BACKGROUND AND AIMS Studies on the association between homocysteine and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have shown inconsistent results. Our study concerns the association of homocysteine with the histological severity of NAFLD, especially non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and significant fibrosis (SF) after adjusting for other well-identified risk factors. METHODS This study enrolled 289 patients with biopsy proven NAFLD. The association of homocysteine with the severe histological features was examined using multivariable logistic regression analysis and subgroup analysis. The area under curves (AUC) and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test for the adjusted logistic regression models was analyzed. RESULTS After multivariable regression analysis, homocysteine showed significant correlation with NASH (OR 0.79 95%CI 0.69-0.89), p less then 0.001) and SF (OR 0.83 95%CI 0.72-0.95, p=0.009). Spearman’s correlation analysis showed homocysteine levels were inversely correlated with the grade of hepatocellular ballooning and the stage of liver fibrosis (Spearman’s ρ=-0.13, p=0.033; Spearman’s ρ=-0.16, p=0.007), but had no correlation with the severity of steatosis and lobular inflammation. The subgroup analyses showed that homocysteine was strongly associated with NASH in females but was weaker in males (female OR 0.61 95%CI 0.45-0.84; male 0.86 95%CI 0.75-0.99), and on SF showed no significant differences in the subgroups. The models showed good discrimination for NASH (AUC 0.789, 95% CI 0.736-0.843) and for SF (0.784 95%CI 0.719-0.848) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, p=0.346 for NASH; p=0.908 for SF). CONCLUSION Elevated serum homocysteine levels are negatively associated with NASH and SF in subjects with NAFLD.BACKGROUND AND AIMS Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) seems to be a reasonable option for gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions (SELs) localized within the submucosa. Indications for ESD include small neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and indeterminate SELs. However, the prospective data regarding ESD and surveillance remain unclear. This study was performed to prospectively investigate the outcomes of ESD, including organ-specific outcomes and the mid-term prognosis. METHODS This prospective multicenter study included 57 patients who underwent ESD for SELs localized within the submucosa [definite NETs (n = 42) and indeterminate SELs (n = 15)]. The efficacy and safety of ESD were evaluated in the whole cohort and in subgroups (NETs and indeterminate SELs). All patients were followed up. RESULTS The rates of en bloc resection, curative resection, and complications were 98.2%, 66.7%, and 7.7% for the overall population (n=57); 100%, 61.9%, and 2.4% for NETs (n=42); and 93.3%, 80.0%, and 20.0% for indeterminate SELs (n=15), respectively. The rates of curative resection for NETs were poorer in the stomach (20%, n=5) and duodenum (33%, n=3) than in the rectum (71%, n=34). selleck kinase inhibitor Including 11 of 16 patients with NETs who underwent a conservative approach resulting in non-curative resection, no patients developed tumor recurrence during the follow-up period (median, 24.5 months; range, 1-60 months). ESD followed by surveillance demonstrated acceptable mid-term outcomes for non-curative NETs. CONCLUSIONS ESD can be an efficient therapy for SELs localized within the submucosa. However, gastric and duodenal ESD for NETs may be limited in terms of its curative and technical aspects. Clinicians should be aware of the potential complications of ESD for indeterminate SELs.BACKGROUND AND AIMS Studies suggest that the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) is increased in individuals with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), in particular, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); however, the evidence is conflicting. We aimed to analyze the prevalence of CD in patients with FGIDs in Latvia. METHODS This retrospective study included patients with FGIDs, referred for a gastroenterologist consultation in a secondary gastroenterology practice unit. Patients were divided into three groups – patients only with IBS (IBS group), patients only with functional dyspepsia (FD) (FD group), patients with mixed symptoms IBS and FD (Mixed group). Patient levels of tissue transglutaminase IgA (tTG-IgA) and/or antiendomysial IgA group antibodies (EMA-IgA) were evaluated. Four duodenal biopsies were obtained and reported according to Marsh classification. Patients diagnosed or being referred for confirmation of CD were excluded from the study. RESULTS Overall, 1,833 FGIDs patients were enrolled. Celiac serology was available for 1,570 patients, duodenal histology for 582 patients, both histology and serology for 319 patients. In total, celiac seropositivity was present in 1.78% (28/1570) (3.18% in IBS group, 0.90% in FD group and 1.11% of cases in the mixed group). Fifteen patients had histopathological changes (2.58%; 15/582). Three IBS patients (2.36%) were both serology and biopsy positive. None of the FD patients had CD. CONCLUSION Prevalence of biopsy-proven CD in patients from Latvia with FGIDs was low. Routine screening for CD could be considered only among patients with IBS.BACKGROUND AND AIMS Patients with primary gastric lymphoma are at an increased risk of developing gastric cancer. Data on gastric precancerous lesions development in these patients are scanty. We assessed gastric precancerous lesions in a cohort of patients with primary lymphoma. METHODS Data of patients with primary gastric lymphoma [mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)- lymphoma or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)] were analysed. Multiple (>10) biopsies were performed on gastric mucosa at each endoscopic control, beyond macroscopic lesions. Presence and distribution of intestinal metaplasia (IM) at baseline, the onset at follow-up, and progression through the stomach or transformation in the incomplete IM type were assessed. The onset of neoplastic lesions was recorded. RESULTS Data of 50 patients (mean age of 63.6 ± 10.7 years; M/F 25/25), including 40 with MALT-lymphoma and 10 with DLBCL, with median follow-up of 30.5 months (range 9-108) and a median of 6 endoscopic controls (range 3-14) were evaluated.