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Summary: Background: Recently, a panel of multi‐society experts proposed steatotic liver disease (SLD) as an alternative terminology for metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Aims: We compared the impact of SLD, subtype of SLD, MAFLD and NAFLD on all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality. Methods: A total of 7811 individuals in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and linked mortality through 2019 were analysed. SLD was defined based on ultrasonographic hepatic steatosis. SLD, subtype of SLD and MAFLD were defined using the proposed definitions. The Cox proportional hazard model assessed all‐cause/cause‐specific mortality. Results: During a median follow‐up of 27.1 years, individuals with SLD and MAFLD experienced approximately 13%–23% higher risk of all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.29 for SLD; HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.09–1.38 for MAFLD; HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01–1.27 for metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease [MASLD]). Individuals with MetALD demonstrated a higher risk of all‐cause (HR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.10–2.57) and cancer‐related mortality (HR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.23–4.66). MASLD with advanced fibrosis had an increased risk of all‐cause mortality compared to MASLD without advanced fibrosis. Conclusions: SLD, especially MASLD and MetALD, is associated with increased all‐cause mortality among adults in the US. Given this significant association between SLD or subtype of SLD (MASLD and MetALD) and all‐cause mortality, adopting the proposed SLD criteria may help identify a sub‐group of individuals with SLD who are at an increased risk for all‐cause mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Aim Methods Results Conclusions Economic hardship associated with chronic liver disease (CLD) may delay timely access to healthcare.To estimate the national burden of financial hardship across the spectrum of CLD in the United States (US) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic.A cross‐sectional analysis was performed using the 2020–2021 US National Health Interview Survey database. The questionnaire defined financial hardship from medical bills and cost‐related nonadherence to medications in patients with CLD. We used weighted survey analysis to obtain the national estimates.While 6.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.7%–7.2%) out of 60,689 US adults (weighted sample: 251 million) reported financial hardship and inability to pay medical bills; 10.6% (95% CI: 8.3%–13.4%), 18.2% (95% CI: 14.5%–22.6%), 22.6% (95% CI: 11.0%–41.0%) with hepatitis, CLD/cirrhosis, and liver cancer experienced an inability to pay their medical bills due to financial hardship, respectively. 19.8% (95% CI: 15.9%–24.5%) and 23.3% (95% CI: 12.5%–39.3%) with CLD/cirrhosis and liver cancer, respectively experienced cost‐related nonadherence to medications, compared to a tenth of US adults (10.7%, 95% CI: 10.3%–11.2%). CLD/cirrhosis demonstrated an independent association with financial hardship from medical bills and cost‐related nonadherence to medications. Overall, these disparities were more pronounced in individuals aged <65 years old. In addition, over 40% of individuals with CLD/cirrhosis reported difficulties accessing medical care during the COVID‐19 pandemic. CLD/cirrhosis showed an independent association with difficulties accessing medical care due to COVID‐19.Financial hardship from medical bills and cost‐related nonadherence to medication can negatively impact individuals with CLD and need further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease and 10%–20% occurs in lean individuals. There is little data in the literature regarding outcomes in an ethnically‐diverse patient populations with MASLD. Thus, we aim to investigate the natural history and ethnic disparities of MASLD patients in a diverse population, and stratified by body mass index categories. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter study on patients with MASLD at the Banner Health System from 2012 to 2022. Main outcomes included mortality and incidence of cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus (DM), liver‐related events (LREs), and cancer. We used competing risk and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis for outcome modelling. Results: A total of 51 452 (cross‐sectional cohort) and 37 027 (longitudinal cohort) patients were identified with 9.6% lean. The cohort was 63.33% European ancestry, 27.96% Hispanic ancestry, 3.45% African ancestry, and 2.31% Native American/Alaskan ancestry. Median follow‐up was 45.8 months. After adjusting for confounders, compared to European individuals, Hispanic and Native American/Alaskan patients had higher prevalence of cirrhosis and DM, and individuals of Hispanic, African, and Native American/Alaskan ancestry had higher mortality and incidence of LREs and DM. Lean patients had higher mortality and incidence of LREs compared with non‐lean patients. Conclusion: Native American/Alaskan, Hispanic, and African patients had higher mortality and incidence of LREs and DM compared with European patients. Further studies to explore the underlying disparities and intervention to prevent LREs in lean patients, particularly several ethnic groups, may improve clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Methods Results Conclusion Several reports show a significant association between metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and arterial stiffness (estimated pulse wave velocity [ePWV]) as a surrogate marker of vascular age. We investigate whether ePWV as arterial stiffness in MASLD is associated with all‐cause/cause‐specific mortality.This cohort study was based on the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1988–1994) and NHANES 2007–2014 and linked mortality datasets through 2019. Cox regression models assessed the association between ePWV categorized by quartile and all‐cause/cause‐specific mortality among individuals with MASLD.During the follow‐up of a median of 26.3 years (interquartile range: 19.9–27.9), higher levels of ePWV among individuals with MASLD were associated with increased all‐cause mortality, which remained significant after adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, clinical, and metabolic risk factors. Furthermore, higher ePWV in MASLD was associated with higher cardiovascular mortality. There was a 44% (hazard ratio: 1.44, 95% confidence interval: 1.32–1.58) increase in all‐cause mortality and a 53% (hazard ratio: 1.53, 95% confidence interval: 1.32–1.77) increase in cardiovascular mortality for every 1 m/s increase in ePWV in MASLD. However, there was no significant association between ePWV and cancer‐related mortality. Sensitivity analyses using the NHANES 2007–2014 dataset showed results identical to the original analysis.Higher ePWV in MASLD was associated with a higher risk of all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Screening for ePWV in individuals with MASLD may be an effective and beneficial approach to reducing all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: The cost‐effectiveness to screen hepatic fibrosis in at‐risk population as recommended by several professional societies has been limited. This study aimed to investigate the cost‐effectiveness of this screening strategy in the expanded at‐risk population recently proposed by several societies. Methods: A combined model of the decision tree and Markov models was developed to compare expected costs, quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs) and incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) between screening and no screening groups. The model included liver disease‐related health states and cardiovascular disease (CVD) states as a base‐case analysis. Screening strategy consisted of fibrosis‐4 index (FIB‐4) followed by vibration‐controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) as a treatment for diagnosed patients. Results: Cost‐effectiveness analysis showed that screening the at‐risk population entailed $298 incremental costs and an additional 0.0199 QALY per patient compared to no screening (ICER $14 949/QALY). Screening was cost‐effective based on the implicit ICER threshold of $25 000/QALY in Korea. When the effects of ILI on CVD and extrahepatic malignancy were incorporated into the cost‐effectiveness model, the ICER decreased by 0.85 times from the base‐case analysis (ICER $12 749/QALY). In contrast, when only the effects of liver disease were considered in the model, excluding cardiovascular disease effects, ICER increased from the baseline case analysis to $16 305. Even when replacing with medical costs in Japan and U.S., it remained cost‐effective with the estimate below the countries' ICER threshold. Conclusions: Our study provides compelling evidence supporting the cost‐effectiveness of FIB‐4‐based screening the at‐risk population for advanced hepatic fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Sex steroid hormones and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) have a role in predisposing individuals to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but their effects are known to differ between men and women. The testosterone- to-estradiol ratio (T/E2 ratio) and free androgen index (FAI) were known biomarkers for the hormonal milieu. We investigated whether sex steroid hormones, T/E2 ratio, FAI, and SHBG were associated with NAFLD in US adults. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis using the 2013--2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was performed. NAFLD was defined by utilizing the Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI) and the US fatty liver index (USFLI) without other causes of chronic liver disease. Results: Out of 8687 subjects (49.5% male), low total testosterone levels were associated with progressively higher odds of NAFLD in men. Increasing T/E2 ratio was inversely associated with higher odds of NAFLD in men. Low serum SHBG levels were independently associated with an increased risk of NAFLD regardless of sex and menopausal status. Increasing FAI was independently associated with NAFLD. When we additionally adjusted for SHBG, T/E2 ratio, not total testosterone, was inversely associated with NAFLD in a dose-dependent manner. Increasing FAI was associated with higher odds of NAFLD in premenopausal women and marginally associated with NAFLD in postmenopausal women. Conclusion: The T/E2 ratio and SHBG were inversely associated with an increased risk of NAFLD in men. In women, increasing FAI was associated with NAFLD, whereas SHBG was inversely associated with NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression has been associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Data addressing the impact of depression on NAFLD‐related mortality are evolving. We aim to study the association of depression in NAFLD and all‐cause/cause‐specific mortality in the United States. Methods: A total of 11,877 individuals with NAFLD in the 2007–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with the availability of linked mortality through 2019 were analysed. NAFLD was defined by utilizing the hepatic steatosis index in the absence of known causes of chronic liver disease. Depression and functional impairment due to depression were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire. Results: During the median follow‐up of 7.6 years, individuals with depression among individuals with NAFLD had a 35% higher all‐cause mortality than those without depression (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.75) after adjusting for demographic, lifestyle and clinical risk factors. NAFLD with functional impairment due to depression had a 62% higher all‐cause mortality than NAFLD without functional impairment (HR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.10–2.39). Depression in NAFLD was associated with an approximately 50% increase in the risk for cardiovascular mortality, with a 2‐fold higher cardiovascular mortality in those with functional impairment compared to those without (HR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.30–3.30). However, there was no significant difference in cancer‐ and accident‐related mortalities in NAFLD with or without depression. Conclusions: Depression among individuals with NAFLD was associated with a higher risk for all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Early‐onset colorectal cancer (CRC) is a growing global health concern, especially in the Asia‐Pacific region. However, comprehensive research on this topic from the region is lacking. Our study aims to investigate trends in early‐onset CRC in Asia over 10 years, filling this research gap. Methods: This study utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to assess temporal trends in early‐onset CRC in the Asia‐Pacific. The analysis included estimating annual frequencies and age‐standardized rates (ASRs) of early‐onset CRC incidence, death, and disability‐adjusted life‐years (DALYs) by gender. Results: The incidence of early‐onset CRC significantly increased in both regions with higher increase and in the Western Pacific region. Notable increases were observed among males in the Western Pacific and females in Southeast Asia (SEA). Mortality rates remained stable in the Western Pacific but increased by 10.6% in SEA, especially among females. DALYs due to CRC also increased significantly in SEA, with a greater rise among females. The Western Pacific had the highest CRC incidence, and in SEA, the mortality rate was higher in females than males. Conclusions: Our study reveals a substantial increase in early‐onset CRC in the Asia‐Pacific underscoring the urgency for effective interventions. Thus, a comprehensive approach comprising controlled risk reduction, health promotion to heightened disease awareness, and implementation of effective screening strategies should be executed timely to mitigate the burden of early‐onset CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LINKED CONTENT: This article is linked to Verma et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17891 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17913 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the trends in liver cancer‐related mortality before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Quarterly age‐standardized mortality and quarterly percentage change (QPC) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) were estimated using the US national mortality database 2017–2021. Quarterly age‐standardized mortality from HCC decreased steadily with an average QPC of −0.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.6% to −0.2%). A decrease in hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus‐related HCC mortality of −2.2% (95% CI: −2.4% to −1.9%) and −1.1% (95% CI: −2.0% to −0.3%) was noted. In contrast, mortality for HCC from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (3.0%, 95% CI: 2.0%–4.0%) and alcohol‐related liver disease (1.3%, 95% CI: 0.8%–1.9%) demonstrated a linear increase. There was a linear increase in the quarterly age‐standardized ICC‐related mortality (0.8%, 95% CI: 0.5%–1.0%). While ICC‐related mortality continued to increase, HCC‐related mortality tended to decline mainly due to a decline in mortality due to viral hepatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background and Aims: Patients with pre‐existing cirrhosis and exposure to coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) may portend a poor prognosis. We evaluated the temporal trends in aetiology‐based hospitalisations and potential predictors of in‐hospital mortality in hospitalisation with cirrhosis before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods: Based on the US National Inpatient Sample 2019–2020, we determined quarterly trends in aetiology‐based hospitalisations with cirrhosis and decompensated cirrhosis and identified predictors of in‐hospital mortality in hospitalisation with cirrhosis. Results: We analysed 316,418 hospitalisations, representing 1,582,090 hospitalisations with cirrhosis. Hospitalisations for cirrhosis increased at a relatively higher rate during the COVID‐19 era. Hospitalisation rates for alcohol‐related liver disease (ALD)‐related cirrhosis increased significantly (quarterly percentage change [QPC]: 3.6%, 95% CI: 2.2%–5.1%), with a notably higher rate during the COVID‐19 era. In contrast, hospitalisation rates for hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related cirrhosis decreased steadily with a trend of −1.4% of QPC (95% CI: −2.5% to −0.1%). Quarterly trends in the proportion of ALD‐ (QPC: 1.7%, 95% CI: 0.9%–2.6%) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease‐related (QPC: 0.7%, 95% CI: 0.1%–1.2%) hospitalisations with cirrhosis increased significantly but declined steadily for viral hepatitis. The COVID‐19 era and COVID‐19 infection were independent predictors of in‐hospital mortality during hospitalisation with cirrhosis and decompensated cirrhosis. Compared with HCV‐related cirrhosis, ALD‐related cirrhosis was associated with a 40% higher risk of in‐hospital mortality. Conclusion: In‐hospital mortality in cirrhosis was higher in the COVID‐19 era than in the pre‐COVID‐19 era. ALD is the leading aetiology‐specific cause of in‐hospital mortality in cirrhosis with an independent detrimental impact of the COVID‐19 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscle strength in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and all-cause and cause-specific mortality Keywords: death; handgrip strength; hepatic steatosis; nhanes; sarcopenia EN death handgrip strength hepatic steatosis nhanes sarcopenia 513 516 4 01/27/23 20230201 NES 230201 Abbreviations BMI body mass index CI confidence interval HIS hepatic steatosis index HR hazard ratio NAFLD non-alcoholic fatty liver disease NHANES National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey UCOD underlying cause of death Key points Higher muscle strength among individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with a lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality independent of known demographic, clinical and metabolic risk factors. 8 Range of combined grip strength/body mass index for women: quartile 1: <1.437, quartile 2: >=1.437 and <1.712, quartile 3: >=1.712 and <2.025, quartile 4: >=2.025. First, we used a non-invasive marker to define NAFLD, which may misclassify the true prevalence of NAFLD, because NHANES 2011-2014 data lack radiological or histological information, which is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of NAFLD. [Extracted from the article]

Backgrounds and Aims: A potent and safe antiviral agent may impact chronic hepatitis C (HCV)‐related end‐stage liver disease (ESLD). We assess aetiology‐based hospitalizations for ESLD in the United States, 2016–2019. Methods: We utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2016 to 2019. We defined ESLD as either decompensated cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma, criteria obtained from the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. Results: National hospitalization rates for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) increased significantly from 67.1/100 000 persons in 2016 to 93.6 in 2019 with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of 12.1%, while chronic hepatitis C (HCV) decreased significantly from 71.2/100 000 persons in 2016 to 58.5 in 2019 (−6.5% AAPC). Hospitalizations for ESLD in alcohol‐related liver disease (ALD) increased as well. Conclusions: Hospitalization rates for NAFLD‐ and ALD‐related ESLD increased steadily, while those for HCV‐related ESLD decreased during the direct‐acting antivirals era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LINKED CONTENT: This article is linked to Gawrieh et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17849 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17886 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: With the recent improvement in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, a better understanding of the infection burden is needed. We aimed to (a) estimate the trends in the national prevalence of HCV infection based on the type of health insurance coverage and (b) identify at‐risk populations for HCV infection in the United States (US) general population. Methods: Population‐based analyses using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013‐2018) were performed with a focus on HCV infection. We analysed the prevalence of HCV infection based on the health insurance status before the direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) era (2013‐2014) and during the DAA era (2015‐2018). Results: The age‐adjusted prevalence of active HCV infection (HCV RNA [+]) was 0.92% (95% confidence interval, 0.71%‐1.19%) in the US non‐institutionalized civilian population. Although the prevalence of active HCV infection has remained stable, the prevalence of resolved HCV infection has increased after the introduction of DAA. In terms of health insurance coverage, the prevalence of active HCV infection decreased, and the prevalence of resolved HCV infection increased among individuals who had health insurance, especially private health insurance. The independent risk factors of active HCV infection were 40‐69 years group, male, less than high school education, unmarried, below poverty status, being born in the US, history of blood transfusion and not having private health insurance. Conclusion: The burden of active HCV infection has decreased among individuals who had health insurance, especially private health insurance, during the DAA era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been associated with sarcopenia. However, mortality in the setting of NAFLD‐related sarcopenia remains undefined. We aim to determine the all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality from sarcopenia among adults with NAFLD in the USA. Methods: 11 065 individuals in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were studied and linked mortality through 2015 was analysed. NAFLD was diagnosed based on presence of ultrasonographic hepatic steatosis without other known liver diseases. Sarcopenia was defined as skeletal muscle index determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess all‐cause mortality and cause‐specific mortality, and hazard ratio (HR) adjusted for known risk factors. Results: During a median follow‐up of 23 years or more, sarcopenia was associated with increased all‐cause mortality (HR 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11‐1.44). Only in individuals with NAFLD, sarcopenia was associated with a higher risk for all‐cause mortality, while this association was absent in those without NAFLD. Individuals with both sarcopenia and NAFLD had a higher risk for all‐cause mortality (HR 1.28 95% CI 1.06‐1.55) compared with those without sarcopenia and NAFLD. Furthermore, sarcopenia was associated with a higher risk for cancer‐ and diabetes‐related mortality among those with NAFLD. This association was not noted in those without NAFLD. Conclusion: In this nationally representative sample of US adults, sarcopenia was associated with a higher risk for all‐cause, cancer‐ and diabetes‐related mortality in individuals with NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: While many studies demonstrated an association between visceral adiposity and colorectal adenoma (CRA), the effect of longitudinal changes in body fat composition on CRA is unclear. We investigated the longitudinal association between changes in visceral adiposity and CRA occurrence. Methods: Between 2006 and 2018, 732 (62.8%) of the 1165 subjects in a prospective cohort voluntarily underwent follow‐up abdominal fat computed tomography and colonoscopy. We defined incident and recurrent CRA as adenoma detected at follow‐up colonoscopy from negative and positive adenoma at baseline colonoscopy, respectively. Multilevel survival analysis examined the longitudinal association between changes in visceral fat and CRA. Results: During a median follow‐up of 7.4 years, 400 (54.6%) subjects developed CRA. In multivariable analysis, increasing changes in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area were associated with higher risk of incident adenoma (hazard ratio [HR] 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–1.46 for change per 10 cm2 increase; HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.08–2.97 for highest vs lowest quartile, P values for trend = 0.045). Likewise, increasing changes in VAT area were independently associated with a higher risk of recurrent adenoma (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.13–1.62 for change per 10 cm2 increase; HR 1.62, 95% CI 1.04–2.52 for highest vs lowest quartile, P values for trend = 0.001). Changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue area were not independently associated with CRA. Conclusion: Increasing changes in VAT area were longitudinally associated with a higher risk of incident and recurrent CRA, independent of risk factors, suggesting that visceral adiposity may be an important target in CRA prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

R2543 --> 616.2 --> Carotid body (CB) glomus cells serve as peripheral chemoreceptors that detect changes in arterial O2 pressure (pO2) and pH, and adjust the level of ventilation to help maintain a normal level of blood pO2 and pH. Severe levels of hypoxia and acidosis are well known to cause sustained rise in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c) in CB glomus cells. We showed recently that isolated gloms cells exhibit spontaneous [Ca2+]c oscillations and that mild levels of hypoxia increase the frequency and amplitude of Ca2+oscillations to augment the secretory response. To understand how mild levels of acidosis regulate Ca2+signaling in glomus cells, we studied the effects of small changes in extracellular pH (pHo) on the kinetics of Ca2+oscillations and the roles of Cav, ASIC and TASK. A decrease in pHo from 7.4 to 7.3 (mild acidosis) and 7.2 (moderate acidosis) produced significant increases in the frequency and amplitude of Ca2+ oscillations without affecting the resting basal [Ca2+]c. These effects on Ca2+ oscillations were not blocked by 0.1 mM amiloride (an ASIC inhibitor) that blocked Na‐H exchange in glomus cells. Mild acidosis was associated with a small but significant inhibition of TASK current and cell depolarization. The increase in Ca2+oscillations produced by mild acidosis was strongly inhibited by nifedipine (1 µM; L‐type Cav inhibitor), as well as by TTA‐P2 (20 µM; T‐type Cav inhibitor). Mild acidosis (0.1 pH unit decrease) and mild hypoxia (~5% O2) produced similar levels of change in the kinetics of Ca2+oscillations and produced an additive effect on Ca2+oscillations. Our study shows that mild to moderate levels of acidosis inhibit TASK to increase Ca2+ influx via both L‐ and T‐type Cav, resulting in increased frequency and amplitude of Ca2+ oscillations. Our study also indicate that ASICs are not involved in the stimulatory effects of mild acidosis on Ca2+oscillations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]