Volume 16 Issue 10, October 2019

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to change many aspects of health-care practice. Two newly published trials explore the potential applications of AI to improve polyp detection and mucosal visualization in gastrointestinal endoscopy — both show the benefits of AI to improve detection in gastrointestinal endoscopy.

A new study has added valuable outcome data from adolescents 5 years after undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. By comparing outcomes from adolescents and adults, the study adds to the existing evidence base, highlighting metabolic and bariatric surgery as an increasingly valuable tool in the multidisciplinary management of adolescents with severe obesity.

Multi-omics technologies in gut microbiome research provide a global view of changes in genetic, metabolic and biochemical processes. This approach has now been applied to the gut microbiota in the context of IBD, providing first steps towards a functional understanding of host–microbe interactions during disease pathogenesis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. This Review summarizes the epidemiology, risk factors (including viral hepatitis and NAFLD), molecular profiles and treatment of HCC, providing insights into how the global burden of HCC can be reduced.

The gut microbiota has been implicated in a range of diseases. This Review describes current understanding of probiotics and prebiotics as a means to manage the microbiota to improve host health, including mechanisms of actions and potential for clinical use.

The design of clinical trials for hepatocellular carcinoma is complicated by a number of obstacles. In this Review, the authors discuss the advances in systemic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma and critically discuss trial designs in the context of past successes and failures.

Chronic HBV infection is a serious problem; few patients achieve the ultimate goal of hepatitis B surface antigen loss. This Review integrates findings from research in HBV infection kinetics and discusses how they can aid understanding and management of HBV infection.