76, 95% CI 0.56, 1.03; P = 0.072). Lower s25(OH)D concentrations are significantly associated with NAFLD, independent of adiposity and IR. Screening for vitamin D deficiency in adolescents at risk of NAFLD is appropriate, and clinical trials investigating the effect of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD may be warranted. “
“Bleeding due to portal hypertension remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic patients. Portal hypertension can lead to bleeding from esophageal varices, gastric varices, portal

selleck chemicals hypertensive gastropathy and ectopic varices. Several methods are employed to control active bleeding from portal hypertension including pharmacological, endoscopic, radiological and surgical. In most centers the initial approach to portal hypertensive Vincristine bleeding should include adequate

resuscitation, reduction of portal pressure using somatostatin analogues, and an attempt at endoscopic therapy. Primary and secondary prophylaxis of portal hypertensive bleeding are established treatment strategies to improve outcome. “
“See articles in J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 2012; 27: 1213–1218 and 1219–1226. “
“Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey (NHANES) 1988-1994 dataset found a relatively high seroprevalence (21%) of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in the U.S. general population. Using data obtained within the NHANES 2009-2010 survey, where a high performance assay for HEV was used, we estimated the weighted seroprevalence of HEV infection among U.S. individuals 6 years and older. We also evaluated factors associated with HEV seropositivity. A total of 8,814 individuals were included in the analysis. The median age of study participants was 37 years (interquartile range [IQR] 17-58

years), with 51.2% being female. The weighted national seroprevalence of HEV was 6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.1%-6.9%). About 0.5% of those with HEV had evidence of recent exposure (immunoglobulin M-positive). In the univariate analyses, factors associated with HEV seropositivity were increasing age (P-trend < 0.001), birth outside of the U.S., Hispanic race, and “meat” consumption Bay 11-7085 (>10 times/month). No significant association was observed with low socioeconomic status, water source, or level of education. In the multivariate analysis, only older age remained predictive of HEV seropositivity. Conclusion: The weighted national seroprevalence of HEV in the U.S. is much less than previously reported. Using data obtained with a high performance assay, the seroprevalence of HEV was estimated at 6.0% in the U.S. Based on these results, the seroprevalence of HEV is only one-third as high as previously reported. (Hepatology 2014;60:815–822) “
“Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rising worldwide cause of cancer mortality, making the elucidation of its underlying mechanisms an urgent priority.