn silk extract at different doses. After administering a carbonated alcoholic herbal beverage, there was a substantial increase (p≤0.05) in the mean concentration of liver enzymes (ALP, ALT, ALT), total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin. While those characteristics reversed to values similar to the control after being treated with varying doses of corn silk extract The oxidative stress parameter (SOD, GPX, Catalase, MDA) shown significant increase in group. Histological examination of the liver revealed infiltrate of inflammatory cells, vascular ulceration, periportal infiltration of inflammatory cell, and vascular congestion in a group treated with carbonated alcoholic herbal beverages (CAHB). The only group exhibiting normal hepatocyte morphology and kupffer cell activity was the one administered 200 mg/kg of maize silk extract. Group D showed a similar and more powerful hepatic architecture after receiving only 600 mg/kg of maize silk extract. The hepatoprotective and anti- oxidative effects of corn silk extract were confirmed by the treatment groups (200 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg), which displayed normal hepatocytes with minor vascular congestion, respectively. Corn silk administration lowers a number of the harmful effects of in vivo carbonated alcoholic herbal beverage administration in the liver of Wister rats, according to the findings in this study.

Diazepam-based drugs are widely used today in human treatment. Diazepam may be a primary drug aimed at treating neurological diseases or an associated drug in the treatment of other diseases in the purpose of symptomatic therapy. The sedative effect of diazepam characterizes it as a drug that people usually use on their own and without a doctor’s supervision. Directly, but also through influencing the nervous system, diazepam disrupts proper functioning of all body organs. The purpose of this paper was to examine the effects of diazepam on blood and cytohistological parameters of rats in an in vivo experiment. Mallory-Azan and immunochistochemical staining methods BLX-CX and Survivin tissues of liver, kidney and spleen of rats were used to achieve the set goal. Cytometric analysis of rats detected cells in apoptosis and measurements of stereological parameters were made using a system according to Cavalier’s principle. Results of analysis of hematological and histological parameters indicate a detrimental effect of diazepam on blood parameters, as well as on structure and functioning of the liver, kidneys and spleen of rats. This paper is a foundation for further detailed scientific research with the aim of elucidating all harmful effects that diazepam has on all organs in the body of rats. This data could serve as a starting point for future studies in clinical pharmacology on therapeutic protocols for usage of diazepam-based sedatives.

Deoxynivalenol is a mycotoxin produced by fungi of the Fusarium genera, which are abundant in various cereal crops and processed grains. In order to protect cell structure within the tissues studied, we tried various experimental variants by incorporating some selenium and boron sources into the combined fodder, and also in mixture with DON with different concentrations. To determine the morphophysiological changes induced by the mycotoxin DON upon liver histological structure, and also the antioxidants’ effects, we took samples from 9 piglets belonging to three groups: group 1 (fed with fodder added with DON), group 2 (fed with fodder added with selenium) and group 3 (fed with fodder added with selenium and DON). In the case of the individuals in groups 2 and 3 fed with fodder added with addition of selenium, respectively of DON and selenium, the microscopic images reveal the presence of uniform hepatic lobules, delimited between them through fine conjunctive septa. The intralobular capillary network is hypertrophic. The selenium added in the fodder for the individuals from group 3 has a hepatoprotective role, aspect suggested by dystrophic processes occurred on small areas, caused by the presence of DON and by the vascular network’s hypertrophy. In the case of this group, we observed a strong stimulation on the defense system, suggested by the presence of the leukocyte infiltrates within the interlobular conjunctive and by the vascular network’s hypertrophy.

Curcumin (CUR) is a compound extracted from turmeric that has a variety of functions including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. As an estrogen-like mycotoxin, zearalenone (ZEN) not only attacks the reproductive system, but also has toxic effects on the liver. However, whether CUR can alleviate ZEN-induced liver injury remains unclear. This paper aims to investigate the protective effect of CUR against ZEN-induced liver injury in mice and explore the molecular mechanism involved. BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control (CON) group, CUR group (200 mg/kg b. w. CUR), ZEN group (40 mg/kg b. w. ZEN) and CUR+ZEN group (200 mg/kg b. w. CUR+40 mg/kg b. w. ZEN). 28 d after ZEN exposure and CUR treatment, blood and liver samples were collected for subsequent testing. The results showed that CUR reversed ZEN-induced hepatocyte swelling and necrosis in mice. It significantly reduced the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in mice (p < 0.05). In addition, CUR significantly reduced hepatic ROS, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and apoptosis levels in mice (p < 0.05). Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot results showed that CUR significantly reduced the expression of Bax and Caspase3, and reversed the increase of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 expression in the liver of mice induced by ZEN (p < 0.05). In conclusion, CUR alleviated ZEN-induced liver injury in mice by scavenging ROS and inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Living Donor Liver Transplantation (LDLT) is a promising approach to treating end-stage liver diseases, however, some post-operatory complications such as pneumonia, bacteremia, urinary tract infections, and hepatic dysfunction have been reported. In murine models using partial hepatectomy (PHx), a model that emulates LDLT, it has been determined that the synthesis of hepatic cell proliferation factors that are associated with noradrenaline synthesis are produced in locus coeruleus (LC). In addition, studies have shown that PHx decreases GABA and 5-HT2A receptors, promotes loss of dendritic spines, and favors microgliosis in rat hippocampus. The GABA and serotonin-altered circuits suggest that catecholaminergic neurons such as dopamine and noradrenaline neurons, which are highly susceptible to cellular stress, can also be damaged. To understand post-transplant affections and to perform well-controlled studies it is necessary to know the potential causes that explain as a liver surgical procedure can produce brain damage. In this paper, we review several cellular processes that could induce gliosis in LC after rat PHx.

Over 20% of mortality during acute liver failure is associated with the development of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Thus, HE is a complication of acute liver failure with a broad spectrum of neuropsychiatric abnormalities ranging from subclinical alterations to coma. HE is caused by the diversion of portal blood into systemic circulation through portosystemic collateral vessels. Thus, the brain is exposed to intestinal-derived toxic substances. Moreover, the strategies to prevent advancement and improve the prognosis of such a liver-brain disease rely on intestinal microbial modulation. This is supported by the findings that antibiotics such as rifaximin and laxative lactulose can alleviate hepatic cirrhosis and/or prevent HE. Together, the significance of the gut-liver-brain axis in human health warrants attention. This review paper focuses on the roles of bacteria metabolites, mainly ammonia and bile acids (BAs) as well as BA receptors in HE. The literature search conducted for this review included searches for phrases such as BA receptors, BAs, ammonia, farnesoid X receptor (FXR), G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1 or TGR5), sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2), and cirrhosis in conjunction with the phrase hepatic encephalopathy and portosystemic encephalopathy. PubMed, as well as Google Scholar, was the search engines used to find relevant publications.

World-wide researches during the last years are focused upon the negative effects caused by the natural chemical compounds and anthropogenic compounds, already being demonstrated that a great part of them change the endocrine control over reproduction at different species. The issue studied by our team is concerned with the histological changes that appear within liver, kidney and gonadal development at the zebra fish (Danio rerio), exposed to octylphenol from 21-115 days, and within 21-75 days of life. In order to achieve the histological preparations, for each period under study, fishes were divided into three groups of 30 individuals, namely: Lot 1 - Control, respectively lots 2 and 3, at which the administrated octylphenol concentrations were of 60 μg L-1, respectively 100 μg L-1. Fishes of the six groups were raised in 30-liters aquariums (30 fish / aquarium). Fragments of liver, kidney and gonads were processed histologically, colored with the Mallory thrichromic staining method and examined with the optical microscope. Histopathological study revealed changes in the three organs, namely this fine granulation hepatocytes, peritubular edema and vascular ectasia in renal parenchyma and their differentiation in the gonads to sex predominantly female, issues that demonstrate the estrogenic effect of the octylphenol. Those microscopical aspects observed in the kidney and liver of the specimens exposed to action of octhylphenol, suggest that the octhlyphenol is bind to the estrogenic receptors on the membrane of hepatic cells, inducing vitellogenin synthesis.

The purpose of this study was to highlight the histological aspect of some tissue of Prussian carp’s specimens, subjected to sub lethal Pb intoxication with and without chlorella dietary supplementation. 90 Prussian carps, with weighing between 10 and 12 g were divided according to the following treatments for 21 days: C (without treatment), E1 (75 ppm Pb into water), E2 (75 ppm Pb into water+2% lyophilized chlorella in feed). Samples of gill, intestine, liver and kidney were removed at the end of experimental period and analyzed in light microscopy. QuickPHOTO Micro 2.2 software has been used for the histological study. Our findings are: obvious histological alterations have been observed in experimental Pb-poisoned group; active chlorella compounds cannot counteract the effects of Pb-induced oxidative stress on intestinal tissue; chlorella has been shown to be a weak Pb chelator on liver tissue; chlorella lyophilisate reduces to a small extent the toxic effects of the contaminant in the kidneys; respiratory barrier slightly affected in the group receiving chlorella in feed.

Medicinal plants are used in poultry feed due to their beneficial effects on the intestinal microflora, digestibility of nutrients, intestinal morphology, aspects that are found in the quality of meat and eggs. Currently, due to its characteristics, coriander is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical and medical industry, in the cosmetics and perfume industry, but also in the zootechnical field, as an alternative to antibiotics, in raising young animals and birds. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the additional effects of the diet of chickens with coriander powder on intestinal and liver morphology. The study was performed on a number of 24 broilers (ROS 308 hybrids), male, divided into two groups, each group with two replications, 6 individuals / group: Control group (CG) fed only by the basic diet and the experimental group (CoG) in which the basic diet was supplemented with 1% coriander powder. The duration of the experiment was 42 days. Supplementation of the basic diet of chickens with 1% coriander powder led to an increase in the analyzed histomorphometric parameters, the differences compared to the control group (CG) being significant (p0.05) for the width of the villi. In addition, at the hepatic level, dietary supplementation with coriander powder led to vascular hypertrophy, the presence of perivascular leukocyte infiltrates and the manifestation of cytoplasmic vacuolation of hepatocytes in the perilobular territories. Histomorphometric analysis of the data obtained in this study and histological changes in the liver provide new information on the use of coriander seed powder in broiler feed, as a potential promoter of their growth.

We conducted feeding experiment with broiler chickens Coob 500. We used lucerne meal in the feeding mixtures. It contains carotenoids including lycopen. Lycopene may have important antioxidant implications. Lycopene levels in serum or tissues do not correlate well with the overall intake. It is a potent antioxidant in vitro and in human studies. We followed the effect of lucerne meal on expression of protein HSP 70 in our experiment. HSP 70 belongs to large group of high shock proteins which mediate organism´s response not only to temperature rise, but also to other unfavorable factors, e.g. exposure to heavy metals, hormones, oxidants, etc. We isolated mRNA from heart, spleen, liver, abdominal fat and we transferred transcription and PCR. Expression of HSP 70 was visualized on agarose gel. We detected that the lowest expression was in the heart, the greatest expression was detected in the liver.

Poultry meat represents a worldwide food and can be a source of pathogen agents (Salmonella enterica spp., Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter jejuni). Therefore, identification of the best methods to reduce infections of these pathogens from poultry meat represents a critical aspect for producers. The purpose of this study was to identify the histological changes in liver and to evaluate the influence of some probiotic strains and of some amino acids in the invasion of Campylobacter jejuni. The biological material was represented by poultry broilers, the hybrid ROSS 308, which were randomly allocated in seven experimental groupss, of 10 individuals/group that were treated as follows: G0 (control); G1-L. paracasei CMGB 18 and L. rhamnosus CMGB 34 (0-42 days); G2-L. paracasei CMGB 18, L. rhamnosus CMGB 34, L. lactis CMGB 31 and L. lactis CMGB 32 (0-42 days); G3-L. paracasei CMGB 18 and L. rhamnosus CMGB 34 (35-42 days); G4-L. paracasei CMGB 18, L. rhamnosus CMGB 34, L. lactis CMGB 31 and L. lactis CMGB 32 (35-42 days); G5-L. paracasei CMGB 18, L. rhamnosus CMGB 34, L Treonine and DL Methionine (0-42 days); G6-L. paracasei CMGB 18, L. rhamnosus CMGB 34, L. lactis CMGB 31, L. lactis CMGB 32, L Treonine and DL Methionine (35-42 days). The microscopic aspects pointed out by us in this study suggest the pathogenicity of C. jejuni, marked by the appearance of inflammatory areas, with the presence of a perivascular and diffuse leukocytes infiltration and, also, presence of pyknotic nuclei. Moreover, the results show the beneficial effect of probiotic strains L. paracasei CMGB 18, L. rhamnosus CMGB 34, L. lactis CMGB 31 and L. lactis CMGB 32, with reduction of the changes caused by C.jejuni and the production of toxins, thus preventing the damage of hepatic cells. The most powerful effect was noticed when all the four probiotic strains were administrated, during the experiment of 0-42 days.

The topic was to investigate the anatomical features of the rabbit liver by two- and three-dimensional ultrasonography. Eighteen sexually mature healthy clinically New Zealand rabbits aged eight months were studied. Two-dimensional ultarsonographic anatomical image of the rabbit liver presented it in the cranial abdominal region as a relatively hypoechoic finding. Its contours were regular and in close contact with the hyperechoic diaphragm. Liver parenchyma was heterogeneous. The gall bladder was visualized as an oval soft tissue structure, filled with anechoic content. Its walls were hypoechoic. Two-dimensional ultarsonographic anatomical image of left hepatic lobe was sharply distinguished to right hepatic lobe’s outlines. In three–dimensional ultrasonogarphic anatomical study, the organ image was in three orthogonal planes. Its relief was regular and uninterrupted. Left hepatic lobe was found on the left and the right hepatic lobe was a soft tissue point for gall bladder position. Left and lateral was left lateral hepatic lobe. It was covered partly by left medial hepatic lobe. The right hepatic lobe was visualized as a single structure. The gall bladder was an oval finding. Its walls were hyperechoic and regular, without roughness. The results could be used as a base for modern interpretation of rabbit liver anatomy.

This technical paper introduces a novel organ preservation system based on isochoric (constant volume) supercooling. The system is designed to enhance the stability of the metastable supercooling state, offering potential long-term preservation of large biological organs at subfreezing temperatures without the need for cryoprotectant additives. Detailed technical designs and usage protocols are provided for researchers interested in exploring this field. The paper also presents a control system based on the thermodynamics of isochoric freezing, utilizing pressure monitoring for process control. Sham experiments were performed using whole pig liver sourced from a local food supplier to evaluate the system’s ability to sustain supercooling without ice nucleation for extended periods. The results demonstrated sustained supercooling without ice nucleation in pig liver tissue for 24 and 48 h. These findings suggest the potential of this technology for large-volume, cryoprotectant-free organ preservation with real-time control over the preservation process. The simplicity of the isochoric supercooling device and the design details provided in the paper are expected to serve as encouragement for other researchers in the field to pursue further research on isochoric supercooling. However, final evidence that these preserved organs can be successfully transplanted is still lacking.

Despite numerous studies, the problem of escherichiosis in newborn calves remains one of the most urgent due to the extensive spread of the disease and high mortality of young animals. This paper presents results of experimental studies carried out at the FSBSI “All-Russian Veterinary Research Institute of Pathology, Pharmacology and Therapy”.T he aim of the work was to conduct complex morphological studies using modern methods for a deeper understanding of escherichiosis etiology and pathogenesis. For that, pathological samples were collected from 28 1–10 day-old calves diagnosed with colibacteriosis at the initial disease stage, demonstrating pronounced clinical signs and having the terminal stage of the disease. Samples from 6 clinically healthy calves of a similar age were used as control.It was found that newborn calves at the initial stage of escherichiosis demonstrated early structural changes in the ultrastructure of mucosa cells of the rennet and small intestine, as well as in the liver parenchyma, and mild changes – in the exocrine part of the pancreas. The most profound morphofunctional changes were observed in digestive organs with apparent clinical signs of the disease. As the condition developed, the range of pathological processes expanded and involved the structural organization of the rennet, small and large intestines, liver and pancreas. At the terminal stage of escherichiosis, deep inflammatory processes occurred not only in digestive organs, but also in other systems of diseased calves. Structural changes in digestive organs had an alterative nature at the initial disease stage, whereas in case of clinically pronounced disease signs there were manifestations of catarrhal-necrotic inflammation with multiple hemorrhages n the gastrointestinal tract and parenchymal organs. Digestive organ pathology plays the leading role in formation of the clinical and morphological picture at the initial stage of escherichiosis in calves. As the disease developed, the calves demonstrated changes at molecular and subcellular levels that were detected using histochemical and ultrastructural tests.

The chronic hyperglycemia of diabetes is associated with long-term damage, dysfunction, and failure of various organs. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to assess the effects of wonderful kola (Buchholzia coriacea) on biochemical markers such as liver and kidney in alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats using appropriate standard techniques. The result showed that Buchholzia coriacea seed extract caused significant (p

Abstract Retinoic acid (RA) serves as a metabolic intermediate of vitamin A. It plays a crucial physiological role in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, embryonic development, and immunomodulation. Once vitamin A enters the body in the form of retinol, it undergoes conversion into RA through the intestinal epithelium and liver. Subsequently, it interacts with retinoic acid receptors and retinoid X receptors within the cell nucleus, thereby regulating gene expression. Throughout liver development, RA exerts precise temporal control, stimulating liver growth, inducing RALDH2 expression in liver somatic epithelial cells, and influencing hepatocyte differentiation. Recent studies have consistently demonstrated the indispensable connection between RA deficiency and the development of liver diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and liver tumors. Studying the mechanisms underlying the relationship between RA and disease can enhance our understanding and improve disease treatment. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the role of RA signaling in liver development and liver diseases.

The liver is an essential organ that helps the body with immunity, metabolism, and detoxification, among other functions. Worldwide, liver illnesses are a leading cause of mortality and disability. There are few effective treatment choices, but they frequently have unfavorable side effects. Investigating the potential of medicinal plants and their bioactive phytoconstituents in the prevention and treatment of liver disorders has gained more attention in recent years. An assessment of the hepatoprotective potential of medicinal plants and their bioactive secondary metabolites is the goal of this thorough review paper. To determine their hepatoprotective activity, these plants were tested against liver toxicity artificially induced in rats, mice and rabbits by chemical agents such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), paracetamol (PCM), thioacetamide (TAA), N-nitrosodiethylamine, d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide, antitubercular medicines (rifampin, isoniazid) and alcohol. To find pertinent research publications published between 1989 and 2022, a comprehensive search of electronic bibliographic databases (including Web of Science, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and others) was carried out. The investigation comprised 203 plant species from 81 families in total. A thorough discussion was mentioned regarding the hepatoprotective qualities of plants belonging to several families, such as Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, and Euphorbiaceae. The plant groups Asteraceae and Fabaceae were the most frequently shown to have hepatoprotective properties. The phytochemical constituents namely flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids exhibited the highest frequency of hepatoprotective action. Also, some possible mechanism of action of some active constituents from medicinal plants was discussed in brief which were found in some studies. In summary, the information on medicinal plants and their potentially hepatoprotective bioactive phytoconstituents has been consolidated in this review which emphasizes the importance of further research to explore the efficacy and safety of these natural remedies for various liver ailments.

Hybrid intelligent systems allow people to organize their time and simplify their day-to-day life processes related to forming a meal plan. This paper describes a method of presenting knowledge of the modern expert system, a description of the methods of the recommender system as a part of a hybrid intelligent system is given. Special attention is given to the legal regulation of intelligent systems in the area of telehealth. As a result of analyzing a number of properties of influencing people with inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract, a classified list of the main properties that affect patients with inflammatory diseases of the digestive system is highlighted. The paper presented the structure of the hybrid intelligent system for assisting people with gastrointestinal tract diseases. The paper also highlighted the main stages of designing such a system and presented the main algorithm of the system in general and of the process of forming a personalized nutrition plan. Besides, the process of making a diagnostics decision is described. A typical and alternative scenario of forming an individual nutrition plan was presented. The study considered an example of forming a nutrition plan based on the user's personal preferences. The study results are the recommendations for further development of the systems and a description of the ways of integrating the system in major telehealth services.

Abstract Interventional radiology plays an important and increasing role in cancer treatment. Follow-up is important to be able to assess treatment success and detect locoregional and distant recurrence and recommendations for follow-up are needed. At ECIO 2018, a joint ECIO-ESOI session was organized to establish follow-up recommendations for oncologic intervention in liver, renal, and lung cancer. Treatments included thermal ablation, TACE, and TARE. In total five topics were evaluated: ablation in colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), TARE in CRLM, TACE and TARE in HCC, ablation in renal cancer, and ablation in lung cancer. Evaluated modalities were FDG-PET-CT, CT, MRI, and (contrast-enhanced) ultrasound. Prior to the session, five experts were selected and performed a systematic review and presented statements, which were voted on in a telephone conference prior to the meeting by all panelists. These statements were presented and discussed at the ECIO-ESOI session at ECIO 2018. This paper presents the recommendations that followed from these initiatives. Based on expert opinions and the available evidence, follow-up schedules were proposed for liver cancer, renal cancer, and lung cancer. FDG-PET-CT, CT, and MRI are the recommended modalities, but one should beware of false-positive signs of residual tumor or recurrence due to inflammation early after the intervention. There is a need for prospective preferably multicenter studies to validate new techniques and new response criteria. This paper presents recommendations that can be used in clinical practice to perform the follow-up of patients with liver, lung, and renal cancer who were treated with interventional locoregional therapies.

Liver disease counts are one of the most prevalent diseases all over the world and they are becoming very common these days and can be dangerous. Liver diseases are increasing all over the world due to different factors such as excess alcohol consumption, drinking contaminated water, eating contaminated food, and exposure to polluted air. The liver is involved in many functions related to the human body and if not functioned properly can affect the other parts too. Predication of the disease at an earlier stage can help reduce the risk of severity. This paper implemented oversampling dataset, feature selecting attributes, and performance analysis for the improvement of the accuracy of classification of liver patients in 3 phases. In the first phase, the z-score normalization algorithm has been implemented to the original liver patient data-sets that has been collected from the UCI repository and then works on oversampling the balanced dataset. In the second phase, feature selection of attributes is more important by using RFE feature selection. In the third phase, classification algorithms are applied to the data-set. Finally, evaluation has been performed based upon the values of accuracy. Thus, outputs shown from proposed classification implementations indicate that ANN algorithm performs better than AdaBoost algorithm with the help of feature selection with a 92.77% accuracy

The aim of the study was to analyse papers describing the use of Electrochemotherapy (ECT) in local treatment of primary and secondary liver tumours located at different sites and with different histologies. Other Local Ablative Therapies (LAT) are also discussed. Analyses of these papers demonstrate that ECT use is safe and effective in lesions of large size, independently of the histology of the treated lesions. ECT performed better than other thermal ablation techniques in lesions > 6 cm in size and can be safely used to treat lesions distant, close, or adjacent to vital structures. ECT spares vessel and bile ducts, is repeatable, and can be performed between chemotherapeutic cycles. ECT can fill the gap in local ablative therapies due to being lesions too large or localized in highly challenging anatomical sites.

This paper aimed to examine the impact of flavonoid osajin (OSJ) on liver damage induced by sepsis. A total of 30 male rats were divided into 5 groups (Sham, sepsis, OSJ 150, OSJ 300 and reference). During sepsis, elevated lipid peroxidation (LPO) level and catalase activity (CAT) and decreased glutathione (GSH) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were observed in hepatic tissues of sepsis group in comparison with Sham group. A strong interleukin-33 and caspase-3 expressions were detected in hepatic tissues of sepsis group. On the contrary, OSJ administration to OSJ 300 group showed a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in LPO level (176±2.926) and significant increase (P < 0.001) in GSH level (10.586±0.083) and SOD activity (29.152±0.094) in comparison with sepsis group (185.777±1.735, 8.246±0.124, 24.307±0.379 respectively). In addition, the consumption of OSJ reduced expressions of interleukin-33 and caspase-3 and improved histopathological integrity. In conclusions, OSJ has hepatoprotective effect against sepsis-induced liver injury.

MRI-based biomechanical studies can provide a deep understanding of the mechanisms governing liver function, its mechanical performance but also liver diseases. In addition, comprehensive modeling of the liver can help improve liver disease treatment. Furthermore, such studies demonstrate the beginning of an engineering-level approach to how the liver disease affects material properties and liver function. Aimed at researchers in the field of MRI-based liver simulation, research articles pertinent to MRI-based liver modeling were identified, reviewed, and summarized systematically. Various MRI applications for liver biomechanics are highlighted, and the limitations of different viscoelastic models used in magnetic resonance elastography are addressed. The clinical application of the simulations and the diseases studied are also discussed. Based on the developed questionnaire, the papers' quality was assessed, and of the 46 reviewed papers, 32 papers were determined to be of high-quality. Due to the lack of the suitable material models for different liver diseases studied by magnetic resonance elastography, researchers may consider the effect of liver diseases on constitutive models. In the future, research groups may incorporate various aspects of machine learning (ML) into constitutive models and MRI data extraction to further refine the study methodology. Moreover, researchers should strive for further reproducibility and rigorous model validation and verification.

An undifferentiated carcinoma (UC) of the gall bladder behaves aggressively and has a grave prognosis. Small cell type undifferentiated carcinoma of the gall bladder is a rare variant. This paper reports a case of UC of gall bladder with PAS-positive diastase- resistant eosinophilic hyaline globules present as liver mass (on imaging) in a male patient. The microscopic findings of the liver and gall bladder after a right tri-segmentectomy showed an un-differentiated malignant neoplasm composed of cells with round to oval nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and scanty neoplasm. No definite cell pattern was identified with these neoplastic cells. A section from the gall bladder revealed a tumor arising from the lining epithelium and infiltrating through the muscularis. This tumor was infiltrating the adherent liver tissue directly and forming a mass of undifferentiated malignant cells. The focal area within the tumor mass showed the presence of PAS-positive, diastase-resistant, eosinophilic hyaline globules within the neoplastic cells. The immunohistochemistry test was diffusely positive for perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and negative for chromogranin, vimentin, Desmin, alpha-fetoprotein, leukocyte common antigen, CD34, and bcl2. When the clinical and radiological data are inconclusive, careful analysis of the histological and immunophenotypic features is needed to make the final diagnosis of UC of the gall bladder. The biological behavior and prognosis of this tumor remain unclear because of its rarity. Further studies will be needed to understand the characteristics of this deadly tumor and to establish an effective therapy for it.

Depression is a common clinical mental illness affecting patients’ quality of life. There has been a more systematic understanding of the treatment of depression in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This paper intended to explore the etiology, pathogenesis, syndrome differentiation, treatment and Traditional Chinese Medicine characteristic nursing intervention of depression from the point of traditional Chinese medicine, and reviewed relevant literature, in order to provide useful ideas for clinical treatment. (抑郁症严重影响患者生活质量。祖国医学对抑郁症的相关论治已有较为系统的认识。本文拟从中医的角度探讨抑郁症相关病因病机、辨证论治以及中医特色护理干预措施, 并对相关文献进行总结与探讨, 以期为临床治疗提供有益思路。)

Microwave ablation (MWA) is an alternative locoregional therapy to surgical resection of solid tumors in the treatment of malignancies, and is widely used for hepatic tumors. It has a slightly higher overall survival (OS) rate compared to external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and proton beam therapy (PBT), and better long-term recurrence-free OS rate compared to radiofrequency ablation (RFA). In this paper, current commercial devices, most recent noncommercial designs, and the principles behind them alongside the recently reported developments and issues of MWA are reviewed. The paper also provides microscopic insights on effects of microwave irradiation in the body. Our review shows that MWA is a safe and effective, minimally invasive method with high ablation completion rates. However, for large tumors, the completion rates slightly decrease, and recurrences increase. Thus, for large tumors we suggest using a cooled shaft antenna or multiple antenna placements. Comparisons of the two common ablation frequencies 915 MHz and 2.45 GHz have shown inconsistent results due to non-identical conditions. This review suggests that 915 MHz devices are more effective for ablating large tumors and the theory behind MWA effects corroborates this proposition. However, for small tumors or tumors adjacent to vital organs, 2.45 GHz is suggested due to its more localized ablation zone. Among the antenna designs, the double-slot antenna with a metallic choke seems to be more effective by localizing the radiation around the tip of the antenna, while also preventing backward radiation towards the skin. The review also pertains to the use of MWA in COVID-19 patients and risk factors associated with the disease. MWA should be considered for COVID-19 patients with hepatic tumors as a fast treatment with a short recovery time. As liver injury is also a risk due to COVID-19, it is recommended to apply liver function tests to monitor abnormal levels in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, and other liver function indicators.

MR is a powerful diagnostic tool in the diagnosis and management of most hepatic and pancreatic diseases. Thanks to its multiple sequences, the use of dedicated contrast media and special techniques, it allows a multiparametric approach able to provide both morphological and functional information for many pathological conditions. The knowledge of correct technique is fundamental in order to obtain a correct diagnosis. In this paper, different MR sequences will be illustrated in the evaluation of liver and pancreatic diseases, especially those sequences which provide information not otherwise obtainable with other imaging techniques. Practical MR protocols with the most common indications of MR in the study of the liver and pancreas are provided.

The paper includes the statistics of liver abscesses, etiology and related features of the diseases. The most common methods of conservative and surgical treatment of liver abscesses, currently used in surgical clinics of the Russian Federation, are presented. A small historical excursus about the existed methods of treatment is given in the paper. A comparative analysis of the currently used methods, their advantages and disadvantages is carried out. Some possible criteria for a certain method of treatment of liver abscesses are listed as well.

In past times, the analysis of endocrine disrupting properties of chemicals has mainly been focused on (anti-)estrogenic or (anti-)androgenic properties, as well as on aspects of steroidogenesis and the modulation of thyroid signaling. More recently, disruption of energy metabolism and related signaling pathways by exogenous substances, so-called metabolism-disrupting chemicals (MDCs) have come into focus. While general effects such as body and organ weight changes are routinely monitored in animal studies, there is a clear lack of mechanistic test systems to determine and characterize the metabolism-disrupting potential of chemicals. In order to contribute to filling this gap, one of the project within EU-funded Partnership for the Assessment of Risks of Chemicals (PARC) aims at developing novel in vitro methods for the detection of endocrine metabolic disruptors. Efforts will comprise projects related to specific signaling pathways, for example, involving mTOR or xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptors, studies on hepatocytes, adipocytes and pancreatic beta cells covering metabolic and morphological endpoints, as well as metabolism-related zebrafish-based tests as an alternative to classic rodent bioassays. This paper provides an overview of the approaches and methods of these PARC projects and how this will contribute to the improvement of the toxicological toolbox to identify substances with endocrine disrupting properties and to decipher their mechanisms of action.

Introduction. Chronic liver diseases in children are accompanied by fibrocirrhotic transformation of the organ. Modern ultrasound diagnostic procedures offer a method that can differentiate between the fibrous and unchanged tissues. The paper includes the results of a study of liver stiffness in healthy children using shear wave elastography. The method presented in the article can come to an active use in the non-invasive detection of fibrosis as part of the integrated assessment of liver in pediatric practice. Aim. To study the stiffness of unchanged liver in children of different gender and age groups.Materials and methods. Shear wave elastography was performed in 200 healthy children aged 3 to 18 years (103 girls and 97 boys) using Aixplorer apparatus (Supersonic Imagine, France), in three age subgroups: a 3- to 6-year-old group (n = 103), a 7- to 11-year-old group (n = 52), and a 12- to 18-year-old group (n = 45). The measurements were taken in different segments of the right lobe of the liver, in the area free from the vascular structures, fixing the zone of scanning at the depth of 3-5 cm from the capsule. Not less than 10 measurements were made, which enabled to calculate the mean value of liver elasticity.Results. The study identified the liver stiffness measurement normal range in a group of healthy children. Significant differences in liver stiffness were obtained by comparing the values of 3- to 6- year-old and 7- to 11-year-old groups (P = 0.001); 3- to 6-year-old and 12- to 18-year-old groups (P = 0.001); there were no statistically significant differences in the stiffness values depending on gender (P = 0.345).Conclusions. Young modulus values obtained may be used as normative. The use of shear wave elastography enhances the accuracy of the conventional ultrasound examination in identifying patients with liver disease.

Background This paper sought to investigate the modifies of inulin and Bacillus clausii on the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) inducing oxidative stress signaling pathway in the endotoxemic rat model. Methods Wistar albino male rats (n = 36), divided into six groups, were formed randomly in the following stages: the control group; the prebiotic group (Inulin; 500 mg/kg); the probiotic group (Bacillus clausii; 1x109 CFU); the LPS group (1.5 mg/kg) as the endotoxemic model; the prebiotic group + LPS; and the probiotic group + LPS as treatment groups. Results The reactive oxygen species (ROS), advanced oxidation products of protein (AOPP), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) levels increased in LPS-induced toxicity. Prebiotic treatment decreased LPS-induced hepatotoxicity on rat liver as observed in the decrease in the levels of oxidative stress parameters, such as ROS, TBARS, TOS, and OSI. The effect of the probiotic treatment on the ROS, AOPP, TOS, OSI levels was not statistically significant. However, it was determined that probiotic application was effective in the TBARS, TAS, and GSH levels. When the biochemical results of the prebiotic and probiotic treatment applications were compared, it was found that the prebiotic treatment was more effective on oxidative stress parameters (ROS, TBARS, TOS, and OSI). In addition, the histological damage score and MPO-staining results of the prebiotic treatment group were found to be more effective than the probiotic group. Conclusion In this first study, where inulin and Bacillus clausii spores are used against liver damage caused by LPS, inulin provides much more effective protection than Bacillus clausii spores.

Global warming results in increased extreme weather events, including heatwaves, droughts and floods, which exceed plants’and animals’tolerance thresholds, thus posing a threat to the economy and agriculture. Under these conditions, heat stress becomes a vital problem for animal husbandry. The paper presents the study results of biochemical blood parameters and endogenous intoxication in cows suffering from hepatopathies under heat stress. Based on the calculated temperature-humidity index, it was established that during the summer season in the conditions of the Krasnodar Krai lowlands, cows are under heat stress. Using the method of paired comparisons, two groups of animals (n = 10) were formed: the first group was a healthy livestock; and the second group consisted of animals suffering from hepatic pathologies. Blood was sampled from all cows at the beginning of the experiment (the first decade of May) and at the end (the last decade of July). Laboratory tests of blood revealed that as the heat stress develops healthy cows show the increase in the protein concentration in blood, and, on the contrary, animals with hepatic pathologies demonstrate the inhibition of protein synthesis. The higher activity of aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase in the bovine serum in the summer season when compared to the spring season was established. The study of the endogenous intoxication level dynamics in cattle during the development of heat stress, showed that in both groups the concentrations of middle molecules (ММ) increased relative to the background data: in the first group (healthy cows) MM 237 – by 11.8%, MM 254 – by 14.4%, MM 280 – by 16.9%; in the second group (cattle with liver pathology) MM 237 – by 16.9%, MM 254 – by 20.3%, MM 280 – by 33%. Thus, under heat stress, the endogenous intoxication in healthy livestock was almost 1.5 times less intense as compared to the animals suffering from hepatopathies.

Abstract Clinical imaging (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography) is a crucial adjunct for clinicians, aiding in the diagnosis of diseases and planning of appropriate interventions. This is especially true in malignant conditions such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), where image segmentation (such as accurate delineation of liver and tumor) is the preliminary step taken by the clinicians to optimize diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning and intervention (e.g., transplantation, surgical resection, radiotherapy, PVE, embolization, etc). Thus, segmentation methods could potentially impact the diagnosis and treatment outcomes. This paper comprehensively reviews the literature (during the year 2012–2021) for relevant segmentation methods and proposes a broad categorization based on their clinical utility (i.e., surgical and radiological interventions) in HCC. The categorization is based on the parameters such as precision, accuracy, and automation.

Angiomyolipoma (AML) is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor in the liver, which is composed of blood vessels, smooth muscle, and adipose cells. The proportion of each component varies, making a diagnosis difficult. This paper reports a case of AML in the liver without adipose tissue, mimicking a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which was diagnosed by a surgical tissue biopsy. A 65-year-old woman was admitted for an evaluation of a hepatic mass that had been detected by ultrasonography. The serologic markers of viral hepatitis B and C were negative. The liver function tests and alpha fetoprotein level were within the normal limits. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 1.9 cm sized mass in segment 6 of the liver with early arterial enhancement and washout on the delayed phase accompanied by a rim-like enhancement, which is similar to the imaging findings of HCC. A frozen section examination during surgery indicated a hepatocellular neoplasm and suggested the possibility of HCC. On the other hand, the final pathologic diagnosis was epithelioid myoid type of AML with no adipose tissue component. The tumor cells were positive for human melanocyte B-45 and negative for cytokeratin and hepatocyte paraffin 1. This paper reports a very rare case of AML without adipose tissue in the liver mimicking HCC that was diagnosed by a surgical tissue biopsy.

Livia Puljak1,2 1Laboratory for Pain Research, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia; 2Department for Development, Research and Health Technology Assessment, Agency for Quality and Accreditation in Health Care and Social Welfare, Zagreb, CroatiaOn October 16, 2017 in the Journal of Pain Research, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing efficacy and safety of flupirtine versus piroxicam in postoperative pain in patients undergoing lower limb surgery was published.1 However, this paper fails to report important information. Author’s reply Sowmya Chinnaiyan,1 Narayana Sarala,1 Heddur Shanthappa Arun21Department of Pharmacology, 2Department of Orthopedics, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Kolar, Karnataka, India We thank Livia Puljak for the valuable insights on the article titled “A comparative study of efficacy and safety of flupirtine versus piroxicam in postoperative pain in patients undergoing lower limb surgery” published in the Journal of Pain Research. The concerns highlighted in the Letter to the Editor have been answered.View the original paper by Chinnaiyan and colleagues.

Abstract Background Hepatic resection (HR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is safe with good perioperative and long-term oncologic outcomes. There is a paucity of data with regards to intermediate-term outcomes (i.e., beyond 90-day and within 1-year mortality). This paper studies the risk factors for within 1-year mortality after elective HR with curative intent in patients with HCC. Methods An audit of patients who underwent curative HR for HCC from January 2007 to April 2016 was conducted. Univariate and multivariate analysis were sequentially performed on perioperative variables using Cox-regression analysis to identify factors predicting intermediate-term outcomes defined as within 1-year mortality. Kaplan–Meier survival curves and hazard ratios were obtained. Results Three hundred forty-eight patients underwent HR during the study period and 163 patients had curative hepatectomy for HCC. Fifteen patients (9.2%) died within 1-year after HR. Multivariate analysis identified Child-Pugh class B/C (HR 5.5, p = 0.035), multinodularity (HR 7.1, p = 0.001), macrovascular invasion (HR 4.2, p = 0.04) postoperative acute renal failure (HR 5.8, p = 0.049) and posthepatic liver failure (HR 9.6, p = 0.009) as significant predictors of 1-year mortality. Conclusion One-year mortality following HR for HCC remains high and can be predicted preoperatively by multinodularity, Child-Pugh class, and macrovascular invasion. Postoperative acute renal failure and liver failure are associated with 1-year mortality.

Abstract Background Currently, several treatment options are available for liver cancer depending on various factors such as location, size, shape, and liver function. Image fusion is required for the diagnosis, intervention, and follow-up of certain HCCs. Presently, mental fusion is the only way while diagnosing liver lesions by comparing the ultrasound (US) image with the computed tomography (CT) image. Nevertheless, mental fusion is bound to have errors. The objective of this paper is to study the present treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma and review the present treatment options, list out their potential limitations, and present a possible alternative solution based on the findings to reduce errors and mistargeting. Methods This is a systematic review on the present treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma, especially radio wave ablation. Results It is found that computer fusion is the possible alternative to the present mental registration. Conclusions Although computer fusion is the best alternative to use radio wave ablation, there have been a few open-ended questions to further explore.

Haemangiomas are benign vascular tumours that usually appear in infants. Most often they occur on the skin, but visceral, predominantly liver, haemangiomas, are also possible. During the last decade, due to rapidly increasing knowledge of genetic and histopathological markers, the nomenclature of these lesions has become more standardised, followed by more consistent management and new treatment methods. In the paper, we describe liver haemangiomas, which can be divided into infantile and congenital forms. These can be differentiated by their clinical course, complications and treatment. Knowing the exact diagnosis and the course of the disease are crucial because lesions can rarely cause significant complications that require appropriate treatment. Reports of the effective treatment of liver haemangiomas with propranolol are found in the literature. At the neonatology department of the University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 15 neonates with liver haemangiomas were evaluated during a 10-year-period, four of whom were treated with propranolol. With this treatment, symptom relief was achieved in three of the patients and gradual regression of the haemangioma in all four.

Traditional maize-plantain puddings are usually cooked in diverse containers such as aluminium plates, cast iron plates and all types of edible plant leaves. This paper therefore, evaluates biochemical markers of liver and kidney function of mature albino male rats fed with maize-plantain pudding delicacy cooked in aluminium and cast iron plates and edible Zingiber officinale (ginger) and Musa paradisiaca (plantain) leaves using appropriate standard methods. Data obtained reveal that the activities of hepatic marker enzymes; alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the serum and liver were significantly lower in rats given the pudding extracts when compared with the control. No significant differences were observed in urea and creatinine levels in the serum and kidney of rats given pudding extracts as compared to control. In conclusion, this study has proved that maize-plantain pudding organized using ginger leaves, plantain leaves and cast iron plate are beneficial in the maintenance and improvement of liver and kidney function when compared with aluminium plate. However, in this efficacy maize-plantain pudding cooked using ginger leaves was found to be more effective than the pudding cooked using plantain leaves and cast iron plate.

Chagas disease was described more than a century ago and, despite great efforts to understand the underlying mechanisms that lead to cardiac and digestive manifestations in chronic patients, much remains to be clarified. The disease is found beyond Latin America, including Japan, the USA, France, Spain, and Australia, and is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. Dr. Carlos Chagas described Chagas disease in 1909 in Brazil, and hepatomegaly was among the clinical signs observed. Currently, hepatomegaly is cited in most papers published which either study acutely infected patients or experimental models, and we know that the parasite can infect multiple cell types in the liver, especially Kupffer cells and dendritic cells. Moreover, liver damage is more pronounced in cases of oral infection, which is mainly found in the Amazon region. However, the importance of liver involvement, including the hepatic immune response, in disease progression does not receive much attention. In this review, we present the very first paper published approaching the liver’s participation in the infection, as well as subsequent papers published in the last century, up to and including our recently published results. We propose that, after infection, activated peripheral T lymphocytes reach the liver and induce a shift to a pro-inflammatory ambient environment. Thus, there is an immunological integration and cooperation between peripheral and hepatic immunity, contributing to disease control.