Multiomics-empowered Deep Phenotyping of Ulcerative Colitis Identifies Biomarker Signatures Reporting Functional Remission States

INTRODUCTION

Ulcerative colitis [UC] is a chronic disease with rising incidence and unclear aetiology. Deep molecular phenotyping by multiomics analyses may provide novel insights into disease processes and characteristic features of remission states.

METHODS

UC pathomechanisms were assessed by proteome profiling of human tissue specimens, obtained from five distinct colon locations for each of the 12 patients included in the study. Systemic disease-associated alterations were evaluated thanks to a cross-sectional setting of mass spectrometry-based multiomics analyses comprising proteins, metabolites, and eicosanoids of plasma obtained from UC patients during acute episodes and upon remission, in comparison with healthy controls.

RESULTS

Tissue proteome profiling indicated colitis-associated activation of neutrophils, macrophages, B and T cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and platelets, and hypoxic stress, and suggested a general downregulation of mitochondrial proteins accompanying the establishment of apparent wound healing-promoting activities including scar formation. Whereas pro-inflammatory proteins were apparently upregulated by immune cells, the colitis-associated epithelial cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and platelets seemed to predominantly contribute anti-inflammatory and wound healing-promoting proteins. Blood plasma proteomics indicated chronic inflammation and platelet activation, whereas plasma metabolomics identified disease-associated deregulations of gut and gut microbiome-derived metabolites. Upon remission several, but not all, molecular candidate biomarker levels recovered back to normal.

CONCLUSION

The findings may indicate that microvascular damage and platelet deregulation hardly resolve upon remission, but apparently persist as disease-associated molecular signatures. This study presents local and systemic molecular alterations integrated in a model for UC pathomechanisms, potentially supporting the assessment of disease and remission states in UC patients.

Exosomes-transferred LINC00668 Contributes to Thrombosis by Promoting NETs Formation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Epidemiological studies show an association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and increased risk of thrombosis. However, how IBD influences thrombosis remains unknown. The current study shows that formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) significantly increased in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced IBD mice, which in turn, contributes to thrombus formation in a NETs-dependent fashion. Furthermore, the exosomes isolated from the plasma of the IBD mice induce arterial and venous thrombosis in vivo. Importantly, proinflammatory factors-exposed intestinal epithelial cells (inflamed IECs) promote neutrophils to release NETs through their secreted exosomes. RNA sequencing revealed that LINC00668 is highly enriched in the inflamed IECs-derived exosomes. Mechanistically, LINC00668 facilitates the translocation of neutrophil elastase (NE) from the cytoplasmic granules to the nucleus via its interaction with NE in a sequence-specific manner, thereby inducing NETs release and thrombus formation. Importantly, berberine (BBR) suppresses the nuclear translocation of NE and subsequent NETs formation by inhibiting the interaction of LINC00668 with NE, thus exerting its antithrombotic effects. This study provides a novel pathobiological mechanism linking IBD and thrombosis by exosome-mediated NETs formation. Targeting LINC00668 can serve as a novel molecular treatment strategy to treat IBD-related thrombosis.

The Journey Through the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Narrative Review

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which may result in several extraintestinal complications (∼20-30% of cases), such as increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The main pathophysiological mechanism of VTE is an inflammation-induced hypercoagulable state, and recent data have shown that endothelial dysregulation due to gut and systemic inflammation may also lead to a prothrombotic state. Several prothrombotic alterations have been described, such as the activation of the coagulation system, platelet abnormalities, and dysregulation of fibrinolysis. Furthermore, the dysregulation of the gut microbiome seems to play a vital role in increasing systemic inflammation and thus inducing a procoagulant state. Our review aims to examine the main correlations between IBD and VTE, the underlying pathophysiology, and current therapeutic options.

Anorectal Manometry in Patients With Fecal Incontinence After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis for Ulcerative Colitis: A Cohort Study

Background

Fecal incontinence commonly occurs in patients with ulcerative colitis and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. There is a paucity of manometric data in pouch patients. We aimed to better define manometric parameters in pouch patients with fecal incontinence.

Methods

We compared clinical and manometric variables in ulcerative colitis patients with pouch and fecal incontinence to ulcerative colitis patients with pouch without fecal incontinence and to non-ulcerative colitis patients with fecal incontinence. Manometric data for the 3 cohorts were compared to established normative data. An independent-samples t-test was performed for continuous variables, and chi-square test was used for categorical variables. Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of incontinence in pouch patients (P < .05).

Results

Among 26 pouch patients with fecal incontinence (73% female), 26 pouch patients without fecal incontinence (35% female), and 84 patients with fecal incontinence without ulcerative colitis (68% female), there were no differences in anorectal pressures between patients with fecal incontinence. Lower pressures were observed in pouch patients with fecal incontinence compared to those without fecal incontinence. Resting pressure was similar between pouch patients with fecal incontinence and healthy controls (60.9 ± 36.1 mmHg vs. 66.9 ± 3.2 mmHg, P = .40). Female sex (P = .019) and defecatory disorders (P = .033) each independently predicted fecal incontinence in pouch patients.

Conclusions

Pouch patients with fecal incontinence have lower anorectal pressures compared to pouch patients without incontinence, though have similar pressures to non-ulcerative colitis patients with fecal incontinence. Pouch patients with fecal incontinence have similar resting pressures as healthy controls. Distinct manometric normative values for pouch patients are needed.

MRI of the ileal pouch

Ileal pouch surgery is the surgical gold standard treatment for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). However, ileal pouch surgery is a technically challenging procedure and is associated with high morbidity. Clinical presentations of pouch complications are often nonspecific but imaging can identify many of these complications and is essential in clinical management. This paper will focus on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the ileal pouch, including recommended MRI protocol and approach to imaging interpretation with an emphasis on those ileal pouch complications particularly well evaluated with MRI.

Contrast enema, CT, and small bowel series of the ileal pouch

This manuscript is part of the ileal pouch symposium and will describe the water-soluble contrast enema, CT, and small bowel series. MRI and other imaging modalities are discussed elsewhere in the symposium. Water-soluble contrast enema and CT are excellent for the evaluation of the ileal pouch. Contrast enema and CT with anal contrast administration can allow for anastomotic integrity and pouch assessment. Pre-pouch ileum, extra-intestinal manifestations, and acute symptomatology are best assessed with CT. The contrast small bowel examination is of limited utility in pouch patients and should not be performed. Indications, imaging technique, and anatomic pouch assessment with water-soluble contrast enema, CT, and contrast small bowel examination will be reviewed here.

Cardiovascular manifestations of inflammatory bowel diseases and the underlying pathogenic mechanisms

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), consisting of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, mainly affects the gastrointestinal tract but is also known to have extraintestinal manifestations because of long-standing systemic inflammation. Several national cohort studies have found that IBD is an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms by which IBD impairs the cardiovascular system are not fully understood. Although the gut-heart axis is attracting more attention in recent years, our knowledge of the organ-to-organ communication between the gut and the heart remains limited. In patients with IBD, upregulated inflammatory factors, altered microRNAs and lipid profiles, as well as dysbiotic gut microbiota, may induce adverse cardiac remodeling. In addition, patients with IBD have a three- to four times higher risk of developing thrombosis than people without IBD, and it is believed that the increased risk of thrombosis is largely due to increased procoagulant factors, platelet count/activity, and fibrinogen concentration, in addition to decreased anticoagulant factors. The predisposing factors for atherosclerosis are present in IBD and the possible mechanisms may involve oxidative stress system, overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases, and changes in vascular smooth muscle phenotype. This review focuses mainly on 1) the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases associated with IBD, 2) the potential pathogenic mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases in patients with IBD, and 3) adverse effects of IBD drugs on the cardiovascular system. Also, we introduce here a new paradigm for the gut-heart axis that includes exosomal microRNA and the gut microbiota as a cause for cardiac remodeling and fibrosis.

Quantitative MRI of diffuse liver diseases: techniques and tissue-mimicking phantoms

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques are emerging as non-invasive alternatives to biopsy for assessment of diffuse liver diseases of iron overload, steatosis and fibrosis. For testing and validating the accuracy of these techniques, phantoms are often used as stand-ins to human tissue to mimic diffuse liver pathologies. However, currently, there is no standardization in the preparation of MRI-based liver phantoms for mimicking iron overload, steatosis, fibrosis or a combination of these pathologies as various sizes and types of materials are used to mimic the same liver disease. Liver phantoms that mimic specific MR features of diffuse liver diseases observed in vivo are important for testing and calibrating new MRI techniques and for evaluating signal models to accurately quantify these features. In this study, we review the liver morphology associated with these diffuse diseases, discuss the quantitative MR techniques for assessing these liver pathologies, and comprehensively examine published liver phantom studies and discuss their benefits and limitations.

Identification of key modules and driving genes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by weighted gene co-expression network analysis

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive liver fat deposition, and progresses to liver cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the invasive diagnosis of NAFLD with histopathological evaluation remains risky. This study investigated potential genes correlated with NAFLD, which may serve as diagnostic biomarkers and even potential treatment targets.

METHODS

The weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was constructed based on dataset E-MEXP-3291. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed to evaluate the function of genes.

RESULTS

Blue module was positively correlated, and turquoise module negatively correlated with the severity of NAFLD. Furthermore, 8 driving genes (ANXA9, FBXO2, ORAI3, NAGS, C/EBPα, CRYAA, GOLM1, TRIM14) were identified from the overlap of genes in blue module and GSE89632. And another 8 driving genes were identified from the overlap of turquoise module and GSE89632. Among these driving genes, C/EBPα (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α) was the most notable. By validating the expression of C/EBPα in the liver of NAFLD mice using immunohistochemistry, we discovered a significant upregulation of C/EBPα protein in NAFLD.

CONCLUSION

we identified two modules and 16 driving genes associated with the progression of NAFLD, and confirmed the protein expression of C/EBPα, which had been paid little attention to in the context of NAFLD, in the present study. Our study will advance the understanding of NAFLD. Moreover, these driving genes may serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets of NAFLD.

Pediatric Obesity: Complications and Current Day Management

Obesity affects approximately 1 in 5 youth globally and increases the risk of complications during adolescence and young adulthood, including type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Children and adolescents with obesity frequently experience weight stigma and have an impaired quality of life, which may exacerbate weight gain. Pediatric obesity is typically defined using sex-, age-, and population-specific body mass index percentiles. Once identified, pediatric obesity should always be managed with lifestyle modification. However, adolescents with obesity may also benefit from anti-obesity medications (AOM), several of which have been approved for use in adolescents by the US Food and Drug Administration, including liraglutide, phentermine/topiramate, and semaglutide. For children with specific, rare monogenic obesity disorders, setmelanotide is available and may lead to significant weight loss. Metabolic and bariatric surgery may be used for the management of severe obesity in youth; though highly effective, it is limited to specialized centers and has had relatively low pediatric uptake. In this narrative review using pediatric-focused data from original research, reviews, clinical practice guidelines, governmental agencies, and pharmaceutical companies, we review obesity-related metabolic complications in youth and management strategies, including AOM and bariatric surgery.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Neurodegenerative Diseases

A growing body of evidence has demonstrated an intricate association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and neurodegenerative conditions, expanding beyond previous foci of comorbidities between IBD and mood disorders. These new discoveries stem from an improved understanding of the gut-microbiome-brain axis: specifically, the ability of the intestinal microbiota to modulate inflammation and regulate neuromodulatory compounds. Clinical retrospective studies incorporating large sample sizes and population-based cohorts have demonstrated and confirmed the relevance of IBD and chronic neurodegeneration in clinical medicine. In this review, we expound upon the current knowledge on the gut-microbiome-brain axis, highlighting several plausible mechanisms linking IBD with neurodegeneration. We also summarize the known associations between IBD with Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, vascular dementia and ischemic stroke, and multiple sclerosis in a clinical context. Finally, we discuss the implications of an improved understanding of the gut-microbiome-brain axis in preventing, diagnosing, and managing neurodegeneration among IBD and non-IBD patients.

Prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Urban Adult Population in a Tertiary Care Center, Chennai

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming one of the most common liver diseases among the Indian population. The predisposing factors for NAFLD are diet, lifestyle modifications, and lack of exercise. There is a paucity of research on NAFLD in the South Indian population. Hence, the present study aimed to assess the prevalence of NAFLD among the urban adult population in Chennai.

Material and Methods

This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in General Medicine outpatient departments at a tertiary care center in Chennai. The study included 510 non-alcoholic adults (both male and female) aged between 21 and 40 years. Ultrasonography was performed to rule out fatty liver in all participants. All the results obtained were statistically analyzed using SPSS software version 22.0. The frequency was given in percentage.

Results

The proportion of participants who screened positive for NAFLD was 61.5%. The participants with higher body mass index (BMI) were found to be significantly 23.09 times higher risk of developing NAFLD. An increase in age was also found to be a predictor of NAFLD. This study also supports that males are more prone to develop NAFLD and are at a 1.59% higher risk of developing the disease than females.

Conclusion

Fatty liver has become one of the common non-communicable diseases in India, the high prevalence of NAFLD in the present study supports it. Therefore, people should have regular screening and diagnosis to rule out fatty liver disease. Proper diet patterns and exercise must be followed to prevent fatty liver.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Does One Histological Score Fit All?

Mucosal healing (MH) is the main treatment target in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease, and it is defined by the combination of complete endoscopic and histologic remission. The complete resolution of mucosal inflammation should be confirmed by histology but its assessment is not always univocal. Neutrophil infiltration represents the unique histological marker in discriminating the active vs. quiescent phases of the disease, together with crypt injuries (cryptitis and crypt abscesses), erosions, and ulcerations. On the contrary, basal plasmacytosis is not indicative of activity or the remission of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) but instead represents a diagnostic clue, mostly at the onset. Several histological scoring systems have been developed to assess grade severity, particularly for UC. However, most are complex and/or subjective. The aim of this review was to summarize available scores, their characteristics and limitations, and to present the advantages of a simplified mucosa healing scheme (SHMHS) based on neutrophils and their distribution in the gut mucosa. Finally, we overview future developments including artificial intelligence models for standardization of disease assessments and novel molecular markers of inflammation with potential application in diagnostic practice.

Factors Predicting Over-Time Weight Increase After Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Post-transplantation weight control is important for long-term outcomes; however, few reports have examined postoperative weight change. This study aimed to identify perioperative factors contributing to post-transplantation weight change.

METHODS

Twenty-nine patients who underwent liver transplantation between 2015 and 2019 with an overall survival of >3 years were analyzed.

RESULTS

The median age, model for end-stage liver disease score, and preoperative body mass index (BMI) of the recipients were 57, 25, and 23.7, respectively. Although all but one recipient lost weight, the percentage of recipients who gained weight increased to 55% (1 month), 72% (6 months), and 83% (12 months). Among perioperative factors, recipient age ≤50 years and BMI ≤25 were identified as risk factors for weight gain within 12 months (P < .05), and patients with age ≤50 years or BMI ≤25 recipients gained weight more rapidly (P < .05). The recovery time of serum albumin level ≥4.0 mg/dL was not statistically different between the 2 groups. The weight change during the first 3 years after discharge was represented by an approximately straight line, with 18 and 11 recipients showing a positive and negative slope, respectively. Body mass index ≤23 was identified as a risk factor for a positive slope of weight gain (P <.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although postoperative weight gain implies recovery after transplantation, recipients with a lower preoperative BMI should strictly manage body weight as they may be at higher risk of rapid weight increase.

Extensive Unprovoked Thromboembolism in Steroid-Dependent Ulcerative Colitis: A Case Report

The elevated risk of thromboembolism (TE) in association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is well-established in literature. Herein, we present a case of a 70-year-old patient with steroid-dependent ulcerative colitis who presented with exertional dyspnea and abdominal pain. Investigations revealed extensive bilateral iliac and renal and caval venous thrombosis as well as pulmonary emboli. In addition to the rarity of such a finding in this location, this case serves to remind clinicians of the elevated risk of TE in those with IBD, even among those with IBD that has been in remission, especially in those presenting with unexplained abdominal pain and/or renal injury. TE can be life-threatening and requires a high index of clinical suspicion to establish early diagnosis and prevent propagation.

Guidelines for the management of ulcerative colitis. Recommendations of the Polish Society of Gastroenterology and the Polish National Consultant in Gastroenterology

This paper is an update of the diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations of the National Consultant for Gastroenterology and the Polish Society of Gastroenterology from 2013. It contains 49 recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment, both pharmacological and surgical, of ulcerative colitis in adults. The guidelines were developed by a group of experts appointed by the Polish Society of Gastroenterology and the National Consultant in the field of Gastroenterology. The methodology related to the GRADE methodology was used to assess the quality of available evidence and the strength of therapeutic recommendations. The degree of expert support for the proposed statements was assessed on a 6-point Likert scale. Voting results, together with comments, are included with each statement.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The Role of Chronic Inflammation and Platelet Aggregation

Background and Objectives: Atherosclerosis is one of inflammatory bowel disease's most significant cardiovascular manifestations. This research aimed to examine the relationship between biochemical, haemostatic, and immune parameters of atherosclerosis and ulcerative colitis patients and its relationship to platelet aggregation. Materials and Methods: A clinical, observational cross-sectional study was performed, during which the tested parameters were compared in the experimental and control groups. The patients were divided into four groups. The first group had 25 patients who had ulcerative colitis and atherosclerosis. The second group included 39 patients with ulcerative colitis without atherosclerosis. The third group comprised 31 patients suffering from atherosclerosis without ulcerative colitis, and the fourth group comprised 25 healthy subjects. Results: In our study, we registered statistically higher levels of inflammatory markers like SE, CRP, Le, fecal calprotectin, TNF-α, and IL-6, as well as the higher value of thrombocytes and thrombocyte aggregation in the group of patients with ulcerative colitis compared to the control group. Lower levels of total cholesterol and LDL were also recorded in patients with ulcerative colitis and atherosclerosis and ulcerative colitis without atherosclerosis compared to healthy control. Triglyceride and remnant cholesterol were higher in patients with ulcerative colitis and atherosclerosis when compared to patients with ulcerative colitis and healthy control but lower than in patients with atherosclerosis only. Conclusions: Several inflammatory markers and platelet aggregation could be good discrimination markers for subjects with ulcerative colitis with the highest risk of atherosclerosis.

ESPEN guideline on Clinical Nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease

The present guideline is an update and extension of the ESPEN scientific guideline on Clinical Nutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease published first in 2017. The guideline has been rearranged according to the ESPEN practical guideline on Clinical Nutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease published in 2020. All recommendations have been checked and, if needed, revised based on new literature, before they underwent the ESPEN consensus procedure. Moreover, a new chapter on microbiota modulation as a new option in IBD treatment has been added. The number of recommendations has been increased to 71 recommendations in the guideline update. The guideline is aimed at professionals working in clinical practice, either in hospitals or in outpatient medicine, and treating patients with IBD. General aspects of care in patients with IBD, and specific aspects during active disease and in remission are addressed. All recommendations are equipped with evidence grades, consensus rates, short commentaries and links to cited literature.

Regular protocol liver biopsy is useful to adjust immunosuppressant dose after adult liver transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Adjusting immunosuppression to minimal levels post-adult liver transplantation (LT) is critical; however, graft rejection has been reported in LT recipients with normal liver function evaluated by liver biopsy (LBx). Continual protocol liver biopsy (PLB) is performed regularly in LT recipients with normal liver function in some centers; however, its usefulness remains inadequately evaluated. This study aimed to assess retrospectively the usefulness of late PLB after adult LT.

METHODS

LBx evaluations of LT recipients with normal liver function and hepatitis B and C virus seronegativity were defined as PLB. The cases requiring immunosuppressive therapy for rejection findings based on Banff criteria were extracted from the PLBs, and pathological data collected before and after immunosuppressive dosage adjustment (based on modified histological activity index [HAI] score) were compared.

RESULTS

Among 548 LBx cases, 213 LBx in 110 recipients fulfilled the inclusion criteria for PLB. Immunosuppressive therapy after PLB was intensified in 14 LBx (6.6%) recipients (12.7%); of these, nine had late-onset acute rejection, three had isolated perivenular inflammation, one had plasma cell-rich rejection, and one had early chronic rejection. Follow-up LBx after immunosuppressive dose adjustment showed improvement in the modified HAI score grading in 10 of 14 cases (71.4%). No clinical background and blood examination data, including those from the post-LT period, immunosuppressant trough level, or examination for de novo DSA, predicted rejection in PLB. Complications of PLB were found in only three cases.

CONCLUSION

PLB is useful in the management of seemingly stable LT recipients, to discover subclinical rejection and allow for appropriate immunosuppressant dose adjustment.

Quantitative Ultrasound Biomarkers to Assess Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

PURPOSE

To assess diagnostic performance of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) biomarkers in assessing hepatic steatosis.

METHODS

We prospectively recruited 125 participants (mean age 54 years) who underwent liver QUS, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and laboratory tests within 30 days in this IRB approved study. Based on MRI-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) and MRE, we divided 125 participants into normal liver, nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and liver fibrosis (≥F1) groups. We examined diagnostic performance of ultrasound attenuation coefficient (AC), normalized local variance (NLV), superb microvascular imaging-based vascularity index (SMI-VI), and shear wave velocity (SWV) for determining hepatic steatosis and fibrosis using area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). We also analyzed correlations of QUS biomarkers to MRI using Spearman correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

We observed significant differences in AC, NLV, and SMI-VI among the three groups (22 participants with normal liver, 78 with NAFL, and 25 with liver fibrosis). AUC of AC, NLV, and SMI-VI for determining ≥ mild steatotic livers (MRI-PDFF ≥5%) was 0.95, 0.90, and 0.92, respectively. AUC of SWV for determining ≥ F1 liver fibrosis was 0.93. The correlation of MRI-PDFF was positive to AC (r = 0.91) and negative to NLV (r = -0.74), SMI-VI (r = -0.8) in NAFL group. There was a significant difference in regression slope of AC to MRI-PDFF in livers with and without ≥F1 (0.84 vs 0.91, P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

QUS biomarkers have high sensitivity and specificity to determine and grade hepatic steatosis and detect liver fibrosis. The effect of liver fibrosis on the performance of QUS biomarkers in quantifying liver fat content warrants further investigation.

Prognostic Value of Colonic Tissue and Blood Eosinophils in Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that eosinophils may be a prognostic marker of disease outcome in ulcerative colitis (UC), but conflicting data exist. The objective was to investigate the extent of mucosal eosinophils and peripheral blood eosinophil count in newly diagnosed UC patients and to investigate its predictive value in short- and long-term disease outcomes.

METHODS

The degree of eosinophilia in baseline colonic biopsies and blood of newly diagnosed UC patients was retrospectively analyzed. It was investigated if tissue and blood eosinophilia could be a marker of a severe phenotype of UC, defined as the need for corticosteroids or immunomodulators in the first year or treatment with therapeutic monoclonal antibodies or colectomy during follow-up. Time to therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and time to colectomy were also evaluated as outcomes.

RESULTS

There were 103 UC patients (median age 26 years) included. Median tissue peak eosinophil count (PEC) was 70.0 and median peripheral blood eosinophil count was 0.3 × 109/L at diagnosis. Tissue PEC (r = -0.161, P = .104) and blood eosinophil count (r = 0.022, P = .877) were not correlated with the severity of histologic inflammation. Logistic regression analyses did not identify PEC and blood eosinophil count as predictors of more severe disease outcomes. Tissue PEC and peripheral blood eosinophil count did not predict the time the initiation of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies or colectomy.

CONCLUSION

Baseline tissue or peripheral blood eosinophils are not markers of disease activity and cannot be used as a predictor of severe disease outcomes in both adults and children with UC.

Incidence and Predictors of Liver-Related Events in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the commonest type of liver disease worldwide. We aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of liver-related events (LREs) and mortality in NAFLD patients.

METHODS

NAFLD patients (n = 957) evaluated between January 2000 and November 2021 were included. Patients were categorised as noncirrhosis (NC), compensated cirrhosis (CC) and decompensated cirrhosis (DC), and the incidence of LRE and mortality were estimated and compared.

RESULTS

The proportions of NC, CC and DC were 87.8% (n = 840), 8.8% (n = 84) and 3.4% (n = 33), respectively. The median follow-up duration was 3.9 (3.0-5.7) years, and the total cumulative duration was 4633 person-years. The incidence of LRE per 100 person-years was 0.14, 2.72 and 10.24 in patients with NC, CC and DC, respectively. The incidence of mortality was 0.12, 1.05 and 4.24 per 100 person-years, respectively, in the 3 groups. The causes of mortality in the 3 groups were liver related in 1/5 (20%), 3/4 (75%) and 6/9 (66.7%), respectively. Overall, the mortality rate was higher in those with diabetes than those without diabetes (log-rank P value = 0.005). On further analysis, diabetes was associated with poor outcomes only in NC group (log-rank P value = 0.036), and not in CC (log-rank P value = 0.353) or DC groups (log-rank P value = 0.771). On multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.070), hypertension (HR 4.361) and DC (HR 15.036) were independent predictors of poor outcomes. Liver stiffness measurement, bilirubin, CC and DC were independent predictors of LRE.

CONCLUSION

In our study of NAFLD from India, the incidence of LRE was found to be similar to that seen in Western studies. In NC NAFLD, diabetes was associated with poor outcomes.

Histologic Activity in an Endoscopically Normal-Appearing Pouch Predicts Future Risk of Pouchitis in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

INTRODUCTION

The impact of histologic inflammation on subsequent risk of acute pouchitis in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) has not been robustly examined.

METHODS

We examined the association between histologic inflammation in endoscopically normal-appearing ileal pouches in patients with UC with subsequent risk of antibiotic-responsive acute pouchitis.

RESULTS

Among 163 study patients, 53% had histologic inflammation in an endoscopically normal-appearing ileal pouch. Histologic inflammation in the pouch was associated with an increased risk of pouchitis (24.1% vs 6.8%, adjusted odds ratio 4.41, 95% confidence interval 1.48-13.20).

DISCUSSION

Histologic inflammation in an endoscopically normal pouch was associated with an increased risk of acute pouchitis.

Hepatobiliary Impairments in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: The Current Approach

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to chronic conditions with a low mortality but high disability. The multisystemic nature of these diseases can explain the appearance of some extraintestinal manifestations, including liver damage. Abnormal liver biochemical tests can be identified in approximately one third of patients with IBD and chronic liver disease in 5% of them. Among the liver diseases associated with IBD are primary sclerosing cholangitis, cholelithiasis, fatty liver disease, hepatic amyloidosis, granulomatous hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury, venous thromboembolism, primary biliary cholangitis, IgG4-related cholangiopathy, autoimmune hepatitis, liver abscesses or the reactivation of viral hepatitis. The most common disease is primary sclerosing cholangitis, a condition diagnosed especially in patients with ulcerative colitis. The progress registered in recent years in the therapeutic management of IBD has not eliminated the risk of drug-induced liver disease. Additionally, the immunosuppression encountered in these patients increases the risk of opportunistic infections, including the reactivation of viral hepatitis. Currently, one of the concerns consists of establishing an efficiency and safety profile of the use of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) among patients with hepatitis C and IBD. Early diagnosis and optimal treatment of liver complications can improve the prognoses of these patients.

Nuances of Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

BACKGROUND

Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis are sometimes treated with prophylactic or therapeutic proctocolectomy to either prevent or treat the almost inevitable colorectal cancer that develops in the numerous, early onset tubular adenomas to which they are prone. These patients are potential candidates for a restorative IPAA.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to highlight the particular nuances of ileal pouch-anal surgery faced by patients with familial adenomatous polyposis and point out the implications of the syndrome for patients who are candidates for an IPAA and the surgeons operating on them.

STUDY SELECTION

A literature search was performed on PubMed and MEDLINE using the terms "ulcerative colitis," "familial adenomatous polyposis," "surgery," and "ileal pouch-anal anastomosis."

CONCLUSIONS

As a result of a fundamental difference in pathophysiology, there are significant differences in demographics, presentation, surgical strategy, and sequelae of proctocolectomy and IPAA between familial adenomatous polyposis and ulcerative colitis. Proctocolectomy with IPAA in selected familial adenomatous polyposis patients can be performed in 1 stage, but their lack of symptoms means that any complications assume a greater significance. In polyposis patients, postoperative endoscopic surveillance of residual large intestine begins immediately, whereas surveillance of the pouch itself becomes increasingly important. Symptoms leading to a diagnosis of pouchitis are instead often due to structural and functional issues.

Gastrointestinal System: COVID-19 and Potential Mechanisms Associated with Coagulopathy

SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that expanded worldwide, generating a pandemic of acute respiratory syndrome called "coronavirus disease 2019" (COVID-19), which resulted in a global health crisis. The spectrum of COVID-19 manifestations ranges from none or mild symptoms to severe respiratory failure associated with systemic manifestations, mostly gastrointestinal symptoms. Hypercoagulability is an important feature of COVID-19 disease, which can potentially influence patients' prognosis. Therefore, gastroenterologists should focus on subjects with concomitant hypercoagulable gastrointestinal disorders as they may display a higher risk of thrombotic complications during SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this review is to summarize the available evidence regarding the interplay of the prothrombotic pathogenetic mechanisms of both COVID-19 and hypercoagulable digestive diseases and the possible clinical implications. We summarized the potential interplay of prothrombotic mechanisms of both COVID-19 and hypercoagulable digestive diseases in the graphical abstract.

Acute pulmonary embolism following corticosteroid administration in acute severe ulcerative colitis with gastrointestinal bleeding: A case report

Background

Ulcerative colitis often leads to gastrointestinal bleeding and venous thromboembolism (VTE). At present, there is no clear conclusion about anticoagulant therapy for these patients. Treatment for ulcerative colitis usually includes 5-aminosalicylic acid, corticosteroid, and biologics. Acute ulcerative colitis, usually caused by infection, is usually severe and can be life-threatening.

Case presentation

We report the development of VTE in a patient with severe acute ulcerative colitis who experienced gastrointestinal bleeding following hormonal therapy. The patient's indicators suggested that his blood was hypercoagulable and that his prognosis was poor.

Conclusion

Patients with ulcerative colitis are prone to form VTE. The use of corticosteroids during treatment increases the risk of thrombus. Anticoagulation strategy for patients with ulcerative colitis after gastrointestinal bleeding is a problem that needs to be discussed.

Importance of eosinophilic infiltration of the colonic mucosa in ulcerative colitis patients who are refractory to maintenance therapy: A prospective, single-center study

Eosinophilic infiltration is sometimes observed histologically in ulcerative colitis (UC), but the effect of the degree of infiltration on the treatment course for UC is not completely understood. We investigated whether short-term steroid administration in UC patients refractory to maintenance therapy, with high eosinophilic infiltration in the colonic mucosa, contributed to the clinical and endoscopic improvement. Ten patients with endoscopically active and pathologically high eosinophilic infiltration, based on pathological examination using endoscopic biopsy, were examined for the clinical background when starting steroid treatment. The clinical and endoscopic improvement before and after steroid use were assessed prospectively. The average initial steroid dosage and duration of use were 21.0 mg and 102.7 days, respectively. The mean values before and after steroid use of the clinical activity index, the Mayo endoscopic subscore, and the UC endoscopic index of severity were 2.4 and 1.0, 1.8 and 0.7, and 3.9 and 1.1, respectively. All scores improved significantly after steroid use (P = .042, P = .002, P = .002, respectively). Steroids were discontinued in all patients; no patients required steroid re-administration. There may be cases of UC with eosinophilic infiltration into the colonic mucosa and resistance to maintenance treatment, suggesting that short-term steroid administration may contribute to clinical and endoscopic improvements.

Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Two-year Retrospective Study of Patients Presenting With Inflammatory Bowel Disease to a Community Hospital

Objective

We set out to determine the rate of pharmacological venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis among patients admitted with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and indirectly compare it to national trends. We also assessed the demographic and clinical correlates for non-prescription of pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis among IBD patients with and without a flare.

Methods

We extracted data from 123 patients admitted to our facility with IBD from September 2018 to August 2020 retrospectively. Out of this cohort, 26 patients were excluded and 96 were included in our analysis. Baseline characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the correlates of pharmacological VTE prophylaxis use in individuals with IBD and to analyze the predictors of VTE prophylaxis use in patients with IBD flares.

Results

Out of the 96 patients with IBD included in this study, 61 (63.5%) presented with an IBD flare, and among those with a flare, 26/61 (42.6%) received VTE prophylaxis. IBD patients aged ≥ 65 years and of Black race were less likely to be placed on pharmacological VTE prophylaxis (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.20, 95% CI (0.06 - 0.70), p-value 0.012) and (AOR 0.16, 95% CI (0.05 - 0.50), p-value 0.002) respectively. Among those with a flare, the presence of bright red bleeding per rectum was associated with a low rate of pharmacologic VTE use (AOR 0.01, 95% CI (0.00 -1.78), p-value 0.001). Overall the rate of VTE prophylaxis use in the IBD patient cohort was 56.3% and this was irrespective of flare status.

Conclusion

Our study showed the low rate of pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis use in IBD patients at this center and this finding was in line with national trends. Interestingly age and the race of patients played a major role in the decision to provide pharmacological VTE prophylaxis but the reason for this finding was not explored by our study. A larger multi-center study is needed to further evaluate these relationships.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the outcome of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in patients with ulcerative colitis versus patients with familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is commonly used to restore gastrointestinal continuity after surgical treatment of mucosal ulcerative colitis (MUC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). The aim of the present systematic review was to compare the outcomes of patients with MUC and patients with FAP who underwent IPAA.

METHODS

A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-compliant systematic review was performed. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched through December 2021. Cohort and randomized studies were eligible for inclusion if they directly compared patients with MUC and FAP who underwent IPAA. The main outcome measures were pouch failure, complications, and need for pouch excision or revision. ROBINS-I tool was used to assess the risk of bias across the studies. A random-effect meta-analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies (9200 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. Seven thousand nine hundred fifty (86.4%) had MUC and 1250 (13.6%) had FAP. The median age of patients was 33.1 years. The male to female ratio was 1.4:1. MUC had higher odds of pouchitis (OR 3.9, 95% CI 2.8-5.4, p < 0.001), stricture (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.25-2.65, p = 0.002), fistula (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.18-2.54, p = 0.004), and total complications (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.3-2.77, p < 0.001) as compared to FAP. Both groups had similar odds of pelvic sepsis, leakage, pouch failure, excision, revision, and fecal incontinence.

CONCLUSIONS

Although patients with MUC undergoing IPAA may be at a higher risk of developing complications, particularly pouchitis, stricture, and fistula; the ultimate and functional outcome of the pouch is similar to patients with FAP. Pouch failure, excision and revision were similar in the two groups.

Proinflammatory role of basophils in oxazolone-induced chronic intestinal inflammation

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The functions of basophils have not been elucidated until recently because of their rarity. However, with recent developments in basophil-specific antibodies and basophil-deficient animals, the roles of basophils in various diseases related to chronic inflammation have been clarified. In this study, we aimed to investigate the roles of basophils in human ulcerative colitis (UC) and oxazolone (OXA) colitis using genetically engineered Mcpt8^DTR mice.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining of human colon specimens was performed to examine the involvement of basophils in the pathogenesis of UC. We examined the correlation between the number of infiltrating basophils and the UC endoscopic index of severity (UCEIS), Mayo score, and Matts score. We also examined the correlation between eosinophil count and basophil infiltration. In murine experiments, we examined whether basophil infiltration was involved in OXA-induced colitis and whether basophil depletion improved inflammation in Mcpt8^DTR mice.

RESULTS

Colonic basophil infiltration was significantly increased in patients with UC. There were significant correlations between UCEIS, Mayo score, Matts score, and the number of infiltrating basophils. In murine OXA-induced colitis, a significant increase in basophil infiltration was observed. When basophils were depleted by diphtheria toxin in Mcpt8^DTR mice, inflammation improved significantly and mRNA expression of some proinflammatory cytokines, including Tnf-α and Ifn-γ decreased significantly.

CONCLUSION

Basophil infiltration correlated with endoscopic, clinical, and pathological scores in human UC independently of eosinophil infiltration, and depletion of basophils ameliorated mucosal inflammation in murine OXA-induced colitis, collectively suggesting that basophils exert a proinflammatory role in chronic intestinal inflammation such as UC.

The Clinical Significance of Eosinophils in Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Ulcerative colitis [UC] is characterised by an unpredictable disease course and variable response to therapy. Recent studies suggest a role for eosinophils in both pathogenesis and predicting treatment response. The goal of this study was to determine the association between eosinophils and clinical outcomes in UC.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature from database inception to May 2021 was performed to identify all studies evaluating the relationship between eosinophils and/or eosinophil-derived proteins [EDPs] and clinical outcomes, such as disease activity, clinical relapse, severity of disease, and response to treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 55 studies were identified. Of these, 34 studies evaluated the relationship between eosinophils in colonic tissue and outcomes and 15 in blood. Eighteen studies assessed the relationship between EDPs and outcomes. In 25 of 34 studies, a positive correlation between eosinophils and/or EDPs and disease activity was reported, three studies found a negative correlation, and nine studies found no correlation. Positive correlations between eosinophils and clinical relapse were shown in four of nine studies, and with disease outcome severity in five of seven studies. Four of 15 studies showed that subjects with higher eosinophil levels had a poor response to treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that higher eosinophil levels may be associated with increased disease activity and poorer clinical outcomes and response to therapy. Future studies are needed to determine whether a distinct eosinophil-rich UC phenotype exists and whether eosinophil-targeted therapy can alter the disease course.

Identification of gut microbiome and transcriptome changes in ulcerative colitis and pouchitis

BACKGROUND

Pouchitis is the common postoperative complication of ulcerative colitis (UC) and is also considered as inflammatory bowel disease. The aim was to investigate the microbiological and transcriptional differences between the two illnesses.

METHODS

Eighty-five participants were enrolled (37 UC, 15 healthy UC pouches, 15 pouchitis and 18 healthy volunteers) and stool samples were collected. Microbial populations were analyzed by pyrosequencing of 16S ribosomal DNA. Furthermore, transcriptome data of 119 UC and 28 pouch patients were obtained from two data sets for bioinformatics analysis.

RESULTS

The results of gut microbiota community analysis showed that with aggravation of UC, intestinal microorganisms were characterized by a gradual decreased in diversity and numbers of butyrate-producing bacteria and Bacteroides. Besides, in addition to the decrease of probiotics, the proliferation of Escherichia-Shigella and Ruminococcus gnavus was observed in pouchitis which is related to multiple infection pathways. The function enrichment of differential expression genes and hub genes, as well as the immunological condition was shown to be distinct using transcriptome bioinformatics analysis between UC and pouchitis. A stronger immune response occurs in UC and may be associated with high expression of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin, while multiple hub genes such as CDK1 in pouchitis are associated with cell cycle regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

The characteristics of gut microbiota disturbance and transcriptome alteration in UC and pouchitis are different. Our findings suggested that pouchitis may have a unique pathogenesis which was separated from UC.

Potent CCR3 Receptor Antagonist, SB328437, Suppresses Colonic Eosinophil Chemotaxis and Inflammation in the Winnie Murine Model of Spontaneous Chronic Colitis

Eosinophils and their regulatory molecules have been associated with chronic intestinal inflammation and gastrointestinal dysfunctions; eosinophil accumulation in the gut is prominent in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The chemokine receptor CCR3 plays a pivotal role in local and systemic recruitment and activation of eosinophils. In this study, we targeted CCR3-ligand interactions with a potent CCR3 receptor antagonist, SB328437, to alleviate eosinophil-associated immunological responses in the Winnie model of spontaneous chronic colitis. Winnie and C57BL/6 mice were treated with SB328437 or vehicle. Clinical and histopathological parameters of chronic colitis were assessed. Flow cytometry was performed to discern changes in colonic, splenic, circulatory, and bone marrow-derived leukocytes. Changes to the serum levels of eosinophil-associated chemokines and cytokines were measured using BioPlex. Inhibition of CCR3 receptors with SB328437 attenuated disease activity and gross morphological damage to the inflamed intestines and reduced eosinophils and their regulatory molecules in the inflamed colon and circulation. SB328437 had no effect on eosinophils and their progenitor cells in the spleen and bone marrow. This study demonstrates that targeting eosinophils via the CCR3 axis has anti-inflammatory effects in the inflamed intestine, and also contributes to understanding the role of eosinophils as potential end-point targets for IBD treatment.

ECCO Position on Harmonisation of Crohn's Disease Mucosal Histopathology

In inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], mucosal healing is a major therapeutic target and a reliable predictor of clinical course. However, endoscopic mucosal healing is not synonymous with histological healing, and the additional benefits of including histological remission as a target are unclear. In Crohn´s disease [CD], there are few studies highlighting the value of histological remission as a therapeutic target. Histological activity can persist in CD patients who are in endoscopic remission, and the absence of histological activity may be associated with lower relapse rates. Therefore, standardisation of procedures to evaluate CD histological activity is desirable. Topics that would benefit from standardisation and harmonisation include biopsy procedures, biopsy processing techniques, the content of histological scores, and the definitions of histological remission, histological response, and histological activity. In line with these needs, the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] assembled a consensus group with the objective of developing position statements on CD histology based on published evidence and expert consensus. There was agreement that definitions of histological remission should include absence of erosion, ulceration, and mucosal neutrophils; that the absence of neutrophilic inflammation is an appropriate histological target in CD; that CD histological scores, such as the Global Histological Disease Activity Score, lack formal validation; and that histological scoring systems for ulcerative colitis, including the Geboes Score, Robarts Histopathology Index, and Nancy Histological Index, can be used for scoring intestinal biopsies in CD patients.

Fat Quantification in Dual-Layer Detector Spectral Computed Tomography: Experimental Development and First In-Patient Validation

OBJECTIVES

Fat quantification by dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) provides contrast-independent objective results, for example, on hepatic steatosis or muscle quality as parameters of prognostic relevance. To date, fat quantification has only been developed and used for source-based DECT techniques as fast kVp-switching CT or dual-source CT, which require a prospective selection of the dual-energy imaging mode.It was the purpose of this study to develop a material decomposition algorithm for fat quantification in phantoms and validate it in vivo for patient liver and skeletal muscle using a dual-layer detector-based spectral CT (dlsCT), which automatically generates spectral information with every scan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this feasibility study, phantoms were created with 0%, 5%, 10%, 25%, and 40% fat and 0, 4.9, and 7.0 mg/mL iodine, respectively. Phantom scans were performed with the IQon spectral CT (Philips, the Netherlands) at 120 kV and 140 kV and 3 T magnetic resonance (MR) (Philips, the Netherlands) chemical-shift relaxometry (MRR) and MR spectroscopy (MRS). Based on maps of the photoelectric effect and Compton scattering, 3-material decomposition was done for fat, iodine, and phantom material in the image space.After written consent, 10 patients (mean age, 55 ± 18 years; 6 men) in need of a CT staging were prospectively included. All patients received contrast-enhanced abdominal dlsCT scans at 120 kV and MR imaging scans for MRR. As reference tissue for the liver and the skeletal muscle, retrospectively available non-contrast-enhanced spectral CT data sets were used. Agreement between dlsCT and MR was evaluated for the phantoms, 3 hepatic and 2 muscular regions of interest per patient by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman analyses.

RESULTS

The ICC was excellent in the phantoms for both 120 kV and 140 kV (dlsCT vs MRR 0.98 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.94-0.99]; dlsCT vs MRS 0.96 [95% CI, 0.87-0.99]) and in the skeletal muscle (0.96 [95% CI, 0.89-0.98]). For log-transformed liver fat values, the ICC was moderate (0.75 [95% CI, 0.48-0.88]). Bland-Altman analysis yielded a mean difference of -0.7% (95% CI, -4.5 to 3.1) for the liver and of 0.5% (95% CI, -4.3 to 5.3) for the skeletal muscle. Interobserver and intraobserver agreement were excellent (>0.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Fat quantification was developed for dlsCT and agreement with MR techniques demonstrated for patient liver and muscle. Hepatic steatosis and myosteatosis can be detected in dlsCT scans from clinical routine, which retrospectively provide spectral information independent of the imaging mode.

Detection of fatty liver using virtual non-contrast dual-energy CT

PURPOSE

Determine whether liver attenuation measured on dual-energy CT (DECT) virtual non-contrast examinations predicts the presence of fatty liver.

METHODS

Single-institution retrospective review from 2016 to 2020 found patients with DECT and proton density fat fraction MRI (MRI PDFF) within 30 days. MRI PDFF was the reference standard for determining hepatic steatosis. Attenuation measurements from VNC and mixed 120 kVp-like images were compared to MRI PDFF in the right and left lobes. Performance of VNC was compared to measurement of the liver-spleen attenuation difference (LSAD).

RESULTS

128 patients were included (69 men, 59 women) with mean age 51.6 years (range 14-98 years). > 90% of patients received CT and MRI in the emergency department or as inpatients. Median interval between DECT and MRI PDFF was 2 days (range 0-28 days). Prevalence of fatty liver using the reference standard (MRI PDFF > 6%) was 24%. Pearson correlation coefficient between VNC and MRI- DFF was -0.64 (right) and -0.68 (left, both p < 0.0001). For LSAD, correlation was - 0.43 in both lobes (p < 0.0001). Considering MRI PDFF > 6% as diagnostic of steatosis, area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.834 and 0.872 in the right and left hepatic lobes, with an optimal threshold of 54.8 HU (right) and 52.5 HU (left), yielding sensitivity/specificity of 57%/93.9% (right) and 67.9%/90% (left). For LSAD, AUC was 0.808 (right) and 0.767 (left) with optimal sensitivity/specificity of 93.3%/57.1% (right) and 78.6%/68% (left).

CONCLUSION

Attenuation measured at VNC CT was moderately correlated with liver fat content and had > 90% specificity for diagnosis of fatty liver.

Is Ustekinumab Effective in Refractory Crohn's Disease of the Pouch and Chronic Pouchitis? A Systematic Review

Crohn's disease (CD) of the pouch and chronic pouchitis represent the most common long-term complications of total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) for refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). These conditions are treated with multiple agents, including antibiotics, immunomodulators, and biologics. Among the latter, ustekinumab is approved for both CD and UC. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of this anti-IL12/23 in CD of the pouch and chronic refractory pouchitis. Pubmed, Embase, Ovid, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched to identify studies published until August 2020 investigating the use of ustekinumab for these conditions. Eighty-six eligible patients with IPAA-51 with CD of the pouch, 35 with chronic pouchitis-were identified from 2 retrospective studies and 5 case reports. Reported clinical response to ustekinumab was 63 and 85% in chronic pouchitis and CD of the pouch after 4-12 and 4-16 weeks, respectively. Clinical remission was reported in 10% of patients with chronic pouchitis and 27% of patients with CD of the pouch after 8-52 and 4-52 weeks of treatment, respectively. Endoscopic response was reported in 60% and 67% of patients with chronic pouchitis and CD of the pouch after 24-32 and 8-24 weeks of treatment respectively. Small sample sizes and large heterogeneity of therapy protocols/outcome definitions were significant studies limitations. In conclusion, there is a limited and inconclusive body of evidence suggesting that ustekinumab may be a therapeutic option for patients with chronic pouchitis and CD of the pouch refractory to other therapies.

Inflammatory bowel disease and thromboembolic events: a c'lot to learn

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with a variety of extraintestinal manifestations including arterial and venous thromboembolism. Research evidences that IBD patients have about a 2- to 3-fold increase in the risk of venous thromboembolism when compared with the general population.

OBJECTIVES

We intended to evaluate the coagulation parameters and the prevalence of thromboembolic events (TE) in IBD patients. It was also our aim to investigate the correlation between coagulation parameters and disease phenotype and activity in this population.

METHODS

This single center prospective observational study was performed between November 2016 and April 2020. The cohort included patients with 18 years of age or older, diagnosed with IBD and followed at a gastroenterology consultation, during a follow-up period of 36 months. Patients were evaluated in terms of IBD type, extent and disease behavior, clinical scores of IBD activity, medication, smoking history, family and personal history of TE, coagulation parameters, fecal calprotectin levels, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hospitalization due to TE, IBD-related hospitalization or surgery, pregnancy, or diagnosis of malignancy.

RESULTS

The study included 149 IBD patients (67 males and 82 females). Coagulation parameters were similar in CD and UC patients and only plasminogen was increased in CD patients [97.4 (17.0) versus 91.6 (13.3), p = 0.035], when comparing with UC patients. The determined values were in the range of the reference values described in literature for the standard population. During the follow-up period, none of the patients experienced a TE that demanded hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

In our study, acquired and inherited risk factors for TE and changes in coagulation parameters did not show to influence prothrombotic predisposition in IBD patients. As such, the clinical relevance of measuring coagulation parameters in this population is questionable.

TRIAL REGISTRY

NCT05162339 (ClinicalTrials.gov ID).

Reactive Oxygen Species Induce Fatty Liver and Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Promoting Inflammation and Cell Death

Liver transplantation is the ultimate method for treating end-stage liver disease. With the increasing prevalence of obesity, the number of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver, a common cause of chronic liver disease, is on the rise and may become the main cause of liver transplantation in the future. With the increasing gap between the number of donor livers and patients waiting for liver transplantation and the increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver, the proportion of steatosis livers among non-standard donor organs is also increasing. Ischemia-reperfusion injury has historically been the focus of attention in the liver transplantation process, and severe ischemia-reperfusion injury leads to adverse outcomes of liver transplantation. Studies have shown that the production of reactive oxygen species and subsequent oxidative stress play a key role in the pathogenesis of hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury and non-alcoholic fatty liver. Furthermore, the sensitivity of fatty liver transplantation to ischemia-reperfusion injury has been suggested to be related to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress. In ischemia-reperfusion injury, Kupffer cell and macrophage activation along with mitochondrial damage and the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system promote marked reactive oxygen species production and the inflammatory response and apoptosis, resulting in liver tissue injury. The increased levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation products, vicious circle of ROS and oxidative stress along with mitochondrial dysfunction promoted the progress of non-alcoholic fatty liver. In contrast to the non-fatty liver, a non-alcoholic fatty liver produces more reactive oxygen species and suffers more serious oxidative stress when subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury. We herein review the effects of reactive oxygen species on ischemia-reperfusion injury and non-alcoholic fatty liver injury as well as highlight several treatment approaches.

Fatty Hepatocytes Induce Skeletal Muscle Atrophy In Vitro: A New 3D Platform to Study the Protective Effect of Albumin in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver

The liver neutralizes endogenous and exogenous toxins and metabolites, being metabolically interconnected with many organs. Numerous clinical and experimental studies show a strong association between Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and loss of skeletal muscle mass known as sarcopenia. Liver transplantation solves the hepatic-related insufficiencies, but it is unable to revert sarcopenia. Knowing the mechanism(s) by which different organs communicate with each other is crucial to improve the drug development that still relies on the two-dimensional models. However, those models fail to mimic the pathological features of the disease. Here, both liver and skeletal muscle cells were encapsulated in gelatin methacryloyl and carboxymethylcellulose to recreate the disease’s phenotype in vitro. The 3D hepatocytes were challenged with non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) inducing features of Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) such as lipid accumulation, metabolic activity impairment and apoptosis. The 3D skeletal muscle tissues incubated with supernatant from fatty hepatocytes displayed loss of maturation and atrophy. This study demonstrates the connection between the liver and the skeletal muscle in NAFL, narrowing down the players for potential treatments. The tool herein presented was employed as a customizable 3D in vitro platform to assess the protective effect of albumin on both hepatocytes and myotubes.

The Effect of the Crohn's Disease Exclusion Diet on Patients With Pouch Inflammation: An Interventional Pilot Study

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the surgical treatment of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis.¹ Unfortunately, pouch inflammation (ie, pouchitis) is reported in up to 72% of pouch patients.^1,2.

Evaluating Outcomes Related to Donor and Recipient Metabolic Environment: Macrosteatotic Allografts and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

The increasing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) affects both recipient and donor populations in liver transplantation. Presently, it is unclear whether transplantation of macrosteatotic allografts is affected by the metabolic milieu of liver transplant recipients. This study investigates fatty liver disease at the intersection of donor and recipient. A retrospective review of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation database identified 5167 NASH and 26,289 non-NASH transplant recipients who received transplants from January 1, 2004, to June 12, 2020. A total of 12,569 donors had allografts with no macrosteatosis (<5%), 16,140 had mild macrosteatosis (5%-29%), and 2747 had moderate to severe macrosteatosis (≥30%). Comparing recipients with NASH to propensity score-matched (PSM) recipients without NASH demonstrated noninferior graft and patient survival up to 10 years in patients with NASH. Similar trends were observed in subgroup analyses of transplants within each strata of allograft macrosteatosis. Assessing allograft macrosteatosis specifically in the NASH population demonstrated that allografts with ≥30% macrosteatosis were associated with reduced early graft survival (30 days, 93.32% versus 96.54% [P = 0.02]; 1 year, 84.53% versus 88.99% [P = 0.05]) compared with PSM grafts with <30% macrosteatosis. Long-term graft survival at 5 and 10 years, however, was similar. The use of carefully selected macrosteatotic allografts can be successful in both recipients with NASH and recipients without NASH. The metabolic environment of patients with NASH does not appear to adversely affect outcomes with regard to the allograft when controlled for numerous confounders. It is, however, important to remain cognizant of the potential for high-risk macrosteatotic allografts to negatively affect outcomes.

Utilizing Deep Learning to Analyze Whole Slide Images of Colonic Biopsies for Associations Between Eosinophil Density and Clinicopathologic Features in Active Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND

Eosinophils have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis and have been associated with disease course and therapeutic response. However, associations between eosinophil density, histologic activity, and clinical features have not been rigorously studied.

METHODS

A deep learning algorithm was trained to identify eosinophils in colonic biopsies and validated against pathologists' interpretations. The algorithm was applied to sigmoid colon biopsies from a cross-sectional cohort of 88 ulcerative colitis patients with histologically active disease as measured by the Geboes score and Robarts histopathology index (RHI). Associations between eosinophil density, histologic activity, and clinical features were determined.

RESULTS

The eosinophil deep learning algorithm demonstrated almost perfect agreement with manual eosinophil counts determined by 4 pathologists (interclass correlation coefficients: 0.805-0.917). Eosinophil density varied widely across patients (median 113.5 cells per mm2, interquartile range 108.9). There was no association between eosinophil density and RHI (P = 0.5). Significant differences in eosinophil density were seen between patients with Montreal E3 vs E2 disease (146.2 cells per mm2 vs 88.2 cells per mm2, P = 0.005). Patients on corticosteroids had significantly lower eosinophil density (62.9 cells per mm2 vs 124.1 cells per mm2, P = 0.006). No association between eosinophil density and biologic use was observed (P = 0.5).

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a deep learning algorithm to quantify eosinophils in colonic biopsies. Eosinophil density did not correlate with histologic activity but did correlate with disease extent and corticosteroid use. Future studies applying this algorithm in larger cohorts with longitudinal follow-up are needed to further elucidate the role of eosinophils in ulcerative colitis.

Medical management of chronic pouch inflammation

Image 1.

Multi-Omics Analysis of the Gut-Liver Axis Reveals the Mechanism of Liver Injury in Colitis Mice

Liver injury is a common complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the mechanisms of liver injury development are not clear in IBD patients. Gut microbiota is thought to be engaged in IBD pathogenesis. Here, by an integrated analysis of host transcriptome and colonic microbiome, we have attempted to reveal the mechanism of liver injury in colitis mice. In this study, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) -induced mice colitis model was constructed. Liver transcriptome showed significant up- and down-regulation of pathways linked to immune response and lipid metabolism, respectively. Whilst the colon transcriptome exhibited dramatic alterations in immune response and pathways associated with cell growth and death. The microbiota of DSS-treated mice underwent strong transitions. Correlation analyses identified genes associated with liver and colon injury, whose expression was associated with the abundance of liver and gut health-related bacteria. Collectively, the results indicate that the liver injury in colitis mice may be related to the intestinal dysbiosis and host-microbiota interactions. These findings may provide new insights for identifying potential targets for the treatment of IBD and its induced liver injury.

Portrait of Regional Trends in Liver Transplantation for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in the United States

INTRODUCTION

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the most common etiologies of liver transplantation (LT) in the United States. We investigated regional trends in waitlist candidates, LT rates, and recipient survival among patients with NASH.

METHODS

Using the United Network for Organ Sharing database by Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network regions, we investigated waitlist registration, LT rates, and survival for NASH between January 2004 and December 2019.

RESULTS

The absolute number and percentage of total LT performed for NASH increased substantially in all Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network regions. In 2019, region 11 had the highest percentage of NASH-related LT with 31.4% followed by region 10 (25.3%) and region 8 (23.1%). Between 2015 and 2019, region 5 had the highest rising percentage in LT for NASH at 208%, followed by region 1 (194%) and region 4 (183%). The proportion of NASH hepatocellular carcinoma (NASH-HCC) was the highest in region 9 at 37.7% and lowest in region 10 (19.2%), region 3 (20.6%), and region 11 (20.8%). In multivariate analysis, diabetes (HR 1.18, P < 0.001), dialysis before LT (hazard ratio [HR] 1.53, P < 0.001), HCC (HR 1.19, P < 0.00), portal vein thrombosis (HR 1.24, P < 0.001), donor age (HR 1.026, P = 0.03), and recipient age (HR 1.24, P = <0.001) were associated with worse survival.

DISCUSSION

LT for patients with NASH has dramatically increased across all regions since 2004, but with substantial heterogeneity among regions in the proportion with HCC and post-LT survival. Identifying contributing factors to these regional differences is warranted.

Current Status and Future Therapeutic Options for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation

The intestinal microbiota plays an important role in maintaining human health, and its alteration is now associated with the development of various gastrointestinal (ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, etc.) and extraintestinal diseases, such as cancer, metabolic syndrome, neuropsychiatric diseases. In this context, it is not surprising that gut microbiota modification methods may constitute a therapy whose potential has not yet been fully investigated. In this regard, the most interesting method is thought to be fecal microbiota transplantation, which consists of the simultaneous replacement of the intestinal microbiota of a sick recipient with fecal material from a healthy donor. This review summarizes the most interesting findings on the application of fecal microbiota transplantation in gastrointestinal and extraintestinal pathologies.