Srinivas Reddy Puli

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a leading cause of chronic liver disease in the United States, is linked to obesity and insulin resistance. Endoscopic gastric remodeling (EGR) offers a safe and effective minimally invasive approach for MASLD. It is associated with improvements in noninvasive fibrosis test (NIT), liver enzymes, weight reduction, and metabolic parameters than bariatric surgery in the management of obesity. EGR includes three primary approaches: endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), endoscopic gastric plication (EGP), and primary obesity surgery endoluminal (POSE). Aim: To evaluate the effects of EGR on MASLD-related liver outcomes and metabolic parameters. Methods: A systematic search of multiple electronic databases, including conference proceedings, was conducted from database inception through November 2025 to identify studies reporting hepatic or metabolic outcomes following EGR. Weighted mean differences and pooled proportions were calculated using a fixed-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q test. Primary outcomes included changes in noninvasive fibrosis indices: NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS), fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), and hepatic steatosis index (HSI). Secondary outcomes included liver enzymes, weight loss metrics, and glycemic parameters. Results: Six studies comprising 220 patients (mean age 45 years; 67.5% female; mean baseline body mass index 38.9 kg/m²) with follow-up ranging from 6 to 12 months. EGR was associated with significant improvements in liver fibrosis indices, including NFS (mean difference − 0.65; 95% CI − 0.89 to − 0.42), FIB-4 (mean difference − 0.07; 95% CI − 0.22 to 0.07), and HSI (reduced from 50.36 ± 3.00 to 42.66 ± 2.38). Reductions in liver enzymes were observed, with pooled decreases of 14.39 U/L in alanine aminotransferase and 6.58 U/L in aspartate aminotransferase. EGR resulted in weight loss, with a pooled percent excess weight loss of 47.80% and a percent total weight loss of 16.24%. Glycemic control improved, with a 0.33% reduction in hemoglobin A1c and a 62% decrease in insulin resistance. No significant publication bias was detected (Begg–Mazumdar Kendall’s tau b − 0.20, p = 0.48). Conclusions: Endoscopic gastric remodeling is a safe and effective minimally invasive therapy for MASLD. Further long-term studies are warranted to confirm the durability of these benefits.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure (EVAC) is a novel technique used to repair esophageal perforation and leaks. Varying data have been reported on the overall success rate of EVAC. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of the available data on the clinical success rate of EVAC.Methods: Electronic databases were searched for publications addressing the efficacy of EVAC in esophageal luminal defects. Pooling was conducted using both fixed and random-effects models. The overall clinical success of EVAC therapy was considered the primary outcome, whereas, overall complication rates, need for adjunct therapy, and mortality were considered secondary outcomes.Results: In total, 366 patients were included in the study. On pooled analysis, the mean age was 66 years with 68.32% of patients being men. Overall pooled clinical success rate of EVAC therapy was 87.95%. Upon subgroup analysis, the pooled clinical success rate of postsurgical anastomotic leak and transmural esophageal perforation were found to be 86.57% and 88.89%, respectively. The all-cause hospital mortality was 14% and 4.2% in patients with esophageal perforation and EVAC, respectively.Conclusions: This study demonstrates that EVAC therapy has a high overall clinical success rate, with low mortality. EVAC therapy seems to be a promising procedure with excellent outcomes in patients with luminal esophageal defects.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is preferred for biliary drainage in malignant distal biliary obstruction (MDBO). Endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS) is considered a rescue therapy for failed ERCP. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this technique as the primary modality for MDBO biliary drainage. Methods: An electronic database search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines to identify studies on EUS-CDS for primary biliary drainage in MDBO. A meta-analysis was performed using random and fixed effects models. Results: We extracted data from 10 eligible studies comprising 519 patients. The mean age for the study was 70 years ± SD 2.66. The pooled technical success rate was 92.36% (95% CI = 88.39–95.56), and the clinical success rate was 88.91% (95% CI = 85.22–92.13). The pooled stent dysfunction rate was 13.66% (95% CI = 7.47–21.35), and the reintervention rate was 15.91% (95% CI = 11.00–21.54) of patients. The mean stent patency duration was 229.20 days ± SD 113.9. The total pooled adverse events rate was 17.50% (95% CI = 12.90–22.64), and 9.03% (95% CI = 4.43–15.05) was considered moderate to severe. Procedure-related pancreatitis had a pooled rate of 0%. The pooled adverse event rate of acute cholangitis was 6.84% (95% CI = 3.69–10.88), and for acute cholecystitis it was 2.61% (95% CI = 1.06–4.83). Conclusions: EUS-CDS demonstrates favorable outcomes when used as a primary approach in MDBO. With a long stent patency duration and no procedure-related acute pancreatitis, it may be considered the primary technique when expertise is available.

Background/Aims: Scissor-type endoscopic submucosal dissection (ST-ESD) knives can reduce the adverse events associated with ESDs. This study aimed to compare ST-ESD and non-scissor-type (NST)-ESD knives.Methods: We identified ten studies that compared the performance characteristics and safety profiles of ST-ESD and NST-ESD knives. Fixed- and random-effects models were used to calculate the pooled proportions. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test.Results: On comparing ST-ESD knives to NST-ESD knives, the weighted odds of en bloc resection was 1.61 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90–2.90; p=0.14), R0 resection was 1.10 (95% CI, 0.71–1.71; p=0.73), delayed bleeding was 0.40 (95% CI, 0.17–0.90; p=0.03), perforation was 0.35 (95% CI, 0.18–0.70; p<0.01) and ESD self-completion by non-experts was 1.89 (95% CI, 1.20–2.95; p<0.01). There was no heterogeneity, with an I2 score of 0% (95% CI, 0%–54.40%).Conclusions: The findings of reduced odds of perforation, a trend toward reduced delayed bleeding, and an improvement in the rates of en bloc and R0 resection with ST-ESD knives compared to NST-ESD knives support the use of ST-ESD knives when non-experts perform ESDs or as an adjunct tool for challenging ESD procedures.

We report a simultaneous occurrence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. A 64-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain and weight loss. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a pancreatic head mass with a mesenteric artery encasement. Endoscopic ultrasound revealed a second mass in the tail of the pancreas. Pathology reported adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas and a neuroendocrine tumor in the tail of the pancreas. The neuroendocrine tumor was nonfunctional, with no symptoms or signs present on assessment. The patient had advanced unresectable carcinoma, so she was treated with chemotherapy.

The prevalence of osteoporosis in individuals with cirrhosis varies based on the diagnostic approach and etiology of the underlying liver disease. This systematic review aims to evaluate the prevalence of osteoporosis in individuals with cirrhosis. Electronic databases were searched for studies reporting the prevalence of osteoporosis among patients with cirrhosis. The primary outcome was the presence of osteoporosis, as determined by a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. Secondary outcomes were levels of biochemical markers of bone metabolism, including calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, and parathormone (PTH) levels. A cohort of 836 patients from 10 studies was included in the final analysis. The pooled rate of osteoporosis was 14.80% (95% CI: 14.19-15.49). Pooled levels of biochemical markers of bone metabolism were as follows: calcium 9.09 mg/dL (95% CI: 8.73-9.45), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH vitamin D) 15.41 ng/mL (95% CI: 14.79-16.03), phosphorus 15.41 mg/dL (95% CI: 2.99-3.51), and PTH 26.58 pg/mL (95% CI: 25.45-27.71). Pooled levels of liver biochemistries were: bilirubin 3.04 mg/dL (95% CI: 2.84-3.25), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 65.35 U/L (95% CI: 61.39-69.31), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 50.17 U/L (95% CI: 46.18-54.10), alkaline phosphatase 133.31 U/L (95% CI: 124.89-141.73), and albumin 3.25 g/dL (95% CI: 3.05-3.45). Cirrhosis appears to be associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis, with a pooled prevalence of 15%. This can include men and individuals younger than 50 years of age, a cohort not typically considered to be at an increased risk of osteoporosis. Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were also significantly low. Further studies are required to evaluate the risk of osteoporosis based on the etiology and stage of cirrhosis, especially in younger males, to incorporate this into future prediction models for fragility fractures.

Severe alcoholic hepatitis is a condition with a very high mortality rate and there is a paucity of evidence regarding efficacy and safety of most available therapeutic options. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the survival benefit of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. Studies involving adult patients receiving G-CSF for severe alcoholic hepatitis were searched in MEDLINE, Ovid journals, MEDLINE nonindexed citations, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Database of Systematic Reviews. Pooling was conducted by both fixed and random effects model. The initial search identified 543 reference articles; of these 24 relevant articles were selected and reviewed. Data was extracted from four studies (n = 136) which met the inclusion criteria. In the pooled analysis, the 90-day survival in the G-CSF group was 80.03% (95% CI = 69.93-88.49) compared to 40.92% (95% CI = 29.76-52.58) in the Standard Medical Therapy (SMT) group. At 28 days, the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score lowered by 4.89 (95% CI = 4.13-5.64) in the G-CSF group compared to 4.00 (95% CI = 3.25-4.75) in the SMT group. Child-Turcotte-Pugh score declined by 2.26 (95% CI = 1.90-2.63) in the G-CSF group after 28 days compared to 0.91 (95% CI = 0.59-1.23) in the SMT group. At 28 days, Maddrey Discriminant Function score lowered by 39.79 (95% CI = 34.22-45.36) in the G-CSF group compared to 12.39 (95% CI = 6.90-17.88) in the SMT group. In patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis, G-CSF therapy resulted in significantly improved 90-day survival compared to SMT. It also demonstrated significant reduction in severity indices (Child-Turcotte-Pugh, MELD, and Maddrey discriminant function) after 28 days of treatment. There certainly is a need for further studies, including development of personalized therapeutic dosing schedules, for G-CSF administration.

Corona virus has become a global health pandemic since its origin in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess gastrointestinal symptoms and liver enzymes trend in corona virus infection. Pooled proportions were calculated using both fixed and random effects model. Weighted mean difference and 95% CI were calculated. We included 15 relevant articles in the meta-analysis (n = 3762). The pooled proportion of patients with nausea/vomiting was 7.00% (95% CI = 6.00-8.00) while that of diarrhea was 6.00% (95% CI = 5.00-7.00). Weighted mean difference of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in non-severe COVID-19 patients was higher by 20.54 U/liter (95% CI = 19.95-21.13) and 21.38 U/liter (95% CI = 20.92-21.84) while that in severe patients was higher by 22.70 U/liter (95% CI = 19.09-26.45) and by 22.94 U/liter (95% CI = 20.46-25.42) respectively, as compared to general population. Pooled proportions showed ALT levels to be elevated in 16.00% (95% CI = 14.00-18.00) of patients with non-severe and 25.00% (95% CI = 20.00-31.00) of patients with severe COVID-19. Weighted mean difference of albumin and platelet count was found to be lower by 3.28 g/liter (95% CI = 3.05-3.50) and by 14.21 x 10⁹/liter (95% CI = 11.87-16.55) in non-severe patients and by 11.39 g/liter (95% CI = 10.16-12.63) and 40.70 x 10⁹/liter (95% CI = 33.62-47.77) in severe patients. Our meta-analysis shows that patients with COVID-19 infection can present with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in addition to elevated liver enzymes including AST, ALT and a decline in albumin and platelet count which is more marked in severe disease.