Explore the vast range of titles available.

Based on the assumption that characterizing the history of a disease will help in improving practice while offering a clue to research, this article aims at reviewing the history of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults and children. To this end, we address the history of NAFLD histopathology, which begins in 1980 with Ludwig’s seminal studies, although previous studies date back to the 19th century. Moreover, the principal milestones in the definition of genetic NAFLD are summarized. Next, a specific account is given of the evolution, over time, of our understanding of the association of NAFLD with metabolic syndrome, spanning from the outdated concept of “NAFLD as a manifestation of the Metabolic Syndrome”, to the more appropriate consideration that NAFLD has, with metabolic syndrome, a mutual and bi-directional relationship. In addition, we also report on the evolution from first intuitions to more recent studies, supporting NAFLD as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This association probably has deep roots, going back to ancient Middle Eastern cultures, wherein the liver had a significance similar to that which the heart holds in contemporary society. Conversely, the notions that NAFLD is a forerunner of hepatocellular carcinoma and extra-hepatic cancers is definitely more modern. Interestingly, guidelines issued by hepatological societies have lagged behind the identification of NAFLD by decades. A comparative analysis of these documents defines both shared attitudes (e.g., ultrasonography and lifestyle changes as the first approaches) and diverging key points (e.g., the threshold of alcohol consumption, screening methods, optimal non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis and drug treatment options). Finally, the principal historical steps in the general, cellular and molecular pathogenesis of NAFLD are reviewed. We conclude that an in-depth understanding of the history of the disease permits us to better comprehend the disease itself, as well as to anticipate the lines of development of future NAFLD research.

Great sadness and deep affection marked the recent passing of Professor and Dr Shu Dong Xiao, a renowned and respected gastroenterologist, the emeritus director of Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease and the emeritus professor of Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, who had dedicated his whole life to the academic and clinical study of digestive diseases. Because of his excellent performance he remained working as a resident of the Department of Internal Medicine in Hongren Hospital after graduation and later transferred to the Department of Internal Medicine of Renji Hospital.

Radislav dedicated most of his last years to research, building innovative, international and inclusive research networks focussing on functional GI disorders and gut microbiota, inflammatory bowel disease but also pancreatic disorders and rare diseases. Radislav was a pioneer in several fields of digestive diseases in his country: he assessed the prevalence of functional GI disorders in the Bulgarian population and, after a training period at the Catholic University of Rome, he was the first to establish a stool bank in Eastern Europe and to perform fecal microbiota transplants in Bulgaria. Notably, as part of the Y Generation (or Millennials), he applied his knowledge of social media to enhance medical education.