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Featured MASLD/MASH Educators

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Elizabeth Alqueza

PA-C

Elizabeth Alqueza, PA-C is a board certified Physician Associate at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston, Massachusetts. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2004 with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree and subsequently completed the AASLD NP/PA Clinical Hepatology Fellowship. Elizabeth has worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings with a strong commitment to patient care. Currently working at BIDMC Liver Center, Elizabeth has 5 years of dedicated experience in Hepatology. Her practice focuses primarily on steatotic liver disease, including Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH). Elizabeth is an active member of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers.

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Michelle Barnett

PA-C, MPAS, DFAAPA

Michelle Barnett is a highly experienced physician assistant specializing in patient-focused and evidence-based hepatology at Peak Gastroenterology Associates in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The most rewarding part of her position includes educating patients and collaborating with other GI advanced practice providers to enhance care for the growing MASLD/MASH population. She is now a subinvestigtor for hepatology clinical trials with Peak in Colorado Springs. With over 30 years in the GI and liver communities, she has held leadership roles, including serving as President of the Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA) and receiving CAPA's Physician Assistant of the Year award. She is a national speaker and has given lectures for the AAPA, GHAPP and AANP. A graduate of Wichita State University and the University of Nebraska, Michelle has been recognized with the DFAAPA distinction and honors such as the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation's IBD internship and the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders Ally Award. Passionate about holistic care, she incorporates lifestyle strategies like nutrition, yoga, and meditation into her practice. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys hiking, travel, musical theater, and supporting her favorite Colorado sports teams.

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Sherona Bau

NP

Sherona Bau graduated from University of California, Los Angeles in 2008, with Master of Science in Nursing dual program specialized in Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist. In 2010, she has joined UCLA Pfleger Liver Institute and Asian Liver Cancer Center working as an outpatient Nurse Practitioner specializing in liver diseases including viral hepatitis, hepatobiliary diseases, alcohol related liver diseases, Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease/Steatohepatitis, autoimmune liver diseases, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Since 2016, she has been a guest lecturer at UCLA School of Nursing for Master Entry Clinical Nurse (MECN) and MSN Adult/Gero Acute Care program. She is also a preceptor for Adult/Gero Acute Care Program. She participated in Hepatitis C Screening in the Community Churches to promote awareness of hepatitis C and the importance of treatment of hepatitis C. She also participates in Patient Symposium at UCLA to give a lecture to update care of the liver transplant patients. She is also a faculty of Gastroenterology Hepatology Advanced Practice Provider (GHAPP) since 2018 and a speaker for both GHAPP National meeting and Regional GHAPP in Los Angeles. Since 2013, she has published total 14 research papers and case report including the most recent three are Recommendations for the Management of MASH by Advanced Practice Providers in the US, Clinicians and Patients Confront Practical Issues in Wilson Disease, and Overview of chronic Hepatitis B management.

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Maribeth Capuno

DNP, RN, ANP-BC

Maribeth Capuno obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from Emory University in 1996. She was then certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. She worked as a Nurse Practitioner in Cardiology for over 20 years, specializing in Heart Failure. In 2019, she advanced her education by obtaining her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Virginia. In 2021, she relocated to Richmond Virginia and took a position in the Hepatology department at the Richmond Veteran's Affairs Medical Center. In this position, her focus has been on patients with MASLD/MASH throughout the spectrum of their disease. She works with her patients to develop an individualized plan of care to assist them in controlling their metabolic conditions which are contributing to their liver disease. She also is a Sub-Investigator on multiple MASLD/MASH clinical trials.

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Summer Collier

MSN, FNP-BC

Summer Collier is a nurse practitioner with advanced expertise in hepatology and a strong commitment to evidence-based, multidisciplinary care. At UC San Diego Health, she provides comprehensive management for patients with chronic liver disease, including viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, alcohol-associated liver disease, and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Collier is actively engaged in clinical research and has participated in multidisciplinary studies on liver fibrosis, steatosis, and treatment protocols for hepatitis C and alcohol use disorder. Her scholarly work focuses on improving transitions of care for patients with cirrhosis and expanding access to pharmacologic treatments for patients with alcohol use disorder. A recognized leader in the field, Collier has presented at national conferences including The Liver Meeting (AASLD), Digestive Disease Week (DDW), and GHAPP, speaking on topics such as cirrhosis care, hepatology red flags, and advanced practice provider leadership. She previously served as Chair of the Advanced Practice Council at UC San Diego Health, driving initiatives that elevated APP visibility and impact within the organization. Before joining UC San Diego Health, she was a family nurse practitioner and HIV specialist with Family Health Centers of San Diego. She also has prior experience as a registered nurse. Collier completed a Master of Science in Nursing degree from University of San Diego and will complete the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from University of California, Los Angeles in June 2025. She is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

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Jessica Crimaldi

MSN, NP-C, CMSRN

Jessica Crimaldi, MSN, APRN,CNP, CMSRN was born and raised in the greater Cleveland area. She attended Cleveland State University for her BSN; during her time at CSU she had the opportunity to work at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation in a 3-year internship entitled the "Nursing Experiential Program." In this role she had the opportunity to learn many of the roles on a typical nursing unit while working 1 year as a Unit Secretary, 1 year as a Nurse Assistant and 1 year as a Nurse Intern. She started her nursing career on an inpatient Internal Medicine and Telemetry Teaching Unit where she worked as an RN while completing her MSN at the University of Akron. Since graduation in 2015 she has worked as a Nurse Practitioner in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition seeing inpatients with gastrointestinal and liver disorders at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. In addition, to her clinical role, she is also the Manager for over 50 Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition APPs. She is the Co-Director for the nation's first Inflammatory Bowel Disease APP Fellowship which is in its third year. She has presented nationally and published in The Journal for Nurse Practitioners (JNP). She is Faculty for Gastroenterology and Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers (GHAPP) National Organization and Milestone APP. When she is not busy with work Jessica is a wife, parent to 2 young children and dog mom. She is a foster parent and passionate about improving the foster care system. She enjoys being outdoors, hiking and spending time with family and friends.

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Jeremy Davis

ACNP-BC

Jeremy Davis ACNP is a board-certified acute care nurse practitioner who has been practicing in the focus of hepatology at GastroIntestinal Specialists A.M.C. since 2012. Jeremy’s areas of interest include MASLD, MASH, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, cholestatic liver disease, and autoimmune liver disease. Jeremy has been an active faculty ambassador of Gastroenterology & Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers (GHAPP) since 2019 and is a lecturer at both regional and national conferences. Jeremy is also an Associate member of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) since 2014. Jeremy received his Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science Degree in Nursing from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Jeremy’s hobbies include spending time with his family, cooking and traveling.

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Sarah Dawkins

FNP-C, MSN, RN

Sarah Dawkins, FNP-C, is a family nurse practitioner specializing in general and transplant hepatology at Duke University Medical Center, where she has practiced since 2017. She holds a BS in Biology and a BA in Romance Languages from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Sarah completed the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at Duke University and worked in the Neuroscience ICU at Duke while earning her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). She became a certified family nurse practitioner in 2015 and initially worked in a private gastroenterology practice before joining Duke Gastroenterology. Her clinical interests include autoimmune liver disease, transplant hepatology and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Sarah currently serves as the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Team Lead for the GI Division at Duke. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, attending fitness classes, cheering on the UNC Tar Heels, and spending time with her three young children and their orange cat, Zeus.

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Anthony Derencius

MPAS, PA-C

Anthony Derencius, PA-C is a former U.S. Army medic and a 2010 honor graduate of the military’s Interservice Physician Assistant Program. During his 11 years in the Army, he provided care to patients and soldiers around the world, including deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. After leaving the Army, PA-C Derencius focused his clinical career in the gastroenterology and hepatology field. He has worked in private practice GI in Hawaii and in both general and transplant hepatology in San Antonio, gaining extensive outpatient and inpatient experience. In 2024, he joined Pinnacle Clinical Research, bringing a wealth of clinical expertise to his role as an investigator in many clinical trials for MASLD and other liver diseases. In 2018, he completed a one-year American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) Foundation NP/PA Clinical Hepatology Fellowship. He is also an active member of several medical societies, including the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) and the AASLD.

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Stacie Egan

DNP, FNP-C

Stacie Egan, DNP, FNP-C, is a Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in gastroenterology, practicing with the Ogden Clinic in Utah. Born and raised in the Ogden area, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Weber State University, graduating summa cum laude. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati, and most recently her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, which she obtained in 2022. Stacie joined Ogden Clinic in 2017 and works primarily through the Layton Specialty location, where she focuses on digestive health, disease prevention, and helping patients improve quality of life through clinical care and education. Her passion for gastroenterology stems from her strong belief in the impact of preventative health and the importance of gut health in overall wellness. Beyond her clinical work, Stacie values a patient-centered approach—listening to patients, addressing their concerns, and applying her knowledge to support them in achieving better health outcomes. She resides locally, is married, and in her free time enjoys Utah’s outdoor lifestyle, including trail running, enjoying natural areas like Snowbasin, and participating in the Ogden Marathon.

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Melissa Franco

PA-C, MMS

Melissa Franco is a Physician Associate at the University of Miami- specializing in the management of patients with liver diseases, ranging from acute hepatitis to complex chronic conditions such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. With a strong focus on MASH, autoimmune hepatitis, PBC, viral hepatitides, and cirrhosis- Melissa is dedicated to delivering compassionate, comprehensive care tailored to each patient's unique needs. She is deeply committed to patient education, and strives to empower individuals to take an active role in their health journey, fostering collaboration, and confidence at every stage of care.

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Jennifer Geremia

PA-C

Jennifer Geremia, PA-C, is a practicing Physician Assistant in outpatient Gastroenterology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. With GI experience for 15 years including community GI care in RI and currently tertiary care. In addition to clinical practice she enjoys educating both her peers and future PAs. Jennifer currently teaches at UNE, MCPHS and MGH PA programs. She is also on the Education committee and faculty for GHAPP and is actively working on the AGA APP task force as well as an APP contributor to ASGE .

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HoChong Gilles

DNP, FNP-BC, AF-AASLD

HoChong Gilles earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Nursing, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2018, she completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice at the University of Virginia. With over 25 years of experience as a Nurse Practitioner specializing in hepatology, Dr. Gilles currently serves as the Clinical Program Director for the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division and Assistant Director of GI Research in Richmond, Virginia. Her clinical and research interests encompass metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD/MASH), portal hypertension, liver transplantation, and hepatocellular carcinoma. An active member of the liver disease community, she is proud to hold the designation of Associate Fellow with the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD).

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Elizabeth Goacher

PA-C

Elizabeth Goacher is a Physician Assistant with Duke University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Duke Liver Center, April 2001 to the present. Her pronouns are she/her. She is currently engaged in full time clinical practice in Hepatology. Her clinical work encompasses the full spectrum of liver disease patient population, from early stage disease to end of life, with a particular interest in portal hypertension. She served as Team Lead for the Duke Division of Gastroenterology Advanced Practice group of 25 Advanced Practice Providers 2014-2023. She is also lecturer and preceptor at Duke University School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program. Elizabeth graduated from the Duke University School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program in 1998 after earning her Bachelor of Arts from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1991. She is past Chair of the Hepatology Associates Committee of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and was a member of the inaugural class of Associate Fellows of AASLD in 2020. When she is not at work, she maintains a health boundary from technology (aka EPIC) and spends as much time outdoors as possible. When asked to design and implement her dream job, she would own and operate a cocktail and tapas venue while instructing fitness classes on a large piece of lakeside property in North Carolina alongside her canine rescue, foster and retraining agency.

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Tina Gregg

NP-C

Tina Marie Gregg, NP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in gastroenterology with a particular focus on liver disease. She serves as The Liver Clinic Specialist at GI Associates & Endoscopy Center in Flowood, Mississippi, where she provides comprehensive care for patients with conditions such as cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and other chronic liver disorders. Tina earned her Master of Science in Nursing degree from University of Mississippi Medical Center and has been certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners since 2007. At GI Associates, she is actively involved in clinical care, coordinating diagnostic evaluations, treatment plans, and long-term disease management. She also serves as a Sub-investigator within the Research Department. Known for her compassionate and thorough approach, Tina is dedicated to helping patients understand their conditions and treatment options while ensuring close follow-up and ongoing support.

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Janet Gripshover

DNP, FNP-BC, MBA

Janet Gripshover, DNP, FNP-BC, MBA, AF-AASLD, is a highly experienced Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Manager for Cedars-Sinai’s Liver Transplant Program in Los Angeles. With over 15 years of clinical and leadership expertise in hepatology, Dr. Gripshover is recognized for her commitment to advancing the role of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) in liver care. She has led numerous initiatives to foster APP education and collaboration, including founding the APP HCV Consortium in Baltimore, MD, and creating the GI APP Grand Rounds series at Geisinger Wyoming Valley in Wilkes-Barre, PA. In addition to speaking at national conferences, Dr. Gripshover has developed and delivered a wide range of educational and professional development seminars for non-physician providers across the country. An advocate for patient-centered innovation, she also founded and moderated the first hospital-sponsored Facebook support group for liver transplant recipients — a project that earned her the New Media Award for Healthcare from the Baltimore Business Journal and national recognition. Dr. Gripshover is an active member of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), where she has served on the Hepatology Associates Committee and the Women’s Initiatives Committee, helping launch the AASLD Women’s Leadership Program. She currently serves as Vice Chair of AASLD’s Hepatology Associates Special Interest Group and is also a member of the Hepatology Associates Committee for the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG).

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Christina Hanson

FNP-C

Christina Hanson is a nurse practitioner in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at South Denver GI, with nearly 20 years of clinical practice. She is a course director and board of trustee for GHAPP. An active researcher with extensive leadership and teaching experience, she is a champion of evidence-based practice, data-driven care delivery, interdisciplinary collaboration, and quality patient care. Christina is committed to amplifying professional development, growth, and contributions of advanced practice.

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Anna Marie Hefner

PhD, RN, CPNP, FAASLD

Anna Marie Hefner PhD, RN, CPNP, FAASLD is a board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and expert nurse in the field of Hepatology, specializing in fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Anna Marie is an Associate Professor at Azusa Pacific University, School of Nursing, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate nursing students. Anna received her Masters of Science in Nursing from California State University in Long Beach, and her Masters of Arts, Education, and Special Education at Azusa Pacific University. Anna Marie completed her Doctorate in Nursing at the University of San Diego, with an emphasis in nutritional status of the patient with end-stage liver disease. Anna Marie is the Director of the NASH-ville clinics at Southern California Liver Centers. Anna Marie has received three consecutive mid-level professional awards for her work on facilitating lifestyle changes to manage progressive fatty liver disease from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Anna Marie is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

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Patrick Horne

NP

Patrick M. Horne, MSN, APRN-BC, FNP, AF-AASLD is the Assistant Director of Clinical Hepatology Research and Clinical Programs Coordinator at the University of Florida’s Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Florida College of Nursing. His research focuses on hepatology clinical trials, including viral hepatitis, MASH, autoimmune hepatitis, cholestatic liver disease, and HCC. He has published extensively in clinical hepatology and has presented at major conferences such as AASLD, AGA NP/PA, and GHAPP.

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Lavinia Iordache

PA-C

Lavinia Iordache earned her Masters of Clinical Medical Science from Barry University in Miami and she has been practicing as a Physician Associate in the field of Hepatology for the past 10 years. She completed a one year AASLD fellowship under the guidance of her supervising physicians and she continues to provide care to a complex patient population in an academic environment. She previously attended Medical School in her home country of Romania and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida International University with a Bachelor Degree in Biochemistry. She holds a NCCPA certification and is a proud member of several professional associations as well as animal welfare organizations. Her dedication to helping people with liver disease extends to both inpatient and outpatient settings and she has been expanding her clinical practice to include Internal Medicine as well as General Gastroenterology. She values a holistic and patient-centered approach to care and is a big advocate for patient education, always striving to connect with her patients to promote understanding of diseases, build trust and improve outcomes through collaboration. Lavinia is fluent in Spanish and particularly enjoys communicating with her Latin patient population in South Florida as she has a lifelong interest in learning different dialects and connecting with people of various ethnic backgrounds. In her free time, Lavinia particularly enjoys exploring new destinations, she has taste for adventures, unique art galleries and museums, loves cooking and entertaining and she is intentional about pursuing a holistic lifestyle through conscientious choices for a mindful integration of mind, body and soul.

MASLD/MASH Learning Center

Latest News & Blogs

Global, regional and national burden and trends of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in women of reproductive age from 1990 to 2021: Insights from the Global burden of disease study 2021

calMay 2026

CONCLUSION: These findings provide critical epidemiological insights for global NAFLD prevention and underscore the need for targeted health policies for WCBA as a high-risk population.

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Editorial: Adaptive immune regulation of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

calMay 2026

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Insights into Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis: The Role of Fibrinogen and Pepsinogen

calMay 2026

CONCLUSION: Overall, both fibrinogen and pepsinogen appear to have a more significant negative impact on liver health and the progression of NAFLD than beneficial effects. Integrating assessments of fibrinogen and pepsinogen into clinical practice could facilitate earlier intervention strategies aimed at slowing disease progression.

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The Relationship between Carotid Artery Stenosis and the Severity of Fatty Liver in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Who Are Candidates for Angiography

calMay 2026

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that liver fibrosis severity (based on the FIB-4 index) is significantly associated with carotid artery stenosis and coronary artery involvement. Therefore, assessing liver fibrosis may serve as a predictive marker for cardiovascular risk in patients with NAFLD. The use of non-invasive methods such as FIB-4 alongside ultrasonography is recommended for fibrosis evaluation.

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Retrospective analysis of predictors for significant hepatic inflammation in metabolic-associated fatty liver disease with chronic hepatitis B

calMay 2026

CONCLUSIONS: This clinical study was conducted based on histopathological findings and demonstrated that BMI, LSM, and HBV DNA are independent risk factors for the progression of hepatic inflammation in patients with MAFLD and HBV infection, whereas ALT served as an independent non-invasive predictor of this outcome. These findings provide a novel non-invasive approach for clinicians to assess the degree of hepatic inflammation when liver biopsy results are unavailable.

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The oral-gut-liver axis: linking periodontal microbiota to the pathogenesis of liver diseases

calMay 2026

Oral microbiota plays a critical role in linking oral and systemic health, with dysbiosis closely associated with the onset and progression of chronic liver diseases. This review systematically examines the central role of the "oral-gut-liver axis" in hepatic pathophysiology. Epidemiological evidence has identified periodontitis and specific oral pathogens, such as Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum), as independent risk factors for the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease...

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Electroacupuncture in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: mechanistic insights and therapeutic potential

calMay 2026

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most prevalent chronic liver disorder globally, driven by increasing rates of obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction. In the absence of approved pharmacological therapies, electroacupuncture (EA) has garnered attention as a promising adjunctive intervention. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding the mechanistic underpinnings and therapeutic potential of EA in NAFLD. We discuss how EA modulates hepatic...

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Hepatopulmonary syndrome as presentation of pediatric metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis

calMay 2026

Childhood obesity is rising and leading to serious co-morbidities, among which is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) predisposing individuals to cirrhosis. We describe a young 11-year-old Hispanic male who presented with hepatopulmonary syndrome secondary to cirrhotic portal hypertension from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), necessitating liver transplantation. Despite lifestyle modifications post-transplantation, the patient experienced...

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Cryptogenic Pyogenic Liver Abscess as a Sentinel of Occult Colorectal Cancer: Successful Conservative Management of a Rare Presentation

calMay 2026

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is an uncommon but serious infection, usually linked to biliary or intra-abdominal sources. When no clear cause is identified, the possibility of an underlying gastrointestinal malignancy, especially colorectal cancer (CRC), should always be considered. In some cases, a liver abscess may be the very first sign of an otherwise silent cancer. We report a 68-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and non-alcoholic fatty...

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A novel glucose-lipid metabolism-related indicator and its association with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: a cross-sectional study based on a health check-up population

calMay 2026

CONCLUSION: The CHG index was positively associated with MAFLD and showed good discriminatory ability in this large Chinese health check-up population. Although its performance was lower than that of the TyG index and FLI, it may still serve as a simple and accessible metabolic indicator for identifying individuals at higher risk of MAFLD in primary healthcare and health screening settings.

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Gut microbes mediate the synergistic effects of dietary cholesterol and saturated fat in driving fibrosing MASH

calMay 2026

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects approximately one-third of the global population and can progress to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with fibrosis, increasing the risk of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and mortality. Gut microbes driven by diets high in saturated fat, simple sugar, and cholesterol contribute to disease progression, yet the underlying mechanisms remain undefined. We explored the independent and synergistic...

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Untargeted Metabolomic Analysis Reveals the Mechanism Underlying Swertia mussotii Treatment on Rats With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS

calMay 2026

Swertia mussotii (SM) is a traditional Tibetan medicine and can effectively treat hepatopathies like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the mechanism by which it alleviates NAFLD is largely undetermined. In this study, we determined the efficacy of SM and its associated mechanism in NAFLD with in vivo and in vitro models. NAFLD was induced in mice by administering the high-fat diet (HFD) and in HepG2 cells via free fatty acid (FFA) stimulation. Treatment with SM significantly...

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Integrated Bulk and Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analysis Reveals Transcriptional Activation of PTGS2 by FOS in Progression From T2DM to T2DM-Associated NAFLD

calMay 2026

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) frequently coexist, exacerbating disease burden. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression from T2DM to T2DM-associated NAFLD remain unclear. This study investigated the regulatory function of FOS-mediated PTGS2 activation in this transition. We integrated bulk RNA-seq data from GEO, single-cell transcriptomic data and transcriptomes from patients with T2DM-associated NAFLD. Differentially expressed...

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Fatty Liver Disease in Australia: A Narrative Review on the Epidemiology, Natural History, Prognostication and Management in People With Metabolic Dysfunction

calMay 2026

Metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) or metabolic (dysfunction)-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common and fastest growing cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. There has been a substantial increase in the epidemiological research regarding MASLD/MAFLD originating from Australia since 2020. This narrative review summarises these pivotal epidemiological studies investigating the disease prevalence, natural history, prognostication and...

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PNPLA3-I148M reduces hepatic triacylglycerol secretion and mitigates diet induced left ventricular diastolic dysfunction

calMay 2026

PNPLA3-I148M, the greatest genetic determinant for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), paradoxically associates with reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, the mechanisms are poorly understood. To investigate how PNPLA3-I148M alters hepatic triacylglycerol (TAG) metabolism and influences cardiac function, we expressed human WT-PNPLA3, PNPLA3-I148M, or GFP in the liver of PNPLA3-/- mice and fed them chow or Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis...

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Maternal Dyslipidaemia Aggravates Offspring Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

calMay 2026

Paediatric metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and steatohepatitis (MASH) display a distinct and severe histopathology. Maternal metabolic status may program offspring susceptibility to MASLD. This study investigated if maternal dyslipidaemia and low vitamin C (VitC) status influence offspring MASLD using a validated guinea pig model. Thirty female guinea pigs received a low-fat (LF) diet until pregnancy was confirmed, then remained on LF or switched to a high-fat...

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A Positive Correlation of Basal Metabolic Rate With Significant Liver Fibrosis in Adults With MASLD and Obesity: Results From NHANES 2017-2020

calMay 2026

CONCLUSION: BMR is elevated in individuals with NAFLD or MASLD and significant liver fibrosis. The novel model combining age, male gender, BMR, aspartate transaminase, white blood cell counts, platelet counts, and diabetes outperformed conventional noninvasive scoring systems in predicting significant fibrosis in individuals with MASLD and obesity.

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Discovery of Non-Carboxylic Steroidal FXR Agonist as a Promising Preclinical Candidate for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis

calMay 2026

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) presents a growing global health challenge, underscoring the need for effective therapies. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) represents a promising therapeutic target against MASH. This study reported the rational design of a novel non-carboxylic steroidal FXR agonist, compound 27, which demonstrated effective FXR agonistic activity (TR-FRET: EC(50) = 10 ± 3 nM; Luciferase Reporter: EC(50) = 128 ± 9 nM) alongside reduced activation of the...

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Distinct Roles of Myeloid- and Hepatocyte-PLA2G6 Deletion in Mice With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

calMay 2026

CONCLUSION: Myeloid- and hepatocyte-PLA2G6 deficiency elicited aggravation and protection against HFD-induced hepatic inflammation, respectively. However, PLA2G6 deficiency in both cell types exacerbated insulin resistance. PLA2G6 inactivation specifically in hepatocytes may provide a potential therapy option to alleviate diet-induced liver inflammation.

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Platelet-mediated progression of fatty liver disease in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis: a pathophysiological review

calMay 2026

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) represents a progressive stage of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), marked by hepatic inflammation, cellular injury, and fibrosis, with potential progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma if not appropriately managed. Increasing evidence highlights that platelets play a significant role in MASH pathogenesis beyond their classical function in hemostasis. Enhanced platelet activation and alterations...

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