These results add to evidence that long-term ingestion of inorganic arsenic can cause respiratory effects.

The lowest peak arsenic ingested by a confirmed case was 115 microg/liter. Confirmation of case diagnosis and intensive longitudinal exposure assessment provide the basis for a detailed dose-response evaluation of arsenic-caused skin lesions.

Although sample size in this study is small, it seems that EVL may be a good option for primary prophylaxis for variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhotic PHT; further studies on a larger number of patients and longer follow up are required.

AIM:To compare the efficacy of pentoxifylline and prednisolone in the treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis, and to evaluate the role of different liver function scores in predicting prognosis. METHODS:Sixty-eight patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis (Maddrey score ≥ 32) received pentoxifylline (n = 34, group Ⅰ) or prednisolone (n = 34, group Ⅱ) for 28 d in a randomized double-blind controlled study, and subsequently in an open study (with a tapering dose of prednisolone) for a total of 3 mo, and were followed up over a period of 12 mo. RESULTS:Twelve patients in group Ⅱ died at the end of 3 mo in contrast to five patients in group Ⅰ. The probability of dying at the end of 3 mo was higher in group Ⅱ as compared to group Ⅰ (35.29% vs 14.71%, P = 0.04; log rank test). Six patients in group Ⅱ developed hepatorenal syndrome as compared to none in group Ⅰ. Pentoxifylline was associated with a significantly lower model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score at the end of 28 d of therapy (15.53 ± 3.63 vs 17.78 ± 4.56, P = 0.04). Higher baseline Maddrey score was associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSION:Reduced mortality, improved risk-benefit profile and renoprotective effects of pentoxifylline compared with prednisolone suggest that pentoxifylline is superior to prednisolone for treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis.

Carvedilol is a relatively safe, effective portal hypotensive agent, both acutely and over 7 days, but not superior to propranolol, at least in Indians. The acute hemodynamic response seems promising in predicting long-term response.