The association between trajectory of serum cholesterol, statin dosage, and the risk of recurrent biliary stone diseases.

Background: Statins may reduce the risk of recurrent gallstone disease by decreasing bile cholesterol saturation and pathogenicity. However, limited studies have investigated this issue. This study aimed to assess whether statin doses and serum cholesterol levels were associated with a decreased risk of recurrent biliary stone diseases after the first event index, with a follow-up time of 15 years.

The Clinical Presentations of Liver Abscess Development After Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography with Choledocholithiasis: A 17-Year Follow-Up.

Background: Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), used for choledocholithiasis treatment, carries a risk of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) due to communication between the biliary system and bowel contents. However, limited data exists on this issue. This study aims to identify the risk factors pertaining to liver abscesses following ERCP lithotomy.

Early and Direct Endoscopic Stone Removal in the Moderate Grade of Acute Cholangitis with Choledocholithiasis Was Safe and Effective: A Prospective Study.

Background: Evidence supporting the feasibility of single-stage stone removal in patients with a moderate grade of acute cholangitis remains insufficient. The maximal size of a common bile-duct stone suitable for removal during a single-stage ERCP in a moderate grade of acute cholangitis is unknown.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 196 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-naïve patients diagnosed with acute cholangitis and choledocholithiasis.

The efficacies of non-bismuth containing quadruple therapies in the treatment of first-line anti-Helicobacter pylori across 4-year time interval with changing antibiotics resistance.

Background: Non-bismuth containing quadruple therapy (concomitant therapy) is an alternative treatment for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication with increasing clarithromycin-resistant strains over times. This study compared the efficacies of non-bismuth containing quadruple therapy (concomitant therapy) in the treatment of first-line anti-Helicobacter Pylori between two time intervals (January 2013 to June 2014 and June 2016 to December 2017).

A comparison between dexlansoprazole modified release-based and lansoprazole-based nonbismuth quadruple (concomitant) therapy for first-line eradication: a prospective randomized trial.

Purpose: Steadily maintaining high intra-gastric PH is the major factor for successful eradication. It is important to search for a stronger PPI. Dexlansoprazole MR is a dual delayed release formulation PPI taken once daily which is capable of maintaining longer duration of high intra-gastric PH.

First-line eradication rates are significantly lower in patients with than those without type 2 diabetes mellitus.

To assess the difference of the first-line therapy for in patients with or without type 2 diabetes (DM) and to investigate the clinical factors influencing treatment outcomes. In total, 719 patients with infection were treated with 7-day standard first-line triple therapy, of whom 182 did and 537 did not have DM. Propensity score matched at a 1:2 ratio - for age, sex and body mass index was performed for the two groups, yielding a DM group with 147 patients and a non-DM group with 249 matched controls for analysis.

The efficacy of limited endoscopic sphincterotomy plus endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation for removal of large bile duct stones.

Background: The removal of large bile duct stones (> 15 mm) by conventional endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) can be challenging, requiring mechanical lithotripsy (ML) in addition to EST or EPBD. The primary complication of ML is basket and stone impaction, which can lead to complications such as pancreatitis and cholangitis. The present study aims to investigate the efficacy of limited EST plus endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EST-EPLBD) for large bile duct stone extraction with an extent of cutting < 1/2 the length of the papillary mound.

A comparison between non-sedation and general endotracheal anesthesia for retrograde endoscopic common bile duct stone removal: A tertiary center experience.

Background: Conscious sedation is not routinely administered for therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in many countries. The aim of our retrospective study was to compare the safety and rate of success and complications during common bile duct (CBD) stone extraction using ERCPs performed with no-sedation (NS) or under general endotracheal anesthesia (GET).

Methods: The medical records of all patients who underwent ERCP for biliary stone extraction between January 2010 and September 2013 were reviewed, and patients classified to the NS and GET groups.

A 14 day esomeprazole- and amoxicillin-containing high-dose dual therapy regimen achieves a high eradication rate as first-line anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment in Taiwan: a prospective randomized trial.

Background: The first-line eradication rate of standard triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection has declined to <80%, and alternative therapies with >90% success rates are needed. Inconsistent eradication rates were reported for proton pump inhibitor- and amoxicillin-containing high-dose dual therapy.

Objectives: We performed a prospective, randomized controlled study to assess the efficacy of esomeprazole- and amoxicillin-containing high-dose dual therapy and investigated the influencing clinical factors.

Extracellular galectin-3 facilitates colon cancer cell migration and is related to the epidermal growth factor receptor.

We previously found that galectin-3 enhanced DLD-1 cell migration through the K-Ras-Raf-Erk1/2 pathway, but the effect of extracellular galectin-3 on cancer cell migration and its interaction with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) remained unknown. We aimed to determine the effect of extracellular galectin-3 on colon cancer cell migration and its correlation with the EGFR expression. Western blotting was performed to analyze galectin-3 secretion, shRNA was used to stably knock down galectin-3 expression and a migration assay was performed to evaluate colon cancer cell migration.

Effect of extracorporeal low-energy shock wave on diabetic gastroparesis in a rat model.

Background And Aim: Delayed gastric emptying occurs in more than 50% of chronic diabetic patients, and this is associated with significant impairments in quality of life. Traditional therapy for delayed gastric emptying has focused on supportive treatment, and there is no significant effective therapy. The effect of low-energy shock wave on gastric motility is never studied.

First-Line Eradication in Patients with Chronic Kidney Diseases in Taiwan.

Aims: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and () infection have a higher incidence of gastroduodenal diseases and therefore are recommended to receive eradication therapies. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a 7-day standard triple therapy in patients with CKD (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m) and to investigate the clinical factors influencing the success of eradication.

The effect of dietary carbohydrate on gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Background: Acid changes in gastroesophageal reflux with vary component in the food have less been studied, especially carbohydrate. We plan to clarify the effect of different carbohydrate density on low esophageal acid and reflux symptoms of patients with gastroesophgeal reflux disease.

Methods: Twelve patients (52 ± 12 years old; five female) with gastroesophageal reflux disease were recruited for the prospective crossover study.

Synergistic interaction between galectin-3 and carcinoembryonic antigen promotes colorectal cancer metastasis.

In this study, we investigated the role of galectin-3 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in metastasis and survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. CEA interacted with galectin-3 at the cell surface and cytoplasm of Caco2 and DLD1 CRC cells. Knocking down galectin-3 did not affect CEA expression in CRC cells.

Limited precut sphincterotomy combined with endoscopic papillary balloon dilation for common bile duct stone removal in patients with difficult biliary cannulation.

Background: Difficult biliary cannulation in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can result in failure of common bile duct (CBD) stone removal and pancreatitis. The present study aimed to report the efficacy and safety of limited precut sphincterotomy (PS) combined with endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) for CBD stone removal in patients with difficult biliary cannulation, and the complications associated with this combined procedure.

Methods: A total of 3305 patients underwent ERCP in our hospital between October 2009 and September 2014 and 258 were diagnosed with difficult biliary cannulation.

A Randomized Control Trial Comparing 2 Levofloxacin-Containing Second-Line Therapies for Helicobacter pylori Eradication.

Summary of Trial Design.Lengthy exposure to quinolone-containing triple therapy in Helicobacter pylori eradication leads to the development of drug resistance. Sequential therapy with a quinolone and metronidazole -containing regimen appears to be an effective treatment option.

Modifiable Prognostic Factors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Non-Surgical Treatment.

Background & Aims: Current hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) staging systems only use baseline characteristics to predict outcome. We aimed to explore modifiable factors of the prognosis in HCC cases had undergone non-surgical treatment.

Methods: All HCC cases in Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial hospital in southern Taiwan from 2002 to 2012 must met all below criteria: (1) met international diagnostic guidelines, (2) underwent the initial treatments in our hospital (3) treated by non-surgical treatment modalities and (4) survived more than two years, with follow-up time longer than five years.

Five-year sequential changes in secondary antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori in Taiwan.

Aim: To determine changes in the antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in southern Taiwan after failure of first-line standard triple therapy.

Methods: We analyzed 137 H.

Predicting risk factors for rebleeding, infections, mortality following peptic ulcer bleeding in patients with cirrhosis and the impact of antibiotics prophylaxis at different clinical stages of the disease.

Background: Infections in cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding are a common event causing severe complication and mortality. This study aimed to identify risk factors that may predict rebleeding, bacterial infections, and the impact of antibiotic prophylaxis on mortality at different stages of cirrhosis following acute peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB).

Methods: A hospital-based retrospective cohort study was conducted on 235 cirrhotic patients with acute peptic ulcer hemorrhage who underwent therapeutic endoscopic procedures between January 2008 and January 2014 (n = 235); of these, 88 patients received prophylactic intravenous ceftriaxone (antibiotic group) and 147 patients did not (nil-antibiotic group).

Seven-Day Nonbismuth Containing Quadruple Therapy Could Achieve a Grade "A" Success Rate for First-Line Helicobacter pylori Eradication.

This prospective study was to assess the efficacy of nonbismuth containing quadruple therapy as first-line H. pylori treatment and to determine the clinical factors influencing patient outcome. We enrolled 200 H.

Levofloxacin-containing second-line anti-Helicobacter pylori eradication in Taiwanese real-world practice.

Background: Quinolone-containing triple therapy is recommended as an option for non-bismuth containing second-line Helicobacter pylori eradication. Current available Taiwanese reports in the literature used 7-day quinolone-containing triple therapy. As a result, some physicians still prescribe 7-day regimens in real-world practice in Taiwan.

The clinical and bacteriological factors for optimal levofloxacin-containing triple therapy in second-line Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Quinolone has the disadvantage of easily acquired drug resistance. It is important to prescribe it wisely for a high eradication rate. The current study aimed to determine the clinical and bacteriological factors for optimal levofloxacin-containing triple therapies in second-line H.

Baseline and serial liver stiffness measurement in prediction of portal hypertension progression for patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) using transient elastography is useful in prediction of significant portal hypertension (PHT). To evaluate the usefulness of baseline and serial LSM in predicting clinical disease progression (CDP) for patients with compensated hepatic cirrhosis.

Methods: Consecutive patients with compensated cirrhosis and without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were prospectively enrolled.

Ten-Day versus 14-Day Levofloxacin-Containing Triple Therapy for Second-Line Anti-Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Taiwan.

Second-line Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication with fluoroquinolone-containing triple therapy is one of the recommended treatment options, but neither 7-day nor 10-day regimens provide >90% success rates. The current retrospective study aimed to clarify the effects of 10-day and 14-day levofloxacin-containing triple therapies for second-line H.

Endoscopic papillary balloon dilation for removal of bile duct stones: evaluation of outcomes and complications in 298 patients.

Background: Endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) is a therapeutic procedure for extraction of bile duct stones.

Goals: To evaluate the therapeutic outcomes, postoperative complications, and associated risk factors of EPBD in patients with bile duct stones.

Study: A total of 298 patients with bile duct stones were treated with EPBD.