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Hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1α is continuously synthesized and degraded in normoxia. During hypoxia, HIF1α stabilization restricts cellular/mitochondrial oxygen utilization. Cellular stressors can stabilize HIF1α even during normoxia. However, less is known about HIF1α function(s) and sex‐specific effects during normoxia in the basal state. Since skeletal muscle is the largest protein store in mammals and protein homeostasis has high energy demands, we determined HIF1α function at baseline during normoxia in skeletal muscle. Untargeted multiomics data analyses were followed by experimental validation in differentiated murine myotubes with loss/gain of function and skeletal muscle from mice without/with post‐natal muscle‐specific Hif1a deletion (Hif1amsd). Mitochondrial oxygen consumption studies using substrate, uncoupler, inhibitor, titration protocols; targeted metabolite quantification by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry; and post‐mitotic senescence markers using biochemical assays were performed. Multiomics analyses showed enrichment in mitochondrial and cell cycle regulatory pathways in Hif1a deleted cells/tissue. Experimentally, mitochondrial oxidative functions and ATP content were higher with less mitochondrial free radical generation with Hif1a deletion. Deletion of Hif1a also resulted in higher concentrations of TCA cycle intermediates and HIF2α proteins in myotubes. Overall responses to Hif1amsd were similar in male and female mice, but changes in complex II function, maximum respiration, Sirt3 and HIF1β protein expression and muscle fibre diameter were sex‐dependent. Adaptive responses to hypoxia are mediated by stabilization of constantly synthesized HIF1α. Despite rapid degradation, the presence of HIF1α during normoxia contributes to lower mitochondrial oxidative efficiency and greater post‐mitotic senescence in skeletal muscle. In vivo responses to HIF1α in skeletal muscle were differentially impacted by sex. Key points: Hypoxia‐inducible factor ‐1α (HIF1α), a critical transcription factor, undergoes continuous synthesis and proteolysis, enabling rapid adaptive responses to hypoxia by reducing mitochondrial oxygen consumption.In mammals, skeletal muscle is the largest protein store which is determined by a balance between protein synthesis and breakdown and is sensitive to mitochondrial oxidative function.To investigate the functional consequences of transient HIF1α expression during normoxia in the basal state, myotubes and skeletal muscle from male and female mice with HIF1α knockout were studied using complementary multiomics, biochemical and metabolite assays.HIF1α knockout altered the electron transport chain, mitochondrial oxidative function, signalling molecules for protein homeostasis, and post‐mitotic senescence markers, some of which were differentially impacted by sex.The cost of rapid adaptive responses mediated by HIF1α is lower mitochondrial oxidative efficiency and post‐mitotic senescence during normoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There is paucity of data on lower gastrointestinal bleed (LGIB) in the pediatric population. We aimed to retrospectively review the endoscopy findings in patients younger than 18 years, presenting with lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleed and undergoing colonoscopy. Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of the endoscopy database at the department of gastroenterology at a tertiary care center from Western India was conducted between June 2017 until December 2021. Patients ≤18 years with LGIB, who underwent colonoscopy within 7 days of onset of bleed, were included in the study. Demographic details, endoscopic findings, and complications were noted. Results: In all, 55 patients were included in study (65% males; median age: 13 years [range: 1–18 years]). The most common endoscopic findings were polyps in 26 (47.2%) patients, colitis in 15 (27.2%) patients, solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) in 6 (11.3%) patients, and hemorrhoids in 3 (5.4%) patients. Five (9%) patients had normal colonoscopy in whom the cause remained unidentified on further evaluation. However, no repeat episode was documented on a follow-up of 30 days. The most common location of a polyp was the rectum (64%). Two patients had multiple polyps (2 each). All the patients underwent a successful polypectomy. Pathology reported juvenile polyps in 25 biopsies. Four were diagnosed as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), while 11 had acute infective colitis. Patients with infectious colitis as compared to IBD had higher incidence of fever (55 vs. 0%) and lesser incidence of previous similar events (22 vs. 66%). Those with polyps were younger than those without polyps (9.1 vs. 14.3 years; p = 0.000). Polyps were significantly more common in boys (84%; 22/26; p = 0.014) than in girls. No complications occurred in this cohort of patients. Conclusions: Polyps are the most common cause of LGIB in patients ≤18 years, followed by colitis. Polyps were more common in younger males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: The data on the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are conflicting. The present systematic review was thus conducted to study the prevalence of HBV and HCV markers in patients with IBD. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of 3 databases was conducted from 2000 to April 2022 for studies evaluating the prevalence of HBV or HCV in patients with IBD. Pooled prevalence rates across studies were expressed with summative statistics. Results: A total of 34 studies were included in the final analysis. The pooled prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antibodies were 3.3% and 14.2%, respectively. In HBsAg positive IBD patients, hepatitis B e antigen positivity and detectable HBV DNA were seen in 15.3% and 61.0% of patients, respectively. Only 35.6% of the IBD patients had effective HBV vaccination. The pooled prevalence of anti-HCV and detectable HCV RNA were 1.8% and 0.8%, respectively. The pooled prevalence of markers of HBV infection was higher in Asian studies, while the prevalence of markers of HCV infection was higher in European studies. The prevalence of viral hepatitis markers was similar between IBD patients and the general population and that between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Conclusions: The prevalence of markers of viral hepatitis remains same as the general population with significant regional variations, although the quality of evidence remains low due to publication bias. Only a small proportion of IBD patients had an effective HBV vaccination, requiring improvement in screening and vaccination practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entecavir (ETV) and Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) are the first‐line drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, the impact of these two antiviral agents on the outcome of HBV‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative therapy remains to be explored. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of ETV and TDF on recurrence and mortality after curative treatment for HBV‐related HCC. A comprehensive literature search of multiple electronic databases was conducted from 2000 to January 2022 for studies comparing ETV and TDF for HBV‐related HCC patients after curative therapy. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) were pooled using a random‐effects model. A total of nine studies with 5298 patients were included in the final meta‐analysis. TDF was associated with a lower risk of HCC recurrence [aHR 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65–0.81] compared to HCC. TDF reduced the risk of late recurrence compared to ETV (aHR 0.58, 95% CI 0.45–0.76) but not early recurrence (aHR 0.88, 95% CI 0.76–1.02). The mortality risk was also lower with TDF compared to ETV (aHR 0.62, 95% CI 0.50–0.77). TDF was associated with a lower risk of recurrence and mortality than ETV after resection or ablation of HBV‐related HCC. Further prospective randomized controlled studies are warranted to validate these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 13-year-old boy, a treated case of multibacillary drug-sensitive abdominal tuberculosis (peritoneum, colon and lymph nodes), presented with new-onset progressive anasarca 6 months after the completion of anti-tubercular therapy. On medical therapy, the child became asymptomatic with age-appropriate pubertal growth and sustaining normal levels of serum total protein, albumin and triglyceride at the end of 3 years of follow-up. His work-up showed serum total protein of 4.5 g/dL, albumin 2.7 g/dL and fasting serum triglycerides of 74 mg/dL. [Extracted from the article]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common cause of, and accounts for almost 90% of all liver cancers. Data from India is limited especially due to cancer not being a reportable disease and in view of wide variation in diagnostic modalities. This document is a result of a consensus meeting comprising Hepatologists, Interventional Radiologists, Hepatobiliary surgeons, medical and surgical Oncologists nominated by the Association of Physicians of India and Gastroenterology Research Society of Mumbai. The following Clinical Practice Guidelines for practicing physicians is intended to act as an up to date protocol for clinical management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. The document comprises seven sections with statements and sub-statements with strength of evidence and recommendation., (© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2011.)