AIM: To assess the risk of biliary and pancreatic cancers in a large cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Considerable improvements in sheep multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET)protocols have been made; however, unlike for cattle, MOET is poorly developed in sheep, and thus has not been broadly applicable as a routine procedure. The tightly folded nature of the ewe cervix, the inconsistent ovarian response to various superovulatory treatments, and the requirement of labor to handle animals, particularly during large-scale production, has limited the implementation of successful MOET in sheep. Moreover, several extrinsic factors (e.g., sources, the purity of gonadotrophins and their administration) and intrinsic factors (e.g., breed, age, nutrition, reproductive status) severely limit the practicability of MOET in sheep and other domestic animals. In this review, we summarize the effects of different superovulatory protocols, and their respective ovarian responses, in terms of ovulation rate, and embryo recovery and transfer. Furthermore, various strategies, such as inhibin immunization, conventional superovulation protocols, and melatonin implants for improving the ovarian response, are discussed in detail. Other reproductive techniques and their relative advantages and disadvantages, such as artificial insemination (AI), and donor embryo recovery and transfer to the recipient through different procedures, which must be taken into consideration for achieving satisfactory results during any MOET program in sheep, are also summarized in this article.

Background To date, no study has analyzed nationwide trends of in-hospital mortality related to oesophageal variceal hemorrhage in the USA. The aim of this study was to analyze trends of in-hospital mortality related to oesophageal variceal bleeding over the past two decades using a large national database. In addition, our aim was to study patient demographics and to identify risk factors for in-hospital mortality based on administrative data routinely collected in this population. Methods The nationwide inpatient sample database was used from 1988 to 2004. Patients with an International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, Clinical Modification discharge diagnosis of oesophageal variceal bleeding were included. Patient demographics, hospital, and admission characteristics were collected. t-test and Poisson regression analysis were used to evaluate trends. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between mortality and patient/hospital characteristics. Results From 1988 to 2004, crude in-hospital mortality decreased from 18 to 11.5%, whereas the age-adjusted in-hospital mortality rate decreased 45.4% from 1289 per 100 000 to 704 per 100 000 (P<0.01). Mortality was consistently higher for males and for African–Americans over the study period. For the 2001 dataset, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that male sex, African–American race, age, large hospital size, urban location, teaching hospitals, and hospitals located in the northeast were independent risk factors for increased mortality. Conclusion The in-hospital mortality of patients with oesophageal variceal bleeding has decreased over the past two decades and is likely due to the advances made in the acute management of variceal bleeding as well as improved resuscitative methods. Male sex, African–American race, age, large hospital size, urban location, teaching hospitals, and hospitals located in the northeast are independent risk factors for increased in-hospital mortality.

Background/Aims: Alcohol use and hepatitis C are prominent risk factors for liver injury and this review offers the current understanding of each factor’s effects on liver disease. Methods: A Medline database search was preformed for English articles with a focus on alcohol, hepatitis C and liver disease. Article citations were also considered for further applicable articles, and the strongest studies were included in our review. Results: Up to 60% of patients with hepatitis C have a past history of alcohol use. In patients with hepatitis C, chronic alcohol consumption of more than 5 drinks/day increases the rate of liver fibrosis, risk for cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and, possibly, death from liver disease. Numerous studies have further found that even moderate amounts of alcohol can be detrimental to hepatitis C patients. The prevalence of hepatitis C is higher in alcoholics with advanced liver disease than in alcoholics without liver disease. Also, recent alcohol use decreases the response rate to interferon treatment. Conclusions: Hepatitis C and alcohol use are often co-occurring risk factors for liver disease, and though their interaction is not clear, it is known that heavy drinking significantly promotes liver disease progression.